The wrestling world was rocked by the stunning news that WWE mogul Vince McMahon has resigned from his role as executive chairman of TKO, the parent company of WWE, following a bombshell lawsuit from a former employee accusing him of sex-trafficking and sexual assault.
Janel Grant, who worked at WWE’s headquarters in Connecticut from 2019 to 2022, claims that McMahon and another former executive, John Laurinaitis, used her as a “sexual pawn” to lure and retain top wrestling talent. She alleges that they trafficked her to other men, sexually assaulted her at the office, and pressured her into a relationship with McMahon, who promised her a job at WWE.
McMahon, 78, vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth”. He said he decided to step down “out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and Superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today”.
WWE president Nick Khan confirmed McMahon’s resignation in a memo to staff, saying he will no longer have any role with TKO or WWE. Khan thanked McMahon for his “vision, leadership, and passion” that made WWE a “cultural phenomenon”.
The lawsuit, filed on Thursday, is not the first time McMahon has faced legal trouble over his personal conduct. In 2022, the WWE board launched an investigation into an alleged $3m (£2.5m) settlement between McMahon and a former employee with whom he had an affair. McMahon was temporarily replaced by his daughter as CEO and chairperson, but returned to his positions in January 2023 after the investigation concluded.
Grant, however, slammed the WWE’s investigation as a “sham” and accused the company of trying to “sweep the matter under the rug”. She said the committee never contacted her or asked for any evidence from her. She is seeking unspecified damages and a jury trial.
McMahon is widely regarded as one of the most influential and controversial figures in the history of wrestling. He transformed WWE from a regional promotion into a global media empire, with weekly shows broadcast in more than 180 countries and 30 languages. He also created some of the most iconic characters and storylines in the industry, and occasionally stepped into the ring himself. His departure marks the end of an era for WWE and its fans.