Vince McMahon Resigns From WWE Amidst Sexual Misconduct Lawsuit

In a seismic shakeup, Vince McMahon, the iconic figurehead of professional wrestling, stepped down from his role as the executive chairman of the board of directors at TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company. This abrupt resignation follows a federal lawsuit filed by former employee Janel Grant, accusing McMahon and another ex-executive of serious sexual misconduct, including disturbing allegations of offering her for sexual favors to a star wrestler.

In a late Friday statement, McMahon asserted his innocence and continued to deny any wrongdoing. The lawsuit filed by Grant, who previously worked in the legal and talent departments of the company, claims that McMahon coerced her into a sexual relationship to secure and maintain her job. Shockingly, it alleges McMahon circulated explicit photos and videos of her to various men, including other WWE employees.

While McMahon expressed leaving the board “out of respect” for WWE and TKO Group, he maintains his commitment to defending himself vigorously against the “baseless accusations” and anticipates clearing his name.

This legal turmoil echoes previous investigations that led to McMahon stepping down as WWE’s CEO in 2022. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, the home base of WWE, accuses McMahon of wielding his influence to manipulate Grant into compromising situations.

McMahon, a stalwart in the wrestling industry, has been the face of WWE for decades, transforming it from local cable channel events to internationally recognized professional sports spectacles. The 78-year-old relinquished the CEO position in 2022 but retained an influential role as the executive chairman of TKO Group.

TKO Group, created through the merger of WWE and the company overseeing the Ultimate Fighting Championship, issued a statement referring inquiries about McMahon’s resignation to his own statement. The organization emphasized that McMahon does not oversee WWE’s day-to-day operations, and they are taking Grant’s allegations seriously.

The lawsuit also names WWE and John Laurinaitis, a former pro wrestler and the company’s former head of talent relations and general manager, as defendants. WWE and Laurinaitis have yet to respond to requests for comments.

Grant’s lawsuit outlines McMahon’s alleged coercive behavior, including offering her a job at WWE after her parents’ death in 2019, with subsequent demands for physical relationships involving Laurinaitis and others. McMahon is accused of showering her with lavish gifts, including a luxury car, over the following years.

The lawsuit contends that McMahon presented Grant as a sexual commodity to boost WWE’s financial gains and seeks unspecified damages, along with voiding a $3 million nondisclosure agreement, claiming she only received $1 million.

Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, stated, “Ms. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized,” highlighting the need for accountability for the alleged misconduct of leadership within the organization.