Vince McMahon, the head of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), has resigned amid allegations of sex trafficking by former employee Janel Grant. Grant accuses McMahon and another ex-executive, John Laurinaitis, of sexually assaulting and trafficking her to attract wrestling talent. McMahon, 78, vehemently denies these allegations, labeling Grant’s lawsuit as filled with lies and a distortion of the truth.
In a statement, McMahon emphasized his commitment to the WWE Universe and TKO, WWE’s parent company, but resigned from his role as executive chairman and the TKO board of directors immediately. WWE president Nick Khan confirmed McMahon’s resignation, stating that he would no longer have any role with TKO Group holdings or WWE.
Grant, a former WWE employee, alleges that McMahon pressured her into a physical relationship, promising her a job at WWE. She claims to have felt trapped between submitting to McMahon’s demands or facing ruin. The lawsuit asserts that McMahon directed her to engage in sexual activity at WWE headquarters during working hours and accuses both defendants of sexually assaulting her in June 2021.
Ms. Grant’s legal filing also criticizes a previous investigation by WWE’s special committee into a $3 million settlement between McMahon and another ex-employee with whom he had a consensual affair. McMahon temporarily stepped down in 2022 but returned as WWE chairperson in January 2023 after the investigation concluded.
Grant characterizes the committee’s investigation as a “sham” and accuses the company of attempting to cover up the matter. She alleges that the committee never contacted her or requested documents from her, further questioning the integrity of the process.
Vince McMahon, a key figure in WWE’s growth as a global media powerhouse, has faced numerous challenges throughout his career. Now, as he steps down in the face of serious allegations, the future of WWE’s leadership and its impact on the wrestling world remain uncertain.