Vince McMahon comments on resigning from TKO and WWE amid a lawsuit that accused him and John Laurinaitis of alleged sexual assault and trafficking.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful reported that WWE President Nick Khan sent out a memo informing staff of Vince McMahon’s resignation from his positions as TKO Executive Chairman and on the TKO Board of Directors. The memo stated that McMahon would no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE. Marc Raimondi of ESPN subsequently confirmed the news.
Dominic Patten of Deadline also reported McMahon’s resignation and shared a statement from the former WWE CEO.
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” Vince McMahon said. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.
“However, 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, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the TKO board of directors, effective immediately.”
Patten wrote that, per sources, everything regarding who may take over for McMahon, or if that position will continue at all, everything was “TBD.”
McMahon’s resignation comes a day after Janel Grant filed a lawsuit that accused McMahon and John Laurinaitis of sexual assault and sex trafficking, among other offenses. A spokesperson for McMahon subsequently said the statement was “replete with lies.”
WrestleZone will provide more information as it becomes available.
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