TOPLINE: Vince McMahon, the founder of WWE wrestling and CEO of the TKO group, stepped down on Friday amid allegations of sexual trafficking and abuse by a former employee, which he vehemently denies. These accusations compound previous claims of sexual misconduct against the wrestling mogul.
TIMELINE:
January 2024: Former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a lawsuit earlier this week, alleging McMahon pressured her into a sexual relationship and made a $3 million offer for her silence. McMahon has pledged to vigorously defend himself.
June 2022: The Wall Street Journal reported an investigation into a $3 million hush money payment made by McMahon to cover up an alleged affair, leading to the discovery of $12 million in secret settlements with four women, two of whom claimed sexual misconduct.
2022-2023: McMahon retired amid the hush money scandal in July 2022, returned to the WWE board in January 2023 after an internal investigation, and faced a federal inquiry into the misconduct allegations.
2006: McMahon faced accusations of showing unsolicited explicit photos and groping, but prosecutors declined charges due to insufficient evidence.
1992: Rita Chatterton accused McMahon of rape in 1986; they reportedly reached a multimillion-dollar settlement in January 2023. McMahon has consistently denied the allegations.
CONTRA: A spokesperson for McMahon labeled Grant’s lawsuit as “replete with lies.” TKO acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations and is internally addressing the matter. McMahon, planning to vigorously defend himself, decided to step down “out of respect” to WWE and TKO.
KEY BACKGROUND: After WWE’s merger with Endeavor in the previous year, creating TKO, McMahon served as the executive chairman. Grant’s lawsuit raised questions about the legitimacy of WWE’s investigation into McMahon’s secret settlements, with her attorneys calling it a “sham.” While a former WWE board member expressed confidence in the investigation, details remain undisclosed.