Vince McMahon‘s resignation was in TKO and WWE’s best interest, and it appears this sentiment was shared by two of the companies’ top names.
McMahon announced his resignation from his respective roles in both companies as a response to the sexual assault and trafficking allegations and lawsuit against him. The suit made headlines on January 25. McMahon ended up announcing his resignation the following day. Despite stepping down, McMahon issued a statement where he maintained his innocence.
The Hollywood Reporter is now reporting that TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO president and COO Mark Shapiro pushed McMahon to step down. According to the report, Emanuel and Shapiro called McMahon and told him it “would be in the best interest of the company” for him to resign. McMahon agreed with them, and later submitted his resignation.
Nick Khan later sent a staff memo that evening announcing McMahon was gone.
McMahon is being sued by Janel Grant, a former WWE employee who he had a sexual relationship with. Grant’s complaint alleges that McMahon sexually assaulted her, pressured her into other relationships with WWE employees, including John Laurinaitis, and committed degrading and abusive acts.
McMahon has not commented, aside from his initial statement. He is also under federal investigation for the allegations, and allegedly drafted NDAs without WWE’s knowledge.
John Laurinaitis has retained a lawyer and claims that he was also a victim of McMahon’s.
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