Former WWE chairman Vince McMahon has resigned as executive chairman of TKO, the wrestling promotion’s parent company. The news comes following a lawsuit that alleges McMahon orchestrated a pattern of abuse including forcible sex against a woman, Janel Grant, who used to work for WWE.
Via Fightful, we’ve learned that WWE’s Nick Khan sent an internal memo to others within the company stating, “I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon tendered his resignation from his positions as TKO Executive Chairman and on the TKO Board of Directors. He will no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE.”
The short message is the only comment the company has on the matter at this time, and comes a few hours after Slim Jim paused its advertising for tomorrow’s Royal Rumble, one of WWE’s biggest annual events.
“Slim Jim values integrity and respect in all of our partnerships,” the Conagra Brands division told Deadline. “Given the recent disturbing allegations against Vince McMahon, at this time we’ve decided to pause our promotional activities with WWE. This decision reflects our commitment to our brand values and responsibility to our community.”
McMahon, meanwhile, issued his own statement in which he continued to deny the allegations but stated he is resigning “out of respect” for the company, its partners, and its fans.
“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. 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.”
McMahon previously retired from WWE in July of 2022 amid a misconduct investigation, but later voted himself back onto the board ahead of the company’s sale to UFC parent company, TKO.