WWE founder Vince McMahon has resigned from all roles amid allegations of rape and intercourse trafficking.
The 78-year-old businessman, who has denied the claims made in opposition to him, has introduced his resolution to go away his posts at WWE and its mum or dad firm TKO following a lawsuit filed this week.
He instructed Deadline in an announcement: ‘I stand by my prior assertion that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up situations that by no means occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the reality.
‘I intend to vigorously defend myself in opposition to these baseless accusations, and stay up for clearing my identify.
‘Nonetheless, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO enterprise and its board members and shareholders, companions and constituents, and all the staff and Superstars who helped make WWE into the worldwide chief it’s immediately, I’ve determined to resign from my govt chairmanship and the TKO board of administrators, successfully instantly.’
The billionaire faces claims in a lawsuit filed on January 25 by a former worker of WWE, who was based mostly within the headquarters of the corporate when the alleged trafficking and assault occurred.
Janel Grant claims McMahon abused and sexually exploited her whereas he was chief govt, in keeping with a lawsuit seen by Wall Road Journal.
Grant beforehand agreed to a $3million settlement in trade for signing a non disclosure settlement in 2022. The brand new go well with claims McMahon stopped sending funds after $1million, and Grant is claiming it’s now a void settlement.
Grant alleges that McMahon promised her profession development, after which he allegedly exploited her and trafficked her to different males inside the corporate.
The graphic contents of the go well with, filed in a Connecticut federal court docket, declare he forcefully used dildos on her which he named after WWE wrestlers, defecated on her head throughout a threesome, and likewise compelled himself on her on a number of events.
The WWE board learnt of McMahon’s relationship with Grant after an nameless tip off in 2022, and they launched an inner investigation which uncovered $14.6million in additional alleged funds by him to ladies.
A spokesperson for TKO Group Holdings, which was shaped underneath Endeavor following the WWE/UFC merger in September 2023, has stated in an announcement: ‘Mr. McMahon doesn’t management TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE.
‘Whereas this matter predates our TKO govt workforce’s tenure on the firm, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very significantly and are addressing this matter internally.’
A spokesperson for McMahon stated: ‘This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up situations that by no means occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the reality. He’ll vigorously defend himself.’
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