McMahon Quits From WWE/UFC Parent Firm Amid Rape, Sex Trafficking Raps

WWE founder Vince McMahon has resigned from his role as executive chairman of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of the WWE and UFC, amid allegations of rape, assault, and sex trafficking, according to Deadline, Jack Baer reported for Yahoo Sports.

This isn't the first time McMahon has stepped away amid a cloud of sexual misconduct accusations. I Photo: Airman 1st Class Nicholas Pilch, U.S. Air Force

McMahon was accused of misconduct in a lawsuit filed in federal court on Thursday by former WWE employee Janel Grant. The 78-year-old was named as a defendant alongside the WWE and John Laurinaitis, its former head of talent relations.

In his statement announcing his resignation, McMahon again denied Grant's claims but said he was stepping down out of respect for his company.

A statement from WWE president and TKO director Nick Khan confirmed McMahon will no longer have a role with the company he co-founded in 1982.

This isn't the first time McMahon has stepped away amid a cloud of sexual misconduct accusations.

He announced what turned out to be a temporary retirement in 2022 after a report accused him of paying a total of $12 million to cover up various allegations, with sums allegedly paid to four women.

McMahon was accused of coercing a former female wrestler into giving him oral sex and sexually harassing a female employee. 

The lawsuit and McMahon's resignation came at a pivotal time for TKO, which announced a $5 billion deal with Netflix on Tuesday and has one of the WWE's highest-profile events, "Royal Rumble," scheduled for Saturday.

WEEKLY FEATURE : Jose Mari Chan And The Christmas Anthem