In a shocking turn of events, Vince McMahon’s tenure at WWE came to an abrupt end amid allegations of sexual assault and trafficking. The lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant in late January, accusing McMahon and former Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis, rocked the wrestling world.
TKO’s focus on expanding WWE’s sponsorships took a hit when major sponsors, like Slim Jim, withdrew their support in the wake of the scandal. McMahon’s resignation became inevitable as the promotion aimed to save its reputation and financial stability.
According to a new report from The Hollywood Reporter, Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO Holdings President Mark Shapiro called McMahon and informed him that it would be in the best interest of the WWE if he stepped down. McMahon reportedly didn’t oppose the suggestion. His resignation announcement followed swiftly, marking his departure from the WWE.
The move highlights the power shift within TKO. While McMahon had a lot of influence, the board ultimately prioritized the promotion’s financial health and public image.
WWE Superstar Seth Rollins speaks out on the Vince McMahon controversy
WWE Superstar Seth Rollins shares his perspective on the controversy involving Vince McMahon. On January 25, Janel Grant filed a lawsuit accusing Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis of sexual assault and sex trafficking. A spokesperson for McMahon denied the allegations, stating the lawsuit contained falsehoods.
Despite this, McMahon stepped down from WWE and TKO. He is now under federal investigation regarding Grant’s claims. During an interview with Maggie and Perloff, Seth Rollins addressed the potential impact of McMahon’s absence on WWE.
Rollins stated, “It’s awful, it’s terrible. I hate it, it’s a disgusting situation. But we’re so far removed from it, you know? When we get to work, it’s like ‘How do we make this the best possible show we can? Who are we out there with? What’s this promo going to be? What’s this match going to be? And how do we entertain the fans?’ Cause that’s really what our job is. That stuff, that’s personal stuff, that’s business stuff, and that’s so far above where we’re thinking where our brains are at. Nothing we’re going to say or do is making…we’re not going to do anything that’s going to impact any of that.”
Just days before Vince McMahon’s controversy, WWE made a major announcement regarding a deal with Netflix. Starting in January 2025, WWE RAW will be available on Netflix.
