Following allegations of battery and sex trafficking from a former employee, Vince McMahon has resigned from his positions as TKO Executive Chairman and on the TKO Board of Directors, as well as from WWE. This decision was communicated by WWE President Nick Khan in an email to staff late on Friday.
In McMahon’s own statement, he reiterated his denial of the allegations and expressed his intention to vigorously defend himself. However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, TKO business, and its stakeholders, he has chosen to resign from his executive chairmanship and the TKO board of directors, effective immediately.
This marks a surprising conclusion to McMahon’s long career in professional wrestling. Just days before his resignation, McMahon had rung the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange alongside Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who had recently joined TKO’s board.
McMahon had previously retired from WWE in 2022 amid allegations of hush money payments and misconduct, but remained the company’s controlling shareholder. He later rejoined the company’s board and announced the WWE’s exploration of a sale. Following the merger of WWE with Endeavor’s UFC to form TKO, McMahon continued as executive chairman and a board member.
After the lawsuit, TKO clarified that McMahon does not control the company or oversee WWE’s day-to-day operations. It appears that McMahon’s departure is final this time.
There were indications that McMahon had already begun stepping back from the business after the sale to TKO, officially handing control over the product to Paul “Triple H” Levesque, his son-in-law and former wrestler.
