McMahon resigns from WWE parent TKO after sex assault claim

WWE cofounder Vince McMahon resigned on Friday from his role as executive chairman of TKO, the parent group of the pro wrestling juggernaut, after a lawsuit accusing him of sexual misconduct.

Former World Wrestling Entertainment employee Janel Grant sued the company, McMahon and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis, alleging sexual assault, trafficking and emotional abuse.

Grant filed the complaint on Thursday in a Connecticut court, accusing McMahon of coercing her into a ‘sexual relationship,’ sharing sexually explicit photos and videos of her with male colleagues, and subjecting her to ‘increasingly depraved sexual demands’ that included sexual encounters with Laurinaitis and others.

McMahon denied the allegations in a statement announcing his resignation from the board of the TKO Group.

“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,” McMahon said in a statement.

“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.”

WWE is a ratings blockbuster that owes much of its success to entrepreneur and promoter McMahon, a longtime friend of Donald Trump.