TKO Discloses WWE Legal Battles in SEC Filing: Vince McMahon Subpoenas, Misconduct Lawsuits, and Merger Litigation Detailed

TKO Group Holdings, Inc. has revealed an extensive list of ongoing legal proceedings involving WWE in its Q3 2025 SEC filing, including fallout from misconduct allegations against Vince McMahon, multiple lawsuits stemming from alleged sexual abuse, and class actions tied to the TKO merger. Here’s a breakdown of the key legal matters disclosed:

McMahon Misconduct & SEC Settlement

Vince McMahon remains at the center of several legal and regulatory matters. Though a WWE Special Committee investigation into McMahon’s alleged misconduct was completed, and he formally resigned from all roles in January 2024, the company confirmed that:

“WWE has received, and may receive in the future, regulatory, investigative and enforcement inquiries, subpoenas, demands, claims and/or complaints arising from, related to, or in connection with these matters.”

Notably, on July 17, 2023, federal agents executed a search warrant and served a grand jury subpoena on McMahon. And in January 2025, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission settled charges against him for failing to disclose settlement agreements, leading to “material misstatements in WWE’s 2018 and 2021 financial statements.” No charges have been brought against WWE or TKO.

Sexual Misconduct Lawsuits

WWE is also facing serious allegations in civil court:

• On January 25, 2024, a former WWE employee filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging sexual assault by McMahon and former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, including claims under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act. Laurinaitis was dismissed with prejudice on May 30, 2025. WWE is trying to compel the matter to arbitration—its motion is still pending.
• On October 23, 2024, five unnamed plaintiffs sued McMahon, Linda McMahon, WWE, and TKO in Maryland, alleging sexual abuse by a former WWF ring announcer in the 1980s. Three more plaintiffs were added in April 2025, but no new defendants. All defendants—including WWE and TKO—filed motions to dismiss on June 11, 2025.

Stockholder Lawsuits and Merger Litigation

TKO also outlined a consolidated class action stemming from WWE’s merger with UFC parent company Endeavor:

• Three former WWE stockholders—Laborers District Council, Dennis Palkon, and City of Pontiac Reestablished General Employees’ Retirement System—filed separate class action lawsuits in Delaware Chancery Court alleging breach of fiduciary duty by WWE board members and leadership related to the TKO merger.
• Claims targeted Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul Levesque (Triple H), George Barrios, Steve Koonin, Michelle Wilson, and Frank Riddick III.
• WWE, TKO, and Endeavor were later dropped from the case, and the actions were consolidated into In re World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Merger Litigation. As of October 2024, the remaining defendants filed answers and discovery is now underway.

Despite no direct charges against WWE or TKO in the McMahon or merger matters, the company remains under significant legal scrutiny from multiple fronts.

How do you think these ongoing legal battles could affect WWE’s public image and business moving forward? Will the company be able to move past its troubled leadership history? Share your take in the comments.