Slim Jim Issues Statement About WWE Royal Rumble Sponsorship, Vince McMahon
Slim Jim is a major sponsor of the WWE Royal Rumble and they have issued a statement following Vince McMahon’s WWE departure.
It was reported on Friday, one day before the WWE Royal Rumble, that a major sponsor Slim Jim was going to pull all advertising from the event. Slim Jim has sponsored WWE events and matches in the past, including the Slim Jim SummerSlam Battle Royal, which was won by LA Knight in 2023.
That’s because of the lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant, who claimed McMahon sexually assaulted her and used her for sex trafficking with his friends and others who worked for WWE. One of the names implicated also is former WWE Head of Talent Relations, John Laurinaitis.
Later on Friday while WWE Smackdown was going on, Vince McMahon issued a statement saying that he was stepping down from TKO Group and WWE as its Executive Chairman.
“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.”
“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.”
After Vince’s resignation, WWE President Nick Khan issued this statement to WWE Staff.
“I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon tendered his resignation from his positions as TKO Executive Chairman and on the TKO Board of Directors. He will no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE.”
Slim Jim Returns As WWE Royal Rumble Sponsor
After threatening to pull away from WWE as an advertiser due to the Vince McMahon sex scandal, Slim Jim issued a statement on Saturday that they talked to senior leadership in WWE and they would return as a primary sponsor of the WWE Royal Rumble event.
“After the departure of Vince McMahon, and discussions with WWE TKO senior leadership, Slim Jim has decided to re-enter the Royal Rumble.”
The 2024 WWE Royal Rumble takes place on Saturday, January 27th in Tampa, Florida.