John Laurinaitis deposed as Vince McMahon’s inner circle subpoenaed in WWE shareholder lawsuit: Report

Vince McMahon is under a lot of legal problems

Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis has been deposed as part of the ongoing shareholder lawsuit against Vince McMahon and his allies. The case, which is being litigated in Delaware Chancery Court, continues to expand as new subpoenas are filed targeting McMahon’s personal assistants and potential outside bidders from WWE’s 2023 sale process.

Laurinaitis, who was previously accused alongside McMahon in a federal sexual misconduct case, gave testimony via Zoom on Friday, September 26, from his attorney’s office in Florida.

While Laurinaitis is not a defendant in the shareholder case, his testimony could prove significant given his role as a longtime McMahon lieutenant and his more recent cooperation with other lawsuits against the former WWE chairman. This was first reported by Wrestlenomics.

Subpoenas for Vince McMahon’s inner circle

The lawsuit’s latest wave of subpoenas has drawn in figures from McMahon’s inner circle. His former personal assistants, brothers Paul Mangieri and Michael “Mickey” Mangieri, have been ordered to produce documents. Their proximity to McMahon during his decades of power within WWE may provide valuable insight into behind-the-scenes dealings during the merger with Endeavor.

Beyond McMahon’s direct circle, heavyweight companies Liberty Media and KKR are also being pulled into the discovery process. Liberty Media executives most knowledgeable about the attempted sale process will be interviewed under oath on September 30, while KKR partner Ted Oberwager is scheduled for deposition on October 30. Both entities are believed to have been bidders or potential suitors for WWE in 2023, a point central to the shareholder plaintiffs’ claims.

Allegations of a Predetermined Merger

At the heart of the case is the allegation that Vince McMahon orchestrated a predetermined merger with Endeavor’s UFC, rather than conducting a fair and open process to maximize shareholder value. Plaintiffs argue that McMahon’s personal relationship with Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel was key, as Emanuel was willing to keep McMahon in power despite his sexual misconduct scandal.

The lawsuit further contends that WWE’s board members, including Nick Khan, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, George Barrios, and Michelle Wilson who breached fiduciary duties by rubber-stamping McMahon’s plan. Plaintiffs say other potential suitors would have excluded McMahon from any leadership role, making Endeavor the only viable option for him to retain influence.

Depositions from current and former board members, including TKO CFO Andrew Schleimer and independent directors Steve Koonin, Steve Pamon, Man Jit Singh, and Jeffrey Speed, are already believed to have taken place. More depositions are expected to continue through November, with defense attorneys working to counter claims of misconduct in the merger process.

What Comes Next?

While discovery moves forward, many of the details remain hidden from the public. Deposition transcripts and subpoenaed documents typically remain confidential unless introduced in motions or at trial. That means significant revelations may not come to light until later stages of the case.

For now, the lawsuit continues to add legal pressure to Vince McMahon, who is also fighting separate high-profile cases in federal courts. With testimony stacking up against him, McMahon faces one of the most complex legal battles of his career, one that could reshape the narrative of WWE’s merger with UFC under the TKO banner.

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