Former WWE Employee Files Lawsuit Alleging Abuse and Sexual Exploitation by Vince McMahon
In a shocking turn of events, a former employee of WWE has filed a lawsuit against founder Vince McMahon, accusing him of abuse and sexual exploitation. Janel Grant, the plaintiff, claims that McMahon used his position as CEO of the wrestling-entertainment company to abuse and traffic her to other men. The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, also names WWE and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis as defendants.
Grant’s lawsuit alleges that McMahon, Laurinaitis, and WWE violated the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act. It further includes claims of civil battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress in relation to the years-long sexual and emotional abuse Grant endured while working for WWE. The lawsuit seeks unspecified monetary damages and a declaratory judgment that a nondisclosure agreement Grant signed while employed by WWE is “void and unenforceable.”
Reps for WWE and McMahon have not yet responded to requests for comment. However, a spokesperson for TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC, released a statement expressing concern over the allegations and stating that they are addressing the matter internally.
The lawsuit comes just two days after TKO Group signed a lucrative 10-year deal with Netflix for WWE’s “Monday Night Raw.” The deal is valued at $500 million per year, marking a significant increase in fees for the franchise. Dwayne Johnson, also known as “The Rock,” has recently joined TKO Group’s board and gained ownership of the trademarked name “The Rock.”
This is not the first time McMahon has faced allegations of sexual misconduct. In June 2022, he stepped down as WWE’s CEO amid an investigation into hush-money payments made to women who accused him of sexual misconduct. The company disclosed that McMahon had made payments totaling $19.6 million dating back to 2007 related to alleged misconduct. In March 2023, McMahon paid WWE $17.4 million for costs incurred during the investigation.
Despite stepping down as CEO, McMahon returned to the company in January 2023 as executive chairman to oversee the sale of WWE. Last year, WWE merged with UFC to form TKO Group Holdings, a separately traded public company. McMahon became executive chairman of the board for TKO Group in September 2023 and sold about $670 million worth of TKO stock in November.
According to Grant’s lawsuit, McMahon and Laurinaitis engaged in sexual assault and trafficking on WWE property using WWE funding. The suit alleges that McMahon used sex toys named after other WWE employees, wrestlers, and performers to groom Grant for trafficking. Grant also claims that McMahon showered her with gifts and empty work promotions while threatening her livelihood and reputation if she did not comply with his sexual demands.
The lawsuit states that after McMahon’s wife discovered his relationship with Grant, Grant was pressured to resign from WWE and forced to sign a nondisclosure agreement. McMahon promised to protect her financially and reputationally and pay her $3 million. However, McMahon later refused to make the payments, accusing Grant of leaking information to the press. Grant received $1 million from McMahon in February 2022 but did not receive any further payments.
Grant alleges that she met McMahon in March 2019 when they lived in the same apartment building. After succumbing to pressure for a physical relationship, Grant was given an entry-level position as an “administrator-coordinator” in WWE’s legal department. In March 2021, she was transferred to the talent relations department, reporting to Laurinaitis.
During Grant’s employment at WWE, McMahon allegedly recruited individuals to have sexual relations with her and directed her to visit Laurinaitis for sexual encounters. The lawsuit claims that McMahon expected and directed Grant to engage in sexual activity at WWE headquarters, even during working hours.
The lawsuit includes disturbing details of McMahon’s alleged actions, including an incident in which he defecated on Grant during a threesome and commanded her to continue pleasuring his “friend” while covered in feces. Another incident described in the lawsuit involves McMahon and Laurinaitis sexually assaulting Grant inside Laurinaitis’ office at WWE’s headquarters.
Ann Callis, an attorney for Grant, issued a statement saying that the lawsuit aims to hold accountable the WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Grant, as well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse. Grant hopes that her lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized.
This lawsuit against McMahon, Laurinaitis, and WWE sheds light on the alleged misconduct within the wrestling-entertainment industry. As the legal proceedings unfold, it remains to be seen how WWE and its executives will respond to these serious allegations.