Woman Accuses WWE Co-Founder Vince McMahon and WWE of Sex Trafficking, Abuse, and Assault in Lawsuit
In a shocking turn of events, a woman has come forward with serious allegations against WWE co-founder Vince McMahon, the WWE, and former company executive John Laurinaitis. The woman, identified as Janel Grant, has filed a lawsuit accusing McMahon and Laurinaitis of sex trafficking, physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and negligence. The lawsuit, obtained by The Athletic, sheds light on the investigations into McMahon’s alleged misconduct, including the payment of millions to women to keep quiet about their experiences with him.
Grant’s complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut, reveals the disturbing details of her relationship with McMahon. According to the lawsuit, Grant was introduced to McMahon in the summer of 2019 during a difficult time in her life. McMahon offered her a job at WWE, but it quickly became apparent that the job was dependent on a sexual relationship with him. Grant claims that she felt coerced into the relationship due to the prospect of employment and feared the damage it could do to her career and reputation if word got out.
The lawsuit alleges that Grant endured sexual acts of “extreme cruelty and degradation” throughout her relationship with McMahon, which lasted until January 2022. She claims to have been subjected to injury and had to dissociate from reality to survive the encounters. Shockingly, the suit also claims that McMahon involved other people in their sexual acts, including Laurinaitis, and shared photos, videos, and details with other WWE employees. Grant describes feeling like a “sexual slave” during this time.
Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, issued a statement expressing her client’s hope that the lawsuit will prevent other women from being victimized. She also called on WWE to take responsibility for the misconduct of its leadership. WWE has not yet responded to the allegations, but TKO, the company that bought a controlling stake in WWE in April 2023, released a statement saying they are addressing the matter internally.
McMahon’s spokesperson released a statement denying the allegations, calling the lawsuit “replete with lies” and a “vindictive distortion of the truth.” McMahon has vowed to vigorously defend himself against these claims. The lawsuit also alleges that McMahon pressured Grant to sign a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) and leave the company. Grant ultimately signed the NDA for $3 million but claims that she did not receive the full amount.
The lawsuit seeks declaratory judgment that the NDA is unenforceable, compensatory damages, punitive damages, and further relief. It also highlights the impact of these traumatic experiences on Grant’s mental health, stating that she now lives with anxiety, depression, and PTSD that prevent her from leaving her residence for weeks at a time.
This lawsuit comes after reports in June 2022 that McMahon was under investigation by the WWE board following an anonymous tip about an affair and hush money payments. The investigation reportedly did not include an interview with Grant, despite her willingness to cooperate. McMahon announced his retirement from WWE in July 2022 but returned to the company in January 2023 when TKO bought a controlling stake in WWE. McMahon currently serves as the executive chairman of the board for TKO.
The allegations against McMahon have also attracted the attention of the government, with a grand jury subpoena and search warrant being issued in July 2023. McMahon maintains his innocence and denies any intentional wrongdoing. He expressed confidence that the government’s investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing.
Despite these serious allegations, WWE continues to make headlines for other reasons. Just this week, the company announced a 10-year, $5 billion deal with Netflix to air “WWE Raw” and its international media rights starting in 2025. Additionally, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, a former WWE wrestler, has joined the TKO board.
As the legal battle unfolds, it remains to be seen how WWE and TKO will respond to these allegations and what impact they will have on the future of the company. One thing is clear: Janel Grant’s lawsuit has brought to light disturbing allegations that demand a thorough investigation and accountability for those involved.
