Janel Grant, a former employee of WWE, filed a lawsuit on Thursday in federal district court in Connecticut.
A former employee of World Wrestling Entertainment, Janel Grant, has filed a lawsuit against the company’s founder, Vince McMahon, and a former WWE executive. Grant alleges she experienced mistreatment, including physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and trafficking during her time at WWE. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut.
Ann Callis, representing Janel Grant, stating that their complaint aims to hold accountable two WWE executives accused of sexually assaulting and trafficking Grant. Callis emphasized Grant’s bravery in seeking justice and highlighted the alleged role of WWE in allowing the abuse to occur.
Callis mentioned that Grant’s goal with the lawsuit is to prevent other women from facing similar mistreatment.
A representative for McMahon commented that the lawsuit contains falsehoods and misrepresentations. They affirmed McMahon’s intent to vigorously defend himself.
A representative for WWE’s parent company stated that Vince McMahon doesn’t oversee the daily operations of TKO or WWE. They acknowledged that the issue arose before their leadership but emphasized that they’re taking Janel Grant’s allegations seriously and handling them internally.
John Laurinaitis, the other former executive mentioned, hasn’t replied to comment requests yet. The lawsuit accuses of serious offenses like sex trafficking, battery, emotional distress, and negligence.
According to the lawsuit, Grant met McMahon in March 2019 when he was the company’s CEO. Allegedly, McMahon offered her career opportunities while behaving inappropriately. The lawsuit claims McMahon pressured Grant for a physical relationship in exchange for a job at WWE. Grant felt compelled to comply or risk her career, as per the lawsuit.
The lawsuit states that Ms. Grant feared losing everything and expected negative consequences, regardless of her actions.It also alleges that Grant eventually entered into a physical relationship with McMahon and was subsequently offered a job at WWE.
According to the lawsuit, despite Ms. Grant’s efforts to end the relationship and her unhappiness, McMahon allegedly wanted it to continue as part of her job. The lawsuit also claims that Grant didn’t anticipate the severity of the situation, which led to feelings of helplessness and isolation due to psychological torture and physical violence.
The lawsuit alleges that in 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photos and videos of Grant with unnamed individuals, both inside and outside the wrestling company.
Due to McMahon’s CEO position at WWE and Grant’s entry-level role, the lawsuit suggests that Grant felt coerced into complying with his increasingly inappropriate demands.
McMahon supposedly recruited others, including Laurinaitis, for sexual relations with Grant. The lawsuit claims Grant was expected to engage in sexual activities at WWE headquarters, sometimes during working hours.
Vince McMahon Controversies:
In 1993, Vince McMahon faced legal issues over steroids but was acquitted the following year.
More recently, McMahon has been accused of sexual misconduct. A former WWE referee accused him of rape in 1992, and in 2006, he faced sexual harassment allegations.
An investigation revealed McMahon paid $3 million to settle an affair allegation and other misconduct claims. He temporarily stepped down as WWE CEO but returned later.
Now, in January 2024, Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, has filed a lawsuit against McMahon, alleging coercion into a sexual relationship and extreme cruelty.
Vince McMahon Early Life:
Vince McMahon was born on August 24, 1945, in Pinehurst, North Carolina. His father left when he was a baby, and McMahon didn’t meet him until he was 12. McMahon’s grandfather was a boxing promoter, and his grandmother was of Irish descent.
He grew up with his mom and stepfathers, using the name Vinnie Lupton. McMahon faced abuse from one of his stepfathers. Despite struggling with dyslexia, he graduated from Fishburne Military School in Virginia in 1964.