Ex-WWE Executive Supports Accuser in Case Against Vince McMahon

A former WWE executive, involved in a lawsuit over sexual abuse allegations filed by a former employee, has reached a confidential settlement. Now, he will collaborate with the plaintiff in her litigation against the company and former leader Vince McMahon, according to representatives and lawyers on Wednesday. John Laurinaitis, former WWE head of talent relations and known in the ring as Johnny Ace, will provide support to Janel Grant in her lawsuit against McMahon and the wrestling entertainment company. Grant’s representatives and Laurinaitis’ lawyer, Edward Brennan, confirmed the settlement and cooperation agreement, indicating that Laurinaitis possesses “evidence” against McMahon and the company, although they did not specify its nature.

Their confidential settlement agreement is a crucial step in holding McMahon and WWE accountable, and in bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking.

Representatives for Grant and Laurinaitis

A court document filed on Wednesday reveals that Grant and Laurinaitis agreed to dismiss the charges against Laurinaitis, but the charges against WWE and McMahon remain. Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s lawyer, issued a statement in response.

The dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant does not alter the facts of this case at all. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant.

Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s attorney

Rosenberg added that a lawyer for Laurinaitis had previously stated that the allegations in the lawsuit were unfounded. Grant sued WWE, McMahon, and Laurinaitis last year in a federal court in Connecticut, where the company is headquartered in Stamford. She details how McMahon forced her to have sexual relations with him, Laurinaitis, and others, and alleges that both men sexually assaulted her. She also claims that she was forced to perform humiliating acts during the encounters. The lawsuit includes photos of sexually suggestive text messages that McMahon is said to have sent to Grant. McMahon, the former WWE CEO and chairman, has denied Grant’s accusations. He has stated that the lawsuit is “rife with lies, fabricated obscene instances that never happened, and is a vengeful distortion of the truth. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these unfounded accusations and hope to clear my name.” His lawyers stated in court documents that he maintained a consensual relationship with Grant and that he never mistreated her. Grant began working for WWE in 2019 as an entry-level employee in its legal department, a position managed by McMahon, and then moved to the talent relations department, where Laurinaitis was her boss. She claims she was pressured to leave her job at WWE and sign a $3 million non-disclosure agreement. The lawsuit seeks to have the agreement declared invalid, alleging that McMahon breached the agreement by giving her $1 million and not paying the rest. Currently, pending in the lawsuit are motions from McMahon, WWE, and Laurinaitis to move all claims to arbitration. They argue that the lawsuit should not be allowed because Grant agreed to resolve any disputes in arbitration as part of her confidentiality agreement. McMahon resigned from WWE’s parent company in January 2024 after Grant filed his lawsuit. At that time, McMahon stepped down from his position as executive chairman of the board of directors of TKO Group Holdings, WWE’s parent company. He also resigned as WWE CEO in 2022 amid a company investigation into allegations similar to those in Grant’s lawsuit. McMahon bought what was then the World Wrestling Federation in 1982 and transformed it from a regional wrestling company to a global phenomenon. In addition to running the company with his wife, Linda, who is now the U.S. Secretary of Education, he also performed at WWE events as himself.