A former WWE executive, involved in a lawsuit over allegations of sexual abuse, has reached a confidential settlement. This agreement implies that the executive 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 as Johnny Ace in the ring, 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.
A court document filed on Wednesday reveals that Grant and Laurinaitis agreed to dismiss the claims in the lawsuit against Laurinaitis, although the accusations against WWE and McMahon persist. McMahon’s lawyer, Jessica Rosenberg, issued a statement in response.Their agreement for a confidential settlement is a crucial step in holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking.
Representatives for Grant and Laurinaitis
Rosenberg added that a lawyer for Laurinaitis had previously stated that the lawsuit’s allegations were baseless. Grant sued WWE, McMahon, and Laurinaitis last year in a federal court in Connecticut, where the company is based. In explicit detail, she alleges that McMahon forced her into sexual acts with him, Laurinaitis, and others, and claims that both men sexually assaulted her. She also claims that she was forced to perform humiliating acts during encounters. The lawsuit includes photos of sexual texts that McMahon is said to have sent to Grant. McMahon, the former WWE CEO and chairman, has denied Grant’s accusations. Previously, he stated that the lawsuit is “rife with lies, fabricated obscene instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive 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 was later transferred to the talent relations department, where Laurinaitis was her boss. She has stated that she was pressured to leave her job at WWE and sign a $3 million non-disclosure agreement. The lawsuit seeks to invalidate this agreement, alleging that McMahon breached the agreement by giving her $1 million and not paying the rest. Currently, McMahon, WWE, and Laurinaitis’ motions to move all claims to arbitration are pending in the lawsuit. They argue that the lawsuit should not be allowed because Grant agreed to resolve any disputes in arbitration as part of his confidentiality agreement. McMahon resigned from WWE’s parent company in January 2024 after Grant filed his lawsuit. At that time, McMahon stepped down 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 into 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.The dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant does not alter the facts of this case in any way. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant. No matter how many press releases his team issues, the truth remains unchanged.
Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s lawyer
