Former WWE executive reaches agreement in sexual abuse case
A former WWE executive, involved in a lawsuit over sexual abuse allegations filed by a former employee, 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, as confirmed by representatives and lawyers on Wednesday. John Laurinaitis, former WWE head of talent relations and known as Johnny Ace in the wrestling world, will assist Janel Grant in her lawsuit against McMahon and the sports entertainment company. Representatives for Grant 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 allegations against WWE and McMahon continue. 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. Grant filed the lawsuit against WWE, McMahon, and Laurinaitis last year in a federal court in Connecticut, where the company is headquartered. The lawsuit details allegations that McMahon forced her to have sexual relations with him, Laurinaitis, and others, and claims that both men sexually assaulted her. The lawsuit also includes photos of text messages of a sexual nature that were allegedly sent by McMahon to Grant. McMahon, former WWE CEO and chairman, has denied Grant’s accusations. His lawyers have stated that the lawsuit is “riddled with lies, invented obscene instances that never happened, and is a vengeful distortion of the truth”. Grant began working for WWE in 2019 as an entry-level employee in its legal department, a position managed by McMahon, and was then 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 the agreement, arguing that McMahon breached the agreement by giving her $1 million and not paying the rest. Currently, pending in the lawsuit are motions by 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 his confidentiality agreement. McMahon resigned from WWE’s parent company in January 2024 after Grant filed his lawsuit. At that time, McMahon resigned 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.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
