Agreement in Case of Sexual Abuse: Former WWE Executive to Cooperate with Accuser
A former WWE executive, who was facing sexual abuse allegations in a lawsuit filed by a former employee, has reached a confidential settlement. This agreement implies that the executive will now 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 assist Janel Grant in her lawsuit against McMahon and the wrestling entertainment company. Representatives of 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 indicates that Grant and Laurinaitis agreed to dismiss the allegations in the lawsuit against Laurinaitis, but the claims against WWE and McMahon persist. Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s lawyer, issued a statement in response.Their confidential settlement agreement is a crucial step towards holding McMahon and WWE accountable, and towards seeking justice for Ms. Grant, after years of sexual abuse and trafficking. Mr. Laurinaitis hopes to move on with his life. We cannot provide additional details at this time.
Joint statement from the representatives of Grant and Laurinaitis
Rosenberg added that a lawyer for Laurinaitis had previously stated that the lawsuit’s allegations were unfounded. WWE representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. Grant sued WWE, McMahon, and Laurinaitis last year in a federal court in Connecticut, where the company is headquartered in Stamford. In explicit detail, she alleges that McMahon forced her to perform sexual acts with him, Laurinaitis, and others, and claims that both men sexually assaulted her. She claims she was forced to perform humiliating acts during the encounters. The lawsuit also includes photos of text messages of a sexual nature that McMahon allegedly sent to Grant. McMahon, former WWE CEO and chairman, has denied Grant’s accusations. Previously, he stated that the lawsuit is “filled with lies, fabricated obscene instances that never occurred, 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 had 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 has claimed that, ultimately, 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, arguing that McMahon breached the agreement by giving her $1 million and not paying the rest. Currently, in the lawsuit, McMahon, WWE, and Laurinaitis’ motions to move all claims to arbitration are pending. 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 left 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 acquired 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 the slightest. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant. No matter how many press releases his team issues, the truth remains unchanged.
Jessica Rosenberg, McMahon’s lawyer
