In a significant escalation of a high-profile legal battle rocking the wrestling industry, former WWE employee Janel Grant has submitted a comprehensive 40-page affidavit in U.S. District Court in Connecticut. This detailed document expands on her claims of sexual abuse, coercion, and trafficking allegedly perpetrated by former WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
The filing is a key part of Grant’s opposition to motions by McMahon and WWE to compel arbitration under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) she signed in 2022. Grant argues the NDA is unenforceable, contending that the case should proceed in open court rather than through private arbitration. The affidavit contains graphic new details about alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse she endured during her employment with the company from 2019 to 2022.
Background of the Federal Lawsuit
Grant initially filed her federal lawsuit in January 2024 against McMahon, WWE (now operating under TKO Group Holdings), and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis. She alleges that McMahon groomed and coerced her into a sexual relationship in exchange for employment, subjected her to repeated abuse, and shared explicit images and videos of her with others. McMahon resigned from his role with TKO shortly after the suit was filed, and has consistently denied all allegations.
The new affidavit offers a first-person account of Grant’s experiences, describing how McMahon allegedly created a custom job for her at WWE headquarters to exert control. She claims the abuse escalated over time, leading to severe physical and psychological trauma, including panic attacks, significant weight and hair loss, and a suicide attempt.
Key New Allegations in the Affidavit
Abuse by McMahon and Laurinaitis: Grant’s affidavit details repeated sexual assaults, including an alleged rape on a table in Laurinaitis’ office during work hours in June 2021, while colleagues were reportedly nearby. She also describes being forced into threesomes involving McMahon and Laurinaitis, among other coercive acts.
Alleged Involvement of WWE Leadership: Grant claims McMahon informed her in March 2021 that he had privately disclosed the “sexual nature” of their relationship to current WWE President Nick Khan and former COO Brad Blum. According to the filing, McMahon assured them of Grant’s loyalty, stating she “would sooner jump off the balcony than hurt anyone,” after which Khan and Blum were allegedly “supportive.” She further alleges that Khan and Blum monitored her, and that Khan later offered to help her secure a job outside WWE using his industry connections as her situation deteriorated.
Interactions with Brock Lesnar: The affidavit refers to text communications from Brock Lesnar (identified as “Polish Joe”) in 2021. In these messages, Lesnar allegedly requested nude photos and sought to meet Grant, though they never met in person. Grant claims this interaction was part of McMahon’s pattern of sharing her explicit content with others.
Broader Claims of Coercion and Systemic Issues: Grant asserts that WWE facilitated the alleged exploitation and that executives were aware of her declining health but failed to intervene. She also challenges WWE’s characterization of the relationship as consensual, stating she felt trapped due to financial vulnerability and career dependence within the company.
The memorandum argues that the NDA should not prevent public litigation, citing a profound power imbalance and alleged coercion during its signing. Grant reportedly received payments under the agreement, which McMahon later ceased, according to previous filings.
Current Status and Responses
McMahon and WWE have not yet issued public comments regarding the specific new details presented in the April 1 filing. McMahon has previously denied the allegations through his representatives, consistently maintaining that any relationship was consensual.
WWE has stated in court documents that the matter should be resolved through arbitration as stipulated by the signed NDA. The case remains ongoing, with a decision pending on whether it will stay in federal court or be moved to arbitration. No trial date has been set, and settlement discussions have reportedly stalled.
This latest filing intensifies years of scrutiny surrounding McMahon, which include a prior SEC investigation into hush-money payments (which he settled without admitting wrongdoing) and other public allegations of misconduct.
Grant’s attorneys have stated the lawsuit seeks accountability not only for their client but also for addressing a broader culture of silence and alleged abuse within the industry. These developments unfold as WWE continues operations under new leadership, including President Nick Khan.
It is crucial to note that the allegations detailed in the affidavit have not been proven in court, and all parties are entitled to due process. The case continues to attract significant attention across both wrestling and mainstream media.
