Janel Grant, a former employee of WWE who worked in the legal and talent departments from 2019 to 2022, has taken legal action against the company, its former CEO Vince McMahon, and ex-executive John Laurinaitis. Grant’s lawsuit includes serious allegations of sexual assault, harassment, trafficking, and various forms of physical and emotional abuse.
In a recent development, Grant’s attorney reached out to WWE’s legal team late Monday, asking the organization not to enforce nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) with current and former employees. The intention behind this request is to encourage others who may have experienced similar issues to come forward without fear of legal repercussions.
Grant’s lawsuit was filed in January, and McMahon has categorically denied her claims, characterizing them as falsehoods and stating that he looks forward to defending himself. His legal team asserts that he had a consensual relationship with Grant and did not mistreat her. Meanwhile, Laurinaitis’s lawyer has also denied the allegations, maintaining that Laurinaitis is a victim in this situation.
Ann Callis, Grant’s attorney, stated, “If WWE and its parent company Endeavor are serious about separating from Vince McMahon and the toxic workplace he fostered, their executives should have no issue releasing former WWE employees from their NDAs. This step is crucial for rehabilitating a company that has concealed decades of sexual misconduct and human trafficking.
In 2022, McMahon stepped down as WWE’s CEO amidst an investigation into allegations similar to those made by Grant. He also resigned from his position as executive chairman of TKO Group Holdings the day after Grant filed her lawsuit.
The case highlights a wider cultural conversation about NDAs in workplaces, particularly related to misconduct allegations. Victims’ advocates argue that these agreements often serve to silence accusers while enabling alleged abusers to evade accountability. A federal law passed in 2022 has begun to limit the use of NDAs that prevent victims of sexual harassment from sharing their experiences publicly.
Grant alleges that she was coerced into a sexual relationship with McMahon as a condition of her employment and that he later directed her to engage in sexual activities with others, including Laurinaitis. The lawsuit also claims that McMahon subjected her to degrading actions and shared inappropriate materials involving her with other individuals, including WWE staff.
Furthermore, the lawsuit calls for the invalidation of Grant’s NDA, contending that McMahon violated its terms by giving her $1 million while failing to fulfill the full amount agreed upon, which was $3 million. Grant asserts that she was pressured into signing this agreement upon leaving her position with WWE.
Reports have emerged that McMahon reached a settlement with another former WWE employee in December 2022, who alleged he raped her in 1986. McMahon has consistently denied these allegations but opted to settle the case to avoid protracted litigation.
Interestingly, similar requests to release individuals from NDAs have occurred in the past during sexual misconduct scandals, such as those involving Harvey Weinstein and Matt Lauer, where companies moved to lift restrictions on former employees to encourage testimonies.
The Associated Press typically refrains from naming individuals who make sexual assault allegations unless they choose to do so publicly, which Grant has done.
For decades, McMahon has been a pivotal figure in wrestling, acquiring the then-World Wrestling Federation in 1982 and transforming it into a global phenomenon, running it alongside his wife, Linda, while also actively participating in WWE events as a performer.
A spokesperson for McMahon, Curtis Vogel, declined to provide comments regarding the ongoing lawsuit. Attempts to reach attorneys for WWE and Laurinaitis were unsuccessful as they did not respond to emails seeking their input.
