In a significant escalation of a high-profile lawsuit shaking the wrestling world, former WWE employee Janel Grant has submitted a new 40-page affidavit to the U.S. District Court in Connecticut. This detailed filing further elaborates on her claims of sexual abuse, coercion, and sex trafficking against former WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
The affidavit is part of a legal memorandum opposing efforts by McMahon and WWE to force arbitration under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) signed by Grant in 2022. It presents graphic new details of alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse experienced during her employment from 2019 to 2022. Grant’s legal team contends that the NDA is invalid and that the case should proceed in open court rather than through private arbitration.
Background of the Allegations
Grant initially filed her federal lawsuit in January 2024, naming McMahon, WWE (now part of TKO Group Holdings), and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis as defendants. She alleges that McMahon cultivated a relationship with her, coercing her into sexual acts in exchange for employment opportunities, subjecting her to repeated abuse, and sharing explicit images and videos of her with others. Following the lawsuit, McMahon resigned from his position with TKO, consistently denying all accusations.
The new affidavit offers Grant’s first-person account, describing how McMahon allegedly created a custom role for her at WWE headquarters specifically to assert control. She claims the abuse intensified over time, leading to severe physical and psychological trauma, including panic attacks, significant weight and hair loss, and a suicide attempt.
Key New Details Emerge
Abuse by McMahon and Laurinaitis: Grant explicitly alleges repeated sexual assaults, including a claimed rape on a table in Laurinaitis’ office during work hours in June 2021, with colleagues nearby. She also describes being compelled into threesomes involving both McMahon and Laurinaitis, alongside other coercive acts.
Alleged Involvement of WWE Leadership: The affidavit claims McMahon informed her in March 2021 that he had privately discussed the “sexual nature” of their relationship with current WWE President Nick Khan and former COO Brad Blum. According to Grant, McMahon assured them of her loyalty, stating she “would sooner jump off the balcony than hurt anyone,” after which Khan and Blum were allegedly “supportive.” She further asserts that Khan and Blum monitored her, and Khan later offered to help her find a job outside WWE using his industry connections as her situation worsened.
Interactions with Brock Lesnar: The filing includes details of text communications from Brock Lesnar (referred to as “Polish Joe”) in 2021. Lesnar allegedly requested nude photos and expressed a desire to meet her, though they never physically met. Grant claims this was part of a pattern where McMahon shared her explicit content with others.
Broader Claims of Exploitation: Grant asserts that WWE enabled the alleged exploitation, and that executives were aware of her deteriorating health but failed to intervene. She challenges WWE’s characterization of their relationship as consensual, stating she felt entrapped due to financial vulnerability and career dependence.
The legal memorandum argues that the NDA should not prevent public litigation, citing the significant power imbalance and alleged coercion involved in its signing. Grant reportedly received payments under this agreement, which McMahon later ceased, as stated in previous filings.
Responses and Legal Status
McMahon and WWE have yet to issue public comments regarding the specific new details presented in the April 1 filing. McMahon’s representatives have consistently denied the allegations, asserting that any relationship was consensual.
In court documents, WWE maintains that the dispute should be resolved through arbitration as per the signed NDA. The case remains ongoing, with a crucial decision pending on whether it will proceed in federal court or be moved to arbitration. No trial date has been set, and reports indicate that settlement discussions have stalled.
This latest filing adds to a history of scrutiny surrounding McMahon, including a prior SEC investigation into hush-money payments (which he settled without admitting wrongdoing) and other public allegations of misconduct.
Grant’s legal team emphasizes that the lawsuit seeks accountability not only for their client but also aims to address a broader culture of silence within the industry. These developments unfold as WWE continues operations under its current leadership, including President Nick Khan.
It is important to note that the allegations detailed in the affidavit have not been proven in court, and all parties involved are entitled to due process. The case continues to attract significant attention from both the wrestling community and mainstream media.