In the latest development in a high-profile lawsuit that has rocked the wrestling world, former WWE employee Janel Grant has submitted a detailed 40-page affidavit in U.S. District Court in Connecticut, expanding on her claims of sexual abuse, coercion, and trafficking by ex-WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
The filing, part of a memorandum opposing motions by McMahon and WWE to compel arbitration under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) Grant signed in 2022, includes graphic new details about alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse during her time with the company from 2019 to 2022. Grant argues the NDA is unenforceable and that the case should proceed in open court rather than private arbitration.
Background of the Lawsuit
Grant first filed her federal lawsuit in January 2024 against McMahon, WWE (now 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. He has consistently denied all allegations.
The new affidavit provides 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, weight loss, hair loss, and a suicide attempt.
Key New Allegations in the Filing
Abuse by McMahon and Laurinaitis: Grant alleges repeated sexual assaults, including a claimed rape on a table in Laurinaitis’ office during work hours in June 2021 while colleagues were nearby. She also describes being forced into threesomes involving McMahon and Laurinaitis, as well as other coercive acts.
Involvement of WWE Leadership: Grant claims McMahon told 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 and that 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 details text communications from Lesnar (referred to as “Polish Joe”) in 2021, in which he allegedly requested nude photos and sought to meet her, though they never met in person. Grant claims this was part of McMahon’s pattern of sharing her explicit content.
Broader Claims of Coercion and Retaliation: 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.
The memorandum argues that the NDA should not bar public litigation, citing the power imbalance and alleged coercion in its signing. Grant received payments under the agreement, which McMahon later stopped, according to prior filings.
Responses and Current Status
McMahon and WWE have not yet publicly commented on the specific new details in the April 1 filing. McMahon has previously denied the allegations through his representatives, maintaining that any relationship was consensual.
WWE has stated in court documents that the matter should be resolved through arbitration per the signed NDA. The case remains ongoing, with a decision pending on whether it will stay in federal court or move to arbitration. No trial date has been set, and settlement discussions have reportedly stalled.
This latest filing adds to years 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 attorneys have described the lawsuit as seeking accountability not only for their client but for a broader culture of silence in the industry. The developments come as WWE continues operations under new leadership, including President Nick Khan.
The allegations in the affidavit have not been proven in court, and all parties are entitled to due process. The case continues to draw significant attention in both wrestling and mainstream media circles.
