In a significant development in the ongoing high-profile lawsuit, former WWE employee Janel Grant has filed a comprehensive 40-page affidavit in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut. This detailed submission expands upon her allegations of sexual abuse, coercion, and trafficking against former WWE chairman Vince McMahon.
The affidavit is part of a memorandum challenging attempts by McMahon and WWE to force arbitration under a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) Grant reportedly signed in 2022. It presents new and graphic specifics concerning alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse she experienced from 2019 to 2022. Grant contends the NDA is invalid and that her case should be heard in open court, not in private arbitration.
Background of the Lawsuit
Grant initiated 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. Her initial complaint alleged that McMahon groomed and coerced her into a sexual relationship in exchange for employment, subjected her to ongoing abuse, and distributed explicit images and videos of her. McMahon stepped down from his position with TKO shortly after the lawsuit was filed, consistently denying all claims.
The recent affidavit offers a first-person narrative of Grant’s ordeal, asserting that McMahon custom-designed a role for her at WWE headquarters to establish control. She claims the abuse intensified over time, resulting in profound physical and psychological trauma, including panic attacks, significant weight and hair loss, and a suicide attempt.
Key Allegations Detailed in the New Filing
Abuse by McMahon and Laurinaitis
Grant details multiple alleged sexual assaults, including an alleged rape on a table in Laurinaitis’ office during work hours in June 2021, reportedly occurring while colleagues were in proximity. She further describes being coerced into threesomes with McMahon and Laurinaitis, among other coercive acts.
Alleged Involvement of WWE Leadership
Grant alleges that in March 2021, McMahon informed her he had privately revealed the “sexual nature” of their relationship to current WWE President Nick Khan and former COO Brad Blum. The filing states McMahon reassured them of Grant’s loyalty, saying she “would sooner jump off the balcony than hurt anyone,” and that Khan and Blum subsequently offered “support.” She additionally claims Khan and Blum monitored her, and that Khan later offered to leverage his industry contacts to help her find employment outside WWE as her well-being declined.
Interactions with Brock Lesnar
The affidavit recounts text message exchanges from Brock Lesnar (identified as “Polish Joe”) in 2021, wherein he allegedly requested nude photographs and expressed a desire to meet her, although no in-person meeting occurred. Grant asserts this interaction was consistent with McMahon’s alleged practice of distributing her explicit content.
Broader Claims of Coercion and Lack of Intervention
Grant contends that WWE facilitated the alleged exploitation, and that company executives were reportedly aware of her deteriorating health but did not intervene. She disputes WWE’s portrayal of the relationship as consensual, asserting she felt trapped due to financial precarity and reliance on her career. The memorandum asserts the NDA should not prevent public litigation, citing the significant power imbalance and alleged coercion surrounding its signing. Previous filings indicate Grant received payments under this agreement, which McMahon later ceased.
Responses and Current Legal Status
Neither McMahon nor WWE has publicly addressed the specific new allegations presented in the April 1 filing. Through his representatives, McMahon has consistently denied the accusations, maintaining that any relationship was consensual. WWE, in its court submissions, argues that the dispute should be settled via arbitration as stipulated by the signed NDA. The case is still active, awaiting a ruling on whether it will proceed in federal court or be moved to arbitration. No trial date has been established, and settlement negotiations have reportedly stalled.
This recent filing intensifies the long-standing scrutiny surrounding McMahon, which includes a previous SEC investigation into hush-money payments (resolved without admission of wrongdoing) and other public misconduct allegations. Grant’s legal team emphasizes that the lawsuit aims to achieve accountability not only for their client but also to challenge a broader culture of silence within the industry. These developments unfold as WWE operates under new leadership, including President Nick Khan.
It is important to note that the allegations within the affidavit have not been substantiated in court, and all involved parties are afforded due process. The case continues to garner substantial attention across both wrestling and mainstream media.
