Vince McMahon of the WWE could be in hot water again. Reports are surfacing on Thursday, thanks to a report by The Wall Street Journal, that McMahon, the former CEO of WWE, is facing serious allegations of sex trafficking brought forth by Janel Grant, a former WWE employee. This legal battle resurfaces McMahon’s controversial past, threatening to overshadow recent positive developments for WWE, including a lucrative deal with Netflix.
Amid the story breaking, The Wall Street Journal writes, “McMahon and his attorney didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment on Thursday. Representatives for the WWE also didn’t immediately respond.”
According to their report, Grant, who had previously settled with McMahon under a nondisclosure agreement (NDA), is now accusing him of sexual exploitation and trafficking during his tenure as CEO. The lawsuit implicates McMahon in disturbing acts and mentions other WWE figures, including John Laurinaitis and Brock Lesnar.
Ann Callis from Holland Law Firm, representing Grant, commented on the lawsuit, stating, “Today’s complaint seeks to hold accountable two WWE executives who sexually assaulted and trafficked Plaintiff Janel Grant, as well as the organization that facilitated or turned a blind eye to the abuse and then swept it under the rug.”
The Details of McMahon’s Messages to Grant Are Disturbing
Too graphic to share here, the explicit details provided in the lawsuit outline McMahon’s alleged coercion and abusive behavior towards Grant. Notably, the lawsuit also involves former executive John Laurinaitis and prominent WWE wrestler Brock Lesnar in McMahon’s purported illicit activities with Grant.
Grant’s legal action seeks to void the NDA, which she claims was breached after payments ceased following an initial $1 million. She is now pursuing unspecified damages. The lawsuit alleges that McMahon pressured Grant into sexual situations, including assault, and degraded her in exchange for a job at WWE.
The lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of explicit texts and explicit demands by McMahon, involving not only Grant but also other WWE personnel. McMahon allegedly sent explicit photos of Grant to colleagues, and the lawsuit contends that McMahon orchestrated a situation where Lesnar requested a video of Grant urinating.
Controversies Surrounding McMahon Keep Surfacing
The legal battle follows McMahon’s retirement in July 2022, during which it was reported that he paid multiple women $14.6 million to maintain silence about sexual encounters and misconduct allegations. A WWE board of directors investigation found McMahon’s improper handling of payments, requiring him to repay the company for the cost of the investigation.
Despite the controversy, McMahon returned to WWE in January 2023 and played a key role in the sale of the company to Endeavor Group Holdings, resulting in the formation of TKO Group Holdings. He is currently listed on WWE’s corporate website as the WWE Founder & TKO Executive Chairman.
Despite all of this, WWE continues to move forward and create record revenue for the company. WWE recently struck a $5 billion deal with Netflix.
As of now, WWE, McMahon, Lesnar, and Laurinaitis have not issued official statements regarding the allegations. McMahon’s lawyer, Jerry McDevitt, previously stated in 2022 that McMahon had a consensual relationship with Grant, who was unnamed at the time. The unfolding legal proceedings will undoubtedly have significant implications for both McMahon’s personal reputation and the corporate landscape of WWE.
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