Janel Grant, the former WWE paralegal whose lawsuit rocked the wrestling world last year, is ramping up her legal battle against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE. Grants legal team confirmed in new court filings that an amended complaint will be submitted on January 15, 2025, a year after she first accused McMahon and Laurinaitis of sexual assault, among other allegations.
Grants initial 67-page filing accused McMahon of sex trafficking and using potential sexual encounters as leverage in WWE business dealings, including Brock Lesnars contract negotiations. The lawsuit also claimed top WWE executives, including Nick Khan and Stephanie McMahon, were aware of McMahons behavior but did not participate in the alleged abuse. WWE has denied the allegations, and McMahons legal team has hinted at pursuing defamation claims.
This legal drama has taken several turns, including a six-month stay imposed in June to accommodate a federal investigation by the Southern District of New York into McMahons alleged misconduct. While no criminal charges have been filed, Grants lawyers say the investigation remains active.
Grant also pursued a separate case in Connecticut against Dr. Carlon Colker and his clinic, alleging that McMahon sent her there for undisclosed treatments. These claims further add to the web of allegations surrounding the former WWE Chairman.
Emails submitted as evidence shed light on the behind-the-scenes coordination between the legal teams for McMahon, WWE, and Laurinaitis. On December 16, Jessica Rosenberg, McMahons lead attorney, responded to Grants counsel, Ann Callis, about the proposed amendments:
We will connect with our respective clients on this and get back to you shortly, Rosenberg wrote.
Callis interpreted Rosenbergs response as representing all defendants, including WWE and Laurinaitis, hinting at a united front despite WWEs public efforts to distance itself from McMahon since his resignation. Notably, all parties legal counsel were included in the email exchanges.
Despite the initial reply, Callis stated that there was no follow-up until December 23, when McMahons legal team informed Grants attorneys of their intent to refile motions.
Defendant McMahon filed a Motion to Compel Arbitration and accompanying papers only a few minutes after his counsel sent that email, Callis noted.
Later that evening, WWE filed its renewed motion. The following day, Laurinaitis submitted a joinder, formally agreeing with the arguments presented by McMahon and WWE, rather than filing an independent motion of his own.
Emails submitted as evidence show back-and-forth communications between Grants team and the defense, revealing what appears to be close coordination between McMahons and WWEs legal strategies despite the companys public distancing from McMahon following his resignation.
Grants upcoming amended complaint could reshape the legal battle, but with motions to compel arbitration back on the table, the road ahead is far from clear.
This lawsuit continues to cast a massive shadow over WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis, with new details adding even more layers to an already complex saga. With Janel Grant poised to amend her allegations and the defendants doubling down on arbitration efforts, its clear this legal battle is far from over. Will Grant get her day in court, or will WWE succeed in moving this behind closed doors? Only time will tell.
Whats your take on this ongoing legal saga? Should WWE take more accountability for these accusations? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
