Attorneys for Janel Grant recently filed a motion requesting a status conference in her lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis in the United States District Court of Connecticut. This request comes after the SEC charges against McMahon, in which he settled by paying a $400,000 fine and reimbursing WWE $1.3 million.
It was reported that Janel Grants legal team argued that the courts guidance is necessary to determine the best way forward with the litigation, given the changing circumstances of the case.
According to PWInsider, Vince McMahon filed his own response to the motion on January 13, arguing that there is no need for a status conference. McMahon noted that WWE had filed a motion in April 2024 to move the case to arbitration, but the court had not yet ruled due to a stay imposed by the federal government.
McMahons filing pointed out that Grants attorneys had proposed a timeline allowing them to file an amended complaint by January 15, and they argued that the existing schedule for responding to the arbitration motion should remain in place. McMahon also stressed that the SEC charges against him, which were related to financial matters, have no relevance to the civil lawsuit that Grant has filed.
WWE also filed a response on January 14, opposing Grants request for a status conference. WWE argued that Grants motion was an improper and delayed attempt to extend the deadline to respond to the motion for arbitration. The company further stated that the SEC settlement involving McMahon does not affect the arbitration issue or the progress of the lawsuit. WWEs filing emphasized that Grants assertion that the SEC settlement necessitates additional time to adjust her amended complaint is unfounded and irrelevant to the case at hand.
WWE also argued that Grants legal team had been given eight months to prepare their response to the arbitration motion and that there was no justification for further delays. They stated that no hardship or prejudice would result from adhering to the original deadline, and Grant had not provided any valid reason for needing additional time. Both McMahon and WWE have insisted that the case should continue according to the existing schedule without the need for a status conference or an extension.
With both Vince McMahon and WWE opposing Grants request, the courts decision on whether to grant a status conference will play a critical role in determining the next steps for the lawsuit. While Grants attorneys argue that the SEC settlement introduces new considerations, McMahon and WWE insist that the existing schedule is sufficient to resolve the arbitration motion. Therefore, well have to wait and see how the case will progress in the coming months.
What do you think about Janel Grants lawsuit and the responses from Vince McMahon and WWE? Should the court grant a status conference, or should the case proceed without further delays? Share your thoughts and insights in the comments below!