WWE co-founder Vince McMahon finds himself at the center of a graphic lawsuit, accused of rape and sex trafficking by former employee Janel Grant, shedding light on alleged misconduct within the wrestling empire.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut, details a harrowing narrative of psychological torture and physical violence starting from March 2019, raising serious questions about the culture and practices within WWE.
Janel Grant’s lawyer, Ann Callis, said in a statement,
“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.”
According to the lawsuit, McMahon first pressured Grant into a sexual relationship with the promise of professional opportunities.
The suit further alleges that McMahon directed Grant to have sex with WWE wrestlers and other men, intimidating her with threats of revenge porn and making “depraved sexual demands” in exchange for her continued employment.
Grant’s tenure at WWE, which spanned from June 2019 to March 2022, ended abruptly when Linda McMahon, Vince’s wife, discovered the relationship. Following her termination, Grant was pressured to sign a nondisclosure agreement in exchange for $3 million.
In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for McMahon said the lawsuit is “replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth. He will vigorously defend himself.”
The lawsuit contains disturbing details, including an account of McMahon defecating on Grant during a threesome in May 2020. It also alleges that McMahon and WWE Talent Relations boss John Laurinaitis took turns violently raping her in Laurinaitis’ office at WWE headquarters in June 2021.
The suit accuses WWE of actively seeking to conceal the wrongdoing. Laurinaitis is listed as a defendant in the suit, along with World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.
WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, distanced itself from the accusations, stating that McMahon does not control TKO or oversee day-to-day operations of WWE. A spokesperson for WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, said,
“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter pre-dates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”
The lawsuit comes after McMahon stepped down as WWE’s top executive in 2022 following a Wall Street Journal investigation that revealed he had paid more than $12 million to four women over 16 years to hide accusations of sexual misconduct and infidelity. He returned to the business’ board several months later.
In July 2023, federal agents obtained a search warrant for McMahon’s phone in relation to an investigation of the payouts. No charges have been filed against him.
Grant’s suit states that McMahon’s “extreme cruelty and degradation” had “crippled” her “both physically and mentally” and that she has dealt with “debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation.”
She is asking the court to void the 2022 nondisclosure agreement, which forbids her from discussing her relationship with McMahon or disparaging him. She is also seeking unspecified damages.
Despite the controversy, on Wednesday, Netflix announced it signed a $5 billion, 10-year deal with WWE for the exclusive rights to stream its live event “Raw” and other programming. This development underscores the complex and often troubling dynamics at play in the world of entertainment and sports.
The Tate Brothers, controversial social media icons, commented on the allegations, stating,
“His motive? Money? Look I don’t know Vince McMahon but I will state right NOW that I simply don’t believe these allegations. Transformed sports entertainment and made billions legitimately. But risking it all to sell some girl’s pussy for pocket money? Absolutely no way.”
The lawsuit against Vince McMahon has brought serious allegations to light, raising questions about WWE’s practices. As the case unfolds, it serves as a reminder that transparency and accountability are crucial, regardless of an individual or organization’s stature.
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