The Wall Street Journal reports that Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, filed a lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis in a Connecticut federal court on Thursday. The complaint states that Grant “was the victim of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking at WWE.” It added that Grant “is filing this lawsuit not just to address her own suffering, but also to act for those who are afraid to speak out.”
In the lawsuit, several claims were made including the following…
“In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production ‘tech’ team, executive(s), producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).”
“In June 2021, McMahon and Defendant Laurinaitis sexually assaulted Ms. Grant inside Laurinaitis’ office in WWE headquarters while colleagues were busy at their desks. Behind a locked door, the two men cornered her and pulled her in between them, forcibly touched her, before ultimately putting her on top of a table in between them. She begged them to stop, but they forced themselves on her, each taking turns restraining her for the other, while saying ‘No means yes’ and ‘Take it, bitch.’”
Here was another alleged incident…
“On June 23, 2021, around 11:42am, McMahon directed Ms. Grant – in the middle of a workday – to meet him on a lower floor. When Ms. Grant arrived, McMahon led her inside his private locker room, locked the door, and forced himself on her over a massage table. Later that day, $15,000 in gift cards to Bloomingdales were purchased at McMahon’s direction and delivered by McMahon’s personal assistant to Ms. Grant in her office.”
The full WJS article, which requires a subscription, can be read by clicking here.
Here is the full complaint…
