Former WWE Employee Accuses Vince McMahon of Sexual Battery and Trafficking: Calls for Waiver of NDAs
In a bold legal move, a former WWE employee has accused Vince McMahon, the ex-CEO and chairman of WWE, of sexual battery and human trafficking. The woman, Janel Grant, is now urging McMahon and WWE to waive nondisclosure agreements (NDAs) that apply to past and present employees, enabling others with similar experiences to come forward. Grant's attorney, Ann Callis, sent a formal request late Monday to the legal representatives of McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis, a former WWE executive, making the case that lifting the NDAs would allow for a broader investigation into what she claims is a toxic workplace culture.
Legal Action and Allegations
Grant, who worked in WWE's legal and talent departments from 2019 to 2022, filed her lawsuit in January, alleging serious offenses including sexual assault, harassment, human trafficking, and emotional abuse. She claims McMahon coerced her into a sexual relationship as a condition of her employment and even forced her to have sexual relations with others, including Laurinaitis.
In addition to these accusations, the lawsuit alleges that McMahon facilitated sexual encounters for Grant with other individuals, shared explicit material of her with WWE employees, and subjected her to continuous degrading treatment.
Response from McMahon and WWE
McMahon, who resigned as CEO in 2022 following an internal investigation into similar allegations, has firmly denied Grant's accusations. His spokesperson, Curtis Vogel, did not provide comment, and legal representatives for WWE and Laurinaitis remained silent as well. McMahon's legal team labeled the claims as false and asserted that McMahon had a consensual relationship with Grant. Laurinaitis' lawyer has also refuted the allegations, positioning Laurinaitis as a victim in the situation.
The lawsuit further highlights that Grant was coerced into resigning from her position and signing a $3 million NDA, of which only $1 million was paid. Now, she seeks to void this agreement, asserting McMahon’s violation of its terms.
A Pattern of Allegations Against McMahon
Grant's case is not isolated. According to the Wall Street Journal, four additional women previously associated with WWE signed NDAs after making accusations against McMahon. In another high-profile case, McMahon settled with a former WWE referee for millions of dollars in 2022 after she claimed he raped her in 1986. Although McMahon denied the allegations, the settlement was made to avoid costly litigation.
Related: Vince McMahon: The Rise, Fall, and Unbreakable Legacy of Wrestling’s Most Controversial Titan
Call for Transparency
Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, is calling on WWE and its parent company, Endeavor Group Holdings, to allow former employees to break their silence by lifting the NDAs. "If WWE and its parent company Endeavor are genuinely committed to severing ties with Vince McMahon and the detrimental workplace culture he fostered, their executives should readily agree to release former WWE employees from their nondisclosure agreements," Callis said in a statement. The attorney emphasized that such an action would be an essential first step in rehabilitating WWE’s reputation.
Broader Implications of NDAs
NDAs have become a focal point in many sexual misconduct cases, with advocates arguing that these agreements often serve to silence victims and protect powerful individuals from facing accountability. Similar demands to lift NDAs have emerged in the wake of high-profile cases involving Harvey Weinstein and former NBC anchor Matt Lauer. Legal reforms at both the state and federal levels have begun to curb the use of NDAs to stifle allegations of sexual harassment.
Grant’s case adds another chapter to the ongoing scrutiny of WWE’s workplace culture, with broader implications for the use of NDAs in corporate America. As her legal battle unfolds, it may force WWE and other companies to reconsider how they handle sexual misconduct allegations and the role NDAs play in these cases.
A Dark Chapter in WWE's History
Vince McMahon transformed WWE from a regional wrestling organization into a global entertainment empire. However, the slew of sexual misconduct allegations threatens to tarnish his legacy. As the legal process unfolds, it remains to be seen whether other victims, if they exist, will come forward, and whether WWE will respond to the growing pressure to reform its internal policies and practices.
Grant’s call for transparency marks a significant moment in this ongoing scandal. Whether WWE will heed her demands remains to be seen, but the implications for the company—and for McMahon—could be monumental.
Related: Vince McMahon’s Dark Descent: Scandal, Sex, and the Fall of Wrestling’s Most Powerful Mogul
