Vince McMahon: Ex-Employee Sues For Sex Trafficking, Claims McMahon Named Dildos After WWE Superstars
Janel Grant, a former employee at WWE’s headquarters, has filed a lawsuit accusing WWE boss Vince McMahon, the company itself, and a former executive of sex trafficking. Grant alleges that McMahon abused and sexually exploited her while he was CEO, using promises of career advancement as a lure.
Grant signed a nondisclosure agreement in 2022, receiving a $3 million payout from McMahon to refrain from discussing their relationship or disparaging him. However, the lawsuit claims that McMahon ceased payments after the initial $1 million installment, seeking to void the agreement and unspecified financial damages.
McMahon and his attorney, Jerry McDevitt, have not immediately responded to the recent allegations. In 2022, McDevitt stated that the unnamed woman at that time had not made harassment allegations. WWE, responding to reports on McMahon’s $3 million settlement, asserted that the relationship was consensual, emphasizing their commitment to taking allegations of misconduct seriously.
The legal saga surrounding McMahon gained attention in 2022 when The Wall Street Journal reported on payouts to multiple women alleging sexual misconduct. Simpson Thacher’s investigation found $14.6 million in payments by McMahon, out of roughly $20 million that should have been booked as business expenses. WWE restated past securities filings, and McMahon repaid the company for the cost of the investigation.
Despite the investigation, federal prosecutors have been looking into the payouts, executing a search warrant for McMahon’s phone in July 2023. No charges have been brought, and McMahon remains confident in the resolution of the government’s investigation.
McMahon, who briefly retired in 2022, returned to WWE in 2023, elected himself to the board, and negotiated a sale of WWE to Endeavor Group, owner of the UFC, with an enterprise value of $9.3 billion. McMahon is now the executive chairman of the combined company, TKO Group. This week, Netflix acquired the rights to WWE shows in a deal valued at over $5 billion.
Grant’s lawsuit, filed in a Connecticut federal court, outlines her alleged encounters with McMahon, including instances of abuse, exploitation, and forced sexual activities. The suit names McMahon’s personal assistant, John Laurinaitis, and others as defendants. Laurinaitis, a former WWE executive, left the company in 2022.
The lawsuit seeks a judgment that the nondisclosure agreement is invalid under state and federal law, along with compensatory and punitive damages under the Trafficking Victims Protection Act.
The McMahon moves: Underwear meetings
Grant’s lawsuit, filed in a Connecticut federal court, details graphic accounts of her interactions with McMahon. Allegations include incidents of sexual assault, explicit text messages, and McMahon sharing intimate content without consent. The suit contends that the company diverted attention from McMahon’s actions by focusing on accounting for the payouts, with some individuals within WWE allegedly concealing the wrongdoing.
The accuser alleged that “during several meetings that were ostensibly about a potential job at WWE, he greeted her in his underwear, touched her, repeatedly asked for hugs, and spent hours sharing intimate details about his personal life.”
Consequently, when McMahon pressured Grant into a physical relationship as a condition for the long-promised job at WWE, she found herself ensnared in an untenable predicament. The choices presented were stark: either accede to McMahon’s sexual demands or risk facing ruin.
Having yielded to the pressure for a physical relationship, Grant was subsequently placed in an entry-level position titled “administrator-coordinator,” a role specifically crafted by McMahon within WWE’s legal department. Commencing her duties in that capacity on June 17, 2019, Grant’s entry into the organization marked a pivotal point in her professional trajectory.
The McMahon moves: Recruiting former UFC Heavyweight Champion through porn
In March 2020, McMahon initiated the dissemination of explicit photographs and videos of Grant, which included recorded pornographic content, sharing them with various individuals both within and outside the company. The recipients encompassed members of the television production “tech” team, executives, producers, and a globally renowned athlete, a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, actively pursued by WWE for a new contract, which was eventually secured.
Given McMahon’s authoritative position within WWE, coercion became inherent in his escalating and increasingly debased sexual requests. Specifically, during McMahon’s tenure as CEO of WWE and Grant’s employment as an entry-level coordinator in the legal department, McMahon actively recruited individuals for sexual liaisons with Grant and/or involving both of them. He directed Grant to visit Laurinaitis for pre-workday sexual encounters and expected, as well as directed, her to engage in sexual activities at the WWE headquarters, even during regular working hours.
Throughout this period, McMahon consistently instructed Grant to maintain absolute secrecy about their relationship, unless otherwise instructed, even going so far as to mandate dishonesty to uphold whatever cover stories he fabricated.
McMahon’s claims of ensuring Grant’s safety and independence seemed insincere when contrasted with his actions of isolating her from friends and systematically eroding her individuality. Instead, he sought to mold her into the roles he desired, referring to her as his “bitch,” “fantasy,” and/or “porn star,” occasionally incorporating softer terms like “girlfriend,” “baby,” and even “love” when it suited his convenience.
“He exercised complete ownership and control over both her personal and professional lives,” the suit read.
The McMahon moves: Feces in her hair
Additionally, McMahon subjected Grant to acts of severe cruelty and degradation, resulting in her disassociation and/or emotional numbness as a coping mechanism to endure these harrowing experiences.
“As one example of McMahon’s extreme depravity, on May 9, 2020, he defecated on Ms. Grant during a threesome, and then commanded her to continue pleasuring his “friend”— with feces in her hair and running down her back—while McMahon went to the bathroom to shower off,” the suit alleged.
During June 2021, McMahon and Defendant Laurinaitis perpetrated sexual assault against Ms. Grant within Laurinaitis’ office at WWE headquarters, all while colleagues were occupied at their desks. Behind a securely locked door, the two men cornered her, physically accosted her, and eventually positioned her on a table between them.
Despite her pleas for them to cease their actions, they persisted, forcibly subjecting her to their advances. Each took turns restraining her for the other, uttering phrases such as “No means yes” and “Take it, bitch.”
Predictably, individuals within WWE were aware of the situation. However, rather than intervening to safeguard Grant, WWE took proactive measures to conceal the misconduct.
The McMahon moves: Dildos named after wrestlers
The legal filing provides an account of incidents in which McMahon allegedly inflicted physical harm upon Grant, resulting in injuries such as bleeding and pain, through the forceful use of sex toys. Despite Grant’s pleas to discontinue the sexual activities, the frequency of these encounters reportedly escalated, accompanied by an increase in McMahon’s level of physical aggression.
“Notably, McMahon was most aggressive when using the certain sex toys named after male WWE wrestlers and performers. McMahon named the sex toys so that the color of the toy matched the race of the wrestler—for example, a black ‘dildo’ would be named after an African American wrestler and a white ‘dildo’ would be named after a Caucasian wrestler,” the suit read.
In addition to McMahon’s fascination with creating scenarios involving the presence of other men, particularly certain WWE talent, this marked another step in gradually desensitizing Grant to his fantasies and eventual insistence that she engage in sexual acts with others within the WWE.
During a wrestling match reminiscent of David versus Goliath in 2019, Grant engaged in a discussion with McMahon about the event, expressing her thoughts on the underdog’s appeal and suggesting ideas for future matches. McMahon initially praised her creative input, leading her to believe that her ideas were being taken seriously. However, this perception changed when McMahon named a sex toy after the smaller wrestler, attempting to sexualize the situation and belittle her contributions.
Additionally, McMahon asserted his authority and influence over Grant by highlighting instances such as a meeting with the Saudi Crown Prince in October 2019, underscoring the power dynamics within their relationship.
The McMahon moves: “Emotional trauma, my ass”
In November 2019, Grant informed McMahon that her doctor linked her symptoms to trauma and ongoing stress. McMahon’s response was far from supportive, as he allegedly mocked her: “emotional trauma my ass!!”
Subsequently, McMahon insisted on Grant seeing a physician of his choosing, referred to as the “Celebrity Doctor,” operating from the “Alternative Clinic.” Assurances were made that McMahon would cover Grant’s bills at the clinic. However, after the initial visit, Grant felt pressured to continue her care under Celebrity Doctor’s practice.
Alarming claims suggest that McMahon and Celebrity Doctor purportedly asserted they had “saved her life.” Celebrity Doctor allegedly made comments about Grant’s inability to make eye contact during sessions, attributing it to trauma. Grant admitted to a relationship with McMahon during her visits, to which Celebrity Doctor responded enigmatically, stating that there are “many different paths to God and love.”
All treatments and products provided by Celebrity Doctor were allegedly paid for under McMahon’s account, with Grant never receiving any receipts. When inquired about specific treatments, Celebrity Doctor reportedly challenged Grant’s trust in a confrontational manner, suggesting parting ways if trust was in question.
At the initiation of Grant’s care with Celebrity Doctor, sessions reportedly lasted up to an exhausting one hour. Celebrity Doctor delved into Grant’s personal and work life, portraying themselves as a coach focused on behavioral science.
The McMahon moves: Sexual pawn for WWE superstars
The suit also cited a certain WWE Superstar, who is described renowned globally for being a top talent with a substantial fan base, contributing significantly to WWE’s viewership and in-person attendance. McMahon, according to Grant, began recruiting the Superstar for a sexual encounter while she was still in the legal department. By July 2021, McMahon allegedly informed Grant that the Superstar would be their next “playmate.”
The accusations take a disturbing turn as McMahon reportedly shared explicit fantasies with Grant, describing his desire to see her engaged in explicit acts with the WWE Superstar. Furthermore, McMahon expressed his intention to renew the Superstar’s contract, while the talent indicated an interest in exploring other professional opportunities.
On July 12, 2021, McMahon allegedly directed Grant to create personalized explicit content for the WWE Superstar, leading to McMahon sharing the photos and expressing his approval. A significant event took place on July 21, 2021, when McMahon flew the Superstar into Connecticut for what he described as a “business dinner” and a subsequent sexual encounter with Grant.
The night reportedly took a dark turn, as McMahon engaged in a disturbing “role play” scenario with Grant, causing her to plead with him to stop. McMahon’s actions included physical aggression such as penetration, fisting, hair pulling, shoving, and open-palm slapping. Grant, visibly distressed, begged McMahon to cease his actions.
After the traumatic encounter, McMahon allegedly forbade Grant from leaving his condo unless she verbally assured him that everything was okay. Notably, McMahon made no effort to check on her well-being after she left.
During the significant event of SummerSlam on August 26, 2021, hosted at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium, McMahon and the WWE Superstar discreetly reached an informal understanding regarding the Superstar’s comeback.
“That night, McMahon texted Ms. Grant a reminder that she was an enslaved object to him: ‘I want to drive U lower and lower. So low that U might beg me to sell U’,” the suit said.
Around that time, former UFC and WWE champion Brock Lesnar, then sporting a cowboy/farmer look with a beard and ponytail, returned at SummerSlam on August 2021, confronting Universal Champion Roman Reigns after his successful title defense against John Cena.
The allegations extend to McMahon’s continued manipulation during negotiations for a new booking contract with WWE. In December 2021, McMahon allegedly provided Grant’s personal cell phone number to the WWE Superstar, assuring that she would “do anything” requested of her.
The situation escalated when the Superstar revealed a fetish to Grant, testing McMahon’s promise. Grant, feeling unable to resist, complied with a request to send a video of herself urinating. The Superstar reportedly threatened to lose interest if she had not complied and used derogatory language to address her.
In the same month, the Superstar expressed a desire for a sexual encounter, but Grant, citing a snowstorm and COVID-19 concerns, ultimately backed out.
The McMahon moves: Wife, daughter, and immaterial accounting
In January 2022, McMahon reportedly informed Grant that his wife had discovered their relationship. To avoid potential fallout, McMahon insisted that Grant’s time at WWE had come to an end and urged her to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to keep silent on various matters, including his alleged personal misconduct.
In the days that followed, McMahon allegedly applied immense pressure on Grant to sign the NDA, warning her of dire consequences if she refused. He allegedly promised continued support and protection if she complied. Grant eventually succumbed to the pressure and signed the NDA, but McMahon later ceased payments promised in exchange.
Even after Grant’s departure from WWE, McMahon allegedly continued his exploitative actions, attempting to involve her in a situation with another WWE star during a New York City event in March 2022.
Despite McMahon’s assurances of reputational protection, it appears that WWE leaked information resulting in the public disclosure of Grant’s name. The company’s actions, coupled with McMahon’s alleged attempts to sweep the matter under the rug, prompted a special committee investigation announced in June 2022.
Stephanie McMahon, McMahon’s daughter, had been appointed as Interim CEO and Interim Chairwoman during the investigation and publicly affirmed her commitment to a safe and collaborative workplace. However, Grant claims the investigation was a sham, as the Special Committee failed to interview her or request any documents, despite her willingness to cooperate. WWE later touted the conclusion of the investigation in November 2022, raising concerns about the transparency and thoroughness of the process.
“In SEC filings, the Company tried to divert attention away from McMahon’s abuse of women by focusing on the technical issue of how hush money was accounted for—in the words of the Company, the issue was ‘immaterial accounting errors related to certain payments that Mr. McMahon . . . agreed to make during the period from 2006 through 2022’,” the suit read.
Grant is seeking declaratory relief, asserting that the NDA signed is void under the Speak Out Act. The law provision renders nondisclosure and nondisparagement clauses unenforceable in cases involving sexual assault or harassment disputes.
The suit also alleges a violation of the Trafficking Victims Protection Act (TVPA) against McMahon and Laurinaitis, asserting that both individuals engaged in recruitment, enticement, and coercion of the plaintiff into sexual encounters, promising job security and advancement within WWE. This allegation is also extended to WWE, arguing that the company knowingly participated in the described trafficking venture and benefited from McMahon’s actions.
There are also counts of alleged intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress against McMahon and WWE and Laurinaitis and WWE, respectively. The plaintiff argues that the defendants engaged in extreme and outrageous conduct, causing severe and lasting emotional distress.
Grant seeks declaratory judgment, compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, costs, and punitive damages based on the various legal claims presented in the complaint.
Information for this briefing was found via the sources mentioned. The author has no securities or affiliations related to this organization. Not a recommendation to buy or sell. Always do additional research and consult a professional before purchasing a security. The author holds no licenses.
