Former WWE Employee Janel Grant Submits New 40-Page Affidavit Against Vince McMahon, WWE, and Others

In a significant turn in the ongoing high-profile lawsuit shaking the wrestling industry, former WWE employee Janel Grant has filed a comprehensive 40-page affidavit in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut. This new document elaborates on her previous allegations of sexual abuse, coercion, and sex trafficking against former WWE chairman Vince McMahon.

This new filing is part of a memorandum challenging McMahon and WWE's attempts to force the case into arbitration, citing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) Grant signed in 2022. The affidavit presents graphic new revelations concerning alleged emotional, physical, and sexual abuse endured by Grant during her employment with the company from 2019 to 2022. Grant contends that the NDA is invalid and that the legal proceedings should occur in open court, not via private arbitration.

Background of the Lawsuit

Grant initially filed her federal lawsuit in January 2024, naming McMahon, WWE (now part of TKO Group Holdings), and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis as defendants. Her original complaint alleged that McMahon groomed and coerced her into a sexual relationship, offering employment in return, subjected her to ongoing abuse, and disseminated explicit content of her. McMahon resigned from his TKO position soon after the lawsuit's filing and has consistently refuted all accusations.

The recent affidavit offers a first-person narrative of Grant's experiences, asserting that McMahon allegedly engineered a tailored job for her at WWE headquarters to establish control. She states that the abuse intensified progressively, resulting in severe physical and psychological trauma, manifest as panic attacks, significant weight and hair loss, and a suicide attempt.

Key New Allegations Detailed in the Affidavit

Abuse by McMahon and Laurinaitis: Grant alleges numerous sexual assaults, including a purported rape on a table in John Laurinaitis' office during working hours in June 2021, reportedly with colleagues in close proximity. She further details being coerced into threesomes with McMahon and Laurinaitis, among other coercive acts.

Involvement of WWE Leadership: Grant claims that in March 2021, McMahon informed her he had confidentially revealed the "sexual nature" of their relationship to current WWE President Nick Khan and former COO Brad Blum. The filing states McMahon reassured them of Grant’s loyalty, saying she "would sooner jump off the balcony than hurt anyone," after which Khan and Blum were allegedly "supportive." She additionally alleges that both Khan and Blum kept tabs on her, and that Khan later proposed assisting her in finding employment outside WWE through his industry contacts as her personal circumstances worsened.

Interactions with Brock Lesnar: The affidavit outlines text message exchanges from Brock Lesnar (identified as "Polish Joe") in 2021, wherein he allegedly solicited nude photographs and expressed a desire to meet her, though no in-person meeting occurred. Grant asserts this was consistent with McMahon’s alleged pattern of sharing her explicit material.

Broader Claims of Coercion and Retaliation: Grant contends that WWE allegedly facilitated her exploitation and that executives were cognizant of her deteriorating health yet failed to intervene. She disputes WWE’s assertion that the relationship was consensual, explaining she felt ensnared by financial precariousness and reliance on her career.

The memorandum argues against using the NDA to prevent public litigation, citing the significant power imbalance and alleged coercion surrounding its signing. Previous filings indicate Grant received payments under this agreement, which McMahon subsequently ceased.

Responses and Case Status

Neither McMahon nor WWE has publicly addressed the specific new allegations presented in the April 1 filing. McMahon has consistently denied all prior accusations via his representatives, asserting that any relationship was entirely consensual.

In court documents, WWE maintains that the dispute should be settled through arbitration as stipulated by the signed NDA. The case continues, awaiting a decision on whether it will proceed in federal court or be moved to arbitration. No trial date has been established, and reports suggest that settlement negotiations have reached an impasse.

This recent filing intensifies years of scrutiny on McMahon, who has faced a previous SEC investigation regarding hush-money payments (which he settled without admitting guilt) and other public allegations of misconduct.

Grant's legal team frames the lawsuit as a pursuit of accountability not just for their client, but also to challenge a pervasive culture of silence within the industry. These developments unfold as WWE operates under new leadership, including President Nick Khan.

It's important to note that the allegations detailed in the affidavit have not been proven in court, and all involved parties are entitled to due process. The case continues to garner substantial attention across wrestling and mainstream media.