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WARNING: Sexually explicit allegations included in this article.
As noted elsewhere on PWInsider.com, attorneys for Janel Grant filed an Amended Lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis on 1/31 before the United States District Court of Connecticut.
The filing had been expected as the defendants had all pushed for the lawsuit to be moved to private arbitration, arguing that when Grant signed a NDA and settlement with McMahon (and effectively WWE), she had agreed to those terms. Grant’s attorney had been fighting against that move, noting they were working on an Amended complaint coming out McMahon’s charges and settlement with the SEC - something McMahon’s side argued against, stating those issues had nothing to do with Grant’s lawsuit.
Grant’s side was advised they had until 1/31 to file their Amended complaint and if they did not, the court would take the arbitration under advisement and make a decision. By filing on 1/31, Grant’s side effectively reset the clock on the case, as now the defendants will get time to respond to the claims, then Grant’s side will get a chance to rebut those claims, and then the Court will decide whether to move forward, dismiss or perhaps even rule it all goes to arbitration.
The major changes with the Amended complaint is that Grant was providing more details to some of the allegations, including alleged screenshots, voice recordings and photos from texts, photos sent to her by Vince McMahon. Grant’s filing also specifically noted the names of WWE officials who were previously not identified in the case filing as well as Brock Lesnar, who had been identified in media reports as a WWE talent that McMahon was trying to sign to a new deal, allegedly offering up Grant to Lesnar in order to entice him to sign. Lesnar of course did sign and is still signed with WWE, although he has not been used in a long time due to being connected to the original lawsuit in media reports.
Grant’s allegations against McMahon were originally covered in a 2022 article about McMahon by The Wall Street Journal. That coverage led to McMahon’s original retirement from the company, his eventual return and the forced sale, at his behest as primary stockholder, to Endeavor. She was later publicly identified when she filed the original lawsuit.
The lawsuit alleges “that McMahon lured her with promises of career advancement, and then he allegedly exploited her and trafficked her to other men inside the company.”
Grant signed a nondisclosure agreement in 2022 with McMahon, agreeing to a payment of $3 million to not publicly disparage him or to discuss their relationship. She is alleging that he stopped making payments after $1 million, one third of the agreement, was received. Her lawsuit was and still is seeking to void the NDA and is seeking additional financial damages.
The WWE Board of Directors investigation into McMahon’s relationships with Grant and other women that were uncovered over the course of the third-party investigation resulted in the revelation that over $14.6 million of the $20 million made in payments should have been recorded as company business expenses. The company amended SEC filings to include those expenses and in late 2023, announced the investigation had been completed with Vince McMahon reimbursing the company.
The company also announced that in July 2023, “federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on Mr. McMahon. No charges have been brought in these investigations. WWE has received voluntary and compulsory legal demands for documents, including from federal law enforcement and regulatory agencies, concerning the investigation and related subject matters.”
In January of this year, McMahon agreed to settle his case with the SEC over the charge that he violated federal securities laws in failing to inform WWE’s Board Of Directors of the aforementioned settlement agreements totaling $10.5 million with two women, including Grant, on behalf of himself and the WWE. McMahon agreed to settle the administrative charges and to pay a $400,000 civil penalty, as well as reimburse WWE $1.33 million after consenting to an order finding that he violated the Securities Exchange Act. McMahon later referred to the matter on his Twitter account as “never anything more to this than minor accounting errors with regard to some personal payments that I made several years ago while I was CEO of WWE. I'm thrilled that I can now put all this behind me."
While the criminal aspect of this situation may be behind McMahon, the civil lawsuit brought by Grant remains.
Grant’s Amended lawsuit levies allegations not just against McMahon, but also Brock Lesnar and former WWE exec John Laurinaitis (who PWInsider.com broke was fired in the wake of the initial WSJ articles in 2002) - Lesnar is not a defendant in the lawsuit and has never been.
The allegations in the Amended Lawsuit claim:
*After meeting through the building manager where they were both residing, Grant, described as “dealing with profound grief and struggling financially — after devoting years to around-the-clock caregiving, her parents passed away”, was hired by McMahon in June 2019 as an “administrator-coordinator,” a position McMahon created for her in WWE’s legal department. Grant was allegedly told not to tell anyone and that “it just has to look legit.”
*The lawsuit also stated that Grant would regularly see and run into McMahon’s two personal assistants in their building, including one Grant attended grade-school with.
*In their initial meeting about potential employment, “McMahon shared stories about his upbringing, his traumatic childhood,growing up in poverty, and current family dynamics, including his separation from Linda McMahon—described as “his ex” and “long gone.” He added his marital status is an arrangement on paper for business purposes and that he lives a quiet, isolated existence outside of the WWE.”
*Grant alleged, “In August 2021, McMahon told Ms. Grant that after she left their initial meeting, he immediately returned to the chair where she had sat and masturbated on the floor.”
The Amended version of the lawsuit names other WWE Executives and Employees that had previously not been officially identified before the Court.
*McMahon later met with Grant to prepare her for a job interview with Brad Blum (who later left the company after McMahon’s exit, returned when he did and resigned again after McMahon was again gone - Blum is now working to help launch McMahon’s new entertainment business) and “explained that people are intimidated around him and are afraid to touch him. McMahon added that he is an affectionate person who likes to hug and “starves” for physical affection. McMahon then led Ms. Grant on a tour of his condo before hugging her goodbye, again whispering “Feels so good.” - Grant alleges in the Amended Lawsuit that this was the start of McMahon “grooming” her for a sexual relationship.
*Grant and the manager of her building were brought to Wrestlemania with the idea that Grant was to watch the show and bring feedback back to McMahon. Grant’s Amended Lawsuit noted, “Per McMahon’s instructions, Ms. Grant diligently took notes about her impressions from WrestleMania—her first time attending such an event. Ms. Grant left overwhelmed with emotion and feeling hopeful that everything McMahon promised was becoming a reality.”
*Grant’s meetings with McMahon at his condo led to an April 2019 encounter where Grant alleges she was invited to his “walk-in closet” and “As soon as she turned the corner, McMahon emerged from his bathroom wearing only briefs. Shocked, Ms. Grant turned around and apologized, as McMahon laughed and asked her to turn around. He then handed her a shirt and asked for help with the buttons. McMahon reminded her that he was working hard on her role and said he felt good about her taking care of him.”
The lawsuit claimed:
On May 5, 2019, Ms. Grant visited McMahon’s condo again and the topic of “bucket lists” came up, during which Ms. Grant expressed that she always dreamed of attending the Belmont Stakes. McMahon responded that he would personally acquire two tickets for her, which Ms. Grant said she could not accept.
McMahon then stood up from his chair and knelt in front of the chair where Ms. Grant was seated, blocking her from standing. He leaned close to Ms. Grant and told her to kiss him. Ms. Grant paused and gave McMahon a kiss on the cheek, to which McMahon sighed, “That’s not what I meant.”
After McMahon walked off to his bedroom and said that he wanted Ms. Grant, she swiftly rejected his advances and tried to reason with him that he was putting her in a bad position. Ms. Grant pled with McMahon to stop and think about what he was doing.
McMahon then begged repeatedly simply to hold Ms. Grant. Out of fear for her employment and his earlier implied threats about his legal team dealing with problems, Ms. Grant lay down in bed next to McMahon and kept her hands clasped and ankles crossed, as she acquiesced in saying that he could only hold her, but nothing more.
When Ms. Grant tried to make small talk about WWE’s TV storylines, McMahon suggested she watch the next episode of Monday Night Raw and text him before the broadcast. After she agreed, he forcibly kissed her and began pulling down a strap on her sweater. Ms. Grant then sat up, said she needed to leave and had a lot to process, and left.”
The next day, Grant alleged that she watched the show and texted McMahon to “wish him well” and was shocked that McMahon responded, while the show was on the air, “That was a very nice message :). Made me smile :):)”.
*Grant alleged, “As McMahon dangled career-making and life-changing promises in front of Ms. Grant, he demonstrated an increasing lack of boundaries. 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.”
*Grant was warned to ‘keep their closeness’ secret, even though he allegedly claimed, “while he protects loyal people, he had world-class legal resources on speed-dial to deal with people who became a problem.”
Grant, referred to the company by McMahon and Blum, were informed by WWE Legal’s Brian Nurse that she had been hired by the company. McMahon later allegedly invited her to his home and told her that he had instructed Nurse to “up” her offer. When she pointed out that this was in violation with what he had informed her about maintaining the privacy on how close they actually were, McMahon allegedly responded, “It’s my company.”
WARNING: Sexually explicit allegations included in this article.
“McMahon then undressed down to his briefs, while Ms. Grant remained clothed, and he began kissing Ms. Grant and inserting his hands into her pants without consent,” the Amended Lawsuit stated, “Thus, McMahon began his trafficking of Ms. Grant—effectively forcing her to exchange sex for commercial value and employment. These acts would grow more extreme and outrageous over time.”
*Claiming she felt “trapped in an impossible situation: submitting to McMahon’s sexual demands or facing ruin. Ms. Grant feared she had everything to lose and faced negative consequences no matter what happened.”
*Grant stated that she worked for WWE’s legal department from June 2019 until being temporarily moved to position with The XFL Football league, which McMahon owned at the time. Grant alleges the move was made after McMahon told her there were rumors about her in the company about them, which she described herself as “shocked and mortified” about. She was later moved back to WWE (Grant in the lawsuit claims she attempted to remain with The XFL, which was located in a different building, but McMahon overruled her) to join the company’s Talent Relations Department, which at the time was overseen by John Laurinaitis. McMahon allegedly told her she was being moved to TR because her position in legal was “delaying hiring of a new General Council” for the company. Grant was to be named “Vice President of Operations” for Talent Relations but was later told she would need to be brought into TR at a lower level. Grant alleges she was promised she would be made VP within twelve months.
*After being hired for her initial legal position - which Grant claims paid $75,000 a year - she was informed that her new boss Rich Hering (a WWE Hall of Fame Warrior Award winner who retired after McMahon returned and sold the company to Endeavor) was the most feared person in the company beyond McMahon’s attorney (Jerry McDevitt) and that Hering would “protect” her before taking Grant to bed while allegedly telling her, “Please don’t stop this.”
The Amended Lawsuit stated, “Despite Ms. Grant’s expressions of unhappiness and attempts to end the sexual relationship—and while she came to understand that McMahon expected the physical relationship to continue as part of her employment—she had no idea how sordid it would become, nor how the psychological torture and physical violence would leave her feeling helpless, isolated and trapped.”
Grant alleges that she attempted to stop the relationship after their first sexual encounter:
“Disturbed by the nonconsensual sexual encounter, she hoped that McMahon would cease his advances. But his advances continued and left her to fulfill his demands or lose her job.
On June 16, 2019, the day before starting with WWE, Ms. Grant attempted to shut down any further physical contact or sexual encounters by admitting to McMahon her unhappiness and concern starting her first-ever job – —in his Legal department no less – —while in a physical relationship with the Chairman and CEO. She requested that they end any physical relationship while remaining friends to avoid any risks to either of them.
McMahon refused, saying that it was not ending, it did not need to, and that he did not “ever envision” it ending. He reminded her that he trusted her, reiterated that rumors would lead to trouble, probed whether her silence would be an issue, and brushed off her concerns that she was struggling with the feeling that her job felt unearned. McMahon told Ms.Grant that all she needed to do was not tell anyone and that, “it just has to look legit.”
McMahon then spun the conversation and told Ms. Grant to focus on the positives and embrace that her life was about to change, saying “Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?” McMahon manipulatively emphasized that she’s about to start an adventure and gain a new family with the WWE, as a surrogate for the family that she had lost.
Grant alleges that when she began her job, she found herself with little to do while her colleagues were obviously busy with their duties. Instead, she alleges, “In stark contrast to colleagues who complained about overflowing inboxes, Ms. Grant’s phone only overflowed with controlling and sexually charged text messages from the Chairman and CEO, reminding her both of McMahon’s power and ever-present surveillance. In reality, the job Ms. Grant was hired for was her sexual acts, even though she did not realize it yet.”
The Amended Lawsuit alleges:
“McMahon treated Ms. Grant as a commodity—offering her to other men. In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded on his cell phone) 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, Brock Lesnar, with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).
McMahon actively requested, directed, encouraged, insisted, and ultimately conditioned Ms. Grant to create and send sexually explicit content during, but not limited to, writers’ meetings, production meetings, while running live television broadcasts in “gorilla position,” and while on the corporate jet traveling both domestically and internationally. McMahon even knowingly solicited and received Ms. Grant’s sexually explicit content while being filmed for a global streamer. McMahon noticed when Ms. Grant did not comply with his directions and inquired or interrogated her about her creation of content.”
She also noted that none of her colleagues knew what her job title - “administrator-coordinator” meant.
Grant alleged that Hering was aware of her relationship with McMahon, noting, “Ms. Grant did not even meet Rich Hering until her second week of employment. Hering was a lively individual who frequently regaled the Legal department with stories of others at WWE. If McMahon’s name was mentioned, Hering would turn to Ms. Grant with a smile, a finger point, and/or a comment that drew attention to her connection to McMahon – —such as, “She knows what I’m talking about.” “
Grant stated that attention brought to her - as well as a “cold” treatment from Nurse led to her worried about her job and that she would need protection from McMahon from Nurse and others, all of which brought on alleged panic attacks. Grant’s Amended Lawsuit noted:
“From all this, Ms. Grant began to experience debilitating panic attacks in the office on a near-daily basis that left her physically drained. She could not hide the physical symptoms of these attacks and texted Resident Manager, “u should see the way people look at me when I’m having an attack.”
But while her co-workers noticed, no one dare get involved. As she continued to be abused by McMahon and eventually others at WWE, Ms. Grant did not feel free to simply quit her job and walk away. Immersion in the Legal department demonstrated to Ms. Grant the highly reactive, even retaliatory, nature of WWE such that she felt increasingly trapped.”
The Amended Lawsuit includes texts and photos sent by McMahon to Grant, allegedly during material being shot for the Netflix Mr. McMahon documentary with the photos lining up with screenshots from the series.
WARNING: Sexually explicit allegations included in this article.
*The Amended Lawsuit alleges that McMahon recruited individuals to have sexual relations with Grant, allegedly instructing her to have regular sexual relations with John Laurinatis before going to work for WWE several times a week and to engage in sexual activity while at WWE HQ (the location at the time would be what is now the former Titan Tower, a building recently sold off.)
The lawsuit alleged:
“All this time, McMahon ordered Ms. Grant to keep their relationship secret (unless otherwise instructed), including lying to maintain whatever cover stories he fabricated. McMahon’s assurances that Ms. Grant was safe and independent rang hollow in light of his efforts to isolate her from friends and attempts to chip away at her identity until it was replaced with his desired role for her as his “bitch,” his “fantasy,” and/or his “porn star” (while occasionally intermixing softer descriptors like “girlfriend” and “baby,” even “love” when convenient). He exercised complete ownership and control over both her personal and professional life.”
The lawsuit presents the story that over time, McMahon only allegedly cared about sexualizing Grant, and that she felt monitored at the company, which only led to further panic attacks. She alleged that he no longer referred to her as a friend, was curt when responding to non-sexual texts and began demanding sexually explicit photos from Grant.
Allegations from the original lawsuit that continued on in the new Amended Lawsuit:
*A May 2020 text message allegedly from McMahon to Grant read, “i’m the only one who owns U and controls who I want to f— U.”
*McMahon used “forcefully used sex toys” on Grant, including “including dildos he named after WWE wrestlers, causing her bruising and bleeding.”
*The alleged May 2020 encounter, during which McMahon allegedly defecated on her head during a threesome is again recounted in the lawsuit. Grant alleged that she tried to get out of the situation but McMahon told her for the first time that he loved her, which “stunned her into silence.” Grant alleged, “McMahon’s manipulative tactic resulted in the outcome he wanted.”
Grant’s Amended Lawsuit stated, “Events like this left Ms. Grant in physical and psychological pain. Ms. Grant confided in friends and colleagues about her declining health and mental state, as well as her ongoing grief over the loss of her family, but she was ultimately isolated from that support network by McMahon and his executive enforcers.”
In the Amended lawsuit, Grant again alleges that some in WWE were aware of her situation, but instead of intervening to assist her, the company allegedly “viewed and dealt with her as a corporate liability and actively sought to conceal the wrongdoing., both while she was at WWE and after the end of her employment. McMahon himself said to Ms. Grant, “unfortunately, you appear to have my company over a barrel” before transferring her to Talent Relations.”
Grant alleges in the lawsuit that during the same time that McMahon was pushing her to remain quiet about the nature of their relationship, he was allegedly showing off explicit photos he requested of her to others, including, allegedly an unnamed WWE referee, members of the WWE Crew and more, who Grant alleges were encouraged by McMahon to share the content with “their friends.”
After the aforementioned three-some, Grant alleged that McMahon “pressured” her into additional three-somes, which Grant alleged she felt she needed to go through with as McMahon had allegedly made it clear he protected her from being let go during the period WWE was furloughing employees in the COVID-19 pandemic era.
Grant alleged, “After the threesomes began, McMahon became more sadistic and his fantasies focused on control, such as choking, sensory deprivation, pain, humiliation, and group scenarios in which Ms. Grant was to be physically overwhelmed and subservient.” Grant’s Amended Lawsuit featured screenshots of a number of alleged texts that are beyond explicit and repulsive, which PWInsider.com will not reprint here.
The lawsuit alleges, “In or about September 2020, McMahon instructed Ms. Grant to create customized pornographic content for producer Michael Hayes and his crew” and that she should off and create content for “construction workers” - it is never explained if these were workers employed by McMahon, WWE or somewhere outside the company.
After Brian Nurse was terminated from the company, McMahon flew to Connecticut from Florida where he was producing the Survivor Series and brought Grant to WWE HQ, where he allegedly told her they were having sexual intercourse in his office or the car. She agreed to go to his office. He later allegedly sent her a voicemail stating it was the “Greatest thing to ever happen in this building.”
Grant alleged that by this point, her health was so bad that she was down to just over 100 Lbs., something McMahon “ignored.”
McMahon was now allegedly suggesting John Laurinaitis join them in three-somes. It is alleged in the Amended Lawsuit that Grant was being encouraged to make sexually explicit material for Laurinaitis. She alleges that she was streamed to Laurinaitis by McMahon while naked without her knowledge and that once she and Laurinaitis began to communicate via cell phone, McMahon was to be included in all exchanges. After their first three-some, Laurinaitis allegedly claimed he could “read people” just like McMahon and would “take a bullet” for McMahon.
It should be noted that when the initial lawsuit was filmed, an attorney for Laurinaitis initially painted him as a “victim” of McMahon, but that tone changed when he and McMahon each united in pushing for the lawsuit to be moved to arbitration.
The Amended Lawsuit claims that McMahon tried to begin to try to schedule when Grant would have sex with other men, including Laurinaitis and the aforementioned Physical Therapist. Grant claimed she attempted to maneuver away from the attempts, with the lawsuit noting, “Texts like this – —a shift schedule – —caused Ms. Grant to suffer breakdowns over how her original hope for a new life had been reduced to an objectified and dehumanized existence, with no way out.”
The Amended Lawsuit stated:
“In March 2021, WWE had still not hired a replacement after WWE Brian Nurse’s termination in November 2020. On March 9, 2021, McMahon informed Ms. Grant, still an entry-level coordinator, that top executives in the Company knew about their relationship and that her presence in the Legal department was effectively delaying the Company’s efforts to hire a new replacement for this high ranking official, reinforcing the fact that many within the Company were well aware of the circumstances detailed herein.
Specifically, McMahon stated that he had informed Nick Khan and Brad Blum that her presence in the Company posed a liability of such enormity that “unfortunately, [Ms. Grant appears] to have my company over a barrel.” McMahon’s concerns included inquiries from the Board of Directors about the delay in hiring a new General Counsel and the serious harm that the Company, his family and Ms. Grant would suffer in particular if their relationship or any of the corporate decisions related to it became public headlines.”
At this point. Grant was allegedly shifted over to The Talent Relations department and was now working under Laurinaitis. Grant claimed that she knew she had no control over the situation and was barred from speaking to Rich Hering in order for McMahin to allegedly maintain control over the situation.
The Amended Lawsuit stated, “On March 10, 2021, Ms. Grant sent McMahon a distressed text message recapping the threatening conversation and expressing shock and a range of concerns, including about Laurinaitis. Essentially, Ms. Grant expressed a desire to be treated humanely and taken seriously, which she acknowledged could be an “uphill battle.” Humiliated and scared, Ms. Grant believed she owed total obedience to McMahon, Khan, Blum and Laurinaitis and echoed back McMahon’s assurances that she was loyal to the Company and would sooner jump off a balcony than hurt them”
Grant’s Amended Lawsuit stated that she was informed by Brad Blum that she would be moving to Talent Relations, noting, “In essence, Ms. Grant again found herself in a completely undefined role, except for the understanding that she remain a sexual slave to be used and trafficked by McMahon within the WWE. A month later, having still not received a title and the corresponding pay raise promised and uneasy with the uncertainty, Ms. Grant even called Human Resources to confirm that there was nothing further she needed to do in order to transition into her new role. They assured her that this was a natural progression.”
Grant alleged that she tried to get out of any sexual relations with a third-party, but McMahon “acknowledged Ms. Grant’s concerns, and subsequently preyed on those same apprehensions by directing her to engage in those acts” the relationship with Laurinaitis continued. McMahon stated he wanted her to get to the VP level within a year or so, at which point she could take her experience anywhere. Grant claimed in the Amended Lawsuit, “Ms. Grant left this conversation with McMahon hoping that she could escape this situation with her finances and reputation intact. She just needed to survive until that point.”
Grant’s Amended Lawsuit claims that her new position came with a $200,000 salary and title of Director of Operations, because a VP title coming so soon “was too big and could put a target on Ms. Grant’s back.”
Grant alleged she was now spending several mornings before work having sexual intercourse with Laurinaitis at a hotel, as allegedly encouraged by McMahon. In one instance, McMahon was allegedly texting her from the company jet, discussing photos Laurinaitis showed him that Grant had texted Laurinaitis. She later allegedly told McMahon that she “felt so bad” every time she left the hotel, to which McMahon allegedly told her the one on one encounters could stop but they would continue with three-somes. Grant then alleged that on 6/15/21, she was sexually assaulted by Laurinaitis and McMahon in Laurinaitis’ office. The following week, McMahon allegedly texted asking if Grant and Laurinaitis were still in the office. She allegedly responded they were but, “That’s NOT an invitation to put me on the table.”
The Amended Lawsuit repeated a previous claim that on 6/23/21, McMahon allegedly locked Grant in his “private locker room at WWE’s offices” and “forced himself on her over a massage table.” That same day, his personal assistant delivered $15,000 in Bloomingdale’s gift cards to Grant.
The lawsuit also alleged, “On multiple other occasions while Ms. Grant worked under Laurinaitis, including after McMahon’s promise that one-on-one encounters would end – —and even after his wife moved across the country to join Laurinaitis – —he would call Ms. Grant to his office, lock the door, unzip his pants, and instruct Ms. Grant to perform oral sex.”
“Through all this, Ms. Grant noticed that the less she sexually engaged with Laurinaitis, the less work she had as Laurinaitis began to belittle Ms. Grant in front of colleagues. Fearing for herself and her future, Ms. Grant asked Laurinaitis whether he still supported her promotion to vice presidentVice President. He deflected with an answer about considering all options and changed the topic. The extreme uncertainty and fear for her future exacerbated Ms. Grant’s physical symptoms of illness, including gastrointestinal issues and vomiting, which continued to worsen over the remainder of her time with WWE.”
All of this led to Grant’s diminishing health. The Amended Lawsuit claimed, “In November 2019, Ms. Grant informed McMahon that her doctor suggested that her symptoms stemmed from trauma and ongoing stress. McMahon mocked her: “emotional trauma my ass!!” “
The Amended Lawsuit then alleges that McMahon "insisted" that Grant see a physician of his choosing, listed as Dr. Carlon M. Colker from Peak Wellness. The lawsuit alleges that McMahon's account would handle Grant's visits and after the initial visit, "it became apparent to Ms. Grant that McMahon and Colker" wanted Grant to remain under Colker's practice. Grant claimed she felt pressured to do so. Allegedly, Colker stated that during her first visit, she had issues making eye contact with him, "an obvious sign of trauma." Grant told Colker about her relationship with McMahon, to which he allegedly responded that there were "many different paths to God and love."
Grant's Amended Lawsuit stated that Colker "lavished attention, treatments and products" on Grant, all of which were paid by McMahon's account with Grant never receiving any receipts. When Grant questioned about "certain treatments", she was allegedly challenged on whether she trusted Colker and if she didn't, "they should part ways right now." Grant alleged that the sessions lasted up to one hour and would leave her exhausted as Colker's "deep dives into her personal and work life as a "Coach" focused on behavioral science.
The Amended Lawsuit noted that Grant has been refused access to her medical records by Colker, leading to an ongoing legal issue still making its way through Connecticut Courts, and that based on those records, it’s possible Colker and others could be added to defendants.
With Brock Lesnar now officially mentioned in the lawsuit (it is important to point out Lesnar is not and has never been a defendant in this civil suit), Grant’s version of events regarding Lesnar is that McMahon was attempting to sign him again in 2021, while Lesnar was seeking to move onto other endeavors. McMahon allegedly ordered Grant to create explicit content for Lesnar, with McMahon allegedly informing her that Brock “liked” what he saw. Lesnar was allegedly brought to CT to meet with McMahon and have a sexual interaction with Grant, but it did not happen because Lesnar was allegedly too intoxicated and was brought back to his plane to be taken home.
The Amended Lawsuit then alleges that McMahon wanted to role-play what would have happened between Grant and Lesnar, with the situation so explicitly descriptive PWInsider.com will not publish, but it included an alleged McMahon “assault” that led to “Ms. Grant to break down weeping and curl into the fetal position with her arms pulled up to protect her face. McMahon alternated between slaps and shoves before admitting that “I’m really f—ing up with you right and left tonight, huh?”
The Amended Lawsuit claimed, “McMahon forbade Ms. Grant from leaving his condo that night unless she could verbally assure him that there wasn’t a problem and everything between them was okay. Notably, however, he made no effort to check on her well-being after she left his condo.”
McMahon allegedly provided Lesnar’s Grant’s cell phone. The lawsuit states Lesanr allegedly asked her to send a video of herself urinating. Grant said she “went numb” but obliged. She alleges in the lawsuit that Lesnar told her if she had refused, he would have “lost interest in her” and called her a “b—.” There were alleged attempts by McMahon to have her travel to South Carolina to see Lesnar and in December 2021, Lesnar allegedly attempted to set up a meeting with Grant that did not take place in CT due to a snowstorm changing his traveling. Grant alleges in the lawsuit that she used that weather and COVID-19 as excuses to avoid seeing Lesnar.
All of this ended in January 2022, when McMahon “abruptly distanced” himself and would not be alone in a room with Grant - and at the same time, the Resident Manager in her building also ceased communications with her.
The Amended Lawsuit stated that in that month, Linda McMahon discovered Vince McMahon’s relationship with Grant and that it needed to end. McMahon alleged he was going to get divorced, would lose his CT condo and that the publicity from the divorce would put Grant’s name out into the public sphere.
At that point, Grant, who claimed she “had expressed no desire take legal actions” was told by McMahon “Purportedly to salvage his marriage and avoid both the negative publicity and other repercussions of a divorce” that he wanted “to ensure that Ms. Grant would remain silent about his personal misconduct in order to preserve his controlling interest in WWE. McMahon told Ms. Grant that if she left WWE and signed an NDA, he was confident Linda McMahon would not divorce him, he could remain in the condo, and Ms. Grant would avoid reputational harm.”
Grant’s Amended Lawsuit claims that she was ordered not to return to the WWE Office, that WWE President Nick Khan would “personally help Ms. Grant to find another job”, and that despite the material McMahon had claimed to share with others, he “suggested that he would attempt to help keep Ms. Grant’s reputation intact.” She also alleged McMahon suggested she use health-related concerns to explain her exit.
The Amended Lawsuit claimed, “In the days ahead, McMahon put Ms. Grant under immense pressure to sign, saying that refusing would not only jeopardize McMahon, his family, and the Company, but that she’d surely become a public headline, suffer reputational ruin (including from the pornographic content McMahon had captured), and face McMahon’s legal resources. Conversely, McMahon reassured her that her signature would ensure his continued support and protection and safeguard her reputation. Ultimately, without any meaningful choice, Ms. Grant succumbed to the pressure and signed the NDA in exchange for payments – —which McMahon later stopped making.”
Grant’s lawsuit noted, “Regarding the NDA, Ms. Grant asked McMahon, “Is this when Jerry sends the papers?” McMahon nodded and assured Ms. Grant that they would be “in the driver’s seat” to iron out terms together but she would need an attorney to make things official and approved of Ms. Grant asking Doctor Colker for an attorney referral.” Then, McMahon allegedly took her to his bedroom for an encounter.
McMahon later allegedly sent Grant a "to do" list to get the NDA process going. The lawsuit claims McMahon "suggested" the list "had been drafted by Brad Blum.
The Amended Lawsuit claimed:
“Before Ms. Grant retained counsel, McMahon discussed the amount of money that would be exchanged for the NDA and settled on a lump sum of $3,000,000 after Ms. Grant told McMahon his initial offer of $1,000,000 was not enough to compensate for the lost earning potential and the fact that she would be unable to continue the promised career trajectory of Vice President, as well as failing to last as a Director for a full year.
Before Ms. Grant retained counsel, McMahon called Ms. Grant with an update and informed her that McMahon’s attorney and counsel for WWE insisted on installment payments due to “cash flow purposes.” When Ms. Grant responded that this reasoning did not make sense for a billionaire, McMahon insisted that it was not his idea.”
Even after Grant signed a retainer with a lawyer that Dr. Colker suggested and McMahon approved to get the NDA done, the Amended Lawsuit alleges that McMahon still took part in “sexual text messages” and continued to push Grant to interact with Brock Lesnar with explicit content while pushing for Grant to meet Lesnar while he was in NYC in March 2022 - things that would violate the NDA they were in the process of negotiating.
The NDA was finalized over eight days.
Grant claims in the lawsuit that she wanted anyone aware of the nature of their relationship, listing Nick Khan, Brad Blum, John Laurinaitis,and McMahon’s personal assistants to be included in the NDA but McMahon allegedly refused. McMahon then allegedly made it clear the NDA had to be finalized ASAP as according to the Amended Lawsuit, “that he was under a tight deadline to report pending or threatened legal actions to the WWE Board of Directors – —specifically the Audit Committee – —and that McMahon and his attorney could not do so unless Ms. Grant signed the NDA. He informed Ms. Grant that Board members were concerned about the delay.”
Grant alleged she was so overwhelmed by the process that she looked to back out of it, even as McMahon was complaining about her attorney and making her doubt them - but McMahon refused to let her back out.
The Amended lawsuit:
“On January 27, 2022, just eight days after Ms. Grant had hired an attorney, McMahon left Ms. Grant a lengthy audio message explaining why they needed to go through with the NDA, pushing her to hurry up and sign the NDA and advising that he would be “double fucked” if she did not (presumably referring to both his divorce and report to the Board of Directors). McMahon again rejected Ms. Grant’s desire to back out of the agreement, acknowledging the extreme repercussions that he and WWE would face if she did not sign the NDA. The transcript of that voice memo reads substantially as follows:
Hi baby I’m still... I’m packing up cause I gotta get out of here and go to bed. I’m still at the office and I got a board meeting in the morning at 10 o’clock it’s like Jesus f–king Christ. In any event, on the agreement stuff, we have to do it and here’s why – ummm because there’s a new twist in this f–kin’ thing – wow is this ever gunna end? – so there’s an audit committee. It’s a public company and if we don’t get this done by the 31st I’m f–ked because McDevitt is in charge of the legal (voice from conference room speaker nobody else on this call. Goodbye. It sounds like the board room). It’s the conference room I’m in. Goodbye. It’s the conference room. Ummm so McDevitt is in charge of the f–kin’ audit of the books kind of like thing. He’s got to tell the audit committee there’s no lawsuits, there’s no pending this, there’s no that – kind of like thing – and he won’t do and can’t do it legally unless I get this thing signed. So we need to work on this really f–kin’ fast otherwise I’m double f–ked. I’ll be divorced aside from that; I’ll be f–kin’ ya know…; I don’t know what this is going to do in terms of ya know of… Sh** if he if I don’t get it done, he’s got to go to the audit committee and say by the way here where we’re say yada, yada, yada Janel …so now the board knows my story, knows what’s going on and it’s like oh my God holy s**t. You know they kick people out of their own f**kin’ company that’s not gunna happen here but um oh my god it’s like public sh** and all that kind of stuff so.. I’m f**ng tired of this sh**t but in any event, uhh Sorry to be responding so late but um so we’ve got to get this f**kin’ thing done so quickly baby. I had no idea that McDevitt was… well,…not turn on me because that’s not really the case at all. It’s a legal deal, you know? And he can’t say to the audit committee “No I never told him any of this stuff” He wouldn’t know. But now he knows. And now he’s been involved in, you know, in writing some of this and all that kind of crap and... I gotta get this f**kin’ thing done or I’m double f**ked. So let’s please you and I… I can’t do it first thing in the morning cause it’s 10 o’clock but as soon as we can. Let’s please get this thing done in some way somehow ok? I’m sorry baby we have to do it this way because I’d like to do it on a napkin too but now I can’t. Um so I’m kind of f**ked. But that’s ok. Well it’s not ok but let’s get this thing done please so we can go on about our lives. Ok baby I’ll talk to you in the morning. I’m sorry to take up so much of your time. Ok bye.”
“The duress experienced by Ms. Grant and the fraudulent inducement engaged in by McMahon were also specific and unique to individual terms within the NDA, such as the arbitration provision. Specifically, Ms. Grant was coerced and fraudulently induced to accept the arbitration provision. This is illustrated, in part, by the fact that Ms. Grant was told by her attorney that terms of the agreement (e.g., the arbitration provision) could be undesirable as written, but given the perpetuated duress that had now been elevated by Ms. Grant’s chronic abuser, McMahon, she was not able to make sound decisions regarding terms like the arbitration provision.
The arbitration provision, individually and outside the general NDA agreement, was entered into under duress and/or as result of fraudulent inducement engaged in by McMahon, and the same is void as a matter of law.”
Grant states in the lawsuit that she received $1 million via wire transfer from McMahon, ℅ WWE, Brad Blum on 2/4. On 2/9, she resigned from WWE.
Grant asked who had told Linda McMahon, but alleges in the Amended Lawsuit that Vince McMahon deflected her questions.
WARNING: Sexually explicit allegations included in this article.
Grant alleged that the abuse from McMahon continued even after she signed the NDA, alleging he met her in a white robe at his condo to “discuss outstanding business items” but he allegedly “grabbed her arm” and forced her to her knees for oral sex. After that encounter, which Grant described as “leaving her in tears” and “making her body wretch” in the Amended Lawsuit, Grant stated that she never saw him again.
McMahon later called her and advised that they would never speak again and “if she needed anything, to contact Nick Khan or Brad Blum. Over the course of an approximately half hour call, McMahon lamented both his inability to focus on the upcoming WrestleMania [38] and how his personal life had blown up over the past few weeks. Towards the end of their conversation, McMahon and Ms. Grant agreed to resume contact after WrestleMania. He also instructed Ms. Grant to continue having sexual relations with other men, including Brock Lesnar, in the meantime.”
In March 2022, Grant alleges she was contacted by Lesnar and sent explicit material and felt these interactions were “an indication of McMahon’s control.”
By the end of March 2022, Grant’s attorney was informed by McMahon’s attorney there was an anonymous email regarding McMahon and Laurinaitis’ relationship with Grant. The Amended Lawsuit alleges that McMahon’s coverage of Grant’s medical bills ended the following month and that promises he would cover her tax liability from his payments were broken. The lawsuit claims McMahon did not make his initial payments under the NDA agreement.
The lawsuit notes:
“Understandably, Defendants’ predatory conduct has left Ms. Grant crippled, both physically and mentally, including from debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation. These symptoms led to her termination from her subsequent job running her building’s operations due to her inability to leave her home for weeks at a time.
Despite McMahon’s promise of reputational protection, WWE appears to have leaked information that led to the public disclosure of her name by a media blogger who cited “a source in #WWE with direct knowledge of the situation,” which, upon information and belief, was an overt intimidation tactic aimed at Ms. Grant.
WWE has also attempted to sweep the matter under the rug. Following media reports that McMahon was involved in a “hush money” payment scandal, WWE released a statement in June 2022 to announce that a special committee of its board of directors was investigating the alleged misconduct and appointing WWE Corporate Officer No. 3 as Interim CEO and Interim Chairwoman.”
This is obviously a reference to Stephanie McMahon.
Grant again alleges that those investigating the Vince McMahon situation never “never even bothered to interview Ms. Grant or request any documents despite Ms. Grant stating that she would cooperate.”
It should be noted that in a January 2024 New York Times article covering the initial Janel Grant lawsuit, Jeff Speed, who quit the WWE Board of Directors in January 2023 when Vince McMahon returned to the company, stated that they did indeed reach out to Grant during their investigation. In a statement sent via law firm Simpson Thacher & Bartlett L.L.P (the third party that led the investigation into McMahon), Speed commented, "I remain confident in our investigation which included outreach to Ms. Grant and engagement with her lawyer."
Obviously, Grant stated otherwise in her Amended Lawsuit.
The Amended Lawsuit points out McMahon’s settlement with the SEC, stating, “Despite his public assertion that he did not engage in any intentional wrongdoing, McMahon consented to the entry of the SEC’s order finding that he violated the Securities Exchange Act by knowingly circumventing WWE’s internal accounting controls.”
The Amended Lawsuit also stated, “Through all this trauma, Ms. Grant has endured profound suffering in silence, feeling of exploitation, loss of security, and the fear of facing the wrath of WWE and McMahon’s army of attorneys if she were to come forward and bring to light the egregious acts detailed herein. That time has passed, and Ms. Grant seeks to hold Defendants accountable for their reprehensible and unlawful acts, for her own sake and for others.”
The Amended Lawsuit is attempting to get the NDA Grant signed thrown out by the court, citing that it violates The Speaking Out Act and is “is also void and unenforceable because the confidentiality term—a core term—is overly broad on its face. As written, it would prevent Ms. Grant from saying anything to anyone about WWE or her employment there (which, of course, she would need to do to apply for a job, for example), let alone exposing McMahon and others’ sexual assaults and abuse of Ms. Grant. The NDAs that McMahon has used to silence other women may be equally unenforceable if the same language was used.”
Grant is claiming she was coerced into signing the NDA and that many of the things McMahon allegedly promised her - “that he would pay for her lawyers, medical care, and taxes” are not included. Grant is also claiming she was under duress when she signed the agreement.
Grant is also arguing that even if the arbitration the defendants are trying to shift everything over to outside the Court or if the NDA is indeed enforceable, McMahon is allegedly in breach of a “core term” of the NDA, because he stopped making payments after the initial $1 Million. They are also arguing that circumstances have changed due to Grant’s name becoming public, which “which impacts employment prospects and has led to further trauma and humiliation.”
The Amended Lawsuit also noted, “In early 2023, while Ms. Grant was cooperating with several days of Department of Justice interviews concerning a criminal investigation into Defendants’ conduct, McMahon threw naked allegations of NDA breach at Ms. Grant and thereafter proceeded to violate the agreement himself. These intimidation tactics added to the enormous distress Ms. Grant was already withstanding.”
Grant is alleging all the trauma and issues forced her in January 2023 to lose her “dream job” managing a property for $80,000 a year, which she described as “the only job she could procure without the need for any references.”
Grant is seeking a Declaratory judgment that the NDA is void and unenforceable, and that the NDA does not bar any of her claims against McMahon and WWE, a Judgment for compensatory damages, reasonable attorneys’ fees, costs and punitive damages against Defendants and “other and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.”
After Grant’s attorneys announced the Amended Lawsuit had been filmed, McMahon’s attorney Jessica Rosenberg issued the following statement:
"As expected, the proposed amended complaint is nothing more than the latest publicity stunt in an ongoing smear campaign.
“It is filled with desperate falsehoods from a team that continues to disregard the law and the truth.”
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