Janel Grant Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon, WWE & John Laurinaitis Officially Paused

Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis has officially been paused following a ruling by Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on June 11. The court has ruled that the case be paused until December 11. 

The docket entry in the case states: 

"ORDER OF STAY AND DENIAL WITHOUT PREJUDICE OF PENDING MOTIONS. On the basis of the Court’s understanding that the parties mutually consent to a stay of these proceedings for a period of approximately six months, the Court STAYS this action to December 11, 2024. In light of the stay of this action and the possibility of any change of circumstances during the pendency of the stay, the Court DENIES the defendants' pending motions to compel arbitration (Docs. # 30, # 35, and # 61 ) without prejudice to renewal within two weeks of any future order of the Court lifting the stay. The Court likewise DENIES as moot plaintiff’s motion to strike (Doc. # 31 ) with respect to allegations in a memorandum of law concerning a motion that has now been denied. It is so ordered.. Signed by Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer on 6/11/2024."

Janel Grant agreed to pause her lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis in May following a request from the United States Department of Justice. This is due to a federal investigation involving attorneys for the Southern District of New York into allegations of sexual misconduct and sex trafficking against McMahon dating back to 1986. 

The three defendants also agreed to pause the lawsuit and a spokesperson for Vince McMahon told Wrestlenomics this week: "Mr. McMahon is eager to prove Ms. Grant's claims are false and expose her lies, but did not object to the government's request to pause the matter in connection with the investigation regarding disclosures at WWE. Following the six-month stay, when his legal team is able to get discovery and depose Ms. Grant and others, the evidence will show the relationship was consensual and Ms. Grant's allegations are malicious fabrications of a jilted lover."

Janel Grant filed the lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE in January 2024, accusing McMahon of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse. WWE are accused of attempting to sweep the allegations against McMahon "under the rug", while John Laurinaitis has been accused of sexual assault. Grant has also stated in the lawsuit that the nondisclosure agreement she signed is unenforceable, citing the Speak Out Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.

All three defendants have requested for the case to be moved to private arbitration, citing conditions in the nondisclosure agreement that Grant signed in January 2022.