WWE Sides With Vince McMahon In Janel Grant Lawsuit

In a filing with the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, WWE have sided with Vince McMahon's prior motion to compel arbitration in Janel Grant's lawsuit. WWE have also disputed the allegations made by Janel Grant. 

In a memorandum filed on May 14, WWE stated: 

"WWE disputes Grant's allegations. But, as a threshold matter, this dispute cannot be heard in court because Grant agreed to arbitrate her claims. WWE therefore moves to compel this action to arbitration.

"Simply put, Grant has no claims actionable in this Court because the separation and non-disclosure agreement she signed with McMahon and WWE (the' Agreement') - the monetary benefits of which she concededly accepted and retained - contains an arbitration provision that unambiguously precludes this Court from adjudicating her claims. In particular, Grant agreed that 'the sole and exclusive legal method to resolve any and all disputes and/or controversies is to commence binding arbitration under the Federal Arbitration Act.' The language is clear and unconditional. Not only are Grant's allegations squarely within the scope of the arbitration provision, but the Agreement also expressly commits to arbitration the issue of arbitrability itself. Accordingly, this Court should enforce the parties' agreed-upon method of addressing Grant's claims and compel this action to arbitration."

WWE were expected to side with Vince McMahon, who requested arbitration in April. John Laurinaitis, the third defendant in the lawsuit, initially claimed through his lawyer that he was a victim of Vince McMahon's but the former WWE Head of Talent Relations ended up performing a U-turn and siding with McMahon's motion to compel arbitration. 

Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE in January 2024. Vince McMahon has been accused of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse, while WWE have been accused of attempting to sweep the allegations against McMahon "under the rug." John Laurinaitis was accused of sexual assault within the lawsuit.

Should a judge rule for the case to be moved to arbitration, the lawsuit would move to private mediation. Within the initial lawsuit, Janel Grant stated the nondisclosure agreement she signed was unenforceable, listing the Speak Out Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.

While the lawsuit continues, Vince McMahon remains under investigation by federal authorities for multiple allegations of sexual assault stretching back to the 1980s.