Judge Denies Vince McMahon's Motion To Temporarily Resume Janel Grant Lawsuit

Judge Jeffrey Meyer, who is overseeing the lawsuit in federal court from Janel Grant against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis, has denied Vince McMahon's motion to temporarily resume the lawsuit. 

Vince McMahon filed a motion in July seeking a "limited lifting of the stay" in the lawsuit filed by Janel Grant as he looked to prevent Grant from using any materials that may be obtained through a recent petition in her lawsuit against McMahon, Laurinaitis, and WWE. The motion also asked the court to state that Grant may be subject to contempt. 

McMahon's motion was in opposition to Janel Grant filing a pre-action discovery petition with the Superior Court of Connecticut against Dr Carlon Colker and Peak Wellness, Inc. Grant is seeking medical records in relation to the lawsuit against McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis as she has claimed the records supplied so far are inaccurate and incomplete. 

Documents obtained by Wrestlenomics revealed that Judge Meyer ruled the federal case being on pause does not apply to Grant's proceedings in the Superior Court of Connecticut.

Meyer wrote: "Federal district courts do not ordinarily regulate or sit in review of proceedings in state courts, and the Court's stay order did not purport to extend to any state court proceedings. If there is any objection to state court proceedings, relief should be should [sic] in state court rather than in this Court. Accordingly, the Court DENIES defendant McMahon's motion to enforce the Court's stay order for failure to show that there has been a violation of the Court's stay order."

Janel Grant accused Vince McMahon of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse in a lawsuit filed in January 2024. WWE is also named as a defendant and it is alleged the company attempted to cover up the allegations against McMahon. Laurinaitis is also a defendant and he is accused of sexual assault. The lawsuit also argues the NDA that Grant signed with Vince McMahon is unenforceable, citing the Speak Out Act and the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.

The lawsuit was paused in June upon a request from the United States Department of Justice as attorneys for the Southern District of New York continue to investigate allegations of sex trafficking and sexual misconduct against Vince McMahon stretching back to 1986. The case is on hold until December 11.

New sealed filings from Janel Grant and US Attorney Sarah Mortazavi appeared on the docket on Monday, August 5. Judge Meyer approved the sealing of the relevant filings.