WWE founder Vince McMahon is currently facing sexual abuse and trafficking allegations in a lawsuit filed on Thursday by former WWE employee Janel Grant.
The lawsuit identifies McMahon, WWE, and former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis all as defendants and alleges a disturbing pattern of sexual abuse and exploitation during McMahon's tenure as CEO of the wrestling-entertainment giant.
According to the lawsuit, Grant resided in the same building as McMahon in 2019 and was in search of employment when she was presented with what initially appeared to be a promising opportunity at WWE by McMahon.
However, what started as a hopeful venture soon turned into a nightmare.
The graphic 67-page lawsuit details disturbing incidents, including McMahon allegedly offering Grant for sex to a star wrestler. Grant, who previously worked in the company's legal and talent departments, claims that McMahon coerced her into a sexual relationship as a condition for obtaining and retaining employment. The suit further alleges McMahon's distribution of explicit content featuring Grant to other men, including fellow WWE employees.
Legal documents implicate WWE and John Laurinaitis specifically for violating the Trafficking Victims Prevention Act in addition to various claims of civil battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
When McMahon's wife discovered the situation in 2022, Grant asserts that she was coerced into leaving her job and signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Grant is seeking unspecified monetary damages and aims to void the $3 million nondisclosure agreement, alleging she received only $1 million.
TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC, responded to the allegations in a statement, distancing McMahon from current operations while acknowledging the severity of the accusations.
