A lawyer for Vince McMahon claims John Laurinaitis’ dismissal from a civil lawsuit doesn’t change the facts of the case against her client.
Jessica Rosenberg, attorney for McMahon, issued the following statement regarding today’s dismissal of Laurinaitis from Grant’s case:
“Today’s dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant doesn’t alter the facts of this case in any way. Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant. No matter how many press releases her team issues, the truth remains unchanged. As Mr. Laurinaitis’s lawyer previously said: ‘Mr. Laurinaitis corroborates Mr. McMahon in publicly declaring that Ms. Grant’s allegations of sexual abuse and coercion in her Complaint are completely unfounded.’”
This new statement references previous comments issued by Laurinaitis’s attorney to Wrestlenomics in May 2024, which claimed Laurinaitis agreed that Grant’s claims were unfounded. That statement can be seen below:
“John Laurinaitis has filed a Motion today fully joining in and adopting Vince McMahon’s motion to compel arbitration. Mr. Laurinaitis corroborates Mr. McMahon in publicly declaring that Ms. Grant’s allegations of sexual abuse and coercion in her Complaint are completely unfounded. My client will fight these false allegations together with Mr. McMahon in the proper forum, arbitration.”
Why is Janel Grant suing Vince McMahon?
In January 2024, Grant, a former WWE employee, filed a lengthy lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and Laurinaitis. There, she cited allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and several other abuses. Initially, Laurinitis denied the claims against him and maintained that he was also a victim in the case.
Months later, Laurinitis corroborated McMahon’s counterstatements against Grant. A new development in the civil case, however, now sees Laurinitis flipping the script once again.
Why was John Laurinaitis dropped from the lawsuit?
According to a statement obtained by POST Wrestling, Grant has dropped Laurinaitis as a defendant after the two sides reached an agreement where he will provide evidence against the other parties involved. Laurinaitis’ voluntary dismissal was done “with prejudice,” meaning Grant cannot refile claims against him.
“John Laurinaitis has agreed to cooperate and provide evidence in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE,” read the joint statement from Grant and Laurinaitis’ representatives. “His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking. Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life. We cannot provide any additional details at this time.”
Laurinaitis’s attorney, Edward M. Brennan, confirmed his support for the statement with POST Wrestling. Grant’s amended lawsuit was approved by Judge Sarah F. Russell earlier this month. The defendants are expected to file motions by June 13. This would move the case out of public court and into private arbitration.
