Janel Grant was madly in love with Vince McMahon and her lawsuit is an act of revenge, a spokesperson for the former WWE Chairman has recently claimed. 

McMahon stepped down from WWE in January 2024 due to Grant’s lawsuit in which she claims she was sexually abused and trafficked by the 78-year-old billionaire. One person Grant was allegedly trafficked to is John Laurinaitis.

 In a statement, Edward Brennan, the attorney for Laurinaitis, supported McMahon’s motion that the case should be moved to arbitration. 

“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.”

This statement garnered a response from Jessica T. Rosenburg, who is part of McMahon’s legal team. 

“In January 2024, Ms. Grant, a 43-year-old with a law degree, who was in love with Mr. McMahon and devastated by their break-up, filed an outrageous and false lawsuit to ruin Mr. McMahon’s career and reputation.

“Now, her false allegations are slowly unraveling. Today, Mr. Laurinaitis’ attorney confirmed his client will corroborate Mr. McMahon’s account and expose the lies within the Complaint. Despite their intense efforts, Ms. Grant’s attorneys won’t be able to suppress the truth from coming out.”

This is an ongoing story that is unlikely to be resolved anytime soon, though McMahon reportedly believes the matter will be settled out of court. We will continue to provide updates on the lawsuit as they become available. 

Vince McMahon has submitted a motion to compel arbitration in the lawsuit brought against him, WWE, and John Laurinaitis by Janel Grant. This is his latest move in the ongoing legal situation brought on by Grant’s earth-shattering allegations.

On January 25, Janel Grant initiated a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis, claiming sex trafficking, emotional abuse, and sexual assault. The lawsuit details Janel’s experiences of sexual, physical, mental, and emotional abuse.

McMahon is now pushing to move the case to arbitration, per Wrestlenomics. He is aiming to handle the dispute over the nondisclosure agreement privately, rather than in a public courtroom.

The NDA that was the focal point of this situation, agreed upon by McMahon and Grant, includes an arbitration clause. Although Grant’s complaint argues that the NDA is not enforceable.

Vince McMahon resigned from WWE in response to those terrible allegations, although he had denied that they are true. Grant’s legal team has also stated that they are overwhelmed by the response from others who want to come forward about McMahon.

Vince McMahon’s Defense

In his defense, McMahon claims that Grant’s allegations of sexual abuse and coercion are fictional and aimed at attracting publicity, contradicting her own previous statements.

McMahon asserts that he and Grant had a consensual relationship, denying any coercion or mistreatment. Grant’s January-filed complaint accuses McMahon and Laurinaitis of sex trafficking and details sexual assault. She claims that several of WWE’s top executives were aware of her relationship with McMahon.

In his motion, McMahon also refutes Grant’s assertion that she was grieving her parents when they met in 2019, noting that her father died in 2017 and her mother earlier. He references a 2017 lawsuit about the foreclosure on Grant’s parents’ home. McMahon mentions that Grant was living with her fiancé in the same condo complex during their relationship.

Vince McMahon’s argument describes it as “nonsensical” that Grant would return to her fiancé, located four floors below, without any issues after the alleged acts. McMahon also notes that neither Grant’s fiancé, Brian Gonvalves—a lawyer and executive at TelevisaUnivision—nor anyone from the building, police, or Grant’s friends contacted him about the alleged abuse.

McMahon’s legal team insists the lawsuit should be paused while the matter proceeds to arbitration, pointing out that the NDA was signed by McMahon personally and on behalf of WWE, and argues that Laurinaitis and WWE should also be compelled to arbitration with Grant.

Latest on Laurinaitis’ Side of Things

John Laurinaitis has been implicated in the significant lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon. He is accused of facilitating the sexual abuse that Janel Grant experienced, although he presents a different version of events.

Laurinaitis has also released a statement concerning these allegations. While not denying any acts in Grant’s lawsuit, he did claim that he was a victim in the situation.

The former WWE executive waved his right to be served Grant’s lawsuit. Ronda Rousey has since spoken out about Johnny Ace, calling him a “dirt bag.”

Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon uncovered some heinous allegations. Mr. McMahon’s choice in legal representation is raising eyebrows.

Vince McMahon’s legal representative recently released a statement in response to a new development in the case. Many pro wrestling fans will spot an interesting tie, as McMahon is now using the same law firm that MLW had against WWE in their antitrust lawsuit.

Vince McMahon’s Interesting Representation

The New York Post released a new report today with some developments on Janel Grant’s lawsuit. In response to new allegations that Vince McMahon used coercive tactics, his attorney released a statement on the matter.

McMahon’s attorney, Jessica Taub Rosenberg of law firm Kasowitz Benson Torres, told the outlet that “this is revisionist history. No one coerced Ms. Grant to write that letter. She wrote it of her own accord. The fact that the letter shows it was the 24th draft speaks volumes.”

Some pro wrestling fans perked up when they saw Kasowitz Benson Torres in that article, especially as they are representing Vince McMahon. That is the same law firm that MLW used in their recent antitrust lawsuit against WWE.

Interesting that Vince McMahon is being represented by Kasowitz Benson Torres in the Janel Grant case. Same team that repped MLW's $20 million settlement AGAINST WWE.

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) April 1, 2024

MLW’s Antitrust Lawsuit Against WWE

MLW and WWE just came to terms on a massive, years-long lawsuit. In the end, WWE forked over $20 million in the settlement.

In January 2022, MLW filed a legal action against WWE, accusing them of coercive behavior to deter partnerships with MLW by third parties like Vice TV and Tubi. After nearly two years, WWE and MLW settled the dispute in December 2023, with recent reports revealing WWE’s financial commitment of $20 million as part of the agreement, shedding light on the outcome of the antitrust lawsuit.

SEScoops will have more on this story as additional information is made available. Keep checking back throughout the day for more updates!

The pro wrestling world was turned upside down when Janel Grant’s lawsuit revealed heinous allegations against Vince McMahon. Now, someone who also had an intense battle with Vince and WWE is speaking out.

Martha Hart addressed the allegations against Vince McMahon, expressing her lack of surprise over Janel Grant’s lawsuit. She highlighted the gravity of the allegations and criticized the actions as incomprehensible.

Martha Hart Speaks on Vince McMahon Allegations

While speaking to News Nation, Martha Hart was asked about the allegations against Vince McMahon. She was quite candid as she said that the content of Janel Grant’s lawsuit did not surprise her. 

“No, I was not surprised when I heard there was yet another lawsuit. Over the years, the WWE, they’ve had many lawsuits and they’ve had a lot of bad press. And I tell you, I read all of the 67 pages in that complaint – and it is absolutely horrific. And I have to say that the level of wickedness that’s described is beyond the pale in that complaint, and anyone with a shred of humanity would find the indignant acts just incomprehensible, frankly.”

“So it wasn’t a shock that there was another lawsuit, but the level of, I guess, depravity there certainly was. I’m a doctor in mental health and I’m also the founder and director of the Owen Hart Foundation, so no matter what hat I’m wearing, I always work with at-risk people. And I can tell you that – anyone that takes advantage of a vulnerable person is the most despicable type of person because these are people that need to be supported and protected, not exploited. And by Janel Grant’s own admission, she was a vulnerable person. She was unemployed, her parents had passed away, she was suffering with grief, and she was also just on the cusp of financial collapse. So these are all the makings of a very vulnerable person.”

Hart was also asked if she has any advice for Janel Grant. She suggested that Grant keep pressing this case, and not to back down.

I would say to just stay the course. And her claim is very credible, and I would be steadfast in my convictions, and don’t back down.

Martha Hart’s Legal Battle With WWE

Following Owen Hart’s tragic death in 1999, Martha Hart went to war with McMahon and WWE in court. A wrongful death lawsuit against WWE resulted in an alleged settlement of $18 million. Additionally, Hart pursued another lawsuit against WWE for unauthorized use of Owen Hart’s name and likeness, which was also resolved through a settlement.

Martha Hart recounted that her legal battles with WWE resembled a “David and Goliath” scenario. She explained the challenges she faced while confronting Vince McMahon and his company, describing it as a relentless struggle where they spared no effort to defend themselves. 

WWE used their vast resources and ability to hire top lawyers for the fight against Hart. Martha also had a lot of frustration due to the tactics used to delay proceedings and divert attention from the core issues. 

Owen Hart’s widow went on to note how wealth led to a sense of impunity for WWE, allowing individuals to believe they could act without constraints. Now, Vince McMahon is unable to escape this lawsuit against him that led to his resignation. 

SEScoops will have more on this story, and so many more, so keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines.

John Laurinaitis’ name was featured in mainstream stories as Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE also included his name as a defendant. Now, more are speaking out about his negative influence on the pro wrestling business.

Teddy Long openly criticized Johnny Ace in response to comments made by Rousey about him. Long expressed that he no longer restrains his opinions about Laurinaitis, calling him one of the worst individuals and accusing him of racial discrimination.

Teddy Long Blasts John Laurinaitis

We previously reported how John Laurinaitis was recently buried by Ronda Rousey, as she called him a dirt bag. WWE Hall of Famer Teddy Long happens to agree with Rousey, and he would also throw racist on the accusations as well.

During Wrestle Binge, Teddy Long unloaded on Johnny Ace after Rousey’s comments about him came up in the conversation. Long said that he’s not holding his words back when it comes to Laurinaitis any longer.

I don’t hold my tongue back on John Laurinaitis. One of the worst pieces of sh*t on this planet, and you can do what you want to to me, you can sue me all you want to, ain’t nothing you’re gonna get except ‘holla, holla, holla.’ He is a man who is going to stop me from making a living because of the color of my skin — not because I’m not doing my job. So, you’re gonna tell me that I did my job, the face of that TV for nine years and you’re gonna … you know what I’m saying? Lemme stop.”

Laurinaitis and the Lawsuit

John Laurinaitis waved his right to be served Janel Grant’s lawsuit. He was very much aware of the filing, so he did not need that formality. He still asserts that he was a victim in the situation, as Vince McMahon was his boss as well.

In the lawsuit, McMahon is accused of instructing Grant to create “explicit content” for Laurinaitis, who was WWE head of talent relations at the time. Grant was later moved to the talent relations department, with both McMahon and Laurinaitis expecting her to engage with Laurinaitis sexually, both physically and through explicit content.

The suit also alleges that Grant was sexually assaulted by McMahon and Laurinaitis in June 2021 inside Laurinaitis’ office at WWE headquarters while colleagues were present. They allegedly cornered her, took turns restraining her, forced themselves on her, and ignored her pleas to stop.

SEScoops will continue covering this story, and so much more. Please keep checking back throughout the day for more headlines that you need.

Vince McMahon’s resignation from WWE and the blockbuster lawsuit from former employee Janel Grant have shaken the company to its core. As the fallout continues to unfold, we’ve got an update on Netflix’s documentary on the controversial billionaire, which will surely need some updating after the events of the past year.

WWE signed a deal with Netflix to bring RAW to the streaming platform in January 2025. Every WWE premium live event for fans outside the USA will also air on Netflix as part of that deal. The whole time, Bill Simmons was working on a Netflix docuseries about Vince McMahon that will not pull any punches.

SEScoops has learned the Vince McMahon Netflix docuseries will not stop production, despite the Netflix committing billions of dollars to the company that was run for decades by the man they’re expected to provide an unbiased look at.

In this week’s Wrestling Observer newsletter, veteran journalist Dave Meltzer says this project is still full-speed ahead. 

“Regarding the Netflix documentary on Vince McMahon, which at last word was to be a six-part series, some thought with the Netflix $5.2 billion deal with TKO and the Janel Grant lawsuit that maybe Netflix would just scrap the thing.”

Meltzer acknowledged, “they obviously have to change the direction based on what happened.”

Bill Simmons had more-than-enough material from McMahon’s ‘storied’ career to produce a jaw-dropping project. The most recent round of allegations, which McMahon vehemently denies, will take things into far darker territory than what was originally planned. 

Interestingly, Simmons recently revealed that he invited Larry David (Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld) to preview the show during development.

Janel Grant’s Lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon & More

Vince McMahon stepped down from WWE following a lawsuit filed by former employee Janel Grant, alleging sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and other heinous offenses.

On January 25, Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis. The lawsuit details Janel’s experiences of mistreatment in terms of sexual, physical, mental, and emotional harm.

Grant’s attorney also stated that there are others who want to come forward. Her attorney, Ann Callis, stated in a written interview, they are “frankly overwhelmed” as they begin the process of wading through the responses of people who have more allegations to share.

Welcome the Daily Drop, your daily roundup of wrestling news and rumors for Friday, March 22.

Days Until WrestleMania 40: 15

WWE:

Making History: GUNTHER just made history with 100 successful IC Title defenses.

Your Starting Lineup: Bayley got a great intro at the Milwaukee Bucks game before WWE SmackDown this week.

Tumor-Free: Maryse just let fans know the amazing news that she is now tumor-free after surgery.

WWE Shop Time: MLB Legacy Titles, and so much more, is now available at the WWE Shop. Check it out, and don’t miss out and click here to see what they have to offer at the WWE Shop!

MLB Legacy Titles are here! Kickoff the 2024 season with these NEW MLB Legacy Titles! Shop your favorite team today! #WWEShop #WWE #MLB ?: https://t.co/2HopoBUBOv pic.twitter.com/nHEg8r7VmN

— WWEShop.com (@WWEShop) March 19, 2024

Janel Grant Lawsuit Update: John Laurinaitis waved being served with the Janel Grant lawsuit. After all, he already knew about it, because it was impossible to ignore.

Foxxy Is Coming Back: The former Alicia Fox, now going as Vix Crow, will wrestle her first singles match since 2019. She will take on Mickie James in that bout.

WWE SmackDown Match Card (3/22):

• Rey Mysterio vs. Santos Escobar
• WrestleMania XL Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: The Street Profits vs. Authors of Pain
• WrestleMania XL Tag Team Championship Qualifying Match: The OC vs. Grayson Waller & Austin Theory
• Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns & ‘ The American Nightmare’ Cody Rhodes Face-To-Face

AEW:

AEW Dynamite Viewership: The March 20th episode of AEW Dynamite garnered 800,000 viewers and attained a 0.27 rating in the crucial 18-49 demographic. Those numbers show a slight decline from the previous week’s broadcast, which received 801,000 viewers and a demo rating of 0.27.

Sting Honored: The Cauliflower Alley Club is honoring Sting in a big way after his retirement.

AEW’s Reason: The company had a good reason for now including Jon Moxley and Claudio in their tag team tournament.

AEW Hall of Fame: Tony Khan revealed who he would want in the AEW Hall of Fame.

Mercedes Mone Drama: Britt Baker took on the subject of internal issues with Mone’s AEW debut.

Upcoming Major Pro Wrestling Events

Looking ahead, here are some of the major upcoming shows on the horizon:

April 6: NXT Stand & Deliver and WrestleMania XL Saturday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 7: WrestleMania XL Sunday from Philadelphia, PA.

April 21: All Elite Wrestling presents AEW Dynasty live on pay-per-view from St. Louis, Missouri at the Chaifetz Arena.

May 4: WWE Backlash France from Décines-Charpieu, France at the LDLC Arena.

The pro wrestling world was rocked in a big way when Janel Grant’s lawsuit named Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis. Now, the names of other executives were named, and the company is reacting. 

In a sex-trafficking lawsuit filed in January, WWE president Nick Khan and COO Brad Blum were identified as Corporate Officers No. 1 and No. 2, respectively. The lawsuit alleges their involvement in a scheme where plaintiff Janel Grant was purportedly “a sexual slave within the WWE.” Now, WWE has issued a response to this blockbuster headline.

WWE’s Response

In response to the allegations, WWE issued a statement expressing its serious approach to Ms. Grant’s claims and emphasized a zero-tolerance policy toward physical abuse or unwanted contact.

The statement also clarified that neither Khan nor Blum were aware of any allegations by Ms. Grant prior to the lawsuit filed on January 25, 2024, nor does the complaint allege that either had knowledge of such incidents.

“WWE takes Ms. Grant’s allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact. “Neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum, prior to the lawsuit being filed on January 25, 2024, were aware of any allegation by Ms. Grant that she was the victim of abuse or unwanted physical contact; nor does the complaint allege that either had knowledge of such.”

It is important to note that neither Blum nor Khan have been accused of engaging in any sexually inappropriate behavior with Janel Grant.

WWE's statement:

"WWE takes Ms. Grant's allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact.

"Neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum, prior to the lawsuit being filed on January 25, 2024, were aware of any allegation by Ms. Grant that… https://t.co/qPHS7367FE

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) March 11, 2024

Janel Grant’s Lawsuit

The lawsuit alleges that WWE CEO Khan played a significant role in a scheme involving Grant’s hiring for an unspecified position, as reported by Front Office Sports. Khan is identified as ‘Corporate Officer 1’ in the legal documents, alongside WWE COO Blum, who is listed as ‘Officer 2.’ McMahon introduced Blum and Khan to Grant as his ‘key fixers,’ according to the suit.

The lawsuit further contends that in March 2021, Grant informed McMahon that Khan recognized her when she introduced herself in a corridor, with Khan allegedly questioning her trustworthiness. McMahon purportedly relayed to Grant that Khan had doubts about her reliability. However, a WWE spokesperson denies the occurrence of this conversation.

SEScoops will have more on this breaking story as additional information is made known. Please keep checking back for constant updates.  

Stephanie McMahon and Nick Khan are among those named in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against WWE, in which she claims she was abused and trafficked during her tenure. 

Grant’s daming lawsuit against WWE and former chairman Vince McMahon alleges that she was a sexual slave during her time and was trafficked by McMahon to various men in the company. McMahon has denied all wrongdoing and has claimed that the lawsuit is rife with fabrications. 

Nick Khan Named

The suit claims that Khan, WWE’s CEO, was instrumental in a scheme that saw Grant hired in an undefined role, Front Office Sports reports. Khan is listed in the paperwork as ‘Corporate Officer 1’ alongside WWE COO Brad Blum (Officer 2.) McMahon presented Blum and Khan to Grant as his ‘key fixers’ according to the suit. 

A statement from WWE reads: 

“WWE takes Ms. Grant’s allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact. Neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum, prior to the lawsuit being filed on January 25, 2024, were aware of any allegation by Ms. Grant that she was the victim of abuse or unwanted physical contact; nor does the complaint allege that either had knowledge of such.”

The suit claims that in March 2021, Grant told McMahon that Khan responded to her introducing herself in a corridor by telling her he knew exactly who she was. McMahon told her, according to the suit, that Khan had “inquired whether Grant could be trusted.” A WWE spokesperson denies this conversation ever happened. 

It should be stressed that neither Blum or Khan have been accused of acting sexually inappropriate with Janel Grant. 

Brad Blum’s Alleged Role

Grant claims that when she first met with McMahon, she had minimal work history, but that the 78-year-old ensured her a meeting with Blum, the EVP of operations at the time. The interview with Blum saw “hardly any questions” asked, but she was hired to a $75,000-a-year role in WWE’s legal department. When McMahon told Grant that Blum had warned him “that there were a lot of rumors circulating” about the relationship, she was moved to another department. 

Stephanie McMahon in the Lawsuit

The suit also makes reference to Stephanie McMahon (Corporate Officer 3) who stepped down from WWE in January 2023 following her father’s return. Stephanie is mentioned once in ambiguous context in the suit. She is described as knowing “of other instances of [Vince] McMahon engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct” and motioned for Grant to sit near her during a meeting. The meeting in question was said to be among WWE’s executive committee which Grant claims was odd for her to be present for, saying it was far above her pay grade. 

WWE is well on the road to WrestleMania, and we haven’t heard a peep from Brock Lesnar. His name was scrubbed from WWE programming after his controversial involvement in a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, but now it appears that Lesnar may be getting closer to a return.

There was a belief within WWE that Brock Lesnar is 100% done with the company. Now, it appears that there may be some light at the end of the tunnel, because the Beast Incarnate popped up on the company’s official roster once again.

Lesnar’s Current Status

WWE’s official website updated their roster today, and Brock Lesnar’s name is back on the list. He was removed from the list and placed on the alumni page before. Now, he is on the current roster once again.

The company removed Lesnar from all future creative plans. Nothing was being pitched for him, but you never know if this new development is a sign that his hiatus could be coming to an end.

The company took efforts to erase Brock Lesnar from history after his name was attached to Janel Grant’s lawsuit. He was also removed from WWE 2K24 as a playable character, although his model and data are still in the game files.

Brock lesnar has been added back to the official roster in wwe ???? pic.twitter.com/sZq7lH2dwQ

— Sonic Boom ? (@sonicboompr_) March 9, 2024

Allegations Involving Brock Lesnar

The decision to exclude Lesnar from creative plans comes in the wake of his association with Janel Grant’s legal action against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis. 

The lawsuit accuses McMahon of involvement in various forms of misconduct, including sexual assault, abuse, degradation, and trafficking. Grant alleges that her involvement in sexual activities was discussed in negotiations involving Lesnar, facilitated by McMahon without her consent. 

It’s claimed that Lesnar requested a video of her urinating before a planned encounter that never materialized. The lawsuit details McMahon providing Lesnar with Grant’s personal cellphone number and explicit content. 

Brock Lesnar’s Scrapped Plans

At this time, Brock Lesnar is not booked for WrestleMania 40. He was previously booked to take on GUNTHER for the IC Title. That match was reportedly nixed after the controversy surrounding that lawsuit came up. 

Brock Lesnar was removed from the 2024 Royal Rumble match as well. He was replaced by Bron Breakker during that match, and the former NXT Champion got Lesnar’s spots. Also, the Beast Incarnate was supposed to take on Dominik Mysterio at the Elimination Chamber premium live event, but that match didn’t happen.

We will have to see if this means Brock is closer to making a return to WWE. The fact that he appeared on their official roster once again is certainly a better sign for his return than we had a couple of days ago.

SEScoops will have continued coverage of this story, and so many more, in the pro wrestling world. Keep checking back for constant updates on the stories you need.

Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE continues to receive a spotlight from outside the pro wrestling bubble. As many still examine this situation, there is now additional details.

Mystery WWE Executive

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that there is a lot of talk about this lawsuit, especially within WWE. One big thing that remains a mystery is who the other executives in the company that Grant mentioned in her lawsuit. 

Regarding the unidentified executives under speculation, their identities remain a mystery to many within WWE. Nonetheless, it was reported that a credible source within the company indicated that one of them may have departed from WWE a while ago.

Insight On John Laurinaitis

John Laurinaitis has been vocal through his attorney, a development anticipated by some insiders. One long-serving WWE employee regarded Laurinaitis as McMahon’s “fall guy” since the summer of 2022, assuming he had financial safeguards in place. However, the potential filing of actual charges was seen as a significant turning point by many within the company.

Another source said “I’m sure he thinks he’s doing himself favors by saying management knew and proper WWE protocols were followed, but too many things happened there under his watch.”

Ashley Massaro’s Addition To The Situation 

The recent resurgence of headlines involving the late Massaro stemmed from a Vice article. It was reported that Fightful spoke with Massaro in March 2019 to arrange an interview at Starrcast II in Las Vegas that May. She intended to discuss her plans to resume in-ring training and weigh whether to delve deeper into her allegations of rape during a WWE Tribute to the Troops tour. Tragically, Massaro passed away just two weeks prior Starrcast.

Based on conversations with WWE talent, they have reportedly not been instructed to refrain from discussing the lawsuit in interviews or public appearances. Several have been queried about it. While no other companies are reportedly participating actively in the investigations, talent from various US-based companies have been given permission to address issues or participate in investigations if they choose to do so.

We’ve spoken to one former talent who has indicated that they’re weighing the options of whether to tell their story via the media, or whether or not they wanted to take legal action. We will not provide their identity unless they approve of such.

SEScoops will have more updates on this ongoing story as they are made available. There is already a lot to unpack, and there will likely be even more before this situation is over.

The allegations against Vince McMahon in Janel Grant’s lawsuit led to his resignation from the company. The pro wrestling world’s bubble busted open as mainstream outlets picked up this troubling story. That being said, Matt Riddle was not surprised.

Riddle Speaks on McMahon

Matt Riddle was released from WWE in September 2023 after his own slew of controversies. He simply burned every chance he had with management after his inebriated show at JFK Airport when he was heading home from WWE’s house show in India. He obviously saw the headlines about Mr. McMahon, and he had a lot to say about it.

While speaking on Sunday Night’s Main Event, the Original Bro stated that Vince McMahon is “a maniac.” He was not surprised by the allegations in Grant’s lawsuit, either.

”Well, people say that (they were surprised), and granted I had no idea of anything going on. I don’t even politic my own matches. I show up and do my job. Honestly, if you watch any of his work from in-ring performances, the things he said and did, logic would tell you alone. Especially, me, personally, all the good wrestlers that play good characters, that’s them. It might be turned up by ten or 100, but that’s them. When I see Vince do all the things he’s done from the 80s, 90s, early 2000s, I was not surprised.’‘

”Some of it, a little, but yeah, the guy is a billionaire that owns a company. He’s done it all, seen it all, and wants to do more and see more. I don’t know, I’m not a billionaire. I wasn’t the dude (alleged in the lawsuit). Brock was the dude he was talking to. It wasn’t me. I really have no comment, other than that. I’m not surprised. I hear people say they’re surprised. I’m not surprised. The guy was a maniac,”

WWE has taken active efforts to erase Vince McMahon from the public. He, along with Brock Lesnar, are no longer people that the company wants to associate themselves with. It is notable that Lesnar has zero creative plans for him, but he is still apparently under contract.

There May Be More To Unpack

Slim Jim pulled their Royal Rumble sponsorship, and Vince resigned shortly after that. It was later noted that his resignation came at the advisement of TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro.

The withdrawal of advertisers and sponsors can trigger a domino effect, prompting WWE to act swiftly to contain the situation. Vince McMahon’s resignation was deemed necessary under the circumstances and was widely regarded as justified. Questions have arisen regarding the validity of the initial investigation into the hush money scandal that led to McMahon’s first retirement, especially since Janel Grant claims she was never questioned. Grant’s lawsuit also highlights her intention to speak out for those who may not be able to. The possibility of more stories emerging about Mr. McMahon is deeply concerning.

‘Ms. Grant is filing this lawsuit not just to address her own suffering, but also to act for those who are afraid to speak out. Plaintiff Janel Grant is a former employee of WWE who was the victim of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking at WWE.’

Vince McMahon resigned from WWE after the bombshell lawsuit from Janel Grant included heinous allegations of sexual assault, intimidation, abuse of power, and sex trafficking. McMahon quit after that story broke, but he may still have some influence.

Vince McMahon’s Current Influence in WWE

We previously reported, via The Hollywood Reporter, that TKO CEO Ari Emanuel and TKO President and COO Mark Shapiro urged McMahon to resign in light of the allegations, although he denied them. McMahon remains under federal investigation in addition to facing the lawsuit.

It was also noted that McMahon may retain some influence in TKO, even after his resignation. This comes in the form of all the stock he still owns, so selling and using his leverage in some way is possible.

This influence could stem from the significant amount of TKO stock he retains, comprising approximately 10% of all outstanding shares.

Sources say that even while McMahon was no longer an active member of the executive team, he would weigh in on creative decisions, reaching out to employees by email and text with suggestions. While McMahon used his power as controlling shareholder to reinstall himself, the new TKO is firmly controlled by Endeavor, making any sort of official comeback unlikely. Just a couple of months after the TKO deal closed last September, McMahon filed with the SEC to sell some $700 million worth of stock in the company, a sizable chunk of his holdings. That being said, he still owns a big portion of the firm, representing about 10 percent of shares outstanding. It may not be enough to reappoint himself to the board, but enough to carry influence.

According to a report by Robert Fishman of Wall Street research firm MoffettNathanson dated January 29th, if McMahon were compelled to sell more stock to cover his legal expenses, it could adversely affect the price of TKO stock. Thus, McMahon’s influence on the company remains, albeit indirectly, due to this factor and potentially other factors as well.

Vince McMahon Can’t Come Back Like Before

While it’s improbable for Vince McMahon to make an official return to TKO and WWE since he no longer holds the controlling stake in WWE after the Endeavor acquisition, there’s speculation that he could still exert influence within the company.

This is not the first time that Vince stepped down from WWE due to Janel Grant’s situation, but fans did not know all the details during the first go-around. During his brief retirement in the latter part of 2022, McMahon continued to offer input on creative matters within the company, where he did make some changes remotely.

It is also important to note that Vince McMahon has no clear direction back to his previous seat on WWE’s Board of Directors. He gave that up, and he no longer has the majority ownership necessary to make any big calls or vetoes. 

Brock Lesnar’s name did not appear in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis. However, the mention of a former UFC Heavyweight Champion negotiating a new contract with WWE raised concerns for Lesnar. Now, he is being erased. 

WWE 2K24 Taking out Brock Lesnar

2K has already removed Lesnar from their SuperCard mobile game, and it appears he will not be featured in WWE 2K24. It was also reported that they will make efforts to remove him from the game.

Now, those changes are being seen. A new cover of the Forty Years of WrestleMania is out, and Lesnar is gone, He was replaced by John Cena on the cover. They did not add anyone to the new cover, but they shuffled things around to make Cena larger and take the Beast Incarnate out.

The lawsuit from Grant alleges that Lesnar requested a video of Grant urinating and proposed a “play date” as part of his contract negotiations. Despite the date not materializing as planned, the lawsuit alleges it eventually occurred.

As per new gameplay footage uploaded by WWE today, Brock Lesnar has officially been removed from WWE2K24’s ‘40 Years of #WrestleMania’ showcase cover.

Lesnar has been replaced by John Cena. pic.twitter.com/kNxNJ8dkzJ

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) February 6, 2024

What’s Next For Brock Lesnar in WWE

Brock Lesnar didn’t make his planned WWE return during the 2024 Royal Rumble event after Janel Grant’s lawsuit dropped. There is a belief that he may not be back.

Lesnar made big money for WWE for years. There is an assumption in WWE that if Vince McMahon was still in charge, then Lesnar would be booked despite the allegations against him. Of course, Vince is the reason why Lesnar is in this situation in the first place now. 

As of this writing, Lesnar’s camp has not responded to this lawsuit. Vince already denied everything, and Johnny Ace is claiming to be a victim in the situation. 

Vince McMahon resigned from WWE after Janel Grant’s lawsuit was brought to the public. When Slim Jim pulled their Royal Rumble sponsorship, it could have been a slippery slope of dominoes falling after that, but they returned after Vince left. Now, it appears that 2k doesn’t want to even feature him. The company is also trying to figure out a way to erase him all together. 

Allegations Against Vince McMahon

Vince McMahon faces accusations of sexual trafficking, sexual assault, and misconduct from former WWE employee Janel Grant. She also alleges that McMahon shared explicit content of her without consent, involving WWE personnel, undisclosed executives, and wrestling stars.

In the aftermath of the sexual trafficking lawsuit, Vince McMahon resigned from WWE and TKO Holdings, vowing to challenge the allegations and maintaining their complete baselessness.

WWE 2K24 Reportedly Taking Action With McMahon

WWE 2K24 is set to be released in a matter of months. The game is pretty much ready when it comes to the bigger elements, and Mr. McMahon could be a big part of that. Now, 2k is reportedly trying to do what they can to lighten the McMahon factor in the game.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer approached this subject of McMahon and 2K. He said that the 2K team is trying hard to figure out a way to erase Vince McMahon from their game.

Not only that, but they are also making an attempt to erase Vince from WWE history totally. That may be impossible, but they are going to do everything they can to avoid showing him, or mentioning him in any way.

“They are trying to figure out a situation on how to get him out of the video game, and they’re trying to — which may not be possible, you know, and trying to figure out a way to erase him from history, which is completely impossible, you can’t do it, you know.”

“It’s a very unique and interesting situation that we’re probably going to be hearing about constantly.’

The new WWE 2K24 game will feature a Forty Years of WrestleMania mode. It will be very difficult to tell the forty-year story of the show of shows without mentioning Vince McMahon. He is undoubtably in many cut scenes throughout the storyline of that feature, but now it appears he may hit the cutting room floor.

WWE has totally nixed others in the past, erasing them to the best of their ability. Interestingly enough, Rita Chatterton received that same treatment, as her allegation of sexual assault against Vince McMahon is now seeing a new spotlight.

When WWE 2K24 Will Be Released

WWE 2K24 will drop on March 8, 2024. Fans can already pre-order the game online.

WWE 2K23, reviewed favorably by SEScoops, was launched on March 14th, 2023, available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch.

SE Scoops will continue monitoring the evolving story of Vince McMahon, and whatever else happens next. It will be interesting to see how much of McMahon they are able to scrub from WWE 2K24.

Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon exposed many skeletons that he had in his closet. TKO Group Holdings has already said they will take action on the matter, and Vince has denied all allegations. There is a lot to unpack in this situation, as more information surfaces.

The Complicated Situation With Vince McMahon

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that there is a belief that McMahon may eventually face charges given the potential discoveries from a federal raid. Multiple individuals within the industry claim knowledge of additional individuals involved in the situation, and some have expressed readiness to disclose these names if not revealed otherwise.

A WWE employee, with long-standing experience, reportedly suggested that the ongoing lawsuit may not be the most severe aspect of the situation, pointing to potentially higher settlements. 

The situation with John Laurinaitis is very interesting. The source of the initial leak, as well as the timing of everything, is also full of speculation. 

Laurinaitis himself has turned on Vince McMahon, in what one person who referred to themselves as a longtime former friend of Laurinaitis called “rats jumping off of the sinking ship.” Laurinaitis attorney has reached out to several in the industry in what many believe is his team trying to find allies, or find out who has talked to who to help gauge his best options moving forward. 

There’s still heavy speculation over the source of the original Wall Street Journal leaks, with some thinking it could have been Grant, and others believing it was high up in WWE. It is believed that TKO became very aware of the mess on their hands after the merger, and one source believes they would have handled the rollout much differently had they been aware something like this was imminent. However, they were very aware as of last week when McMahon was present at the NYSE regarding the Netflix deal.

Despite the complicated situation, no company-wide talent meetings have taken place to address the matter. It has only been emphasized to many that Vince McMahon is definitively done and has no path back to the company.

The report also mentioned the significant impact on Brock Lesnar’s creative plans, leading to a halt in his storyline, his absence from major events like the Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber, and the cancellation of planned matchups. Although Lesnar’s future remains uncertain, the report suggests that his absence doesn’t necessarily mean a permanent departure.

Responses To The Allegations

John Laurinaitis has already released a public statement on the matter, one where he claims that he was the victim in this situation. 

Brock Lesnar was also pulled from WWE’s creative plans, because he was referenced in the allegations from Grant’s lawsuit. He was also pulled from the WWE SuperCard game, and his merchandise is on sale now as well.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this always evolving story about Vince McMahon.

Brock Lesnar is one of the biggest Superstars that WWE has on their roster. Despite his massive name, TKO Group Holdings is taking action after he was associated in the damning lawsuit that broke the pro wrestling world wide open.

WWE’s Creative Plan For Brock Lesnar

Brock Lesnar’s name was not explicitly mentioned in Janel Grant’s massive lawsuit, but a former UFC Heavyweight Champion was mentioned.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter noted that, after Vince McMahon’s initial “retirement” when the hush money scandal first broke, Lesnar did not take it very well at all. He threatened to quit, and Triple H had to step in.

When the news of Vince’s retirement broke, Lesnar stormed out of the building and said he was not coming back, which resulted in plans having to be changed for SummerSlam. However, after being talked with by management, believed to be Levesque, he returned and did his originally scheduled angle and continue to work major events for the company. Stephanie opened the show talking in glowing terms about her father to a cheering crowd, leading to a loud “Thank you Vince” chant.

It was further noted that Brock is no longer in any creative plans for WWE at this time. He is not likely to be used any time soon.

There are no plans at this time to use Lesnar. Given his star power, saying this is forever is probably foolish. But it’s likely not going to be any time soon. Lesnar has been the company’s first or second highest paid wrestler and one of its most protected stars for the past dozen years, and the fact he’s out of WrestleMania and his future is in jeopardy is amazing because of how little attention it’s gotten.

We also previously reported that there is a belief within WWE that Brock Lesnar may be done for good. At this time, we only know that he is off the road to WrestleMania 40.

Accusations Surrounding Brock Lesnar’s Involvement

The decision to remove Lesnar from creative plans follows his connection to Janel Grant’s lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis. The lawsuit alleges McMahon’s involvement in sexual assault, abuse, degradation, and trafficking.

Grant claims that her sexual services were part of negotiations involving Lesnar, with McMahon facilitating the arrangement without her consent. Lesnar allegedly requested a video of her urinating before a planned encounter that never took place. The lawsuit outlines McMahon providing Lesnar with Grant’s personal cellphone number and explicit content as well.

Lesnar, who was initially set for a WWE comeback at the Royal Rumble, faced repercussions from the lawsuit. He was replaced by Bron Breakker in the Rumble match. Despite these developments, Lesnar has not publicly addressed the allegations.

WWE Removes Brock Lesnar From Game

Brock Lesnar was also removed from WWE’s 2k SuperCard game. It was also reported that the expectation is that Lesnar will be minimized, if not removed completely, from merchandising as well as other promotional material.

It appears that Lesnar is out of WWE’s creative plans now, which nixes WrestleMania for him. He was previously set to face GUNTHER at the show of shows. Although it is a moot point now, it is unknown whether that match would have been for the IC Title.

Vince McMahon’s retirement in 2022 due to a hush money scandal was not the end of his time with WWE. He eventually returned and ushered the company into a merger situation with the UFC. Now, after Janel Grant’s lawsuit uncovered new alleged details of the horrific experience, Vince is totally out and his troubles may not be over.

Vince Under Investigation

Vince McMahon has come under intense scrutiny following allegations of sexual trafficking and misconduct made by a former WWE employee, Janel Grant. These accusations have sent shockwaves through the WWE and the pro wrestling world. Now, United States Federal authorities have initiated an investigation into the matter.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Federal authorities are actively investigating the sexual assault and sex trafficking allegations against WWE co-founder Vince McMahon. Recent months have seen New York prosecutors reaching out to women who have accused McMahon of sexual misconduct as part of the ongoing investigation.

‘‘Federal authorities have been investigating sexual assault and sex trafficking allegations against WWE co-founder Vince McMahon, according to people familiar with the investigation.”

”Prosecutors in New York in recent months have been in contact with women who have accused McMahon of sexual misconduct, the people said.”

Janel Grant’s Lawsuit

In the lawsuit filed by Grant, disturbing claims include McMahon sharing explicit content of Grant without consent, implicating other WWE employees, undisclosed executives, and stars. That lawsuit included some incredibly concerning allegations, including that McMahon defecated on her head during a forced 3-way, one where she was told that “no means yes.”

Vince McMahon denied the allegations against him. He still resigned completely from WWE, and he no longer holds enough shares or controlling interest to re-insert himself into the corporate picture, as he did after his first “retirement.”

John Laurinaitis was named in the lawsuit, and he is also a defendant. Johnny Ace has since released a public statement to claim that he was a victim in the situation. The Bella Twins have also publicly distanced themselves from these terrible allegations.

Brock Lesnar was not named in the lawsuit, but he was identified as a former UFC Heavyweight Champion, one who McMahon allegedly used Grant as a sexual bargaining chip to get him to sign a new deal. He then requested an alleged urination video from Grant, but a play date could not be arranged between the two.

Still, Lesnar was removed from WWE’s current creative plans. He was also taken off the WWE SuperCard game. SE Scoops will have more updates on this story as new updates are made available. 

Vince McMahon’s resignation from WWE came after Janel Grant, a former employee, filed an earth-shattering lawsuit with severe allegations of sexual abuse and much more. The pages of the document have been spread throughout the pro wrestling world, and beyond, at this point. Sadly, there could be others who have not stepped forward yet, but they allegedly want to.

Janel Grant’s Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon

On January 25, Janel Grant filed a lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and former executive John Laurinaitis, alleging sex trafficking, emotional abuse, and sexual assault. The lawsuit provides distressing accounts of Janel’s experiences in terms of sexual, physical, mental, and emotional mistreatment.

Grant’s lawyer, Ann Callis, spoke with Ashleigh Banfield on NewsNation. She provided additional remarks on the lawsuit. Banfield initiated the conversation by inquiring about the possibility of the case being a criminal matter and whether the statute of limitations had expired.

“I don’t believe so, but I represent her in the civil matter and cannot really comment on any criminal matters right now,” said Callis.

When she was questioned about how she felt the lawsuit was received following landmark social movements like Me Too and Speaking Out, Callis replied, “What happened to her was particularly egregious when it comes to the sexual slavery she endured, the devastating consequences physically and mentally when she was going through this, and still is suffering through this with PTSD. She had suicidal ideation. I was a criminal felony judge for nine years. The worst cases actually went to trial, and that is murders and sexual assaults. This is in its own class. This is in its own class of depravity that she had to endure.”

More May Come Forward

When asked why Janel Grant decided to come forward, Callis said it was “a process.” She called it was “an arduous, long, systematic drive to get the best complaint that we possibly could. That’s when it fell to file.” WWE is a multi-billion dollar corporation, “who turned a blind eye to what was happening there to Janel.”

Vince McMahon is a multi-billionaire, and John Laurinaitis is a powerful person as well. While saying that the only had the facts as “a weapon,” she was asked whether there are more who could come forward. Sadly, there are more who wish they could come forward.

“No more than the regular public about the NDAs that everyone has heard who has followed this story. She has no more knowledge than that. Our hope is, and her hope is, by coming out, by stepping forward, by bringing this complaint and putting her face to this complaint, that other victims of Vince McMahon and the WWE will end up becoming public, and she wants to help them find their voice and get justice. She thinks and hopes by doing this, she will.”

In the written interview, Callis claimed that more people want to come forward, but they cannot. At this point, they are “frankly overwhelmed” as they begin the process of wading through the response.

“My office and my inbox have had a barrage of people wanting to come forward to attest about this culture of corruption and also possible victims. We are just beginning now to wade through all this, but we’re frankly overwhelmed.”

What’s Next

This situation with Janel Grant is extremely troubling. She was left feeling “devastated, dehumanized, and discarded, and she is really a destroyed person physically and mentally.”

Through her act of coming forward with this lawsuit, Grant has possibly opened the door for more to come forward who have experienced a similar atrocity against them.

SE Scoops will continue monitoring this story as more details are made known. Our thoughts are with Janel Grant and anyone who was victimized by a traumatic experience.

The pro wrestling world was shaken up in a huge way when Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon was made public. This lawsuit, which alleges sexual abuse, extortion, and assault, could break the company wide open if private texts and emails are exposed for all to see. To prepare themselves for what’s to come, Nikki and Brie Bella are now speaking out.

The Garcia Twins Respond

The Bella Twins are no longer in WWE, as they allowed their contracts to expire. Now as the Garcia Twins, they are doing their thing in the public eye. After those damning allegations against Vince McMahon, Nikki and Brie had to speak up.

The official Twitter/X account for the Garcia Twins sent out a public announcement about the recent lawsuit and the mountain of allegations that it included. It was made very clear that the WWE Hall of Fame team do not condone anything that the earth-shattering lawsuit alleged, and they support women in every way that they can.

We are shocked and disheartened with the recent allegations against members of the WWE. It has been a lot to process since we found out this past week as you all did. This is something we don’t stand for or condone from anyone no matter who they are. We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their everyday lives.

pic.twitter.com/kW2sLGd80u

— Nikki & Brie (@NikkiAndBrie) January 29, 2024

The Bella Twins’ Connection to Vince McMahon’s Big Lawsuit

That lawsuit from Janel Grant wasn’t just against WWE and Vince McMahon, because John Laurinaitis was also named as a defendant. Laurinaitis is also married to Nikki and Brie’s mother.

John and Kathy Laurinaitis were married in 2016, years before the allegations in that lawsuit allegedly took place. Their wedding was also used as a storyline device on Total Divas. As of this writing, Laurinaitis has not released any public statement on this matter, but Vince McMahon’s camp sent out a response of denial.

It was also made clear in McMahon’s statement after his resignation from WWE that he was still claiming total innocence from the allegations in Grant’s lawsuit. SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story.

Allegations In Janel Grant’s Lawsuit

Former WWE employee Janel Grant has filed a lawsuit against McMahon, accusing him of sex trafficking. The lawsuit, filed on Thursday morning, alleges that McMahon, while serving as WWE’s Chief Executive, subjected Grant to sexual abuse and exploitation. The suit claims McMahon coerced her into sexual relations under the promise of career advancement and later trafficked her to other men within WWE.

Grant, who signed a nondisclosure agreement with WWE in 2022, asserts that she first encountered McMahon in 2019 in their shared apartment building. McMahon purportedly promised her work at WWE and showered her with gifts. The lawsuit further claims that McMahon pressured her into sexual activities to secure her a job. Grant was hired as an “administration coordinator” in June 2019, a position the suit alleges McMahon created for her under John Laurinaitis. However, she reportedly had little work, leading to complaints from other WWE employees and Grant feeling her job was undeserved.

Grant further alleges that McMahon sent explicit messages, increased demands for sex, and used “toys” forcefully during intimate encounters, causing injuries. She claims McMahon shared photos and videos of her with other WWE executives and wrestlers, recruiting others within WWE to have sex with her, including then WWE head of talent relations John Laurinaitis. The suit alleges Grant’s mental and physical health declined, leading to McMahon sending her to a “celebrity doctor” in November, with McMahon later paying $20,000 for surgery.

The lawsuit contends that Grant was transferred to the talent-relations division in May 2021, working directly under Laurinaitis. A month later, Grant alleges McMahon and Laurinaitis locked her in an office, sexually assaulting her in turns, followed by McMahon assaulting her again a week later.

Brock Lesnar was not specifically named in the earth-shattering lawsuit that Janel Grant filed against Vince McMahon, WWE and John Laurinaitis. The Beast Incarnate was heavily implied, as a former UFC Heavyweight Champion was mentioned. Now, that connection to this damning lawsuit has disrupted WrestleMania plans.

Brock Lesnar Plans Changed For The Royal Rumble 

Bron Breakker took over Lesnar’s planned creative for the Royal Rumble match. The entry point, eliminations, and his eventual elimination were all originally intended for Lesnar.

I was able to confirm that Breakker was called up to the WWE main roster thanks to that last-minute change. That being said, Breakker will not be taking Lesnar’s planned spot against Dominik Mysterio at the Elimination Chamber premium live event. 

Lesnar vs Dominik is not happening at Elimination Chamber. Bron Breakker was called up to replace Brock in the Rumble, but he won't get that spot at the Chamber event against Dirty Dom.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) January 29, 2024

WWE’s Original WrestleMania 40 Plans

Dave Meltzer reported during his daily update that Gunther was supposed to face Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. While it’s not confirmed that they were planned to have as an IC title match, that match is now on hold. 

The Lesnar creative which at this point he’s not going to be involved with unless they decide they would bring him back, was Lesnar vs. Dominik Mysterio in Australia and Lesnar vs. Gunther (I don’t know factually an IC title match but one would expect) at WrestleMania. Whether Bron Breakker gets those matches is not clear yet.

Brock Lesnar’s Connection To Vince McMahon Lawsuit

The Janel Grant lawsuit didn’t specify any wrestler but described one as both a former UFC Heavyweight Champion fighter and WWE talent. Given the timeline is 2021, it’s pretty easy to narrow down those choices, although it is important to reiterate that Brock Lesnar was not named.

The lawsuit stated that McMahon shared explicit photos with the WWE Superstar, who said that, “he likes what he sees.” Four WWE Producers and television production techs were also allegedly received this explicit content.

In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).

In December of the same year, McMahon allegedly provided Grant’s personal cellphone number to the unnamed WWE Superstar. The lawsuit claims that the wrestler requested a video of her urinating, and after she complied, he used derogatory language, calling her ‘b*tch.” She was also later told that sleeping with this talent was a part of his contract renewal, although a “play date” could not be arranged.

The Royal Rumble is going down in Tropicana Field tonight, and fans are likely to see many surprises. Although Brock Lesnar’s name has come up in some troubling ways over the past couple of days, we have the latest update on his status.

Brock Lesnar’s Royal Rumble Status

Brock Lesnar hasn’t been seen on WWE television since SummerSlam, where he lost to Cody Rhodes. The Beast Incarnate then decided to put Cody over in a big way as he raised his hand to the Ford Field crowd in Detroit.

Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that, as of earlier this week, Brock Lesnar was slated to be at the Royal Rumble event. It is currently unknown if those plans have changed after he was strongly alluded to in Janel Grant’s lawsuit.

We’ve confirmed that as of earlier this week, Brock Lesnar was scheduled to travel to Tampa for the Royal Rumble. We aren’t sure if that has changed,

Brock Lesnar Update Doesn’t Look Good For Royal Rumble

PW Insider provided an update on Brock Lesnar’s situation. It was noted after noon that, as of the report, the Beast Incarnate had not started traveling to the Royal Rumble event yet.

It is now the belief that Brock Lesnar has been pulled from their Royal Rumble, because of how he was involved in the Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon.

The terminology one source used was that Lesnar had been “withdrawn” from tonight’s event and the belief was that a WWE NXT talent would be used in Lesnar’s place tonight.

It is also believed that Vince McMahon would have used Lesnar, no matter what. Then again, this whole situation is to blame on Vince. Since TKO is running the show now, Lesnar may not appear at the Royal Rumble at all. It is unclear who that may change his WrestleMania plans.

The latest on Brock Lesnar ahead of the #RoyalRumble tonight:

‘As of this morning, Lesnar had not traveled to Florida for the event. The word making the rounds at last night's SmackDown was that Lesnar, who was at one point slated to return for WrestleMania season, would not be… pic.twitter.com/QiKYHMyNNQ

— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) January 27, 2024

Allegation Involving Brock Lesnar

In the blockbuster lawsuit from Janel Grant, it was noted that Vince McMahon allegedly used her as a bargaining chip to secure a contract renewal. The Superstar in question was not named, but they were referred to as a former UFC Heavyweight Champion.

In March 2020, McMahon began sharing sexually explicit photographs and videos of Ms. Grant (including pornographic content he recorded) with other men both inside and outside the company, including with members of the television production “tech” team, executive(s), 4 producer(s), and a world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract (and ultimately did sign that contract).

Aftermath of the Allegations

TKO reacted to the lawsuit against Vince McMahon, and they made it clear that they are going to take action. These allegations took place prior to Endeavor’s takeover of the company, but this is a matter that they are taking seriously.

“Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE. While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”

Vince McMahon Resigns

Vince McMahon resigned from WWE on Friday night, while making it clear that he will defend himself against these allegations. WWE CEO Nick Khan then sent out an email to everyone in the company to inform them of Mr. McMahon’s resignation.

“I wanted to inform you that Vince McMahon has tendered his resignation from his positions as TKO Executive Chairman and on the TKO Board of Directors. He will no longer have a role with TKO Group Holdings or WWE.”

WrestleMania Update:

Brock Lesnar’s planned WrestleMania match against GUNTHER is now up in the air. He was removed from Elimination Chamber plans to face Dominik Mysterio. It is unknown if he will wrestle at the show of shows.

We will have continued coverage of the 2024 Royal Rumble, and everything involving Vince McMahon’s latest controversy, at SE Scoops.