Lawyers representing Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis have formally opposed Janel Grant’s amended lawsuit, which accuses McMahon of sexual abuse and trafficking. On Friday, February 21, legal teams for the defendants filed motions in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut challenging the amended complaint by Grant’s attorneys filed last month.
McMahon’s counsel, Jessica Rosenberg, contended that the revised lawsuit was filed in “bad faith.” She added that Grant should adhere to the non-disclosure agreement (NDA) she signed prior to initiating the original lawsuit.WWE’s legal representatives argued that the amended complaint did not counter their argument that this matter should be resolved through private arbitration. WWE, McMahon, and Laurianaitis have all argued for arbitration.
Grant’s amended filing introduced new evidence and allegations, asserting that certain WWE personnel were aware of McMahon’s alleged misconduct and participated in its cover-up. While her original lawsuit against WWE, Laurinaitis, and McMahon, was 68 pages in length, the amended version is now at 101 pages.
Janel Grant’s battle with the three parties has gained widespread attention, especially after Brock Lesnar was named in the updated complaint. The amended filing alleges alleges that McMahon attempted to involve Lesnar in the alleged misconduct against Grant.
McMahon stepped down from WWE in January 2024 though has denied all claims of wrongdoing, instead insisting that he and Grant had a consensual relationship. Stay tuned for updates on this case and the wider effects it could have on WWE and the wrestling world.
The District Attorney with the Southern District of New York won’t file an extension of the six-month stay in Janel Grant’s federal civil suit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and World Wrestling Entertainment.
Grant filed the suit in January, claiming the defendants of sex trafficking, sex assault and other civil rights violations, as well as violating a non-disclosure agreement.
Federal prosecutors requested a six-month stay due to possible interference between the case and an ongoing federal grand jury criminal investigation of Vince McMahon that’s been ongoing since 2023.
In a statement to SEScoops, attorney Ann Callis said she’s happy Grant’s case can proceed while the federal investigation continues.
“We are pleased that prosecutors for the Southern District of New York have concluded that they can continue their criminal investigation while we bring forward new evidence in our civil case about the sexual exploitation carried out by Janel Grant’s abusers. For the last six months, Ms. Grant has patiently waited to hold Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE accountable for the sex trafficking and abuse she endured at the company on a near daily basis. Her wait is over, and we now look forward to sharing Ms. Grant’s story.”
In April 2024, McMahon filed to compel arbitration in the case that would see this lawsuit settled quietly outside of court, a move John Laurinaitis, who is also among the defendants, supports. In a new filing, it is revealed that WWE will align with both men in their efforts to compel arbitration.
“WWE also anticipates filing a motion to compel arbitration and stay this action pending arbitration”, which removes any doubt that all three defendants will be moving to compel arbitration.”
It is proposed that the three defendants file their motion by Tuesday, May 14. WWE has yet to file a motion while Laurinaitis has filed the motion but not a memorandum in support. McMahon has already filed both.
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.”
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.
Ronda Rousey continues to not mince her words when it comes to WWE and has taken aim at former Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis.
“He looked and acted like an entitled sixty-year-old former frat boy… Whereas Triple H looked for talent and potential in NXT prospects, it appeared John Laurinaitis looked for f*ckability.”
Rousey goes on to describe Laurinaitis as an “all-around dirtbag.” The former Raw & SmackDown Women’s Champion is heavily critical of Laurinaitis and Vince McMahon morphing WWE NXT into NXT 2.0 following Triple H’s health scare in 2021.
In the book, Rousey admits that she loves the majority of people in WWE, but that love doesn’t extend to Bruce Prichard & John Laurinaitis. Rousey, in her own words, says the pair can “go f*** themselves.”
This isn’t the only time Rousey has hit out at Prichard. Following Vince McMahon’s resignation in January 2023, Rousey claimed that as long as Prichard was with WWE, McMahon would always have a significant role in decisions.
Rousey on Vince McMahon
Rousey compares Vince McMahon to Emperor Palpatine, the antagonist of the Star Wars franchise, in her book. She adds that it’s hard to differentiate between the evil Mr. McMahon character and the man himself, especially in light of the allegations against McMahon and WWE in Janel Grant’s lawsuit.
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.
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.
John Laurinaitis was put under a microscope when his name was involved in the blockbuster lawsuit that Janel Grant brought forward against himself, WWE and Vince McMahon. In response to this, Laurinaitis has claimed victim status, and now we have more from his side of the story.
In January, Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, initiated legal action against Vince McMahon, alleging charges including sex trafficking and rape. John Laurinaitis, also implicated in the lawsuit, recently submitted a waiver of service, indicating his awareness of the legal proceedings and his exemption from formal service. This paperwork was officially lodged with the United States District Court of Connecticut.
John Laurinaitis Doesn’t Need To Be Served
According to PW Insider, John Laurinaitis recently submitted a waiver of service, indicating his awareness of the legal proceedings and his exemption from formal service. This paperwork was officially lodged with the United States District Court of Connecticut.
Furthermore, Laurinaitis committed to providing a response within sixty days from March 15, marking the initial reaction from any of the defendants involved. This signifies a pivotal step in the legal process as the case continues to unfold within the court system.
Johnny Ace Claims To Be A Victim
John Laurinaitis found himself very much involved in a messy legal battle after being implicated in a lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon. Accusations of complicity in the alleged sexual abuse suffered by Janel Grant surfaced, casting a shadow over his reputation.
Amidst the turmoil, Vince McMahon took the dramatic step of resigning from his position within WWE, vehemently denying the allegations levied against him. However, Laurinaitis, through his attorney Edward Brennan, emerged with a different narrative, claiming victimhood in the unfolding situation.
Brennan emphasized Laurinaitis’s denial of the allegations and asserted his intent to vigorously defend against them in court rather than engage in media speculation. The attorney underscored the assertion that both Laurinaitis and McMahon were victims of McMahon’s perceived control, signaling a defensive stance against the accusations. As the legal proceedings unfold, the truth behind the allegations remains a matter of speculation, awaiting resolution through judicial processes or potential internal investigations by TKO Group Holdings.
SEScoops will keep a close eye on this story, and so much more going around the pro wrestling world. You never know what will break next, especially with so many big stories with real consequences going around.
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.
Stephanie McMahon was fully aware of the alleged assault of Ashley Massaro in Kuwait, according to the best friend of the deceased WWE diva.
Before taking her own life in 2019, Massaro had alleged that she was the victim of sexual assault during a WWE tour of a U.S. military base in Kuwait. Massaro claimed that a man posing as a doctor assaulted her and while WWE apologized, they persuaded her to not report it to the appropriate authorities. Following her death, WWE claimed they had never been informed of the allegations.
Addicted to Painkillers
Given Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, there has been a renewed spotlight on the ex-WWE Chairman’s handling of women during his time in command. Speaking to News Nation, Cara Pipia, a friend of Massaro, claimed that the rigors of wrestling and WWE’s willingness to share muscle relaxants led to a battle with addiction.
“When Ashley first started working for the WWE, she told me that in the locker room, they handed out Soma like it was candy. Soma, it’s a muscle relaxant. So it is what they’d give the wrestlers when they were injured because there was no not wrestling. You had a broken arm, you take a soma and you wrestle.
“And at that point [when the assault happened] she had become addicted to Somas. So she was already in this state, and whatever they administered to her rendered her helpless. Her body was useless to her but her mind was there and she saw what was happening.”
Left in Kuwait
During the interview, Pipia recalled Massaro telling her that WWE had left her in Kuwait after the alleged assault. Pipia said that while WWE did eventually get Ashley home, it was not the company’s priority.
“They got her a flight, days after everyone was already home. She was left alone. Because they had to go back to work. Vince wanted them back in the USA because they had work to do.”
Stephanie McMahon Knew of Assault
“She spoke with Vince McMahon many times. Vince had his daughter [Stephanie] take his place because she was a female, a woman, and to make Ashley comfortable. And they just played with her. They played with her because everything that Stephanie said made her feel comfortable. Safe. As soon as they walked into this board room meeting, Ashley was on her own completely. And she was threatened, and there was no… there was no compassion. There was no sympathy. There was nothing.”
Cara also mentioned that Ashley had some support within WWE but those who were sympathetic to her had no notable power to stop WWE from pressuring her to keep quiet.
“Right before she walked into that boardroom, she talked to the locker room doctor who was aware of everything and she was actually very sympathetic to her but he had no pull. He gave her the advice that he could, but that was it.”
“It’s about time somebody had a conscience. Because there was never a single moment of time that I didn’t believe a word that Ash had told me.”
A Message to Vince McMahon
When asked what she’d say to Vince McMahon, Pipia made her point perfectly clear.
“‘Shame on you. How do you look at yourself?’ Obviously, he’s got problems. Obviously, he’s a sexual deviant. He needs help, he’s not well. The problem is that people with that kind of sickness and that mindset are power, why do they thrive for so long?
“Why doesn’t anybody stand up? Why are there so many people in that company aware of what’s going on to all these women? Women who keep committing suicide year after year after year. And nobody stands up and says anything. Nobody tries to protect these young women? Why? Because it’s not just Vince, it’s the whole frickin’ company!”
In her final question, Pipia was asked if she believes the alleged assault on Massaro contributed to Ashley’s suicide and said “99%. Absolutely.”
For the use of quotes, please give an H/T to SE Scoops.
John Laurinaitis, or at least his attorney, isn’t done with the media despite stating his claims against WWE would be handled in court rather in the public news cycle and the latest invovles the tragedy of Ashley Massaro.
Back in 2019, the attorney of the late Massaro issued a sworn affidavit stating that she was raped by a doctor in Kuwait while on tour with WWE. The accused doctor identifed as someone with the military and both Vince McMahon and Laurinaitis were allegedly aware of the situation.
WWE did release a statement back in 2019 after the affidavit was released denying that McMahon or WWE management were made aware of Massaro’s accusations.
“At no time was Vince McMahon or the management of WWE ever informed by Ashley Massaro or anybody else that she had been sexually assaulted, drugged, raped or sodomized by a military doctor with a nurse standing guard while on a goodwill tour in 2007 to U.S. military bases in Kuwait.
“At no time was there ever a meeting with Vince McMahon, Kevin Dunn, John Laurinaitis or other company executives in which she told them of such a claim and was instructed to keep it quiet.”
A new report from VICE has Laurinaitius’ lawyer, Edward Brennan, stating that his client was aware, but dismissed anything resembling a cover-up.
“Any allegations that Mr. Laurinaitus helped to cover up an alleged rape allegation is an outright lie. Johnny, like most upper level management at sometime became aware of the allegations and ensured all proper WWE protocols were followed, including privacy for the alleged victim. We object to the use of the term cover up as no such plan or plot ever took place to hide or assist in the alleged rape.”
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.
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.
John Laurinaitis was named in the huge lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon. He was accused of assisting the sexual abuse that Janel Grant went through, but he has a different side of the story.
John Laurinaitis Speaks Out
Vince McMahon has resigned from WWE in response to those terrible allegations, although he had denied that they are true. Now, Laurinaitis is speaking out, via his attorney, and he is claiming to be a victim of the situation as well.
In a statement issued to Vice News, Edward Brennan, Johnny Ace’s attorney, stated that the former WWE executive was also a victim in this terrible situation. This is allegedly all about the control that Vince McMahon had over them.
“Mr. Laurinaitis denies the allegations in the misguided complaint and will be vigorously defending these charges in Court, not the media. Like the Plaintiff, Mr. Laurinaitis is a victim in this case, not a predator. The truth will come out.”
“Count how many times in the complaint Vince [McMahon] exerts control over both of them.”
“The truth will come out,” Brennan added to the statement. As of this writing, we are still waiting the outcome of this lawsuit or any internal investigation performed by TKO Group Holdings.
John Laurinaitis Claims To Be A Victim
In response to a question if he was saying that McMahon was the predator and that Laurinaitis, like Grant, was a victim, Brennan reportedly responded to affirm that belief.
“Read the allegations. Read the Federal Statute. Power, control, employment supervisory capacity, dictatorial sexual demands with repercussions if not met. Count how many times in the complaint Vince exerts control over both of them.”
The Bella Twins React
We already reported how the Garcia Twins, formerly the Bella Twins, spoke out against these allegations. They were horrified to learn of the things their father-in-law allegedly did as they addressed it publicly.
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.
We will have to see how this situation unfolds as we receive new information. Vince McMahon and WWE will want to avoid this lawsuit going to court, because there are already more than enough details out about this scandalous and extremely troubling story in the public.
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.
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.
A day after John Laurinaitis’ first public appearance since being fired from WWE was announced, it was nixed.
On Wednesday, Bobby Fulton announced that Laurinaitis would take part in a Big Time Collectibles event in Los Angeles over WrestleMania Weekend.
Fulton announced Laurinaitis for the event by writing, “John ‘Johnny Ace’ Laurinaitis will be making his first-ever appearance WrestleMania Weekend in LA, courtesy of Big Time Collectibles! More info coming soon!”
However, on Thursday, Fulton revealed that Big Time Collectibles will no longer be working with Laurinaitis because of the negative feedback they have received since the announcement.
Nixed
Fulton wrote: “Yesterday we announced John Laurinaitis would be doing an appearance with Big Time Collectibles. Upon announcement we received only negative feedback. After much consideration we have decided to not work with him. We apologize to those that were offended by us working with him.”
Last August, Laurinaitis was released from WWE following allegations of misconduct in a Wall Street Journal article. His departure ended a 21-year run with the company as he had been with the company since 2001.
John Laurinaitis was dismissed from his position in WWE as Head of Talent Relations earlier this year.
In addition to his backstage role, Laurinaitis portrayed an authority figure in WWE in 2011 – 2012. He made sporadic appearances after that before Vince McMahon re-hired him as Head of Talent Relations in March of 2021.
He was let go by WWE on August 8th following Vince McMahon’s resignation in July. Vince resigned on Twitter after the the company’s Board of Directors investigated alleged “hush money” payments to former female employees.
AEW commentator Jim Ross shared his thoughts on John Laurinaitis on the latest edition of his Grillin JR podcast.
Ross didn’t mince words when it came to John and said he wasn’t a fan of how Laurinaitis treated him in the past. JR added that John tried to upstage him in front of Vince McMahon and deserves the misery he is currently living in.
I had a hard time as time went on trusting Laurinaitis. That’s sad to say. I hired him. I gave him a job when he needed it. I don’t think he treated me quite right.
He just wanted to show Vince that he was a better manager than JR and all these things.
So now his ass is without a job and he deserves the Goddamn misery that he’s living, that I perceive that he’s living, and I didn’t like how he treated me.
Over the past month, the wrestling world has been rocked as two of the most influential men in WWE have left the company.
In July, Vince McMahon announced his retirement from the promotion, a month after stepping down as CEO and Chairman.
McMahon stepped down from the roles due to the ongoing investigation into him over allegations of misconduct with female employees.
More recently, it was reported that John Laurinaitis, who is alleged to have participated in the McMahon scandal, had been terminated from WWE, ending his 21-year tenure with the promotion.
RVD & Laurinaitis’ Relationship
The same year that Laurinaitis joined WWE (2001), Rob Van Dam signed with the promotion following the collapse of ECW.
A former WWE and ECW Champion, Van Dam worked closely with both McMahon and Laurinaitis.
During an interview with SEScoops correspondent Steve Fall, RVD addressed the departure of Laurinaitis, calling the former WWE Head of Talent Relations his ‘guy.’
“he was my guy. I know a lot of people didn’t get along with him. I was wrestling him in Japan in ‘93… I could relate to him in a lot of ways.”
Rob Van Dam on the release of John Laurinaitis.
Addressing McMahon’s departure from WWE, Van Dam wasn’t pleased with the former Chairman’s retirement, but tried to see the positive side.
“I don’t like Vince being gone, but if it’s better for business, then that’s awesome.”
RVD on Vince McMahon’s retirement.
Neither Laurinaitis or McMahon have appeared publicly since their departures from WWE.
This week, news broke that John Laurinaitis has been terminated from his role with WWE, ending a 21-year tenure with the company.
Laurinaitis had worked as WWE’s Head of Talent Relations and was an on-screen character from 2011 to 2012 where he appeared as a heel authority figure.
PW Insider was the first to break the news of Laurinaitis’ termination, which comes weeks after Vince McMahon’s retirement.
Laurinaitis is accused of participating and aiding Vince McMahon’s alleged affairs with several female employees in WWE, resulting in over $12 million being paid out in Non-Disclosure Agreements.
The Update
In an update from Fightful Select, it is reported that Laurinaitis was still being sent company e-mails, even after being placed on administrative leave.
The former General Manager of Raw and SmackDown was removed from this mailing list when Triple H was appointed the new Head of Talent Relations.
The e-mails Laurinatitis received are said to have contained sensitive information related to creative and personnel matters, and he was briefly removed during the July 22, episode of SmackDown.
He was later re-added to the mailing list, before being pulled once again after Triple H’s announcement.
Laurinaitis’ name was also added to an internal termination list, which supposedly also included Vince McMahon’s name.
Several WWE Superstars are said to be extremely happy about Laurinaitis being fired, with one branding the former employee as a “snake” in the company.
Fightful Select also corroborated PW Insider’s report that Laurinaitis was let go by the company within the last week or so.
WWE has formally terminated John Laurinaitis’ employment.
According to Pwinsider.com, the termination took place a week or so ago. Beyond a small circle, it remained silent.
As previously reported, Vince McMahon allegedly paid a WWE paralegal $3 million to conceal an affair. According to an email from the Wall Street Journal, McMahon allegedly “handed her like a toy” to Laurinaitis.
The investigation expanded into other nondisclosure agreements involving allegations of wrongdoing against McMahon and Laurinaitis made by other former female WWE employees.
Laurinaitis first joined WWE in 2001 after the company acquired WCW, where he was moved into the role of Director of Talent Relations. However, Jim Ross still handled some of the responsibilities at the time.
He was appointed executive vice president of talent relations in 2009. In 2012, Triple H assumed that position, with Laurinaitis serving as the Senior Vice President of Talent Operations and reporting to Triple H.
Along with his wife Kathy and daughters-in-law Nikki and Brie Bella, he frequently appeared in authority roles both off- and on-camera in the E! series “Total Bellas.”
Since his resignation, Vince McMahon has not been spotted at the corporate headquarters.
When Rusev lost the WWE United States Championship (and his undefeated streak) to John Cena at WrestleMania 31 in 2015, the Bulgarian didn’t take it well.
After failing to regain the title, Rusev would blame his manager Lana, played by his then-girlfriend and future-wife CJ Perry.
What followed was a love triangle over the Summer, in which Rusev aligned with Summer Rae, while Lana had an on-screen romantic relationship with Dolph Ziggler.
The Kiss
On the May 18, 2015 Monday Night Raw, Lana confirmed her relationship with Ziggler, kissing the two-time former World Heavyweight Champion.
Speaking to Renee Paquette on ‘The Sessions,’ Perry recalled rehearsal for the angle, and having to practice kissing in front of the then-WWE CEO (via Wrestling News.)
“It’s Ace [John Laurinaitis] Vince [McMahon, Dolph, and Miro. We had to practice the kiss and Miro is turning red in the corner. Vince is like, ‘What? We’re all adults. What’s the problem? We’re all adults. It’s professionalism. Don’t be weird.’ So we do it, and Vince goes, ‘No, no, no, no, way slower.’ He doesn’t fully kiss Johnny Ace, but he gets like this close. I mean, it was hilarious. Dolph is dying.”
“He doesn’t fully kiss Johnny Ace, but he gets like this close.”
CJ Perry on Vince McMahon’s attempts to teach her how to kiss Dolph Ziggler
Perry added that when she recently rewatched the kiss with a friend, it was noticed how slow she and Ziggler kiss.
She adds that McMahon “wanted it to be innocent,” as if she had never kissed a man before.
The Head of WWE Talent Relations John Laurinaitis has been placed on administrative leave in light of the accusations made against him and Vince McMahon recently.
PWinsider is reporting that the promotion issued a memo to the talent after this week’s episode of Monday Night Raw went off air, informing them of the change.
The memo noted that Bruce Prichard will be working as the interim Head of Talent Relations in the absence of Laurinaitis. Prichard will provide a ‘seamless transition’.
The news of WWE board investigating Vince McMahon came out earlier last week. It was said that Mr McMahon had an affair with a former employee. The board was investigating a $3 million dollar pact he made with her.
John Laurinaitis was also named in the report. A source claimed that the former WWE chairman passed the woman onto his executive “like a toy.”
McMahon stepped down as the CEO of the company after the investigation became public. He named his daughter Stephanie McMahon the interim CEO.
It has previously been said that creatively, everything flows through Bruce Prichard. He is the most powerful person in WWE other than a McMahon family member.
This change now brings even more power to Prichard who was only brought back by the company in an executive role in 2019.
This week’s episode of SmackDown featured the return of some big names including Vince McMahon and Roman Reigns. Though one notable name who was not present at the show was John Laurinaitis.
The Head of Talent Relations has been named alongside the WWE owner in a latest scandal that accuses McMahon of having an affair with a former employee.
Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer talked about Laurinaitis recently. He explained that his absence from SmackDown is not necessarily newsworthy.
Despite some rumors, the WWE Executive was never scheduled to be in Minneapolis for the show. John Laurinaitis is, however, expected to be in Lincoln, NE for Raw.
Meltzer also noted how things are going to be different for him compared to Vince McMahon. The former WWE CEO would be harder to get rid of compared to John.
The status of WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis for the June 17 episode of SmackDown is now clear.
Much has been made following a Wall Street Journal report. The news outlet revealed that the WWE board is investigating an alleged $3 million pact Vince McMahon made with a former employee.
McMahon was said to have had an affair with the women. A source from the report claimed that Vince passed the woman onto Laurinaitis “like a toy.”
John Laurinaitis Will Not Attend SmackDown
(via WWE)
Many have speculated that John Laurinaitis will ultimately be the scapegoat in this situation. At least for right now, he’s definitely feeling some of the effects.
PWInsider is reporting that Laurinaitis will not be attending the SmackDown taping in Minneapolis tonight.
Reports have been surfacing that a lot of female talent in WWE have felt uncomfortable about Johnny “Ace.”
One current anonymous female star in WWE told Fightful that she’d rather have her belongings sent to her in a trash bag if she’s fired than have to deal with Laurinaitis.
It didn’t take long for a law firm to have its own investigation of WWE.
The Wall Street Journal recently reported that the board of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc is investigating an alleged $3 million pact made by Vince McMahon to a former employee. Vince allegedly had an affair with the ex-employee and paid her to keep quiet.
The report also noted that McMahon allegedly passed the former WWE worker onto Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis “like a toy.” The woman was said to have initially made a salary of $100,000 but it was supposedly bumped up to $200,000 after having sexual relations with McMahon.
Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP Opens Investigation
In a press release sent to Business Wire, Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP announced an investigation into WWE directors and officers for breach of fiduciary duties.
“NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Scott+Scott Attorneys at Law LLP (“Scott+Scott”), a national securities and consumer rights litigation firm, is investigating whether certain directors and officers of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (“WWE”) (NYSE: WWE) breached their fiduciary duties to WWE and its shareholders. If you are a WWE shareholder, you are encouraged to contact attorney Joe Pettigrew for additional information at (844) 818-6982, or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com.
“Scott+Scott is investigating whether members of WWE’s board of directors or senior management failed to manage WWE in an acceptable manner, in breach of their fiduciary duties to WWE, and whether WWE and its shareholders have suffered damages as a result.
“On June 15, 2022, the Wall Street Journal reported that the WWE board was investigating an alleged $3 million settlement that CEO Vince McMahon agreed to pay in January 2022 to a former WWE employee with whom he allegedly had an affair.
“What You Can Do
“If you are a WWE shareholder, you may have legal claims against WWE’s directors and officers. If you wish to discuss this investigation, or have questions about this notice or your legal rights, please contact attorney Joe Pettigrew toll-free at (844) 818-6982 or jpettigrew@scott-scott.com.”
Time will tell what exactly is going to be the fallout of this. There are some who feel Vince McMahon is bulletproof, while others believe this is a real threat to his power in WWE.
There is a strong universal belief, however, that John Laurinaitis’ job could be in jeopardy.
The WWE Board of Directors probes Chairman Vince McMahon about an alleged secret 3 million dollar settlement with a former employee.
The Wall Street Journal Joe Palazzolo and Ted Mann report that McMahon allegedly gave money to the former employee with whom he had an affair last year. However, the company has said that the relationship was consensual and will cooperate with the investigation. According to the report, the information was leaked to board members from someone close to the employee, who will look into the matter. The identity of the former employee was not revealed and it’s revealed that the she signed a non-disclosure agreement.
“…The board of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. is investigating a secret $3 million settlement that longtime chief executive Vince McMahon agreed to pay to a departing employee with whom he allegedly had an affair, according to documents and people familiar with the board inquiry.
The January 2022 separation agreement bars the now-former employee, who was hired as a paralegal in 2019, from discussing her relationship with Mr. McMahon or disparaging him,” said the report(h/t Joe Palazzolo and Ted Mann).
(via WWE)
More on Vince’s Settlement with Former Employee
According to the WSJ, the former employee was said to have “fallen on hard times” before coming into the company. She had a law degree but couldn’t take the bar exam because she focused on caring for a sick parent. Upon getting hired by WWE, her salary was $100,000. However, the report reveals that it increased to $200,000 after she began a sexual relationship with McMahon.
The friend of the former employee also alleged that General Manager of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis also got involved with her and said McMahon “Gave her like a toy.” WSJ shared that the WWE Board of Directors received a copy of the 3 million dollar agreement from McMahon’s lawyers on Jun. 12. According to WSJ, the former employee had an “…Upfront payment of $1 million.” She would receive the other 2 million dollars over five years based on the deal.
“The Wall Street Journal has published a report about WWE with allegations that we and our Board of Directors take seriously. We are cooperating fully with the independent investigation initiated by our Board of Directors(h/t Brandon Thurston).
We will provide more updates on the story as more information is released.
WWE has been on a releasing spree over the past few weeks/months; with some surprise names being given their walking papers by the company.
With yesterday’s news of Braun Strowman, Aleister Black, Lana, Ruby Riott, Santana Garrett and Buddy Murphy being released; it has now also been revealed that the rest of the roster were informed of the situation before it was confirmed online by WWE.
Dave Meltzer noted on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio that John Laurinaitis, WWE’s Head of Talent Relations, sent out text messages to the entire full roster.
According to a source in WWE we reached out to, the text message reads:
Due to Budget cuts the following talent were released today. Braun Strowman, Lana, Buddy Murphy, Santana Garrett, Ruby Riott, and Aleister Black. – John Laurinaitis
There are currently rumors of more talent being let go over the coming days/weeks. It’s not confirmed exactly where these cuts will be coming from, but it looks as though NXT UK might be on the list.
Braun Strowman was a main event performer for WWE, which shows the company is willing to go to great lengths to achieve their cost-cutting objective.
Here are some reactions from the wrestlers who were released by WWE this week:
