Janel Grant: a name that’s now tied to one of the most complex and disturbing legal and cultural reckonings within the pro wrestling world. Her journey—from a former WWE employee to a central figure challenging entrenched power structures—unfolds like a maze of compelling narratives, emotional turmoil, and legal drama. Here’s the thing though: it’s not just about headlines or court filings. This is a story of survival, resilience, and pressing questions about accountability in entertainment. It’s messy, it’s human, and it’s very much unfolding.
Grant worked at WWE headquarters from 2019 to 2022. Her role was described in legal filings as professional and internal-facing, providing her access to senior leadership. Yet soon, behind a veneer of corporate normality, her life became entangled with exploitation. This shift—from routine staffer to abuse survivor seeking justice—marks a tragic transformation, one where professional boundaries blurred with devastating consequences.
In January 2024, Grant filed a sweeping federal lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis. The central allegations? Emotional abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking. She asserted McMahon coerced her into sexual acts and used her as a bargaining chip during contract negotiations with wrestlers like Brock Lesnar. While Lesnar isn’t accused of wrongdoing, the very act of being mentioned speaks volumes about the level of control and manipulation described .
The complaint also raised alarming claims related to coercive medical treatment through Dr. Carlon Colker’s Peak Wellness clinic—IV infusions and unspecified pills given without informed consent, at McMahon’s direction .
Not long after, in May 2024, a six-month stay was placed on Grant’s lawsuit, prompted by a federal criminal investigation by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York . During this pause, Grant pursued additional discovery in Connecticut state court against Dr. Colker and his clinic, seeking medical records, communications, and related documentation—moves that ultimately enabled her to press harder on matters of consent and transparency .
In May 2025, a crucial pivot occurred: John Laurinaitis was formally dismissed as a defendant after agreeing to cooperate with Grant’s legal team . His withdrawal represents both a blow to WWE’s defense and a strategic win for Grant, as it bolsters her credibility while keeping the focus firmly on McMahon and the institution.
Meanwhile, Grant filed a motion to amend her complaint in early 2025, injecting new, graphic evidence—text and voice messages from McMahon that underscore the level of coercion she alleges she faced .
In a distressing twist, portions of Grant’s medical records were accidentally made public by Dr. Colker’s legal team, triggering a judge’s swift order to seal the documents and re-file with redactions . This misstep not only heightened concerns about privacy rights in high-profile litigation but also underscored the emotional and procedural fragility of the system when personal details intersect with sensational accusations.
The release of Netflix’s docuseries Mr. McMahon in late 2024 brought this saga into public view. Though producers approached Grant for an interview, she and her legal team declined, electing to tell her story on her own terms—through the courts, not through a director’s lens .
A spokesperson for Grant also responded to Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE television in August 2025, reaffirming that she looks forward to the “full set of facts” coming out in court .
Federal proceedings have resumed now that the DOJ’s stay has expired. Grant’s attorney pushed forward, emphasizing that civil justice must proceed alongside criminal investigation .
Judge Sarah F. Russell has permitted limited discovery focused on arbitration questions—Grant’s defense challenges McMahon’s attempt to enforce the NDA’s arbitration clause, invoking the Speak Out Act and federal TVPA (Trafficking Victims Protection Act) for exceptions . Concurrently, state court discovery continues to sharpen, targeting medical records and communications with Peak Wellness as litigation unfolds .
“Ms. Grant’s amended complaint reveals new details that further demonstrate the sexual abuse she suffered… and pulls back the curtain on the dangerous workplace culture McMahon created at WWE.” —Ann Callis, attorney for Janel Grant
This lawsuit isn’t just about Grant. It’s a lens into broader systemic issues: power imbalances in entertainment, workplace safety, consent in medical contexts, and institutions shielding reputational risk over human dignity. It echoes themes of other cultural reckonings where survivors must choose between legal redress and enforced silence.
Janel Grant’s story is both tragic and emblematic. It charts the path from professional employee to survivor fighting an institution. There’s no clean resolution yet—only ongoing court battles, evolving evidence, and high stakes. But through every court filing, strategic motion, and media statement, she’s staking a claim: that justice, transparency, and accountability ultimately matter more than any organization’s brand.
Grant’s lawsuit accuses Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis of emotional abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking during her employment from 2019–2022. She also alleges coerced medical treatments while working for the company .
A six-month stay was requested in mid‑2024 to accommodate a concurrent federal criminal investigation by the Southern District of New York. The civil case has now resumed .
Key updates include Laurinaitis being removed as a defendant in May 2025, new evidence added in an amended complaint early 2025, the accidental public filing of Grant’s medical records in January 2026, and continued discovery battles over arbitration clauses and medical documentation .
No. Although approached for an interview, Grant declined to participate, stating she wanted to tell her story on her own timeline and terms .
WWE is seeking to enforce an arbitration clause from a 2022 NDA that Grant signed. Grant’s legal team is opposing the move, invoking laws protecting survivors of abuse from NDA enforcement in such cases
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