In a significant legal development, Janel Grant’s legal team has filed a motion to advance her lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis to the discovery phase. This request, submitted on March 28, 2025, comes amid the defendants’ claims that such a move is premature and should instead be resolved through private arbitration.
According to POST Wrestling, the filing outlines a proposed schedule for discovery, which includes a comprehensive list of information Grant’s team seeks access to. This list encompasses communication records from WWE, potentially involving any subsidiary and/or current or former executive, employee, contractor, agent, and/or similarly situated personnel of WWE, TKO, and/or Endeavor Group Holdings.
Grant is specifically pursuing documents related to McMahon’s alleged payments to multiple women, along with records detailing WWE’s sexual harassment policies. Additionally, her attorneys are requesting travel records for McMahon, Laurinaitis, or Brock Lesnar, as part of their investigation into the claims.
In her lawsuit, Grant alleges that she was sexually assaulted by both McMahon and Laurinaitis and further claims that she was trafficked. Disturbingly, she asserts that sexual encounters with her were offered to Lesnar during his contract renegotiation with WWE, adding a shocking dimension to the case.
The defendants, however, are pushing back against the motion to proceed with discovery. They argue that beginning this phase could be a waste of time and resources if the court ultimately decides to send the case to arbitration, as they maintain that a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) central to the case mandates such a course of action.
Attorneys for WWE have cited local rules in Connecticut federal court that allow for the delay of discovery until the judge determines whether the case will proceed in open court or be directed to arbitration. Judge Sarah F. Russell is expected to make a ruling on whether discovery should commence before addressing the defendants' request for arbitration.
In a statement provided to POST Wrestling, Kendra Barkoff-Lamy, a spokesperson for Grant, expressed the determination behind the filing. "Janel Grant’s courage continues to be an inspiration to so many. Her filing today seeks to move forward with her pursuit of justice and accountability against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE for the horrific sex trafficking and abuse inflicted upon her," she said.
On January 31, Grant's legal team had previously filed a motion to amend her lawsuit against McMahon, Laurinaitis, and WWE, which included new allegations regarding McMahon's treatment of her. However, a ruling on whether this updated complaint will become the operative complaint for the lawsuit moving forward is still pending.
This case has drawn considerable attention, not only due to the high-profile nature of the defendants but also because of the serious allegations involved. The outcomes of these legal proceedings could have far-reaching implications for WWE and its leadership.
As the situation unfolds, the wrestling community and the public at large are closely watching the developments surrounding Grant's case. The legal battle touches on broader issues of accountability and the treatment of individuals within the entertainment industry.
With the court's decision on the motion for discovery looming, both sides are preparing for what could be a pivotal moment in this ongoing legal saga. Grant's pursuit of justice highlights the challenges faced by those who come forward with allegations of misconduct, particularly in industries where power dynamics can complicate the quest for accountability.
