25 January 2024 , 21:57
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Shocking claims have been levelled at WWE founder and executive chairman Vince McMahon in a lawsuit filed on Thursday, including sex trafficking, defecating on a woman during a threesome, and sending a rape threat by text.
Former WWE staffer Janel Grant has filed a lawsuit in a federal court in Connecticut, making claims against McMahon, the WWE and its former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis. Grant claims she was a victim of "physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking" during her time working at WWE headquarters.
Grant says she met McMahon in March 2019 and she was given a role working for the organisation in June of that year, but only after she "submitted to McMahon's sexual demands". An investigation into Grant's claims was launched by the WWE in 2022 following an anonymous tip. An independent probe found payments had been made by 78-year-old McMahon to Grant and other women who had accused him of misconduct totalling $14.6m (£11.5m).
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The WWE said its investigation was complete in November 2022 after McMahon retired months before – only to return the following year. Yet questions will be asked of the organisation in the wake of the harrowing allegations made by Grant.
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McMahon is facing no criminal charges. He said during a federal probe into his conduct last year: "Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government’s investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing.”
Grant is seeking to have a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) she signed voided and ruled unenforceable. She is also seeking compensatory damages and punitive damages. Here are 10 of the biggest allegations made in the complaint filed on Thursday...
WWE founder and executive chairman Vince McMahon is facing allegations he "abused and sexually exploited" a former member of staff. (Michael N. Todaro/Getty Images)1. 'Increasing lack of boundaries'
Grant alleges McMahon "dangled career-making and life-changing promises in front of her" and in several meetings he greeted her "in his underwear", as well as allegedly touching her and "repeatedly asking for hugs". McMahon, it is claimed, also extensively shared intimate details of his personal life.
2. McMahon shared videos with other men
The plaintiff alleges in March 2020 McMahon began sharing sexually explicit images and videos of her, including with WWE production staff and a "world-famous athlete and former UFC Heavyweight Champion with whom WWE was actively trying to sign to a new contract"
3. Defecation incident showed 'extreme depravity'
Grant alleges McMahon defecated on her during a threesome on May 9, 2020 and "commanded her to continue pleasuring" the other man while McMahon took a shower before returning. Grant says she had "faeces in her hair and running down her back". Grant claims the encounter lasted for more than 90 minutes while she "remained covered in McMahon's filth".
4. Text messages
The court documents include screenshots of images allegedly sent from McMahon to Grant. On May 11, 2020, a long message appears to show McMahon playing out a fantasy, writing about the prospect of group sex with Grant and other men while she is tied up. The message continued: "The next morning you'll B (sic) a little sore but Ur (sic) still going to want more." A subsequent message appears to show McMahon bragging about his encounters with Grant and sharing sexually explicit content with WWE crew members, while also urging her to fulfil his fantasy with 12 men.
To read the full story about the lawsuit brought against Vince McMahon, click HERE
Janel Grant is seeking punitive and compensatory damages from McMahon. (WWE)5. 'No means yes'
The plaintiff alleges McMahon and former WWE head of talent relations Laurinitis sexually assaulted her in Laurinitis' office at WWE HQ in Stamford, Connecticut. According to court documents, the office door was locked and the two men "cornered her and pulled her in between them, forcibly touching her". Grant says she "begged them to stop but they forced themselves on her", claiming McMahon and Laurinitis took turns restraining her and said "No means yes" and "Take it, b****".
6. Grant told to make sexual content for WWE star
It is alleged on or around July 12, 2021, McMahon ordered Grant to create "personalised sexual content" for an unnamed WWE superstar. After sharing the photos, McMahon allegedly said that the wrestler "likes what he sees". Around two weeks later, McMahon is said to have flown the WWE superstar to Connecticut for what he told Grant was a "business dinner", but also a sexual encounter in McMahon's condo. However, the wrestler did not engage because he was "too intoxicated and taken back to the plane".
7. Grant suffered sexual injuries
The complainant detailed several sexual injuries she says were suffered from encounters with McMahon, including "bleeding and pain from forceful use of sex toys.". Grant alleges she pleaded with McMahon to cease further sexual activity, but the number of encounters increased, "as did McMahon's physical aggression during them." McMahon was said to be "most aggressive when using certain sex toys named after male WWE wrestlers and performers". It is alleged he also showed an "infatuation with pretending that other men – namely, certain WWE talent – were in the room with them" during sexual encounters.
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8. Rape threat
In one text message allegedly sent on an unspecified date, a contact named "Vince" in Grant's phone appeared to send a menacing threat. "Do NOT knock on the door cause if I see U ::: I will rape U in the hallway," it read.
McMahon denies any wrongdoing. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)9. Grant 'succumbed' to NDA pressure
Grant says McMahon's wife, Linda, discovered their relationship in January 2022. In the aftermath, McMahon allegedly told the staffer her time with the WWE was over and that he "wanted her to sign an NDA to ensure her silence on, among other things, his personal misconduct". The complainant alleges McMahon put her under "immense pressure" to sign in the following days, warning her of "reputational ruin" from the explicit content he had curated of her. Grant says she "succumbed to the pressure and signed the NDA in exchange for payments". She alleges McMahon stopped making the payments before the agreed amount was paid.
10. Attempt to 'traffic' Grant to WWE star
Grant says that "even after she was pushed out of the company and muzzled with an NDA, McMahon allegedly continued to try to exploit her. She claims he "attempted to traffic her to a WWE star who would be in New York City for a live event and a TV taping in March 2020."