Former WWE boss Vince McMahon has been betrayed.
A significant development has emerged in the ongoing civil litigation involving former World Wrestling Entertainment employee Janel Grant and the former chairman.
John Laurinaitis, the former WWE head of talent relations who was originally named as a co-defendant in Grant’s lawsuit, has reached a confidential settlement agreement and will now provide evidence against McMahon in the continuing legal proceedings.
“John Laurinaitis has agreed to cooperate and provide evidence in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE,” the reps said in the statement obtained by NBC News.
“His agreement to a confidential settlement is a pivotal next step toward holding McMahon and WWE accountable and bringing justice to Ms. Grant after years of sexual abuse and trafficking,” the reps said.
John Laurinaitis has been dropped from Janel Grant's lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon.
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) May 28, 2025
Laurinaitis has agreed to cooperate and as a result provide evidence against McMahon/WWE.
(h/t @POSTwrestling) pic.twitter.com/e1Pw1SrVOi
“Mr. Laurinaitis looks forward to moving on with his life. We cannot provide any additional details at this time.”
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Grant filed suit against McMahon and WWE in January 2024 and accused the former CEO of sexual assault, trafficking, and physical abuse. She alleges that McMahon promised a job and subsequent promotions at WWE in exchange for sex, in addition to trafficking her to other men inside and outside of the company.
McMahon has been embroiled in allegations of misconduct in the past few years.
He resigned as executive chairman of TKO Group Holdings, the parent company of WWE and UFC.
Vince McMahon’s Attorney Issues Statement Following John Laurinaitis’s Dismissal
The co-defendant in the bombshell lawsuit accusing former top WWE executive Vince McMahon of sexual abuse and trafficking shocked everyone when he agreed to cooperate with the woman suing the pro wrestling mogul.
The co-defendant, John Laurinaitis, also reached a confidential settlement with McMahon’s accuser, Janel Grant.
Under the terms of the settlement agreement, all claims against Laurinaitis have been dismissed, while the lawsuit continues against McMahon and WWE.
Following the court-confirmed dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant in Janel Grant’s ongoing lawsuit, Vince McMahon’s attorney, Jessica Rosenberg, issued a firm statement reiterating McMahon’s denial of all allegations.
“Today’s dismissal of John Laurinaitis as a defendant doesn’t alter the facts of this case in any way,” Rosenberg stated.
“Vince McMahon never mistreated Janel Grant. No matter how many press releases her team issues, the truth remains unchanged.”
