A significant development has emerged in the explosive sexual abuse lawsuit targeting WWE and Vince McMahon. Former WWE employee Janel Grant has officially withdrawn all claims against John Laurinaitis, with the former WWE executive agreeing to cooperate as a witness in her ongoing legal battle.
Major Shift in Legal Strategy
The bombshell lawsuit, which first made headlines in January 2024, initially named three defendants: WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis. The case contained disturbing allegations of sexual abuse and trafficking within the company’s corporate structure.
On May 28, 2025, Grant’s legal team filed paperwork to voluntarily dismiss all claims against Laurinaitis “with prejudice,” meaning these specific charges cannot be refiled. The legal document made clear that this dismissal applies exclusively to the former Head of Talent Relations.
According to the court filing: “Each party shall bear its own costs,” indicating a negotiated resolution rather than a contested dismissal.
Laurinaitis Becomes Key Witness
The strategic move transforms Laurinaitis from defendant to potential star witness. Grant’s representatives revealed the former WWE executive has agreed to provide crucial evidence against his former colleagues.
“John Laurinaitis has agreed to cooperate and provide evidence in Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE. 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 statement emphasized that Laurinaitis “looks forward to moving on with his life,” suggesting the resolution removes a significant legal burden from the longtime wrestling executive.
Confidential Settlement Details
While financial terms remain sealed, the agreement represents a calculated legal maneuver. By securing Laurinaitis’s cooperation, Grant’s team potentially gains inside access to WWE’s corporate operations during the alleged abuse period.
Grant’s representatives declined to elaborate on specific cooperation terms, citing confidentiality agreements surrounding the settlement.
Arbitration Battle Looms
The case faces another crucial juncture as WWE and McMahon prepare their next defensive strategy. Court documents indicate both remaining defendants must file motions by June 13 requesting the case move from public court into private arbitration.
This arbitration push stems from a $3 million nondisclosure agreement that previously silenced Grant’s allegations. The defendants argue this NDA contains binding arbitration clauses that should remove the case from public scrutiny.
Discovery Rights Preserved
Grant’s legal team has secured important procedural advantages in the upcoming arbitration fight. The court will allow discovery requests specifically related to whether the controversial arbitration clause should be enforced.
This discovery period could expose internal WWE communications and documents relevant to both the original NDA and the underlying abuse allegations.
Industry Impact and Next Steps
Laurinaitis’s cooperation deal sends shockwaves through professional wrestling’s corporate hierarchy. As former Head of Talent Relations, he possessed intimate knowledge of WWE’s backstage culture and executive decision-making processes.
The case continues targeting wrestling’s most powerful figures, with McMahon and WWE still facing the full scope of Grant’s trafficking and abuse allegations.
With arbitration motions due next month and a key insider now cooperating with prosecutors, this legal drama appears far from over. Will Laurinaitis’s testimony prove the smoking gun that transforms this case, or can WWE’s legal team successfully move the explosive allegations away from public view?
