New York, NY – Janel Grant, the former WWE employee who filed a lawsuit against ex-WWE boss Vince McMahon in January, has agreed to pause the legal proceedings at the request of the Justice Department. Grant’s lawyer, Ann Callis, stated that the decision to stay the case against McMahon, the WWE, and former WWE executive John Laurinaitis was made in light of a pending non-public investigation requested by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York.
McMahon, who stepped down from his role as TKO executive chairman in January, has been under federal investigation for allegations of sexual misconduct brought forth by several women. Sources revealed that McMahon received a grand jury subpoena in the summer of 2023, leading to the filing of four sealed items by a Justice Department lawyer in the civil case against him.
In response to the lawsuit, McMahon vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “lies” and “a vindictive distortion of the truth.” Despite stepping away from his leadership roles, McMahon expressed his intent to vigorously defend himself and clear his name from the accusations.
Having led the WWE for several decades, McMahon transformed the wrestling organization from a regional promotion into a global entertainment powerhouse. The lawsuit filed by Grant has cast a shadow over his legacy, as he navigates the legal process and maintains his innocence against the allegations.
As the investigation unfolds and legal proceedings are put on hold, the wrestling community awaits further developments in the case involving one of the industry’s most influential figures. Grant’s decision to pause the lawsuit underscores the complexity of the situation and the importance of due process in addressing allegations of misconduct in high-profile industries like professional wrestling.