In a legal move more choreographed than a WrestleMania main event, John Laurinaitis is tag-teaming with Vince McMahon in a new bid to toss out Janel Grant’s lawsuit faster than a referee counts to three. The former WWE Head of Talent Relations and self-styled “People Power” enthusiast has filed a motion to join McMahon in moving Grant’s lawsuit to arbitration. This follows allegations of sex trafficking and abuse filed by Grant, a former WWE employee.
According to PWInsider, Laurinaitis’ legal team argues that he’s covered under the same arbitration agreement Grant allegedly signed, ensuring that any disputes are handled behind closed doors and far from the prying eyes of the public. Because what’s more WWE than a “secret stipulation” match no one gets to see?
Vince McMahon’s lawyers set the stage earlier this week, asserting that Grant violated an NDA by publicly discussing her relationship with McMahon and the settlement terms. Laurinaitis’ motion not only supports McMahon but adds his own legal suplex: as a former WWE employee, he claims the agreement shields him from any legal action, making arbitration the only way forward. In true WWE style, he’s trying to slide into the “released party” clause like it’s a Money in the Bank cash-in.
McMahon, denying all wrongdoing, maintains that his relationship with Grant was consensual. However, Grant alleges that McMahon used his power to recruit others within WWE, including Laurinaitis, into a web of misconduct that turned the WWE back office into a real-life soap opera with decidedly fewer steel chairs and pyrotechnics.
Grant’s team now has until January 13 to respond, giving them just enough time to prepare for this real-world legal cage match. Stay tuned—because this isn’t just a court case, it’s WWE legal drama at its finest.