WWE’s Vince McMahon Accused Of Rape, Sex Trafficking In Graphic Lawsuit

WWE co-founder Vince McMahon has been accused of raping and trafficking a former employee in a disturbing lawsuit filed on Thursday.

In graphic court documents filed to the U.S. District Court in Connecticut, plaintiff Janel Grant describes “psychological torture and physical violence” she was subjected to by McMahon, who first pressured her into a sexual relationship with the promise of professional opportunities after meeting her in March 2019.

The suit claims McMahon would later direct Grant to have sex with WWE wrestlers and other men and that he would intimidate her with threats of revenge porn and make “depraved sexual demands” in exchange for her continued employment.

Grant, who worked for WWE from June 2019 through March 2022, says that she was fired after McMahon’s wife, Linda McMahon, discovered the relationship and that she was subsequently pressured to sign a nondisclosure agreement in exchange for $3 million.

Vince McMahon appears in Miami on April 1, 2012, ahead of WrestleMania XXVIII. McMahon, the co-founder of the WWE, has been accused of raping, trafficking and exploiting a former employee.

Vallery Jean via Getty Images

A spokesperson for McMahon categorically denied the accusations in a statement to HuffPost.

“This lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and a vindictive distortion of the truth,” the statement said. “He will vigorously defend himself.”

Among the unsettling details in Grant’s lawsuit is an account of McMahon defecating on Grant during a threesome in May 2020.

Court documents also claim McMahon and WWE Talent Relations boss John Laurinaitis took turns violently raping her in Laurinaitis’ office at WWE headquarters in June 2021 and that McMahon directed Grant to engage in sex with him and other WWE employees during working hours.

Laurinaitis is listed as a defendant in the suit, along with World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., which the suit claims “actively sought to conceal the wrongdoing.”

WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, distanced itself from the accusations in a statement to HuffPost, saying, “Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE.”

“While this matter pre-dates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally.”

TKO was formed in 2023 as the result of WWE’s merger with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). McMahon is the executive chairman of the conglomerate.

The wrestling kingpin initially stepped down as WWE’s top executive in 2022 after a Wall Street Journal investigation revealed he had paid more than $12 million to four women over 16 years to hide accusations of sexual misconduct and infidelity. He returned to the business’ board several months later.

In July 2023, federal agents obtained a search warrant for the wrestling boss’s phone in relation to an investigation of the payouts. No charges have been filed against him.

Grant’s suit states that McMahon’s “extreme cruelty and degradation” had “crippled” the plaintiff “both physically and mentally” and that she has dealt with “debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal ideation.”

She is asking the court to void the 2022 nondisclosure agreement, which forbids her from discussing her relationship with McMahon or disparaging him. She is also seeking unspecified damages.

On Wednesday, Netflix announced it signed a $5 billion, 10-year deal with WWE for the exclusive rights to stream its live event “Raw” and other programming.

CORRECTION: A previous version of this story stated incorrectly that Netflix signed a 10-year deal with WWE for $5 million. The deal is $5 billion.

Support HuffPostThe Stakes Have Never Been Higher

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Our News, Politics and Culture teams invest time and care working on hard-hitting investigations and researched analyses, along with quick but robust daily takes. Our Life, Health and Shopping desks provide you with well-researched, expert-vetted information you need to live your best life, while HuffPost Personal, Voices and Opinion center real stories from real people.

Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.

At HuffPost, we believe that everyone needs high-quality journalism, but we understand that not everyone can afford to pay for expensive news subscriptions. That is why we are committed to providing deeply reported, carefully fact-checked news that is freely accessible to everyone.

Help keep news free for everyone by giving us as little as $1. Your contribution will go a long way.

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. A vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why HuffPost’s journalism is free for everyone, not just those who can afford expensive paywalls.

We cannot do this without your help. Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.

As the 2024 presidential race heats up, the very foundations of our democracy are at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a vibrant democracy is impossible without well-informed citizens. This is why we keep our journalism free for everyone, even as most other newsrooms have retreated behind expensive paywalls.

Our newsroom continues to bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes on one of the most consequential elections in recent history. Reporting on the current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly — and we need your help.

Support our newsroom by contributing as little as $1 a month.