John Laurinaitis Dismissed from Janel Grant’s Lawsuit Against WWE

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis has been removed as a defendant from a sex trafficking lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant. The dismissal was submitted to the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut on Wednesday.

A joint statement from both Grant and Laurinaitis indicated that Laurinaitis has agreed to provide evidence related to the case against WWE and its former CEO, Vince McMahon. The statement read, “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.”

The official court filing stated, “Plaintiff Janel Grant hereby stipulates with Defendant John Laurinaitis that the above-entitled action is voluntarily dismissed, with prejudice, against Defendant John Laurinaitis.” This means Grant cannot revive her claims against Laurinaitis in the future.

Before the recent developments, Laurinaitis had aligned himself with the defendants in the case. His attorney, Edward M. Brennan, confirmed support for the statement about the settlement.

Grant’s lawsuit originally filed in January 2024 accuses McMahon and Laurinaitis of sexual assault and claims WWE was negligent in allowing the abuse to occur. The case continues to be active, with motions expected for a shift from public court to private arbitration due by June 13.

Grant’s team will have until June 23 to respond to the defendants’ motions regarding the enforcement of an arbitration clause that was part of an earlier $3 million nondisclosure agreement.