Vince McMahon faces graphic sexual abuse allegations in new court filing from ex-WWE employee

A former WWE employee who is suing the company and its former CEO, Vince McMahon, made new and graphic allegations in a filing in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut earlier this week.

Janel Grant, who filed her initial lawsuit against WWE, McMahon and former executive John Laurinaitis, detailed more claims about how she was allegedly recruited to work for WWE, the alleged "abuse" she encountered while WWE leaders allegedly did nothing and other assertions.

Laurinaitis was previously removed from the lawsuit.

Fox News Digital reached out to McMahon’s lawyer and WWE for comment.

Grant, who worked at WWE from June 2019 to 2022, alleged she was "subjected to repeated physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and sexual trafficking perpetrated" by McMahon, and "most senior officials and talent knew about and facilitated the abuse" she experienced.

"Instead of protecting Ms. Grant, WWE and McMahon conspired to use his coercive control over her to conceal its leaders’ wrongdoing and bar Ms. Grant from speaking out or seeking help," the lawsuit states.

Grant made allegations of having "violent" sexual encounters with McMahon and others.

"Throughout the three years, sex was violent, invasive, degrading, and produced injuries that could not heal because there would consistently be subsequent violent encounters, often involving other men or objects," the lawsuit says.

"Ms. Grant did not raise a complaint concerning her abuse because she lived in a state of duress and was fully under McMahon’s control, her survival ultimately depending on her complete submission to McMahon."

Grant claimed in the lawsuit that McMahon pressured her to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) and that he allegedly sexually assaulted her after she signed the document.

The sordid allegations are a part of an ongoing lawsuit between the parties.

McMahon stepped down as the CEO of WWE in 2022 and stepped down from TKO in 2024 after the initial lawsuit was filed. He has maintained his innocence through the process.

"The Complaint’s outrageous claims of sexual abuse and coercion are pure fiction — plainly intended to garner publicity — and are flatly contradicted by Plaintiff’s own contemporaneous statements," McMahon said in an April 2024 filing.

"Contrary to Plaintiff’s false allegations, Plaintiff and Defendant (collectively, the ‘Parties’) engaged in a consensual relationship during which Defendant never coerced Plaintiff into doing anything and never mistreated her in any way.

"In fact, in a love letter Plaintiff wrote to Defendant shortly before the Parties ended their relationship, Plaintiff described Defendant as ‘[m]y best friend, my love and my everything,’ praising him for being the ‘wonderful, tender, vulnerable, heart-on-your-sleeve soul you really are.’

"It is incredulous that Plaintiff, a then 42-year-old woman who claims on her resume to have a law degree from Pace University, would have written these words to Defendant months after all the events in the Complaint of alleged abuse, coercion, and ‘sex-trafficking’ took place."

TKO Group told The Associated Press in January 2024 it took Grant’s allegations "very seriously."

"Mr. McMahon does not control TKO nor does he oversee the day-to-day operations of WWE," the company said at the time. "While this matter predates our TKO executive team’s tenure at the company, we take Ms. Grant’s horrific allegations very seriously and are addressing this matter internally."

source: foxnews.com

How John Cena Came to Host WWE WrestleMania 42

John Cena will return to WWE programming sooner than many expected to host WrestleMania 42 later this month.

The WWE retirement tour of John Cena wrapped up last December at Saturday Night's Main Event when the "Never Seen 17" tapped out to Gunther in his final match. Based on his comments following the event, it didn't seem like we'd see Cena back on WWE programming any time soon.

v However, in a move that surprised many, John Cena announced earlier this week that he would be the official host of WrestleMania 42. Cena will return to the same city and venue where he defeated Cody Rhodes last year to capture his 17th World Championship.

But how did all of this come about?

On the latest episode of WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select, it was revealed that when John Cena retired from WWE as an active in-ring competitor last December, his hosting WrestleMania this year wasn't part of the plan.

John Cena agreed to a new long-term deal with WWE following his retirement, keeping him with the company for several years to come. WrestleVotes states that Cena was approached back in February about hosting the Showcase of the Immortals this year, and he agreed to do so.

It was noted that WWE made this move to increase ticket sales for WrestleMania 42, which are still far behind those for last year's event in the same stadium.

source: si.com

Eric Bischoff breaks down Vince McMahon and Triple H’s WWE leadership

Eric Bischoff breaks down Vince McMahon and Triple H’s WWE leadership appeared first on ClutchPoints:

A WWE Hall of Famer and a former general manager, Eric Bischoff is also widely known as one of the crucial figures in giving Vince McMahon a run for his money during the late 1990s Monday Night War between WCW and WWE.

In an exclusive interview with ClutchPoints, presented and arranged with help from Wiz Slots, Eric Bischoff explained the differences between the leadership styles of both Vince McMahon and Triple H, having worked with both of them.

While Bischoff worked against McMahon during the Monday Night War, he became a part of WWE after WCW’s merger when he started working for McMahon. Sharing the differences, the 70-year-old claimed that McMahon “was very difficult to work with.”

“I think because Triple H worked with Vince so closely for such a long time, Triple H really understood Vince McMahon’s weaknesses. Now, Vince McMahon was a very successful guy, and he had a tremendous amount of strengths, but like all of us, there were certain things that he was not good at. And managing a creative team is probably one of the things, at least in my experience, that he was not very good at,” Bischoff said.

“I think Triple H, because Triple H was on the other side of that and felt the results of that, probably appreciates and uses the creative team in a much better way. Involves them more, probably treats them with more respect, generally speaking. And usually, when you treat people in a creative business, when you treat people with respect, [that’s] when you usually get the best work out of them.

“Vince didn’t treat people very well when it came to working with them creatively. He was very difficult to work with at times. He didn’t communicate very well. That makes good creative difficult to come by. So I think Triple H, having seen that, been part of that process, knows how important it is to really work closely with your creative team in order to get the best ideas,” Bischoff concluded.

Bischoff was involved with WWE from 2002 to 2007 before departing to join TNA in 2010, remaining there until 2014. Bischoff has made occasional appearances for WWE, even after his short stint with AEW.

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Stephanie McMahon On Raw

AJ Styles gets real on new WWE post-retirement job

AJ Styles gets real on new WWE post-retirement job appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Earlier this year at the 2026 WWE Royal Rumble in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Gunther defeated AJ Styles and successfully retired the veteran. A pro-wrestling legend, Styles later received a tribute on an episode of Monday Night RAW in Atlanta, Georgia, before being announced for the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame inductions.

Set to be inducted later this year, Styles has now taken on his new non-wrestling role in WWE. Speaking on his Phenomenally Retro podcast, “The Phenomenal One” shared his new role within WWE, which sees him scouting indie talent.

“I’ve been going to indie shows and checking those out, just seeing what everyone has to offer and stuff like that. I’m scouring the internet for something that sticks out…if you want to send me that stuff, fine, go ahead, I’d love to see it. So yeah, I’m trying to check out talent and see how much talent is out there,” Styles shared.

I know what it’s like to be on the indies and having a job. Traveling on the indies, sometimes it’s hard to get things that you need. And so, if they are as desperate as I was to make it in the wrestling business, then I’d love to see them before anybody else snags them up. That’s the way it is. And hopefully, I’m able to see talent before it’s developed,” he continued.

Styles, 48, made his WWE debut in 2016 and soon elevated himself into the main-event position. Before joining WWE, Styles was one of the top names in TNA, NJPW, and several other promotions across the world. An industry veteran, Styles finished his career on his own terms.

AJ Styles gets real on new WWE post-retirement job appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Bad News Brown to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

WWE’s announcement read:

“Starting in the squared circle after winning the bronze medal in judo at the 1976 Olympics, Brown combined his grappling expertise with vicious brawling techniques he picked up on the mean streets of his hometown, Harlem, NY, to become one of sports-entertainment’s most feared competitors.

“After tearing through future WWE legends like Bret Hart at Stampede Wrestling in Calgary, Alberta, Bad News made his way to WWE in 1988. He made an instant impact, knocking out opponent after opponent with a devastating enzuigiri.

“Bad News preferred to keep to himself, making no friends. Even the most evil of WWE Superstars couldn’t warm up to Brown. At several Survivor Series events, the Harlem native opted to walk out on his team, rather than work as part of a unit.

“Brown demanded title opportunities, deriding the “beer-bellied sharecroppers” and “spineless cockroaches” he claimed were holding him back. Bad News went as far as to accuse then-WWE President Jack Tunney of colluding with stars like Hulk Hogan and “Macho Man” Randy Savage, putting his hands on the esteemed official when he denied the claims.

Bad News soon focused his attention on another unpredictable Superstar: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. After The Hot Scot eliminated him from the 1990 Royal Rumble Match, Brown climbed back to the ring apron and forced Piper over the top rope and out of the fray, setting off a brawl no WWE official could halt.

“During summer 1990, WWE fans learned there was one thing that scared the hardened New Yorker: snakes. Jake Roberts surprised Bad News with a birthday gift of the reptilian variety, spooking the surly Superstar. Looking for a way to combat Roberts and his dangerous python, Damien, Brown went back to his roots, searching for the meanest, nastiest creature in Harlem. He had to go underground to find them, scrounging through subway tunnels to find the biggest sewer rats in The Big Apple.

“Though Bad News trained the rodents to feast on snakes, they couldn’t help him much in the ring against Roberts at SummerSlam 1990. After his defeat at the hands of “The Snake,” Bad News Brown disappeared from WWE.

“Brown passed away in 2007, but his legacy lives on as his fellow legends welcome him into the WWE Hall of Fame.

WWE Unreal Nominated For Multiple Sports Television AwardsRead

On Wednesday morning, WWE took to social media to share that "Unreal" is up for Outstanding Sports Documentary Series: Serialized, Outstanding Sports Editing: Long Form, and Outstanding Sports Graphic Design: Specialty.

Last year, the popular Netflix series "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" won Outstanding Sports Documentary Series: Serialized, "Rhythm Masters: A Mickey Hart Experience" captured Outstanding Sports Editing: Long Form, while the event "Noche UFC" took home the gold for Outstanding Sports Graphic Design: Specialty. The only other Emmy nomination that WWE received prior to "Unreal" was for "Woooooo! Becoming Ric Flair" for Outstanding Long Documentary.

With "Unreal" debuting in 2025, season 1 of the show wasn't eligible for the Sports Emmy Awards last year, making this May's ceremony the first time the show has been nominated. This year, "Unreal" will be up against productions such as Netflix's "Quarterback" and returning winner "Formula 1: Drive to Survive" for Outstanding Sports Documentary Series: Serialized. As for Outstanding Sports Editing: Long Form, "Unreal" is pitted against HBO Max's "Saquon" and "We Beat the Dream Team," while facing Nickelodeon and CBS for Outstanding Sports Graphic Design: Specialty.

Following the announcement, WWE CCO Triple H took to social media to comment on "Unreal" receiving three Emmy nominations. "WWE: Unreal's nomination for three Sports Emmys is a testament to the work and dedication of every single individual @WWE whose work makes us run. Also, a massive thank you to our partners who helped bring this show to life and congratulations to all involved in the show and its production."

The 47th Annual Sports Emmy Awards will stream live from the Jazz at Lincoln Center's Frederick P. Rose Hall in New York City on Tuesday, May 26, 2026.

Sid Justice to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2026

From WWE.com:

Former WWE Champion “Sycho” Sid Eudy will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a legacy inductee and a member of the Class of 2026.

A former two-time WWE Champion, Sid was one of the most imposing and terrifying competitors of his generation whose natural charisma popped off the screen every Monday night.

After a successful stint in WCW, Sid debuted as Sid Justice in WWE and served as the Special Guest Referee at SummerSlam 1991 where WWE Champion Hulk Hogan and The Ultimate Warrior teamed up against The Triangle of Terror in a 3-on-2 Handicap Match.

Later that same night, Sid saved Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth from an attack at the evil hands of Jake Roberts and The Undertaker at the couple’s iconic newlywed reception.

After a few years away from WWE, Sid made his triumphant return to WWE as “Sycho Sid,” where he allied himself with Shawn Michaels and was in his corner at WrestleMania XI when The Heartbreak Kid challenged Diesel for the WWE Title.

That night would begin an iconic rivalry between the two with Sid winning the WWE Championship from The Showstopper at Survivor Series in 1996, joining the hallowed ranks of champions. After losing the title back to Michaels, Sid became a two-time champion by defeating Bret Hart on the Feb. 17, 1997 edition of Raw.

Established as one of the biggest and baddest wrestlers in the world, Sid returned to WCW in 1999 and immediately entered the main event scene, battling legends like Hulk Hogan, Sting, Goldberg, Booker T and many more.

An injury in 2001 threatened Sid’s career, but he refused to stay on the sidelines and returned to the independent wrestling scene with his return match even featuring current WWE Superstar Sami Zayn.

Sid passed away in 2024, but his influence is still seen in wrestling rings across the world.

Known as “The Master and Ruler of the World”, Sid’s reputation as one of the toughest and most visually captivating Superstars cemented his legacy in WWE, and he will now take his rightful place amongst his fellow legends in the WWE Hall of Fame.

NBA legend Dennis Rodman to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame

Dennis Rodman will be the fifth member of the 2026 WWE Hall of Fame class, Shams Charania reported on Friday morning.

Rodman, who was one of the NBA's most eccentric and imposing defensive figures during the Bulls' dynasty in the 1990s, became a key crossover component in World Championship Wrestling and the New World Order storyline during professional wrestling's heralded "Monday Night Wars."

Alongside the late Hollywood Hulk Hogan, Rodman joined the nWo faction in 1997, appearing several times that year and wresting in a tag-team match with Hogan against Lex Luger and The Giant at Bash at the Beach during the NBA's offseason.

Rodman's biggest — and most controversial — moment in WCW came the following year as he missed a practice while the Bulls were playing the Jazz in the 1998 NBA Finals, the last championship for the Jordan Era dynasty. Ultimately, the on-court rivalry manifested in the ring as Rodman and Hogan defeated Diamond Dallas Page and Karl Malone in a match at Bash at the Beach later that summer.

The final match of Rodman's WCW run came a year later as he took on Macho Man Randy Savage at the Road Wild event in August 1999.

Rodman's brief run in professional wrestling came during a time when the industry had truly broken into mainstream media and was referenced recently as NBA stars Tyrese Haliburton and Jalen Brunson brought their on-court rivalry into WWE programming in 2024.

Along with Rodman, this year's WWE Hall of Fame class includes Stephanie McMahon, A.J. Styles and the tag team Demolition. The ceremony will take place on Friday, April 17 in Las Vegas, a night before WrestleMania 42.

Rodman, a five-time NBA champion, was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame in 2011. source: yahoo.com

LA Knight Admits He Was ‘Majorly Holding His Tongue’ During Backstage Talk With Triple H On WWE Unreal

On WWE Unreal season two, Triple H is seen talking to LA Knight over the ending of the Money in the Bank ladder match that didn’t go as planned.

The camera shows Knight sitting in Gorilla as Triple H explains what went wrong and how Knight missed his moment despite not winning the match.

Speaking to Bootleg Kev, Knight was asked about Unreal.

“I personally don’t think it’s super productive, but I understand why they’re doing it. I have definitely shifted the way I do some things, because you had mentioned my appearance on Unreal there. I was majorly holding my tongue in that scenario, if you could tell when I looked…because I had my own frustrations about that situation, that partially had to do with the finish, but more so it had to do with the overarching theme that I don’t need to get into the weeds about right here.

“Although they told us, ‘Unreal is going to be here filming stuff,’ I had no idea I was being filmed. I had no idea that I was on a microphone at that point in time. With that being the case, I don’t even stop there in Gorilla anymore. When my match is over, my segment is over, I go straight through and I go back to the locker room. If they want to talk to me about my match or whatever happened out there, sure, let’s talk about it when there’s not a microphone or camera around, because that’s how it’s always been. With that being the case, I’m not going to stop in there and leave myself susceptible to that.”

WWE Unreal will continue as season three is set to premiere later this year. Fans can stream both seasons on Netflix.

source: fightful

WWE & Front Office Sports Enter Partnership To Produce 'Behind-The-Scenes Content'

It's been a tumultuous road to WrestleMania 42 for WWE, one filled with reports of creative changes, frustration within certain departments, and concern over ticket sales for the event. But despite the bumpier road, WWE is still doing all it can to make their marquee event one to remember. And one way it'll be doing that is with a new partnership that may seem inconsequential to some, but could have major ramifications in how WWE is covered.

In a press release unveiled Tuesday morning, WWE announced a new agreement with Front Office Sports. The agreement will see the start of a "content partnership" between the wrestling promotion and multimedia/sports new organization, designed to "bring audiences closer to key WWE moments and tentpole events through access-driven, behind-the-scenes content." It was further suggested Office will be involved in certain creative elements with WWE, and that the deal will start officially at WrestleMania 42.

"Front Office Sports is known for its innovative approach to storytelling, and we look forward to partnering to produce new and dynamic content that underscores the evolving business of WWE," Co-Head of WWE Revenue Alex Varga said in a statement.

"Front Office Sports is the leader in the coverage of the business of sports, and we're excited to collaborate with the WWE," Front Office CEO Adam White said in an accompanying statement. "The sports media landscape is increasingly driven by off-the-field happenings, and this partnership will bring fans closer than ever to their favorite athletes, entertainers and moments in a unique way."

Front Office becomes the latest media company that WWE has entered a relationship with, having already established partnerships with Bill Simmons' The Ringer, Spotify, and ESPN through the promotion's PLE deal with the sports network. It also continues Front Office's trend of reaching content deals with sports organizations, having previously reached agreements with the National Football League and the National Women's Soccer League.

Road Dogg Brian James Gone From WWE Amid Major Creative Shake-Up

There's been a major creative reshuffle within WWE that's seen veteran Road Dogg leave the company.

With WWE's biggest show of the year just around the corner, the sports entertainment giant is undergoing some pretty big creative changes.

The folks over at Bodyslam were the first to report on Thursday after that the Road Dogg, Brian James, is out as co-lead writer of Friday Night SmackDown and has departed the company.

Mike Johnson of PWInsider has since corroborated BodySlam's report and added that it was Road Dogg who made the decision to leave the company. No specific reasoning for his decision was given.

The WWE Hall of Famer had been with the company in a creative capacity since 2014, aside from seven months away in 2022, and worked in a variety of roles backstage before being named co-lead writer for the Blue Brand last year.

Road Dogg's appointment to the positions garnered a significant amount of criticism from fans online, however, the recently retired AJ Styles went public in his defense and called on people to give him a chance. The former tag team champion had previously held the same position in the run-up to WrestleMania 35 back in 2019.

James was also heavily featured in season two of WWE Unreal on Netflix, where fans were given a behind-the-scenes look into creative meetings as Road Dogg made pitches for the likes of R-Truth and Chelsea Green.

source: si.com