Janel Grant Agrees To Arbitration Plan With WWE & Vince McMahon, Case To Be Dismissed

It was a little more than a month ago when Janel Grant, WWE, and Vince McMahon filed a joint motion to have Grant's lawsuit against both parties moved to arbitration. Now another development suggests that, more than ever, the situation is heading towards a conclusion. Taking to X early Tuesday morning, Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics posted a filing by Grant's lawyer Ann Callis, confirming that Grant, McMahon, and WWE had agreed to go to private arbitration.

That is not the final matter on the case, however, as Grant, McMahon, and WWE are all expected to file to dismiss the lawsuit, with prejudice, in the next five days. A filing to dismiss with prejudice will mean that Grant cannot refile a lawsuit against McMahon at a later date. Once that process is complete, a judge will have to approve of the filing, an approval that will likely be seen as a formality given the agreement between all parties.

The agreement ends the legal aspect of a scandal that began in 2022, when the Wall Street Journal reported that McMahon was being investigated by the WWE Board of Directors for payments made to Grant and other women to cover up McMahon's relationships with them. The scandal became big enough that McMahon would retire just months after these revelations, though he returned to WWE in January 2023, resuming his role as WWE Chairman. Grant's identity remained a mystery until January 2024, when she filed her lawsuit accusing McMahon of sex trafficking and abuse during their relationship. The lawsuit led to McMahon resigning from WWE days later.

WWE & Sirius XM Announce New WWE Radio Channel

Closing in on nearly two decades now, "Busted Open Radio" has been a staple of SiriusXM and arguably the biggest radio show to focus on pro wrestling in North America. But it will now become a part of Sirius' new pro wrestling crown jewel; a WWE station. In a Thursday morning press release, WWE and Sirius announced the launch of WWE Radio, a 24/7 station. The channel will launch officially on Monday, July 27, ahead of WWE SummerSlam that weekend. WWE Radio will air out of Sirius channel 156, effectively taking over "Busted Open's" slot on Sirius going forward.

It will not be the end of "Busted Open," however, as the program will continue on under the WWE Radio banner, with hosts Dave LaGreca, Bully Ray, Mark Henry, Tommy Dreamer, and Nic Nemeth all staying on. Other "Busted Open" related content will remain, including "Busted Open After Dark," while other shows such as "Notsam Wrestling Live" with Sam Roberts, "Cheap Heat Live" with Peter Rosenberg, "The Hart Beat with Natalya" and "Off the Ropes," featuring Henry, Dreamer, and former WWE star Jinder Mahal, will be added. Other WWE podcasts will also air on WWE Radio every day at 4 p.m., including Cody Rhodes' "What Do You Want To Talk About?" and Undertaker's "Six Feet Under."

With SummerSlam occurring just days later, WWE Radio will feature plenty of content surrounding the two night event, LaGreca, Bully, Henry, Dreamer, Roberts and Rosenberg, will host several live shows in the leadup. SummerSlam itself will also be available to listen to on WWE Radio, with "NXT" commentators Vic Joseph and Booker T. Future WWE PLEs will also be available to listen to on WWE Radio, as will "select audio simulcasts of WWE's weekly flagship television programming."

I'm sure there will be some people who see this news about WWE Radio today effectively taking over "Busted Open Radio" and be surprised. I am not surprised at all about this news...with one caveat. "Busted Open" becoming part of the WWE umbrella as a part of its media branch doesn't shock me at all; what does shock me is how transparent everyone involved is finally being about it. Perhaps I am the wrong person to point this out; with a few exceptions, my opinion of "Busted Open" and some of the opinions that come out of it from hosts Dave LaGreca, Tommy Dreamer, Mark Henry, and especially Bully Ray, is extremely low. But part of the reason it is low is because, at least over the last few years, it seems like the show has done little to be impartial, and has often come across WWE affiliated in everything but name.

Now, at least, they don't even have to pretend that that isn't the case. By being under the WWE Radio banner, "Busted Open" can now operate out in the open as the WWE service it's pretty much been. Now when Bully Ray compares some "Raw" angle to a five minute scene in a "Star Wars" movie, he can do so knowing it's happening while he's under the WWE umbrella once more. Good for him and the rest of them I suppose. For some, this will definitely hurt the credibility of "Busted Open" to some degree, but for many, myself included, this was just a natural progression of where this popular program was going. So again I say; one shouldn't be surprised that this day arrived. WWE and "Busted Open" were always destined to be under one banner. The only surprise is that they all decided to make it "official official" as it were.

WWE’s Private Jet Listed for Sale at $10.5 Million

WWE is getting ready to say goodbye to one of its most recognizable travel assets. The company's 2008 Bombardier Global 5000 private jet has officially been listed for sale.

Over the years, the jet has appeared in countless behind-the-scenes videos, documentaries, and social media posts. Fans have often seen Superstars and company executives using it to travel to major shows and business events.

Thanks to its recent refurbishment, the aircraft is still in excellent shape. That could make it an attractive option for anyone seeking a luxury, long-range private jet with modern features.

Features included with WWE's private jet The asking price of the jet is $10.495 million. It is currently based in White Plains, New York, and received a major refurbishment from Bombardier in December 2023. WWE hasn't explained why it is selling the plane.

According to the listing, the jet can carry up to 13 passengers and comes with several premium upgrades. These include Starlink and Jetwave internet, an updated cabin system, improved cockpit displays, and advanced flight features like HUD, EVS, and SVS.

The aircraft has reportedly been operated by two U.S. owners under Part 91 regulations. It has no reported damage history and is fully up to date on maintenance.

The aircraft description says:

"Hagerty Jet Group is proud to present this 2008 model Bombardier Global 5000 s/n 9245 for sale on behalf of WWE Jet Services. It is one of the most turnkey large-cabin opportunities on the market. Completely refurbished by Bombardier's Tucson facility in December 2023 with all new designer paint, interior."

The listing also says that all WWE branding and logos will be removed before the sale is completed. So far, WWE hasn't said whether it plans to replace the jet or use a different travel setup for executives and talent.

Jeff Jarrett Sympathizes With Triple H's Position As Head Of WWE Creative

As Jeff Jarrett put it best: "Servant leadership isn't easy." So, he gives recognition where it matters most. And that's towards WWE's Head of Creative and Chief Content Officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque. When asked how Triple H fares in his ascent from being a former in-ring talent to his now high pressure roles backstage, Jarrett thinks the WWE Hall of Famer is doing a remarkable job.

"Fantastic," the TNA and WWE Hall of Famer said on "The Ariel Helwani Show." "Because I don't know who he has to answer to. I mean, I truly don't know – does he have to make fill in the blank happy today...Look, when you're in that seat, you always got to appease a top talent, a top babyface, a top heel...that's part of the game. But at the end of the day, you still got the stick. Paul's got how many people above him with bigger sticks? That ain't easy...You don't get groomed by the chairman himself and not walk away."

Following the retirement of his father-in-law and former Chairman and CEO of WWE Vince McMahon, Levesque is just days away from celebrating four years of calling the creative shots in WWE. During an interview with Cody Rhodes on "What Do You Wanna Talk About," "The Game" revealed that while he's learned how to stand firm in this position, the hardest part still is taking accountability for decisions that aren't fully his own.

credit "The Ariel Helwani Show" Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Details On Club WWE, Annual Membership Costs $99

WWE fans. Are you ready? "Club WWE," the Stamford-based promotion's newest membership program will commence this Friday.

In an email sent on Monday to those already on the "Club WWE" waitlist, WWE confirmed that the annual price to join this insider's service is $99 ($8.25 per month). Those who sign up for this service immediately (labeled as "founding members") will receive exclusive offers, including a package of unique and exclusive items, as well as discounted ticket offers to SummerSlam on Saturday, August 1 through Sunday, August 2, at the U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Additionally, founding members will get first-look experiences/scoops through its digital half of the membership, and a points-based reward system every time they make purchases on digital and physical goods.

"Club WWE" was first revealed in April, with retiree WWE Superstar John Cena promoting the membership. This program is intended to enhance the WWE Universe experience by offering 24-hour pre-sale ticket access, shop features (including the reveal of John Cena's "Never Seen 17" collection), bonus digital content, and members-only community forums for fans to connect with others online.

To learn more on how to sign-up, visit wwe.com/clubwwe.

Details On Deposition From WWE Board Members About Vince McMahon Investigation

It was a month ago that Janel Grant took to Instagram to post the deposition of former WWE Board member Michelle McKenna from the now settled WWE shareholder lawsuit. Said deposition revealed that McKenna was of the belief that WWE President Nick Khan had been the one to leak information regarding Grant and then WWE Chairman Vince McMahon's relationship to the Wall Street Journal in 2022, triggering a series of events that led to Grant filing a lawsuit against McMahon. Last Friday, in the latest edition of the "Wrestling Observer Newsletter," Dave Meltzer provided more information regarding McKenna's deposition, as well as the deposition of another former board member, Jeffery Speed.

The deposition of McKenna, who joined the WWE board on September 15, 2022, revealed that she was under the belief that McMahon couldn't be brought back after he "retired" in July following the original Wall Street Journal article. McKenna answered "no" to whether she had been under the impression McMahon and Grant had an affair, and "yes" to whether she saw their relationship as sex abuse and sexual trafficking. 

This would confirm that the WWE board knew of Grant's accusations against McMahon well before the lawsuit was filed in 2024, despite claims to the contrary by McMahon's then lawyer Jerry McDevitt. As McKenna remained with the board till after the WWE/Endeavor merger, it would also mean she voted against McMahon's return in December 2022, before changing her mind and voting yes in January 2023 following McMahon's forceful reentry into the company.

As for Speed's deposition, he confirmed that the board's investigation into McMahon revealed the text messages McMahon sent to Grant, as well as messages involving Grant and Brock Lesnar. Speed claimed the messages were read out loud to the board, describing them as very graphic. However, while he noted files were found during the investigation, the board was ultimately not shown the photos. Unlike McKenna, Speed was removed from the board in early 2023 when McMahon returned to power.

Triple H’s Remark After CM Punk’s WWE Title Win Was 15 Years in the Making

Triple H recently drew a nostalgic parallel to CM Punk's Undisputed WWE Championship win.

CM Punk made a surprise return on the July 6 episode of RAW as the last-minute replacement for Cody Rhodes and defeated Sami Zayn to win the Undisputed WWE Championship. Following his victory, he had a moment backstage with the promotion's Chief Content Officer, Triple H, posing for the latter's signature finger-pointing photo.

Triple H then shared the photo in a congratulatory post on X/Twitter, recalling CM Punk's historic first WWE Championship win against John Cena at Money in the Bank 2011. The event took place at the Allstate Arena in Chicago, the same venue as this week's RAW, where Punk won the title for the third time (his eighth world title overall).

"Same building, 15 years later. Different opponent, same result. CM Punk is the Undisputed WWE Champion!!! #AndNew," Triple H wrote.

Triple H On WWE President Nick Khan: 'I've Never Been Around A Better Businessman'

Paul "Triple H" Levesque transitioned to the corporate side of WWE in 2010, when he was named Executive Senior Advisor, and has since slowly risen to the CCO of the promotion. Along the way, Levesque has had many opportunities to rub shoulders with businessmen, but in an interview with Stephan A. Smith, he claimed that Nick Khan is the best he's ever had the pleasure to work with on a corporate level.

"[Khan] is the absolute best President. Here at WWE, I've never been around a better businessman," Levesque proclaimed. "What is incredible about him is not only his mind for the business, for rights fees, and ratings, and analyzing all those things, but he grew up a fan of this; he grew up a fan of boxing, and combat sports, but especially pro wrestling."

Levesque further claimed that Khan is simply one of the most knowledgeable people he knows, and he appreciates how straightforward he is. "Man, I love working with him every day," he said. "To me, he and I together, it's like this perfect partnership of being able to do the business side, but this energy that we both feel and have and love for this business, like nothing else. So, man, we're in it together, and I love it. ... It's keeping me young, man!"

Earlier this year, Khan signed a new four-year deal to remain with the company, confirming he'll still act as WWE's President until 2030.

credit Stephan A. Smith and Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Triple H Says WWE’s Presidential Fitness Test Partnership With RFK Jr. Is About Inspiring Kids

Triple H is proud to help celebrate the return of the Presidential Fitness Test.

The WWE Chief Content Officer recently appeared at the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City to mark the restoration of the Presidential Fitness Test and the launch of GetActive.gov/kids. He was joined by WWE Superstars Cody Rhodes, Charlotte Flair, Rey Mysterio, and Austin Theory, along with U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Speaking during the event, Triple H reflected on the impact fitness has had on his personal and professional life, saying it taught him discipline and helped him achieve the success he enjoys today.

"I feel like I owe everything in my life to fitness, to going in the gym and learning that discipline and that motivation," he said. "The success that I have in life is from that lesson that I learned in the gym. The weights don't lie, right? And if I could help inspire kids and help get this started again, I wanted to be a part of that."

Triple H says the initiative is to praise effort and show support The two-time WWE Hall of Famer also emphasized that the program is about more than physical fitness. He said it encourages children to support one another instead of putting others down.

"We're rewarding kids that put in the effort, that work hard to get to where they want to be. It's incredibly important for us to teach kids to support the kid that can't do it, you support them to get better. You don't bully them, you don't make fun of them. You know what it took for you to get there, then you help them get there as well."

This is not the first time Triple H has represented WWE in support of the initiative. During the 2025 Christmas season, he appeared at the White House alongside President Donald Trump to promote health and fitness after Trump signed an executive order reinstating the Presidential Fitness Test in schools.

source: yahoo sports

Paul Heyman Explains Current Roles In WWE, Compares Working With Vince McMahon & HHH

Paul Heyman has discussed his current role in WWE, while also praising Paul "Triple H" Levesque for the way he's run WWE.

Heyman, who previously had an executive position in WWE, currently serves as an on-screen manager for a few stars, as well as mentors others, which he opened up about on "Insight."

"If I were to list my scope of services, well, it would be, number one, I'm the liaison for some talent. In terms of, I'm the creative liaison between that talent and the creative team, the creative team and that talent. So a lot of the creative will flow through me in both directions. I handle a lot of the behind-the-scenes business for members of The Vision, obviously for Brock Lesnar, and there are others."

He also stated that his role involves sitting in Gorilla Position and helping the creative team in whatever way possible during shows, particularly "WWE SmackDown." Heyman additionally pointed out the differences between working under Vince McMahon and Levesque, arguing that the latter is more collaborative in an era where, he says, content is dictated by algorithms.

"You have to please a lot of masters [now]. Paul Levesque is the best person for that job. He's a collaborator. He pivots. He understands. And he understands that what works today may not work tomorrow, and what works tomorrow may not work in two days. He's brilliant at taking a look at the landscape and understanding: Does this make sense? Is it logical? Does the storyline work? Will it create box office interest and intrigue? Does it work for the characters involved? Does it progress the characters involved and take them from being characters on a television show into becoming attractions?" said Heyman.

The former ECW owner said that the role of a creative head has changed significantly since McMahon was in charge, as there are many stakeholders Levesque has to satisfy, including WWE's various distributors and partners. He commended Levesque for the job he has done, boldly stating that he would hire him if he were to start a pro wrestling company.

WWE, Vince McMahon sex trafficking lawsuit gets new twist

Lawyers for Vince McMahon, WWE and Janel Grant filed a joint motion for a short adjournment of their upcoming hearing as they look to move the case into confidential arbitration.

Grant filed a lawsuit against McMahon and WWE, accusing the former pro wrestling magnate of sexual assault and sex trafficking. McMahon stepped down as the CEO of WWE in 2022 and stepped down from TKO in 2024 after the initial lawsuit was filed.

"The parties are in active discussions regarding a potential agreement to arbitrate the dispute in confidential arbitration that would moot those motions," a document filed in Connecticut District Court read. "They seek this relief in good faith, to avoid unnecessarily consuming the Court’s and the parties’ resources—and so they can focus on progressing the potential arbitration agreement. The Parties respectfully propose that the Court temporarily adjourn the hearing and allow them to file a Joint Status Report within 21 days."

A hearing on the "Defendants’ Motions to Compel Arbitration and Plaintiff’s Renewed Motion for Leave to Serve Motion-Related Discover" was set for June 16.

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.

She’s made various graphic claims against McMahon in separate documents that were filed in the case.

McMahon has maintained his innocence through the process.

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: doxnews.com

Vince McMahon, Nick Khan and Others Reach Settlement In Principle On WWE Merger Lawsuit

Vince McMahon, Nick Khan, Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, Stephanie McMahon and other WWE executives and former WWE shareholders have reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought about by the shareholders who alleged misconduct on the part of McMahon, Khan, and the others during the company's merger with Endeavor to form TKO Group.

According to Brandon Thurston of POST Wrestling, Tamara Burton from the Delaware Court of Chancery has confirmed that both parties have reached a settlement agreement in principle.

“At the parties' request, the trial is cancelled," said Burton. "The parties have advised the court that they will present the settlement for approval in due course.” The exact terms of the settlement have not been released at this time.

WWE Shareholder lawsuit was cancelled over the weekend

The trial for this case was set to begin in court on Monday. However, over the weekend, the court date was canceled, leading to speculation that a settlement agreement may be on the horizon.

Last week, the defendants were dealt a major blow in the case when a judge ruled that they misused the auto-delete feature of the messaging service Signal to delete communication they were legally obligated to keep. The ruling allowed for five key facts to be treated as true once the case went to trial on June 8.

The lawsuit by the former shareholders alleges that McMahon failed to conduct the proper due diligence to get the best deal possible for shareholders when selling WWE. The suit claims that McMahon was only interested in one bidder for his pro wrestling juggernaut ,and that bidder was Endeavor.

The suit also alleges that the reason McMahon wanted to sell to Endeavor only was that he was to receive a prominent and powerful position inside the new company, TKO Group.

WWE was officially sold to Endeavor in 2023. At that time, Endeavor merged with the UFC to form the TKO Group. At that time, McMahon was made Executive Chairman of the company.

McMahon resigned from his position at TKO Group after horrific allegations were made about him by a former WWE staff member who claimed he sexually assaulted her during his time as Chairman of the Board in WWE.

Prior to that, McMahon retired from WWE in 2022 after the WWE Board of Directors began an investigation into payments made to former WWE employees with whom McMahon allegedly had affairs. He returned to the WWE at the beginning of 2023 in order to facilitate the sale of WWE to Endeavor.