Suit Against Vince McMahon Paused At Justice Department's Request

The woman accusing Vince McMahon of sexual misconduct agreed to pause her lawsuit against the former WWE CEO after a request from the Justice Department, her attorney told ABC News on Thursday.

Janel Grant, a former WWE employee, alleged in a 67-page suit filed in January that McMahon forced her into a sexual relationship in order for her to keep her job and passed around pornographic content of her to other men at the company.

"Ms. Grant has consented to a request by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York to stay her case against Mr. McMahon, WWE and Mr. [John] Laurinaitis, pursuant to a pending non-public investigation," Ann Callis, Grant's attorney, said in a statement to ABC News. "We will cooperate with all appropriate next steps."

Grant also accused McMahon of inflicting "psychological torture and physical violence" while making "depraved sexual demands." McMahon is accused of trafficking Grant to other WWE employees. The lawsuit, which also named former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, included graphic descriptions of alleged sexual encounters along with explicit text messages.

source: si.com

John Laurinaitis Joins Vince McMahon Arbitration Effort, Denies Janel Grant Accusations

Recently, attorneys representing Vince McMahon motioned to have former assistant Janel Grant's lawsuit against him, John Laurinaitis, WWE, and numerous unnamed corporate officers for sex trafficking, abuse, and harassment, brought to private arbitration, as per the stipulations of the disputed Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) between McMahon and Grant.

According to Wrestlenomics's Brandon Thurston, former WWE Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis, who was also named in Grant's suit, has joined McMahon's motion to move the case into private arbitration, which would keep any further developments and discoveries out of the public record.

"John Laurinaitis has filed a Motion today fully joining in and adopting Vince McMahon's motion to compel arbitration," Edward Brennan, attorney for Laurinaitis, wrote in a statement. "Mr. Laurinaitis corroborates Mr. McMahon in publicly declaring that Ms. Grant's allegations of sexual abuse and coercion in her Complaint are completely unfounded. My client will fight these false allegations together with Mr. McMahon in the proper forum, arbitration."

The motion is a pivot from Laurinaitis's initial position, as his attorneys' original stance was "Like the plaintiff, Mr. Laurinaitis is a victim in this case, not a predator," which seemingly corroborated some of Grant's accusations, albeit while still denying Grant's accusations against Laurinaitis himself. 

Attorneys for McMahon responded to Laurinaitis's motion, writing "In January 2024, Ms. Grant, a 43-year-old with a law degree, who was in love with Mr. McMahon and devastated by their break-up, filed an outrageous and false lawsuit to ruin Mr. McMahon's career and reputation. Now, her false allegations are slowly unraveling. Today, Mr. Laurinaitis' attorney confirmed his client will corroborate Mr. McMahon's account and expose the lies within the Complaint. Despite their intense efforts, Ms. Grant's attorneys won't be able to suppress the truth from coming out."

McMahon resigned from his responsibilities at WWE and TKO Group Holdings in January of this year, as a result of the lawsuit. Federal investigators are also looking into the sex trafficking accusations against McMahon. McMahon recently sold off nearly $300 million worth of his stock in TKO and its parent company Endeavor. He now currently owns less than 5% of TKO Group Holdings, which he helped found in 2023.

Ronda Rousey Details NXT Being Stolen From Triple H

Writing in her new book Our Fight – available for pre-order now – Ronda Rousey detailed that turbulent time in WWE history and thinks it was McMahon’s “cronies” that made the move to take NXT out of Triple H’s hands:brbr NXT, which had been Triple H’s domain, had been caught in the ongoing family dispute between him and Vince McMahon. Vince’s unwillingness to give up any control made progress on the main roster all but impossible. But operating out from under Vince’s thumb, Triple H had built NXT into a brand that was not only developing WWE’s next generation but producing some of the organization’s best and most innovative wrestling.

People were excited about NXT in a way that they weren’t about Raw and SmackDown’s constant reliance on rehashing the same formulaic story lines over and over. As NXT grew and it became apparent that there was the potential to expand and profit from it, suddenly it became attractive to Vince. In fall of 2019, WWE launched a weekly NXT show—slated to go head-to-head on-air with AEW.

Now, NXT was on the up-and-up, but so too was AEW. Then Triple H almost died, suffering from heart failure and requiring surgery. He stepped away to deal with his health, and in his absence, Vince’s cronies saw an opportunity. NXT was losing the ratings battle to AEW, they whispered to Vince.

Ronda Rousey then took aim at former Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis who she claimed was running NXT in Triple H’s stead. It’s safe to say Rousey is no fan of Laurinaitis but says his failure running the brand was systematic of wider problems in the company:

Changes needed to be made. Which is how John Laurinaitis, a former wrestler turned WWE executive and all-around dirtbag, ended up running NXT. Laurinaitis had made a name for himself as an average but by no means outstanding wrestler before he moved into playing an in-ring authority figure type and then a producer. He looked and acted like an entitled sixty-year-old former frat boy. Tall, blondish, and with a cleft chin, he always appeared to be scowling, even when he smiled. His raspy voice earned him the nickname Johnny Laryngitis, which was one of the nicer things people called him.

Whereas Triple H looked for talent and potential in NXT prospects, it appeared John Laurinaitis looked for f*ckability. He further purged the NXT roster, firing it seemed like everyone over twenty-five and turning recruiting attention away from the indie circuits in favor of blonde sorority-types from places like the Universities of Florida and Tennessee.

Putting the blame for the decline on Laurinaitis—which Vince would basically try to do a few months later—would be easy but Laurinaitis was only a symptom of what was wrong within WWE. Honestly, the actual drama was so much better than anything WWE could ever script.

source: tjrwrestling.net

More WWE Executives Revealed As Key Figures In McMahon Sex Trafficking Suit; WWE Responds

More names have been revealed as part of the ongoing sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis WWE, and unnamed corporate officers.

A new report from Tim Marchman, John Pollock, and Brandon Thurston for Front Office Sports has named President Nick Khan and COO Brad Blum as those identified as Corporate Officers No.1 and No. 2 in the suit filed by Janel Grant in January.
Before their naming in the report, Khan and Blum were alleged to have been instrumental to a scheme in which Grant had been employed in a completely undefined role, except for the understanding that she would remain a sexual slave to be used and trafficked by McMahon within WWE. Khan and Blum are not personally accused of sexual wrongdoing but they are rather part of a group that is claimed to have facilitated and covered up exploitation in a way that would make WWE liable under federal anti-trafficking law.

Front Office Sports' report notes that Blum and Khan were identified independently alongside the two other anonymous corporate officers described in the suit by cross-referencing details within the filing with other records like online resumes and corporate filings. A WWE source also reportedly confirmed details within the suit, such as the location of Khan's office. All names were confirmed with Janel Grant's attorney, Ann Callis.

According to the suit, McMahon presented Blum and Khan to Grant as his key fixers. Nick Khan is the current WWE President under TKO's hierarchy following the merger with UFC last year and has been instrumental in the business growth behind the company in recent years.

The report continues to name Stephanie McMahon as Corporate Officer No.3 within the filing, who is mentioned once in an ambiguous context. It's told how Grant had attended meetings with WWE's executive committee, which was noted to be above her pay grade and something she had even inquired to Khan and Blum about regarding appropriateness. The suit alleged Stephanie McMahon had motioned for Grant to sit near her in these meetings. Ms. McMahon is also described as knowing of "other instances of [Vince] McMahon engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct".

Stephanie McMahon notably took a leave of absence in 2022 – three months after Vince McMahon and Janel Grant signed their $3 million NDA – from her role as Chief Brand Officer. A month later, reports emerged on a probe by the WWE board of directors into unauthorized payments involving NDAs with several former female employees and performers made by Vince McMahon, after which he resigned from his roles as CEO and Chairman and Stephanie McMahon became interim CEO and Chair. When Vince McMahon forced his way back onto the board in early 2023, Stephanie McMahon resigned from her role as Co-CEO – held alongside Nick Khan – and has not returned.

Front Office Sports further identified Brian Nurse – former general counsel and head of WWE's legal department – as Corporate Officer No.4. Nurse is described in the suit as offering the legal role to Janel Grant at the behest of Vince McMahon, a revelation allegedly made by McMahon to Ms. Grant before he sexually assaulted her for the first time. Nurse is claimed to have been terminated or asked to resign as one of a number of employees forced to resign or let go if they knew of McMahon's exploits and failed to assist, support, or facilitate them.

In response to the report, a WWE spokesperson told FOS:
“WWE takes Ms. Grant’s allegations very seriously and has no tolerance for any physical abuse or unwanted physical contact. Neither Nick Khan nor Brad Blum, prior to the lawsuit being filed on January 25, 2024, were aware of any allegation by Ms. Grant that she was the victim of abuse or unwanted physical contact; nor does the complaint allege that either had knowledge of such.”

Nick Khan, Brian Blum and Stephanie Mcmahon are not explicitly accused of wrongdoing.

Attorney For John Laurinaitis: Most WWE Management Knew Of Ashley Massaro’s Allegations

Tim Marchman of VICE News reports that a lawyer for former WWE executive John Laurinaitis, says that most WWE management knew about Ashley Massaro’s allegations that she was raped in Kuwait during a WWE tour in 2006. Massaro had claimed that top executives, including Vince McMahon and Laurinaitis, told her not to talk about it.

McMahon was accused of covering up the alleged incident and of sexually harassing Massaro, according to legal documents and people who knew her. Marchman writes that an attorney for Laurinaitis confirmed that the latter was aware of the allegations, and that “most upper-level management did.” WWE previously claimed that executives were unaware of the claims.

Per Marchman, the Naval Criminal Investigation Service opened an investigation into Massaro’s claims after her death by apparent suicide in 2019. The investigation closed in January 2020, per an NCIS spokesperson, and further information could not be released without doing so through the Freedom of Information Act.

Massaro previously said WWE covered up her rape. Marchman states that people who knew Massaro say that Vince McMahon sexually harassed her. Additionally, Marchman states that what Laurinaitis’s lawyer says is corroborated by a former WWE doctor.

Laurinaitis’ Lawyer Responds To Ashley Massaro’s Allegations

In the report, Marchman cites Laurinaitis’ lawyer, Edward Brennan, who responded to questions about Ashley Massaro’s allegations.

“Any allegations that Mr. Laurinaitus helped to cover up an alleged rape allegation is an outright lie,” Brennan wrote. “Johnny, like most upper level management at sometime became aware of the allegations and ensured all proper WWE protocols were followed, including privacy for the alleged victim. We object to the use of the term cover up as no such plan or plot ever took place to hide or assist in the alleged rape.”  

Furthermore, Marchman states that a spokesperson for TKO declined to comment. A lawyer said to represent McMahon did not respond to requests for comment either.

McMahon and Laurinaitis are both implicated in Janel Grant’s lawsuit, in which she alleges that they engaged in sexual assault and sex trafficking of her. 

John Laurinaitis Seemingly Confirms Vince McMahon Allegations, Says He's Also A Victim

Last Thursday, former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a 67-page lawsuit against Vince McMahon, WWE, and former WWE executive John Laurinitis outlining allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and a number of other abuses. McMahon has since resigned from his corporate positions at TKO Group Holdings despite denying the accusations against him. Laurinitis, on the other hand, has seemingly confirmed the allegations against McMahon — though not the allegations against himself.

According to a statement provided by Laurinitis' lawyer, Edward Brennan (via VICE News), the former WWE Head of Talent Relations maintains that he is a victim in this case, much like the plaintiff, Janel Grant.

"Mr. Laurinaitis denies the allegations in the misguided complaint and will be vigorously defending these charges in court, not the media," Brennan wrote on Laurinaitis' behalf. "Like the plaintiff, Mr. Laurinaitis is a victim in this case, not a predator. The truth will come out."

When Brennan was then asked to clarify whether he was claiming McMahon was the predator in this case, he wrote, "Read the allegations. Read the Federal Statute. Power, control, employment supervisory capacity, dictatorial sexual demands with repercussions if not met. Count how many times in the complaint Vince exerts control over both of them."

As cited in the lawsuit, Laurinaitis was named as one of the men that McMahon allegedly recruited for Grant to regularly have sex with, both with and without McMahon himself involved. Grant was supposedly told to create "explicit content" for Laurinaitis, who she also claims raped her alongside McMahon inside Laurinaitis' office in WWE Headquarters. Grant's lawsuit charges Laurinaitis with civil battery, intentional or negligent infliction of emotional distress, and violation of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000.

WWE Founder Vince McMahon Accused of Sexual Abuse and Trafficking in Lawsuit by Former Employee

It's arguably been the most newsworthy week in WWE history, after the promotion announced a 10-year, $5 billion deal with Netflix Tuesday, with WWE Chairman Vince McMahon front and center at the New York Stock Exchange. Now on Thursday, McMahon is front and center again, for all the wrong reasons.

The Wall Street Journal reports that McMahon has been sued by former WWE employee Janel Grant, who has accused McMahon of sex trafficking. The lawsuit, filed Thursday morning, further alleges that McMahon abused and sexually exploited her while he was still WWE's Chief Executive, that he coerced her into sexual relations with the "promise of career advancement," and would later traffic her to other men within WWE.

Grant, who signed an NDA with WWE in 2022, claims she first met McMahon in 2019 in the apartment building they both lived in. McMahon allegedly promised Grant work at WWE and proceeded to "shower her with gifts." The suit goes on to allege that McMahon pressured her into sexual activities in order to secure her a job. Grant was hired by WWE in June 2019 as "administration coordinator," a position McMahon allegedly created for her. She subsequently had little work to do, leading to other WWE employees complaining, and Grant believing her job was "unearned."

Grant further alleges that McMahon would send her sexually explicit messages, increased demands for sex, and began forcefully using "toys" during sex, injuring her. She also claims McMahon would share photos and videos of her with other WWE execs and wrestlers, and that he recruited others in WWE to have sex with her, including then WWE head of talent relations John Laurinaitis. The suit further alleges Grant's mental and physical health deteriorated, leading to McMahon sending her to what was described as a "celebrity doctor" in November, and later paying $20K for surgery.

The suit goes on to claim that Grant would be transferred to the talent-relations division in May 2021, leading to her working directly under Laurinanitis. Grant alleges that a month after the transfer, McMahon and Laurinaitis would lock her in an office, and took turns sexually assaulting her, followed by McMahon assaulting her again a week later.

The suit further claims that Grant would sign an NDA in January 2022, after McMahon told her his wife, Linda McMahon, had learned about their relationship. Nevertheless, McMahon would only pay $1 million of the agreement before ceasing making payments and continued his abuse through March 2022. Grant would also once again text explicit photos to the WWE star, but the two would still never meet.

Vince McMahon Agreed to Pay $12 Million in Hush Money to Four Women

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.’s longtime leader, agreed to pay more than $12 million over the past 16 years to suppress allegations of sexual misconduct and infidelity, an amount far larger than previously known. The payouts went to four women, all formerly affiliated with WWE who signed agreements with Mr. McMahon that prohibit them from discussing potential legal claims against or their relationships with the 76-year-old executive, according to people familiar with the deals as well as documents reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. 

The previously unreported settlements include a $7.5 million pact with a former wrestler who alleged that Mr. McMahon coerced her into giving him oral sex and then demoted her and, ultimately, declined to renew her contract in 2005 after she resisted further sexual encounters, according to people familiar with the matter. The wrestler and her attorney approached Mr. McMahon in 2018 and negotiated the payment in return for her silence, the people said. 

In another previously unreported deal, a WWE contractor presented the company with unsolicited nude photos of Mr. McMahon she reported receiving from him and alleged that he had sexually harassed her on the job, according to people familiar with the woman’s 2008 nondisclosure agreement. Mr. McMahon agreed to pay her roughly $1 million, these people said. And in a 2006 agreement, a former manager who had worked 10 years for Mr. McMahon before he allegedly initiated a sexual relationship with her was paid $1 million to keep quiet about it, according to people familiar with the deal. The Journal previously reported about a $3 million hush pact reached in January between Mr. McMahon and a former WWE paralegal with whom he allegedly had an affair, citing documents and the people familiar with the matter. WWE’s board is investigating Mr. McMahon’s agreement with the former paralegal, and the 2018 deal with the former wrestler, people familiar with the inquiry said. 

The board also is investigating allegations that WWE executive John Laurinaitis had a sexual relationship with the same former paralegal, according to people familiar with the inquiry. Additionally, the board is looking at a $1.5 million nondisclosure agreement reached in 2012 with an employee involving misconduct claims against Mr. Laurinaitis, these people said. Mr. Laurinaitis, a former wrestler known as Johnny Ace, had been head of WWE talent relations for eight years when he was forced to step down in 2012 and take a smaller role at the company. His demotion came around the same time as the $1.5 million deal with the employee, who alleged she had an affair with Mr. Laurinaitis and that he demoted her after she broke it off, people familiar with the nondisclosure agreement said. 

Mr. McMahon had restored Mr. Laurinaitis as head of talent relations last year. WWE has since placed Mr. Laurinaitis on administrative leave, a person familiar with the matter said. The Journal couldn’t determine whether the board probe includes the nondisclosure agreements involving the contractor and the former manager, or how far back the investigation will go. A spokesman for the board’s independent directors declined to comment. Neither Mr. Laurinaitis nor an attorney for Mr. McMahon responded to requests for comment. The company is cooperating with the board inquiry, a WWE spokesman said. Mr. McMahon’s relationship with the former paralegal was consensual, the spokesman said, adding that the company is taking the allegations seriously. 

In a June 8 letter to the Journal, Mr. McMahon’s attorney, Jerry McDevitt, said that the former paralegal hadn’t made any claims of harassment against Mr. McMahon and that “WWE did not pay any monies” to the ex-employee “on her departure.” The investigation by the board’s outside counsel at Simpson Thacher and Bartlett LLP was triggered by a series of anonymous emails that directors received earlier this year, the Journal reported. The emails, reviewed by the Journal, described Mr. McMahon’s deal with the former paralegal and alleged that he and Mr. Laurinaitis took advantage of her. Mr. McMahon temporarily stepped aside as the chief executive and chairman of WWE on June 17, following the Journal report on the $3 million agreement with the former paralegal. Mr. McMahon has pledged to cooperate with investigators. 

His daughter, Stephanie McMahon, replaced him pending the outcome of the investigation, though Mr. McMahon still oversees WWE’s creative side, the company said. WWE shares closed at $62.51 on the day Mr. McMahon stepped aside and slid below $60 over the following days. Shares closed Thursday at $65.07. WWE describes Mr. McMahon as critical to the success of the company, which runs the world’s most famous wrestling business and reported record revenue of $1.1 billion last year. WWE said in regulatory filings that losing Mr. McMahon would put its entire business at risk. WWE’s revenue includes a five-year exclusive agreement with NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming platform struck in 2021 and valued at $1 billion. The company also has TV licensing agreements with Fox Corp. and NBCUniversal, and recently secured its first stand-alone international distribution deal with Disney Plus Hotstar in Indonesia. Fox Corp. and Journal parent News Corp share common ownership. 

Mr. McMahon owns a majority of WWE’s Class B shares, giving him the bulk of shareholders’ voting power, securities filings show. The Class B shares have 10 times the voting power of the Class A shares available to regular investors and are owned exclusively by Mr. McMahon, his family and trusts benefiting individual family members, the filings show. “The bar is going to be reasonably high to wrestle the business from family control,” said Brandon Ross, a research analyst at LightShed Partners who follows WWE. But he added that any outcome that would strip Mr. McMahon’s creative responsibilities would materially change the company. 

In 2006, Mr. McMahon made news after an employee at a Boca Raton, Fla., tanning salon accused him of groping her, according to a police report. The employee told police that Mr. McMahon showed her nude photos of himself on his phone and later tried to kiss her, the police report said. Mr. McMahon said “he was only trying to have a little fun,” according to the woman’s account in the police report. Mr. McMahon’s lawyer told police he denied any wrongdoing, the report said. Prosecutors declined to file charges, citing a lack of independent evidence, records show. Mr. McMahon’s wife, Linda McMahon, helped build the company and was WWE’s chief executive until she stepped down in 2009 for the first of two unsuccessful campaigns for the Senate. She served as head of the Small Business Administration under former President Donald Trump. Mrs. McMahon didn’t respond to requests for comment. Mr. McMahon said in an interview with Playboy magazine published in 2001 that he had been unfaithful to Mrs. McMahon with multiple women in prior years but had put a stop to the affairs after realizing “the havoc you create in others’ lives, just from wanting to have a good time.” 

Mr. McMahon’s affairs at the company were common knowledge, according to former WWE employees. The former paralegal to whom Mr. McMahon agreed to pay $3 million was brought into the company as a legal assistant in 2019, according to people familiar with the matter. She never applied for the job, these people said. Mr. McMahon had met her at his Stamford, Conn., condo building, where both were living, the people said. WWE placed her in the legal department because the woman’s resume said she had attended law school, the people said. The woman often talked with colleagues in the department about her close relationship with Mr. McMahon, the people familiar with the matter said. The talk about Mr. McMahon was so frequent that her boss asked her to stop, saying she was making other employees uncomfortable, according to one of the people. In 2021, the woman transferred from the legal department to talent relations under Mr. Laurinaitis, who returned to the role he had held a decade earlier. WWE considered raising the woman’s annual salary from $100,000 to around $300,000, at Mr. McMahon’s request, according to people familiar with the matter. The company settled on a base salary of $200,000 and a director-level position. An anonymous email sent to the board on March 30 this year, and viewed by the Journal, alleged that Mr. McMahon increased the woman’s salary after he began a sexual relationship with her. The email alleged that Mr. McMahon “gave her like a toy” to Mr. Laurinaitis. 

By Joe Palazzolo Ted Mann and Joe Flint at WSJ.com

Bruce Pritchard Named New Interim Head Of Talent Relations To Replace John Laurinaitis

WWE issued a memo to talents Monday evening following “Raw” announcing that Senior VP Bruce Prichard will be taking over as the Interim Head of Talent Relations effective immediately, according to PWInsider.

The memo also informed talents that John Laurinaitis has been placed on “administrative leave” in light of the serious allegations made against him and Vince McMahon. The memo added that Laurinaitis will not be on the road with WWE “pending the conclusion of our Board of Directors’ internal investigation.”

As noted earlier, Laurinaitis hasn’t been on the road since the WWE Board of Directors’ investigation was publicly revealed last week.

In the explosive Wall Street Journal story that dropped last week, it was alleged that McMahon had a consensual relationship with a WWE paralegal, and later agreed to a $3 million settlement in January 2022 to bar the person from commenting on the affair. While the investigation, which began on March 30, initially focused on McMahon’s settlement with the 41-year-old woman, it has since expanded into NDA agreements involving misconduct claims made by other former female WWE employees about McMahon and Laurinaitis.

Stephanie McMahon Named Interim WWE CEO And Chairwoman

WWE and its Board of Directors jointly released the following statement today:

Independent directors continue review of alleged executive misconduct Stephanie McMahon named interim CEO and interim Chairwoman

WWE and the Board of Directors today announced that a Special Committee of the Board is conducting an investigation into alleged misconduct by its Chairman and CEO Vincent McMahon and John Laurinaitis, head of talent relations, and that, effective immediately, McMahon has voluntarily stepped back from his responsibilities as CEO and Chairman of the Board until the conclusion of the investigation.  McMahon will retain his role and responsibilities related to WWE’s creative content during this period and remains committed to cooperating with the review underway.

The Special Committee has appointed Stephanie McMahon to serve as interim CEO and interim Chairwoman.

“I have pledged my complete cooperation to the investigation by the Special Committee, and I will do everything possible to support the investigation. I have also pledged to accept the findings and outcome of the investigation, whatever they are,” said Mr. McMahon.

“I love this company and am committed to working with the Independent Directors to strengthen our culture and our Company; it is extremely important to me that we have a safe and collaborative workplace.  I have committed to doing everything in my power to help the Special Committee complete its work, including marshaling the cooperation of the entire company to assist in the completion of the investigation and to implement its findings,” said Ms. McMahon.

WWE and its Board of Directors take all allegations of misconduct very seriously. The Independent Directors of the Board engaged independent legal counsel to assist them with an independent review. In addition, the Special Committee and WWE will work with an independent third-party to conduct a comprehensive review of the company’s compliance program, HR function and overall culture.

The Company and the Board do not expect to have further comment until the investigation is concluded.

Samoa Joe Says Triple H Contacted Him About NXT Return Hours After His Release, He’s Working In Talent Scouting Now

Samoa Joe‘s NXT return was put in motion just a few hours after he was initially released by WWE in April.

Samoa Joe was the latest guest on Out Of Character with Ryan Satin and he spoke about his return to NXT in a new “enforcer” role. Joe was released on April 15, but quickly returned to the company with the NXT brand on June 15. Speaking to Satin, Joe explained how John Laurinaitis called him and informed him of his release in April, and he was understanding due to his situation. He noted that the release was not expected, but he was relatively calm about it given the circumstances. He said a younger version of himself might have been worried, but you need to “roll, pivot” and move forward with his next projects.

“A few hours later, I get a call from Hunter and that all pretty much kinda changed.” [laughs]

Satin asked to clarify that the call from Triple H was only a few hours after being released by John Laurinaitis, Joe said it “essentially” happened that way.

“I had sent some company farewell texts to people to just say ‘it’s a pleasure working with you’, some people I genuinely enjoyed working with, some general thanks and ‘I’m sure we’ll talk down the road at some point’ [remarks] and then I got a text back [from Triple H]. [He said] ‘Give me a minute, I’m getting out of a meeting’ and we had a brief conversation, which was essentially ‘give us a little bit of time, I’ll work out a package and we’ll be talking soon,’” Joe said. “And that led to my return back to NXT.”

Asked if he had any reservations about coming back despite what had transpired, Joe said he didn’t before explaining what his new role will entail.

“No, and a lot of it was that me and Triple H had spoken about this transition in-depth, and it wasn’t just coming back to NXT and being an enforcer and having a role on the show. Now, I’m working in the talent scouting department, working with Canyon Ceman, a few more administrative things here and there behind the scenes,” Joe explained, “It’s a little bit of a transition for me into some of the other aspects of the business of WWE.

“It’s kind of an evolution of my journey, I’ve gone through the commentary production ranks and I’m working a little more on the behind-the-house type of things, so it was a really great, cool opportunity that Hunter offered me. And I’m still performing here within the bounds of WWE,” Joe noted, “so it was a very, very nice understanding that we have come to and I’m really excited about it.”

In regards to his new role, Joe said that he’s looking forward to giving looks to talent that might not otherwise get a chance in WWE. Joe was also asked about his potential in-ring return, and if it’s something he’s still pursuing. Joe said ‘absolutely’, adding that he’ll just say yes he’s working on it, and “we’ll leave it at that.”

credit:    WrestleZone

Triple H, Stephanie McMahon Publicly Apologize To Mickie James, Fire The Person Who Sent Her ‘Care Package’

Following Mickie James being sent a “care package” of her belongings in a garbage bag, multiple WWE executives have now stated that the person responsible for the disrespectful mishap has been fired.

Mickie James was released by WWE on Thursday, April 15, 2021. At the time, she stated that she was looking forward to going out and doing the things that “they said she couldn’t.”

One week later she took to social media to share that her belongings have been sent back to her in a trash bag with a sticky note attached, sharing her name. She later tweeted about this directly to Vince McMahon’s account and several WWE Executives including Triple H and Stephanie McMahon have apologized and stated that the individual has been fired. John Laurinaitis, head of Talent Relations, also posted an apology.

In Stephanie’s tweet, she’d directly address Mickie, saying that she felt embarrassed that something like that would ever happen on behalf of WWE.

Wrestling Inc. is reporting that WWE has fired Senior Director of Talent Relations Mark Carrano.

John Laurinaitis Is Once Again Leading WWE’s Talent Relations Department

According to a new report from F4WOnline.com, John Laurinaitis is once again working as WWE Head of Talent Relations.

Laurinatis’ new role will start immediately; he will officially serve as General Manager, Talent, and report to WWE Executive Vice President of Operations Brad Blum. Laurinaitis first stepped into the role in 2004, replacing Jim Ross, and held the position until he stepped down in 2012. “Johnny Ace” has since been working in WWE as a producer/road agent. In addition to his backstage and administrative roles, Laurinaitis served as an on-air General Manager personality from 2011-12 that promoted People Power.

F4W also explained that the talent relations department is being split into talent management and talent branding, the latter of which would essentially function as a talent agency to book outside appearances and projects for WWE Superstars.

WWE Issues Statement On Ashley Massaro Allegations

WWE has issued a statement in response to allegations made by lawyer Konstantine Kyros, who has represented several former WWESuperstars in concussion lawsuits against the company, including the late Ashley Massaro. Kyros has published an affidavit by Massaro that includes her allegations on how she was treated while with the company. Massaro alleged that she was sexually assaulted while visiting troops with WWE in Kuwait back in 2006.

Massaro alleged that she was drugged and raped by a man posing as a US Army doctor while in Kuwait on a tour of a US military base. She said she was examined by a WWE doctor after returning from the trip, and that the doctor reported the incident to WWE officials. Massaro alleged that WWE officials called her into a meeting, to apologize, and to persuade "her that it would be best not to report it to appropriate authorities." You can read all of her claims in the full affidavit via PDF by clicking here.

WWE's statement to the media in response to the allegations reads:

WWE is saddened by the death of Ashley Massaro, and we reiterate our condolences to her family. However, we regret that her attorney Konstantine Kyros, who filed multiple cases against WWE, lost all of them, and was sanctioned multiple times by the Court for repeated misconduct and false allegations, is using Ashley's death to further his malicious campaign against WWE by releasing an affidavit that she submitted to the Court and later apologized to WWE for being involved with, so we wish to make certain things crystal clear.

At no time was Vince McMahon or the management of WWE ever informed by Ashley Massaro or anybody else that she had been sexually assaulted, drugged, raped or sodomized by a military doctor with a nurse standing guard while on a goodwill tour in 2007 to U.S. military bases in Kuwait. In fact, if she ever articulated such a claim to WWE, we would have reported it immediately to the Base Commander.

At no time was there ever a meeting with Vince McMahon, Kevin Dunn, John Laurinaitis or other company executives in which she told them of such a claim and was instructed to keep it quiet.

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Full Details On WWE Total Divas Returning

WWE announced today that Total Divas will return to E! on Wednesday, November 16th at 8pm EST. E! just issued the following announcement on the sixth season:

LOS ANGELES, CA - October 5, 2016 - E!, WWE(R) and Bunim-Murray Productions' "Total Divas" returns for its fiery sixth season onWednesday, November 16 at 8pm ET/PT. Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eva Marie, Naomi (Trinity), Natalya (Nattie) and Paige will continue to give viewers an inside glimpse at the non-stop action of their professional careers and the drama of their everyday lives. In addition, season six will introduce fans to WWE Superstars Lana and Maryse and WWE announcer Renee Young.

This season, emotions are at an all-time high as all of the ladies come face-to-face with adversity and must grapple with separating their real life dilemmas from their in-ring careers. While rehabilitating an injury, Nikki Bella is determined to learn an entirely new style of performing in order to make a comeback and, against her sister Brie's wishes, she asks her recently retired brother-in-law Daniel Bryan(R) to coach her. While Brie might not agree with Nikki's decision to train with Daniel, she is plagued with her own difficult decision of retiring atWrestleMania 32 in order to start a family.

Despite how hard she has worked, Eva Marie is left confused about where she stands in her WWE career when she isn't scheduled for any television matches following WrestleMania 32. Now she has to cope with the possibility that her once red-hot career in WWE could be fizzling out. Nattie gets a shot to go for the WWE Women's Championship title, but the crowd doesn't know how to react to her new villain persona after years of being known as the good girl. She has to pull out all the stops to try and save her storyline. While Paige, who is dealing with an injury this season, Eva and Nattie are all going through major challenges with their respective careers, Trinity lands a role in WWE's newest film, The Marine 5: Battleground, where she will star as a biker assassin.

New cast member Lana is in full swing with the planning of her over-the-top circus-themed Malibu wedding to fellow WWE Superstar Rusev(R), but cultural differences within their families start to cause a rift when it's discovered that the nuptials will not be held in his native country of Bulgaria. WWE announcer Renee Young joins this season and takes on the role of mediator as she tries to help the group with their issues in and out of the ring, all while juggling her romantic relationship with WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose(R). Finally, all hell breaks loose when former two-time WWE Divas Champion and wife of WWE Superstar Mike "The Miz(R)" Mizanin, Maryse makes an unexpected return to WWE after a five-year absence. With all of the women longing to stake their claim as the top contender for the Women's Championship, Maryse worries that even as a returning veteran she will have to reestablish herself with the fans and in the locker room. She knows in order to be the top woman in WWE, it's not about being better than you were yesterday; it's about being the best, period.

Season six of E!'s hit "Total Divas" returns on Wednesday, November 16 at 8pm ET/PT. "Total Bellas" E!'s highly anticipated spinoff of "Total Divas" premieres tonight at 8pm ET/PT on E!

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Premiere Date And More Set For WWE Total Bellas

E! SETS PREMIERE DATE FOR NEW SERIES "TOTAL BELLAS"

WWE Superstars The Bella Twins(TM), John Cena(R) and Daniel Bryan(R) Move In Under One Roof in New Spin-Off Series Premiering Wednesday, October 5 at 8:00pm ET/PT

LOS ANGELES, CA - June 27, 2016 - Two's company, three's a crowd, and these four - are just too much to handle. E! Entertainment exposes the Raw and real lives of WWE(R) Superstars Nikki and Brie Bella when "Total Bellas," spin-off of E!'s mega-hit series "Total Divas," premieres Wednesday, October 5 at 8:00pm ET/PT. The six, one-hour episodes will give viewers an exclusive, intimate look into the VIP lives of the Bellas and their fellas, John Cena and Daniel Bryan, as the four distinctly unique and comical personalities coexist under one roof for the first time.

Although these twins share the same genes, they will never share the same jeans as living together was more tolerable when they just shared a womb. The free-spirited, vegan-loving, live-and-let-live lifestyle of Brie and Bryan has always clashed with the fancy panache of the designer handbag-loving Nikki and the meticulously organized tendencies of John. However, when the four world-renowned WWE Superstars move in under one roof, the comical clash of titans rings all throughout the suburbs of Tampa, FL.

The series kicks-off with Nikki and John being sidelined by injuries and Daniel's recent retirement from the ring. This docu-series will follow the odd-couple relationships of these eccentric WWE Superstars as Brie does her best to nurse, not only Nikki, but John and Daniel back to health, all while trying to retain their sanity. With Nikki's recent neck surgery, Brie's retirement at WrestleMania(R), Daniel's untimely retirement from WWE, and John's rising profile in Hollywood, fans will get an exclusive beyond-the-ropes glimpse into how these dynamic individuals juggle their reality and prepare for their uncertain futures.

"Total Bellas" is produced by WWE and Bunim/Murray Productions. Gil Goldschein, Jeff Jenkins and Russell Jay are Executive Producers for Bunim/Murray Productions. Kevin Dunn is Executive Producer for WWE. Nikki Bella and Brie Bella also serve as Executive Producers.

A house divided cannot stand... in stilettos. "Total Bellas" premieres Wednesday, October 5 at 8:00pm ET/PT only on E!

Road Warrior Animal on Why the Road Warriors Bothered Vince McMahon, Why The Ascension is Failing, Authors of Pain – Ellering in NXT, More

This week, The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling were joined by one half of the greatest tag team of all time, Legion of Doom member Road Warrior Animal. The Road Warriors held tag team gold in nearly every promotion they were ever a part of and specifically are remembered as former AJPW, AWA, NWA and WWE Tag Team Champions. John and Chad explore with Animal the origins of the Road Warrior look, sound and feel as well as the impact they have had on the wrestling business. They are often imitated but never duplicated and although it was always “doomsday” for their opponents, now it’s time for the listeners to the feel the rush of the L.O.D.

Below are some interview highlights:

Paul Ellering’s surprise NXT appearance, initial impression of the Authors of Pain and the “Road Warrior” comparison:

“I talked to Paul and he doesn’t even know if it was a onetime deal or what it is. He’s only going out there with them for one TV so I don’t know if it’s going to be any permanent deal or what but what a great name right? You can’t think of anything better than Authors of Pain? That’s so close to the Powers of Pain you would think they would be able to find a different name. But Paul Ellering is a great guy, a great manager and best of luck to the guys. I hope everybody makes it in the world of pro wrestling but it’s going to be pretty hard to duplicate anything that Hawk and I have done.”

How The Ascension attempted to capitalize on the unique “Road Warrior look” and taking shots at the legendary team:

“Here’s the thing with Hawk and I. We were the Road Warriors. We were the Road Warriors in and out of the ring, we were that way before wrestling and we didn’t have to fake anything. We didn’t have to fake our interviews, didn’t have to imitate anyone because we were us. The time to try to imitate people and try to copy somebody it never works because everyone always remembers the original.

The originals are something everyone remembers and I don’t know why over the years guys if they call it a tribute because it’s almost like the kiss of death. Right away you get good fans that say ‘oh crap’ they will never be the Road Warriors and when you mention Hawk and I’s name in an interview that even kills you off further because now you get people saying that if Hawk were here even though Animal can kill you by himself if Hawk were here they both would kill you.”

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What Happened After Raw Went Off The Air?

After HHH performed the Pedigree on Orton, the ring cleared leaving HHH, Steph, Kane, and Cena standing together looking at Orton. The three Authority figures then left and Cena called for a mic, getting a pop for mentioning Seahawk football before challenging Orton to a dark match main event. Both titles were hanging over the ring for the short match, which saw Orton get disqualified for using a chair. Cena recovered and performed an AA on Orton, then called for the mic again.

Cena requested Daniel Bryan come out, and after a short exchange about being near Bryan's hometown called for a Daniel-roonie. Booker T came out, and as he was walking to the ring the Wyatt family got out from where they were hiding under the ring and sprinted up the ramp to the back, getting a long laugh from the crowd. Cena claimed he was seeing things and blamed it on our coffee. Once Booker was in the ring, Bryan and Cena each did weak versions of the Spinaroonie, playing to the crowd. Booker called out John Laurinaitis, Titus O'Neill, Stephanie McMahon (!), and finally CM Punk in turn and each also did a Spinaroonie. Punk came out barefoot in a hoodie and briefs, not even his ring trunks. After Punk's spin, he went and hugged Steph. Booker thanked the crowd for our attendance and the show ended at about 8:45pm local.

source: wrestlezone.com

Rumor Mill - Changes Within WWE Talent Relations

In regards to how the talent relations department is now operating within WWE, Triple H is now nearly in full control after a variety of changes were made in recent months according to a report by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Gerald Brisco is the main scout, while Triple H and his team decide on who to offer developmental deals to.

Thus far the changes have been described as being "handled far better in the last year" when it comes to who has been brought in after Triple H took over for John Laurinaitis this year. Where things stand in terms of improvements to the roster down the line remains to be seen.

Former WWE Developmental Wrestler Files Lawsuit Against WWE and Others, Citing Fraud, Injuries, Non-Payment of Medical Bills, Hazing and More

Note: Despite his claims in the lawsuit, PWInsider.com has confirmed that Brian Jack was never signed to a WWE developmental contract. He was working in FCW trying to earn himself a deal, but was not "sent there by WWE."

Brian Jack, a professional wrestler from Wisconsin who worked in WWE developmental FCW several years ago under the name Buck Wild, is suing WWE, a number of executives, wrestlers Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix, Dr. James Andrews and Shed Media, the production company for the most recent version of WWE Tough Enough, bringing a myriad of accusations against the assembled defendants.

In a lawsuit filed in The United States District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin on 11/30, Jack alleges:

*He "told WWE Corporate about hazing, threats, sexual harassment and more" but was told to "work it out with [FCW head] Steve Keirn."

*Keirn broke his "neck, pelvis, backbone, thumb" and left him with a badly injured right leg that Jack has had to deal with for several years.

*That Anthony Carelli (Santino Marella) attempted to get Jack to commit homeowner's fraud to make an insurance claim and that "WWE" wanted him to get into a "staged car wreck so their developmental insurance wouldn't take a hit."

*That he reached out to the Hilsborough Police Department in Florida but they "pulled out of a sting" and he later needed to borrow money to get home to Wisconsin.

*That after two years of trying to get WWE to fix his leg to no avail, he was contacted and flown down to Dr. James Andrews. Jack claimed that Andrews "checked me for a wire, asked me bizare questions, gave me a MRI, tried to run me through POMCO (workman's comp), then I was told by knee was still damaged by 1 of the 3 people in the room with Dr. Andrews."

*That he is still being billed and in collections years after he was instructed by WWE to send them the bills after returning from Dr. Andrews.

*That WWE "used Shed Media USA to fraud" him into believing he would be on the cast of Tough Enough in order to get him to sign a contract that would release WWE of any and all liabilities "before, during and after" production of the series. Jack claimed that when he brought it to their attention, they promised to send another contract removing that clause and never did. He claimed he never signed the contract because it would release WWE from paying the bills and he would be stuck with the expenses.

*Jack is also alleging that he has been slandered via employees of a company titled "Kwik Trip" who were contacted by WWE and that the slander has spread to his friends and landlord.

Jack notes in his filing that he sued WWE in 2011 and is awaiting an appeal on that lawsuit. Information on that suit was not immediately available.

Named in the suit are WWE, current and former WWE executives Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis (former head of WWE Talent Relations), Ty Bailey (former VP of Talent Relations), Kristin Actman (who would book extras for WWE TV), wrestlers Santino Marella and Beth Phoenix (her reason for being listed is never explained), Shed Media USA and Kwik Trip Inc.

Jack was down in WWE developmental several years ago and YouTube Video he posted on his account shows him performing as "Buck Wild" in front of an empty FCW Arena as well a test promo for his persona.

Interestingly, the channel also features a video where he describes his injuries in FCW as an "unfortunate, terrible accident".

In the suit, Jack asked the court to bring the defendants together to settle the issue so he can finally get the surgery he needs to move on with his life. He also requests that the case be heard in Wisconsin, where he resides, as WWE took him from there when they "placed him" in Tampa.

As of this writing, there has been no response to the lawsuit.

source: pwinsider.com