Janel Grant has officially filed paperwork to shut down her federal lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE, but the legal fight isn’t over. The case is being pulled out of public court and moved into private arbitration, where the allegations and defenses can continue behind closed doors.
Attorneys for Grant, McMahon and WWE filed a voluntary dismissal with prejudice on Friday. Grant cannot bring the same claims back to federal court, but all three sides are keeping the right to pursue their cases through arbitration. The filing via POST Wrestling states:
“Plaintiff Janel Grant, by and through her undersigned counsel, hereby files this voluntary dismissal of the above-captioned action. Plaintiff, Defendant World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC, and Defendant Vincent K. McMahon stipulate and agree that this action and all claims pled herein are hereby dismissed with prejudice, but without prejudice as to the Parties’ rights to pursue their claims and defenses in arbitration in accordance with their agreement to arbitrate.”
Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, signed the filing along with legal representatives for McMahon and WWE. McMahon is represented by Jessica Rosenberg of Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld, while WWE’s legal team is led by Daniel J. Toal of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison.
The filing follows an agreement between all three sides to move the entire dispute into arbitration. Grant’s attorneys had previously fought against that outcome, arguing that the nondisclosure agreement she signed with McMahon in 2022 and its arbitration clause should not be enforced.
Grant filed the lawsuit in January 2024, accusing McMahon of sexual assault and trafficking while claiming WWE enabled or concealed his conduct. McMahon has denied wrongdoing, and WWE has disputed the allegations. John Laurinaitis was originally named as a defendant but was later removed from the case.
The public court battle is now coming to an end, but Grant has not withdrawn her allegations, and McMahon and WWE have not admitted wrongdoing. The biggest difference is that whatever happens next may take place without public hearings, filings or testimony.
What do you think about the Janel Grant lawsuit being moved into private arbitration? Leave your feedback in the comments.
