Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon and WWE may soon move out of public court.
In a major update according to POST Wrestling, Grant, McMahon, and WWE filed a joint motion in the U.S. District Court for the District of Connecticut asking to delay the June 16 hearing while they discuss potentially moving the dispute into confidential arbitration. The full filing stated:
“PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the parties respectfully submit this joint motion for a short adjournment of the upcoming hearing on Defendants’ Motions to Compel Arbitration and Plaintiff’s Renewed Motion for Leave to Serve Motion-Related Discovery, which is currently scheduled for June 16, 2026. The parties are in active discussions regarding a potential agreement to arbitrate the dispute in confidential arbitration that would moot those motions. 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.”
This is a major shift because Grant had previously fought WWE and McMahon’s attempt to force arbitration. Her legal team argued that the NDA should not block the case from being heard publicly, claiming she was under severe distress when the agreement was finalized. Grant previously stated:
“I have no memories of the arbitration clause. I do not remember discussing it with either Vince or my attorney. I do not recall reviewing it. I do not recall either McDevitt or my attorney making revisions to it. I was in an extreme state of distress, sleep deprivation, and fear throughout the entirety of the NDA period, including during the drafting of the arbitration provision. I do not recall agreeing to arbitrate.”
McMahon and WWE have long pushed for arbitration, citing the clause in the $3 million nondisclosure agreement Grant signed with McMahon in 2022. If the case moves into confidential arbitration, much of the legal battle would happen outside public view.
The filing does not explain why Grant’s position appears to have changed. Her attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment, McMahon’s representatives declined to comment, and WWE’s press representatives had not responded.
Grant’s lawsuit, filed in January 2024, includes graphic allegations of sex trafficking and sexual abuse against McMahon, who denies the allegations. WWE is accused of negligence for allegedly allowing the abuse to happen. Former WWE executive John Laurinaitis was also previously named as a defendant before being dropped from the case in May 2025 after agreeing to provide evidence. Laurinaitis has denied the allegations against him.
The lawsuit followed the 2022 scandal involving alleged misconduct and NDA payments, which led to internal and government investigations. McMahon first resigned from WWE in July 2022 before returning six months later. He later resigned from all roles with WWE and TKO after Grant’s lawsuit was filed.
For now, Judge Sarah F. Russell has not ruled on the joint motion. However, since all parties are asking for the delay together, the June 16 hearing will likely be postponed while they continue arbitration talks.
This update could mark a major turning point in the case. After months of fighting over whether the lawsuit should stay public, all sides are now discussing a confidential arbitration process that could move one of wrestling’s biggest legal battles behind closed doors.
What do you think about Janel Grant, Vince McMahon, and WWE discussing confidential arbitration? Should this case remain public, or is private arbitration the right move? Let us know your thoughts and feedback in the comments below.
