Steve Carrier on April 3, 2026
This situation didn’t just blow up overnight — it built over years, and the latest court filings lay out a detailed timeline of what Janel Grant says happened inside WWE, what Vince McMahon is accused of doing, and why this case could either disappear… or get a lot worse.
Here’s the full breakdown of what we know so far, step-by-step, based on the latest filings and arguments from both sides.
2019 — Relationship Begins
Grant says her relationship with Vince McMahon started in 2019 while she worked in WWE’s legal department.
Her side claims it was never truly consensual and quickly became coercive. She described feeling physically and mentally drained early on, telling a friend she was exhausted and barely functioning during this time.
2020 — Rumors Spread And Control Allegations Increase
By early 2020, Grant says people inside WWE were already talking.
She claims McMahon told her executives knew about the relationship. Around the same time, she was moved out of her role and later brought back — something she believes was tied to those rumors.
She also alleges McMahon began sharing explicit photos of her without consent and started pushing for sexual encounters involving other men.
During the COVID lockdown period, she says McMahon had near-constant access to her, which escalated the situation further.
Late 2020 – Early 2021 — Laurinaitis And Alleged Encounters
Grant claims John Laurinaitis was brought into the situation toward the end of 2020.
She alleges McMahon arranged multiple encounters involving Laurinaitis and that her role inside WWE began shifting around this time.
In early 2021, she says she was moved out of the legal department and into Talent Relations — a move she believes gave McMahon easier access to her and more control over her day-to-day work environment.
She also claims WWE leadership, including Nick Khan and Brad Blum, were aware of the situation after McMahon disclosed it to them.
2021 — Brock Lesnar Allegations Surface
One of the most explosive parts of the filing involves Brock Lesnar. Grant claims McMahon brought Lesnar into the situation as part of both a personal and business dynamic. She says she was directed to create explicit content for Lesnar and that McMahon used her as part of negotiations tied to Lesnar’s WWE return.
She also alleges Lesnar contacted her directly, requested explicit material, and pushed for in-person meetings, including travel. At one point, she says a planned encounter didn’t happen because Lesnar “got too drunk.”
January 2022 — NDA Pressure And Breaking Point
Everything escalates fast in January 2022. Grant says McMahon pushed her to resign and sign an NDA, warning of serious consequences if the situation became public. She claims he made it clear his lawyer would need everything handled before speaking to WWE’s board.
She describes feeling trapped, sleep-deprived, and under intense pressure during this period.
According to the filing, McMahon offered her $1 million initially, which was later increased to $3 million.
January 28, 2022 — NDA Signed
Grant signed the NDA on January 28, 2022.
Her side claims she did so under extreme duress, saying she was threatened with public exposure, damage to her reputation, and broader consequences if she didn’t sign.
McMahon’s side argues she negotiated the payout herself — pointing to that as evidence she wasn’t forced.
February–March 2022 — Allegations Continue After NDA
Grant claims the situation didn’t end after the NDA.
She alleges McMahon continued to contact her and that interactions with Lesnar also continued. She says she was still being directed to engage and report back on communications.
She also claims additional incidents took place after the agreement was signed, which her legal team argues makes the NDA unenforceable.
Payment Dispute — $3 Million Deal Falls Apart
The agreement called for $3 million in payments over time.
Grant received the first $1 million, but McMahon stopped the remaining payments after claiming she violated the NDA by sharing information with a third party. Grant denies breaking the agreement and claims McMahon breached it by not paying.
2024–2026 — Lawsuit And Arbitration Fight
Grant filed her lawsuit in January 2024 instead of going through arbitration.
Now, the biggest question in the case is whether the NDA forces everything into private arbitration — or if the case can move forward in open court. Her legal team argues the NDA is invalid due to coercion, federal law changes, and alleged criminal conduct tied to how it was created. McMahon’s side argues the agreement is valid and enforceable.
A key ruling from Judge Sarah F. Russell is expected after a June 16 hearing — and that decision could determine whether this case continues publicly or effectively disappears into arbitration.
Where Things Stand Now
Right now, everything hinges on that ruling. If the case goes to arbitration, it likely stays private and ends quietly. If it moves forward in court, it opens the door to discovery, more evidence, and potentially a major public legal battle.
Either way, the filings already laid out a timeline that raises serious questions about what happened behind the scenes in WWE — and who knew about it.
What do you think happens next — does this case stay behind closed doors, or does it eventually go to trial and bring everything out publicly?
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