CORRECTIONVILLE, IOWA – As the excitement builds for WrestleMania season, the shadow of Vince McMahon looms large over WWE. McMahon, the former WWE and TKO Chairman, finds himself embroiled in a scandalous 67-page lawsuit filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant, which has created a dark cloud over the company. The lawsuit alleges sex trafficking and misconduct by McMahon, prompting a deepening crisis for WWE.
Civil litigation attorney Ryan Saba, renowned for his legal expertise, commented on McMahon’s troubling situation. Saba highlighted that McMahon’s potential to damage the company as a key member of its executive board was previously acknowledged in SEC filings. Saba emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to assess the validity of the allegations and to determine the company’s liability. If liability is established, Saba advised WWE to swiftly settle the case, although he acknowledged that the woman involved may choose to pursue a public trial.
In response to the lawsuit, McMahon’s spokesperson vehemently denied the accusations, labeling the lawsuit as filled with lies and a distortion of the truth. However, WWE’s problems with McMahon are set to worsen, as questions arise about the credibility of the internal investigation conducted by Simpson and Thatcher. The Wall Street Journal reported that Grant, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, considered the investigation a sham, as she was not interviewed as part of the probe. Furthermore, additional allegations have surfaced involving other members of McMahon’s inner circle, both current and former WWE executives.
The situation is further complicated by the resurfacing of sexual assault allegations made by former WWE Superstar Ashley Massaro. In 2016, Massaro accused WWE of targeting female wrestlers during a military Base tour in Kuwait. Although Massaro apologized for her involvement in a class-action lawsuit against WWE in 2018, an unreleased affidavit contradicted her apology. Tragically, Massaro took her own life in May 2019.
Amidst the turmoil surrounding McMahon, a federal investigation into WWE’s activities related to the sex trafficking lawsuit looms large. This controversy has already impacted WrestleMania plans, as McMahon’s downfall has resulted in the removal of top star Brock Lesnar from the event. The absence of Lesnar, who has been a prominent figure at WrestleMania for the past decade, has forced WWE to revise its plans.
As WWE finds itself mired in scandal and under federal investigation, the once-resilient company now faces a vulnerable future. The fallout from the lawsuit and the scrutiny surrounding the actions of WWE executives threaten to cast a long shadow over the organization’s upcoming events.