While former WWE employee Janel Grant is not featured in the new Netflix documentary Mr. McMahon, her lawsuit which outlines the allegations against Vince McMahon is discussed in-depth.
In 2020, Chris Smith and Bill Simmons unveiled Mr. McMahon as a multi-part documentary examining the WWE co-founder and his journey in creating a wrestling empire. Initially, it seemed unlikely that the documentary would delve beyond McMahon’s public persona.
This changed dramatically in 2022, when the first wave of sexual misconduct allegations emerged, prompting McMahon to resign. Although he returned to lead the WWE and UFC merger at TKO, he officially stepped down following Janel Grant’s lawsuit that accuses him of sexual assault and trafficking.
While these issues are addressed in Netflix’s documentary, most of the significant WWE figures involved did not participate in additional interviews, leaving this part of the narrative largely to the journalists who broke the story. So, where is Janel Grant now? Warning: some may find this content distressing.
Where is Janel Grant now?
Janel Grant is a Connecticut resident who is currently maintaining a low profile as her legal proceedings are still active. Her legal team held a press conference ahead of the release of Mr. McMahon, emphasizing their hope that Grant receives her day in court and has the opportunity to narrate her own story.
This announcement came after Grant hired the public relations firm WeDK, which has previously represented survivors of notable figures such as Harvey Weinstein, Marilyn Manson, and Jeffrey Epstein.
In a press statement released by WeDK earlier this month, they stated, “Janel Grant is a survivor of unimaginable abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking at the hands of Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE.
“She has bravely come forward to seek justice for herself and others, and we are proud to support her in sharing her story.”
Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, remarked, “SKDK has an established history of empowering survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking. We anticipate our collaboration will help us secure justice for our client, Janel Grant.”
During the press call, Callis discussed the “extreme cruelty” and “daily violence” Grant allegedly experienced while at WWE, which has led to her developing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
Grant was employed at WWE from June 2019 until March 2022, having first met McMahon in March 2019. She filed her lawsuit in January 2024, alleging that “McMahon coerced Ms. Grant into a physical relationship in exchange for long-promised employment at WWE.”
While her legal team expressed their hopes that the Netflix docuseries would honor her narrative, Callis indicated that it merely “scratches the surface” of the story.
In a statement shared with Wrestlenomics journalist Brandon Thurston, Grant’s attorney said, “The docuseries makes it evident that there is no distinction between Vince McMahon’s television character and his true self; they are identical.
“His ‘character’—known for violent outbursts, sexual deviance, and manipulation—represents the real Vince McMahon, which Janel Grant endured behind the scenes at WWE for years.”
“While the docuseries showcases McMahon’s thirst for power and control, it only touches the surface of his criminal actions and fails to reveal the full extent of his abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking against Ms. Grant.”
In May, it was reported that Grant agreed to pause her lawsuit at the request of the U.S. Justice Department. This does not mean her case has been dismissed; it is merely on hold as the federal investigation into McMahon’s allegations continues.
Why Grant wasn’t in Mr. McMahon
Many viewers questioned Grant’s absence from Mr. McMahon, but Callis explained that “Janel deserves the chance to narrate her full story, rather than being part of someone else’s narrative.”
There may also be legal considerations. With an active lawsuit, it’s possible that Grant opted to steer clear of the documentary to avoid any statements or claims that could complicate her legal situation.
New comment from Janel Grant’s attorney Ann Callis on the Mr. McMahon Netflix docuseries: “The ‘Mr. McMahon’ docuseries makes it clear there is no difference between Vince McMahon’s on-air persona and his true self; they are one and the same. His ‘character’—known for violent…
— Brandon Thurston (@BrandonThurston) September 25, 2024
Chris Vannini from The Athletic inquired during the press briefing whether the creators had invited Grant to appear in their series, but Callis did not confirm or deny this. Instead, she reiterated that Grant should have the autonomy to share her story on her own terms.
This sentiment was reinforced at the end of Callis’s latest statement, which emphasized, “She merits the chance to tell her story, at her own pace, in her own way. We eagerly await her day in court and the accountability of McMahon for his actions.”
McMahon allegations explained
Grant’s lawsuit, first obtained by the Wall Street Journal, claims McMahon coerced her into a sexual relationship and “sought individuals to engage in sexual relations with Ms. Grant and/or both of them.”
The former WWE executive is also accused of “distributing sexually explicit images and videos” of Grant to other men both within and outside the company.
McMahon allegedly requested customized sexual content from Grant for an unnamed wrestler he was attempting to re-sign. Reports suggest this wrestler was Brock Lesnar, according to sources close to the situation reported by the Wall Street Journal.
“McMahon also subjected Ms. Grant to acts of extreme cruelty and degradation that caused her to dissociate or numb herself to cope with the traumatic experiences,” the lawsuit claims.
“As an illustration of McMahon’s severe depravity, on May 9, 2020, he defecated on Ms. Grant during a threesome and then commanded her to continue servicing his ‘friend’ while covered in feces.”
In a separate incident in 2021, McMahon and Laurinaitis are accused of sexually assaulting Grant in the WWE headquarters during business hours, “taking turns restraining her for the other.”
Throughout this period, McMahon allegedly instructed Grant to keep their relationship concealed unless otherwise directed. “He asserted complete control over both her personal and professional lives.”
After McMahon’s wife Linda reportedly became aware of Grant, he is accused of informing her that Grant’s employment would cease while pressuring her to sign a non-disclosure agreement, warning her that failure to comply would lead to “reputational ruin” and expose her to McMahon’s extensive legal resources.
The lawsuit indicates that Grant has been left “physically and mentally” devastated, suffering from “debilitating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and suicidal thoughts.”
Although McMahon has denied the allegations, he stepped down from his role at TKO. As the federal investigation progresses, this case remains active.
For further insights, check out five other shocking moments in Mr. McMahon, why WWE has faced accusations of promoting “racist trash” , how to view Hulk Hogan’s poorly received film, Stephanie McMahon’s earlier Mike Tyson blunder, and Vince’s unsettling scrapped incest storyline.
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