Tag: Janel Grant

WOR: Grant suit, Billy Jack, excellent AEW and NXT TV

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the latest on Janel Grant and Vince McMahon, the Billy Jack Haynes DSOTR, Arena Mexico, Smashing Machine praise, New Japan and Best of the Super Juniors, full AEW and NXT TV reports, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Update on Janel Grant/Vince McMahon case, Trump administration looking to cut concussion research
9:35: NJPW notes on Resurgence and BOSJ
15:18: WWE Backlash & UFC lineups, CMLL announces AEW talent for upcoming Arena Mexico shows & other notes
24:40: ‘Smashing Machine’ Oscar buzz, Billy Jack Haynes Dark Side of the Ring
34:11: Ratings
38:57: AEW Dynamite recap
1:03:17: WWE NXT recap

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WOL: Grant vs. McMahon, NXT TV, plus THEKLA!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including Janel Grant vs. Vince McMahon latest, Dynamite tonight, a great NXT on Tuesday, and more. Then we are joined by THEKLA to talk pro-wrestling, art and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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WOR: Grant, Droese, RAW report, AEW and ECW Arena

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including legal issues for Duke Droese, the latest on McMahon and Janel Grant, New Japan Dontaku, AAA/WWE signings, the Righteous gone from AEW, Billy Jack Haynes DSOTR, ratings, RAW, AEW and the ECW Arena, and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Duke Droese indicted, doctor in Vince McMahon vs. Janel Grant case files defamation suit against lawyer
8:00: AAA signings, WWE stars at Triplemania Regia
14:20: The Righteous gone from AEW
16:08: NJPW Wrestling Dontaku thoughts
28:10: Dark Side of the Ring on Billy Jack Haynes, ratings
36:06: WWE Raw recap, lineups for the coming week

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WOL: Bryan and Filthy on WWE cuts, Grant case, Smackdown

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including the latest lawsuit filings regarding Janel Grant, all the WWE cuts and what happened with each of them, Smackdown thoughts, RAW and AEW and NXT lie-ups, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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WOR: WWE lawsuits, Stardom, RAW report, news!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including updates on the WWE lawsuits, both Janel Grant and the ringboys, Stardom updates from the last show, AEW and Arena Mexico, Bryan Danielson’s future, ratings, the RAW report, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Three more plaintiffs come forward in ring boy scandal lawsuit, latest on Janel Grant suit
16:40: Mayu Iwatani’s destination, Meiko Satomura retires, other Stardom notes
20:55: Naomi says she doesn’t think she’ll wrestle much longer, Bryan Danielson’s future
25:01: AEW Grand Slam Mexico likely to sell out, anniversary of Lou Thesz’s death
32:23: Ratings, estimate on when SmackDown is moving back to two hours, WWE Backlash card, JDC update
37:51: WWE Raw recap

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Roman Reigns comments on Vince McMahon allegations, expresses sympathy for Janel Grant

Posted on by Joseph Currier

While speaking with Vanity Fair ahead of WrestleMania, Roman Reigns commented on the allegations made against Vince McMahon and expressed sympathy for McMahon’s accuser Janel Grant.

Grant filed a lawsuit in January 2024 accusing McMahon of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking. The lawsuit, which also names WWE and John Laurinaitis as defendants, remains ongoing. McMahon maintains his innocence but is no longer with WWE or its parent company TKO Group after resigning in the wake of the lawsuit.

Reigns (Joe Anoa’i) told Vanity Fair that McMahon’s alleged behavior is embarrassing, and he hopes Grant is in a place where she feels comfortable and secure.

Vanity Fair wrote:

Anoa’i tells me that the allegations from Grant are a stain on WWE. ‘She’s got to live with all these situations that happened and hopefully she’s in a place where she feels comfortable and she’s secure in her own place,’ he says of Grant. ‘It’s embarrassing. That’s stuff you don’t want to hear about. You don’t want your family to hear about.’ Anoa’i says McMahon reached out last year to wish him a happy birthday, but the former CEO and chairman has, by all accounts, completely removed himself from WWE affairs.

Elsewhere in the Vanity Fair story, Reigns revealed that his WWE contract is set to expire after WrestleMania 42 in 2026. Reigns said that he probably will only wrestle “another year or two max” after that.

Reigns will be in one of the main events of WrestleMania 41 this weekend with his triple threat match against CM Punk and Seth Rollins set to headline night one on Saturday.

Daily Update: Conor McGregor, Janel Grant lawsuit, WWE tour results

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

March 31, 2025 Observer Newsletter: WWE WrestleMania & AEW Dynasty lineups take shape, controversial TNA firings

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer:

  • The latest on WrestleMania and AEW Dynasty, card changes, injuries tickets sold, and ticket interest.
  • NCAA wrestling tournament rundown, the biggest upset in modern tournament history, Dan Gable talks Gable Steveson, Hodge Trophy, and records set
  • Firings at TNA and what is behind them
  • CMLL El Homenaje a Dos Leyendas
  • The life and times of George Foreman
  • The amazing life of Bill Mercer and the glory days of World Class Championship Wrestling
  • Cain Velasquez sentencing
  • The most detailed look at the TV ratings from the past week, including competition, demographics and quarters
  • Universal champion of champions tournament
  • CMLL vs. MLW at Arena Mexico
  • The new La Parka
  • AAA Rey de Reyes notes
  • Chris Bey benefit show
  • Another wrestling TV special
  • Death of historian Dave Cameron
  • Death of Julio Estrada
  • Hall of Fame in North Carolina?
  • El Hijo del Santo sad retirement notes
  • New book coming out on 90s wrestling
  • More on Saraya leaving AEW
  • Ticket sales for upcoming WWE & AEW shows
  • International TV ratings and streaming numbers
  • Conor McGregor wants to run for President of Ireland
  • TKO exects pocket $278 million in latest transaction
  • Former WWE name openly talks about a return
  • WWE value

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Sunday Update

  • Bryan and I will be back tonight covering the weekend news and there is a lot of it. Our weekend show where we got into a ton of history and current news regarding Mania build, AEW’s getting boosted by the NCAA tournament, George Foreman and Bill Mercer, is on the site right now.
  • Janel Grant’s legal team has asked the court to let discovery and depositions start in her lawsuits against WWE, Vince McMahon and John Laurinaitis.  All three defendants are trying to delay saying that until the judge rules regarding if the case can go forward or has to go to arbitration that such a thing should start. They are asking for internal communications and records from anyone they believe is significantly related to the case, current or former executives, employees contractors or agents at WWE, TKO and Endeavor all documents related to Vince McMahon’s payments to multiple women as well as travel records for McMahon, Laurinaitis and Brock Lesnar. (thanks to Post Wrestling)
  • The UFL opened its season Friday. Dwayne Johnson had flight problems and missed the game.  The players had sent a letter to him regarding not agreeing to management terms and wanting pay increases and health care benefits and wanted to present it to him noting he himself was a former football player. I’m not suggesting one had to do with the other, but the labor issue there is real.  
  • The back issue up on the site today is a very interesting one including WWE suspending a ton of wrestlers regarding a couple of PED investigations as well as the death of one of the most influential figures in pro wrestling history, Jim Barnett.
  • Last night’s UFC did 130,000 searches. It aired on ESPN 2 as opposed to just ESPN+, as was from Arena Ciudad in Mexico City with Brandon Moreno beating Steve Erceg in the main event.
  • WWE last night in Vienna, Austria:
  • Seth Rollins b Dominik Mysterio via pedigree
  • Jey Uso b Ludwig Kaiser.  Both were cheered but Jey was cheered more.  Kaiser pretended to do the yeet and attacked Jey because they knew he’d be cheered
  • Lyra Valkyria b Zoey Stark to keep the IC title.  No crowd reaction for these two
  • LA Knight b Shinsuke Nakamura to keep the US titel
  • Randy Orton & Chris  Sabin & Alex Shelley b Miz & Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa
  • Penta b Chad Gable
  • Rhea Ripley b Liv Morgan in a street fight after also putting Raquel Rodirguez through a table
  • Gunther b CM Punk in a cage match to keep the world title.  Punk got a mixed reaction.  Gunther was cheered like crazy in Vienna.  Punk knew his role and did a heel promo   saying nobody boos someone from Chicago.  Punk then cut a promo after thanking the fans for being great and said what a great champion Gunther was.  Gunther and Punk then sang together after the match (thanks to Markus Weinold)
  • The Mark Hitchock Super show has added Zack Sabre Jr. & Bad Dude Tito & Shane Haste vs. Hechicero & Michael Oku & Flip Gordon on 4/17 in Las Vegas.
  • We’re looking for reports on these shows:
  • TNA Friday night in St. Joseph, MO
  • TNA last night in St. Joseph, MO
  • WWE today in Amsterdam, Holland.

We’re looking for results, finishes and highlights to [email protected].

  • Charlie Dempsey vs. MMA legend Shinya Aoki takes place on the 4/17 Bloodsport show in Las Vegas.
  • Kurt Angle, Kane, Swerve Strickland, Jake Roberts, Booker T, Jim Ross. Jerry Lawler, Ric Flair, Earl Hebner and the Steiners appeared yesterday at  Galaxy Con in Richmond, VA.  (thanks to Samuel Batts).
  • Stepanie Vaquer was at the UFC show last night in Mexico City and was shown and iD’d on the broadcast.
  • Shun Skywalker & Homare won the Rey de Parejas tournament in Deragon Gate beating Kota Minoura & Jason Lee in the finals today in Kobe.
  • Mina Shirakawa’s last match in Stardom with her contract expiring and going to AEW will be on Tuesday at Korakuen Hall against Maika.
  • Mayu Iwatani faces Syuri for the IWGP women’s title in the semifinal of the 4/27 show at the Yokohama arena with Saya Kamitani vs. Tam Nakan loser must retire for the World of Stardom title.
  • At the Rizin show today, Kyoji Horiguchi announced he was vacating their flyweight title and said he was going to the UFC with his goal to become the first Japanese born UFC champion. Rizin announced a tournament for the title. Horiguchi was in UFC 2013-2016 and lost when challenging Demetrious Johnson for the flyweight title. Ariel Helwani broke this news regarding Horiguchi returning a few days ago.
  • Geoff Neal is injured and off UFC 314, where he was to face Carlos Prates.
  • NWA has announced for its 5/17 Crockett Cup show in Philadelphia that Mike Knox & Trevor Murdoch are the first team announced. Thom Latimer vs. Rhino for the NWA title takes place on the show plus the debut of Natalya, who is going on loan from WWE.
  • Rich Swann joins PCO and Bishop Dyer in the 20 man Rumble for the Maple Leaf Wrestling title on 5/10 in Toronto .
  • House of Glory announced a new resetling school in Orlando, FL, and they also intend to run shows in Orlando using talent trained there.
  • Great Lakes Wrestling will honor Baron Von Raschke on 5/3 in South Milwaukee, WI at the Bucyrus Club and Event Center. He’ll be doing a meet and greet. This will be part of Crusherfest.

Wrestling Observer Radio: Queen of the Ring review, UFC 313 recap

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our post-UFC 313 episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. Paul Fontaine joined us to go over the show as well as the news coming out of it.

Here were some of the rest of the topics we covered:

  • Queen of the Ring
  • Janel Grant
  • Jade Cargill & Shayna Baszler
  • Carmella
  • New Japan Cup
  • SmackDown highlights
  • AEW Revolution Zero Hour

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

Dave Meltzer on the latest developments in Janel Grant vs. Vince McMahon & WWE

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

The attorneys for Janel Grant filed their latest arguments regarding different claims and statements made in recent weeks by attorneys for Vince McMahon, WWE and John Laurinaitis.

The key claims are that Grant’s side added new things to the lawsuit that weren’t in the initial suit and that the new claims should be thrown out, claiming the new claims were done for more media coverage that has led to prejudice against Vince McMahon and more reputational harm.  They also complained that the delay in filing the new complaint was too long and that the SEC investigation has nothing to do with the case, nor does Dr. Carlon Colker, who was brought into the case with the amended lawsuit.

Click here to read the rest of this subscriber-only feature.

WOR: Grant vs. McMahon updates, Ryan Nemeth sues CM Punk, The Rock returns

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including the latest on the Vince McMahon vs. Janel Grant suit, Ryan Nemeth has filed suit against AEW and CM Punk, the Rock and whatever the hell that was on Smackdown, Collision and Smackdown reviews, and tons more. A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Eric Priest passes away

3:20: Vince McMahon, WWE, John Lauranitis respond to Janel Grant’s amended lawsuit, more on UFC settlement

18:36: Ryan Nemeth files lawsuit against CM Punk, AEW, Tony Khan

28:15: What is going on with The Rock

36:15: Clark Connors & CMLL stars doing dates for AEW, Mistico’s busy travel schedule

41:55: Ratings

43:37: WWE SmackDown

1:01:34: AEW Collision recap

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Lawyers for Vince McMahon and WWE file to oppose Janel Grant’s amended complaint

Posted on by Ethan Renner

The legal teams for Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis are still in lockstep following new legal filings Friday.

Lawyers for Vince McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis have filed opposition to Janel Grant’s amended complaint accusing McMahon of sexual abuse and sex trafficking and implicating WWE and Laurinaitis in the alleged crimes or alleged coverups.

The legal teams for McMahon, WWE, and Laurinaitis all filed motions in US District Court in Connecticut on Friday in opposition of the amended lawsuit Grant’s team filed last month. McMahon’s team was first to file opposition, then Laurinaitis, then WWE.

McMahon’s lawyer Jessica Rosenberg argued in the opposition filing that the amended lawsuit from Grant’s side is in “bad faith,” suggesting that the amendment was simply a public relations play, and arguing that Grant should be held to the NDA she signed prior to filing the original lawsuit.

WWE’s filings state that Grant’s amended lawsuit does nothing to refute WWE’s motion that the lawsuit should be settled in private arbitration. All three defendants have argued for private arbitration with regard to the original lawsuit.

Grant’s amended lawsuit introduced new evidence and new information regarding those at WWE that Grant’s team say were aware of McMahon’s alleged abuse and helped cover it up.

A federal judge will rule as to whether Grant’s amended lawsuit will stand, or whether the suit will proceed as originally filed. The original lawsuit consisted of 68 pages, with the amended complaint comprised of 101 pages.

Original reporting on the filings comes from Post Wrestling’s John Pollock and Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics.

Vince McMahon’s lawyers say criminal investigation into former WWE chairman dropped

Posted on by Ian Carey

According to his lawyers, Vince McMahon is no longer under investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan had been investigating McMahon on potential criminal charges stemming from a lawsuit filed in January 2024 by former WWE employee Janel Grant against McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE. The lawsuit alleges sexual assault and trafficking during her time with the company. In June 2024, the DOJ requested a pause in Grant’s lawsuit to allow for a criminal investigation. It resumed in December after a six-month stay.

On Monday, the U.S. Second Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling that McMahon’s lawyer was wrong to withhold 208 pages of documents related to the case, rejecting their claim of attorney-client privilege. Barring an appeal to the Supreme Court, McMahon’s legal team will have to turn over the documents to a grand jury.

Today, McMahon’s lawyer, Robert W. Allen, released a statement to the New York Post dismissing the court’s ruling as irrelevant, stating that the documents will not be reviewed as part of a criminal investigation, as the case has been closed.

“This is simply the result of an appeal of a procedural matter that was argued five months ago,” Allen said. “We have been in consistent communication with the government since that time and understand, with no ambiguity, that the investigation has definitively concluded and will not result in charges.”

McMahon reached a settlement with the SEC last month over failing to disclose hush money payments to WWE, which led the company to adjust its financial statements in August 2022. As part of the agreement, he will pay a $400,000 civil penalty and reimburse WWE $1.33 million after being found to have violated the Securities Exchange Act.

While McMahon may no longer be facing criminal prosecution, as stated by his legal team, he still faces ongoing civil litigation related to the allegations. Recently, Grant’s lawyers filed an amended lawsuit, introducing new allegations and evidence against McMahon.

Vince McMahon lawyer wrongly withheld documents, court rules

Posted on by Ian Carey

A federal appeals court has ruled that a former lawyer for Vince McMahon was wrong to withhold documents related to McMahon’s handling of two hush money settlement deals with former WWE employees.

In September 2023, federal prosecutors subpoenaed McMahon’s lawyer, who is unnamed in court documents, along with their law firm, seeking all communications related to the settlements. One of the employees is believed to be Janel Grant, who reached a $3 million agreement with McMahon. Another $7.5 million settlement was made with an unnamed former WWE employee.

While some materials were turned over, McMahon’s lawyer withheld 208 pages of documents, citing attorney-client privilege. Prosecutors sought a court order for their release, and a lower court ruled in their favor.

On Monday, the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals upheld that ruling, stating the documents were not protected by attorney-client privilege due to the “crime or fraud” exception.

The appellate judges wrote, “Because the settlement agreements resolving the Victims’ claims were ‘structured and negotiated … to keep them hidden from (the Company),’ the district court found that ‘all communications about the claims and settlement agreements were made in furtherance of the criminal scheme to keep (the Company) and its auditors unaware of the allegations.'”

The court found reasonable grounds to believe McMahon and his lawyer “circumvented WWE’s internal controls,” created false records, and misled auditors to keep the settlements hidden. As a result, WWE had to revise its financial statements in August 2022 to account for the previously undisclosed payments.

Unless McMahon’s team appeals to the Supreme Court, they will be required to turn over the documents to the grand jury.

McMahon settled with the SEC last month over the undisclosed payments, agreeing to pay a $400,000 civil penalty and reimburse WWE $1.33 million.

WOR: AEW Grand Slam Australia, lawsuits filed against Vince McMahon

Posted on by Garrett Gonzales

Dave Meltzer and I are back with our Friday episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, talking about all the big news from today’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Here were some of the things we covered:

  • Jake Paul used for leverage by Canelo Alvarez
  • Dave’s story on the Janel Grant lawsuit
  • More on the Ring Boys lawsuit
  • Kevin Owens
  • AEW Grand Slam Australia
  • ROH TV talks
  • UFC 312
  • Lessons from Dave’s 1984 and 1989 books

Click here to listen (sub needed) or watch on YouTube (video sub needed)

F4D: Lance Storm on Royal Rumble and Janel Grant suit

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Figure Four Daily with Bryan Alvarez and Lance Storm is back with tons to talk about including Lance’s thoughts on the two Royal Rumble matches, the new Janel Grant lawsuit and what changes were made to it, and tons more. A fun show as always with Lance, so check it out~!

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