Janel Grant, Vince McMahon and WWE jointly filed to dismiss Grant’s federal lawsuit with prejudice after agreeing to continue their claims and defenses in private arbitration. The public court case is ending, but the underlying dispute has not been resolved by a public settlement, verdict or finding of liability.
This tracker follows the procedural status of the dispute, including the original complaint, McMahon’s denial, the federal investigation-related stay, the amended complaint, John Laurinaitis’ dismissal and the move to arbitration. The allegations remain disputed and were not decided at trial.
Last updated: July 30, 2026
Current Status
Status: Active in private arbitration
Latest confirmed development: On July 24, Grant, McMahon and WWE filed a joint stipulation to dismiss the federal action with prejudice. The filing preserved the parties’ rights to pursue their claims and defenses in arbitration under their agreement.
Open questions: What happens in arbitration, whether the parties reach a confidential settlement and whether any future development or outcome becomes public.
Source confidence: High for the public procedural history and filed arbitration agreement. The underlying allegations are disputed, have not been proven in court and must remain attributed.
Is The Janel Grant Lawsuit Over?
The federal lawsuit is being dismissed with prejudice, but the underlying dispute is continuing in private arbitration.
A dismissal with prejudice prevents the same federal claims from being refiled in court. The July filing separately preserves the parties’ claims and defenses for arbitration. It should not be described as a settlement, verdict, exoneration or victory for either side.
What Is The Janel Grant Case About?
Grant filed a federal lawsuit in January 2024 against Vince McMahon, WWE and then-former WWE executive John Laurinaitis. She alleged sexual abuse, trafficking and retaliation, and alleged that WWE knew or should have known about misconduct and failed to protect her.
Grant also challenged a 2022 nondisclosure agreement that called for McMahon to pay her $3 million. Her complaint alleged that only $1 million was paid and sought to have the agreement declared unenforceable.
McMahon has denied wrongdoing, called the lawsuit baseless and maintained that the relationship was consensual. WWE sought arbitration and contested its liability. Laurinaitis denied allegations against him before Grant dismissed him from the case under a confidential agreement.
Why Is The Case Going To Private Arbitration?
McMahon and WWE argued that the nondisclosure agreement required disputes to be handled through arbitration. Grant challenged the agreement and argued that it was signed under duress.
The court did not issue a public trial verdict on the underlying allegations. The remaining parties resolved the dispute over the forum by agreeing to dismiss the federal case and continue through private arbitration.
Who Are The Parties In The Arbitration?
The remaining dispute involves Janel Grant, Vince McMahon and WWE. John Laurinaitis is no longer a defendant after Grant dismissed her claims against him with prejudice in May 2025 under a confidential agreement.
Reporting said Laurinaitis would cooperate with Grant’s case. His attorney later disputed additional claims involving him. The dismissal did not produce a public verdict on the allegations.
Was Vince McMahon Found Liable?
No. The federal case did not reach a trial or public judgment on liability. McMahon denied the allegations, and the claims and defenses are moving to arbitration.
Is Brock Lesnar A Defendant?
No. Brock Lesnar is not a defendant in Grant’s lawsuit. Reporting identified him as the WWE star referenced in the original complaint, and the proposed amended complaint later named him in additional allegations.
Those allegations were not adjudicated in the federal case. His mention should not be described as a criminal charge, civil judgment or finding of wrongdoing.
Janel Grant Lawsuit And Arbitration Timeline
July 24, 2026: The Parties File To Dismiss The Federal Lawsuit
Grant, McMahon and WWE jointly filed a voluntary dismissal with prejudice while preserving their claims and defenses for arbitration.
July 22, 2026: Grant Issues A Public Statement
Grant spoke about the personal toll of the case as it moved away from federal court. Her statement did not announce an arbitration result or settlement.
July 20, 2026: The Parties Execute An Arbitration Agreement
The remaining parties agreed that Grant would dismiss the federal lawsuit with prejudice and that their positions would continue in private arbitration.
June 12, 2026: The Remaining Parties Discuss Confidential Arbitration
Grant, WWE and McMahon asked the court to delay the schedule while they discussed moving the dispute to private arbitration.
April 3, 2026: Laurinaitis’ Attorney Disputes New Claims
Although Laurinaitis was no longer a defendant, his attorney rejected new allegations involving him.
April 2, 2026: Grant Opposes WWE’s Arbitration Request
Grant argued that the nondisclosure agreement and arbitration provision were unenforceable and made additional allegations about what WWE leadership knew. WWE and McMahon contested her position.
June 23, 2025: Grant Seeks WWE And McMahon Records
Grant requested internal communications, board records, nondisclosure-agreement drafts and other material while challenging the arbitration clause.
May 28-30, 2025: Laurinaitis Is Dismissed
Grant dismissed her claims against Laurinaitis with prejudice under a confidential agreement.
May 7, 2025: The Judge Allows The Revised Complaint
The court approved Grant’s request to file an amended complaint. The ruling allowed the pleading to proceed and was not a finding that the allegations were true.
January 31, 2025: Grant Seeks To File An Amended Complaint
Grant’s attorneys submitted proposed allegations and evidence. The defendants continued to dispute the claims.
December 11, 2024: The Stay Expires
The six-month pause ended without another extension, allowing the civil case to become active again.
May 30-June 11, 2024: The Case Is Paused
The parties agreed to a temporary pause after a request connected to a federal investigation. A judge entered a six-month stay.
April-May 2024: The Defendants Seek Arbitration
McMahon and Laurinaitis moved to compel arbitration, and WWE said it intended to do the same. Grant opposed moving the case behind closed doors.
January 26, 2024: McMahon Resigns From TKO
McMahon resigned as TKO executive chairman and from the board. He denied the allegations and said he would defend himself.
January 25, 2024: Grant Files The Federal Lawsuit
Grant sued McMahon, WWE and Laurinaitis, alleging sexual abuse, trafficking and retaliation and seeking to invalidate the nondisclosure agreement. The filing represented Grant’s allegations and was not a judgment.
Related Wrestling Headlines Coverage
- Grant, McMahon And WWE File To Dismiss The Lawsuit
- Janel Grant Issues A Public Statement
- The Parties Agree To Private Arbitration
- The Remaining Parties Discuss Private Arbitration
- Grant Opposes Arbitration In A New Filing
- John Laurinaitis Is Dismissed From The Lawsuit
- Federal Judge Allows Grant’s Revised Complaint
- The Federal Case Becomes Active Again
- The Grant Lawsuit Is Paused
- Vince McMahon Resigns From TKO And Denies The Allegations
- Janel Grant Files The Federal Lawsuit
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Janel Grant drop her case?
She agreed to dismiss the federal action with prejudice, but the claims and defenses are continuing in private arbitration.
Did Vince McMahon settle with Janel Grant?
No settlement has been announced.
Did a judge rule that Grant’s allegations were true?
No. The case did not reach a trial or public judgment on the allegations.
Has Vince McMahon denied the allegations?
Yes. McMahon has denied wrongdoing and described the lawsuit as baseless.
Is John Laurinaitis still a defendant?
No. Grant dismissed the claims against him in May 2025.
Will the arbitration be public?
The proceeding is private. The parties could disclose an outcome, but regular public filings are not expected.
Source note: This tracker uses Wrestling Headlines coverage of public filings. Allegations, denials and legal positions are attributed, and procedural rulings are not described as findings on the merits.
This page will be updated when an arbitration development becomes public or one of the parties announces a material resolution.
