(This story has been updated with new information.)
Of all the stories mentioned in the ‘Mr. McMahon’ docuseries about WWE founder Vince McMahon, one that has heavy interest is the sexual assault lawsuit brought onto McMahon by a former company employee.
Throughout the six episodes of the documentary, several of the controversies — from use of steroids to the deaths of major stars — that circulated around McMahon are talked about, as well as sexual abuse allegations in the past decades.
In all instances, McMahon addresses the criticism he received. But when it comes to the lawsuit filed by Janel Grant, don’t expect to hear from McMahon about it in the series.
Here is what is discussed in ‘Mr. McMahon’ regarding the recent sexual assault allegations facing the wrestling figure:
What does Vince McMahon say about sexual assault lawsuit in ‘Mr. McMahon’?
Nothing.
During the finale of the series, after discussing when McMahon stepped down as CEO of WWE in 2022 amid an investigation into whether he paid money to a former employee to keep an affair quiet, the screen shows an empty chair and reads:
‘After the allegations became public, Vince McMahon canceled his final interviews for this series.’
That’s because nearly all of the interviews done for the series took place before the news of the lawsuit in January. However, it is addressed.
The Wall Street Journal reporter Khadeeja Safdar, who first reported on the lawsuit, discusses the details of the allegations. One notable thing she talks about is the allegation McMahon used Grant as an incentive for a WWE star to re-sign with the company. Safdar says the unnamed star is Brock Lesnar, who is one of the biggest names in the company. Lesnar has not appeared in WWE since the lawsuit was released.
Reporters also confirm the investigation in 2022 on McMahon involved Grant.
Was Janel Grant interviewed for ‘Mr. McMahon’?
Grant did not take part in ‘Mr. McMahon.’ Ann Callis, an attorney for Grant, did not say if Grant was asked to be part of the series, but said last week her client ‘deserves the opportunity to tell her full story, not be a part of someone else’s.’
After the release of the series, Callis said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports ‘there is no difference’ between McMahon’s on-air persona and his true self and the ‘violent outbursts, sexual deviance and manipulation’ of his character is what Grant experienced while employed by WWE.
‘While the docuseries put McMahon’s obsession with power and control on full display, it only scratches the surface of his criminal behavior and it fails to tell the full story of his abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking of Ms. Grant,’ Callis said. ‘She deserves the opportunity to tell her story, on her own time, and in her own way. We look forward to her day in court and to seeing McMahon at last held accountable for his actions.’
Vince McMahon statement on ‘Mr. McMahon’
Even though he didn’t address the recent allegations, McMahon did issue a statement on the docuseries just days before its release. He said after seeing an early partial cut of the series, it ‘takes the predictable path of conflating the ‘Mr. McMahon’ character with my true self, Vince.’
‘A lot has been misrepresented or left out entirely in an effort to leave viewers intentionally confused. The producers use typical editing tricks with out of context footage and dated soundbites etc. to distort the viewers’ perception and support a deceptive narrative,’ McMahon said. ‘In an attempt to further their misleading account, the producers use a lawsuit based on an affair I ended as evidence that I am, in fact, ‘Mr. McMahon.’ I hope the viewer will keep an open mind and remember that there are two sides to every story.’
USA TODAY Sports reached out to McMahon’s representatives and WWE for comment.
What is alleged in the sexual assault lawsuit against Vince McMahon?
In the suit, Grant said McMahon made her sign a non-disclosure agreement about their relationship for an agreed amount of $3 million. However, Grant alleges she never received full payment from McMahon and wants to void the agreement with the lawsuit.
Grant, hired by WWE in 2019, detailed experiences with McMahon. During her employment, Grant said she was forced into a sexual relationship with McMahon, and he would share explicit photos, videos and details of her to other WWE employees. She added she was also coerced into having sexual relations with other WWE staffers, including WWE’s former head of talent relations John Laurinaitis, who is also named in the suit.
In May 2020, the lawsuit states McMahon began to recruit other men and force Grant into sex trafficking. Text messages allegedly from McMahon show he told Grant ‘i’m the only one who owns U and controls who I want to (expletive) U.’