WWE Anticipated To File Motion To Compel Arbitration, Deadline Dates Proposed

The latest on Janel Grant vs. WWE, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis. 

A new court document states that WWE “anticipates filing a motion to compel arbitration and stay this action pending arbitration” in the lawsuit brought forward by Janel Grant. 

On January 25, a lawsuit was filed by Janel Grant against Vince McMahon, WWE and former executive John Laurinaitis. The lawsuit accuses McMahon of sex trafficking, emotional abuse, and sexual assault.

McMahon filed a motion to compel arbitration on April 23 and argued, “Plaintiff and Defendant (collectively, the “Parties”) engaged in a consensual relationship during which Defendant never coerced Plaintiff into doing anything and never mistreated her in any way.” The filing argued that the Plaintiff violated agreement of the parties, which led to the Defendant withholding payments.

Laurinaitis joined McMahon in filing a motion to compel arbitration on May 2. 

From the document: 

WHEREAS, on January 25, 2024, Plaintiff Janel Grant filed a Complaint against Defendants World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC (“WWE”), Vincent K. McMahon (“McMahon”), and John Laurinaitis (“Laurinaitis”), initiating the above-captioned action in this Court;

WHEREAS, on March 15, 2024, Plaintiff provided waiver of service of summons forms to all Defendants, pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 4(d), requesting that the forms be signed and returned to Plaintiff within 30 days;

WHEREAS, all Defendants timely returned the waiver of service forms to Plaintiff;

WHEREAS, pursuant to Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 4(d)(3) and 12(a)(1)(A)(ii), Defendants’ deadline to serve answer or other responsive pleadings to the Complaint is 60 days after Plaintiff requested waiver of service from Defendants, or May 14, 2024;
WHEREAS, on April 23, 2024, McMahon filed a motion for an order compelling arbitration and staying this action pending arbitration;
WHEREAS, on May 2, 2024, Laurinaitis filed a motion to compel arbitration and adoption of and joinder in McMahon’s motion to compel arbitration;
WHEREAS, WWE also anticipates filing a motion to compel arbitration and stay this action pending arbitration;
WHEREAS, the parties have met and conferred with regard to a schedule governing briefing on Defendants’ motions to compel arbitration and suspending the current deadlines to answer, move or otherwise respond to the Compliant while the motions to compel arbitration are pending;
IT IS HEREBY STIPULATED AND AGREED by the parties hereto, through their undersigned counsel, subject to the approval of the Court, that:

1. Defendants’ motions to compel arbitration and memoranda of law in support of their motions shall be filed by May 14, 2024;
2. Plaintiff’s opposition or oppositions to Defendants’ motions to compel arbitration shall be filed by June 4, 2024;
3. Defendants’ reply memoranda in support of their motions to compel arbitration shall be filed by June 18, 2024;
4. Any applicable deadline(s), pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(a), for Defendants to serve answers to the Complaint or other responsive pleadings, including any motions pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b), shall be suspended pending the Court’s adjudication of Defendants’ motions to compel arbitration;
5. In the event that the Court denies, in whole or in part, one or more of Defendants’ motions to compel arbitration, the Defendant(s) whose motion(s) have been denied shall serve answers or responsive pleadings, including any motions pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b), within 30 days after the Court denies the motion(s) to compel.

Fightful will continue to update readers as the lawsuit unfolds.