April 29, 2024 Observer Newsletter: Vince McMahon responds to Janel Grant lawsuit; AEW Dynasty recap

Attorneys for Vince McMahon on 4/21 filed a response to the Janel Grant lawsuit and Grant’s side also responded to the claims.

The key aspects of the filing was that the claims of sexual abuse and coercion “are pure fiction,” disputing many of her claims in the lawsuit about her life and the relationship.

The key point they are arguing legally is that the NDA signed between McMahon and Grant would not have allowed such a lawsuit to be filed, and she violated the agreement. They did introduce evidence that had a provision that any dispute would have to be settled by arbitration.

The NDA agreement, which called for McMahon to pay Grant $3 million, contained a clause which stated, “By signing this agreement, Grant acknowledges that she will have waived any right she may have had to pursue or bring a lawsuit or make any legal claims against McMahon and/or WWE, and any of its directors, officers, employees, agents and representatives.”

McMahon’s attorneys, James A. Budinetz of Hartford, CT, and Jessica T. Rosenberg and Jonathan L. Shapiro of Kasowitz Benson Torres, LLP, filed the argument that the case, based on that wording, says the case has to be decided in arbitration.

Essentially the key argument would look to be whether McMahon’s failure to make the $500,000 payments to Grant on February 1, 2023 and February 1, 2024, renders the NDA agreement clauses unenforceable. The agreement would have also called for $500,000 payments on February 1, 2025 and February 1, 2026.

This would explain why Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, was attempting to get a ruling that the entire NDA would be thrown out.

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