Just days after Vince McMahon stepped down as executive chairman of WWE’s parent company TKO, former WWE stars Nikki and Brie Bella responded.
McMahon, 78, was named in a lawsuit by former WWE employee Janel Grant, who accuses him of sex trafficking.
She claims he trafficked her to other WWE employees for sex acts, including John Laurinaitis, a former wrestler and Nikki and Brie’s stepfather.
Now, the 40-year-old twin sisters — who debuted in the WWE in 2007 and have remained with the company in various capacities since March 2023 — are speaking out.
Both Nikki and Brie – who now go by The Garcia Twins – responded to the lawsuit in a joint statement.
Just days after Vince McMahon stepped down as executive chairman of WWE’s parent company TKO, former WWE stars Nikki and Brie Bella responded
McMahon, 78, was named in a lawsuit by former WWE employee Janel Grant, who accuses him of sex trafficking
She claims he trafficked her to other WWE employees for sex acts, one of whom was John Laurinaitis, a former wrestler and Nikki and Brie’s stepfather.
“We are shocked and disheartened by the recent allegations against members of the WWE,” the twins began.
“It’s been a lot to process this past week, just like all of you. This is something we do not stand for and do not condone from anyone, no matter who they are,” she added.
“We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their daily lives,” the statement concluded.
McMahon maintained his innocence in a statement to Daily Mail earlier this week, although he still announced his resignation as executive chairman.
‘“I stand by my previous statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is full of lies, obscene fabrications that never happened, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” he said.
“I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless allegations and look forward to clearing my name,” he added.
“Out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO Company and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all the employees and superstars who have helped make WWE the world leader it is today, I have decided to retire steps. of my Executive Chairmanship and the Board of Directors of TKO, effective immediately,” he continued.
Grant had previously agreed to a $3 million settlement in 2022, which included signing a non-disclosure agreement.
“It’s been a lot to process this past week, just like all of you. This is something we do not stand for and do not condone from anyone, no matter who they are,” she added
“I stand by my previous statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is full of lies, obscene fabrications that never happened, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” he said.
However, she claims that McMahon stopped paying for the settlement after an initial payment of $1 million, and she is seeking to void that agreement with this lawsuit.
Grant claims she suffered bruising and bleeding after McMahon forcibly penetrated her with sex toys, which he named after his wrestlers.
She also claims that in June 2021, McMahon and another WWE executive locked her in a room at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut and took turns sexually assaulting her during the workday.
The married McMahon is also accused of trafficking Grant to other men and sharing nude photos of the plaintiff. Grant is seeking unspecified damages.
The WWE previously described McMahon’s sexual relationship with Grant as “consensual” in a 2022 statement.
The WWE board learned of McMahon’s relationship with Grant through an anonymous tip in 2022 and launched an internal investigation, which subsequently uncovered $14.6 million in other alleged payments by the director to various women.
Grant’s filing alleges that McMahon ensnared her in a sexual relationship by promising to advance her career before ultimately exploiting her and selling her to other executives within the company.
WWE executive and retired wrestler John Laurinaitis is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. Laurinaitis was fired from the WWE in 2022.
Grant claims McMahon instructed her to regularly visit Laurinaitis at a hotel, where the two had daily sexual encounters before reporting to the office.
Grant claims she suffered bruising and bleeding after McMahon forcibly penetrated her with sex toys, which he named after his wrestlers
John is the uncle of former NFL linebacker James Laurinaitis. His brothers Joe and Marcus also wrestled in the WWE
“I left that hotel feeling bad about myself every time,” Grant claims she told McMahon.
John is the uncle of former NFL linebacker James Laurinaitis. His brothers Joe and Marcus also wrestled in the WWE.
In an alleged sexual encounter in May 2020, Grant claims McMahon defecated on her head during a threesome before ordering her to continue pleasuring his “friend.”
“When he returned from the bathroom, McMahon and his ‘friend’ actively resumed the threesome, which lasted over an hour and a half, while Ms. Grant remained covered in McMahon’s filth,” the filing continued. “When McMahon’s ‘friend’ left, McMahon ordered her to stay and continue to sexually satisfy him.”
Laurinaitis married Kathy Colace, the mother of Nikki and Brie Bella, in 2016.
The siblings debuted as professional wrestlers called The Bella Twins in a WWE developmental deal in 2007, and made their full WWE debut in 2008.
Nikki retired in 2019 after a cyst was found in her brain, while Brie struggled regularly in 2016 with sporadic appearances over the years, including the 2022 Royal Rumble.