Judge Denies Early Discovery Request In Janel Grant Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon – A new legal development emerged on February 6 in the ongoing lawsuit filed by Janel Grant against Vince McMahon and WWE, as a federal judge denied Grant’s request for early discovery while leaving the door open for future reconsideration.
Grant originally sought early access to records and depositions to support her effort to avoid arbitration in the case, which was first filed in January 2024. The lawsuit includes allegations that McMahon sexually assaulted and trafficked her. McMahon’s legal team has argued that the dispute should be handled through private arbitration based on a nondisclosure agreement Grant previously signed that includes an arbitration clause.
According to a report first published by Brandon Thurston of Post Wrestling, Judge Sarah Russell ruled that Grant had not demonstrated “good cause” to obtain discovery materials before the defendants submit their anticipated motions to compel arbitration. The judge noted that the current record does not allow the court to determine whether discovery is necessary to address potential defenses Grant may raise against arbitration.
Russell stated that the request could be revisited later, writing that the court may consider “limited, reciprocal discovery” once McMahon’s team formally files its arbitration motions and Grant responds.
The ruling also directed both parties to confer on next steps, including the timeline for filing McMahon’s motions to compel arbitration, scheduling arguments on the issue, and determining whether the case should be referred to a magistrate judge to explore a possible settlement.
This marks the first notable movement in the case in roughly seven months. As of now, neither Grant nor representatives for McMahon and WWE have publicly commented on the decision.
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Judge Denies Early Discovery Request In Janel Grant Lawsuit Against Vince McMahon