McMahon ‘incriminated himself’ in Netflix doc: Vince Russo
- WWE founder Vince McMahon accused of sex trafficking
- Accuser: Federal prosecutors requested she hold her case
- Federal authorities investigating former CEO of WWE
This article mentions sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-4673.
(NewsNation) — Former WWE writer Vince Russo says the six-part Netflix docuseries titled “Mister McMahon,” which explores Vince McMahon’s complex legacy amid a sexual assault lawsuit, was “spot on.”
“I don’t feel like there was an agenda or a narrative,” Russo said exclusively on “Banfield.” I feel it was very truthful, and unfortunately, Vince’s issue is he incriminated himself.”
Russo was a head writer at the WWE during the 1990s, when wrestling became mainstream.
The docuseries features interviews with former WWE CEO Vince McMahon and other wrestling figures conducted before the lawsuit, which was filed by from former WWE staffer Janel Grant, who accuses him of abuse, sexual assault and human trafficking. The suit is currently on hold during a federal investigation.
McMahon criticized the project for conflating his character with his true self, while Grant’s attorney described his actions as abusive and criminal.
Grant did not participate in the docuseries because she wanted to “tell her full story,” her lawyers previously said.
“Janel has the right to tell her story in her own way, at the right time,” Ann Callis, a lawyer representing Janel Grant, said at a news conference explaining why her client was not a part of the series.
“While Janel didn’t participate in the Netflix docuseries, we hope it shines a light on the abhorrent actions of McMahon, frequently on WWE property, and it portrays the realities of his abusive and exploitative behavior.”
Grant filed suit against McMahon, alleging he sexually exploited her and attempted to traffic her to other WWE employees.
The former employee filed her civil suit in January but agreed to temporarily “stay her case” in May at the request of the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York “pending a non-public investigation,” Callis said in a statement at the time.
Callis is calling upon federal prosecutors to expedite any forthcoming charges so that Grant’s civil case can resume “as quickly as possible” and she can “get her day in court to hold McMahon accountable.”
Prosecutors had asked for a six-month stay that will end in December, she said.
The lawyer likened Grant to victims of Sean “Diddy” Combs, who was indicted in federal court for three felony counts, including sex trafficking, saying her client was trafficked by McMahon.
Grant said McMahon allegedly abused her and that she was allegedly forced to have sex with WWE’s former head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis — all while working for the company.
At the time of the filing, McMahon resigned as executive chairman of WWE parent TKO Group.
The lawsuit names the company, McMahon and Laurinaitis as defendants.
McMahon has denied the allegations.
NewsNation’s Safia Samee Ali contributed to this report.