(NewsNation) — Former WWE personalities have stepped forward to discuss sex-trafficking allegations against CEO Vince McMahon and the WWE.
Dave Meltzer, a respected journalist covering professional wrestling, weighed in on the unfolding situation to NewsNation host Ashleigh Banfield.
Meltzer highlighted the growing number of people speaking out against McMahon and suggested that more individuals might step forward as the momentum builds.
“It’s going to slowly break as time goes by,” Meltzer said. “More and more people will feel — if they believe that he’s gone — there’ll be more and more comfortable to speak out against him.”
Meltzer stressed the significance of individuals coming forward with documented evidence to substantiate their claims.
“As far as in the industry, it’s pretty secretive,” he said. “I mean, everyone is curious, but nobody really knows inside as far as the federal investigation goes. There’s all kinds of rumors, as well. But nothing nothing substantive has happened.”
Former WWE superstar Ryback sent NewsNation an exclusive statement, calling McMahon “evil” and said “a lot more is going to come out.”
“Vince McMahon … will go down as one of the most evil humans to have ever existed. And there is far worse to come out on him and many others still in the company who also knew of much of his activity. It’s all going to come out if they keep looking. They’ve hidden everything with nondisclosure agreements.”
Former WWE star Ryback
Ryback’s response is similar to reactions from other former WWE wrestlers.
Former WWE wrestler Maria Kanellis spoke out on social media and said she hopes “justice is served” in the civil suit.
“Many of us experienced or heard rumors of different levels of evil for years. Some tried to speak up to build momentum to change the culture in WWE. Many times we’ve been called bitter or crazy. Others have been paralyzed by fear,” Kanellis said.
Federal authorities are now investigating sexual assault and sexual trafficking allegations against McMahon.
According to the federal lawsuit, Janel Grant, who worked at the company’s headquarters, alleged that McMahon sexually exploited her and attempted to traffic her to other WWE employees.
McMahon resigned as executive chairman of WWE parent TKO Group after the former employee filed a 67-page federal lawsuit.
Grant’s attorney said his stepping down isn’t enough.
“It’s been a long process, and she (Grant) wants to speak out for any other victims and eradicate this culture of corruption that has permeated every cell of the WWE,” Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, told NewsNation’s Markie Martin on “Morning in America.”
Callis said that since Grant is going up against a multibillion-dollar company and very powerful men, they wanted to lay out all the “facts” to even the playing field. In the filing, Grant cited more than 300 allegations of sexual abuse.
NewsNation’s Cassie Buchman contributed to this report.