Notes On WWE Board Member Depositions About Vince McMahon Investigation

A new report has some details from the depositions of WWE Board members about the Vince McMahon investigation. As reported late last month, the shareholder lawsuit against WWE over the TKO merger is not going to trial, with a settlement pending. However, before the trial was canceled, depositions were held in regard to what WWE Board members knew about the investigation into Vince McMahon and his payments made to handle allegations of sexual misconduct to a number of women, including Janel Grant.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, a few bits from former WWE Board member Michelle McKenna had insight into the situation. McKenna was asked about the Board’s beliefs surrounding McMahon and Grant, and she said that she “100%” believed that McMahon could not be allowed back onto the Board and that the other Board members agreed.

McKenna was also asked if she was told when she came onto the Board on September 15th, 2022 — after McMahon initially retired — that McMahon and Grant had an affair. She said no, and when the lawyer asked if she viewed it as sexual abuse, she said yes. She also said after getting the definition of “sexual trafficking” that she was under the impression that it qualified as such.

Essentially, this provides evidence that the WWE Board of Directors knew in September of 2022 that the situation was a matter of sexual abuse and trafficking, and not just an affair. That would obviously be before Grant filed her lawsuit in January of 2024. A letter by Jerry McDevitt sent to the Wall Street Journal during initial reporting said that the women who received a $3 million settlement (Grant) was a former paralegal who had not made claims of harassment against McMahon.

The report adds that WWE Board member Jeffrey Speed said in his deposition that the investigation revealed McMahon’s graphic text messages to Grant, as well as messages to Brock Lesnar. He said that the messages were read to the Board, but the photos were not shown.

Grant’s lawsuit against McMahon and WWE is now moving to private arbitration after lawyers for Grant, McMahon, and WWE filed a joint motion to do so in June.

If you know someone who is being abused, or if you yourself a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Call 1-800-656-4673 to be connected with the National Sexual Assault Hotline.