Janel Grant’s team releases statement about Netflix docuseries ‘Mr. McMahon’

Yesterday we learned that Janel Grant’s team has hired PR firm SKDK, a week before the premiere of the Netflix docuseries about Vince McMahon.

Grant’s representatives held a virtual press conference in New York today to discuss her sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE, and released a statement about the Netflix series.

Here is the opening statement from the short press conference given by Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis:

“Janel Grant is a survivor of incomprehensible abuse, sexual assault, and human trafficking at the hands of Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE. It takes immense strength to speak out against Goliaths, and she has courageously stepped forward to not only address her own suffering, but to stand up for those who are afraid to speak out.

She is also human. She is smart, kind and compassionate. But because of the extreme cruelty, humiliation, exploitation and violence she was subjected to almost daily for over two years, she now suffers from severe post-traumatic stress disorder, suicidal thoughts and the inability to leave her home for weeks at a time.

Janel’s story is an important one, and we hope the Netflix docuseries does it justice. Her experience is essential to an accurate and complete retelling of the WWE and Mr. McMahon’s story. While Janel was not a part of the Netflix docuseries, we hope it sheds light on McMahon’s horrific actions, often on WWE property, and exposes the reality of his abusive and exploitative behavior. Much of the storytelling in recent months has not portrayed her in the light she deserves as a survivor of human trafficking and sexual abuse.

To that end, we recently brought in additional firepower through (Kendra Barkoff Lamy) and her team at SKDK to support and highlight Janel’s case. Kendra has worked with many survivors, including those abused by Weinstein, Epstein, the Washington Commanders, and Marilyn Manson, among others. We are thrilled to have her team on board.

With our lawsuit, we aim to hold all wrongful parties – McMahon, Laurinaitis and WWE – accountable and expedite the legal proceedings as quickly as possible.”

The media has asked several times why Janel did not participate in the Mr. McMahon docuseries, to which her representatives responded as follows:

“Janel deserves the chance to tell her whole story, and not to be part of someone else’s. She will get her day in court, and McMahon will be held accountable. As we said, she really wants to get all the proceedings over with as quickly as possible. And Janel has the right to tell her story in her own way and at the right time.”

In other words, it would be very foolish for Janel to participate in the Netflix project while she is currently in the middle of a legal battle over the matter.

What’s your reaction to Grant’s team’s statement? Let me know in the comments below, Cagesiders.