Royal Rumble 2024 Winner Breaks Silence on Vince McMahon’s Resignation After Janel Grant’s S*x Trafficking Allegations
Still processing his career-altering Royal Rumble victory, Cody Rhodes found himself addressing turmoil in WWE’s executive ranks mere days later. In the fallout of sexual misconduct and trafficking allegations lobbied against Chairman Vince McMahon and Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis, Rhodes spotlighted the familial bonds between WWE’s modern talent pool while admitting ignorance on rapid leadership changes.
Does Cody Rhodes Have Insight on Vince McMahon & John Laurinaitis Misconduct Claims?
When directly asked about the allegations jeopardizing Vince McMahon and Laurinaitis’ careers, Cody Rhodes emphasized today’s locker room friendship in contrast to WWE’s historically cutthroat and politicking reputation.
Cody Rhodes asked about Vince McMahon:
“Great question, I know as far as the news is concerned we were finding it out and reading the same thing that you guys were reading & he said a dark cloud…certainly. As far as TKO, Nick Khan & the board, clearly took it very seriously,… pic.twitter.com/eTbphkJhMl
— Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) January 28, 2024
“I know as far as the news is concerned we were finding it out and reading the same thing that you guys were reading & he said a dark cloud…certainly,” Rhodes acknowledged. “As far as TKO, Nick Khan & the board, clearly took it very seriously, acted immediately & looking at the future.”
“This crew more than ever from a roster standpoint is very family, never seen anything like this, most of the time wrestling locker rooms are fighting talking trash, making fun of each other, sandbagging each other in the ring & all that nonsense,” Rhodes asserted. “This crew is very team based and perhaps that’s the ingredient is everyone looking out for everyone.”
But regarding insight into the inquiries that prompted McMahon’s resignation alongside his removal from WWE’s Board of Directors, Rhodes admitted being in the dark.
“Obviously as more news comes out we’ll be seeing it just like you do,” he deferred.
Could Unfolding Scandal Overshadow Cody Rhodes’ Rumble Triumph?
Mere days removed from Rhodes’ career-altering Royal Rumble victory on January 27th, WWE locker rooms, and board rooms were rocked by disturbing new details in the investigation of McMahon and Laurinaitis. Former WWE paralegal Janel Grant accused both executives of sexual coercion, saying McMahon pressured her into physical encounters in exchange for employment opportunities.
Also Read: Vince McMahon Continues to Deny Allegations From Janel Grant After Resigning From WWE and TKO Group
Furthermore, Grant alleges being trafficked to wrestlers as a sexual enticement tactic orchestrated by both McMahon and Laurinaitis. In her lawsuit, Grant claims “submitting to Mr McMahon’s sexual demands or facing ruin” amidst her precarious financial situation dealing with a deceased parent’s bankruptcy.
Grant labeled WWE’s prior inquiry into earlier misconduct allegations “a sham”, saying the special committee failed to ever contact her. She now hopes to embolden other victims through legal channels. In response, McMahon again strongly denied Grant’s “vindictive distortion of the truth” before resigning from all corporate and creative leadership roles in disgrace.
The unfolding trauma casts an immense pall over WWE programming that threatens to engulf Rhodes’ Rumble milestone. But with McMahon’s four-decade influence shaping wrestling history, Rhodes and peers have no choice but to push forward amidst the wreckage.
