Renowned WWE twins, Nikki and Brie Garcia, publicly addressed the recent sexual assault allegations against former WWE executive Vince McMahon and the former head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis, who is also the twins’ stepfather.
The claims were made by former WWE employee Janel Grant in a federal court in Connecticut, alleging injury-causing sexual encounters with McMahon and accusing Laurinaitis of sex-trafficking her to other executives within the company.
The two former WWE stars, who were known as the Bella Twins in the WWE, did not mention either McMahon or Laurinaitis by name in their short statement.
“We are shocked and disheartened with the recent allegations against members of the WWE,” the Garcia twins said in a joint post on Instagram. “It has been a lot to process since we found out this past week, just as you all did. This is something we don’t stand for or condone from anyone no matter who they are.
“We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their everyday lives.”
Laurinaitis, pictureds below with his step daughters) who is also named as a defendant in the suit, married the Garcia twins’ mother Kathy in March 2016.
Laurinaitis faced termination from WWE in 2022 amid an internal investigation by the company, which delved into allegations of sexual misconduct and hush money involving McMahon.
The wrestling community was rattled by the lawsuit filed last Thursday, revealing unsettling allegations against one of the sport’s most iconic figures. Grant, in her suit, asserted that McMahon subjected her to the use of sex toys named after wrestling stars, resulting in bruising and bleeding.
Grant also claimed that McMahon (pictured below) and Laurinaitis once forced themselves on her at WWE offices as they took turns holding her down while the others sexually assaulted her, according to the lawsuit.
The bombshell suit alleges that McMahon and Laurinaitis told Grant during the assault, “No means yes” and “Take it, b—h.”
A day after the lawsuit was filed, McMahon stepped down as executive chairman of WWE-parent TKO Group Holdings, but has denied the allegations.
“I stand by my prior statement that Ms. Grant’s lawsuit is replete with lies, obscene made-up instances that never occurred, and is a vindictive distortion of the truth,” McMahon said in a statement. “I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.”
Nikki and Brie officially left WWE in 2023 after debuting in 2008 and were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2021.
