Nikki and Brie Garcia have released a vague statement amid the sexual assault and trafficking claims against WWE founder Vince McMahon and the organization’s former head of talent relations, John Laurinaitis, who is their stepdad.
“We are shocked and disheartened with the recent allegations against members of the WWE,” the twins and retired wrestlers, 40, shared via a joint Instagram post Monday.
“It has been a lot to process since we found out this past week, just as you all did,” they continued. “This is something we don’t stand for or condone from anyone no matter who they are.”
They concluded, “We want all women to feel safe and supported in the workplace and in their everyday lives.”
Many commenters were quick to condemn the Garcias for not naming the accused — specifically, Laurinaitis.
“Nikki.. Brie… I can’t imagine how you’re feeling but to call them ‘members of the WWE’ like it’s not your literal stepfather… come on…” one critic remarked.
Someone else added, “This is weird af? Ain’t your step father implicated?? Why comment on this….. and with this hollow response especially considering you’re not even with the company anymore. Unless you have something substantial to say you could’ve kept this b.s statement.”
A third wrote, “This post feels purposely misleading to be honest. To say ‘members of the WWE’ distances yourselves from the fact that one of those ‘members’ is your stepfather. This feels like a ‘cover our asses’ post.”
However, a few had sympathy for Nikki and Brie’s mother, Kathy Laurinaitis, who married John — who wrestled under the name Johnny Ace — in March 2016.
“This is heartbreaking. To think your mom found a good man and then all this comes out, I would be devastated,” one supporter lamented.
An ex-WWE employee named Janel Grant sued McMahon and John last week, accusing them of depraved “sexual slavery.”
In her lawsuit, Grant alleged that McMahon, 78, would have injury-causing sex with her — sometimes with sex toys named after wresting stars — before pimping her out to other company executives, including John, when she worked there.
Grant alleged in her complaint that McMahon and John, 61, once forced themselves on her and took turns holding her down for each other while sexually assaulting her at WWE offices in June 2021.
She went on to allege in her filing that McMahon once defecated on her head during a threesome in May 2020.
He quickly denied the allegations but still stepped down from his position as head of WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings.
“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.”
He continued, “However, out of respect for the WWE Universe, the extraordinary TKO business and its board members and shareholders, partners and constituents, and all of the employees and Superstars who helped make WWE into the global leader it is today, I have decided to resign from my executive chairmanship and the TKO board of directors, effectively immediately.”
John did not immediately respond to Pvnew’s request for comment.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-330-0226.
