WWE Legend On John Laurinaitis Appearance: “It’s An Ugly Situation”

One WWE Hall of Famer has waded into the debate after John Laurinaitis returned to the wrestling world.

Former WWE employee Janel Grant launched a lawsuit in early 2024 against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE. In it, Grant detailed alleged sexual abuse suffered at the hands of McMahon. She also accused McMahon of setting up a sexual affair between her and then Head of Talent Relations, Lauriniaitis, in addition to claims that McMahon tried to use her as a pawn in contract negotiations with Brock Lesnar.

However, in the spring of 2025, a massive development in the lawsuit took place as John Laurinaitis switched sides and agreed to cooperate with Grant, turning on McMahon in the process and offering up evidence against his former boss. Laurinaitis reached a secret settlement with Grant to be dismissed from the lawsuit.

Laurinaitis recently returned to the wrestling convention circuit, causing a storm due to his association with the lawsuit and more generally from his conduct during his time as WWE’s Head of Talent Relations.

Eric Bischoff Won’t Judge John Laurinaitis

Speaking on 83 Weeks, WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff gave his thoughts on Laurinaitis getting back out on the scene, and it seems he won’t be in a hurry to associate with him:

Johnny put himself in the position Johnny was in. It is what it is. It’s an ugly situation.

I’m not going to judge him. I do choose who I associate with. That’s different. But I’m not going to sit here and pretend I know everything, or that I have all the facts.

Bischoff acknowledged that he didn’t want to dive into the world of internet hate, and says some of the most vocal critics online have their own skeletons in the closet:

I don’t want to dive in that pool. The internet outrage pool. Because once you jump in there, it never ends. We’re all guilty of some pretty nasty stuff if we’re honest. Maybe not to that degree, maybe not in the headlines. But none of us are perfect.