Federal Appeals Court Rules Against Vince McMahon’s Attorney in Grand Jury Investigation – Withheld Key Documents From Grand Jury Investigation

The legal troubles surrounding Vince McMahon continue to mount as a federal appeals court has ruled that his former attorney improperly withheld key documents from a grand jury investigation. The case revolves around multimillion-dollar settlements McMahon allegedly used to cover up accusations of sexual misconduct by two former WWE employees.

According to the Associated Press, the 2nd U.S. Court of Appeals in New York upheld a previous ruling, determining that the withheld documents were not protected by attorney-client privilege due to an exception for “crime or fraud.”

The Allegations Against McMahon

Federal prosecutors argue that McMahon and his legal team went to great lengths to circumvent WWE’s internal policies and fabricate records to hide the settlements from company auditors. While McMahon reportedly used personal funds for the settlements, the court concluded that his actions—along with those of his attorney—misled WWE’s auditors and failed to properly disclose the financial agreements.

The lawsuit involves two settlements:

  • $3 million to one former employee
  • $7.5 million to another, who later filed a lawsuit against McMahon

One of the women involved, Janel Grant, claims she was coerced into leaving WWE and signing a non-disclosure agreement (NDA). Her lawsuit argues that the NDA should be invalidated because McMahon failed to pay the full settlement amount.

Court Ruling and the Grand Jury Investigation

McMahon’s lawyer had already provided numerous documents to the grand jury but attempted to withhold 208 communications, citing attorney-client privilege. The appeals court rejected this argument, ordering the documents to be turned over, as they were allegedly part of a scheme to keep WWE and its auditors in the dark.

The court ruling stated:

“Because the settlement agreements resolving the Victims’ claims were ‘structured and negotiated … to keep them hidden from (the Company),’ the district court found that ‘all communications about the claims and settlement agreements were made in furtherance of the criminal scheme to keep (the Company) and its auditors unaware of the allegations.’”

While the ruling does not explicitly name McMahon, a source confirmed that he is the unnamed former CEO referenced in the case.

What Happens Next?

The current status of the grand jury investigation remains unclear, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Manhattan has not provided further comment. McMahon’s representatives have also not responded publicly, though he has denied any wrongdoing in the past.

This ruling comes months after McMahon settled SEC charges, agreeing to pay a $400,000 fine and reimburse WWE $1.3 million for failing to properly disclose the settlement payments.

With the legal walls seemingly closing in, the question now is whether this latest development could lead to criminal charges against the former WWE chairman.

Malakai Black, Ricky Starks And Miro Depart AEW: What’s Next for These Stars?

The wrestling world has seen a wave of roster shake-ups lately, and AEW is no exception. Following a series of WWE releases, it has now been confirmed that three notable AEW names—Miro, Malakai Black, and Ricky Starks—are no longer with the company. Even more intriguing, they are free to sign and compete anywhere immediately, as their contracts do not include non-compete clauses.

According to Fightful Select, AEW removed all three from its official roster page on Monday, signaling their official departure. Let’s break down the situation for each of these now-former AEW stars.

Malakai Black’s Unexpected Exit

Black’s AEW run seemed poised for longevity, with AEW President Tony Khan previously suggesting his contract could keep him with the company until 2027. However, reports indicate that Black was actually finished with AEW as early as January—well before the Royal Rumble. AEW has already adjusted creatively, repackaging Brody King, Buddy Matthews, and Julia Hart from the House of Black into a new stable, the Hounds of Hell.

Given Black’s reputation as a unique in-ring performer and storyteller, speculation will likely swirl about a potential WWE return—especially considering his past as Aleister Black and his connections in the company.

Miro’s AEW Run Fizzles Out

Once one of AEW’s most dominant forces, Miro had been missing from action for quite some time. Despite being healthy, he wrestled only a handful of matches in 2023 and had not been included in creative discussions for at least six months. Reports indicate that Miro actually requested his release back in September, which means his exit may have been in the works for a while.

Originally signing a long-term contract extension in 2022, Miro was expected to remain with AEW until 2026. However, his absence from TV and lack of creative direction made his departure seem inevitable. Now, the question is whether Miro—formerly known as Rusev in WWE—will head back to his old stomping grounds or explore opportunities elsewhere.

Ricky Starks: A Frustrated Star Moves On

Perhaps the most surprising departure is Ricky Starks, who had long been considered a rising star in AEW. According to reports, Starks asked AEW not to pick up his contract’s option year in late 2023. However, AEW did the opposite—exercising the option but then not utilizing him on TV.

Starks reportedly requested his release in January, and his situation was further complicated when he was pulled from GCW events due to backstage friction. Despite this, Starks managed to make headlines over the weekend by winning the DEFY World Championship from KENTA just before his AEW release became public.

What’s Next?

With no contractual restrictions holding them back, Miro, Black, and Starks have the freedom to appear anywhere at any time. Could we see one—or all—of them make surprise appearances in WWE, NJPW, or even TNA? The industry is wide open, and their next moves will undoubtedly be closely watched by fans and promoters alike.

For now, one thing is certain: AEW’s landscape continues to shift, and these departures could lead to major shake-ups across the wrestling world.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops!

NJPW ‘The New Beginning’ In Osaka, Japan Results (2/11/25)- Young Bucks Lose IWGP Tag Titles

On Tuesday, February 11, New Japan Pro Wrestling hosted The New Beginning at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Osaka, Japan

Pre-Show:

United Empire (Francesco Akira & Jeff Cobb) def. El Desperado & Katsuya Murashima

Main Card:

Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Togi Makabe

Drilla Moloney def. Shingo Takagi

Great-O-Khan def. Shota Umino

SANADA def. Taichi

IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Championships: Ichiban Sweet Boys (Robbie Eagles & Kosei Fujita) (c) def. Rocky Romero & YOH 

NEVER Openweight Championship: Konosuke Takeshita (c) def. Boltin Oleg 

IWGP Tag Team Championships: Tetsuya Naito & Hiromu Takahashi def. The Young Bucks (c) 

IWGP Global Heavyweight Championship: Yota Tsuji (c) vs. Gabe Kidd ended in a Draw

IWGP World Heavyweight Championship: Hirooki Goto def. Zack Sabre Jr. (c) 

WWE Raw Preview 2/10/2025

Tonight’s WWE Raw which airs live globally on Netflix beginning at 8:00 pm ET/5:00 pm PT from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

  • WWE Men’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Rey Mysterio vs. Logan Paul
  • WWE Women’s Elimination Chamber Qualifying Match: Bayley vs. Lyra Valkyria
  • Damage CTRL (Dakota Kai and IYO SKY) vs. Judgment Day’s Raquel Rodriguez and Liv Morgan
  • AJ Styles to appear
  • CM Punk to appear

WWE Roster Cuts Continue: Gallows & Anderson Among Latest Releases

WWE’s latest round of talent cuts extended into the weekend, with more names being confirmed as released from the company. Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson, known collectively as The Good Brothers, were let go, according to PWInsider, with Fightful later verifying the news. Additionally, Fightful also reported that Giovanni Vinci had been released as well.

These releases follow a string of cuts that began on Friday night, with Isla Dawn, Blair Davenport, Sonya Deville, The Authors of Pain (Akam & Rezar), their manager Paul Ellering, and Cedric Alexander all parting ways with WWE.

Elektra Lopez, the manager of the stable Legado Del Fantasma, was released from WWE this weekend following a four-year run with the company.

While WWE has yet to provide an official reason for the roster changes, Fightful reports that sources within NXT believe the moves are tied to an upcoming wave of main roster call-ups. With WrestleMania season approaching, WWE frequently shakes up its rosters, and this could indicate fresh talent from NXT is about to get the spotlight on Raw and SmackDown.

The releases of Gallows and Anderson are particularly notable, as the duo had long been associated with WWE’s Bullet Club-adjacent faction, The O.C., alongside AJ Styles. Their return to WWE in 2022 was expected to be a long-term run, but it appears their time with the company has once again come to an end.

Notably, Anderson is out with an injury with a torn labrum and rotator cuff; he had surgery in November and used the word “indefinitely” in a December interview before setting a return expectation of “at least six or seven more months.” Fightful gave his recovery time as “at least 3-6 months minimum” and noted that Anderson is “in good spirits” despite the highly unusual practice of being released during injury rehab.

As always, the wrestling world will be watching to see where these released superstars land next. Could we see some of them in AEW, TNA, or NJPW? Only time will tell.

“WWE LFG” Set to Premiere on A&E, Offering an Inside Look at WWE’s Grueling Training Process

WWE is raising the bar for wrestling reality TV with its brand-new competition series, “WWE LFG”, premiering Sunday, February 16th at 8 PM ET on A&E. This high-stakes show will push 16 aspiring WWE Superstars to their absolute limits as they compete for the ultimate prize: a spot on NXT, WWE’s developmental brand that serves as the gateway to superstardom.

For the first time, fans will get an unfiltered look at WWE’s rigorous training process, featuring intense in-ring battles, behind-the-scenes drama, and jaw-dropping performances. These competitors won’t be going it alone, though—they’ll receive world-class guidance from some of the biggest legends in WWE history. The Undertaker, Booker T, Mickie James, and Bubba Ray Dudley will serve as mentors, offering their expertise to help shape the next generation of WWE talent.

Adding even more star power to the mix, WWE Hall of Famers Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Shawn Michaels will oversee the competition. As WWE’s Chief Content Officer and Senior VP of Talent Development Creative, respectively, their insight will be crucial in evaluating performances and determining which competitor has what it takes to thrive in NXT. Contestants will earn points based on their athleticism, charisma, and in-ring ability, with each week bringing them closer to—or further from—their WWE dreams.

With a mix of action, emotion, and legendary mentorship, “WWE LFG” promises to be a must-watch for wrestling fans and aspiring Superstars alike. Mark your calendars—this is one journey to the squared circle you won’t want to miss!

AEW Collision Preview 2/8/2025

AEW Collision tonight on TNT and streaming on Max.

  • Undisputed Kingdom vs. Daniel Garcia, Daddy Magic & Cool Hand Ang vs. Shane Taylor Promotions
  • Mark Briscoe vs. Kyle Fletcher
  • Bandido vs. Bryan Keith
  • Penelope Ford vs. Thunder Rosa
  • Harley Cameron in concert
  • Mariah May vs. TBD
  • Kazuchika Okada and Buddy Matthews face-to-face

WWE SmackDown Preview 2/7/2025

WWE SmackDown airs live tonight on the USA Network and on Netflix for international fans, beginning at 8:00 pm ET. from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee.

  • Fallout from the 2025 Royal Rumble
  • Men’s 2025 Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso to appear
  • Women’s 2025 Royal Rumble winner Charlotte Flair to appear
  • Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes to appear
  • WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton to appear

Nikki Bella Teases More WWE Appearances – And Possibly Brie’s Return?

Nikki Bella’s return to WWE at the 2025 Royal Rumble may have just been the beginning. During a recent episode of The Nikki & Brie Show, the former Divas Champion dropped some intriguing hints about her future in the company—and even suggested that her twin sister Brie Bella might not be far behind.

Addressing her comeback, Nikki played coy about whether this was a one-time appearance or the start of something bigger. “Is this a one-off or is she here to stay? Keep tuning in,” she teased. However, she didn’t leave fans completely in the dark, making it clear that she’ll be back in the ring sooner rather than later. “You will see another ‘Fearless’ Nikki appearance, sooner than later, that is for sure. I’m definitely doing more than what I just did on Saturday.”

The biggest tease, though, was Nikki’s mention of her sister. “Hopefully, Brie Mode will be by my side soon. More on that to come.”

Could we be seeing a Bella Twins reunion in WWE? While there’s no official confirmation yet, Nikki’s comments suggest that Brie may be gearing up for a return of her own. The duo last competed together in WWE at the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble, but a full-fledged comeback would certainly shake up the women’s division.

For now, fans will have to wait and see what’s next—but it looks like Nikki Bella isn’t done just yet, and she might be bringing Brie along for the ride.

The Gunns Return to AEW, Set Their Sights on The Hurt Syndicate’s Tag Team Gold

After months away from AEW television, The Gunns made a bold return on this week’s Dynamite, immediately setting their sights on championship gold. Austin and Colten Gunn interrupted The Hurt Syndicate during an in-ring promo, making it clear they were back for one reason—to reclaim the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

The Gunns reminded everyone that they were former holders of the titles now in The Hurt Syndicate’s possession, making their case for a shot at the gold. MVP, speaking on behalf of the faction, didn’t back down from the challenge and officially confirmed that The Gunns will face Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin for the AEW World Tag Team Championships next week on Dynamite.

This marks The Gunns’ first in-ring return since the September 14th episode of AEW Collision, as the duo had been off television due to an injury suffered by Austin Gunn. Now back at full strength, the former champions are looking to make an impact and reclaim their place at the top of AEW’s tag team division.

Will The Gunns be able to dethrone The Hurt Syndicate, or will Lashley and Benjamin prove too dominant? AEW fans won’t have to wait long to find out, as next week’s Dynamite promises to be a must-watch showdown.