Nikki & Brie Garcia Break Silence On WWE SA Lawsuit

WARNING: This article discusses heavy subjects, such as sexual assault. 

...............................................................................

Nikki and Brie Garcia have opened up about the recent WWE sexual assault lawsuit, which ended up naming their stepfather, John Laurinaitis.

“We are shocked and disheartened with the recent allegations against members of the WWE. It has been a lot to process since we just found out this past week as you all did.”

The two made their debut in the WWE back in 2007 as the Bella Twins. They officially retired in March 2023 and began going by the Garcia Twins. 

“We were just craving a new chapter in our lives and we knew in doing that we had to go back to who we were and who we are — the Garcia twins. And I feel like, for us, the Bella Twins really were a character at the WWE. Now, we were attached to them outside of the ring because we were using the name so much, but at the end of the day, it was a big part of WWE.”

In their recent statement, they voiced support for the victims but didn't mention anyone in particular. 

Laurinaitis is a former pro wrestler known as Johnny Ace and has been married to Nikki and Brie’s mother, Kathy Colace Laurinaitis, since 2016.

“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.”

It was only last week that a former WWE staffer, Janel Grant, claimed she was a victim of "physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault and trafficking.” She filed a lawsuit against former World Wrestling Entertainment co-founder Vince McMahon.

Court documents state Grant alleged McMahon "pushed" her to have a physical relationship with him. 

Additionally, she claimed he shared sexually explicit photographs of her with other men in the organisation, and coerced her into having sex with other staffers.

McMahon is the main subject of the lawsuit, however, Laurinaitis was named, along with the corporation as a whole.

She also claimed WWE was aware of the "wrongdoing" and tried to cover it up, alleging McMahon attempted to silence her, via a nondisclosure agreement. McMahon has denied the allegations.

Since the news became public, McMahon has stepped down from TKO Group. WWE falls under this media group. 

“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, effective immediately." 

"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. I intend to vigorously defend myself against these baseless accusations, and look forward to clearing my name.”