Jim Ross Discusses John Laurinaitis’ First Public Appearance Since Lawsuit

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross believes John Laurinaitis’ upcoming independent appearance is largely a financial decision.

Speaking on Grilling JR, Jim Ross addressed John Laurinaitis’ scheduled appearance at Big Time Wrestling’s March Mayhem event in Chillicothe, Ohio, on March 14. The signing will mark Laurinaitis’ first public appearance in more than two years and his first independent signing.

Ross suggested the motivation behind the booking was straightforward.

“It’s a payday. That’s the one thing. He’s not doing it for his humanitarian efforts. He’s doing it for the payday,” Ross said. “I’m sure he’s going to be a compelling guest. He’s certainly easy to ask questions of.”

Laurinaitis had largely remained out of the public eye since January 2024, when former WWE employee Janel Grant filed a federal lawsuit accusing Vince McMahon, Laurinaitis, and WWE of sexual assault and sex trafficking. The lawsuit alleged that McMahon and Laurinaitis coerced Grant into sexual acts during her time with the company and used a $3 million nondisclosure agreement to prevent her from speaking publicly.

McMahon resigned from WWE’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, shortly after the lawsuit was filed. He has denied the allegations.

Laurinaitis was dismissed from the lawsuit in May 2025 after reaching a confidential settlement with Grant. As part of the agreement, Laurinaitis agreed to cooperate and provide evidence in Grant’s ongoing case against McMahon and WWE.

Grant’s lawsuit remains active, with both sides agreeing to a hearing scheduled for June 2026 to determine whether the case will proceed in court or move to private arbitration.

In a recent appearance on the Two Man Power Trip podcast, Laurinaitis explained that the timing of his return is also tied to a personal moment. The March Mayhem event will coincide with the Road Warriors’ induction into the Ohio Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame, with a tribute match planned in their honour. Laurinaitis’ brother, Joe Laurinaitis, was known to fans as Road Warrior Animal before his passing in 2020.

“The reason I’m doing it is because it’s kind of ironic, the Road Warriors are being inducted into the Ohio Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame,” Laurinaitis said. “So it’s really special that my first appearance will be something that honors my brother.”

Jim Ross Is Hopefuly This Upcoming Appearance Can Pave The Way For Future Appearances For John Laurinaitis

Jim Ross added that the event could open the door for Laurinaitis to make additional appearances in the future.

“Hopefully that’ll be successful for Laurinaitis, and he’ll have a good payday,” Ross said. “And then maybe that opens the door to other signings.”

Laurinaitis previously served as WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and was also known to fans as the on-screen General Manager of Raw and SmackDown. Earlier in his career, he competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling under the name Johnny Ace, where he was a multiple-time tag team champion.