Martha Hart on Vince McMahon allegations: The level of wickedness is beyond the pale

Martha Hart isn’t surprised by the sexual abuse lawsuit that’s been filed against Vince McMahon.

Hart, the widow of wrestling legend Owen Hart, appeared as an in-studio guest on NewsNation’s Banfield on Thursday. Hart said she was “a little reluctant” to come on the show because she doesn’t do a lot of these types of interviews, but the importance of the topic made her want to contribute.

Ashleigh Banfield asked Hart if she was surprised by the details of Janel Grant’s lawsuit. Grant, a former WWE employee, filed the suit against McMahon, WWE, and John Laurinaitis this January. It accuses McMahon of physical and emotional abuse, sexual assault, and sex trafficking.

Hart responded:

No, I was not surprised when I heard there was yet another lawsuit. Over the years, the WWE, they’ve had many lawsuits and they’ve had a lot of bad press. And I tell you, I read all of the 67 pages in that complaint – and it is absolutely horrific. And I have to say that the level of wickedness that’s described is beyond the pale in that complaint, and anyone with a shred of humanity would find the indignant acts just incomprehensible, frankly.

So it wasn’t a shock that there was another lawsuit, but the level of, I guess, depravity there certainly was. I’m a doctor in mental health and I’m also the founder and director of the Owen Hart Foundation, so no matter what hat I’m wearing, I always work with at-risk people. And I can tell you that – anyone that takes advantage of a vulnerable person is the most despicable type of person because these are people that need to be supported and protected, not exploited. And by Janel Grant’s own admission, she was a vulnerable person. She was unemployed, her parents had passed away, she was suffering with grief, and she was also just on the cusp of financial collapse. So these are all the makings of a very vulnerable person.

Hart had her own legal battles with McMahon and WWE following her husband’s death in 1999. A wrongful death lawsuit filed against WWE was settled for a reported $18 million. Hart later sued WWE again over using Owen Hart’s name and likeness without permission. That suit was also settled.

Hart told Banfield that her lawsuits against WWE were a “David and Goliath” battle:

I did go toe-to-toe twice with Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and their company – and it was a David and Goliath battle. And I’ll tell you that it was a tooth-and-nail fight, and they will stop at nothing to protect themselves for sure. They run a billion dollar company, and in doing that, they’re able to, like a lot of big companies, they’re able to delay cases, they’re able to muddy the waters, they’re able to detract and take everything away from the case at hand. And so in that sense, they can hire the best lawyers and they have that might on their side. And a lot of times what happens with wealthy people, their wealth – they feel – has no bounds, and so then they have no boundaries. And they feel that they can do anything and get away with anything.

Hart was asked if there’s any advice she has for Janel Grant:

I would say to just stay the course. And her claim is very credible, and I would be steadfast in my convictions, and don’t back down.

Vince McMahon resigned from WWE and its parent company TKO Group Holdings after Grant’s lawsuit was filed. McMahon has vowed to vigorously defend himself against the allegations.

Since 2022, Hart has partnered with AEW to present the annual Owen Hart Foundation tournament. The foundation supports local, national, and international communities through scholarships, housing, and partnership programs.