Sean Rueter has been thinking too much about pro wrestling since at least WrestleMania I, and blogging about it for SBNation & Cageside Seats since around WrestleMania 28.

Janel Grant's lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis & WWE frequently mentions the "culture of sexual misconduct at WWE". Evidence Grant's legal team puts forward in the case seeks to demonstrate how the company and "and its most senior officials" allowed and even encouraged "a culture where the venture of harassment and sexual exploitation of women was tolerated to further the business and financial interests of WWE."

WWE and its owners, TKO Group, have countered that any misconduct or abuse of Grant or others by former Chairman McMahon and former executive Laurinaitis was perpetrated without corporate officials being aware of it. WWE maintains that whatever crimes or misbehavior happened at the company while McMahon and Laurinaitis were there ended when they left.

Today's reporting from The Athletic about misconduct allegations made against new Head of Media and Production Lee Fitting while he was at ESPN would seem to support the argument being put forth by Grant's team. Fitting was hired in January of this year, after Endeavor's acquisition of WWE and the formation of TKO. Laurinaitis was already gone, and McMahon soon would be.

Kendra Barkoff-Lamy, a public relations spokesperson for Grant, issued a statement today which reiterates their position in light of the accusations about Fitting:

"How can WWE claim they are committed to improving the company's culture, and at the same time, hire a man earlier this year who was accused of sexual misconduct and workplace harassment in his previous role? The allegations against Lee Fitting during his time at ESPN are extremely concerning. Revelations like this are why Janel Grant's lawyers sent a letter to WWE and Endeavor, urging them to release all current and former employees from their NDAs. The same old boys club who enabled Janel Grant's abuse are continuing to put alleged predators in leadership roles, and this pattern must change once and for all."

WWE has not commented on the allegations against Fitting. They declined to comment when contacted by The Athletic during the course of its reporting.