History of John Laurinaitis in Timeline

John Laurinaitis, also known as Johnny Ace, is a retired professional wrestler and former wrestling executive. He gained prominence as a wrestler in the 1980s and 1990s, competing in various promotions. Laurinaitis transitioned into a backstage role, eventually becoming the head of talent relations for WWE. In this executive position, he was responsible for hiring, firing, and managing WWE's wrestlers, wielding significant influence over the company's roster. His tenure was marked by both successes and controversies, and he was eventually released from WWE.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 31, 1962: John Laurinaitis is born

On July 31, 1962, John Hodger Laurinaitis, also known as Johnny Ace, was born. He is an American retired professional wrestler and business executive.

Others born on this day/year

1986: Laurinaitis Begins Wrestling Career

In 1986, John Laurinaitis started his wrestling career as Johnny Ace, initially teaming with his brother The Terminator in NWA's Florida Championship Wrestling.

1987: Ace Crusher Innovation

In 1987, Laurinaitis innovated the cutter maneuver, which he dubbed the Ace Crusher, while training with Barry Windham.

May 19, 1990: Ace Loses to Mean Mark Callous at Capital Combat

On May 19, 1990, Johnny Ace lost to Mean Mark Callous, who later became known as The Undertaker, at Capital Combat in his last televised WCW match.

1990: Laurinaitis Joins All Japan Pro Wrestling

In 1990, John Laurinaitis chose to stay in All Japan Pro Wrestling (AJPW) after the company cut ties with the NWA, becoming a permanent foreign fixture on the roster and teaming with wrestlers like Kenta Kobashi.

January 2, 1991: Laurinaitis Wins New Year's Heavyweight Battle Royal

On January 2, 1991, John Laurinaitis won the New Year's Heavyweight Battle Royal at Korakuen Hall in AJPW.

1997: Laurinaitis Ranked in PWI Top 500

In 1997, John Laurinaitis was ranked #77 in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's (PWI) top 500 wrestlers.

February 28, 1998: Laurinaitis Challenges for Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship

On February 28, 1998, John Laurinaitis challenged Mitsuharu Misawa for the Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship, marking his only shot at those titles.

June 2000: Laurinaitis Retires and Joins WCW as Head Booker

In June 2000, John Laurinaitis retired from the ring following the split between All Japan Pro Wrestling and Pro Wrestling Noah, and he then joined World Championship Wrestling as head booker, replacing Vince Russo.

2000: Laurinaitis Ranked in PWI Top 500 All Time

In 2000, after retiring from the ring, John Laurinaitis was placed #203 in PWI's top 500 all time rankings.

March 2001: Laurinaitis Hired by WWF

In March 2001, John Laurinaitis was hired by WWF as a road agent after the acquisition of certain WCW assets.

June 2004: Laurinaitis Becomes VP of Talent Relations

In June 2004, John Laurinaitis replaced Jim Ross as the vice president of talent relations in WWE.

February 2007: Laurinaitis Promoted to Senior VP

In February 2007, John Laurinaitis was promoted to Senior Vice President in WWE.

March 2009: Laurinaitis Becomes Executive VP

In March 2009, John Laurinaitis was promoted to Executive Vice President in WWE.

June 27, 2011: CM Punk's 'Pipe Bomb' Promo

On June 27, 2011, during an episode of Raw, CM Punk described John Laurinaitis as a "glad-handing, nonsensical, douchebag yes-man" during his infamous 'pipe bomb' promo.

2011: Laurinaitis Wrestles in WWE

In 2011, John Laurinaitis started working as an occasional professional wrestler in WWE.

February 7, 2012: Laurinaitis Retained as Interim General Manager

On February 7, 2012, the Board of Directors decided to retain John Laurinaitis as the Interim General Manager of Raw.

March 5, 2012: Long in Charge of Raw

On March 5, 2012, Theodore Long was in charge of Raw for one night only as part of a swap with John Laurinaitis.

March 9, 2012: Laurinaitis in Charge of SmackDown and Wrestles Long

On March 9, 2012, John Laurinaitis was in charge of SmackDown for one night only as part of a swap with Theodore Long, and also wrestled his first match in WWE, losing to Long.

April 6, 2012: Laurinaitis Forces Long to Become Assistant

On April 6, 2012, John Laurinaitis forced Theodore Long to become his new assistant after threatening to discontinue Long's grandchildren's trust fund.

April 23, 2012: Laurinaitis Appoints Eve Torres Executive Administrator

On April 23, 2012, John Laurinaitis appointed Eve Torres as the Executive Administrator of Raw and SmackDown.

April 30, 2012: Laurinaitis Attacks Cena and Declares Himself as Opponent

On the April 30, 2012 episode of Raw SuperShow, John Laurinaitis, with the aid of Tensai, attacked John Cena and declared himself as Cena's opponent at Over the Limit.

June 11, 2012: Laurinaitis Receives Job Evaluation

On the June 11, 2012 episode of Raw SuperShow, Vince McMahon gave John Laurinaitis a job evaluation, which led to Big Show accidentally hitting McMahon with the WMD.

2012: Laurinaitis Relieved of Executive Duties

In 2012, John Laurinaitis was relieved of his backstage executive duties and returned to his original role as a road agent after being an on-screen performer.

2012: Laurinaitis Wrestles in WWE

In 2012, John Laurinaitis worked as occasional professional wrestler in WWE, before his on-screen firing.

March 29, 2013: Laurinaitis Offers Services to The Rock

On March 29, 2013, John Laurinaitis offered The Rock his services as a manager for his match at WrestleMania 29 against John Cena, resulting in Rock giving him a Spinebuster and a People's Elbow.

October 10, 2014: Laurinaitis Forms Team on SmackDown Anniversary

On October 10, 2014, during SmackDown's 15th Anniversary Special, John Laurinaitis formed a team to face Teddy Long's team to determine the greatest general manager in SmackDown history, but his team lost.

March 28, 2015: Laurinaitis Inducts The Bushwhackers into WWE Hall of Fame

On March 28, 2015, John Laurinaitis inducted The Bushwhackers into the WWE Hall of Fame.

September 3, 2015: Engagement to Kathy Colace

On September 3, 2015, Laurinaitis became engaged to Kathy Colace, who is the mother of The Bella Twins and the mother-in-law of former WWE champion Bryan Danielson.

March 24, 2016: Marriage to Kathy Colace

On March 24, 2016, John Laurinaitis and Kathy Colace were married in a private ceremony.

June 20, 2016: Laurinaitis Appearance on Raw

On the June 20, 2016 episode of Raw, John Laurinaitis made an appearance during the brand split but was escorted off the stage by Shane McMahon.

January 22, 2018: Laurinaitis Appears on Raw 25th Anniversary

On January 22, 2018, John Laurinaitis was one of the guests that appeared on stage during the 25th Anniversary episode of Raw.

May 10, 2020: Money in the Bank Cameo

On May 10, 2020, John Laurinaitis made a cameo appearance during the Men and Women's Money in the Bank match, which was filmed inside the WWE headquarters.

March 2021: Re-hired by WWE

In March 2021, Laurinaitis was re-hired by WWE as Head of Talent Relations.

2021: Laurinaitis Promoted to Head of Talent Relations in WWE

In 2021, John Laurinaitis was promoted to Head of Talent Relations in WWE.

April 2022: WWE Board Investigation

In April 2022, the WWE board began investigating nondisclosure agreements related to misconduct claims by women in the company against Laurinaitis and Vince McMahon.

2022: Laurinaitis Released from WWE

In 2022, John Laurinaitis was released from WWE.

2022: Wall Street Journal Report on Laurinaitis' Demotion

In 2022, it was stated in a Wall Street Journal investigative report that John Laurinaitis's demotion occurred around the time WWE reached a $1.5 million non-disclosure agreement with a woman who alleged misconduct against Laurinaitis.

January 2024: Janel Grant Lawsuit Filed

In January 2024, a lawsuit was filed by Janel Grant, who had been employed at WWE headquarters between 2019 and 2022. Grant alleged that Vince McMahon had coerced her into a sexual relationship, and along with John Laurinaitis sexually trafficked her and repeatedly sexually assaulted her during 2020–2021.

February 1, 2024: Laurinaitis Accuses McMahon

On February 1, 2024, Laurinaitis responded by releasing a statement through his attorney that accused McMahon of sexual misconduct, where he accused McMahon of holding "Power, [and] control" over him and of making "dictatorial sexual demands with repercussions if not met."