Dutch Mantell reacts to ex-WWE employee's divorce, calls him a "snake"

John Laurinaitis worked for WWE as a backstage executive and occasional on-screen talent between 2001 and 2022. Dutch Mantell, formerly known as Zeb Colter in WWE, recently reacted to the news that Laurinaitis is no longer married.

In January, former WWE employee Janel Grant accused Laurinaitis and Vince McMahon of sexual misconduct. Kathy Colace, the mother of WWE Hall of Famers Brie and Nikki Bella, revealed in October that her divorce from Laurinaitis had been finalized.

On Story Time with Dutch Mantell, Mantell said the 62-year-old has always been a "snake" in the wrestling business:

"I knew about him before I even got there [in 2013]. His reputation preceded him, and I knew how he was before because I'd heard stories about him. With time, he was just a snake, basically. Don't tell him nothing you don't want anybody to know because he'll tell everybody, plus add on to it a little bit, and to the negative." [2:06 – 2:41]

Laurinaitis had been married to Kathy Colace since 2016. They appeared together on the Total Bellas and Total Divas reality shows alongside The Bella Twins.

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Dutch Mantell explains why WWE hired John Laurinaitis

Between 2013 and 2016, Dutch Mantell performed as the Zeb Colter on-screen personality in WWE. He also worked as a booker, in-ring competitor, and manager for several decades.

According to Mantell, John Laurinaitis was likely hired in the first place because he had a reputation for coming up with creative ways to end matches:

"He would [talk negatively about other people], I guess, but not to me because I didn't talk to him that much. I never trusted him. I could look at him and say, 'Hey, here's a guy who wanted to be a wrestler. Now he's wearing a suit and tie running around.' And he took the quickest route possible to get to the boss because I think he was coming up with some finishes in Japan, and he was supposed to be a great finish guy. I never saw it, but that's what he was supposed to be." [2:52 – 3:21]

Laurinaitis wrestled for 14 years before becoming an executive. He was best known for his work in Japan, where he won tag titles six times in All Japan Pro Wrestling.

What are your thoughts on John Laurinaitis? Hit the discuss button and let us know.

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Please credit Story Time with Dutch Mantell and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.