Former WWE “ring boys” file lawsuit against Vince McMahon and others, alleging decades of sexual abuse and negligence.
At a Glance
- Five former WWE “ring boys” have filed a lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO Group Holdings.
- The lawsuit alleges negligence in allowing the abuse of underage children from the 1970s to early 1990s.
- Former WWE ring crew chief Melvin Phillips Jr. is accused of grooming and sexually abusing minors.
- The McMahons are alleged to have been aware of Phillips’s predatory behavior.
- Vince McMahon’s attorney denies the allegations, calling them false and defamatory.
Disturbing Allegations Emerge in WWE Lawsuit
In a shocking turn of events, five former WWE “ring boys” have filed a lawsuit against the wrestling giant, its former CEO Vince McMahon, his ex-wife Linda McMahon, and TKO Group Holdings. The suit, filed in Maryland’s Baltimore County Circuit Court, alleges negligence in allowing the widespread abuse of underage children from the 1970s to the early 1990s. At the center of these disturbing accusations is former WWE ring crew chief Melvin Phillips Jr., who is alleged to have groomed and sexually abused minors during his tenure with the company.
The lawsuit claims that the McMahons were fully aware of Phillips’s “peculiar and unnatural interest” in young boys but failed to intervene. This alleged inaction has now put WWE and its former executives in the crosshairs of a potentially damaging legal battle. The plaintiffs assert that Phillips’s abusive behavior was not only known but occurred in plain sight, with some incidents even being videotaped.
The complaint alleges decades of abuse by former WWE ring crew chief Melvin Phillips Jr. went unchecked. McMahon's lawyer says claims are false. https://t.co/hIYMGB1pSz
— USA TODAY Sports (@usatodaysports) October 24, 2024
McMahon’s Alleged Admission and WWE’s Response
One of the most damning allegations in the lawsuit is that Vince McMahon himself admitted to knowing about Phillips’s predatory behavior. This claim, if proven true, could have severe implications for McMahon and the WWE’s reputation. The lawsuit states that McMahon was aware of Phillips’s inappropriate interest in young boys as early as the 1980s, yet took no action to protect the vulnerable children under the company’s care.
“Phillips’s real motivation in luring the Ring Boys with the promise of gaining access to the popular WWE events was to sexually abuse them, And Vince McMahon knew it, admitting that he was aware, at least as early as the 1980s, that Phillips had a ‘peculiar and unnatural interest’ in young boys,” the lawsuit alleges.
In response to these allegations, McMahon’s attorney, Jessica Rosenberg, has vehemently denied the claims, labeling them as false and defamatory. Rosenberg’s statement suggests that the WWE and McMahon are prepared to fight these accusations vigorously in court. However, the plaintiffs’ lawyers argue that there are likely many more victims who have yet to come forward, implying that this lawsuit could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Negligence lawsuit filed against WWE, Vince McMahon by 'ring boys' who allege sexual abuse https://t.co/h3Wuq1Gjg8
— USA TODAY (@USATODAY) October 24, 2024
The Broader Context: Past Investigations and Recent Developments
This is not the first time WWE has faced scrutiny over such allegations. In 1992, both Phillips and WWE were under federal investigation for inappropriate relations with underage boys. The current lawsuit brings these past issues back into the spotlight, raising questions about the company’s handling of such serious matters over the decades.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the Netflix docuseries “Mr. McMahon” and New York Post reporter Phil Mushnick have accused WWE executives of being part of a pedophile ring. These accusations, combined with the current lawsuit, paint a troubling picture of the wrestling empire’s past. It’s worth noting that Vince McMahon resigned from WWE’s parent company TKO Holdings Group in January after separate allegations of misconduct, further complicating the company’s public image.