DINH DOONG

A scandal has erupted in the wrestling world as five former “ring boys” have filed a negligence lawsuit against WWE, Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO Group Holdings. The complaint, submitted to the Baltimore County Circuit Court, accuses the defendants of allowing “systemic and pervasive abuse” of underage boys from the 1970s through the early 1990s. This legal action, focusing on the conduct of former WWE ring crew chief Melvin Phillips Jr., has sent shockwaves through the sports entertainment industry.

The lawsuit, brought forward by five anonymous plaintiffs, alleges that Phillips, who passed away in 2012, recruited young boys, some as young as 12, to assist with ring setup. The complaint claims that Phillips manipulated these children, luring them with access to exclusive WWE events, only to subject them to sexual abuse. “Phillip’s real motivation in luring the ring boys with the promise of gaining access to the popular WWE events was to sexually abuse them,” the lawsuit states.

Adding to the gravity of the case, the plaintiffs accuse Vince McMahon of knowing about Phillips’s abusive behavior, quoting a supposed admission from McMahon. “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 complaint alleges.

The lawsuit not only targets Phillips’s actions but also focuses on the alleged failure of WWE leadership, including Vince and Linda McMahon, to prevent or address the abuse. The plaintiffs argue that the McMahons “either directly or indirectly provided Phillips with the funds to transport and board the victims” and allege that abuse occurred in the presence of other company employees and wrestlers.

Jessica Rosenberg, an attorney representing Vince McMahon, swiftly responded to the allegations, calling them “false claims” derived from outdated reports. “The negligence claims against Mr. McMahon that were asserted today rely on these same absurd, defamatory, and utterly meritless statements by Mr. Mushnick,” Rosenberg told USA TODAY Sports, referring to reporting from New York Post columnist Phil Mushnick, who first brought the allegations to light decades ago. “We will vigorously defend Mr. McMahon and are confident the court will find that these claims are untrue and unfounded.”

WWE and TKO Group Holdings have yet to release an official statement regarding the lawsuit. However, the allegations have revived intense scrutiny of the company’s past, as many recall the 1992 investigation into Phillips’s behavior. Although Phillips was initially dismissed by McMahon years before the investigation, he was later rehired with a directive to “stay away from children.”

The plaintiffs allege that Phillips’s misconduct was not an isolated incident but part of a broader pattern of abuse and negligence within WWE. The complaint also references other employees implicated in abuse scandals, including Terry Garvin and Pat Patterson, as documented in the Netflix docuseries “Mr. McMahon.” The plaintiffs’ lawyers argue that WWE had long been aware of the dangers posed by individuals like Phillips and failed to protect the children they employed.

“Thanks to the bravery of our clients, we finally have a chance to hold accountable those who allowed and enabled the open, rampant sexual abuse of these young boys,” said Greg Gutzler, an attorney from DiCello Levitt, the firm leading the litigation. “That so many were aware of the sexual abuse of the ring boys and did nothing to prevent or stop it is simply unconscionable.”

The lawsuit suggests that the abuse went far beyond the five plaintiffs, with lawyers asserting that there are “countless other victims” who have not yet come forward. These five individuals decided to take legal action after learning “the depth of knowledge that the McMahons and WWE had about what happened to them.”

This lawsuit is not the only legal battle facing Vince McMahon. The wrestling mogul is also the subject of another case involving allegations of sex trafficking and sexual abuse brought forward by a former WWE employee. That case is currently on hold while the U.S. Department of Justice conducts its own investigation into the matter.

With two significant legal battles now looming, WWE and its parent company, TKO Group Holdings, face immense pressure. The implications of these lawsuits could extend far beyond financial damages, potentially reshaping the future of the wrestling empire and its leadership.

As the legal process unfolds, the spotlight is firmly on WWE, its practices, and the legacy of Vince and Linda McMahon. If the court rules in favor of the plaintiffs, WWE could face severe financial penalties and long-lasting reputational damage. This case also raises questions about the responsibilities of entertainment companies in protecting minors and maintaining safe environments for their employees.

In a sport built on spectacle, drama, and larger-than-life personas, this real-life scandal may prove to be one of the most significant challenges WWE has ever faced. The outcome of the lawsuit will not only impact the lives of the plaintiffs but could also set a precedent for how cases of systemic abuse within corporations are addressed.

As the wrestling world watches closely, fans and observers alike are left wondering whether this lawsuit will mark the beginning of a new era of accountability—or the end of an empire built on controversy and control.