WWE wants 'Ring Boys' lawsuit against Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO put on hold, here is why
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has sought to pause an ongoing sexual abuse lawsuit until the Maryland Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the law under which it was filed. TKO Group, the parent company of WWE, through its lawyer, claimed that the lawsuit filed by former 'ring boys' could not go forward, urging the court to stay this matter.
WWE Ring boy scandal??
The Ring boy scandal is one of the most controversial cases WWE, its former chairman Vince McMahon, former CEO Linda McMahon, and others have faced in a long time.
The Ring boy scandal, as it became known later, occurred in the late 80s and early 90s in WWE, when influential ringside announcer Mel Phillips was accused of grooming and sexually abusing young men who were hired as ring boys.
Also read:?Vince McMahon Steps Down From WWE Parent Company After Sex Abuse Case By Ex-Employee
Ring boys lawsuit
The controversy, which WWE tried to brush under the carpet for a long time, resurfaced earlier this year when a lawsuit was filed against WWE, Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO on behalf of five individuals who worked as ring boys. They alleged that they were sexually abused by Phillips, who died in 2012, during their time in the company in the 1980s, when they were all between 13 and 15 years old.
According to the complainants, both Vince and Linda McMahon were well aware of Phillips' actions but did little to stop him.
Why WWE wants ring boys lawsuit put on hold?
WWE, in its new filing, said the lawsuit should be paused until the constitutionality of the Maryland Child Victims Act, which ¡°removes the statutes of limitations¡± and allows victims to ¡°sue non-perpetrator defendants whose negligence may have led to child sex abuse,¡± is decided.
WWE and TKO representatives filed to remove the case from the state level and bring it to federal court, arguing that federal jurisdiction was ¡°established due to the diversity of state citizenship of the parties and the amount of damages the plaintiffs are seeking.¡±
Other cases against McMahon
Apart from the Ring boy scandal, McMahon, who stepped down from his role in TKO in January 2024, is also facing other sexual abuse and human trafficking charges, including one filed by a former WWE employee, Janel Grant.
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