Sexual Abuse Lawsuit Filed Against WWE, Vince McMahon & Linda McMahon By Former Ring Boys

A lawsuit has been filed today against WWE, Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO Group Holdings by DiCello Levitt and Murphy, Falcon & Murphy on behalf of five former "ring boys."

The lawsuit filed in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland alleges the underage ring boys were groomed, exploited and sexually abused by Mel Phillips at pro wrestling venues, hotel rooms and other locations. The lawsuit also claims the defendants were "fully aware" of the abuse and did nothing to prevent or stop it.

Greg Gutzler, a partner at DiCello Levitt, said: "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. That so many were aware of the sexual abuse of the Ring Boys and did nothing to prevent or stop it is simply unconscionable."

It was stated that the lawsuit was filed in 2024 as the ring boys, all listed as John Does in the filing, only "recently learned of the depth of knowledge that the McMahons and the WWE had about what happened to them and that sexual abuse in the company started at the top with the McMahons." Other factors listed were the possibility of coming forward without fear of retribution from Vince or Linda McMahon, recent changes in sex abuse laws, and the filing of Janel Grant's sex trafficking lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and WWE.

The plaintiffs in the lawsuit are seeking a judgement against WWE, Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO in excess of $30,000 and a jury trial.

WWE's ring boy programme was headed by Terry Garvin, and Mel Phillips worked under him. Tom Cole, a former ring boy for WWE in the late 1980s and early 1990s, accused Terry Garvin and Mel Phillips of sexual abuse and sexual harassment of underage boys in 1992. Pat Patterson was also accused of making sexual gestures towards Cole while he was a ring boy.

Mel Phillips was fired by WWE in 1988 but he was later rehired by Vince McMahon with a mandate to stay away from children. WWE severed ties with Phillips permanently in 1992. Terry Garvin ceased to be employed by WWE in 1992. In March 1992, Vince McMahon claimed he had no knowledge of inappropriate conduct among WWE officials.

Tom Cole reached an out-of-court settlement with WWE. He died by suicide in 2021.

A former ring boy who worked for WWE in 1986 and 1987 accused Mel Phillips of inappropriate conduct earlier this year. Nick Kiniski, a former WWE wrestler, also alleged earlier this year that Terry Garvin propositioned him.

The attorneys representing DiCello Levitt are Greg Gutzler, Mark DiCello, Bobby DiCello, Adam Prom, and Emma Bruder. Representing Murphy, Falcon & Murphy is William H. Murphy Jr.

The full lawsuit can be found here.