WWE Trying To Pause Ring Boys Lawsuit

Attorneys for WWE and TKO Group Holdings are looking to pause the sexual abuse lawsuit filed by five former WWE ring boys, Brandon Thurston for POST Wrestling has reported.

Attorneys are trying to pause the suit until the Maryland Supreme Court issues a ruling on the Maryland Child Victims Act. The new law removes the statute of limitations, which allows victims to sue defendants whose negligence may have led to child sexual abuse.

"If the [Child Victims Act] is found to be unconstitutional, the claims here cannot go forward. Given that circumstance, it is appropriate and even necessary to stay this matter until the Supreme Court of Maryland decides that fundamental and potentially case determinative issue," attorneys wrote in new court filings.

WWE and TKO attorneys argued that a number of other cases have already been paused while they await a decision from the Maryland Supreme Court.

In addition to requesting a stay, attorneys for WWE and TKO have filed to move the case from Baltimore County Circuit Court to federal court in Maryland. Attorneys for Vince and Linda McMahon have given their consent to WWE's attempts to move the case to federal court.

Five former ring boys filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, Maryland in October against WWE, Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO Group Holdings. The lawsuit alleges that Mel Phillips groomed, exploited, and sexually abused underage ring boys and the defendants were "fully aware" of the abuse carried out by Phillips but did nothing to prevent or stop it.

Ring boys are underage boys who used to help set up the ring at WWE shows. The ring boy crew was headed by Terry Garvin, while Mel Phillips worked under him. WWE stopped employing Phillips and Garvin in 1992 following accusations made by Tom Cole, a former ring boy.

Linda McMahon being named in the lawsuit comes amidst President-elect Donald Trump nominating her to be the Education Secretary in his new administration.

Vince McMahon remains a TKO shareholder, although he is not involved in running WWE. McMahon, WWE and John Laurinaitis are currently being sued by Janel Grant, who has accused McMahon of sex trafficking, sexual assault, and physical and emotional abuse. WWE are accused of attempting to cover up the allegations against McMahon. The lawsuit is on pause until December 11.