World · North America · 2 hrs ago
Judge allows ‘ring boy’ lawsuit against WWE and McMahons to proceed
A federal judge ruled the ‘ring boy’ lawsuit can proceed against WWE, TKO, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon.
Seven anonymous plaintiffs allege they were sexually abused or harassed by former WWE employees in the 1980s and 1990s.
The case concerns allegations that former ring announcer Mel Phillips recruited teenagers to WWE’s ring crew to abuse them; one plaintiff also alleges abuse by Pat Patterson, and another says Terry Garvin sexually harassed him.
The defendants had argued that Maryland’s Child Victims Act was unconstitutional and that the passage of decades would make the case difficult to defend.
Judge James K. Bredar found the law constitutional as applied to this case, allowing the claims to continue under a law passed in 2023 that permits civil claims over childhood sexual abuse regardless of how long ago it happened.
The case will now enter the discovery phase, when evidence can be gathered and depositions may take place.
A November 17 teleconference is scheduled to discuss the timing, while a trial remains at least several months away.
The defendants had not said whether they would appeal, and the case could also be settled or delayed.
A federal judge ruled that a lawsuit by seven anonymous former WWE ring boys can proceed, rejecting an effort by WWE, TKO and Vince and Linda McMahon to have it dismissed.
U.S. District Judge James K. Bredar found that Maryland’s Child Victims Act is constitutional as applied to the case.
The plaintiffs allege they were sexually abused in the 1980s and 1990s by former WWE employees, including ring announcer Mel Phillips.
They also claim former WWE owners Vince and Linda McMahon were negligent in allowing the abuse to happen; the defendants deny the primary allegations.
The case will move to discovery, with a teleconference to schedule future deadlines set for November 17.
- Who
- Seven anonymous former WWE ring boys are suing WWE, TKO and Vince and Linda McMahon.
- What
- A federal judge rejected the defendants’ effort to dismiss the lawsuit. The case will proceed to discovery.
- When
- Judge James K. Bredar ruled on October 19, 2026.
- Where
- The case is in federal court and was brought under Maryland’s Child Victims Act. The alleged abuse is said to have occurred in different states, including Maryland.
- Why
- The plaintiffs allege childhood sexual abuse and negligence by former WWE owners. The defendants argued that applying the Maryland law violated their due-process rights.
The plaintiffs
WWE, TKO, Vince and Linda McMahon
Legal basis
The plaintiffs
The plaintiffs brought claims under Maryland’s Child Victims Act, which removed time limits for civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse.
WWE, TKO, Vince and Linda McMahon
The defendants argued that applying the law to alleged abuse from decades ago violated their due-process rights.
Ability to litigate
The plaintiffs
The plaintiffs seek to pursue their claims in court.
WWE, TKO, Vince and Linda McMahon
The defendants argued that the passage of time and the deaths of key figures would make the case too difficult to litigate.
Maryland passed the Child Victims Act, removing time limits for civil lawsuits related to child sexual abuse.
Eight anonymous plaintiffs filed the lawsuit; an earlier motion to dismiss later narrowed the number of plaintiffs to seven.
The plaintiffs overcame an earlier motion to dismiss, and the case continued with seven plaintiffs.
Judge James K. Bredar ruled that the Maryland law is constitutional as applied to the case and allowed the lawsuit to proceed.
A teleconference is scheduled to set future deadlines.
- Plaintiffs
- Seven anonymous former WWE ring boys
- Defendants
- WWE, TKO, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon
- Alleged period
- 1980s and 1990s
- Key accused former employees
- Mel Phillips, Pat Patterson and Terry Garvin
- Applicable law
- Maryland Child Victims Act, passed in 2023
- Next scheduled event
- November 17 teleconference
3 sources
What people are saying
This ruling is a significant victory for our clients and for other survivors of childhood sexual abuse who have waited years for the opportunity to seek justice.
Trauma does not follow a legal deadline, and Maryland’s Child Victims Act recognizes that reality.
Our clients have waited years to hold those responsible accountable.
We will not stop fighting until their voices are heard and they have their day in court.