A federal judge in Maryland has largely denied dismissal motions filed by WWE, TKO Group Holdings, and Vince and Linda McMahon in the “Ring Boys” child sexual abuse case, allowing most of the survivors’ claims to proceed to discovery.
The lawsuit alleges that WWE leadership, including the McMahons, failed to stop widespread abuse of underaged “Ring Boys” by longtime ring announcer Melvin Phillips Jr. and another executive during the 1980s, despite knowledge of the misconduct, and attorneys say the ruling is a key step toward uncovering what WWE knew and pursuing accountability.
Per the news release distributed by DiCello Levitt: “The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland has largely denied motions to dismiss filed by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), TKO Group Holdings, and Vince and Linda McMahon in the “Ring Boys” child sexual abuse case, allowing the majority of survivors’ claims to proceed to discovery. In a detailed memorandum, Judge James K. Bredar held that plaintiffs plausibly alleged WWE’s duty and knowledge, and that claims against the defendants may move forward.
DiCello Levitt—together with Murphy, Falcon & Murphy—represents the survivors in the case, Does 1–8 v. WWE, et al., which will now move to discovery.
“This ruling affirms that our clients’ allegations deserve to be heard in court and marks a significant step forward for these survivors,” said Greg Gutzler, a partner at DiCello Levitt who leads the litigation. “Through discovery, we will obtain documents and testimony that shed further light on who knew about this terrible abuse and how it was allowed to persist. We look forward to uncovering the truth and pursuing accountability for survivors who have waited decades to tell their stories.”
“For too long, these survivors carried this burden alone,” added DiCello Levitt Partner Adam Prom. “We will fight vigorously to secure the justice they were denied for decades and pursue redress from those who failed to protect them.”
For years, WWE employees lured underaged boys—known as “Ring Boys”—to assist with WWE’s wrestling events. These boys, many from vulnerable backgrounds, were groomed, exploited, and sexually abused by WWE’s ringside announcer, Melvin Phillips Jr., and another WWE executive.
The abuse occurred not only at wrestling venues, but also in hotels used in connection with WWE’s events, often in plain sight of WWE executives and wrestlers. Despite widespread knowledge of Phillips’s predatory behavior, WWE leadership—including Vince and Linda McMahon—failed to properly intervene or prevent the abuse, which allowed it to continue.
As the case advances into discovery, the litigation is led by a seasoned team: DiCello Levitt’s Greg Gutzler with Adam Prom, Mark DiCello, Bobby DiCello, and Emma Bruder, alongside Murphy, Falcon & Murphy’s William H. “Billy” Murphy, Jr.”
