WWE And The TKO Group Looking To Pause Sexual Abuse Lawsuit
WWE is looking to have a lawsuit put on hold.
On October 23rd, 2024, it was announced that a new lawsuit had been filed against Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, WWE, and TKO. The suit alleges that those named were complicit in the sexual exploitation of children by former ring announcer and ring crew chief Melvin Phillips Jr.
The suit claims that the boys were “groomed, exploited, and sexually abused” by Phillips.
It’s alleged that McMahon and others were “fully aware” of the abuses suffered by the “ring boys” who often did odd jobs for the company in preparation for shows.
WWE Submits New Court Filing
Attorneys for WWE and the TKO Group have now requested the lawsuit be put on hold, as shown in new court filings submitted on December 2nd. The company wants to lawsuit paused until the Maryland Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the Maryland Child Victims Act.
The new Maryland law removes the statute of limitations, allowing victims to sue those who may have been negligent regarding cases of child sex abuse.
A decision is expected by August 31st, 2025.
“If the [Child Victims Act] is found to be unconstitutional, the claims here cannot go forward,” WWE’s attorneys wrote in the new filings. “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.”
The defendants noted that several other cases have been put on hold while awaiting a decision from the Supreme Court.
As WWE wants the case put on hold, the company has asked the court to postpone their December 9th deadline to respond to the complaint.
WWE and TKO also filed to have the case moved from the state level and the Baltimore County Circuit Court to federal court in Maryland. As stated by POST Wrestling:
“They argue that federal jurisdiction is established due to the diversity of state citizenship of the parties and the amount of damages the plaintiffs are seeking.”
Both Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon submitted separate flings agreeing with the move from WWE.
Vince and Linda McMahon continue to deny any wrongdoing.