Former Ring Boys Accuse Mel Phillips; McMahons Allegedly Aware
Summary
– A new lawsuit accuses Vince and Linda McMahon, WWE, and TKO of failing to protect underage boys from abuse by former WWE announcer Mel Phillips.
– The suit claims the McMahons knew about the abuse but did not intervene, with FBI findings suggesting more victims.
– The allegations revisit WWE’s controversial “Ring Boy Scandal” of the 1990s, which saw similar accusations surface against Phillips and others.
A new civil lawsuit has been filed against Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, WWE, and its parent company, TKO, alleging that they failed to protect minors from abuse by former WWE ring announcer Mel Phillips. The lawsuit, filed by law firm DiCello Levitt and Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, represents five anonymous former “ring boys”—underage boys who helped set up WWE events in the 1980s and 1990s. According to the suit, Phillips groomed and sexually assaulted these boys, and the McMahons were aware but did not take action.
The lawsuit follows heightened attention to allegations against McMahon, spurred by a separate lawsuit from former WWE employee Janel Grant. Grant’s case has encouraged new accusers to come forward, adding pressure to the ongoing investigations. The law firm also disclosed that the FBI has identified at least 10 victims of Phillips, suggesting the scope of the abuse may be even larger.
Mark DiCello, one of the lawyers handling the case, emphasized the responsibility WWE and the McMahons had to protect these minors, saying, “We will vigorously fight to uncover the truth about this systemic, insidious, and life-altering abuse. We commend our clients for their bravery in coming forward and promise to relentlessly seek justice for them.”
The accusations against Mel Phillips are not new, as they date back to the “Ring Boy Scandal” of the 1990s, which involved Phillips and other WWE figures like former wrestler Terry Garvin and Pat Patterson. During that time, accusations of sexual abuse were brought against Phillips and Garvin. The allegations led to a settlement, with Phillips and Garvin dismissed from WWE. However, Pat Patterson, who was also implicated, eventually returned to the company after being let go.
Earlier this year, a former “ring boy” anonymously revisited these allegations on a podcast hosted by Lee Cole, the brother of Tom Cole, one of the original victims. Tom Cole was one of the first to publicly confront WWE about the abuse before taking his own life in 2021. His brother Lee has continued to advocate for the victims, keeping the story alive and ensuring it isn’t forgotten.
This new lawsuit against the McMahons aims to shed light on what many believe is a long history of misconduct and cover-ups within WWE. As more victims find the courage to speak out, the case promises to revisit some of the darkest chapters in WWE’s history.
