In a pivotal moment for the ongoing WWE ring boy lawsuit, a federal judge ruled on Wednesday to stay proceedings until the Maryland Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the states 2023 Child Victims Act. This decision could determine the fate of the case, which alleges the sexual abuse of five former WWE ring attendants in the 1980s.
The CVA, enacted earlier this year, removes the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving child sexual abuse, even in cases of negligence. This law is central to the claims brought by the plaintiffs, who have accused former WWE ring announcer Mel Phillips of abuse and allege that WWEs executives at the time, Vince and Linda McMahon, failed to protect them.
Federal Judge James K. Bredar sided with WWEs request to put the case on hold until the Maryland Supreme Court delivers its ruling, expected by August 2025.
The viability of Plaintiffs claims depends entirely on the constitutionality of the CVA, Bredar stated in his order, underscoring the importance of clarity on whether the CVAs retroactive application is lawful.
The Maryland Supreme Courts upcoming decision consolidates two similar cases involving claims against The Key School and the Harford County Board of Education. If the justices uphold the CVA, it would allow plaintiffs in cases like this one to move forward, regardless of how much time has passed since the alleged abuse.
The lawsuit, filed in October, alleges that Mel Phillips sexually abused the plaintiffsanonymized as John Doe 1 through 5while they worked as ring boys. It further claims that WWE, along with Vince and Linda McMahon, failed to act despite being aware of Phillips behavior. Phillips, the accused, passed away in 2012.
WWE has denied the allegations, with Vince McMahons attorney Jessica T. Rosenberg stating, We will vigorously defend Mr. McMahon and are confident the court will find that these claims are untrue and unfounded. Linda McMahons lawyer, Laura Brevetti, similarly dismissed the lawsuit as being filled with scurrilous lies, exaggerations, and misrepresentations.
The lawsuit has drawn significant attention, particularly as Linda McMahon awaits Senate confirmation for her nomination as U.S. Secretary of Education in President-elect Donald Trumps administration. The pause in legal proceedings provides temporary relief for WWE and the McMahons but also extends the uncertainty surrounding the case.
With the lawsuit on hold, WWE and the McMahons are not required to respond further to the allegations until the Maryland Supreme Court rules. The plaintiffs legal team has yet to comment on the judges decision to stay the case.
What do you think about the federal judges decision to pause the case? Should the Maryland Supreme Court uphold the Child Victims Act, or are retroactive lawsuits too complicated to navigate? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
