WWEs legal nightmare just got even uglier. An amended lawsuit filed Monday in the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland now includes three new plaintiffs, bringing fresh and disturbing allegations against Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and the company.
According to Post Wrestling, the lawsuit accuses WWE and its former executives of allowing, ignoring, and covering up child sexual abuse committed by former ring announcer Mel Phillips and former executive Pat Patterson. New claims from John Does 6, 7, and 8 were added, with detailed accusations describing horrific abuse at WWF events and hotels.
John Doe 6, a Mississippi resident, claims that after a WWF show in 1989, he was forced into Pat Pattersons hotel room where he was given alcohol, Patterson played pornography on the television, and forced Doe 6 to give Patterson oral sex and vice versa. He also alleges that wrestler Koko B. Ware assaulted him in a WWF locker room in front of witnesses, saying Koko B. Ware told John Doe 6 to get against wall [sic], pushed John Doe 6s head against wall [sic], patted him down, and then grabbed John Doe 6s crotch. Only Tony Chimel reportedly spoke up to tell Ware to stop.
John Doe 7, who met Phillips in 1974, says he was sexually abused by Phillips repeatedly, including being given alcohol and assaulted in Baltimore hotels. John Doe 8 alleges Phillips sexually abused him in 1982 after inviting him to WWF shows in Baltimore, offering him marijuana and pills, and involving him in sick acts inside hotel rooms.
The lawsuit points out that WWE compensated these underage workers with cash, food, or lodging, directly challenging WWEs defense that they werent responsible for the minors. It also claims Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon had personal knowledgeor should have had knowledgeof underage boys working the ring crew, especially since Shane McMahon was allegedly injured while wrestling one of them backstage.
Phillips and Patterson are both deceased, but their alleged actions are at the center of a case that now leans heavily on Marylands Child Victims Act of 2023, which wiped out the statute of limitations for survivors of child sexual abuse.
The McMahons and WWE have moved to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing issues like jurisdiction and claiming todays WWE isnt liable for past misconduct. But the amended filing shoots those defenses down, laying out a case that the abuse happened under their watchand that WWE had a clear duty of care to the boys.
So far, WWE and the McMahons have not issued a public response to the newest allegations. Requests for comment were not returned.
Ringside News will continue to keep you updated as more information becomes available.
Should WWE be forced to answer these allegations publicly in court, or will they find a way to dodge it again? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
