WWE and TKO attorneys want the ongoing sexual abuse lawsuit brought by former “ring boys” put on hold until the Maryland Supreme Court rules on the constitutionality of the Maryland Child Victims Act.
New court filings were submitted on Monday, via Brandon Thurston at POST Wrestling.
“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.”
On October 23, a lawsuit was filed against WWE, Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO on behalf of "Ring Boys" who survived sexual abuse. Five survivors, named as John Does, claim they were groomed and sexually abused by WWE ring crew boss and ring announcer Mel Phillips. The lawsuit cites multiple examples of former WWE personnel and talent, indicating that it was common knowledge that Phillips was sexually abusing ring boys.
The new Maryland law removes the statute of limitations, allowing victims to sue non-perpetrator defendants whose negligence may have led to child sex abuse. The defendants pointed to a number of other cases that have been stayed and await a decision from the Maryland Supreme Court.
WWE also asked the federal court to postpone their December 9 deadline to respond to the ring boys’ complaint. WWE’s lawyers state they contacted the plaintiffs’ attorneys to agree on delaying the deadline but were denied. Furthermore, WWE has asked the court to shorten the plaintiffs’ deadline to oppose their request for more time, setting it for this Thursday, December 5.
Judge James K. Bredar is assigned to the federal case and will rule on the defendants’ motions.
