WWE: Vince, Linda McMahon Named in New Lawsuit

Five former “ring boys” who worked for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) as teenagers in the 1980s have filed a lawsuit against the company and its founders. The suit, which accuses WWE of enabling sexual abuse, also names Vince and Linda McMahon. Rolling Stone reports that this is the first time the McMahons have been personally implicated. (Source: Rolling Stone)

• The lawsuit accuses WWE of allowing Mel Phillips, a former ring crew boss, unfettered access to young boys, enabling the abuse with private locker rooms and no oversight. Evidence in the public record supports these allegations.
• This case marks the first time Vince and Linda McMahon are personally named as defendants, linking them to a cover-up of child sexual abuse at WWE, despite past accusations against Phillips dating back to the 1990s.
• Attorney Greg Gutzler, representing the plaintiffs, stated that WWE and its leaders failed to protect the young boys, and new developments are expected to expose further systemic corruption and abuse within the organization.

The lawsuit, filed by five anonymous plaintiffs, claims that WWE leadership, including Vince and Linda McMahon, were aware of the actions of Mel Phillips but allowed him continued access to young boys. According to the lawsuit, Phillips used his position to groom and abuse these boys, providing private rooms and other means to carry out the alleged crimes. The plaintiffs argue that WWE and the McMahons had a duty to protect them but failed, enabling years of abuse.

The allegations detail how WWE’s management, particularly Vince and Linda McMahon, had knowledge of the abuse yet allowed Phillips to maintain his role. This suit not only brings new attention to WWE’s history of neglecting child safety but also links Linda McMahon’s current political career with Donald Trump’s transition team, tying her to the alleged cover-up. This lawsuit is the first of its kind to directly implicate the McMahons in a decades-long cover-up of sexual abuse within their organization.

Greg Gutzler, the attorney representing the plaintiffs, emphasized the importance of this case, stating that it seeks to expose what he calls “systemic corruption” within WWE. The plaintiffs are looking for accountability and justice, claiming that the McMahons had more than sufficient knowledge of Phillips' activities and failed to act. With additional evidence from past investigations and previous lawsuits involving Phillips, this new filing aims to finally hold WWE’s leadership responsible.

While WWE and the McMahons have yet to respond publicly, the lawsuit builds on previously documented cases of abuse involving Phillips. WWE’s legal history includes settlements and accusations of negligence regarding Phillips' behavior, dating back to the early 1990s. This new lawsuit is set to reopen old wounds and potentially lead to further revelations about WWE’s internal culture and the role of its top executives in these incidents.

Term	Definition
WWE	World Wrestling Entertainment, a professional wrestling organization known for its live events and media productions.
Vince McMahon	Co-founder and former CEO of WWE, a prominent figure in professional wrestling.
Linda McMahon	Co-founder of WWE and a political figure, currently associated with Donald Trump’s transition team.
Mel Phillips	Former WWE ring announcer and crew boss accused of sexual abuse against minors.
Grooming	The act of establishing a trusting relationship with a minor to exploit and abuse them.
Sexual Abuse	Involves unwanted or coercive sexual contact, especially towards minors, as in the case of Mel Phillips.
Lawsuit	A legal action taken by a party to seek justice or compensation for alleged wrongdoing.
Negligence	A failure to exercise the care expected, leading to harm or damage, often cited in legal cases.
Donald Trump	Former President of the United States and current political figure linked with Linda McMahon.

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