Sexual Abuse of WWE ‘Ring Boys’

DiCello Levitt and Murphy, Falcon & Murphy represent survivors seeking justice against World Wrestling Entertainment, LLC (WWE), Vincent K. McMahon, Linda McMahon, and TKO Group Holdings, Inc.

What Happened?

For over two decades, WWE employees lured underaged boys—known as “Ring Boys”—to assist with WWE’s wrestling events. These boys, many from vulnerable backgrounds, were groomed, exploited, and sexually abused by WWE’s ringside announcer, Melvin Phillips Jr., and another WWE executive.

The abuse occurred not only at wrestling venues, but also in hotels used in connection with WWE’s events, often in plain sight of WWE executives and wrestlers. Despite widespread knowledge of Phillips’s predatory behavior, WWE leadership—including Vince and Linda McMahon—failed to properly intervene or prevent the abuse, which allowed it to continue.

Federal investigations and media reports have documented how Phillips used his prominent WWE position to lure, manipulate, and assault children. Our lawsuit alleges WWE’s leaders prioritized protecting the company’s reputation over the safety and well-being of underaged boys.

Who Was Affected?

The survivors include boys from across the Northeast and beyond, many of whom suffered in silence for years due to fear, shame, and intimidation. Their stories reveal a pattern of systemic abuse, cover-up, and retaliation against those who tried to speak out. The survivors endured lasting physical and psychological trauma.

Our Role in the Litigation

The lawsuit filed by DiCello Levitt and Murphy, Falcon & Murphy is pending in Maryland federal court, on behalf of eight survivors, known as John Does 1–8. The case seeks accountability from WWE, Vince and Linda McMahon, and TKO, who plaintiffs allege enabled, facilitated, and/or failed to prevent the abuse. With the Supreme Court of Maryland’s landmark decision eliminating the statute of limitations for child sex abuse lawsuits, survivors have come forward to redress the immense harm they suffered in connection with WWE events in Maryland.

Our firms are committed to uncovering the truth about WWE’s culture of abuse and fighting for justice for all survivors. As lead counsel in other major sex abuse cases—including the international litigation against disgraced fashion mogul Peter Nygard—DiCello Levitt continues to protect children, women, and men from exploitation, sexual violence, and discrimination.

This case is Does 1–8 v. WWE, et al. The DiCello Levitt team is led by Greg Gutzler and includes Mark DiCello, Bobby DiCello, Adam Prom, and Emma Bruder, with Murphy, Falcon & Murphy’s William H. “Billy” Murphy, Jr.

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