Warning: the following report contains explicit content.
A new lawsuit was filed on October 23 against WWE, Vince and Linda McMahon, and TKO Group, as reported in Rolling Stone.
The lawsuit names five survivors (“John Doe”) of sexual abuse, claiming the plaintiffs were groomed and sexually abused by former WWE ring crew boss and ring announcer Mel Phillips.
In a document detailing the case (courtesy of Fightful), the legal counsel representing the “Ring Boys” cite multiple examples of former WWE personnel and talent indicating common knowledge of the actions of Phillips from the 1970s through the early 1990s, culminating in a federal investigation.
The case also cites a lawsuit filed against WWE and its former chairman by Janel Grant, a case currently on pause as McMahon is under federal investigation for allegations of sex trafficking and sexual and emotional abuse.
Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, issued a statement via Brandon Thurston on the “Ring Boys” lawsuit, once again calling for former WWE employees who experienced cases of abuse to waive their non-disclosure agreements:
“The allegations in the ‘ring boys’ lawsuit against WWE are deeply troubling. Vince McMahon made sexual abuse and human trafficking a hallmark of WWE’s culture for decades. Survivors like Janel Grant and other former WWE employees deserve their day in court. All former WWE employees who experienced sexual abuse and harassment should be allowed to tell the truth by having their non-disclosure agreements waived. Ms. Grant stands by all WWE survivors and believes that Mr. McMahon, WWE, and all involved parties must be held accountable.”
Callis previously asked for such waivers on October 8th, noting that former and current employees and contractors would be allowed to potentially come forward with allegations as a result.