WWE Hit With New Abuse Allegations As More Ring Boys Join Lawsuit

WWE’s 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 Patterson’s 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 6’s head against wall [sic], patted him down, and then grabbed John Doe 6’s 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 WWE’s defense that they weren’t responsible for the minors. It also claims Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon had personal knowledge—or should have had knowledge—of 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 Maryland’s 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 today’s WWE isn’t liable for past misconduct. But the amended filing shoots those defenses down, laying out a case that the abuse happened under their watch—and 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.