Vince and Linda McMahon Push Back Against Ring Boy Plaintiffs’ Anonymity in Federal Lawsuit

Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon are now formally opposing the request by former WWE ring boys to remain anonymous in their ongoing sexual abuse lawsuit.

According to a report by Brandon Thurston of POST Wrestling and Wrestlenomics, both Vince and Linda McMahon filed separate but similar legal oppositions on January 26, asking a Maryland federal judge to reject the plaintiffs’ attempt to continue using pseudonyms. The McMahons argue that anonymity would unfairly restrict their ability to defend themselves as the case enters the discovery phase.

The lawsuit, filed by seven men now in their 50s, alleges that they were sexually abused as children during their time as ring boys in the WWF. The abuse is primarily attributed to former WWF ring announcer Mel Phillips, who passed away in 2012. The plaintiffs accuse Vince and Linda McMahon of negligence in allowing the alleged abuse to occur. Both McMahons have denied all wrongdoing or knowledge of the incidents.

In early January, the plaintiffs requested to maintain their “John Doe” identities, citing ongoing psychological harm, trauma, and potential public exposure. They also asked the court to issue a protective order to limit how their identities could be used during discovery. Though the McMahons are already aware of the plaintiffs’ real names, the motion aimed to prevent those identities from becoming public.

The McMahons’ filings referenced recent rulings in New York civil cases involving Sean “P. Diddy” Combs and Kevin Spacey, where plaintiffs were required to proceed under their legal names. While the McMahons acknowledge those cases were in a different jurisdiction, they’ve asked the Maryland court to consider the precedent.

Neither WWE nor TKO has filed an opposition to the plaintiffs’ anonymity and are not expected to. The plaintiffs noted that both corporate entities have taken no position on the matter. The court is not expected to make a ruling until after February 6, when the plaintiffs’ deadline to respond to the McMahons’ opposition expires.

Should the court force the plaintiffs to reveal their names publicly, it could have serious implications for how similar abuse cases are handled in the future.

Do you believe the ring boy plaintiffs should be allowed to remain anonymous, or do Vince and Linda McMahon have a right to know who is accusing them publicly? Let us know in the comments.