Former WWE "Ring Boys" lawsuit can move forward following Maryland Supreme Court ruling

The Ring Boys’ lawsuit against Vince and Linda McMahon, WWE, and TKO Holdings can move forward. The lawsuit was filed last October and the case had been stayed while Maryland Supreme Court determined whether the Child Victims Act was constitutional. 

On February 3, the court voted 4-3 in favor of removing the statute of limitations on allegations of child sex abuse. The law was signed in 2023 by Governor Wes Moore and allowed private entities to be included in lawsuits. 

Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics gave an explanation of the law. After passing a law in 2017 that allowed child victims of alleged sexual abuse to sue institutions up to 20 years after their 18th birthday. One of the institutions in question was the Archdiocese of Baltimore. 

The 2023 law eliminated time limits. As Thurston points out, the challenge in front of the court was if the 2017 law “established a state of repose meaning it granted parties like churches, schools, or WWE, permanent, irreversible immunity from being sued in such cases after the complainants turned age 38.  Monday’s ruling means that plaintiffs may sue defendants for liability no matter how long ago the abuse occurred. 

In the “Ring Boys” lawsuit, five former Ring Boys allege that the McMahons knew of the sexual abuse that occurred by the late Mel Phillips. The lawsuit lays out the alleged acts of abuse that happened to each of them when they were minors. 

When the suit was filed last year, Greg Gutzler, a partner at the Dicello Levitt law firm and lead attorney for the lawsuit said, "Thanks to the bravery of our clients, we finally have a chance to hold accountable those who allowed and enabled the open, rampant sexual abuse of these young boys. "That so many were aware of the sexual abuse of the Ring Boys and did nothing to prevent or stop it is simply unconscionable.” 

On Tuesdday, Gutzler responded to the Maryland Supreme Court's decision.

“The Maryland Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Maryland Child Victims Act, effectively eliminating any statute of limitations on child sex abuse lawsuits, is the right one, and we hope other states will follow Maryland’s lead."

“Survivors of sexual assault, especially children, often do not come forward for years or even decades after the abuse occurred. This delayed disclosure happens for numerous reasons—shame, fear, or manipulation—and it has too often prevented survivors from ever seeking justice and getting accountability. It also has allowed perpetrators to continue hurting countless innocent people.”

“My clients’ lives were destroyed by the defendants who allowed and enabled the open, rampant sexual abuse to occur for years. The abuse inflicted on my clients was inexcusable; they were mere children and had the right to expect that WWE executives would take action to protect them from the predators working within the WWE. We will bring light to their truth and fight for accountability and justice,” Gutzler added.

Vince, WWE, and John Laurinatis are currently facing a lawsuit from former employee Janel Grant. On January 31, attorneys for Grant filed a motion to amend the lawsuit to include new evidence. Linda was tapped to be President Trump’s pick for Secretary of Education. There is currently no confirmation hearing for her scheduled. It was also revealed that Linda received 25,000 restricted stock units worth nearly $195,000 in Trump Media stock.

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