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Plaintiffs in WWE Lawsuit Seek Continued Anonymity
January 20, 2026 – A motion has been filed by plaintiffs in a lawsuit against WWE, TKO, and Vince and Linda mcmahon requesting that their identities remain sealed under ‘John Doe’ pseudonyms. the lawsuit alleges sexual abuse and negligence dating back to the 1980s [1].
Allegations of Abuse and Negligence
The plaintiffs claim they were sexually abused by individuals associated with the World wrestling Federation (WWF), now WWE, while working as “ring boys” – young men hired to assist with setting up the wrestling ring during events. The 110-page complaint specifically names mel Phillips, a former WWF ring announcer who passed away in 2012, as one of the alleged abusers. The plaintiffs further allege that Vince and Linda McMahon were aware, or should have been aware, of Phillips’s alleged predatory behavior and failed to protect them [1].
additionally, one plaintiff alleges abuse by Pat Patterson (