Linda McMahon Seeks MD Lawsuit Dismissal
Linda McMahon is seeking to have a federal lawsuit dismissed that accuses her and other former World Wrestling Federation officials of enabling the sexual abuse of underage boys during the 1980s and 1990s.
Filed in Maryland under the state’s Child Victims Act, the lawsuit alleges that McMahon and others in the company now known as WWE turned a blind eye to a pattern of sexual misconduct by key personnel. The plaintiffs, referred to collectively as the “ring boys,” say they were teenagers working behind the scenes at wrestling events when they were assaulted by older male employees.
McMahon, who co-founded the WWF with her husband, Vince McMahon, and later served as the company’s CEO, filed a motion to dismiss the complaint on Friday, April 5. In court filings, her legal team argues that the claims are vague, lack specific allegations tying her directly to the alleged abuse, and fail to establish that she had knowledge of or responsibility for the actions in question.
Her attorneys also contend that the Maryland court lacks jurisdiction over her, stating that she has no ties to the state and did not reside, work, or conduct business there in connection with the allegations.
The lawsuit names several former WWF employees, including announcer Mel Phillips, as alleged abusers. The plaintiffs allege that WWF management, including Linda McMahon, failed to protect them and concealed misconduct to avoid scandal and preserve the company’s reputation.
Maryland’s Child Victims Act, enacted in 2023, eliminated the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits involving child sexual abuse, allowing cases like this to proceed even decades after the alleged incidents occurred.
The court has not yet ruled on McMahon’s motion to dismiss.
Sources: Post Wrestling, Sports Illustrated, WrestleZone