Lind and Vince McMahon have filed a new motion in the ongoing “ring boy” lawsuit, which was brought against them in late 2024.
Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon have formally moved to block the plaintiffs in the long-running “ring boy” lawsuit from continuing under anonymous identities. According to Brandon Thurston of POST Wrestling, separate but similar filings were submitted on behalf of both McMahons, asking a federal judge to require the plaintiffs to proceed under their real names.
Their legal teams argue that allowing the men to use “John Doe” pseudonyms would unfairly limit the McMahons’ ability to defend themselves as the case moves into the discovery phase.
Earlier this month, the plaintiffs requested permission to remain anonymous, citing concerns over psychological harm, personal trauma and the risk of public exposure. They also sought a protective order to restrict how their identities could be used during proceedings, despite the defendants already knowing who they are.
In their opposition filings, attorneys for Vince and Linda McMahon pointed to recent high-profile civil cases involving Sean Combs and Kevin Spacey, where courts required plaintiffs to litigate under their legal names. While acknowledging that those cases were decided in New York, the McMahons’ lawyers urged the Maryland court to consider similar reasoning. They also raised the possibility of limited confidentiality orders as an alternative to full anonymity.
The plaintiffs now have until February 6 to respond to the McMahons’ oppositions before the court considers a ruling.
When Was The Ring Boy Lawsuit Filed Against Linda And Vince McMahon?
The lawsuit was filed in October 2024 against Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon, as well as WWE and TKO Group Holdings. It alleges that the McMahons knew about, and failed to prevent, the sexual abuse of underage boys by former WWF ring announcer Mel Phillips during the 1980s and early 1990s. Phillips died in 2012.
The case had been paused while the Maryland Supreme Court reviewed the constitutionality of the state law that allows older abuse claims to be brought forward. In October, the court ruled the law constitutional, clearing the way for the lawsuit to proceed.
If the judge ultimately sides with the McMahons, the plaintiffs could be forced to reveal their identities publicly, a decision that may have wider implications for how similar abuse cases are handled in future.
