WWE Ring Boy’s Brother Believes He Was Misrepresented Decades Ago During Initial Scandal

WWE is once again facing legal trouble, this time due to the resurfacing of the decades-old ring boy scandal. Vince and Linda McMahon are at the center of this new lawsuit, bringing the issue back into the spotlight. While the scandal is not new, it was initially addressed years ago without proper legal representation, allowing Vince McMahon to prevail through his powerful legal maneuvers.

The new lawsuit has been filed on behalf of five survivors, identified as John Does, who allege they were sexually abused while working for WWE. The plaintiffs, known as “Ring Boys,” claim they were groomed and sexually abused by Mel Phillips, a WWE ring crew boss and announcer.

The lawsuit includes several examples suggesting that WWE personnel and talent were aware of Phillips’ behavior, yet the abuse continued unchecked for years. The plaintiffs argue that the company allowed a culture of abuse to persist.

In an interview with Wrestlenomics, Lee Cole, brother of WWE ring boy Tom Cole, provided additional details about the scandal, which is now the subject of the new lawsuit. Cole explained how he believes his brother was misrepresented by his attorneys years ago, and described how WWE used its financial power to control the situation.

“Back then, when my brother went back to work, because he was misrepresented by his lawyer during meetings. There was a stack of shows on the table, and I remember his attorney going, ‘Look at these shows, all these people want Tom on.’ What Vince McMahon should have done when he got up in that meeting and threatened to walk out is say, ‘I’ll see you on TV tomorrow.’ But he didn’t do that. Instead, people were in the room with Vince McMahon and Jerry McDevitt, overwhelming figures — he had a city lawyer living off his father’s name — he was a horrible lawyer.”

In addition to this new lawsuit, WWE and Vince McMahon are already dealing with another legal case filed by former employee Janel Grant. Grant has accused McMahon of sexual assault and trafficking, but that lawsuit is currently paused due to an ongoing federal investigation into McMahon’s actions.

Janel Grant’s attorney, Ann Callis, also addressed the latest lawsuit, issuing a statement through Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics:

“The allegations in the ‘ring boys’ lawsuit against WWE are deeply troubling. Vince McMahon made sexual abuse and human trafficking a hallmark of WWE’s culture for decades. Survivors like Janel Grant and other former WWE employees deserve their day in court. All former WWE employees who experienced sexual abuse and harassment should be allowed to tell the truth by having their non-disclosure agreements waived. Ms. Grant stands by all WWE survivors and believes that Mr. McMahon, WWE, and all involved parties must be held accountable.”

As this legal battle unfolds, more details are expected to emerge. Stay tuned to Ringside News for ongoing coverage of this story and other developments related to Vince McMahon. You can check out Tony Cole’s full interview below.

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