According to Brandon Thurston at POST Wrestling, Vince and Linda McMahon are asking a federal judge to require the former “ring boys” suing them to litigate under their real names, arguing that continually remaining anonymous would unfairly hinder their ability to defend against the allegations as the case moves to discovery.
The plaintiffs’ previously filed a motion on behalf of the seven former ring boys, asking the court to allow them to continue using the “John Doe” pseudonyms and to enter a protective order with limits on how their identities can be shared during the discovery process. It was also noted the plaintiffs’ identities were disclosed in confidence to the defendants early on during the case. Attorneys for the former ring boys, who now all now adults roughly in their 50s, argued that public release of their names would expose them to serious psychological harm, re-traumatization, and unwanted attention, especially interest the case has from the wrestling fan base, given it is WWE.
The plaintiffs allege they were sexually abused when they were minors, mainly by former and now deceased ring announcer Mel Phillips. He passed away in 2012. The former ring boys claim WWE and the McMahon’s were negligent in preventing the abuse from taking place. Furthermore, the defendants have all denied responsibility and awareness of what happened as it relates to the abuse.
POST Wrestling also notes that Vince and Linda McMahon, who are still married but did acknowledge they are separated, each filed largely aligned oppositions on Monday. WWE and TKO have not filed an opposition and are not expected to do so, as per the plaintiffs, WWE and TKO take no position on whether anonymity should continue.