Judge pauses lawsuit alleging Trump Education secretary pick enabled sexual abuse of children decades ago

Lawsuit against WWE and Linda McMahon paused due to court decision.

Background of the Lawsuit

The lawsuit, filed in 2020, accuses Linda McMahon, the former CEO of WWE, and the company itself of failing to act on allegations of sex abuse. The allegations date back to the 1990s and involve multiple women who claim to have been subjected to abuse by WWE wrestlers. The lawsuit seeks damages and other relief for the alleged victims. Key allegations include: + Failure to investigate and address allegations of sex abuse + Failure to provide a safe working environment for female employees + Failure to take adequate measures to prevent and respond to sex abuse allegations

The Impact of the Pause

The judge’s decision to pause the lawsuit will keep the proceeding on hold until a ruling from the Maryland Supreme Court.

WWE Faces Lawsuit Over Allegations of Child Abuse and Negligence.

The Allegations Against WWE and its Affiliates

The lawsuit, filed by McMahon in 2020, makes several allegations against WWE and its affiliates. These include:

The WWE and its affiliates knowingly allowed Melvin Phillips Jr. to sexually exploit children. The WWE and its affiliates failed to report the abuse to law enforcement. The WWE and its affiliates failed to provide adequate training to employees on how to identify and report child abuse.

World Wrestling Entertainment and its parent company asked to pause the case against them, McMahon and her husband Vince earlier this month for reasons of “judicial efficiency and economy.” They also say they plan to challenge the Maryland law allowing for the lawsuit, if the case against them were to move forward, according to the court record. The suit was filed in October in Baltimore County, Maryland, on behalf of five John Does, who say they were ages 13 to 15 when Phillips met and recruited them to work as “Ring Boys,” who helped set up and take down wrestling rings at WWE events.

Phillip was a key figure in the development of the WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw. He was also a key figure in the development of the WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw.

Phillip’s Early Career

Phillip’s early career in the wrestling industry began in the 1970s, when he started working as a ringside announcer for various regional promotions. He quickly gained recognition for his charismatic personality and exceptional announcing skills, which earned him a spot as a regular announcer for the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Some of his notable early gigs include:

Working as a ringside announcer for the NWA’s flagship show, “World Championship Wrestling”

Announcing for the NWA’s top stars, including Ric Flair and Dusty Rhodes

Providing play-by-play commentary for the NWA’s biggest events, including the NWA World Heavyweight Championship

Phillip’s Work with the WWE

Phillip’s career with the WWE began in the 1980s, when he started working as a ringside announcer and crew chief for the company’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw.

CNN’s John Towfighi contributed to this report.