Tag: linda mcmahon

Judge rules against McMahons, allows ring boy plaintiffs to stay anonymous for now

Posted on by Joseph Currier

For at least the pre-trial period, plaintiffs in the ongoing lawsuit related to WWE’s ring boy scandal will be allowed to stay anonymous.

Post Wrestling reports that James K. Bredar, a federal judge in Maryland, is allowing the ring boy plaintiffs to maintain their “John Doe” pseudonyms, rejecting efforts from Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon to have their names publicly revealed. The ruling will hold for the pre-trial period but could change once the lawsuit goes to trial.

The lawsuit was first filed in 2024 and lists the two McMahons, WWE, and TKO as defendants. WWE and TKO did not take a stance on whether the plaintiffs should be forced to have their names revealed.

This lawsuit concerns WWE’s ring boy scandal of the 1980s/1990s, where former ring announcer Mel Phillips is accused of having recruited teenagers to the ring crew for the purpose of sexually abusing them. One of the plaintiffs is also claiming to have been abused by Pat Patterson. Phillips and Patterson passed away in 2012 and 2020.

Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, WWE, and TKO are being sued for negligence over their handling of the scandal and not protecting the ring boys from being abused.

There are eight plaintiffs involved in the lawsuit. In this matter, they argued that revealing their identities would “re-traumatize” them by publicly exposing the abuse they endured and even revealing it to people in their lives they have not told. Their identities are known to the defendants who are being sued.

Shane McMahon, Dana White attended White House Correspondents dinner

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Shane McMahon and Dana White were among those in attendance at the White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday night.

The event was halted after gunshots were fired near the main security screening at the Washington Hilton in D.C., where the dinner was taking place. President Donald Trump and members of his cabinet were quickly evacuated by Secret Service agents.

Andrew Solender of Axios captured Linda McMahon, the current Secretary of Education, being evacuated along with Shane. White attended the dinner and recalled what he experienced to USA Today.

“Inside, the whole event just started getting noisy, tables getting flipped over, guys running in with guns and they were screaming `Get down. I didn’t get down. It was f****** awesome. I literally took every minute of it in, it was a pretty crazy, unique experience. We were sitting right in front of the table, right in front of where the president was. Nobody got tackled but a guy came in looking for shooters and then came toward the table. I thought the shooter was by us or something.”

A suspect, Cole Thomas Allen, was taken into custody immediately after the incident unfolded.

Daily Update: Alberto El Patron, Linda McMahon, Paul Wight

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • The most detailed update on the Janel Grant case, with her new filing and claims, a look at those claims in detail, what is net for the case, the key thing regarding the future of the case and why it really comes down to the judges ruling, and timeline for all of this. We cover new cais and the arguments for and against binding arbitration or continuing the civil case.
  • Update on WrestleMania, the card as of this point, reasons for some of the new matches, when matches changed and why, as well as the business for the show, how far behind are ticket sales and interest in the show as compared to the same period last year.
  • Chris Jericho returns to AEW and as much detail as we have on the decision
  • AEW Dynasty update and updated major event ticket sales
  • The death of J Robinson, a college coaching legend and his connections with a number of key figures in pro wrestling, including the recruiting of Brock Lesnar by WWE and the politics behind why WWE waited an extra year to offer him a deal.
  • The most detailed look at the television ratings for all the pro wrestling shows this past week, including competition, comparisons with one year back, Raw vs. Dynamite and how close it has become, and more.
  • It’s CMLL tournament of champions month starting this week
  • Anniversary shows at Arena Mexico and Arena Coliseo this week including a look back at the first show in each building
  • A look at the four title match show at ArenaMexico on Tuesday
  • A super hot match to watch on AAA
  • A look at Stardom’s biggest stipulation of the year and Yokohama Arena show
  • Current Tiger Mask retires
  • Best of the Super Junior tournament update
  • Largest crowd of the year for women’s wrestling in Japan
  • Hodge trophy winner looked at
  • Maple Leaf Wrestling announces new TV deal and a look at the weekend shows
  • Stabbing at a pro wrestling show
  • Very interesting political match will take place with TNA champion vs. AEW star
  • American gold medalist challenges UFC undefeated champion
  • Rebellion notes
  • Lots of injury updates and business notes
  • Wrestler complaining about AEW not booking them enough
  • Kenny Omega talks his and Kota Ibushi’s health
  • Brody King talks the chants
  • Tony Khan and his enemies
  • Kayla Harrison on why her next bantamweight fight will be her last and why she should never have fought at bantamweight to begin with
  • Crazy Dana White story
  • Will Mayweather-Pacquiao II take place and what are the issues
  • Fedor Emelianenko wants to return to combat next year
  • Nick Khan acquires TKO stock
  • Bret & Ross Hart talk Badnews Allen in WWE Hall of Fame

This Week’s Back Issue

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Wednesday Update

Tony D'Angelo WWE NXT

WWE

  • WWE uploaded the full Tony D’Angelo, Joe Hendry, Ricky Saints & Ethan Page vs. DarkState eight-man tag match from NXT last night.
  • In an interview with former WWE wrestler Tyrus, Linda McMahon was asked if she’s considered running for president:
    • Oh my gosh, no. No, no, no, no. That is definitely not in my future. Definitely not. I’m very, very happy with what I’m doing. I’m very happy to be, you know – think about this – for me, a little girl from New Bern, North Carolina. I just grew up in a very humble, middle-class family, an only child, great parents. Just one of those wonderful childhood kind of things. But never dreamed, ever that I would be in the president’s cabinet. Let alone the opportunity to serve twice.
  • Liv Morgan shared a new picture showing that the swelling has gone down on her forehead bump after the injury she suffered on Raw. She still has bruising on her forehead and nose.
  • Sid Vicious’ son Gunnar Eudy noted on Facebook that, because his father is a Legacy inductee, his family will not be doing an acceptance speech at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony:
    • There will be no acceptance speech because they are putting him in the legacy wing. We will just be in the crowd
    • We would have been honored to give a speech but at the same time I feel like his fans rather see a video package of him than two people talking that they don’t know
  • Charlotte Flair was a guest on Busted Open Radio today.
  • Complex’s Graps podcast interviewed Kit Wilson.

Other Wrestling

  • The Crash Lucha Libre issued a statement announcing that Alberto El Patron has been suspended from the promotion following his domestic violence arrest.
  • AEW’s social media highlighted Will Ospreay’s NJPW return at Sakura Genesis and post-show comments where Ospreay told United Empire that he could use some backup in his feud with Jon Moxley and the Death Riders.
  • Ahead of her return on tonight’s Dynamite, Queen Aminata was interviewed by Ian Riccaboni.
  • Aminata, who has been out of action for five months due to a neck injury, tweeted about tonight’s matchup against TBS Champion Willow Nightingale: “No pressure, no noise… just me proving to myself that I’m still that woman.”
  • Megan Bayne & Lena Kross joined Renee Paquette on a new episode of AEW Close Up.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Paul Wight (Big Show) addressed his many face/heel turns and said he doesn’t think a giant like himself ever had to be World Champion:
    • Arn Anderson told me, ‘The dumbest thing you ever did is learn how to work.’ So any minute, I was able to be a good opponent for what we were doing. I knew that me, personally, I don’t think I should ever have been champion. You don’t need a giant to be a champion. You need a giant to be an obstacle for the upcoming champion. You need somebody, something, a wall, a mountain, something that has to be overcome so that the next talent can be on its way. There’s a damn good living to be made in that position. I think the last time I got the title was just because I had been five or six years in title matches all the time, hadn’t won the damn thing. ‘Well, he’s been in here while, we might want to put it on him, so get some validity out of it.’ But I was okay with that. I enjoyed that, because I look back at my career now, I got to help create some big, big stars. I was working early with Roman and working early with Cody. There are a lot of talents that I had a great [time with], Kofi and Woods and Cesaro. Big moment, Cesaro at WrestleMania, those are all good moments for me. I always understood that I’m not, and this is no way am I putting myself down. I’m not a leading man, I’m not Rock, I’m not Stone Cold. I’m not John Cena. I’m not the leading guy, I’m the funny sidekick, or I’m Thanos, the villain. That’s where I fall in, and that’s okay.
  • After posting several teasers that appear to be for new event dates, TNA indicated that an announcement is coming tomorrow at noon Eastern time.
  • TNA also shared a Rebellion-related teaser on social media.
  • NJPW President Hiroshi Tanahashi has joined the Japanese news and information show “News Okaeri” as a regular commentator, appearing every other Friday.
  • Ultimo Guerrero has been announced for MLW’s Fantastica Mania USA in Charleston, South Carolina this Sunday (April 12).
  • Elayna Black was a guest on the Battleground Podcast.
  • Las Vegas-based CYInterview spoke with Rob Van Dam ahead of WrestleMania week.

McMahons file oppositions against plaintiffs’ anonymity in ‘ring boy’ lawsuit

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Vince & Linda McMahon have filed oppositions against plaintiffs’ requests to keep their anonymity in the ongoing ring boy lawsuit.

According to Brandon Thurston of Post Wrestling, the McMahons are asking a federal judge to require the plaintiffs to litigate under their real names, arguing that the anonymity hurts their ability to defend themselves. The plaintiffs earlier this month had filed a motion to continue allowing them to use ‘John Doe’ pseudonyms.

In their arguments, lawyers for both Vince and Linda McMahon cited recent cases involving Sean Combs and Kevin Spacey where plaintiffs were required to use their names during proceedings, although those cases were in New York whereas the ring boy lawsuit is taking place in Maryland, which isn’t required to follow those precedents. The McMahon’s attorneys have also brought up the potential for limited confidentiality orders. The plaintiffs have until February 6 to respond to the oppositions.

The lawsuit against the McMahons, WWE, and TKO was filed back in October of 2024, accusing the McMahons of knowing and doing nothing to prevent Mel Phillips from sexually assaulting underage boys in the 80s and early 90s. The case was held up as the Maryland Supreme Court considered the legality of the law that allowed plaintiffs to sue. The case was allowed to continue when the court ruled in October that the law was constitutional.

Linda McMahon, Matt Hardy, and more pay respect to John Cena

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Several pro-wrestling veterans, including Linda McMahon, Matt Hardy, Christopher Daniels, and Jon Stewart, paid tribute to John Cena on social media ahead of his retirement match at Saturday Night’s Main Event.

With Cena set to step into the ring for the final time, figures from across the wrestling and entertainment industries reflected on his legacy and impact just hours before the bout.

Linda McMahon wrote on her social media,

“These words embody why JohnCena is so loved – ‘I don’t care who gets the credit as long as the work gets done.’”

Matt Hardy also joined the list as he wrote,

“Appreciate your acknowledgements of greatness, @NoNamexVincent! I will honor the GOAT @JohnCena as well – Here’s John & I doing a Make-A-Wish together in 2018.”

Current AEW star Christopher Daniels also joined in,

“Thank you John. And congratulations on all your success. Sorry we only did this once.”

Actor and comedian Jon Stewart reflected on his iconic moment against John Cena from 2015, as he wrote,

“Dear ⁦@JohnCena⁩, It was an honor being dropped by you…on my head…from a surprisingly terrifying height…onto an unreasonably hard surface. Godspeed Sir.”

Multiple other iconic names, such as Saraya, Maria Kanellis, Carmella, and others, also paid their respects with the hashtag, “#ThankYouCena.”

Cena is a 17-time World Champion and a Grand Slam Champion, with a career spanning over two decades. The veteran is now finally set to hang up his boots.

He is scheduled to face Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13th, 2025.

‘Ring boy’ lawsuit against WWE & McMahons will continue but with changes

Posted on by Josh Nason

A judge has ruled that the ongoing lawsuit stemming from former WWF ring boys being sexually assaulted in the 1980s and early 1990s by a ring announcer will continue.

However, there are some changes to the lawsuit itself according to Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston who reported the news on X.

Filed in October, the lawsuit accuses Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, TKO and WWE of kboth nowing and ultimately doing nothing to to prevent Mel Phillips’ sexual assault of underage boys. Phillips, who has since died, was fired by WWE in 1992 after the allegations became public.

Longtime WWE official Pat Patterson and former WWE wrestler Koko B. Ware have also been named as the list of plaintiffs has grown to eight people over time.

There have been efforts on the defendants’ side to get the case thrown out, but to no avail.

According to Thurston, Judge James Bredar of the U.S. District Court in Maryland via a ruling and 48-page opinion, has ordered the case to continue but with separation on who the plaintiffs have claims against.

“The defendants had asked the court to dismiss all the claims for lack of jurisdiction among other reasons. This ruling narrowly rejects that motion. The defendants’ filings up to this point nor the judge have responded yet to the merits of the ring boys’ claims of abuse,” Thurston wrote.

One plaintiff — John Doe 7 — is no longer involved following the ruling as his claims have been “dismissed without prejudice” which means their case can refiled at a later date but within the statute of limitations if new evidence emerges or other factors.

John Does 2 and 6’s claims remain against Linda McMahon while the rest remain against Vince McMahon and WWE/TKO.

Donald Trump, Linda McMahon pay tribute to Hulk Hogan

Posted on by Josh Nason

United States President Donald Trump and Linda McMahon were the latest big names to pay tribute to the late Hulk Hogan, following Vince McMahon and many from the wrestling industry including Sting, Triple H, Kevin Nash, and Kurt Angle.

Hogan passed away Thursday at the age of 71 after suffering cardiac arrest at his Florida home.

He famously appeared at the 2024 Republican National Convention to cut a promo in supporting Trump in his third run for the presidency.

Trump, a WWE Hall of Famer, posted the following on social media Thursday:

“We lost a great friend today, the “Hulkster.” Hulk Hogan was MAGA all the way – Strong, tough, smart, but with the biggest heart. He gave an absolutely electric speech at the Republican National Convention, that was one of the highlights of the entire week. He entertained fans from all over the World, and the cultural impact he had was massive. To his wife, Sky, and family, we give our warmest best wishes and love. Hulk Hogan will be greatly missed!“

McMahon, a Trump cabinet member and head of the Department of Education, posted the following on X:

WOR: Jim Ross update, Janel Grant lawsuit, ratings talk, Hangman/Ospreay

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with part one of a two-part show. We’ll talk the death of Salman Hashmikov, Jim Ross, the Janel Grant/John Lauranitis situation, Linda McMahon, Double or Nothing news and notes, Best of the Super Juniors, the RAW ratings and what we can determine, and more. We had a late night situation come up that necessitated ending the show before the RAW and NXT reviews, but we will be back Thursday afternoon to recap both those shows. We apologize for the inconvenience. A packed show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:
Start: Salman Hashimikov passes away
8:18: Jim Ross update
10:55: John Laurinaitis flips against Vince McMahon in Janel Grant lawsuit
18:58: AEW Double or Nothing/WWE Google trends, Ospreay/Hangman finish
29:00: NJPW BOSJ updates
33:02: Ratings
48:12: BJ Penn arrested

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Three new plaintiffs join ‘ring boy scandal’ lawsuit against WWE, McMahons

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Three new plaintiffs have joined the lawsuit against WWE and The McMahons.

Post Wrestling reported on Monday that the former ring boys filing the suit against WWE, TKO and Vince & Linda McMahon have provided further details regarding the defendant’s alleged failure to report sexual abuse. The filing includes allegations from three additional plaintiffs that allege abuse not only by former ring announcer and road crew member Mel Phillips, but also from longtime WWE official Pat Patterson and former WWE wrestler Koko B. Ware.

John Doe 6, a Missisippi resident, alleges that he met Phillips around 1988 when he was 11 or 12 years old. After a house show on July 14, 1989 in Baltimore he was told that he needed to stay in Patterson’s hotel room while other boys stayed in Phillips’ room. It was there that Doe 6 alleges that he was given alcohol as Patterson played pornography on the television. Patterson then allegedly proceeded to perform sexual acts on Doe 6.

He said he was also sexually abused by Phillips after a July 21, 1992 event in Portland, Maine. This was after Phillips’ reported exit from the WWE in March of 1992.

In a separate incident that took place in Portland, Maine, Doe 6 alleges that Ware pushed his head against a wall and patted him down, grabbing him by the crotch with other witnesses present including Phillips, Patterson, Tony Chimel, and referee Danny Davis, with only Chimel telling Ware to let go. Ware did not immediately respond to Post Wrestling for comment.

John Doe 7 says he was around 14 or 15 years old when he met Phillips in 1974. He says he was abused by Phillips in Baltimore, Maryland during his work as a ring boy, including forced oral sex. Doe 7 also said abuse happened away from WWE events and Phillips sometimes recorded the abuse with a video camera.

John Doe 8 met Phillips when he was around 15 years old in Baltimore back in 1982 while he was working concessions at the Baltimore Civic Center. Before a April 10, 1982 WWE event Doe 8 alleges that Phillips told he and another boy were told to get undressed at a hotel room. Doe 8 says Phillips then proceeded to put the boys’ feet on his crotch to compare sizes while he was aroused. They were also offered cocaine and pills.

Linda McMahon filed a motion earlier this month to dismiss the lawsuit, saying she has no significant connection to the state and never communicated with the then five individuals who originally filed the lawsuit. She also sought to distance herself from Phillips, saying she never personally supervised him while he was employed in WWE. In the amended suit, the ring boys outlined times when they interacted with or were in the presence of Vince & Linda McMahon.

Daily Update: UFC 314 fallout, Linda McMahon, Tom Brady

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Daily Update

Latest News

Latest Audio

Latest Free YouTube Video

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

  • Running down AEW Dynasty, controversy over the finish, where the angles look to be going, Young Bucks return, what the PPV number says and what to learn from it, long-term, Chris Jericho update, Why the show was long, Swerve vs. Booker and match-by-match rundowns.
  • Update on the Mania card, what matches are on what night, what is up in the air on the card, length, odds, Kevin Owens injury, Paul Heyman angle, Flair vs Stratton and Stand & Deliver, ticket demand and more.
  • New Japan Sakura Geneis report, angles at the show, Best of the Super Juniors and Windy City Riot.
  • Update on the legal strategy of WWE, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon regarding the ringboys lawsuit.
  • El Hijo del Santo’s possible last match in Mexico City
  • The most detailed look at the ratings for all the pro wrestling shows, including comparisons with a year ago quarters, demos, placings and competition.
  • Fantastica Mania Mexico
  • Arena Mexico hosting tournament of champions
  • Mina Shirakawa leves Stardom
  • Dragon Gate in Las Vegas
  • Lots of Las Vegas lineups for this coming week
  • Champion Carnival in All Japan begins
  • Junior Sakura Geneis thoughts
  • Anniversary of a legendary match
  • Advance ticket sales to the major WWE & AEW & Las Vegas wrestling events
  • Injury updates
  • Ospreay on Owen Hart
  • Aaron Pico signs with UFC
  • Major 2010 feud rematch falls apart
  • Lex Luger Hall of Fame notes
  • Legacy Hall of Fame notes

This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter Back Issue

Sunday Update

[email protected]

  • We have two new weekend shows on the site today. We walked with Marc Mero on Friday as well as went over the news from the week. Last night we talked UFC, WWE WrestleMania, AEW, New Japan in Chicago, media rights for 2026, and a lot more.
  • Last night’s Collision had a push for a loaded Dynamite show on Wednesday. Collision will be live Thursday from Boston. The Wednesday show from Boston, which will break the Nitro record for most episodes of a prime time pro wrestling show on the Turner Networks, has Jon Moxley (replacing an injured Pac) & Claudio Castagnoli & Wheeler Yuta defending the trios titles against Samoa Joe & Hook & Katsuyori Shibata, Will Ospreay vs. Konosuke Takeshita in the Owen Hart tournament, Mercedes Mone vs. Athena in the Owen Hart tournament, Adam Page vs Wild Card in the Owen Hart tournament, and Bobby Lashley & Shelton Benjamin defend the tag titles against the Gates of Agony.
  • Linda McMahon in the Los Angeles Times on ending DEI programs in education.
  • Bayley vs. Liv Morgan has been added to Raw tomorrow in Sacramento. Not exactly Bayley’s home city but 125 miles away. It’s the WrestleMania go-home show. The only other announced match was AJ Styles vs. Karrion Kross. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, CM Punk and Paul Heyman will be shooting their last Raw angle and Gunther and Logan Paul are there.
  • We’re looking for your thoughts on New Japan’s Windy City Riot. You can leave as thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobservercom
  • We’re looking for ROH spoilers from last night’s AEW show in Springfield, MA, results finishes and highlights to [email protected]
  • WMC-TV, which carried pro wrestling for decades in Memphis and Kamala (or Kimala it was at first) debuted with the gimmick there drawing huge with Jerry Lawler, ran a story on Kamala in the WWE Hall of Fame.
  • Tom Brady teased that he may be attending WrestleMania in an interview with Fox News.
  • As far as Google searches, last night’s UFC PPV did 910,000 which is low for a PPV, but I’d expect interest to be down on the PPV. Aside from the main events, the most interest was Paddy Pimblett and Yair Rodriguez. WrestleMania had 30,000 searches over the weekend.
  • Regarding the main event, every media scorer had it for Alexander Volkanovski, most 49-46 and giving Diego Lopes only round four. Round two was close due to the Lopes knockdown at the end of the round. Derek Cleary was the only judge to give him round two.  87 percent of media scores were 49-46. There were 8 percent of fan scores at MMA Decisions for Lopes.  
  • The tease on Windy City Riot for the 5/9 New Japan show in Ontario, CA is Young Bucks & Karl Anderson & Doc Gallows vs. Bullet Club War Dogs. This hasn’t been announced yet but the Young Bucks did a video issuing the challenge and teasing Anderson & Gallows as their partners.
  • Based on international returns, the audience for SmackDown outside the U.S. on Friday was roughly the same as the prior week which would be a good thing.
  • LFG tonight at 8 p.m. features Devon Dudley in as the guest of Bubba Ray. Rivals at 9:30 p.m. is on Roman Reigns vs. Seth Rollins. Greatest Moments at 10:30 p.m. is about WrestleManias of the 80s.
  • Bloodsport announced that Tank Abbott, Don Frye and Mark Kerr would be making guest appearances at the 4/17 show. They are also doing meet and greets at Wrestlecon on Friday and Saturday.
  • Drew McIntyre cut his head open on the Friday Smackdown angle when Damien Priest rammed his head into the ring steps. You could see the blood on McIntyre’s hands but not on his forehead because the cut was on the top of his head and his hair covered it. He’s fine but that’s two straight weeks he’s gotten hurt in doing this angle with Priest.
  • Will Kaven defends the British cruiserweight title against Lio Rush on the 4/20 RevPro show at the Doncaster Dome.
  • All Japan Champion Carnival results from today in Hiroshima:
    • (B) Hokuto Omor (2 points)  b Ryuki Honda (2)
    • (A) Davey Boy Smith Jr. (4) b Kuma Arashi (0)
    • (B) Mike D Vecchio (6) b  Rei Saito (0)
    • (A) Kengo Mashimo (2) b Hideki Suzuki (4)
    • (A) Jun Saito (4) b Shotaro Ashino (0)
  • On Saturday, Bleeding Gums Wrestling, a Scotland-based hardcore group, had its Lust for Death 2 tournament with Jack Harrop beating Mickie Knuckles in the finals before a sellout at The Church in Dundee. Necro Butcher was on the show and had a bloodbath with Iceman (thanks to Bradley Craig)
  • Jonathan Gresham has been added to the Maple Leaf Wrestling show on 5/10 in Toronto.
  • Pure Pro Wrestling claimed 1,500 fans for its show last night in Flint, MI: Drake b James Alexander, Khaos b Tenshi to win the women’s title, Rohit Raju b Jack Price, Silas Young & Darling Roger b Sean Evans & Hannah Henderson, Danny Astrao b Dylan Night in a belt vs. career match, Midwest Misfits b Obsidian and 2 Fly & Upper Echelon in a ladder match Amazing Zondo & Ken Riddle b Gideon Malice & Tank, Father Tim b Rhino & Ray Adams to win the Michigan state title (thanks to Leonard Brand)

WOL: WWE WrestleMania and Las Vegas are not a good match

Posted on by Jim Valley

Today’s WOL focus is on the fact WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas hasn’t sold out, and likely won’t be. It’s more of an indictment of Las Vegas than WWE. Las Vegas is a terrible city for WrestleMania: it’s expensive, it’s difficult to navigate between venues around the area, and high rollers don’t want to watch WWE at the current ticket prices.

Also: SmackDown in Seattle, Fenix being competitive with Berto isn’t a good sign, NJPW Windy City Riot, AEW Collision, and Gig the News is back.

Check it out. Linda McMahon rates this show A1!

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WOR: Linda McMahon lawsuit, RAW, WrestleMania

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Radio with Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer is back with tons to talk about including Linda McMahon and the ring boy lawsuit, Mina Shirakawa and Ric Flair, ratings, the Raw report and the WrestleMania cards thus far, mailbag and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

Timestamps:

Start: Linda McMahon files motion to dismiss ring boy lawsuit case

4:57: Mina Shirakawa’s Stardom farewell, Dave’s thoughts on Clark Connors/Desperado match

8:41: Ratings, NXT lineups, WWE ID title, G1 Climax dates

17:08: WWE Raw recap

40:06: NJPW Windy City Riot lineup, mailbag

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Linda McMahon files motion to dismiss ring boy lawsuit

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Linda McMahon is attempting to dismiss the ring boy lawsuit.

According to Post Wrestling, McMahon filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit on Monday. Her attorneys argued that she has no significant connection to the state where the suit was filed, Maryland, only briefly renting an apartment in the state from 1970 to 1972 and may have briefly held a wrestling license in Maryland back in 2004.

The filing also says that she has never communicated or met the five individuals who filed the lawsuit. Last week, Judge James K. Bredar approved an order allowing the defendants (Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, TKO, and WWE) to receive information about the anonymous individuals including their names, birth dates, and their current addresses.

“Until this lawsuit, I was unaware of their allegations against me or anyone else named in the complaint,” she states in a written decleration.

She also distanced herself from having any responsibility for Mel Phillips’ actions.

“I never personally supervised Phillips while he was employed by WWE, nor did I direct his activities,” she wrote. “Phillips never acted as my agent. If Phillips traveled to Maryland and committed acts of sexual abuse while in Maryland, it was certainly not at my direction nor with my knowledge.”

“I never personally employed any ‘Ring Boys,’ as that term is defined in the Complaint,” she further added.

Filed last October, the lawsuit accuses the defendants of knowing and ultimately doing nothing to to prevent ring announcer and head of ring crew Mel Phillips’ sexual assault of underage boys. Phillips was fired by WWE in 1992 after allegations became public. 

The suit was briefly delayed in December as the Maryland Supreme Court decided if the law that allowed the lawsuit, the Maryland Child Victims Act, was constitutional. The case moved forward after the court allowed the law to remain in place.

Senate confirms Linda McMahon to lead Department of Education

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Linda McMahon has been confirmed to lead the Department of Education.

The United States Senate moved to confirm McMahon’s nomination as Secretary of Education Monday on a 51-45 vote along party lines. This would mark the second time that McMahon has served in President Donald Trump’s cabinet. During his first term, McMahon served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration, being approved by the Senate back in 2017 on a bipartisan 81-19 vote.

During McMahon’s congressional hearing last month, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin brought up an active lawsuit against Linda & Vince McMahon and WWE relating to the ring boy scandal of the 1980s and 1990s. Baldwin asked McMahon if she could be trusted to support sexual assault survivors on college campuses. McMahon replied in the affirmative.

“I have a granddaughter that is now in college. I have two grandsons who are in college. And I have a deep commitment of understanding of how I would feel if any of them were involved in sexual harassment or accused of sexual harassment,” she said. “You have my absolute commitment that I will uphold and protect those investigations to make sure that those students are treated fairly on both sides.”

Despite McMahon being confirmed for the department’s top position, President Trump has made moves to abolish the Department of Education, wishing to leave schools to be run by the states. Trump said back in February that he hopes McMahon does a great job while also putting herself out of a job. Eliminating the Department of Education completely would require congressional approval.

Stephanie & Shane McMahon, Triple H attend Linda McMahon confirmation hearing

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Linda McMahon had the support of her children and their spouses on Thursday as she faced questions from senators in her bid to become the United States’ next Secretary of Education.

Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and Shane’s wife Marissa McMahon sat behind Linda during her confirmation hearing in Washington, D.C. today. She appeared in front of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, which will decide next week whether Linda’s nomination to lead the Department of Education will be advanced to a full senate vote. With Republicans holding a majority, it is likely that Linda will be confirmed.

The lawsuit that Linda McMahon, Vince McMahon, and WWE are facing relating to the 1980s-1990s ring boy scandal came up once during today’s hearing, with Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin asking if Linda can be trusted to support sexual assault survivors on college campuses.

“They certainly can trust me to support them,” Linda responded. “I have a granddaughter that is now in college. I have two grandsons who are in college. And I have a deep commitment of understanding of how I would feel if any of them were involved in sexual harassment or accused of sexual harassment. You have my absolute commitment that I will uphold and protect those investigations to make sure that those students are treated fairly on both sides.”

If she is confirmed, this will be Linda’s second time serving as a cabinet member for Donald Trump. She was the administrator of the Small Business Administration during his first presidency.

Though Trump has nominated Linda for this position, he is hoping to abolish the Department of Education and have schools be run by the states. Trump said earlier this month that he’s told Linda, “I hope you do a great job and put yourself out of a job.”

It would require congressional approval for the Department of Education to be totally abolished.