The WWF Sex Scandals

[Sean Liska]

I also don't think Dave would cover for a pedophile because the guy was a source or childhood favorite or whatever.

Pedophile would be the wrong term, ephebophile would be the correct term. But please, this is wrestling. I'm sure Dave knew all the jokes about Mel Phillips' love for young boys feet before the sex scandals became public. Not to mention Ric Flair's love of exposing himself in public. Dave has covered for delinquent behaviour in wrestling since becoming an insider. So he's not above giving the benefit of the doubt to a long term source and childhood favorite.

 

Yeah, but Ric Flair stripping down in an airplane isn't really news. Covering up the fact that Pat Patterson touched underage ring boys, during a massive sex scandal, with Patterson being a key part of the story, is quite a bit different.

[kjh]

Covering up the fact that Pat Patterson touched underage ring boys, during a massive sex scandal, with Patterson being a key part of the story, is quite a bit different.

At the end of the day, Tom Cole's sexual harassment allegations against Pat Patterson were Tom's word against Pat's. Dave reported those allegations at the time and even though Tom's allegations against Terry Garvin and Mel Phillips were true, like the WWF he seems to have chosen to trust Pat's word instead of Tom's. It's certainly possible Tom was lying about Pat, but telling the truth about the others, though it should be noted that by the time Pat Patterson came back Tom Cole had been given a job by the WWF to shut him up.

[khawk20]

At the end of the day, Tom Cole's sexual harassment allegations against Pat Patterson were Tom's word against Pat's.

...and I would hypothesize that Patterson being gay would not count in his or the WWF's favour in a "he said/she said" scenario during this time frame. Settling became even more crucial to Vince, IMO.