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WHAT WILL CHANGE HOW WWE DEALS WITH THEIR TALENTS, WWE DOUBLE STANDARD WITH THE TITLE, WWE WORKERS UNIONIZING AND MORE

By Dave Scherer on 2014-12-09 09:59:00

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This is a long one. The wrestling or sports entertainment business has sure evolved over the last 50 years from regional promotions to what we have today. What is possibly surprising is how little it has changed behind the curtain. As evidenced by CM Punk's recent statements, the talent is still at the mercy of promoters and don't really know how much they will get paid for their work or if it is really equitable with the effort. The next generation to run WWE is Stephanie who grew up in the business as it is and HHH who's professional experience is all through WWE, WCW and other similarly run organizations. Other options including TNA and ROH are mostly run by people who have the same experience and likely will run things the same way. Obviously someone could run a company differently but until they get enough clout, that company wouldn't be able to effect change over the business as a whole. What do you think will have to happen to change the business behind the curtain? A union, a class action lawsuit or government intervention on the independent contractor status?

I don’t see a union happening. Throughout history, pro wrestlers have shown that they just won’t band together for the common good. In fact, I have heard some guys criticizing Punk for saying what he did because “he actually got a push so he shouldn’t complain”. Uh no guys, you should all expect that Vince would use you properly, not be mad at the guy who spoke the truth (and remember, he had to fight to even get the push that he did). There are just too many of them that think that by sucking up to management, they will get ahead (even though it doesn’t happen all that often). The independent contractor status could move the needle but what you have to consider is this: WWE has a designated amount of money set aside to pay talents. If their costs go up due to taxes, insurance, etc, the workers will see a cut in their pay to make up for it.

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Just read the Mike Johnson piece concerning health of WWE workers and I have to agree.  It is hard enjoying WWE after CM Punk's podcast interview.  Should I be supporting the WWE Network?  Does my purchase compensate the workers?  Not sure what to say.  Do you think a union is going to be heavily looked at by talent?

Only you can say if you support them but yes the workers do get compensated by revenues so you support the talent (though obviously you support the company more). Nope, as I said above I don’t see a union happening. Plus, if someone tried I suspect they would be wished their best in their future endeavors pretty quickly.

Am I alone in thinking it's ridiculous that WWE stripped Daniel Bryan of the world title, because he couldn't defend it in 30 days, only to put it on a part time wrestler who hasn't done so since September, and apparently won't be this month either? I get it, Bryan was legitimately unable to work, but if you aren't gonna put it on Cena let someone else have a shot... Cena/Lesnar doesn't need a title involved.

You are no alone. What WWE would say is that The Authority are heels so they pulled a heel move, but yes it’s ridiculous that one guy gets stripped while the other is allowed to do it for months.

If Reigns is going over Lesnar at Mania, how long do they let him have the belt before Rollins cashes in? The next MitB event will be approaching and the ex-SHIELD angle will be "fresh" again.

If they put the title on Reigns (which is hardly a given) they need to let him have some time with the Title. Taking it off him right away would hurt him.

To me, its obviously best if Luke Harper has a solid run with the IC title, for his sake and for the sake of respect for the belt... Do you find it possible he can be built into a real star in the company?

I think there is a chance. They should find out if they can make it happen.

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