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The plane ride from hell is the iconic tour that shaped the traveling style for all WWE stars. Following the ride, the company stopped arranging private planes for its stars. Instead, they are now requested to schedule their work-related travel themselves.
Lack of access to private planes is just one strange travel rule imposed on these contractors. Here are five rules that WWE stars must follow while traveling.
It’s not only about traveling safety; the franchise leaves many expenses on the players. That’s because it treats its sportsmen as independent contractors.
The players have to pay for their lodging, fitness, meals, and entertainment when they are at the destination. Interestingly, some caveat in the rules allows them to enjoy the trip luxuriously without breaking the bank – WWE stars can arrive at the destination in their motorhomes!
Still, this luxury is not open to every athlete affiliated with the franchise because of the license requirement. You know, different regions have different licensing requirements for driving motorhomes and you need to pass the HGV theory test to start the process in some areas. Not every athlete has that much time, right?
First, they have to arrange for their flights to the destination and lodging costs once they arrive there. Then, when they reach there, they have to prepare rental cars to reach the squared circle. Junior athletes from the franchise’s developmental brand, NXT may benefit from bus tours. But this luxury is taken away as soon as they graduate to higher ranks.
What’s more, the company usually doesn’t pay for ground travel costs unless the travel is purely for PR purposes.
You must envision these stars living a lavish off-screen life. But flying to a destination only hours away from the event only to not rest in your hotel but to head straight to the event can’t be considered a luxury.
Save your breath if you want to argue that such a schedule only happens once a month – it’s still harsh, right?
While the plane ride from hell has made things difficult for most WWE stars, the franchise still rewards the loyalty of its senior contractors such as The Miz and Randy Orton. This privilege is earned, however, with more than decades of work to back it up.
Another strange rule from the franchise relates to traveling etiquette when the stars are accompanying Vince. Vince doesn’t want his contractors to show any sign of weakness. So, if they are traveling with him on the ground or in the air, they need to stay alert.
Catching some Z’s is not an option when you are with Vince. The same applies to sneezing. Vince considers it a sign of weakness and like his wrestlers to present it in front of him.
Wrestling is an adventurous sport – so are its travel rules. This post discusses five strange traveling rules WWE stars must follow on work-related trips.
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