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BONUS Q&A - WHAT THE SAG-AFTRA STRIKE MEANS FOR PRO WRESTLERS

Since we have gotten a lot of emails about the SAG-AFTRA strike and what it could potentially mean for professional wrestlers, here is a quick Q&A.

Does the strike prevent anyone from working for WWE, AEW, etc.?

No, every pro wrestling company is a non-union company when it comes to performers.  They are not governed by any of the unions currently striking in the entertainment world.  Cody Rhodes can't be pulled from Raw, for example.

If a wrestler like John Cena is part of SAG-AFTRA, does that mean they can't make WWE appearances?

No.  One thing has zero to do with the other.

Could the SAG-AFTRA strike mean John Cena/Batista/The Rock/whoever now has time to make WWE appearances?

Potentially, yes.  It all depends on the talent and what they want to do.

Drew McIntyre was announced for a new Bautista movie.  Is that project shut down?

Not that we have heard.  There are a number of film and TV projects that can receive waivers from the unions to continue working, particularly independent films that are not backed by major studios.  If the Bautstia/McIntyre film isn't being produced by a major studio, it could still be moving forward per its original schedule.  We reported earlier today that McIntyre is in Europe and not at Raw, so all signs are he's going to be filming this week.

Now that the strike is on, does this mean more WWE/AEW, etc. programming on TV?

It could be.  It all depends on how long the strike runs and how much original content the networks/studios burn through.  The more they need new content, the better the chances are for WWE, etc. programming to be tapped.

Does the strike mean WWE performers can't appear at SDCC or NYCC, etc.?

No.  If they were appearing to promote a union project, then they'd be yanked off.  If they are promoting their own stuff or a WWE project, there is no conflict.

How does this help WWE's negotiating for a new TV deal?

Again, if the Networks/streaming services need content, and WWE (or AEW or Impact or whoever) can produce it, that certainly makes them more powerful and useful during the striking period.  It's a LOT cheaper to produce pro wrestling than a 30 minute sitcom.

Does this strike change anything about live events, touring, TV tapings, etc.?

No.

How does AI fit into all of this?

The Unions are very concerned about AI because they want to make sure any talents who have their likeness/voice utilized are properly paid for it so it never evolves into a situation where say Tom Cruise is paid a fee for one project and then his likeness and voice are used in perpetuity for other projects beyond his control, especially when as technology improves, you could theoretically have a CGI/AI Tom Cruise and not pay for the real actor - or any real actor in that role.  Plus, by utilizing AI content, it also removes director, lighting, sound, makeup artists, etc. from the process, preventing them from being paid for their hard work as well.

Why is streaming a big deal?

A big issue here is that since most streaming services don't produce their viewership numbers, they can theoretically pay whatever they want for residuals and royalties.  If you appear on a Law & Order series, you'll know what you are getting paid and what those backdoor residuals will be (although they decline over time).  There's stories of members of the cast of Orange is the New Black, a MASSIVE Netflix series, getting paid pennies on the dollar in comparison and some who actually kept their day jobs while filming the series and even in the aftermath of it becoming a massive hit, because they didn't get to share in that wealth.  If you don't like that WWE talents don't get royalties for PPVs streaming on Peacock and WWE Network, this is a very similar situation.

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