Pro Wrestlers: Independent Contractors or Employees?
Thursday October 9, 2008
The most interesting and important battle in the wrestling world isn't going on inside of the ring, it is taking place in the courtroom. For years, WWE Superstars have been treated as independent contractors. Several months ago, Raven, Mike Sanders, and Chris Kanyon filed a lawsuit seeking to have wrestlers treated like employees.This is a complex issue and case. Thankfully, the Connecticut Employee Law Blog has been able to explain all the legal jargon into simple layman terms. One of the more interesting items on their site is a posting of the WWE contracts of all three wrestlers involved in the suit (Raven's Contract, Sander's Contract, Kanyon's Contract).
Photo of Raven: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Comments
i was just wondering eric, whatever happened to edge? do you think he will have a new gimmick once he returns?
yeah, i’ve been wondering the same thing.
Hi Michael & Big Dave,
Edge is taking some time off to sell the whole being sent to hell thing at SummerSlam and also give his body and character a time to get refreshed. Here is a recent interview with Edge where he talks about his hiatus.
http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/wrestling/2008/10/wwe-superstar-e.html
As far as whether he will have a new gimmick or not, I wouldn’t think he would have a new gimmick when he comes back. The one he has now has been working phenominally for him and I see no need to change it. Part of the reason he isn’t on TV right now is to keep that character fresh. However, the powers that be might see it differently than me though.
Eric
i think this is: 1)ABOUT TIME, & 2)FANTASTIC. it’s about time SOMEONE put McMAHON WHERE he BELONGS. all he cares about is MONEY, MONEY, MONEY. he DOESN’T CARE WHO gets injured, almost DIES, or ANYTHING at all!!!! as long as PEOPLE PAY 2 go c their WRESTLERS & PAY HIS PRICES 4 items purchased-t shirts, banners, etc;, all is FINE. MONEY, MONEY, MONEY!!! what would happen if the 50,000 or so people DROPPED 2 5,000-do u THINK he will CONTINUE the MATCHES????????:????? i doubt it, & bravo-he’s RIPPED OFF 2 MANY FANTASTIC WRESTLERS in his life time