John Oliver went after WWE last night on his HBO show, “Last Week Tonight,” criticizing them about several issues, including how WWE classifies wrestlers as “independent contractors” and not “employees,” thus not being required to give them various worker benefits like health insurance.
The segment also talked about WWE being basically a monopoly, early deaths of wrestlers, and wrestlers being overworked and having no offseason. Vince McMahon was portrayed as someone who plays a villainous asshole character on TV, but is also an “asshole” in real life.
It was a pretty good segment on how WWE mistreats their workers, and it even brushed on Jesse Ventura’s attempt to start a wrestler union in the 80s (which was crushed by McMahon) to improve conditions for wrestlers and give them more bargaining power against the monolithic WWF.
WWE responded, sending this statement to media outlets:
John Oliver is clearly a clever and humorous entertainer, however the subject matter covered in his WWE segment is no laughing matter.
Prior to airing, WWE responded to his producers refuting every point in his one-sided presentation. John Oliver simply ignored the facts.
The health and wellness of our performers is the single most important aspect of our business, and we have a comprehensive, longstanding Talent Wellness program.
We invite John Oliver to attend WrestleMania this Sunday to learn more about our company.
A few people in “the business” have also commented on Twitter.
Well, after a complete viewing, this is the absolute most truthful outside media piece I've seen on wrestling in over 40 years:https://t.co/CKsAnqbGUS
— Jim Cornette (@TheJimCornette) April 1, 2019
. @LastWeekTonight piece shined a light on just how little power wrestlers have had over their terms of ‘employment’ in an industry with little to no competition or regulation. Sobering reminder that you can be our biggest advocates with how you spend your money and time.
— HANGMAN PAGE (@theAdamPage) April 1, 2019
I shit my britches, please RT @LastWeekTonight (I love you!) @iamjohnoliver
— Coach (@CMPunk) April 1, 2019
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