WWE's Backstage Reaction To The Third Party Ban Revealed
Spoiler alert: not good.
WWE sparked controversy by introducing a new third-party platform ban last week, giving its wrestlers 30 days to cease content production under their stage names on services like Twitch, Cameo, and YouTube, drawing mass criticism from fans, pundits, and industry insiders.
The likes of Mick Foley, Mike Bennett, and Kevin Nash all aired their thoughts in public. Now, Dave Meltzer has a new report on the backstage reaction in this week's Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Meltzer writes that "some, if not most" wrestlers were upset, citing the ongoing global health crisis and the limitations it places on their earnings. Performers without big guarantees in their contracts are making considerably less money without live event pay. The belief is that WWE is taking advantage of the ever-controversial "independent contractor" definition to take away income that doesn't affect the performers' wrestling activities, though the company will allow them to continue under their real names.
One source points out that WWE's new President and Chief Revenue Officer, Nick Khan, made a lot of money securing third-party revenue streams for Hollywood clients prior to joining the promotion. Now, he is aligned with Vince McMahon against this.