7 Reasons Why Pro Wrestling Needs A Union Right Now

The time for wrestling to accept needing a union-style structure is now.

By Marcus K. Dowling /

The professional wrestling industry was changed forever (yet again) after CM Punk's appearance on Colt Cabana's Art of Wrestling podcast. Punk's many issues unveiled a company wherein wrestling is no longer a fun job, but rather a more emotionally and physically painful occupation than ever before. Intriguing in Punk's quotes is the fact that he didn't (as Jesse "The Body" Ventura did in the 1980s) suggest that pro wrestlers needed to band together to create a trade union to protect their interests. With (apparently) poor medical care, a one-sided conversation between ownership and employees, seemingly unlawful income withholding and a fear of termination keeping employees from fighting for their rights due to them as employees, a union would appear to be the only solution. Pro wresting has arguably long needed union representation for its independently-contracted employees, but when the industry was less corporate and more carny in structuring, the concept was nonsensical. However, with wrestling now being fully corporate (and somehow still allowed to hold its old school roots), the lack of a union is both glaring and egregious. With CM Punk likely not the only wrestler who can complain about improper injury treatment, payment discrepancies and a need for benefits set in place to match the level of labor required by the job, the time for wrestling to accept needing a union-style structure is now. Here are seven reasons why.