How WWE Responded To John Oliver's Takedown
WWE release official statement on Oliver's "independent contractors" critique.
Last Week Tonight host John Oliver had wrestling media buzzing following his razor-sharp takedown of WWE's treatment of their employees on Sunday evening, and the dust is still settling today, with wrestling personalities, the WWE locker-room, and the company themselves all responding to the segment.
WWE have sent WhatCulture.com the following statement after our coverage yesterday:-
John Oliver Ignores Facts: 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.
An odd one, there. Oliver wasn't saying anything that hasn't been said before yet the company have rarely been so strong in their rebuttals, though it speaks to the mainstream coverage and exposure the Last Week Tonight segment received.
As far as the backstage reaction goes, Fightful are reporting that it has been decidedly mixed. They reached out to several members of the active roster about the situation, noting that while Oliver's words generated plenty of media buzz, it wasn't considered a "must watch" by those under WWE employ, many of whom skipped it.
Per the writeup, one WWE wrestlers called Oliver's diatribe "hacky," adding that "at least he's good at saying he's a fan," while another thought it was informative, and a third called it a "home run."
CM Punk's reaction might be the least surprising of all:-
We'll bring you more on the situation as it develops.