10 Biggest Wrestling Stories Of 2019 (So Far)

5. John Oliver's Mainstream WWE Takedown

eric bischoff paul heyman
HBO

Sardonic Brit motormouth John Oliver, ahead of WrestleMania 35, took satirical aim at WWE's ruthlessly capitalistic treatment of talent on Last Week Tonight.

With an exquisite, well-judged, turn of phrase, he did so from a position that did not feel remotely pious.

"Wrestling is better than the things you like."

Using this as a platform of authority and persuasion, he proceeded to launch into his tirade, in which he raged against WWE's institutional maltreatment towards the men and women who have literally died for the cause of...

...creating a disproportionate financial imbalance between office and workers. This is a company that endangered the life of Owen Hart, against professional advice, to save a couple of thousand dollars amid scoring record profits. Oliver castigated WWE for classifying its talent as independent contractors without actually affording them independence, inviting a petulant "Well, come to WrestleMania if you apparently like it so much" response from the target of his ire.

All of which amounted to nothing; WWE haven't and have no plans to amend its policy.

Or did it?

By restarting the conversation in the mainstream, Oliver compelled several journos to turn the screw on AEW. Hey, if they're the babyface promotion, why not make the ultimate babyface move? David Starr's Independent movement is gaining traction. WWE, framed here as the heel promotion, is slowly relinquishing its monopoly.

The conversation remains. Wrestling is closer than it has ever been to true, root change.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!