10 Things AEW MUST Do To Compete With WWE

3. Health Insurance & EMPLOYEE Benefits

Ambrose AEW
WWE.com

Under WWE deals, everybody, from AJ Styles to Zack Ryder, is categorised as an "independent contractor" - despite being unable to pursue career opportunities outside of the WWE bubble, even those that are mutually beneficial, like the coverage WWE would have drawn by allowing CM Punk to walk Chael Sonnen to the octagon.

But then, 'WWE' and 'coverage' don't belong in the same breath.

Though surgeries are paid for by WWE, full employer-sponsored coverage isn't provided. This is in marked, risible contrast to office employees: those that need it the most, i.e. those who literally put their bodies on the line to finance the company, face insane premiums resulting from the profound occupational hazards that come with the job. There's no retirement plan in WWE, either; when you're out, you're out, and it doesn't matter that, for now, there's no getting out. As a matter of principle, the deals are pathetically draconian, and were in defiance of worker's rights even before WWE erupted into a billion dollar, publicly-traded conglomerate.

Iffy then, they f*cking reek now.

The AEW Vs. WWE war is a war for market share and talent alike. If AEW were to provide full coverage to its employees, they'll be selling both romance and a reality check.

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!