The Disturbing Truth Behind WWE's Backstage Talent Crisis

John Oliver Wwe
WWE.com

By creating this toxic environment, WWE are digging themselves into a dark, dark hole for no reasons other than greed and spite.

Why won't they pay wrestlers more than 8% of revenue? They want their balance sheet to look nice and shiny for their stakeholders.

Why won't they let The Revival and Luke Harper find happiness and fulfilment in a new promotion? Because they're greedy, want to hoard all the talent for themselves, and don't want competitors acquiring potential assets.

Why do they keep going back to Saudi Arabia, despite the public backlash? $450 million.

The more situations like this come to life, the more public figures like John Oliver are going to latch onto them, and as these stories go public, they start having a negative impact on things Vince McMahon does care about - like stock prices.

But the game is changing. We're now approaching a situation where WWE can no longer get away with these practices, and it's reflected in their tumbling viewership, disappointing financials, and backstage turmoil.

Organisations with monopolistic power can do whatever they want, without consequences. Unfortunately for WWE, competition is returning to the wrestling business. We should all be rooting for it.

CONT'd...

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.