The Disturbing Truth Behind WWE's Backstage Talent Crisis

Root for AEW. Root for NJPW. Root for ROH, and every other promotion that might force WWE to take a long, hard look at their toxic practices, because only competition can change them.

Lio Rush should be able to cover his travel expenses.

Luke Harper shouldn't have to wait an extra six months to leave just because he got injured.

Wrestlers should be full-time employees, not "independent contractors."

Vince McMahon shouldn't be able to get away with paying his workers just 8% of revenue.

AEW isn't a miracle cure, of course, but we've already seen them force changes in how WWE conduct their talent acquisition business. Perhaps these will extend elsewhere. People like Sasha Banks weren't making stands like this in 2018, either, because this situation didn't exist. There was no alternative. It might not last forever, and AEW may not succeed, but the biggest victory Tony Khan and co. can score is improving working conditions for everyone.

Either way, recent controversies are making WWE look horrible. They were Teflon for decades, and it'll be interesting to see how they react now that this is wearing off, and their public perception is plummeting.

Viewership is declining at a rate almost three times worse than over TV networks, after all. The aforementioned topics have as much to do with this as the failing creative department.