The REAL Reason WWE Won’t Pay Wrestlers Healthcare

WWE do have employees, but those are the fortunate folk that sit within earshot of a McMahon bollocking in Stamford, Connecticut. Healthcare and pensions aren't extended to those on the road performing a duty that desperately requires both.

The wrestlers, as highlighted to the mainstream by Oliver but known and accepted by fans for generations, are misclassified as independent contractors in a (virtually) monopolised industry.

Talent are sold their roles based on the dream and - in the case of the smartest ones at least - the financial riches that supposedly come from living it. But the SmackDown and Raw rank-and-files can't really spend today what they'll need for tomorrow, even if they have to. Road expenses such as hotels, gear, gym memberships etc are still all paid for by talent. And whilst the company wouldn't explicitly ever state this, the implication based on all history and evidence is that that performers stand less chance of getting a push if they turn up looking tired, shabby and out of shape.

McMahon has built his empire avoiding these costs, and doesn't want to have to start now. And a food budget is small fry compared to the back taxes he could be liable for if the laws changed.

The brilliant Brandon Howard Thurston landed on a total of about $28.5m in costs to do just that (with added performer perks) right now against the company's 2018 net income of $99.6m.

If - and this is an enormous, tragic if - WWE were suddenly forced to fund health insurance for their workers and pay them a set salary as staff rather than sub-contractors, every single man and woman from goober to god on the WWE Network could probably do them for backpay. The legal paperwork could cost millions to sift through, let alone the potential payouts.

CONT'D...