Good Lord, Look At This List Of Ex Wrestlers Suing The WWE
- Thread starter Silkk
- Start date
I hope they win. E works these "independent contractors" to the bone and then throws them away. These employees deserve rights. Wrestling culture is interesting because its been so ingrained in wrestlers to always finish a match regardless of how bad they get hurt. Could you imagine in any other industry being told that no matter what happens to you on the job you better get the job done and if you don't you will be shamed and get paid less.
Kill Dat Noize
Banned
The people of Larry Holmes Gardens v. Vince McMahon
SteelCitySoldier
TSC Fantasy Football Champion 2016
How in the world is Shane Douglas' name on here when he was only Dean Douglas in the WWE for like 4 months
This is whats going to kill the lawsuit and Vince walks away winning again. Too many people jumping on the boat trying to get a payday
"California Stud" Rod Price...? The USWA/GWF wrestler from the late '80s and early '90s? When did he ever wrestle for WWE? 
I'm surprised Raven isn't on this list. Didn't he put this in motion years ago? These guys don't have a case. Just a bunch of old washed-up disgruntled rasslers looking for an easy payday.
A lot of these guys are shooting themselves in the foot when they should've been chasing a Legends deal.
I'm surprised Raven isn't on this list. Didn't he put this in motion years ago? These guys don't have a case. Just a bunch of old washed-up disgruntled rasslers looking for an easy payday.
A lot of these guys are shooting themselves in the foot when they should've been chasing a Legends deal.
Arrogance.
King Novak of Melbourne, the First of His Name
Raven sued the WWE because of their (fraudulent, in my opinion) usage of independent contractor status as a means to get around paying for health care and other benefits. It was tossed out due to the statute of limitations running out, according to him. This case more than likely will be tossed out on similar grounds, especially since the majority of these guys are still working.
Yo vince just throw these old has been semi crippled saturday night wrastlers a 40 man rumble and call it a day!!!!!
They'd probably all settle if they could just get "one more match" on WWE TV.
I thought he was dead too.I know Brian Adams passed so it wasn't me confusing the two of them, but I thought Bryan Clark was dead too all these years!
Got any more info on all this? In Canada being an independent contractor means you can go HAM on tax loopholes so with a good accountant you're pocketing way more personal cash than a regular employee all the while still keeping your actual "business" healthy in the black.
Of course I can't pretend to know what medical insurance in the States must be like to pay out of pocket
...
Arrogance.
King Novak of Melbourne, the First of His Name
Got any more info on all this? In Canada being an independent contractor means you can go HAM on tax loopholes so with a good accountant you're pocketing way more personal cash than a regular employee all the while still keeping your actual "business" healthy in the black.
Of course I can't pretend to know what medical insurance in the States must be like to pay out of pocket
You can also go ham with tax loopholes as an independent contractor down here. The issue comes in when it comes to getting injured, and accepting bookings with other companies.
Since the WWE only insures their top guys, everyone else is paying out of pocket when they get hurt. They suffer financially since they are only paid their downside guarantee while they aren't on the road, along with whatever royalties they are owed from merch sales and any checks they haven't received for work they've already done. I don't know if WWE pays guys on a net 30/60/90 basis. I would imagine its on a net 90, since their contracts keep talent off tv for 90 days after leaving the company unless they give up that money in exchange for the ability to accept TV/PPV bookings.
When it comes to making appearances in other companies, the answer to that is pretty much hell no, not while you're under contract. Back in 2008, Robbie McAllister of the Highlanders attended a TNA iMPACT show (it was Wrestlemania week, they were in Orlando) while under contract with the WWE. TNA put a camera on him and used his real name. Someone spotted this, called him, and told him to leave immediately. He was fined his WM payday and released 5 months later. Granted, they were jobbers, but that's still a bit harsh for doing nothing more than watching the competition live and sitting in the crowd like a civilian. There have been exceptions made, but usually as a favor to someone or in case of an extreme emergency. CM Punk worked an ROH match while he was in WWE developmental because of a snowstorm that prevented half of the booked card from showing up.
IIRC the judge in Raven's lawsuit said that the case had merit. Raven, Mike Sanders, and Kanyon (?) were all guys who hadn't worked for the E since roughly 2002, and the suit was filed in 2008. None of the current workers want to be that guy who rocks the boat and ends up getting blackballed by the E. Everyone bets on themselves to rise up to a level where they can negotiate deals like Orton/Cena/ADR.
Wrestlers Claim Racist Gimmicks in New WWE Lawsuit, Another Video of Alexa Bliss' Emotional Draft Reaction, Smackdown Live Twitter Ratings
Additionally, the suit names several plaintiffs who allege racist gimmicks were given to them during their time in WWE, and below is the description of plaintiff Rodney Match, which can be found on page 55 of the lawsuit:
110. Plaintiff Rodney Begnaud, a.k.a. Rodney Mack (“Begnaud”) is 45 and resides in Lafayette, Louisiana. Begnaud wrestled for WWE from 2002 to 2005. His WWE assigned gimmick was to portray himself as an “anti-white” black militant. Begnaud explains it “was a ‘no no’ to discuss injuries or your job would be in jeopardy.” His dialogue consisted of lines such as “Damn Right!” and “Yeah!” with his manager uttering lines such as “Kill Whitey” and “Free James Brown.” He says he was not treated for injuries or tested for signs of head injuries after sustaining blows to his head them in the ring. Begnaud has suffered numerous concussions as a result of the repeated and chronic head trauma sustained while wrestling for WWE. His injuries have resulted in long-term neurological injuries and cognitive difficulties, including, but not limited to, headaches, dizziness, loss of memory, and fatigue.
Additionally, the suit names several plaintiffs who allege racist gimmicks were given to them during their time in WWE, and below is the description of plaintiff Rodney Match, which can be found on page 55 of the lawsuit:
110. Plaintiff Rodney Begnaud, a.k.a. Rodney Mack (“Begnaud”) is 45 and resides in Lafayette, Louisiana. Begnaud wrestled for WWE from 2002 to 2005. His WWE assigned gimmick was to portray himself as an “anti-white” black militant. Begnaud explains it “was a ‘no no’ to discuss injuries or your job would be in jeopardy.” His dialogue consisted of lines such as “Damn Right!” and “Yeah!” with his manager uttering lines such as “Kill Whitey” and “Free James Brown.” He says he was not treated for injuries or tested for signs of head injuries after sustaining blows to his head them in the ring. Begnaud has suffered numerous concussions as a result of the repeated and chronic head trauma sustained while wrestling for WWE. His injuries have resulted in long-term neurological injuries and cognitive difficulties, including, but not limited to, headaches, dizziness, loss of memory, and fatigue.
