I don't think the independant contractor status holds up in court. Brock was working in NJPW before even challenging and beating WWE in court but Brock is a special case, a wrestler of high value and means who is also indifferent to burning a bridge with WWE. Probably the only wrestler who can flip it on Vince and say
you will always come crawling back . These other wrestlers this shyt is their job and they don't want to mess up a potential return.
It's crazy they still get away with that. I think that's one positive of WWE not being that popular anymore, all their critics are wrestling marks who will forgive anything if the show is good.