One week before last week’s WrestleMania 35 event from WWE, comedian John Oliver dedicated nearly an entire episode of his “Last Week Tonight” show on HBO to exposing WWE’s history of talent treatment. Oliver mentioned the fact that WWE classifies its workers as “independent contractors,” which ensures that the wrestlers do not receive the same benefits that they would normally receive if they were considered employees. Oliver encouraged wrestling fans to bring signs and start chants encouraging a change during WrestleMania 35. WWE responded by denying the statements that Oliver made during his piece, and he was also invited to attend WrestleMania so that he could see how their wrestlers are treated.
It was later reported that wrestlers in WWE had mixed opinions on John Oliver’s piece. Some supposedly believe that Oliver was spot on with his critiques but others apparently feel as if the comedian did not properly do the research beforehand. Matt Hardy talked to Fox News and gave some of his own thoughts on the matter. Hardy called certain aspects of Oliver’s piece outdated. For instance, Hardy claims that WWE has paid for every major surgery that he has had to undergo since working there. He also says that the locker room is far more professional now compared to how it was in the late 90s. Hardy says that WWE has always taken great care of himself, his brother, and the other wrestlers working for the company.
There’s a new documentary series airing on VICELAND right now called “Dark Side of the Ring,” which exposes some of the darker behind the scenes stories from pro wrestling history. Although Hulk Hogan stated that he did not think that the premiere episode based on Randy Savage and Miss Elizabeth’s relationship was fair or accurate, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has praised the show online. Johnson put out a tweet today calling the series “captivating” and one that he can relate to given that his father and grandfather worked with some of the individuals involved in the episodes. The show currently airs on VICELAND and more episodes from the first season will be premiering very soon.
Highly recommend a gripping docu-series @DarkSideOfRing on @VICE. Hits home for me as all these tragic stories are from pro wrestlers who my grandfather, my dad and myself have all wrestled and became friends with over the years. Kudos to the filmmakers – a captivating watch.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 14, 2019