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Saturday, December 16, 2017

How WWE Contracts Work - By Brian Harrod


 Wrestling Contracts Details

WWE signs most of its talent to exclusive contracts, meaning talent can appear or perform only on WWE programming and events. 

They are not permitted to appear or perform for another promotion unless special arrangements are made beforehand. 

WWE keeps all wrestlers' salary, employment length, benefits, and all other contract details strictly private.

WWE classifies its professional wrestlers as independent contractors and not as employees. A study by the University of Louisville Law Review found that after applying the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) 20-factor test, 16 factors "clearly indicate that wrestlers are employees". 

However, as a result of WWE terming them as independent contractors, "the wrestlers are denied countless benefits to which they would otherwise be entitled."

The Study Is Archived Here: 

http://louisvillelawreview.org/sites/louisvillelawreview.org/files/pdfs/printcontent/53/1/10-Cowley.pdf 

Public Filings

Vince McMahon

As an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:

Paul Levesque (Triple H)

As an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:

Stephanie McMahon

As an officer of WWE, her contract has been published in SEC filings:

Shane McMahon

As an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:

Jim Ross

As an officer of WWE, his contract has been published in SEC filings:

Linda McMahon

As an officer of WWE, her contract has been published in SEC filings:



Lawsuits

Brock Lesnar

Brock sued WWE in 2005 about his "non-compete" clause which was preventing him from competing worldwide. A lot of documents, including his contract, were released.



Chris Kanyon 

In October 2008, as part of WWE's response to independent contractor lawsuit, the booking contract for Kanyon was included as exhibits of WWE's motion to dismiss.
  • Chris Kanyon (2002) lawsuit filed in August 2008; dismissed March 2009 

Mike Sanders

In October 2008, as part of WWE's response to independent contractor lawsuit, the booking contract for Sanders was included as exhibits of WWE's motion to dismiss.
        • Mike Sanders (2001) lawsuit filed in August 2008; dismissed March 2009

        Scott Levy (Raven)  

        In October 2008, as part of WWE's response to independent contractor lawsuit, the booking contract for Levy was included as exhibits of WWE's motion to dismiss.
          Levy later joined the Buff Bagwell Royalties lawsuit.

          Konnan/TNA

          Konnan sued TNA in 2008 over "bodily injury claims", "racial discrimination claims" and trademark claims. His 2004 & 2005 TNA contracts were included as part of this lawsuit.



          Matt Hardy/TNA

          Matt Hardy & Anthem Wrestling (TNA) had a dispute in 2017 over ownership of the "Broken Matt Hardy" gimmick.


          Ultimate Warrior

          Jim Hellwig and Vince McMahon & WWF sued and counter-sued each other numerous times, especially over the "Self-Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior" DVD. Included in the lawsuits were Ultimate Warrior's Booking Contracts for 1987, 1992 and 1996. For more information, I recommend checking out David Bixenspan's article in Issue 104 of Fighting Spirit Magazine.


          Owen Hart

          Martha Hart sued the WWE over "wrongful use of Owen's name and likeness" and sought (among other things) alleged unpaid royalties in June 2010.

          Owen's 1996 Booking contract was included in the filing.

          Evan Singleton  

          Developmental wrestler Evan Singleton sued World Wrestling Entertainment - related to CTE claims.
          "Under the guise of providing entertainment, the WWE has, for decades, subjected its wrestlers to extreme physical brutality that it knew, or should have known, caused created latent conditions and long-term irreversible bodily damage, including brain damage"

          Big Vito

           Big Vito sued World Wrestling Entertainment - related to CTE claims.
          "Under the guise of providing entertainment, the WWE has, for decades, subjected its wrestlers to extreme physical brutality that it knew, or should have known, caused created latent conditions and long-term irreversible bodily damage, including brain damage"

          Nelson Frazier (Mabel / Viscera / Big Daddy V) 

          Frazier's widow, Cassandra Frazier, sued the WWE in 2015 in TN. (See filings.) The case was later combined with the other concussion lawsuits in CT. WWE included Frazier's four contracts when they were arguing venue and noted his annual earnings while employed with WWF/WWE.

          Nelson Frazier, Jr., a famous international professional wrestler better known by his ring
          names "Mabel," "King Mabel," "Viscera," and "Big Daddy V." action, predicated on the WWE's wrongful conduct giving rise to the long-term consequences of multiple concussions and other serious, permanent, and disabling injuries suffered during Nelson Frazier, Jr.'s approximately fifteen-year WWE career. Plaintiff, as the sole surviving spouse and next of kin of Nelson Frazier, Jr., is the successor in interest to Nelson Frazier, jr. and is the personal representative of the Estate of Nelson Frazier, Jr. Mr. Frazier died February 18, 2014 at the age of 43 as a result of injuries he sustained as a result of wrestling for the WWE. Plaintiff seeks compensation and such further relief as justice may require for accumulation of long-term chronic injuries, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), financial losses, pain and suffering, expenses, loss of enjoyment of life, and intangible human losses suffered by the Plaintiff as a result of WWE's willful, wanton, reckless, and grossly negligent and other conduct and omissions, which resulted in Mr. Frazier suffering repetitive serious head injuries, brain trauma, concussions, other serious injuries, and eventually the heart attack which took his life.

          Sonny Onoo

          As part of a racial discrimination case against WCW filed by Sonny Onoo (and others), these contracts were included in the lawsuit:

          Hulk Hogan

          Filed as a random exhibit in the Easterling racial discrimination case (Easterling v . World Championship Wrestling, Inc . and Turner Sports, Inc . and Turner Broadcasting System, Inc . , Civ . File No . 1 :00-CV-1715-CC), Hulk Hogan's full 1998 contract was included.

          Ranger Ross

          Ranger Ross (Robert Ross, Jr.) sued WCW in 1993 for racial discrimination. Filings from this case, included Ranger Ross' 1991 contract and 1989-1991 pay statements were included in later racial discrimination cases filed by WCW wrestlers such as Bobby Walker.

          Matt Osbourne (Doink the Clown)

          Matt Borne had two contracts with WWF: one in 1985 and one in 1992.
          • Matt Borne / Doink the Clown contract: 1985/1992

          Russ McCullough

          Filed in California, "Big" Russ McCullough's WWE booking contract was filed as part of the WWE's motion to transfer venue to CT.

          Luther Reigns

          Filed in California, Luther Reigns (Matthew Wiese)'s WWE booking contract was filed as part of the WWE's motion to transfer venue to CT.

          Ryan Sakoda

          Filed in California, Sakoda's 2004 WWE booking contract was filed as part of the WWE's motion to transfer venue to CT.

          Bobby Walker

          Bobby Walker sued WCW for Racial Discrimination in 1998 and 2000.

          Rene Dupree

          Rene Dupree sued WWE for WWE Network Royalties in April 2016. His 2003 contract was included in the initial filing.

          Chavo Guerrero Jr.


          Chavo Guerrero's contracts from 20012004 and 2010 were submitted as part of a lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon with 50+ plaintiffs.



          Buff Bagwell

          Buff Bagwell filed suit against WWE in August 2016 for royalties payment from the WWE Network.
          See also Buff Bagwell payroll records from the WCW Racial Discrimination lawsuit.

          Chris Benoit

          Uncovered by David Bixenspan during communication with USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services), here is a redacted version of 

          Marcial Davis

          WCW Trainee who later sued World Championship Wrestling for racial discrimination. Signed a contract in April 1999 and was released in September 1999.

          Hardbody Harrison

          Ray Hernandez

          Ray Hernandez's 1984 contract with Mid-South wrestling is public as part of a 1984 lawsuit by a spectator injured during a wrestling match.

          Missy Hyatt

          From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit...

          John Tatum

          From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit...

          Buddy Roberts

          From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit..

          Missing Link (Byron Robertston)

          From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit..

          Michael Hayes

          From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit..

            Terry Gordy 

            From 1986 Southwest Sports vs Mid-South Sports lawsuit..

              One Man Gang (George Gray)

              Contractor Nostalgia Agreements

              Road Warrior Animal

              In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Road Warrior Animal (Joe Laurinaitis).

              Sabu

              In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Sabu (Terry Brunk).
              • Terry Brunk (Contractor Nostalgia Agreement dated September 15, 2005)

              Kamala

              In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Kamala (James Harris).
              • James Harris (Contractor Nostalgia Agreements dated June 21, 2005, and June 21, 2011)

              One Man Gang

              In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Akeem / One Man Gang (George Gray).
              • George Gray (Contractor Nostalgia Agreements dated October 16, 2004 and October 16, 2009)

              Jimmy Snuka

              In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka (James W. Snuka).

              Paul Orndorff

              In January 2017, WWE filed heavily redacted versions of signed Contractor Nostalgia Agreement with Paul Orndorff.
              • Paul Orndorff (Contractor Nostalgia Agreements dated January 22, 2005,  January 22, 2010, and January 22, 2015)

              Bryan Clark

              Bryan Clark's 2015 Contractor Nostalgia Agreement was included as part of a lawsuit against WWE and Vince McMahon with 50+ plaintiffs.

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