WWE & The Ashley Massaro Affidavit [PART 1]
In this episode of The 20/20 Podcast, LLC, the show examines allegations of sexual misconduct, worker exploitation, and unfair labor practices within WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment). The summary details accusations of harassment, assault, and coercion leveled against WWE executives, including Vince McMahon. It also explores hazing rituals inflicted on new talent, unsafe working conditions leading to injuries, and the classification of wrestlers as independent contractors, depriving them of employee benefits.
The podcast further delves into the lack of support from WWE after wrestler Ashley Massaro's sexual assault, and the pressure on wrestlers to remain silent about misconduct cases. It unveils manipulative tactics used by WWE in contract dealings and media appearances, highlighting the exploitation of young wrestlers and disregard for their consent and rights.
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This is a preview of the Shortform summary of the Feb 10, 2024 episode of the The 20/20 Podcast, LLC
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1-Page Summary
Sexual misconduct and abuse in WWE
Vince McMahon is accused of sexually harassing female wrestlers, including making vulgar comments, attempting to sabotage careers through scripts, and coercing them into hotel room meetings. He allegedly forced late-night hotel encounters and made unwanted sexual advances.
Hazing and exploitation in WWE include inadequate training for new wrestlers leading to injuries such as concussions and vertebrae injuries. Wrestlers report being made to perform despite serious injuries and against medical advice. Hazing practices involve veteran wrestlers inflicting intentional injuries on newcomers. Additionally, wrestlers’ requests for training time off are denied, showcasing a lack of concern for their safety.
The podcast discusses the sexual assault experience of Ashley Massaro perpetrated by a man claiming to be a US Army doctor in Kuwait, revealing that she was drugged and assaulted. After the assault, WWE staff left her stranded, and wrestlers are purportedly pressured by WWE into silence about misconduct cases.
Unfair labor practices and denial of worker rights
WWE treats wrestlers as independent contractors, which denies them employee benefits, yet they are subject to intense schedules similar to employees, performing shows four to five days a week. This classification denies them healthcare coverage and workers' compensation for injuries, signifying inadequate support for injuries sustained.
Despite their contractor status, wrestlers are misinformed about their rights, such as training independently, due to liability concerns for WWE; those who do train on their own are told to stop. Additionally, the exploitation of young talent is evident in coercive practices related to media appearances and manipulative contract dealings, such as forcing wrestlers to participate in opportunities like posing for Playboy without clear consent and pressuring them into unfair contract terms.
1-Page Summary
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Hazing practices in WWE involve veteran wrestlers subjecting newcomers to intentional physical harm or humiliation as a form of initiation or "toughening up." This can include actions like stiff or dangerous in-ring performances, practical jokes with malicious intent, or other forms of mistreatment aimed at testing the newcomers' resilience or loyalty within the wrestling community. Such practices are controversial and have been criticized for perpetuating a culture of bullying and abuse within the wrestling industry. These hazing rituals can create a toxic environment for new talent and contribute to a cycle of mistreatment that some wrestlers have spoken out against.
- Ashley Massaro, a former WWE wrestler, experienced sexual assault by a man who claimed to be a US Army doctor in Kuwait. She reported being drugged and assaulted during this incident. Following the assault, Massaro alleged that WWE staff did not provide adequate support and wrestlers were pressured to remain silent about misconduct cases.
- WWE's classification of wrestlers as independent contractors means they are not considered employees, depriving them of benefits like healthcare coverage and workers' compensation. Despite this classification, wrestlers often work under strict schedules and guidelines set by WWE, similar to traditional employees. This arrangement allows WWE to avoid certain legal obligations and costs associated with employing individuals directly. Wrestlers' status as independent contractors has been a subject of debate and criticism due to the level of control WWE exerts over their work and schedules.
- The exploitation of young talent in WWE involves coercive practices related to media appearances and contract dealings. This includes pressuring wrestlers into opportunities like posing for Playboy without clear consent and pushing them into unfair contract terms. Wrestlers may be misled about their rights and face consequences if they choose to train independently due to WWE's liability concerns. Overall, young talent may face challenges in asserting their autonomy and negotiating fair terms within the industry.
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Sexual misconduct and abuse in WWE
Vince McMahon's alleged sexual harassment and mistreatment of female wrestlers
Allegations have surfaced against Vince McMahon for his inappropriate conduct towards female wrestlers. A speaker recounts that McMahon would often make vulgar sexual comments meant to discomfort her. He is also accused of writing scripts with the intention of ruining her career and of trying to coerce her into his hotel room, going to lengths such as incessantly calling her phone.
Alleged forced dating and unwanted sexual advances
McMahon's advances did not stop at uncomfortable comments; he attempted to force the speaker into late-night hotel meetings, making unwanted sexual advances towards her.
Hazing, exploitation, and lack of safety measures for WWE wrestlers
Lack of proper training for new wrestlers, leading to severe injuries
WWE is criticized for failing to provide adequate training to wrestlers, leading to severe injuries. The speaker discusses suffering from multiple injuries, including concussions and vertebrae herniations due to being untrained and thrown directly into performances.
Being forced to perform with serious injuries against medical advice
The harsh realities wrestlers face include being forced to perform while injured. The speaker describes having to perform with a leg in a cast, risking further injury. Revisionary surgeries in subsequent years were necessary due to the initial injury's mismanagement.
Workplace hazing and veteran wrestlers intentionally injuring new wrestlers
Hazing is also a significant issue in WWE, with veteran wrestlers "working stiff" on newcomers to "break them in,” leading to severe injuries. Additionally, requests for time off for wrestling training were denied by Stephanie McMahon, emphasizing the disregard for performers' well-being and safety.
WWE covering up and enabling sexual assault allegations
Ashley Massaro's traumatic sexual assault by a military doctor in Kuwait
The podcast sheds light on the horrific sexual assault suffered by Ashley Massaro, a former WWE diva, at the hands of a military doctor during a tour in ...
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Sexual misconduct and abuse in WWE
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- Vince McMahon, the chairman of WWE, has faced allegations of making inappropriate sexual comments and advances towards female wrestlers. These allegations suggest a pattern of behavior where McMahon used his position of power to engage in behavior that made the female wrestlers uncomfortable and potentially compromised their careers. The accusations include instances where McMahon allegedly tried to coerce female wrestlers into private meetings and subjected them to unwanted advances, creating a hostile work environment for these individuals. These allegations highlight concerns about workplace harassment and abuse of power within the wrestling industry.
- WWE has faced criticism for not adequately training new wrestlers, resulting in serious injuries. Wrestlers have reported suffering from concussions and spinal injuries due to insufficient training. This lack of preparation can lead to long-term health issues and impact a wrestler's career. Inadequate training can also affect the safety of performers in the ring.
- In the context of WWE, workplace hazing involves veteran wrestlers subjecting new or inexperienced wrestlers to physical harm or discomfort as a form of initiation or toughening up. This can include intentionally inflicting pain during matches or training sessions to test the newcomers' resilience or commitment to the profession. Such practices are seen as a way to establish hierarchy, tradition, and toughness within the wrestling industry. The intention behind these actions is often to weed out those who are not deemed fit for the demanding and competitive world of professional wrestling.
- Ashley Massaro, a former WWE diva, experienced a traumatic sexual assault by a military doctor during a WWE tour in Kuwait. The assault involved Massaro being drugged, paralyzed, and assaulted by the individual claiming to be a US Army doctor. This incident led to significant emotional distress and highlighted issues of safety and support within the wrestling industry. WWE's response to the assault and the subsequent events raised concerns about the treatment of performers in such situations.
- After Ashley Massaro was sexually assaulted by a military doctor during a WWE tour in Kuwait, she felt abandoned by WWE staff when she was left alone and vulnerab ...
Counterarguments
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Unfair labor practices and denial of worker rights
The tension between the WWE's treatment of its wrestlers as independent contractors and the reality of their working conditions reveals unfair labor practices and the denial of worker rights.
Independent contractor status of wrestlers denying employee benefits
The WWE classifies its wrestlers as independent contractors, yet their expected obligations often align more with employee status, bringing to question the fairness of this arrangement.
Required to perform shows 4-5 days per week despite "contractor" status
Despite being labeled as independent contractors, wrestlers are required to perform at WWE shows four to five days a week, according to the podcast with Massaro. This intense schedule does not leave them with much freedom or time to train on their own, which is a typical benefit associated with being an independent contractor.
Lack of healthcare coverage or workers' compensation for injuries
The podcast also notes that wrestlers, like Massaro, lack benefits that are common for full-time employees, such as healthcare coverage and workers' compensation. Massaro specifically points out the treatment—or lack thereof—of multiple concussions, highlighting the dangerous and unprotected working environment wrestlers endure.
Inability to train independently due to liability concerns for WWE
Ironically, WWE's wrestlers, despite their independent contractor status, were initially misinformed about their right to train during off days, being told not to due to liability issues for WWE. When some wrestlers like Massaro trained independently, they were instructed to stop, further blurring the lines between the freedoms normally afforded to contractors.
Coercion and exploitation of young talent
WWE's exploitation of its wrestlers extends beyond their classification and into coercive practices regarding media appearances and contracts.
Wrestlers f ...
Here’s what you’ll find in our full summary
Unfair labor practices and denial of worker rights
Additional Materials
Clarifications
- The WWE classifies its wrestlers as independent contractors, which means they are not considered employees of the company. This classification allows WWE to avoid providing traditional employee benefits like healthcare coverage and workers' compensation. Despite being labeled as independent contractors, wrestlers often have obligations and restrictions that are more typical of traditional employees, raising questions about the fairness of their classification.
- The discrepancy arises from WWE classifying wrestlers as independent contractors while imposing strict schedules and limitations on their activities, resembling traditional employee roles. This classification denies wrestlers benefits like healthcare coverage and workers' compensation typically provided to employees. Wrestlers' inability to train independently due to WWE's liability concerns further blurs the distinction between independent contractors and employees. This situation raises questions about the fairness and legality of treating wrestlers as independent contractors while subjecting them to conditions more akin to employees.
- Wrestlers in WWE, despite their demanding schedules and physical risks, often do not receive healthcare coverage or workers' compensation benefits typically provided to full-time employees in other industries. This lack of support can leave wrestlers vulnerable to financial strain and health risks resulting from injuries sustained during their performances. The absence of these benefits highlights a significant disparity in the treatment of wrestlers compared to tr ...
Counterarguments
- Independent contractor status can offer wrestlers flexibility in their careers, allowing them to work for other promotions or engage in outside projects, which might not be possible under an employee model.
- The intense schedule of shows could be seen as part of the entertainment industry, where performers often have demanding schedules, especially when they are part of a touring company.
- Wrestlers may receive higher pay to compensate for the lack of traditional benefits like healthcare coverage, which could be part of their contractual agreement when they sign with WWE.
- The WWE may provide training facilities and resources for their wrestlers, which could mitigate the need for independent training and address liability concerns.
- Appearances in media, such as Playboy, could be voluntary a ...
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