Post by ThatDamnPotato on Oct 18, 2010 21:51:35 GMT -5
www.wwe.com/inside/standupforwwe/
This is cool on WWEs part! Maybe we should post our favourite memories of WWE on here not like matches but for example when I was young i used to make championship belts with sticky tape, felt tips and lots of paper and as cheesy as it is it was fun!
Accusation:
“…the company…has been criticized for violent and sexually suggestive programming.”
Peter Wallsten – The Wall Street Journal – July 2, 2010
Truth:
* All of WWE’s programming has been TV-PG since June 2008.
* Friday Night SmackDown, which made its network debut in 1999 has always been rated TV-PG.
* 87 percent of WWE fans say WWE content is appropriate for families.
* Of the 14 million weekly viewers in the United States that watch WWE programming, six million are women.
Accusation:
“Putting profits before people.”
Richard Blumenthal Ads – 2010
Truth:
* World Wrestling Entertainment first opened its office in 1983 with 13 employees. Today it employees approximately 600 people and pays out $60 million in salaries for those based in Connecticut alone.
* WWE provides a comprehensive benefits package to all full-time employees including medical, dental, vision, 401(k) and employee stock purchase plans.
* 110 employees have been with WWE for more than 10 years.
* WWE has 140 Superstars and Divas currently under contract as independent contractors.
* The average active roster WWE Talent earns more than $550,000 annually, with WWE covering 100 percent of all costs associated with any in-ring related injuries and rehabilitation.
* In 2011, WWE plans to hire between 100-140 employees in anticipation of the launch of the WWE cable network.
* WWE has a longstanding commitment to give back to communities through literacy programs, support of the military and their families, and a more than 25 year relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Accusation:
“…the state Democratic Party has criticized…other business practices, particularly its classifying performers as independent contractors who do not receive health benefits from WWE.”
- Ed Stannard – New Haven Register – Sept. 5, 2010
Truth:
* WWE covers 100 percent of all costs associated with any in-ring related injuries and rehabilitation.
* The Talent Wellness Program, fully funded by WWE, calls for regular cardiovascular testing and monitoring, ImPACT™ testing for brain function, annual physicals, medical referrals and blood screening of WWE Talent, as well as substance abuse and random drug testing.
* WWE offers current and former talent who may have substance abuse problems complete drug rehabilitation at no cost to them. WWE is the only entertainment company that provides this type of assistance and ongoing support to its former performers.
* WWE invests nearly $3.5 million annually in the talents’ health and wellness programs.
Accusation:
“The company also has been accused of looking the other way as wrestlers, feeling pressured to maintain the pumped-up bodies showcased in the W.W.E., turned to steroids.”
- Ray Hernandez & Joshua Brustein – The New York Times – July 15, 2010
Truth:
* WWE’s Talent Wellness Policy strictly prohibits the use of steroids, the abuse of prescription medications, performance enhancing drugs and the use, possession and/or distribution of illegal drugs.
* WWE’s entire substance abuse and drug testing policy is independently administered by third party leading medical experts.
* The Talent Wellness Program is designed to result in all WWE Talent being tested at a minimum four times a year, but may result in more frequent testing due to the random selection process.
Accusation:
“Lack of athletic-board scrutiny also ensured that the WWE’s wrestlers would not be subject to drug tests.”
– Andy Barr – Politico – Aug. 10, 2010
Truth:
* WWE is still regulated in 21 states and the District of Columbia, where rules and regulations can differ. The company's Talent Wellness Program is far stricter than any medical or drug testing required by the states.
* Much like Ringling Bros. Circus and Harlem Globetrotters, WWE is sheer entertainment and therefore should not be under the purview of the antiquated rules and regulations of State Athletic Commissions.
* WWE pays gross admissions taxes on ticket sales similar to concerts or other live entertainment events in states that we are not regulated.
Accusation:
“The allegations against WWE seem to be criminal in nature…because allegations about independent contractors are investigated by the Department of Labor and the Department of Revenue Services...”
Richard Blumenthal – Oct. 4, 2010
Truth:
* WWE has always complied with the law, and constantly reviews its internal practices and procedures to comply with ever-changing employee laws.
* For the entirety of WWE’s existence, WWE talent have been classified as independent contractors and not employees.
* There is not now, nor has there ever been, any criminal investigation into WWE’s treatment of its Superstars as independent contractors.
* WWE’s treatment and reporting of its talent as independent contractors has never been challenged or questioned by any federal or state regulatory body during the entirety of WWE’s existence.
* Up until this election, WWE has not been investigated in the past for independent contractor classification.
=============
Alrighty, discussion of this program and the issues raised is fine. To start discussing the Linda Mac campaign will get warnings.
Fine:
I am glad WWE is doing something like this.
They can counter these all they want, the facts are the allegations against them have merit and need to be addressed.
No:
This is only because of Linda and her campaign
It's just like a (political ideology) to do something like this.
The video shown on RAW is fine, the video with Vince on WWE.com is not. ~ Ric
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