Vega’s WWE release draws reaction from labor leaders & wrestlers
WWE.com
WWE released Zelina Vega yesterday (Nov. 13). We didn’t need insider sources to tell us the move was related to the company’s new policy prohibiting wrestlers from running their own accounts on online fan-engagement services like Twitch and Cameo, but we did get reports confirming that.
That ban reinvigorated the debate about WWE’s classification of talent as independent contractors, since it was another example of limitations their contracts place on how wrestlers can earn money from outside sources. Vega’s release, seemingly to send a message to performers not to violate Vince McMahon’s edict about using third-party platforms without the company’s involvement, naturally drew a reaction from people involved in that debate.
Entrepreneur, lawyer, politician and wrestling fan Andrew Yang has been a vocal critic of WWE’s talent management, and he was quick to comment on Zelina’s release:
I haven’t forgotten about Vince McMahon. https://t.co/m2BGJMhqXv
— Andrew Yang (@AndrewYang) November 14, 2020
He also received an offer of help from Maria Kanellis, who was one of May’s pandemic profit-protecting cuts. In one of several tweets following the Vega news, Kanellis wrote:
How about a signed affidavit of the company culture and the moral deficiencies within WWE… I am literally putting this out there so others have the confidence to come forward. https://t.co/WaGrAcBOMU
— MariaKanellisBennett (@MariaLKanellis) November 14, 2020
Yang’s outlined plan of action against WWE has involved regulation and organization. Even with Joe Biden’s victory in this month’s Presidential Election, the former may be a long shot if Republican’s retain control of the Senate – and with the ability to stymie attempts to appoint progressive cabinet heads and dictate the legislative agenda. Getting wrestlers to unionize is also an uphill fight, but Zelina’s pro-labor tweet (believed to be sent after she was informed of her release) caught the eye of the Screen Actor’s Guild and its President. SAG is the union Yang and others have argued WWE wrestlers could organize under:
So do we. https://t.co/kgTIrv0jdl
— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) November 14, 2020
Hey @Zelina_VegaWWE Thanks for standing strong for labor solidarity. I support you. Please email me [email protected] https://t.co/tYEiiFhB9S
— Gabrielle Carteris (@TheGabrielle_C) November 14, 2020
The news also caught the eye of others in the wrestling community, including Paige. The former Divas champion has also threatened to defy McMahon’s Twitch ban, and expressed an interest in labor organizing:
This sucks.. https://t.co/gSSrVqCTow
— SARAYA (@RealPaigeWWE) November 13, 2020
Paige was the only person currently signed to a WWE contract who’s spoken up. But a few others who used to work for Vince chimed in:
This generation of wrestlers won’t stand for the bullshit. One man will not make a fortune off our broken backs anymore.
What’s wrong @VinceMcMahon, you feeling the heat from that Biden win? Tick Tock. pic.twitter.com/xccW1oCuC6— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 13, 2020
I support @Zelina_VegaWWE #FuckWWE
— The Big Guy (@Ryback) November 13, 2020
Now is the time to hit @wwe and @vincemcmahon Stop watching their product and show them who has been in charge all along. #BlackoutRaw #BlackoutSmackdown #BlackoutNXT #FuckWWE
— The Big Guy (@Ryback) November 14, 2020
Not everyone was interested in a possible pending legal battle, however. Some just wanted to support a talented person:
We have all become very familiar with the talents and drive of @Zelina_VegaWWE . Despite a pain in the ass setback, i have no doubt she will wind up doing something incredible in a matter of time. You can’t steal someone’s magic.
— Renee Paquette (@ReneePaquette) November 14, 2020
The way I’m going to sub to her twitch and make sure she keeps making bank https://t.co/jUojmvFRd1
— Shazza McKenzie (@Shazza_McKenzie) November 13, 2020
We’ll keep you posted on the larger story regarding WWE’s independent contractor policy, which figures to be a major one in 2021 and beyond.
In the meantime, join us in sending support to Zelina – or I guess we should get used to calling her Thea Trinidad. Can’t wait to see what she does next.
**For Original Source – Click Here**
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