5 things you didn't know about WWE contracts

What are the details of the fat contracts that WWE Superstars have ?

WWE contracts have managed to stay fairly consistent over the last 25 years. Some changes have been made, however, and some wrestlers do work based on limited dates. Such guys like the Undertaker and Brock Lesnar also enjoy first class accommodations, unlike other WWE wrestlers .

This list takes a look at 5 things about WWE contracts that you may not have known.

#5 Wrestlers are not considered as employees

NXT has a free-flowing talent base partly due to pro-wrestlers being independent contractors

The basic one – none of the WWE performers are considered to be employees of the company, but individual contractors. This has allowed Vince McMahon to circumvent the various labour laws associated with employment in the country.

There have been various attempts to unionize wrestlers, but the WWE has managed to prevent the same. WWE does provide benefits to wrestlers like health and travel insurance, though.

#4 The no-compete clause on release

Brock Lesnar fell foul of his no-compete clause

For major stars, WWE includes a no-compete clause in the contract which ensures that the wrestler does not jump ship to another promotion immediately after his release from the company. The usual time period is 90 days.

Brock Lesnar was one high profile wrestler who was sued by the company for breach of this rule when he went to NJPW before the time period expired in 2003. The case was settled out of court.

#3 WWE pays for medical and rehab costs

Christian recuperating in the hospital

One noble thing that the company does is that it pays for all the medical and rehab costs for its talent – the latter even for past wrestlers. Scott Hall was a guy who benefited from this policy as his drug and alcohol addiction saw him check into rehab where the WWE reportedly spent six figures to aid his cause.

#2 Wrestlers cannot sue the company for bodily harm

‘Bodily harm’ comes with the territory

A WWE contract states that a wrestler cannot sue the company if an injury is sustained. The wrestler signing the contract must fully agree to the bodily harm and acknowledge responsibility, to whatever injury that might occur to them while working for the WWE.

In an odd case, the Hart family sued the WWE after Owen’s death. The Hart family was awarded $18 million under a wrongful death suit.

#1 Confidentiality

Pro-wrestlers are expected to keep the details of their contracts close to their chest

The final part of a WWE contract discusses a confidentiality clause. The WWE stresses the importance of not disclosing any personal business related topics to the public.

The company, for years, has been very sensitive when it comes to the disclosure of their contracts. Since the origins of the WWE, the company has always wanted to keep what goes on behind closed doors away from public scrutiny.