WWE’s Twitch Ban Goes Into Effect, Several Wrestlers Suspend Their Accounts, Paige Considering Unionization

In September, WWE issued an edict that wrestlers would be forbidden from using “third party services,” including Twitch and Cameo.

Earlier this month, WWE sent another memo saying that wrestlers’ Twitch accounts would be taken over by WWE and WWE would take a major cut of their revenue, and worse yet, any revenue that goes to wrestlers would be counted as part of their contractual guaranteed downsides.

On Friday, several wrestlers began suspending their Twitch accounts, including AJ Styles, Zelina Vega, Aleister Black, Mia Yim, Cesaro and Paige.

“@everyone, I want to thank you for all the greatest memories on Mixer and Twitch,” Styles wrote on his Twitch channel. “I will cherish these memories and I love everyone of you that have made this possible and supported me. As many of you know WWE is making some changes that involve streaming. We will see what the future holds in that regard. With that being said I will be suspending Stylesclash stream. This isn’t good bye, but this is see you sometime in the future. We will leave discord open, but since it won’t be monitored we will be making changes. Chris or I will let you know what that looks like once we figure it out. If you see me at the arenas or wherever be sure to let me know you’re part of the phenomenal family. Again this isn’t the end it’s just a pause. Thank you again for your support.”

Paige, on the other hand, was much more outspoken about WWE’s decision to take her channel and revenue, saying that she’s been talking to a unionization lawyer. (h/t WrestlingNews.co for transcript)

You guys, there may be a time where I have to stop streaming. So, just in case I have to walk away, let’s make these next two streams crazy. Wanna make the next two streams crazy? Let’s just go off. We have to go off. If I have to leave, we have to make today and Saturday fucking crazy before I have to leave. It might have to come to that. I have honestly gotten to the point, I cannot deal with this company anymore. I have to make a very important decision. I’m fucking tired man. I broke my fucking neck twice, for this company. I broke my fucking neck twice for this company.

All I wanted was to… They don’t realize that this community isn’t just about fucking subs dude. It isn’t about that. We built such a wonderful community. A wonderful fucking family where this is an escape for a lot of people, including myself. I can’t wrestle anymore. I worked so hard in WWE that I can’t wrestle anymore, my neck is fucked. My whole fucking dreams got taken away from me dude and I had to have something that fulfilled that huge fucking void that I lost from wrestling. That huge fucking void. I couldn’t wrestle anymore. Something that I lived, breathed and fucking shit wrestling ever since I was a fucking fetus and it got ripped from me. And I had to find something that even filled a little bit of that and Twitch was doing such a wonderful thing for me. It’s such a wonderful place for me. I understand if you’re wrestling every day and you’re doing these shows every day and you’re on TV constantly, that’s fine. I’m a fucking injured wrestler, I cannot wrestle anymore. I get used for media stuff sometimes but at the end of the day, I’m in my fucking house. I’m going fucking crazy, dude. I need something to keep me fucking sane man. Twitch was my escape from that.

People think that I should be fucking be thankful that I still have a fucking job, right? I am but that doesn’t mean that I should be treated like fucking shit. People don’t realize, I’m outspoken as fuck. I will say how I feel, I don’t care who you are. I will say how I feel because I don’t like being walked all over.

You know what, I’m gonna start looking more into unionization. I’ve been learning about it by a unionization lawyer. This is bigger than Twitch, it’s about taking fucking control over your own life and not being controlled by anyone. I gave 10 years man. I poured my fucking heart and soul into this. I had a bad couple of years like every motherfucker has. I’m not the only one who is fucking controversial around here. I’m not the only one. It’s fucking louder when it comes to me because I’m a fucking female. I hate using that face because I’m a woman but it’s because I’m a woman and women don’t usually stand up for themselves.

Several WWE wrestlers reportedly had a recent meeting with Vince McMahon to argue against the ban, according to PWInsider, to no avail.

WWE is reportedly planning to relaunch their own Twitch channel, where they will presumably include several WWE wrestlers.

When the ban was first announced, several wrestlers were “livid,” according to Dave Meltzer. Meltzer says that “several” wrestlers are now talking to former US presidential candidate Andrew Yang about the situation, but “most are just grumbling about it.”

Yang has been outspoken with his criticism of WWE, saying, “Vince you’d better hope your old friend Donald wins because change is in the air and changes are long overdue where your corrupt labor practices are concerned. It would give me great pleasure.”

Come on Vince – you’ve already deprived the folks breaking their backs for you of healthcare, security, recovery time, retirement benefits and fair treatment re: licenses and royalties. At least let them make a living off their own names. Many of them need it.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 5, 2020

Vince you’d better hope your old friend Donald wins because change is in the air and changes are long overdue where your corrupt labor practices are concerned. It would give me great pleasure. The people know.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 5, 2020

For all the wrestlers who know that you’re being misclassified but are reliant on staying on Vince’s good side – even because WWE might hire you – I get it. Our job is to make it easier for you to get what you deserve without risking your career.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) September 5, 2020

Hearing from talent that WWE is forcing performers to sign new contracts that include twitch. Streaming on twitch will become a work obligation and if talent doesn’t stream they will forego earnings, be suspended or face penalties. Doesn’t sound like independent contractors.

— Andrew Yang🧢🇺🇸 (@AndrewYang) October 2, 2020