Wrestlenomics is reporting that since TKO bought the WWE employee morale has sunk.
At issue is pay, benefits and how much their workload has increased despite the WWE going through a massive financial and popularity boom at present.
“Employees also pointed to a growing disconnect between corporate messaging and their daily experiences. While WWE management has emphasized the value of its workforce at town hall meetings, multiple staff said they feel increasingly undervalued,” reports Brandon Thurston. “Employees told Wrestlenomics, however, that WWE’s financial success hasn’t translated into meaningful pay increases.”
Sources inside the company have told Thurstson: “Staff conveyed to Wrestlenomics that many those who are frustrated by these unwelcome changes since the merger have respect for the company but nonetheless feel obligated to speak up because they want to be compensated fairly for the work they’ve performed. They’re surprised by the direction WWE has taken since the transaction with Endeavor, especially with WWE now on a hot streak after many employees worked with the company through periods when the company’s business wasn’t as strong as it is now.”
Under TKO:
- The stock purchase program is gone. The benefit allowed all WWE employees to buy stock at a 15 percent discount.
- The internal WWE Superstar Program no long exists. That program was “a peer-recognition initiative that allowed employees to reward each other with points redeemable for cash bonuses, gift cards, or experiences”, reports Thurston.
- As has been widely reported the perk of WWE employees being able to receive complimentary live event tickets ended some time ago. Employees are now given access to purchase tickets before they go on sale to the general public instead.
The report comes on the heels of news that some women on the roster are not happy with not only how they are being utilized and showcased as well as the WWE’s WrestleMania plans for them. Some scoffed at the multi-women tag matches and other ideas that have been pitched to them.