John Oliveris slamming World Wrestling Entertainment’s (WWE) for the alleged mistreatment of its athletes.
On Sunday’s episode ofLast Week Tonight, Oliver criticized the organization’s CEO and chairman, Vince McMahon, for not taking “responsibility for his wrestlers’ welfare.” But one day after Oliver criticized WWE, it hit back against his allegations.
On Sunday’s episode, Oliver, 41, noted that WWE is “worth talking about” for a variety of reasons, including that it “makes a lot of money” — “Last year it generated a record $930 million in revenue,” he said — and the shocking deaths of numerous pro wrestlers throughout the years.
The episode featured footage of four former pro wrestlers, who all died within the past two decades:Eduardo Gory Guerrero, who died at age 38 in 2005;Randy “Macho Man” Savage, who died at age 58 in 2011;Joanie “Chyna” Laurer, who died at age 45 in 2016; andKing Kong Bundy, who died at age 61 in March.
“Wrestlers dying early is a troubling trend,” said Oliver.
“Exactly a week ahead of WrestleMania, let’s take a look at how the WWE does business and how it treats its wrestlers,” he said before taking aim at McMahon. “And before we start, you can’t talk about the WWE without talking about its chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon because he is incredibly powerful.”
Vince McMahon.Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Oliver noted that McMahon, 73, purchased the company from his father and has since overseen it, including eliminating and/or absorbing competitors throughout the ’80s and ’90s — WWE “basically holds a monopoly on the industry,” said Oliver — and scripts for the broadcasts.
“While the character Vince is an asshole, it’s important to know that the real Vince is also an asshole,” Oliver said. “Many fans legitimately hate him because while the WWE has made him a billionaire, many wrestlers say he’s treated them terribly.”
This isn’t the first time that Oliver has criticized sports organizations for the treatment of its athletes.
In 2015, hetook a serious shot at the NCAAfor not paying its players ahead of the annual March Madness college basketball tournament.
“There is nothing inherently wrong with a sporting tournament making huge amounts of money,” he said after revealing that that March Madness will net more than $1 billion for the NCAA. “But there is something slightly troubling about a $1 billion sports enterprise where the athletes are not paid a penny.”
Last Week Tonight with John Oliverairs Sundays (11 p.m. ET) on HBO.
source: people.com
