Wrestlers in a Union

Back in the 1940s through the 1960s, a group of professional wrestling promoters had their own territories and their own monopolies in regions. If you were in the Northeast, there was the WWWF. The Crockett family ran the southeast. Verne Gagne ruled the northern midwest of America.

These promoters realized that they could trade wrestlers and get new ones by making an alliance. They united to create the National Wrestling Alliance. This allowed wrestlers to make money by traveling to different regions. Some wrestlers were traded and became national stars. The promotions made money. Wrestlers had work.

Naturally, promoters got greedy and wanted all the stars and bigger regions.

Wrestlers were considered “independent contractors” and were not subject to pensions or employment perks. You want vacation, then don’t work and don’t make money. Promoters approved your character or worse got the copyright protection of your character.

Promoters got richer. Some wrestlers did too. Many wrestlers died broke.

Actors of stage and screen are independent contractors. They sign contracts for each gig. They go from gig to gig. They can also join the Screen Actors Guild or Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees.

Professional wrestlers were told they are entertainers, but they couldn’t join SAG or IATSE. Wrestling promoters stopped it and the union didn’t interfere.

Since 2000 there has been talk of professional wrestlers joining the union for health care benefits and better scheduling.

I didn’t see it go through on the sites I looked up.

Hey Unions, Opportunity is there SAG.