I'm not even a wrestling fan, but the guy being amazed at the money raised and saying "I guess those years really meant something" genuinely made me emotional
Yeah that was from the film The Resurrection of Jake the Snake. It’s about Jake the Snake fighting his addiction and trying to get healthy. Fantastic documentary and brought tears to my eyes.
It was a total eye opener for me. I had no idea that all of my favorite childhood heroes have suffered and/or are suffering as I enjoy watching them go in the ring. Thanks John.
^Or they could've been given the means while wrestling to support themselves once those days were done. Most of these wrestlers aren't able to get traditional 9 to 5 jobs, and many are so physically damaged from wrestling that they can't easily do manual labor or anything too strenuous. Like Piper said, many go back literally because they have no other choice and desperately need the paycheck
@@nightlightabcd like what genius?If ya can't stand for more than an hour,do what?McDonald's?What Real job pays for Extreme medical expenses accrued from the Previous Real Job?You fuckin shithead
After watching this, I realize how Incredibly Lucky Dwayne Johnson is that he found such success as an actor, he managed to Get out of Wrestling before it killed him too
People keep commenting like "wow, a non-political episode!" seemingly unaware that just because something doesn't mention a politician's name, doesn't mean there aren't politics. This is totally political, workers' rights are a very valuable political issue to discuss, including workers whose job is punching each other.
You need to do a follow up story to this. In the past two years they’ve blocked wrestlers from having twitch accounts and more, and have released wrestlers due to “budget cuts” during the pandemic despite being the most profitable they’ve ever been. Also, the Saudi blood money deal. So many ways you can go. A truly horrific company.
Yeah I think we’re all figured out that Vince McMahon was a bit of a scumbag but now🤷♂️I just accepted the fact he’s been a punching bag for every wrestler coming his way since forever talk about “pitching”ideas😈.
I'm just a random person, reading the comments, admiring the fact that John Oliver was able to shine a light on an issue that both wrestling fans and non-fans can appreciate. 👏👏
Yeah.... My childhood was filled with kids who loved him and all those guys who began wrestling on local TV. I think the first time I saw him I was 9 or 10, around 1977 or so, screaming at the camera, inside a broadcast booth, with chicken a wired window to fend off beer bottles being flung inside.... when I was a teen, the WWF began and that's where he went. I thought he'd "made the big time" but wow. He even did some acting..... It's just sad.
I love how much of a genuine fan John Oliver is, and we don't have to sit here and listen to him make fun of us for being so stupid for enjoying this sport
You obviously mean "sport" cuz without competition, it's just really bad actors doing their own dangerous and ultimately unrewarded stunts for your entertainment with not so meritorious (predetermined) outcomes. Historically whichever ones Vince McMahon thinks will keep you buying merch, pay-per-views and tickets to the cartoonist crap. All that said, do you, buddy. I mean you're being had haha but the concussions, broken backs and lacerated organs ARE REAL (cuz the performers are also being had 🤑) so fuck it, ENJOY! 🤘😆
@@RyanD8293 I love how the continuous argument against pro wrestling fans is "it's predetermined", as if we're completely clueless to the notion. At least kayfabe is openly dead. If you've ever seen referees with Tom Brady, you'll know the NFL is pretty close to predetermined, too, lol. The wrestlers are athletes AND entertainers. It's just that simple, yet just that hard. But I'm sure their success in Hollywood shows how inept (I obviously mean "inept") they actually are at that 😉
The fun part is that he will get booed and signs are being held up during the tapings and he can attribute all of that not to his actual person but the villain persona. It's actually genius.
Huge Wrestling fan here - Bless you John Oliver, this needed to be said. Wrestling has evolved a lot for the better in many ways but a lot of change still required. Thank you for this, and I hope WWE and the fans are listening
Wwe isn’t the only wrestling company that doesn’t provide health care Indy wrestling promotions TNA Lucha Underground don’t provide health insurance either. Its all wrestlers that are independent contractors not just WWE.
@@jakesorrentino7230 I'm aware - but as the industry leader making hand over fist, especially with a 450 million dollar deal to put on a super show in Saudi Arabia for the next ten years, it is time for WWE to start giving back to their employees like any other corporate brand in other fields. Seeing them do it would compel others to as well. And let's face it the 'independent contractor' element is pretty shitty - naturally the wrestlers are signing because they know this is the game so they are in a sense responsible for anything that happens but it is for this very fact that the whole system itself needs to change
@@jakesorrentino7230 Then that makes them terrible employers and it would make people want to work for the WWE even more than before. Also, of course the WWE is always going to be the standard or scapegoat as you say - they have worked tremendously hard to be and stay on top, and as the industry leader they are going to be scrutinized harder than anyone and looked to as an example. There is no getting away from that fact
Wwe does pay for health problems for the talent as of now and been doing this for over 10 years or a little longer. They can’t get the talent insured because no insurance company will ever cover them. But the talent do make a lot more than previous talents which means they can save up for retirement and health plans if they choose to.
Gotta say man, I'm not usually the biggest John Oliver fan. You did a lot of work here man, showed heart and stood up for the performers and the industry. I respect the hell out of this.
Ultimo Bot idk, he basically told the fans to shit on the biggest show of the year for the wrestlers and to some wrestlers, the biggest moment of their career. They are trying to put on a show and it’s going to be ignored because this guy told them to hijack the show.
@@stevemygoodman7809 considering those moments of stardom may very Well lead to An early Grave i think they are still going to be better off in the long-term if this actually chances something.
Akshat Bajpai you think Kofi wants his moment to be hijacked? Becky Lynch? Seth Rollins? He wrestled in the Indys. He knows how much better WWE is compared to the Indys. What about AJ Styles. He knows how much rougher it is in the independents. Instead of hijacking the show, just don’t show up. Stop watching, but don’t ruin it for everyone else.
It’s not really a trait exclusive to him. It’s an old school mentality whenever someone outside of the business criticizes it. A wrestler by the name of Vader got arrested back in the 90s in Kuwait because he assaulted the interviewer for calling wrestling fake
Kinda. He legit wants the fans to think the people actually act the way they act. But yes I would absolutely put all my money on him acting that way in his personal life. Legit psychopath
@@Illusive1313 It was a pretty bad move on his part. He'd already dismissed the guy interviewing him because he was being asked "Tough" questions. Smacking the sheets of paper out of his hands made it worse because it made him look less believable (in context, didn't see the full interview that the footage is taken from).
So who is he responsible for? Vince has taken care of the families of wrestlers who were either severely injured in the ring and Owens family after he died.
Remember how the wwe still calls them independent contractors while: Having exclusive contracts, not letting them have youtube or twitch without getting a cut, LITERALLY OWNING THEIR NAMES AND IMAGES
Yep. God bless America, eh? This is about the only country on earth I can imagine a company like WWE getting away with these types of business practices. It’s not at all surprising that Vince McMahon is good friends with Trump. Good enough friends that Vince’s wife Linda was able to score a position in Trump’s cabinet. Birds of a feather 🪶
@@Pretermit_Sound Well, Linda and Vince have been separated for years, and they only haven’t divorced for the benefits. And honestly, Linda was one of the few people in Trump’s extensive history of cabinet appointees who wasn’t a complete boob.
@@redjed100 oh, I didn’t know they were separated. Interesting. You’re right though, about her being one of the more “adult” figures in the Trump admin. I don’t think she lasted the whole term either, probably because she had at least SOME scruples.
Yeah i can see trademarking something, even like Kevin Owens (real name Kevin Steen) but someone's ACTUAL birth name? There's a reason wrestlers use aliases and gimmicks
Just when I thought I couldn't think any higher of John Oliver, he shows pro wrestling love AND he takes WWE to task on their "independent contractor" bs.
The saddest thing about Dr. Oz is that his fan base was not diminished even after all the news came out about him. My 80 year old grandmother just sees the word doctor and believes that it is a real medical show; of course she is going to take a "real" Doctor's word over mine. People like Dr. Oz should be stopped
@@roberttorres4116 good question. I looked it up and yes it is. This shows when some "drug dealer " has cult followers and some people still quote him as " science ", it means he still makes the network money and it's hard to get them off the air. Also, guess what channel it is on.
@@333angeleyes Yeap, and even government tried and they couldn't do anything about it. Which kinda, sorta makes scenes because freedom of speech is for everyone or no one. But there has to be something that someone can do about people like him, psychics, rehab places, cults and fake churches
I always assumed they received really good health care, surgeries needed, physical therapy, etc. I've been to one live show and holy smokes they definitely need health coverage.
Oh sure, they’ll pay for their surgeries if it gets them back in the ring quicker. But once you can’t perform, you’re screwed. You get kicked out the door. Oh and other health care and benefits, not ever. I can only hope it will improve with Vince McMahon gone but I doubt it. His daughter and that greedy thumb Nick Kahn will do the same.
Afaik the company has a policy of voluntarily providing good medical care and paying the bills of their currently active non-employees but doesn't accept any legal commitment to do so.
WWE make billions per year, absolutely no reason to not pay health insurance. This is similar to UFC, and also how the NFL treats cheerleaders. In all honesty though, if I was paid millions, I'd definitely set money aside for health Insurance. Many wrestlers, mma fighters don't make that much though, especially outside of these corporations.
As a kid I believed this too. When I got into the insurance industry did it upset me knowing they aren’t provided this by WWE because it easily would be too expensive. Expensive meaning they just don’t want to pay it.
While the “character” Vince is an asshole, it’s important to note that the real Vince is also an asshole. -John Oliver, 2019 Never has a more perfect phrase been uttered. Thank you, John.
Ian Nedved It’s also important to note that Vince’s face has also been deep in the actual asshole of one of his wrestlers so if you need any solace out of any of this, there’s one.
The near prophetic words of Roddy Piper about his death brough a tear to my eye. John rightly ripped Vince and WWE to shreds. The tiny segment involving Bret Hart was equally important. Brilliant episode.
One of the most troubling things is the fact that the wrestlers John featured in this piece were very high profile, legendary wrestlers, and were still treated incredibly poorly. Imagine the more mid-tier wrestlers who commit just as much and are even LESS valued by the WWE. This issue has been well documented for years, hopefully Oliver's piece finally shines enough light on it to see something get done.
If you're interested in seeing some of their harrowing stories, the 2015 documentary "Prescription thugs" by Chris Bell depicts some lesser known wrestlers struggles with drug abuse, and ultimately, deaths (as well as drug abuse in other sports).
WWE fans will ALWAYS choose the wrestlers first, whether from the 80's or now, the wrestlers truly have a committed and loving fanbase and I hope they know that. They made tens of millions people's childhoods incredible and we never forget that as adults.
Wrestling fans have absolutely no loyalty to WWE whatsoever, if it collapsed tomorrow and a new company took its place, no fan would really mind, wrestling fans are only loyal to the wrestlers
@@thebigtimechannel9927 Painkillers he became addicted to due to the necessity of long term use directly posed by his career. Which is still on Vince. Just for clarification.
@@thebigtimechannel9927 What comes into play there is why wrestlers get addicted to drugs. You'll find stories of wrestlers using drugs (prescription or hard) and even alcohol to try to numb the pain from what they're going through. Jake was popular during a time where wrestlers were really putting their bodies through the grinder. So popping pills or doing some sort of hard drugs because for a little amount of time it causes whatever pain you're experiencing to go away wasn't uncommon. Like John mentioned, these wrestlers work through the year. Multiple shows a week and no off season like you see in other sports. There's no time for them to have their bodies rest and recover naturally. So they end up reaching for drugs to help them through those times.
Ramen. I'm really hoping AEW will provide some good competition that provides most/all these needed benefits and force WWE to re-evaluate how it does business. Because unfortunately as the Saudi deal shows us, Vince is happy to listen to fans, right up until he thinks it will get between him and money. (Also stop treating Asuka so poorly goddammit...)
19:30-20:00 I kid you not, I legitimately teared up there. Bless that man and those people who helped him out. Edit: Never got this many likes before. Thanks, guys!
I haven't watched wrestling since WWF in the 90s, but this video is pretty awesome. Diamond Dallas Page, the guy sitting next to Jake the Snake in the segment you mentioned, is amazing. I'm not surprised he was somehow involved with the most touching moment of this video. If you haven't heard of DDP Yoga, his business/ organization, you should check out their TH-cam videos. Arthur Boorman's transformation is so good. I watch it like once per year. lol DDP's super inspirational and has helped a lot of people, former wrestlers and everyday people. :)
That made me sad at first but then really angry. Just another sociopath "capitalist" pawning their responsibility off on other citizens, just another form of corporate welfare.
Contrary to how OP’s comment unintentionally might make it seem, Razor Ramon did not die due to complications for having spent his youth in professional wrestling, he died after falling in his home and then them fixing it caused a blood clot, which then lead to him suffering *three* heart attacks that finally killed him. He did not leave this world at 63 due to the direct fault of WWE like Owen Hart at 34, or Chris Benoit at 40, or Eddie Guerrero at 38.
Yes, but everyone knows how much of an alcoholic he was in the 90s. Even his coworkers back then knew it. There were attempts to help him, but sadly it didn’t work until the 10s when DDP helped him with yoga. Even WCW didn’t do much either. Let me remind you that even an AA program didn’t exist back then. His past of alcohol abuse did diminish his years. It was an indirect cause, but it still hurt his body.
I was even more sad that it was only $7000! People back the dumbest crap with thousands more than the goal amount, and this poor guy needs something actually important.
Humans Zuck I mean it was $7,000 on just the first day of a 30 day Indiegogo campaign. He was asking for $9,000 which means it was a resounding success. I don’t know how much he got in the end but if he got 7 out of 9 thousand on day 1 of 30 I’m willing to bet that crowdfund ended way over the minimum they were asking for.
When I started watching this I was like "really? a show about wrestlers?" and now I feel that this is something I'll never forget. These people clearly need to get better conditions from their EMPLOYER
Thanks for that. I was wondering where they were going to go with the show. I always dismissed wrestling as a joke and that the fans were idiots. This made me see that they are people, many struggling to earn a living. I hope the fans revolt and the wrestlers are treated fairly.
@@LeSethX their contract are practically illegal, one thing they have in their contract is no complete cause for 90 days if released or if you let your contract expire. You can not put a no compete clause on a independent contractor, unless their employees then yes but yeah that is illegal
Finally! Too many news outlets and journalists dismiss wrestlers while painting them as millionaire primadonnas Thank you for the empathy you've shown these entertainers. I've grown out of wrestling but I'll never forget the awe and joy i had as a child watching these men and women. Justice for the wrestlers!
I was thinking the same thing. Earlier I wrote: John that was a great segment! I really love, how you and your team were able to make this show, taking Vince McMahon to town and exposing the dark side of wrestling, or more precisely the WWE, without ridiculing wrestling itself or the wrestlers or the fans, as so many other show hosts and journalists have done in the past. It was compassionate, informative, critical and funny. Well done!
This type of "independent contracting" is actually a crime here. It's called "disguised employment". Those who caught doing this pays a huge fine and must end the practice. In case of workplace accidens, must be full responsible.
@@leebarbs7176 I don't know where GT is from, but in Sweden this type of arrangement wouldn't be allowed. A company can't replace employees with independent contractors in order to avoid liabilities as an employer.
@@felinemoonchildthis is fact, just throw money at politicians and then they can pass laws that deregulate the rich people business so they make more money.
Can say how happy it makes me that John covered this.. He is only scratching the surface of WWE’s dark underbelly, so I’m glad the public gets a glimpse of it.
I love how Jake is wearing a shirt that says "Failure Is Not an Option", while being in tears. A prime example, showing us that expressing real emotions is not a failure, even for the bravest of men.
Or maybe that the american and capitalistic creed of disqualifying people who fail or who don't achieve the most prominent goal is wrong and that we should accept failiure as part of life and learning process.
As soon as Jake The Snake came on I sobbed so hard. You can really see the pain in his eyes, even the shame he feels. Yet the freaking fan pull through for him. My heart hurts. Bless him.
@@williammccormick2802 i think he meant more like all the years he put himself through that hell and all that happened to his body meant something in the end if we, the fans, care about him and want to help.
I'd so love a follow up to this one, Vince's hush money payments, releasing 180 people during a pandemic, the Saudi blood money, and how AEW was essentially started in spite of WWE as a true alternative, or how just last week they fired a superstar (who's whole gimmick was that she's sexy) because her fantime page got leaked and she was being too sexy (it's the whole not actually an independent contractor bit).
I really want to see how this goes. Was never into wrestling as a fan, but knew a few wrestlers and/or their loved ones. Many start careers here in Louisville at Ohio Valley Wrestling. This was a great episode but it does need an update. Especially with all the recent news. 👍
I seriously expected that by the end John would be slammed into a table, with a graphic that said: LAST WEEK TONIGHT, NOW WITH A GUY EXPLODING THROUGH A TABLE with John Oliver
To be sincere, Oliver doesn't have the balls to take a decent bump. I mean, even David Arquette has wrestled. Jim Cornette is not a true wrestler, and he has taken massive bumps. Oliver is a comedian, not a wrestler.
Thank you John Oliver. Been a WWF/E fan ever since and you speak the truth. I hope Vince and/or Paul Levesque will be able to give the wrestlers full benefits for Health Insurance.
Hopefully the fed gov will get involved and force them to be signed as employees and force Vince to provide all the benefits that entitles them to as well as payroll taxes he has skirted for 40 yrs
@cpk1994 what is your issue with Oliver, you made a very similar comment on another part of the comments section for this video. are you being a smarmy little cynic because you need attention??? Are you an ex- wrestler named chad who had a dream and it didn’t come true? Not in the way you’d hoped and now your just being cynical toward J.O. because at this point you just dare not hope, because that would be another little death...?
MechaMew2 it’s a broad statement. Do you want them banned? Do you want them fined? Do you want them to fire Vince? How is it clear to you what that vague statement means? There is only one way to hold someone accountable?
Fun fact: while not in the WWE, Lincoln is very much enshrined in the wrestling hall of fame. Apparently the gangly lawyer was defeated only once in nearly 300 matches.
@@caseking3656 I meant gangly in the terms of having a massive reach advantage due to his height. He's also quoted concerning the cultivation and enjoyment of cannabis.
As a hardcore wrestling fan i keep revisiting this video again and again and always get amazed how true this is. This isn't even half of the stuff terrible and toxic about WWE.
@@AnexoRialto that's actually not true. Most wrestling fans actually tend to be more left-leaning in their views. There's studies that back this up, but I can't remember where I found them off the top of my head.
7:55 And Owen Hart didn't just die from health complications. He died by falling nearly 80 ft into the ring because the WWE thought it was a good idea to not only force him to do a stunt that he only performed a couple times before, but to use a quick release harness that couldn't properly support his weight.
I'm glad someone is finally going after the WWE and calling out there BS... I really hope this makes a wave of change in that place, CM Punk tried to warn the masses but everyone hated him.
No one hates CM Punk. The WWE crowds still frequently chant his name! No one took notice when he spoke out because CM Punk doesn't have a huge audience outside the wrestling world.
That's nice and all... but why the hell wouldn't you care until now? A lot of his shows are dedicated to helping people who need help! Highlighting issues that affect common, "salt of the Earth", folk. Just because he's British and snarky doesn't mean he or his staff don't give a fuck about blue collar people just trying to provide for themselves and their families. Seriously, I don't get how anyone could not like him or this show.
@@delugesofgrandeur likely it's because of the type of elitism you are displaying now. He came from the daily show. That is a left leaning show. Therefore it is expected that Last Week Tonight would also be a left leaning show. As you said though he generally tries to take a more populist stance, though he does bag on the trump administration a lot.
This is true. I kind of follow the wrestling industry and a lot of WWE guys talk about this. Check out Sam roberts, Wrestletalk, Cultaholic, any wreslters podcasts/radio shows, any wrestling channel because they go in depth about these issues. Also, listen to CM Punks interview on Colt Cabanas podcast he elaborates on his problem
The UFC should be Next Weeks Topic. The situation is virtually identical. Except the death rates, because the UFC hasn't been around as long and the work load isn't as intense.
Gerry O'Brien I think I have to check the definition of “independent” again in the dictionary. I had the belief that it is the exact opposite of this, but I might be wrong...
Not only was Owen's death an avoidable accident, there is also the Montreal Screw Job... so yeah, that Brett Hart has reason to be pissed at Vince is a massive understatement.
bret’s gripe with how vince handled owen’s death was that the show continued, which was unbelievably digesting and disrespectful. he’s said “what if it was shane, austin” would the show have continued? vince has no capability for emotions im sure
@@rima7286No capability for emotions? He bawled his eyes out talking about Andre being gone. He surely cares about people. Just a very select few, and still in the wrong ways. He lost that money train and it destroyed him. Has to wipe his tears with 1mil dollar bills every night.
Fun fact, Roman gladiators had unions in place for fares needs for fallen gladiators funerals and provide aid to families. They were well conpincated and given the best medical care of their time. Roman gladiators were seen as valuable commodities and well treated in response. So remember an empire built by slaves that kidnapped people and preyed on the poor, used them for a literal BLOOD SPORT were better treat then WWE wrestlers.
According to Forbes, a WWE wrestler on the roster makes $500,000 a year, with top-wrestlers making $1 million or more a year. Not saying that excuses everything, however they can definitely afford their own health insurance.
As an American who has been a wrestling fan for my whole life, I cannot stress how much I love the UK wrestling audience. They are the greatest fans ever.
In a way I feel bad for the wrestlers but then again not so much. They went into this career knowing the health consequences and how their health coverage was going to not work for them. The wrestlers should refuse to work if their medical needs aren't taken care of since it is on job injuries that are sending them to the hospital. This is why Dwayne Johnson left the wrestling world.
People who like to put down pro wrestling fans and pro wrestling in general don’t seem to get how much crap these wrestlers go through. We as fans know and appreciate the work they put out.
@@831mrscardoso You can't just leave the wrestling world. What else are you gonna do? Who's gonna hire someone with no job experience other than being a wrestler? It doesn't really qualify you for much. Johnson got incredibly, incredibly lucky, and not everyone of them can become a Hollywood actor. Especially many of the lesser known ones. And yeah they entered knowing the health risks, but they didn't enter knowing that NO MATTER WHAT the WWE won't be held accountable for their injuries, that they have no health insurance, etc. Yeah, it's in their contract, but at that point, it's too late. This really should be illegal - and in fact, it is, it's just not being enforced properly.
Of all topics you can talk about I never thought you would choose WWE... it makes me question myself why I thought that :D John can literally talk about anything
*Yea pretty convenient he chose to not spend the entire show on the entire Mueller investigation you insane leftists have been desperately pushing for 2.5 years. They probably wanted to but he kept trying to commit suicide between takes*
Having only independant contractors also mean McMahon does not pay any payroll taxes. He is stiffing FICA (social security and medicare) out of taxes he should be paying.
Thank you for this, as a die hard fan, I want to see these wrestlers live long and healthy lives. They put their body on the line every single night, this is the least they can do for them.
I, being a naive, always thought that WWE would take care of their insurance/medical bills like many other companies do in US. How wrong I was. Really sad condition of the wrestlers.
18:37 No the crowd isn't saying "BOOOOO!" They're saying "BOOOOOOOOOY Do we love that Roman Reigns!" To anyone who gets this reference, I legitimately love you.
They're not saying "BOOO!" They're saying "Huuugh!" having made the common mistake of confusing Roman Reigns with Hugh Grant. What with his dashing looks and charisma.
Yes we need to help those people that get paid $3 million a year. Let's help Wal-Mart, McDonald's and Wal-Mart ceos too. Let's raise money for Jeff bezos cause he only gets an $83,000 a year salary which isn't even a living wage according to teachers that work 180 days for the same pay that poor Jeff has to work 12 hour days year round for. And who is paying for Jeff bezos health insurance?
@Hadi Purwanto tell them to quit then. Tell tripple h to quit is $2.8 million a year job and go flip burgers so he can have benefits and not get hurt. Tell the rock....whos best year made $65 million between movies and wrestling to quit letting himself be exploited in crappy action movies and to go lay brick with the Mexicans so he has work comp.
@Hadi Purwanto why don't you call the wrestlers up and tell them come work for you. You are going to start a new wrestling league. And you'll work for free so they aren't exploited. You'll give them an hourly wage and benefits.
This is a public service for everyone. You are welcome. (Useful for after watching the entire video.) Vince gets hit with trash can lid - 7:07 Vince gets kicked in the face - 10:44 Vince gets his leg cast punched and gets bed-panned - 11:53 Vince gets a face full - 17:05
jeffmakesgames1 All is needed now is Vince signs different contracts that include the word “employee” for his workers, health insurance and other benefits for them and their families.
I used to hate fake wrestling but as I learned more about history and how gruesome humanity can be just for entertainment ... I began to appreciate wrestling entertainment. This new information is mind blowing, these wrestlers deserves better rights
The NFL's plan for retired players has been a literal lifesaver for my grandfather. They pay for most of his nursing home expenses and he has a pension from them.
Their PLAN for retired players? Lol they don't even give them financial advisors when they're in the NFL they don't give a fuck about the players after they leave. There have been so many cases of players with brain injuries getting NO treatment and killing themselves or someone else, people ending up dirt poor and homeless. Just look at all the state money the NFL gets from contracts with cities where stadiums are. Its a multi billion dollar mafia
As awesome as it would be, hes not a trained professional. Wresting is staged yes obviously, no doubt, but the things they do are still very dangerous and can very much hurt a normal person that doesnt bust through tables for a living.
Fun fact: Abraham Lincoln was actually a professional wrestler. Of course the style was completely different back in it's day. He's even honored in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Oklahoma.
Hall of Fame is located in Stillwater Oklahoma and it's very nice that people should go check it out after you've checked it out you should go to Eskimo Joe's have cheese fries no I don't work for them I just like the cheese fries
@@AllonKirtchik yes, but not quite in the sense of professional wrestlers today... he and Socrates both served in the Athenian military in the Peloponnesian War, wrestling was a part of military training and also a major outlet for recreational exercise (eventually developed into the modern martial art pankration)
If I recall correctly, I believe Lincoln had a nearly undefeated record, too, with only one loss that we know of for certain (but a lot of his fights were in areas and at a time when there weren't official records kept, so it's unknown exactly how many he did lose)
I have and will watch this many times, because it's another great episode, but almost exclusively to hear him deliver the line: "Wrestling is better than the things you like.". The joy. The glee.
@@ariaalexandria3324 So are the people who eat meat, drive gasoline based cars, watch porn, and so on and so on. It's very complex, as the video showed. It's not perfect, true, you are right, but as Oliver said WWE fans are ridicously vocal so it's not a passive relationship.
This is a nationwide problem where sociopathic "capitalists" are using people to make their fortunes then discarding them. The funny thing is, we're so brainwashed that many defend these actions and even admire them.
ImAGdDmnDragn That’s the American education system at works. It was designed in the 1800s to make Americans willing to work over 40 hours a week for minimal pay for greedy bosses... literally. Bernie 2020
@@robcoIncorp If I ever see a person get hit by a car I'd imagine you would just walk up to me and shout "WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT THIS PERSON THAT WAS HIT BY A CAR, THERE ARE CHILDREN DYING AROUND THE WORLD YOU INCONSIDERATE ASSHOLE" You don't have to be a genius to find out why that logic is flawed.
I've been a Die Hard Wrestling fan since 1983, and I will continue to Be a Wrestling fan.. That being said, I agree with Everything John Oliver is saying...
@@billyray5232 yeah but Natural causes CAUSED by wrestling. Do i really have to say this? So because they didn't die in the ring, wrestling didn't cause their health problems? Okay i get the fact that hurting yourself is part of the job but they should be able to get healthcare from the WWE after they retire. And if you did the research of your own claim you would realize a lot of these former WWE wrestlers can't afford the healthcare they would need like surgeries, physical therapy or any medication for their long term head/body trama. Even though WWE is fake that doesn't mean these guys aren't getting hurt
RIP Test, Eddie, Crash Holly, Big Boss Man, Chyna, Owen Hart, Jim Niehart, Bryan Pillmen, Visera, King Kong Bundy, Randy Savage, Davey Boy Smith, Grand Master Sexay, Vader, and hell, Benoit. And many more
And John "Earthquake" Centa, "Mr. Perfect" Kurt Hennig, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Hercules, Bad News Brown, Junkyard Dog, Dino Bravo, Ultimate Warrior...… it's sad. Watching a Royal Rumble from 25 years ago, you can pause it at almost any point and say, "one third of the guys in that ring right now are dead."
Eddie abused steroids for a long time and had long-lasting addiction problems. Chyna was a mental case who destroyed her life with drugs. Owen Hart died in a stunt gone wrong which had nothing to do with his contract status or healthcare system. Pillman was an addict. Grand Master Sexay was a life-long fuck-up who couldn't succeed, who couldn't overshadow his father and he couldn't cope with failure and was an alcoholic and an addict. Benoit was a total mental case who pushed himself way, way too hard and whose overall introverted/intense personality just cracked. You don't become a murderer of your own family because pro-wrestling is bad. There is some context to things which many people seem to ignore in an attempt to arrive at the easiest and most comfortable conclusion that WWE is evil and is to be blamed for everything.
@@PiCheZvara You're trying to depict the issues these folks had as independent from their careers, when in nearly every case the problems that they experienced were direct results of the stress and burden put on them by their careers and by the WWE.
16:51 In a whole segment of depressing reveals, for a brief moment I swear you could just feel the air leave the studio when John revealed Roddy's untimely death.
It lets him ignore any criticism and deflect from actual problems. >"He's a piece of shit" >>>"oh, but that's just a character, it's all a script" >"No, he's like, *actually* a piece of shit. Like, he's worse IRL" >>>"He's a heel, it's just a wrestling thing"
Because he knows the fans will eat it up like candy. And he's right. Long as they get their daily dose of sweaty men and even sweatier women they couldn't care less.
I remember not too long ago WWE made a documentary where everyone close to Vince tried to make the distinction between Vince McMahon and the "Mr. McMahon" character on TV. The general consensus of his family and former employees was they were the same guy despite Vince believing otherwise. If anything, Vince isn't self-aware that his character on TV and the man behind the camera are one in the same.
It’s easy to not get pissed off at someone being a shit person if right before you would the Man has one of his own “independent Contractors” shove His Face into Another one of his “Independent Contractors” Asses.
How is the job of wrestler any different (economically) than logger, oil rig worker, cop, or commercial fisherman? Replaceable employees doing (voluntarily) a dangerous job.
Sadly it seems John didn't feel capable of really talking about the biggest, most poignant example the WWE and McMahon has provided, Chris Benoit. It was the one name i was sure he would have mentioned since its perhaps the biggest tragedy WWE has directly and indirectly caused.
@@Sepiriel Yeah Chris Benoit who went into roid rage and murdered his wife and son. Then committed suicide. Perhaps there's a legal reason why they didn't mention it, but it sure is relevant to this story.
@@FoolOfATuque Indeed, and sadly as far as I can tell in the wrestling circles (might we even say... rings.... yes? no? ok nvm) it seems that its become taboo to mention his name, even more so to honor in any way his legacy to wrestling because of the horrible aftermath of an industry that simply views its workers and nothing more than expendable cogs.
“Wrestling is better than the things you like” That’s the universal tagline right there. You’re either gonna really enjoy it, or you’re gonna cringe at how campy it can get until you really enjoy it.
@@goodvibes4459 in 15 years of watching, I’ve had one complaint, and it was that it made no sense for an injured Daniel Bryan to beat 3 men twice his size all in one night. Other than that I just keep my fingers perpetually crossed that Jeff Hardy stays clean long enough to have a real last run.
WWE never lost anything because they weren't involved... it was the doctor that sued CM Punk for defamation. Although WWE were supposedly bankrolling him.
All those deceased wrestlers probably signed compulsory arbitration agreements but their families didn't sign anything. They should all get together and have a very public class action lawsuit .
@@pisto30 If a group of wrestler families sue it might be easier to prove cause since a preponderance of evidence might show it's job related by the number of wrestlers dying early.
@@pisto30 If someone gets CTE from wrestling, football, etc, it's a lifelong, progressive condition. Other bodily issues like susceptibility to hemorrhages, nervous damage and overmedicating-related complications can also be lifelong conditions. And if someone gets hooked on drugs in part to deal with a hostile, coercive work relationship, or because the employer was negligent, that should also count against the employer. In short, that "10 years" reason smells like a bullshit protection of corporate interests against employees/people, a misstatement, or both.
They don't even have to touch the cause of death, they should focus on how exclusivity means they are an employee and sue for a change in contract to be employees. Its quite common in the computer/IT industry for companies to demand an employee to sign that they are a contractor instead, so much that the government in Sweden will automatically count you as an employee unless you meet several criteria. Its to the point where changing from an employee to a contractor is actually difficult, but its all to stop unscrupulous employers from taking advantage of their employees. Once they succeed in having them become employee's then they can sue again for failing to take care of their employees.
@@Sylfa I used to work for a billion-dollar tech company and was, for all intents and purposes, an employee, but had contractor paperwork. When it started getting around that my department was actually contractors (word got out when none of us were allowed to go to a big company meeting that came with rewards to those who went, none of us were allowed to go to the company Christmas party or summer event unless as the guests of employees, none of us were allowed to partake in the company's daily catered employee-lunches, and the point where it all fell into place was when I went to a Christmas party, was asked why no one else from my department ever went, and I said it's because I'm the only one dating an employee), that kinda sorta pissed a lot of employees off who said that was unfair. We contractors were the ones working holidays when everyone else had PTO. No holiday pay. No medical coverage. Not allowed to end our contracts to work for another tech company for a period of two years. No severance if we were laid off. As my department was when the company was preparing to be sold and wanted to show lower expenses. It's been a little over a decade, and I'm still extremely bitter and won't support the company that bought the one I worked for. It fucked my family over in ways we are literally still dealing with.
Abe Bri , indeed. He's going to end soon his "staying alive" streak an become another role of Deathman (and not the American Badass nor the Mortician, nor the Phenom). He's risking it all by wrestling still in his mid 50s
I'm not even a wrestling fan, but the guy being amazed at the money raised and saying "I guess those years really meant something" genuinely made me emotional
That’s Jake Roberts. It’s worth watching the documentary about his recovery.
Same but I felt that way when I saw rody rody piper.
Yeah that was from the film The Resurrection of Jake the Snake. It’s about Jake the Snake fighting his addiction and trying to get healthy. Fantastic documentary and brought tears to my eyes.
I became emotional too. You could feel his pain and joy.
@@paolaquiroz581 why don't you make like the WWE and get the F out? ayyyyy
It was a total eye opener for me. I had no idea that all of my favorite childhood heroes have suffered and/or are suffering as I enjoy watching them go in the ring. Thanks John.
Majority of the well-known wrestlers from the 80s are almost becoming extinct. That is scarily concerning.
They could always get real jobs!
@@nightlightabcd They have real jobs.
^Or they could've been given the means while wrestling to support themselves once those days were done. Most of these wrestlers aren't able to get traditional 9 to 5 jobs, and many are so physically damaged from wrestling that they can't easily do manual labor or anything too strenuous. Like Piper said, many go back literally because they have no other choice and desperately need the paycheck
@@nightlightabcd like what genius?If ya can't stand for more than an hour,do what?McDonald's?What Real job pays for Extreme medical expenses accrued from the Previous Real Job?You fuckin shithead
Jake The Snake saying "I guess all those years meant something" utterly broke my heart.
he's alive and well on aew
I love Jake, thats so sad
Literally made me cry
He certainly made it mean something again when he joined AEW
Eirika Stokes Hey Jake is a damn trooper still being his bad self on AEW.
What a perfect time to make a part 2 of this segment.
I have a feeling that's coming this season now that the new season starts in a few days. There's no way they're letting the Vince scandal slide by.
I would like an update. This one was so good and with Vince and the treatment of women wrestlers, it'll be interesting to see how he tackles it.
Yes, God yes yes!!
Your reply has me looking for the suggestion box lmao.
Let’s hope so… cuz the shit Vince has done is horrible. No pun intended
After watching this, I realize how Incredibly Lucky Dwayne Johnson is that he found such success as an actor, he managed to Get out of Wrestling before it killed him too
Agreed and same with Batista. I'm just happy for them.
Fuck I thought about it too. I even started to think that's the case for most superstars.
@@whitesoxrules and John Cena is moving into the acting career too now
@@tomhill3248 Mark Calaway (Undertaker) almost broke character because he was genuinely worried that Mick Foley was seriously hurt.
@@caseykendall5506 He was seriously hurt, but he's Mick Foley, he didn't give a fuck.
Seeing Jake get teary when he realized his fans still care really pulled my heart strings.
Same. I don’t even watch wrestling and I almost cried. It was powerful.
Jake gave the people everything he had to give.
Me, too, and I don’t know anything about the guy.
I was just sitting there: "I'm not crying...I'm not crying...I'm not crying...I'm not crying"
@@Casey5693 same here.
People keep commenting like "wow, a non-political episode!" seemingly unaware that just because something doesn't mention a politician's name, doesn't mean there aren't politics. This is totally political, workers' rights are a very valuable political issue to discuss, including workers whose job is punching each other.
As a huge LWT fan, I was kinda happy to watch an episode that didn't feature an ugly ass politician like Pelosi, or McConnell or AOC.
Fake punching but you got the jist.
politics is life
Add in that Oliver's boss lost the Monday Night Wars to a man who put Trump in his hall of fame, and this is Kayfabe News.
Considering Vince's wife is part of Trump's cabinet, it's actually very political.
You need to do a follow up story to this. In the past two years they’ve blocked wrestlers from having twitch accounts and more, and have released wrestlers due to “budget cuts” during the pandemic despite being the most profitable they’ve ever been. Also, the Saudi blood money deal. So many ways you can go. A truly horrific company.
👀👀
No kizzy
Just make one in general about combat sports/combat entertainment being monopolies that exploit their workers with no real security (UFC and WWE)
Didnt you watch the vid lol. Wwe already is blood money. Why all americans lack self awareness
@@souleymaneadellah1176 😭 ok guy
"While the character Vince is an arsehole is important to know that the real Vince is also an arsehole..."😂😂
#Facts
Yeah I think we’re all figured out that Vince McMahon was a bit of a scumbag but now🤷♂️I just accepted the fact he’s been a punching bag for every wrestler coming his way since forever talk about “pitching”ideas😈.
And apparently got some intimate time with a Mirror at one point.
He’s actually not an asshole in real life he’s not that bad of a person
Oh it's true-- it's DAMN true!
I'm just a random person, reading the comments, admiring the fact that John Oliver was able to shine a light on an issue that both wrestling fans and non-fans can appreciate. 👏👏
Agreed.
"I'm not gonna make 65"
Still hurts me today when Piper said that.
Alex rest in peace Roddy, I watch They Live annually in his honor
R.i.p. piperq
Yeah.... My childhood was filled with kids who loved him and all those guys who began wrestling on local TV. I think the first time I saw him I was 9 or 10, around 1977 or so, screaming at the camera, inside a broadcast booth, with chicken a wired window to fend off beer bottles being flung inside.... when I was a teen, the WWF began and that's where he went. I thought he'd "made the big time" but wow. He even did some acting..... It's just sad.
It's a punch in the gut. Every. Single. Time.
Watching him portray "The Maniac" on Always Sunny makes it even sadder.
I love how much of a genuine fan John Oliver is, and we don't have to sit here and listen to him make fun of us for being so stupid for enjoying this sport
You obviously mean "sport" cuz without competition, it's just really bad actors doing their own dangerous and ultimately unrewarded stunts for your entertainment with not so meritorious (predetermined) outcomes. Historically whichever ones Vince McMahon thinks will keep you buying merch, pay-per-views and tickets to the cartoonist crap.
All that said, do you, buddy. I mean you're being had haha but the concussions, broken backs and lacerated organs ARE REAL (cuz the performers are also being had 🤑) so fuck it, ENJOY! 🤘😆
@@RyanD8293 I'm just a stupid wrestling fan I don't understand your big words
@@RyanD8293 One of the douchiest replies I've seen in a long time.
@@RyanD8293 I love how the continuous argument against pro wrestling fans is "it's predetermined", as if we're completely clueless to the notion. At least kayfabe is openly dead. If you've ever seen referees with Tom Brady, you'll know the NFL is pretty close to predetermined, too, lol. The wrestlers are athletes AND entertainers. It's just that simple, yet just that hard. But I'm sure their success in Hollywood shows how inept (I obviously mean "inept") they actually are at that 😉
@@casualeann Hollywood? 😂😂😂😂😂😂...🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Playing the role of the evil villain while being the evil villain is som pretty meta stuff..
The fun part is that he will get booed and signs are being held up during the tapings and he can attribute all of that not to his actual person but the villain persona. It's actually genius.
Playing an asshole character while being an asshole IRL, yeah. It's a move we like to call the "Doug Walker."
@@apollorainer1991 It's a prophylactic for his ego.
*Kevin Spacey left the group chat*
That is the only thing I give Vince any credit for
Huge Wrestling fan here - Bless you John Oliver, this needed to be said. Wrestling has evolved a lot for the better in many ways but a lot of change still required. Thank you for this, and I hope WWE and the fans are listening
Wwe isn’t the only wrestling company that doesn’t provide health care Indy wrestling promotions TNA Lucha Underground don’t provide health insurance either. Its all wrestlers that are independent contractors not just WWE.
@@jakesorrentino7230 I'm aware - but as the industry leader making hand over fist, especially with a 450 million dollar deal to put on a super show in Saudi Arabia for the next ten years, it is time for WWE to start giving back to their employees like any other corporate brand in other fields. Seeing them do it would compel others to as well. And let's face it the 'independent contractor' element is pretty shitty - naturally the wrestlers are signing because they know this is the game so they are in a sense responsible for anything that happens but it is for this very fact that the whole system itself needs to change
Sujoy Chakravarthi And what if WWE does do it and other companies still don’t follow suit? People are always going to use WWE as a scapegoat
@@jakesorrentino7230 Then that makes them terrible employers and it would make people want to work for the WWE even more than before. Also, of course the WWE is always going to be the standard or scapegoat as you say - they have worked tremendously hard to be and stay on top, and as the industry leader they are going to be scrutinized harder than anyone and looked to as an example. There is no getting away from that fact
Wwe does pay for health problems for the talent as of now and been doing this for over 10 years or a little longer. They can’t get the talent insured because no insurance company will ever cover them. But the talent do make a lot more than previous talents which means they can save up for retirement and health plans if they choose to.
Here after Vince McMahon’s resignation, this episodes segments about Vince have aged like a fine wine.
Legit. This popped up as a suggestion and I thought, "oooh how does it hit now McMahon is gone?"
Who took over?
@@wolfe6819 a big company that holds also the UFC and in charge is HHH, a former wrestler
Gotta say man, I'm not usually the biggest John Oliver fan. You did a lot of work here man, showed heart and stood up for the performers and the industry. I respect the hell out of this.
are you an ex wwe wrestler by any chance..?? just curious
Naw mang. Just a dude.
Ultimo Bot idk, he basically told the fans to shit on the biggest show of the year for the wrestlers and to some wrestlers, the biggest moment of their career. They are trying to put on a show and it’s going to be ignored because this guy told them to hijack the show.
@@stevemygoodman7809 considering those moments of stardom may very Well lead to An early Grave i think they are still going to be better off in the long-term if this actually chances something.
Akshat Bajpai you think Kofi wants his moment to be hijacked? Becky Lynch? Seth Rollins? He wrestled in the Indys. He knows how much better WWE is compared to the Indys. What about AJ Styles. He knows how much rougher it is in the independents.
Instead of hijacking the show, just don’t show up. Stop watching, but don’t ruin it for everyone else.
How he reacted on that real sports interview tells you everything you need to know about the guy.
It’s not really a trait exclusive to him. It’s an old school mentality whenever someone outside of the business criticizes it. A wrestler by the name of Vader got arrested back in the 90s in Kuwait because he assaulted the interviewer for calling wrestling fake
And the undertaker was there too just watching. Doing nothing.
He was just playing you and the interviewer. That's his character. You're a mark.
Kinda. He legit wants the fans to think the people actually act the way they act. But yes I would absolutely put all my money on him acting that way in his personal life. Legit psychopath
@@BigBadJerryRogers sure but he isn't an asshole.
Why doesn't he provide proper care/pension etc for his wrestlers?
"I would accept no responsibility for their deaths. None whatsoever."
Now that's what I call negligence.
Proceeds to act like a little child.
@@Illusive1313 It was a pretty bad move on his part. He'd already dismissed the guy interviewing him because he was being asked "Tough" questions. Smacking the sheets of paper out of his hands made it worse because it made him look less believable (in context, didn't see the full interview that the footage is taken from).
Volume 16!
So who is he responsible for? Vince has taken care of the families of wrestlers who were either severely injured in the ring and Owens family after he died.
Tempi Tempster he was in character. He did the same thing with Jim Acosta and later told him in the second interview he was in character.
Remember how the wwe still calls them independent contractors while: Having exclusive contracts, not letting them have youtube or twitch without getting a cut, LITERALLY OWNING THEIR NAMES AND IMAGES
Yep. God bless America, eh? This is about the only country on earth I can imagine a company like WWE getting away with these types of business practices. It’s not at all surprising that Vince McMahon is good friends with Trump. Good enough friends that Vince’s wife Linda was able to score a position in Trump’s cabinet. Birds of a feather 🪶
@@Pretermit_Sound Well, Linda and Vince have been separated for years, and they only haven’t divorced for the benefits. And honestly, Linda was one of the few people in Trump’s extensive history of cabinet appointees who wasn’t a complete boob.
@@redjed100 oh, I didn’t know they were separated. Interesting.
You’re right though, about her being one of the more “adult” figures in the Trump admin. I don’t think she lasted the whole term either, probably because she had at least SOME scruples.
WWE get paid every time John Cena is in a movie or TV show because they literally own the name John Cena. Y'know, The name he was born with.
Yeah i can see trademarking something, even like Kevin Owens (real name Kevin Steen) but someone's ACTUAL birth name? There's a reason wrestlers use aliases and gimmicks
This is just a promo to John Oliver taking over and reforming WWE by defeating McMahon in a hell in the cell match
Wrestlemania 36 Main Event. BOOK IT!!!!!
I wish.
If they did a match, they would do like they did in the Trump angle and have John and Vince use surrogates to fight for their causes.
"OH MY GAAAAWD!"
Wrestlers should do a walk out with the fans.
Just when I thought I couldn't think any higher of John Oliver, he shows pro wrestling love AND he takes WWE to task on their "independent contractor" bs.
Same here John is good in my book!!
"DR." Oz burn right in the middle. It brought me joy
Is dr Oz still a thing ? Haven't looked at TV in quite a while. All i know is he was removed from several medical panels, bout it.
Is that show The Drug Dealers I mean the Doctors still on TV? Just wondering.
The saddest thing about Dr. Oz is that his fan base was not diminished even after all the news came out about him. My 80 year old grandmother just sees the word doctor and believes that it is a real medical show; of course she is going to take a "real" Doctor's word over mine. People like Dr. Oz should be stopped
@@roberttorres4116 good question. I looked it up and yes it is. This shows when some "drug dealer " has cult followers and some people still quote him as " science ", it means he still makes the network money and it's hard to get them off the air. Also, guess what channel it is on.
@@333angeleyes Yeap, and even government tried and they couldn't do anything about it. Which kinda, sorta makes scenes because freedom of speech is for everyone or no one. But there has to be something that someone can do about people like him, psychics, rehab places, cults and fake churches
I always assumed they received really good health care, surgeries needed, physical therapy, etc. I've been to one live show and holy smokes they definitely need health coverage.
Oh sure, they’ll pay for their surgeries if it gets them back in the ring quicker. But once you can’t perform, you’re screwed. You get kicked out the door. Oh and other health care and benefits, not ever. I can only hope it will improve with Vince McMahon gone but I doubt it. His daughter and that greedy thumb Nick Kahn will do the same.
Nothing. It's the most brutal job I know of and there's no safety net at all.
Afaik the company has a policy of voluntarily providing good medical care and paying the bills of their currently active non-employees but doesn't accept any legal commitment to do so.
WWE make billions per year, absolutely no reason to not pay health insurance. This is similar to UFC, and also how the NFL treats cheerleaders. In all honesty though, if I was paid millions, I'd definitely set money aside for health Insurance. Many wrestlers, mma fighters don't make that much though, especially outside of these corporations.
As a kid I believed this too. When I got into the insurance industry did it upset me knowing they aren’t provided this by WWE because it easily would be too expensive.
Expensive meaning they just don’t want to pay it.
While the “character” Vince is an asshole, it’s important to note that the real Vince is also an asshole.
-John Oliver, 2019
Never has a more perfect phrase been uttered. Thank you, John.
couldn't believe how bloody true he is
I was watching the video and then went into the comment and he said that right at as I read that lol
He has Trump lips. Just sayin'.
Ian Nedved It’s also important to note that Vince’s face has also been deep in the actual asshole of one of his wrestlers so if you need any solace out of any of this, there’s one.
He's so good at it, isn't he? 😂
The near prophetic words of Roddy Piper about his death brough a tear to my eye. John rightly ripped Vince and WWE to shreds. The tiny segment involving Bret Hart was equally important. Brilliant episode.
Damn, I was wondering why he was no longer appearing on its always sunny, so sad to hear.
Relevant documentary: 'Hitman Hart - Wrestling with Shadows'
th-cam.com/video/L3wZhA5s3kI/w-d-xo.html
Wasn't that clip he showed of Bret Hart from before Owen died? I thought the clip he showed of Bret was from after the Screwjob?
All along during that bit i was thinking about Kurt Angle. SO glad he's finally retiring but it might already be too late for him...
Brilliant episode from a brilliant man!
One of the most troubling things is the fact that the wrestlers John featured in this piece were very high profile, legendary wrestlers, and were still treated incredibly poorly. Imagine the more mid-tier wrestlers who commit just as much and are even LESS valued by the WWE. This issue has been well documented for years, hopefully Oliver's piece finally shines enough light on it to see something get done.
Imagine living in a country where you can't afford healthcare even if you're a famous wrestler...
Lol we seen it where because someone looked at Vince a bad way he got fired oh and yes he was a mid card
If you're interested in seeing some of their harrowing stories, the 2015 documentary "Prescription thugs" by Chris Bell depicts some lesser known wrestlers struggles with drug abuse, and ultimately, deaths (as well as drug abuse in other sports).
@@LordDragox412 being famous doesn't mean you are paid well. It's pretty obvious with these wrestlers.
@@davidboniface858 I think they ARE paid well, it's just that having to pay for their own health care eats up practically everything they make.
WWE fans will ALWAYS choose the wrestlers first, whether from the 80's or now, the wrestlers truly have a committed and loving fanbase and I hope they know that. They made tens of millions people's childhoods incredible and we never forget that as adults.
Wrestling fans have absolutely no loyalty to WWE whatsoever, if it collapsed tomorrow and a new company took its place, no fan would really mind, wrestling fans are only loyal to the wrestlers
Sad Jake is getting emotional over $7k from fans, he helped make McMahon rich, he should be living more than comfortably. Vince sucks
Jake blew all of his money on drugs. He said so himself. It's not all on Vince.
@@thebigtimechannel9927 Painkillers he became addicted to due to the necessity of long term use directly posed by his career. Which is still on Vince. Just for clarification.
@@smoketnt5290 Ah, I'm impressed. The vast majority end up with opioid addictions. If what you say is true, congrats on finding a good exception.
@@saradanhoff6539 Jake was addicted before he was with wwf, just like so many wrestlers were. 80's wrestling were full of tragic stories like Jake's.
@@thebigtimechannel9927 What comes into play there is why wrestlers get addicted to drugs. You'll find stories of wrestlers using drugs (prescription or hard) and even alcohol to try to numb the pain from what they're going through. Jake was popular during a time where wrestlers were really putting their bodies through the grinder. So popping pills or doing some sort of hard drugs because for a little amount of time it causes whatever pain you're experiencing to go away wasn't uncommon.
Like John mentioned, these wrestlers work through the year. Multiple shows a week and no off season like you see in other sports. There's no time for them to have their bodies rest and recover naturally. So they end up reaching for drugs to help them through those times.
As a diehard WWE fan, this is so true. John, you are a beast. This is truth.
Spread the word...
it's true it's damn true
Aaaand today mcmahon sues
ashuhleaaa I want to see these people chant and have signs.
Ramen.
I'm really hoping AEW will provide some good competition that provides most/all these needed benefits and force WWE to re-evaluate how it does business. Because unfortunately as the Saudi deal shows us, Vince is happy to listen to fans, right up until he thinks it will get between him and money.
(Also stop treating Asuka so poorly goddammit...)
19:30-20:00
I kid you not, I legitimately teared up there. Bless that man and those people who helped him out.
Edit: Never got this many likes before. Thanks, guys!
Hama Hama the whole documentary is a massive cry fest. I couldn't recommend it enough.
Hama Hama same here
I haven't watched wrestling since WWF in the 90s, but this video is pretty awesome. Diamond Dallas Page, the guy sitting next to Jake the Snake in the segment you mentioned, is amazing. I'm not surprised he was somehow involved with the most touching moment of this video.
If you haven't heard of DDP Yoga, his business/ organization, you should check out their TH-cam videos. Arthur Boorman's transformation is so good. I watch it like once per year. lol DDP's super inspirational and has helped a lot of people, former wrestlers and everyday people. :)
Hama Hama and also consider that Jake Roberts is one of the people who made McMahon rich. He should be living comfortably.
That made me sad at first but then really angry. Just another sociopath "capitalist" pawning their responsibility off on other citizens, just another form of corporate welfare.
Scott Hall just passed away at the age of 63, Roddy's words of not making it to 65 are haunting even to this day
Wasn’t he a crackhead
Contrary to how OP’s comment unintentionally might make it seem, Razor Ramon did not die due to complications for having spent his youth in professional wrestling, he died after falling in his home and then them fixing it caused a blood clot, which then lead to him suffering *three* heart attacks that finally killed him. He did not leave this world at 63 due to the direct fault of WWE like Owen Hart at 34, or Chris Benoit at 40, or Eddie Guerrero at 38.
Yes, but everyone knows how much of an alcoholic he was in the 90s. Even his coworkers back then knew it. There were attempts to help him, but sadly it didn’t work until the 10s when DDP helped him with yoga. Even WCW didn’t do much either. Let me remind you that even an AA program didn’t exist back then.
His past of alcohol abuse did diminish his years. It was an indirect cause, but it still hurt his body.
@@dannyhargreaves1326AA was founded in 1935,so I reckon that a program existed in the 80's 😂
@@rockarola55 I meant for wrestlers, mostly in WWE. They didn’t have a rehab program I meant.
I'm surprised there was no mention of Chris Benoit. One of the main reasons they banned chair shots to the head.
They banned chair shots to the head but not the flying headbutt thing Chris Benoit used to do.
That’s a lot of ground to cover. There probably should be a part two just about that.
Probably has more to do with the fans disgust after Mick Foley's THIRTEEN unprotected chair shots to the head by The Rock.
Might have been a purposeful omission because what he did went way beyond the scope of what John is talking about.
You mean Crispen Waaaaahhhhh!?
That man reacting to the 7000 dollars fans raised for him genuinely made me cry.
I was even more sad that it was only $7000! People back the dumbest crap with thousands more than the goal amount, and this poor guy needs something actually important.
Humans Zuck I mean it was $7,000 on just the first day of a 30 day Indiegogo campaign. He was asking for $9,000 which means it was a resounding success. I don’t know how much he got in the end but if he got 7 out of 9 thousand on day 1 of 30 I’m willing to bet that crowdfund ended way over the minimum they were asking for.
I had a pretty emotional response, also.
@@humanszuck5155 He wound up raising $29,547, so no worries.
Same. I had to fight back the tears cause its too early for that.
When I started watching this I was like "really? a show about wrestlers?" and now I feel that this is something I'll never forget. These people clearly need to get better conditions from their EMPLOYER
The Rowdy Roddy Piper bit hit me really hard. 16:10
I had no idea WWE was so popular or that they had these conditions. I hope for a good result this Sunday.
Thanks for that. I was wondering where they were going to go with the show. I always dismissed wrestling as a joke and that the fans were idiots. This made me see that they are people, many struggling to earn a living. I hope the fans revolt and the wrestlers are treated fairly.
@@LeSethX their contract are practically illegal, one thing they have in their contract is no complete cause for 90 days if released or if you let your contract expire. You can not put a no compete clause on a independent contractor, unless their employees then yes but yeah that is illegal
For all the snobbish sophistication people assume of TV and Hollywood writers, a significant portion of them love WWE.
Given how WWE has been treating its stars, and the rise of AEW, I would love John to revisit this.
yeah expose aew for joining and not making the change
yeah damn. WWE has been killing it and aew is likely to die soon
@@thenycestmc apparently AEW ain't any better.
I'm from 2030, and wwe just released The Rise and Fall of Aew
Wwe still on top
Seeing that Rowdy Roddy interview in this context was like a knife to the gut.
So sad. Great wrestling personality gone way too soon.
I don't even watch Wrestling and that bit really got to me..
madpuppet He was my guy, ya know? 😔
You should watch his interview about sodomy, than. It'll make the tightest of ButtHoles feel victimized. (It IS a thing)
I am crying
Finally! Too many news outlets and journalists dismiss wrestlers while painting them as millionaire primadonnas Thank you for the empathy you've shown these entertainers. I've grown out of wrestling but I'll never forget the awe and joy i had as a child watching these men and women.
Justice for the wrestlers!
Same, on all fronts. Well said sir.
I was thinking the same thing. Earlier I wrote: John that was a great segment! I really love, how you and your team were able to make this show, taking Vince McMahon to town and exposing the dark side of wrestling, or more precisely the WWE, without ridiculing wrestling itself or the wrestlers or the fans, as so many other show hosts and journalists have done in the past. It was compassionate, informative, critical and funny. Well done!
Vince McMahon's response: they will create a heel caracter based on John Oliver and mock him for a year or two...
LeCaktus sadly this has a 99.9999% of coming true
LeCaktus he brings back Wade Barrett to do this
You actually are not far off. The kicker will be no one will find it funny other than Vince. Vince will find it hilarious.
Possibly John Oliver himself. I mean, Jon Stewart did it.
He would really do that
This type of "independent contracting" is actually a crime here. It's called "disguised employment". Those who caught doing this pays a huge fine and must end the practice. In case of workplace accidens, must be full responsible.
Where?
@@leebarbs7176 I don't know where GT is from, but in Sweden this type of arrangement wouldn't be allowed. A company can't replace employees with independent contractors in order to avoid liabilities as an employer.
It's also illegal in the US...
@@TheEternalVortex42how come? its happening? genuinely asking
@@felinemoonchildthis is fact, just throw money at politicians and then they can pass laws that deregulate the rich people business so they make more money.
Can say how happy it makes me that John covered this..
He is only scratching the surface of WWE’s dark underbelly, so I’m glad the public gets a glimpse of it.
This was awesome. I love pro wrestling and John nailed it!
@WhoDatUniverse John should also tackle the recent string of horse deaths in California too.
I love how Jake is wearing a shirt that says "Failure Is Not an Option", while being in tears. A prime example, showing us that expressing real emotions is not a failure, even for the bravest of men.
That's a helluva good quote. Did you come up with it, or read it somewhere? Love
Or maybe that the american and capitalistic creed of disqualifying people who fail or who don't achieve the most prominent goal is wrong and that we should accept failiure as part of life and learning process.
As soon as Jake The Snake came on I sobbed so hard. You can really see the pain in his eyes, even the shame he feels. Yet the freaking fan pull through for him. My heart hurts. Bless him.
He's working in AEW now.
Don't forget ddp. Ddp has helped save a few wrestler lives at this point
@@williamrosmer8381 However DDT's not so much.
It genuinely upsets me that Jake ever doubted how much we cared. Jesus Christ, dude.
@@williammccormick2802 i think he meant more like all the years he put himself through that hell and all that happened to his body meant something in the end if we, the fans, care about him and want to help.
I'd so love a follow up to this one, Vince's hush money payments, releasing 180 people during a pandemic, the Saudi blood money, and how AEW was essentially started in spite of WWE as a true alternative, or how just last week they fired a superstar (who's whole gimmick was that she's sexy) because her fantime page got leaked and she was being too sexy (it's the whole not actually an independent contractor bit).
Also apparently Vince stepped down last year and now his daughter is in charge. Nepotism, ain't it great?
And now Vince tries to sell the company, Steph steps down as CEO. And all that when the product is objectly better now
I really want to see how this goes.
Was never into wrestling as a fan, but knew a few wrestlers and/or their loved ones. Many start careers here in Louisville at Ohio Valley Wrestling.
This was a great episode but it does need an update. Especially with all the recent news. 👍
After all this, we better get a WWE II this season.
I don’t even watch wrestling, and even I know you could make a full video on just Vince
I seriously expected that by the end John would be slammed into a table, with a graphic that said:
LAST WEEK TONIGHT, NOW WITH A GUY EXPLODING THROUGH A TABLE with John Oliver
There should be a follow up show to show what happened at the WrestleMania. And John, please do this in that.
Exactly! I'm highly dissapointed!
I was about to write that. good that I saw the comments first
To be sincere, Oliver doesn't have the balls to take a decent bump. I mean, even David Arquette has wrestled. Jim Cornette is not a true wrestler, and he has taken massive bumps.
Oliver is a comedian, not a wrestler.
I would’ve paid real money to see that ..
You say the butt thing is cathartic, but knowing Vince approved that bit beforehand kinda gives it a different meaning...
😂😂😂
Don't ruin it!
My thoughts exactly 😆 he loves the 🍩
@@Nicole-in5od it's all kayfabe
This shines a whoooole new light on that clip
Vince writing a script: " i should get my face plunged between two robust cheeks... yea, for the storyline."
Christa Carol I hope those cheeks were very showered...
After a 20 plus minute match, even if those cheeks were well showered I doubt it mattered
@@bradcarver8127 timing is a everything!
My mistake I assumed this referred to DX shoving Vince in Big Shows ass. I’m sure Rikishi showered prior to this segment
I know right😂😂
I love it when John makes a "Call to Action" because sometimes it works, but always raises awareness.
John Oliver, I think you should do a follow-up on this story. Two more wrestlers died this week.
Who?
@@spider-keithasmr38 The Silver King and Ashley Massaro.
@@cedmondsdragonwing oh right
4more
Should've done real wrestling. Pins and submissions are more fun.
Thank you John Oliver. Been a WWF/E fan ever since and you speak the truth. I hope Vince and/or Paul Levesque will be able to give the wrestlers full benefits for Health Insurance.
I am sure they will, because Cody Rhodes promised all of the roster in AEW that he will give them health insurance in the foreseeable future.
It's notca question of "can he", it's a question of "will he".
Hopefully the fed gov will get involved and force them to be signed as employees and force Vince to provide all the benefits that entitles them to as well as payroll taxes he has skirted for 40 yrs
@@LuciferLizardo I hope that promise like health insurances and much better wage doesn't go to waste
Once again Jon Oliver sheds light on an issue that nobody is talking about. WWE needs to be held accountable for their actions
Jerminator 356 what do you mean “held accountable”?
Kurt S You really don't know what the phrase "held accountable" means?
@@stevemygoodman7809 How is that unclear
@cpk1994 what is your issue with Oliver, you made a very similar comment on another part of the comments section for this video. are you being a smarmy little cynic because you need attention??? Are you an ex- wrestler named chad who had a dream and it didn’t come true? Not in the way you’d hoped and now your just being cynical toward J.O. because at this point you just dare not hope, because that would be another little death...?
MechaMew2 it’s a broad statement. Do you want them banned? Do you want them fined? Do you want them to fire Vince?
How is it clear to you what that vague statement means? There is only one way to hold someone accountable?
Fun fact: while not in the WWE, Lincoln is very much enshrined in the wrestling hall of fame. Apparently the gangly lawyer was defeated only once in nearly 300 matches.
Well, lawyer are rager in law profession albeit polite ones.
He was NOT gangly lmao, Lincoln was jacked!
@@caseking3656 I meant gangly in the terms of having a massive reach advantage due to his height. He's also quoted concerning the cultivation and enjoyment of cannabis.
As a hardcore wrestling fan i keep revisiting this video again and again and always get amazed how true this is. This isn't even half of the stuff terrible and toxic about WWE.
Wrestling Intersection everyone I’ve seen with your profile pic has said something very sensible or meaningful
Tell us more
Can't wait to how this is handled on Raw and Smackdown if fans start chanting for health insurance
"Health in-sur-ance" would make a pretty good chant tbh
I suspect that most fans are also Republicans, so that probably won't happen.
My brother is going to a live event and I am going to force him to take a healthcare sign!!
@@AnexoRialto that's actually not true. Most wrestling fans actually tend to be more left-leaning in their views. There's studies that back this up, but I can't remember where I found them off the top of my head.
Greg K you would be surprised. New York, LA, Chicago, and Philadelphia are the biggest markets for wrestling.
As a wrestling fan I truly do want WWE to give recognition that the talent are Employees and not Independent Contractors
I disagree. For the most part they're replaceable, like baseball players (economically).
@@krakenmetzger What do you mean? Please elaborate.
@@krakenmetzger but the baseball players aren't independent contractors.
@@krakenmetzger and the players aren't beating each other with the bats in a death match every game.
@@ricksanchez6777 don't you think they should be?
7:55 And Owen Hart didn't just die from health complications. He died by falling nearly 80 ft into the ring because the WWE thought it was a good idea to not only force him to do a stunt that he only performed a couple times before, but to use a quick release harness that couldn't properly support his weight.
Over the Edge, May 23 1999, Kemper Area, Kansas City Missouri. Thanks Vince. 😡
also they penny pitched when it came to hiring the Rigging company. if WWF used a professional Rigger, Owen would still be alive.
@@HarbingerOfBattle McMahon, and more pointedly, Vince Russo
And McMahon went on with the pay-per-view telecast after the paramedics wheeled Hart's corpse away. "The show must go on...and no refunds!"
Yep, he was 34 by the way. We still get sickened by that. Obviously.
I'm glad someone is finally going after the WWE and calling out there BS... I really hope this makes a wave of change in that place, CM Punk tried to warn the masses but everyone hated him.
No one hates CM Punk. The WWE crowds still frequently chant his name! No one took notice when he spoke out because CM Punk doesn't have a huge audience outside the wrestling world.
People love CM Punk. What planet are you on?
I like Punk but he was a little overrated and his fans are really toxic.
@@Zack_410 stupid ass comment
@@ChaelSonnen000 lol must be a toxic CM Punk fan
I was never a fan of John Oliver until now. He’s 100% right about everything he said and it needed to be said. Thanks from wrestling fans everywhere.
That's his real shtick. He tries to find problems in society that are being ignored and bring them to light.
And he's usually right
That's nice and all... but why the hell wouldn't you care until now? A lot of his shows are dedicated to helping people who need help! Highlighting issues that affect common, "salt of the Earth", folk. Just because he's British and snarky doesn't mean he or his staff don't give a fuck about blue collar people just trying to provide for themselves and their families. Seriously, I don't get how anyone could not like him or this show.
@@delugesofgrandeur likely it's because of the type of elitism you are displaying now.
He came from the daily show. That is a left leaning show. Therefore it is expected that Last Week Tonight would also be a left leaning show.
As you said though he generally tries to take a more populist stance, though he does bag on the trump administration a lot.
This is true. I kind of follow the wrestling industry and a lot of WWE guys talk about this. Check out Sam roberts, Wrestletalk, Cultaholic, any wreslters podcasts/radio shows, any wrestling channel because they go in depth about these issues. Also, listen to CM Punks interview on Colt Cabanas podcast he elaborates on his problem
This applies to the UFC as well. They are also independent contractors that aren't allowed to work anywhere else while under contract
Gerry O'Brien Yes, they can! They can save up their Reebok bonuses and buy out their UFC contract after 2,387 years... 🤛🏾
The UFC should be Next Weeks Topic. The situation is virtually identical. Except the death rates, because the UFC hasn't been around as long and the work load isn't as intense.
Tango Nevada I see what you did there! 😂
Gerry O'Brien I think I have to check the definition of “independent” again in the dictionary. I had the belief that it is the exact opposite of this, but I might be wrong...
Really by now, who else will they fight for? Dana has bought just about every reputable fighting organization.
Not only was Owen's death an avoidable accident, there is also the Montreal Screw Job... so yeah, that Brett Hart has reason to be pissed at Vince is a massive understatement.
bret’s gripe with how vince handled owen’s death was that the show continued, which was unbelievably digesting and disrespectful. he’s said “what if it was shane, austin” would the show have continued? vince has no capability for emotions im sure
@@rima7286No capability for emotions? He bawled his eyes out talking about Andre being gone. He surely cares about people. Just a very select few, and still in the wrong ways. He lost that money train and it destroyed him. Has to wipe his tears with 1mil dollar bills every night.
This is my new favorite segment from Unfortunately Not a Guy Exploding Through a Table
Pay for healthcare! (clap clap clap-clap-clap)
Pay for healthcare! (clap clap clap-clap-clap)
Pay for healthcare! (clap clap clap-clap-clap)
I really hope they start chanting this on Raw tonight
Is that tonight?
You need those guys that start the chant off.....bring your friends!
I love John Oliver!
Fun fact, Roman gladiators had unions in place for fares needs for fallen gladiators funerals and provide aid to families. They were well conpincated and given the best medical care of their time. Roman gladiators were seen as valuable commodities and well treated in response.
So remember an empire built by slaves that kidnapped people and preyed on the poor, used them for a literal BLOOD SPORT were better treat then WWE wrestlers.
Gladiators were also slaves fighting to the death for their freedom.
Only the ones that were freed and kept fighting got paid....
According to Forbes, a WWE wrestler on the roster makes $500,000 a year, with top-wrestlers making $1 million or more a year. Not saying that excuses everything, however they can definitely afford their own health insurance.
According to work.chron.com/much-money-professional-wrestler-usually-make-year-24583.html, the average wrestler makes $47,000 per year.
*compensated just fyi but thanks for the info
@@simul8rduude Gladiators actually very rarely fought to the death.
As an American who has been a wrestling fan for my whole life, I cannot stress how much I love the UK wrestling audience. They are the greatest fans ever.
For those non-wrestling fans, when Ventura says, "they control your life" he means it. They control your hair and if you change it, they punish you.
Rollin Kocher poor ru ru
Also if you want a tattoo you need to run it by them first to see if it's ok.
In a way I feel bad for the wrestlers but then again not so much. They went into this career knowing the health consequences and how their health coverage was going to not work for them. The wrestlers should refuse to work if their medical needs aren't taken care of since it is on job injuries that are sending them to the hospital. This is why Dwayne Johnson left the wrestling world.
People who like to put down pro wrestling fans and pro wrestling in general don’t seem to get how much crap these wrestlers go through. We as fans know and appreciate the work they put out.
@@831mrscardoso You can't just leave the wrestling world. What else are you gonna do? Who's gonna hire someone with no job experience other than being a wrestler? It doesn't really qualify you for much. Johnson got incredibly, incredibly lucky, and not everyone of them can become a Hollywood actor. Especially many of the lesser known ones.
And yeah they entered knowing the health risks, but they didn't enter knowing that NO MATTER WHAT the WWE won't be held accountable for their injuries, that they have no health insurance, etc. Yeah, it's in their contract, but at that point, it's too late. This really should be illegal - and in fact, it is, it's just not being enforced properly.
Of all topics you can talk about I never thought you would choose WWE... it makes me question myself why I thought that :D John can literally talk about anything
*Yea pretty convenient he chose to not spend the entire show on the entire Mueller investigation you insane leftists have been desperately pushing for 2.5 years. They probably wanted to but he kept trying to commit suicide between takes*
@Chris_Gullett Shut up Saudi Shill
Well, he did do a in depth look at Saudi Arabia when the journalist was killed and dragged WWE for their Crown Jewel event during it a few times.
@Chris_Gullett I know you think there is some massive agenda, but there isn't.
@@yobased2872 They only upload the main story so he probably addressed that. Though he loves to talk about shit other people ignore
Having only independant contractors also mean McMahon does not pay any payroll taxes. He is stiffing FICA (social security and medicare) out of taxes he should be paying.
Ooo who can fix that?
@Cinnabar Island wow I didn't know that. Dear God help us !!!! Voting for me is worthless, my vote never counts. I'm in a red stupid state
Eat the rich!
@@beeonthyme5760That's when your vote matters the most.
Yeah. But since the wrestlers are independent contractors, they pay for FICA via the self employment tax.
"Morally subterranean" is a perfect phrase. John Oliver is timeless.
yeah i'm adding it to my vocab
Seems like people covered most of the good comments already so I’ll just point out how nice John’s tie is in this. Great color choice.
How perceptive. Thank you for pointing this out.
Great perspective, man! 😁
You could've brought up trump on wwe
He's British so it's colour.
Just noticed he is dressed.
Thank you for this, as a die hard fan, I want to see these wrestlers live long and healthy lives. They put their body on the line every single night, this is the least they can do for them.
I, being a naive, always thought that WWE would take care of their insurance/medical bills like many other companies do in US. How wrong I was. Really sad condition of the wrestlers.
Vince will see this as a hit piece.
I salute those valiant hero’s
They die early because they are junkies or alcoholics.
I still have back and neck problems from a short stint in mma, these guys do it nonstop.
I'm genuinely surprised that John Oliver is into professional wrestling. I just expected him to be into whatever Puffins do.
That got a chuckle from me.
greatest comment on youtube, well done sir
@@ricksanchez6777 but I thought puffins loved wrestling!
This comment sounds like it was written by John Oliver somehow.
Fun fact: They wrestle.
That moment Roddy Piper says I am not going to make 65 :(
Arko heartbreaking
Shit he's lucky he made it to 50. Most don't
@@Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa669 good point...wrong tone lol idk
@Stephanie Logan I'm not your boy toy! 🎶
So sad 😞
18:37 No the crowd isn't saying "BOOOOO!" They're saying "BOOOOOOOOOY Do we love that Roman Reigns!"
To anyone who gets this reference, I legitimately love you.
Booooourns!!!!
They're not saying "BOOO!" They're saying "Huuugh!" having made the common mistake of confusing Roman Reigns with Hugh Grant. What with his dashing looks and charisma.
This is extremely eye opening for all of us wrestling fans. We need to help current and former superstars. This cannot continue
Your not a wrestling fan if you didn't know about this , the ultimate warrior was doing this Dance with Vince in the 80s
Yes we need to help those people that get paid $3 million a year. Let's help Wal-Mart, McDonald's and Wal-Mart ceos too. Let's raise money for Jeff bezos cause he only gets an $83,000 a year salary which isn't even a living wage according to teachers that work 180 days for the same pay that poor Jeff has to work 12 hour days year round for. And who is paying for Jeff bezos health insurance?
@Hadi Purwanto tell them to quit then. Tell tripple h to quit is $2.8 million a year job and go flip burgers so he can have benefits and not get hurt. Tell the rock....whos best year made $65 million between movies and wrestling to quit letting himself be exploited in crappy action movies and to go lay brick with the Mexicans so he has work comp.
@Hadi Purwanto and the rock wouldn't be making $65 million a year if it wasn't for that capitalist leader.
@Hadi Purwanto why don't you call the wrestlers up and tell them come work for you. You are going to start a new wrestling league. And you'll work for free so they aren't exploited. You'll give them an hourly wage and benefits.
This is a public service for everyone. You are welcome. (Useful for after watching the entire video.)
Vince gets hit with trash can lid - 7:07
Vince gets kicked in the face - 10:44
Vince gets his leg cast punched and gets bed-panned - 11:53
Vince gets a face full - 17:05
jeffmakesgames1 All is needed now is Vince signs different contracts that include the word “employee” for his workers, health insurance and other benefits for them and their families.
@@clauce7953 Yep, unfortunately that would probably be too painful and embarassing for him to do.
@@chaoslord8918 Indeed.
Stink Face - Okay sure.
Cutting into your profits for the benefit of your employees - NOW WAIT A GODDAMN MINUTE!
@@Memespam aint that the god dam truth of it!.
Public service for everyone: Watch the whole thing and understand it like adults instead of being an attitude era obsessed mouth-breather
John Oliver talking WWE is the amazing commentary I didn’t know I needed
I used to hate fake wrestling but as I learned more about history and how gruesome humanity can be just for entertainment ... I began to appreciate wrestling entertainment. This new information is mind blowing, these wrestlers deserves better rights
The NFL's plan for retired players has been a literal lifesaver for my grandfather. They pay for most of his nursing home expenses and he has a pension from them.
who is your grandfather? if I may ask.
Anthony Peyton Manning
@@anthony639 Ernest Clark, linebacker for the Detroit Lions and Arizona Cardinals in the 1960's.
@@ReapTheWhirlwind I have his ultimate legend card in Madden Ultimate Team.
Their PLAN for retired players? Lol they don't even give them financial advisors when they're in the NFL they don't give a fuck about the players after they leave. There have been so many cases of players with brain injuries getting NO treatment and killing themselves or someone else, people ending up dirt poor and homeless. Just look at all the state money the NFL gets from contracts with cities where stadiums are. Its a multi billion dollar mafia
"What are you doing you weird weird man?!" John... that is something WWE fans have been asking for decades and we STILL have no idea!
samuraitiger19 best comment 😂 hell, he could have talked all day about Vince McMahon and his stories in and outside of the ring- that guy is weird
17:05 shows wrestler Rikishi. His brother, wrestler Umaga/Jamal, died at age 36 from a heart attack caused by drug intoxication (pain meds)
and all they did for him was a minor spot on WWE . com smh
@ted kaczynski Wow so edgy bro
I thought I was Roman Reigns is brother Jamal
@ted kaczynski Seems like a troll.
@ted kaczynski looks like someone's mother didn't say "I love you" enough.
The bad pan to the melon actually gave McMahon a concussion from what I've heard over the yrs. Stone Cold straight cracked him with it 🤣
Makes sense, it's not an opportunity most people get , to hit their boss in the face and try to make it look real, so why not put your back into it?
Couldn't've happened to a nicer guy.
😊🎉🎉🎉🎉
As weird as it is, a British guy who talks about politics might just be the guy to make enough noise to change WWE's worker related issues
☝️👏👏
I hope so
I mean, he did assist in the sponsor boycott of FIFA for Blatter to resign
@cpk1994 The good ol cinism.
@cpk1994 yet he has more relevancy then you'll ever get in your lifetime.
I'm not going to lie I really thought we would see Oliver exploding through a table by the end of the episode
agreed.
Right?!
But then he'd have to change the name of his show a second time...
The show was just renamed to "unfortionatlly not a man exploding through a table" so you know he wouldn´t do it.
As awesome as it would be, hes not a trained professional. Wresting is staged yes obviously, no doubt, but the things they do are still very dangerous and can very much hurt a normal person that doesnt bust through tables for a living.
Fun fact: Abraham Lincoln was actually a professional wrestler. Of course the style was completely different back in it's day. He's even honored in the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in Oklahoma.
Omni Bedlam wasn’t Plato also a wrestler?
Hall of Fame is located in Stillwater Oklahoma and it's very nice that people should go check it out after you've checked it out you should go to Eskimo Joe's have cheese fries no I don't work for them I just like the cheese fries
@@AllonKirtchik I'm not sure.
@@AllonKirtchik yes, but not quite in the sense of professional wrestlers today... he and Socrates both served in the Athenian military in the Peloponnesian War, wrestling was a part of military training and also a major outlet for recreational exercise (eventually developed into the modern martial art pankration)
If I recall correctly, I believe Lincoln had a nearly undefeated record, too, with only one loss that we know of for certain (but a lot of his fights were in areas and at a time when there weren't official records kept, so it's unknown exactly how many he did lose)
I have and will watch this many times, because it's another great episode, but almost exclusively to hear him deliver the line: "Wrestling is better than the things you like.". The joy. The glee.
Wow, somehow you simultaneously got me into wrestling and hating the people who run it at the same time...
No problem, that's pretty much standard for the average wrestling fan.
@@CarlMarxPunk But the average wrestling fan still puts money into McMohan's pockets. They're participating in the exploitation.
@@ariaalexandria3324 So are the people who eat meat, drive gasoline based cars, watch porn, and so on and so on. It's very complex, as the video showed.
It's not perfect, true, you are right, but as Oliver said WWE fans are ridicously vocal so it's not a passive relationship.
Just like FIFA and football
It's pretty usual for any wrestling fan to have a love/hate relationship with WWE. xD
100% love this episode. This is so much bigger then just wrestling. Health and mental care are needed!
I stopped watching WWE years ago. Vince will not care until they start losing viewers.
This is a nationwide problem where sociopathic "capitalists" are using people to make their fortunes then discarding them. The funny thing is, we're so brainwashed that many defend these actions and even admire them.
ImAGdDmnDragn That’s the American education system at works. It was designed in the 1800s to make Americans willing to work over 40 hours a week for minimal pay for greedy bosses... literally.
Bernie 2020
I really mean it: Thank you John Oliver
Adel Sayadkooh we should rlly thank him for making fun of donald largegassyorb alone
@Adel Sayadkooh Fuck you, Gaza is under the bombs, babies are dying and you worry about wrestlers...
You oughta be ashamed of yourself...
@@robcoIncorp Shut up
@@robcoIncorp If I ever see a person get hit by a car I'd imagine you would just walk up to me and shout "WHY ARE YOU WORRYING ABOUT THIS PERSON THAT WAS HIT BY A CAR, THERE ARE CHILDREN DYING AROUND THE WORLD YOU INCONSIDERATE ASSHOLE"
You don't have to be a genius to find out why that logic is flawed.
@@Fojabass if they joined a industry where one of the job requirements is getting hit by cars, I wouldn't feel too bad.
So with some recent Vince McMahon stuff coming out, perhaps a part 2 is warranted?
Edit : So now there's MORE stuff.
I agree
Fuck yes
He Has Just Announced His Retirement Because Of That.
God I hope so
What happened
It's incorrect to say they're treated like circus animals. Most circus animals are treated better by law.
THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE UNDERTAKER SAID TO JOHN CENA!
Ohh man, that's a brutal truth.
Exactly! When's the last time we let circus's explode tigers through a table?
So humans are the real animals...
@@HeilRay
No. It's the unending human greed. That is the real problem.
I've been a Die Hard Wrestling fan since 1983, and I will continue to Be a Wrestling fan.. That being said, I agree with Everything John Oliver is saying...
Been a wrestler fan since ‘73... but never a fan of the WWE.
@WOMANpukumaru Yeah, a couple of the Wrestlers he mentioned that passed away did so from Natural causes..
BIlly Ray that’s racist
@@firstnamelastname9215
wut
@@billyray5232 yeah but Natural causes CAUSED by wrestling. Do i really have to say this? So because they didn't die in the ring, wrestling didn't cause their health problems? Okay i get the fact that hurting yourself is part of the job but they should be able to get healthcare from the WWE after they retire. And if you did the research of your own claim you would realize a lot of these former WWE wrestlers can't afford the healthcare they would need like surgeries, physical therapy or any medication for their long term head/body trama. Even though WWE is fake that doesn't mean these guys aren't getting hurt
RIP Test, Eddie, Crash Holly, Big Boss Man, Chyna, Owen Hart, Jim Niehart, Bryan Pillmen, Visera, King Kong Bundy, Randy Savage, Davey Boy Smith, Grand Master Sexay, Vader, and hell, Benoit. And many more
And John "Earthquake" Centa, "Mr. Perfect" Kurt Hennig, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, Hercules, Bad News Brown, Junkyard Dog, Dino Bravo, Ultimate Warrior...… it's sad. Watching a Royal Rumble from 25 years ago, you can pause it at almost any point and say, "one third of the guys in that ring right now are dead."
Fuck i never realised Test, Big Boss Man & Holly had passed...
They're grown men who decided to get the shit beat out of them for a living
Eddie abused steroids for a long time and had long-lasting addiction problems. Chyna was a mental case who destroyed her life with drugs. Owen Hart died in a stunt gone wrong which had nothing to do with his contract status or healthcare system. Pillman was an addict. Grand Master Sexay was a life-long fuck-up who couldn't succeed, who couldn't overshadow his father and he couldn't cope with failure and was an alcoholic and an addict. Benoit was a total mental case who pushed himself way, way too hard and whose overall introverted/intense personality just cracked. You don't become a murderer of your own family because pro-wrestling is bad.
There is some context to things which many people seem to ignore in an attempt to arrive at the easiest and most comfortable conclusion that WWE is evil and is to be blamed for everything.
@@PiCheZvara You're trying to depict the issues these folks had as independent from their careers, when in nearly every case the problems that they experienced were direct results of the stress and burden put on them by their careers and by the WWE.
16:51 In a whole segment of depressing reveals, for a brief moment I swear you could just feel the air leave the studio when John revealed Roddy's untimely death.
He is an evil Ceo who plays an evil Ceo on his storylines? That's some serious self-awareness there.
Some people revel in the role of a villain...
It lets him ignore any criticism and deflect from actual problems.
>"He's a piece of shit"
>>>"oh, but that's just a character, it's all a script"
>"No, he's like, *actually* a piece of shit. Like, he's worse IRL"
>>>"He's a heel, it's just a wrestling thing"
Because he knows the fans will eat it up like candy. And he's right. Long as they get their daily dose of sweaty men and even sweatier women they couldn't care less.
I remember not too long ago WWE made a documentary where everyone close to Vince tried to make the distinction between Vince McMahon and the "Mr. McMahon" character on TV. The general consensus of his family and former employees was they were the same guy despite Vince believing otherwise. If anything, Vince isn't self-aware that his character on TV and the man behind the camera are one in the same.
It’s easy to not get pissed off at someone being a shit person if right before you would the Man has one of his own “independent Contractors” shove His Face into Another one of his “Independent Contractors” Asses.
Not a big wrestling fan, but that's just insane that they don't provide full lifetime healthcare considering what the wrestlers have done for the WWE
Absolutely agree! Not a fan either, but this is just WRONG! 😡
Seriously, what is wrong with Vince No Man?
How is the job of wrestler any different (economically) than logger, oil rig worker, cop, or commercial fisherman?
Replaceable employees doing (voluntarily) a dangerous job.
@@krakenmetzger when was the last time you saw a logger RKO a fucking tree with another logger?
@@ricksanchez6777 have you met loggers? They might not be on the level of the WWE but damn are they fun to watch XD
Chyna, king Kong Bundy, Roddy Piper, Owen Hart, RIP. You were a great part of my childhood. Thanks !
Sadly it seems John didn't feel capable of really talking about the biggest, most poignant example the WWE and McMahon has provided, Chris Benoit.
It was the one name i was sure he would have mentioned since its perhaps the biggest tragedy WWE has directly and indirectly caused.
@@Sepiriel Yeah Chris Benoit who went into roid rage and murdered his wife and son. Then committed suicide. Perhaps there's a legal reason why they didn't mention it, but it sure is relevant to this story.
@@Sepiriel just googled him, holy sh*t
@@FoolOfATuque Indeed, and sadly as far as I can tell in the wrestling circles (might we even say... rings.... yes? no? ok nvm) it seems that its become taboo to mention his name, even more so to honor in any way his legacy to wrestling because of the horrible aftermath of an industry that simply views its workers and nothing more than expendable cogs.
Roddy Piper helped me understand social class in They Live.
“Wrestling is better than the things you like”
That’s the universal tagline right there. You’re either gonna really enjoy it, or you’re gonna cringe at how campy it can get until you really enjoy it.
The accuracy of this is both astonishingly high and hysterical at the same time XD
Even in as a huge wrestling fan. I cringe at some of the campy moments especially with women over the years. But I just can’t stop watching.
@@goodvibes4459 in 15 years of watching, I’ve had one complaint, and it was that it made no sense for an injured Daniel Bryan to beat 3 men twice his size all in one night. Other than that I just keep my fingers perpetually crossed that Jeff Hardy stays clean long enough to have a real last run.
I stopped watching wrestling when I was 12. Last few months, I can’t get enough pro wrestling, from 1950s to now, Japan, Mexico and American.
CM Punk could have died from a staff infection that WWE misdiagnosed & blatantly lied about. WWE lost against CM Punk in court.
John Oliver: Vince McMahon listens to the fans
WWE Fans: WHAT
WWE never lost anything because they weren't involved... it was the doctor that sued CM Punk for defamation. Although WWE were supposedly bankrolling him.
Just give him a Z-Pack he’ll be fine
@@christopherpham2784 Oliver said it with a very emphasised "occasionally" so it's a fairly disingenuous quote there :D
You mean a staph infection?
All those deceased wrestlers probably signed compulsory arbitration agreements but their families didn't sign anything. They should all get together and have a very public class action lawsuit .
@@pisto30 If a group of wrestler families sue it might be easier to prove cause since a preponderance of evidence might show it's job related by the number of wrestlers dying early.
@@pisto30 If someone gets CTE from wrestling, football, etc, it's a lifelong, progressive condition. Other bodily issues like susceptibility to hemorrhages, nervous damage and overmedicating-related complications can also be lifelong conditions. And if someone gets hooked on drugs in part to deal with a hostile, coercive work relationship, or because the employer was negligent, that should also count against the employer.
In short, that "10 years" reason smells like a bullshit protection of corporate interests against employees/people, a misstatement, or both.
pisto30 O
They don't even have to touch the cause of death, they should focus on how exclusivity means they are an employee and sue for a change in contract to be employees.
Its quite common in the computer/IT industry for companies to demand an employee to sign that they are a contractor instead, so much that the government in Sweden will automatically count you as an employee unless you meet several criteria. Its to the point where changing from an employee to a contractor is actually difficult, but its all to stop unscrupulous employers from taking advantage of their employees.
Once they succeed in having them become employee's then they can sue again for failing to take care of their employees.
@@Sylfa I used to work for a billion-dollar tech company and was, for all intents and purposes, an employee, but had contractor paperwork. When it started getting around that my department was actually contractors (word got out when none of us were allowed to go to a big company meeting that came with rewards to those who went, none of us were allowed to go to the company Christmas party or summer event unless as the guests of employees, none of us were allowed to partake in the company's daily catered employee-lunches, and the point where it all fell into place was when I went to a Christmas party, was asked why no one else from my department ever went, and I said it's because I'm the only one dating an employee), that kinda sorta pissed a lot of employees off who said that was unfair. We contractors were the ones working holidays when everyone else had PTO. No holiday pay. No medical coverage. Not allowed to end our contracts to work for another tech company for a period of two years. No severance if we were laid off. As my department was when the company was preparing to be sold and wanted to show lower expenses.
It's been a little over a decade, and I'm still extremely bitter and won't support the company that bought the one I worked for. It fucked my family over in ways we are literally still dealing with.
The Undertaker BETTER get some Damn Healthcare!!
Healthcare to a guy called the Dead Man. Seems kind of weird, don't it? :)
Abe Bri , indeed. He's going to end soon his "staying alive" streak an become another role of Deathman (and not the American Badass nor the Mortician, nor the Phenom). He's risking it all by wrestling still in his mid 50s
If our country wasn't run by assholes he'd have it
Hes a million...
Hes a fucking millionaire he can afford it
Vince plays the evil business corporate heel so well on WWE because it really fits him. In some ways he's just adding to his act.