Odds and ends from the wrestling world this week

In a recent interview with The Sun in Britain, WWE attorney Peter McDevitt spoke out on the lawsuit being brought by former WWE talent Raven, Chris Kanyon, and Mike Sanders (yes, I know I'm using the term talent loosely here, in regards to Raven). McDevitt dismissed the merits of the suit, as all WWE performers agree to independent contractor status when they slap their autograph on the dotted line, meaning that, among other things, they bear responsibility for their health benefits. McDevitt also added that the Internal Revenue Service had never taken issue with World Wrestling Entertainment over the status of their contracted in-ring talent.


But that's okay, let the marks weigh in, too. I mean, what the hell does a guy who went to law school know? Some rocket surgeon let loose with this misguided pearl of wisdom: "Vince should guarantee all his full-time wrestlers have healthcare, for God's sake."


Sigh. This is what happens when marks and the Internet collide, everybody becomes an insider. To get an excellent take on providing health benefits for professional fighters (don't roll your eyes at me, there are still states that insist on licensing pro wrestling, regardless of whether or not kayfabe is obvious to anyone not in the gorilla position), read UFC head Dana White's interview in the September 2008 Playboy, where he uses opening a yogurt shop as a comparison. As a small business owner, I can tell you first-hand that the costs of providing healthcare for any number of employees is or can be a major chunk of operating capital, and a large reason a lot of businesses either fail or simply do not provide benefits at all. Try calling up a few insurance companies, and tell them you are trying to get a flock of pro wrestlers insured, and see what kind of response, other than a sudden dial tone in your ear, you get. Then look at your original argument again, and tell me how stupid it looks in the big picture.


That is not to say WWE does not watch their workers' backs when the fit hits the shan, but on a simple cost-effective basis, you will never see WWE, TNA, UFC, EliteXC, IFL, or any boxing federation start handing out Blue Cross Blue Shield cards backstage. It's okay to be a mark, but before you start telling people how to run their business, maybe try getting a business degree or a basic understanding of how the industry (and by industry, I mean the business behind the business of professional wrestling) works first.

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Word from South of the border is that Shane McMahon went to talk turkey with Mexican cable channels Televisa and TV Azteca, pitching deals to get WWE programming on the air, however, when all was said and done, no agreement was reached. Quite frankly, this leaves me scratching my head. While it is disappointing (for the Mexicans) that WWE programming has yet to fully invade their country, the flip side of the coin is true here in the United States. My cable provider offers Univision, and I believe Telemundo for a brief spell a couple years back, there is a woeful lack of Lucha Libre action available...and on a Spanish-language network, to boot! Granted, unless you paid a lot more attention in your high school Spanish classes than I did, the promos won't make a lick of sense, but wrestling's a universal language! BRING ME INSANE MASKED MEXICAN WRESTLING, FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!!!

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Ugh. Watching the Summerslam rematch between MVP and Jeff Harvey (yes, it's intentional) on Smackdown!, and it occurs to me that sometimes, I really miss the XFL. It was a lot less grating on the nerves to listen to Jim Ross hyperbole away on how every other move "was an XFL-style kick/punch/insert move here," than it is to listen to him gush all over the headset each and every week about how Harvey (still intentional) is the greatest thing since sliced came in bread form.

How Jeff Harvey (I'm not gonna spell it right...just don't care) still ranks the push he gets from WWE creative is the real enigma. He has a lousy work ethic. Pay attention, I mean real good and close attention to any match he works...he blows at least three spots in each and every one. Without fail. If you at home are anything like me, you're just placing bets on when that bright and shining day arrives when racks up his third and final wellness program strike. Although, something also tells me TNA would sign him back in a heartbeat, which may be an even bigger disappointment than the WWE giving Ron Killings a second go-around.