Some of Twitch’s fastest-growing streams are run by professional wrestlers in the WWE. Twitch offers those wrestlers an opportunity to connect with their fans by playing video games, marketing their characters outside of the squared circle. Yet a new mandate from WWE may mean that wrestlers will have to shut down their Twitch streams permanently. That’s regardless of whether the streams are related to WWE whatsoever or whether they’re even successful.
It’s now being reported by Wrestling Inc. that on this past Sunday, WWE held a call with the company’s in-ring talent regarding what it described as the “reinvention of the product.” In this call, the WWE described that it not only owned the wrestler’s ring names, but also their real names. As such, WWE is telling talent that engagement with “outside third parties” must end by October 2. Those who violate this policy risk fines, suspension, or outright termination by WWE.
While what “third-parties” explicitly includes isn’t made clear, it’s assumed that it means accounts including Twitch, Youtube, and even Cameo. The WWE says that this action is necessary in order for WWE to “enter the next phase of growth,” perhaps implying WWE plans to take over these operations going forward. Given that WWE’s wrestlers are all independent contractors, it isn’t clear whether they have any standing to oppose WWE’s requests.
Further reporting from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful says that most of the wrestlers they talked to “are not happy” and consider WWE’s actions an “over-reach.” However, some were fine with the decision and said they “understood it.”
WWE wrestlers with Twitch streams include Paige, who has over 100,000 followers and often plays Mario Kart and Animal Crossing, Xavier Woods, Baron Corbin, Adam Cole, Cesaro, Dakota Kai, Mia Yim, and many others. Their tastes in games are as diverse as the characters they wrestle ass in WWE’s television shows. There are also WWE wrestler Youtube channels that feature gaming prominently, including Asuka’s KanaChanTV and Xavier Woods’ UpUpDownDown.
Again, the exact intent and reach of WWE’s mandate isn’t clear, but can probably be assumed to be far-reaching. It’s possible, if not likely, that within the next 30 days all WWE stars will close down their Twitch, Youtube, and Cameo channels no matter how popular or profitable they are. It’s also possible that some will stay up with more official WWE branding. What many are wondering is whether some wrestlers will take a stand and refuse to acquiesce, risking WWE‘s wrath.
Source: Wrestling Inc
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