Brandon Thurston of
Wrestlenomics filed a report today citing how much morale has declined for WWE employees in recent months under TKO ownership, citing a number of factors, including heavier workloads, “limited pay increases” and reduced benefits.
PWInsider.com can independently confirm that with the addition of PBR to the company, including WWE now streaming the bullriding organization on their YouTube channel, there has been a continued discussion among employees about how much more work they have to shoulder at the same time many have been let go over since the Endeavor takeover - yet bonuses were at a minimum and annual raises were described as a "simply" a small 3% raise, which lines up with Wrestlenomics' reporting.
The elimination of comp tickets for employees at events - WWE now instead provides a VIP pre-sale password for employees to purchase tickets, was also cited. This has been a sore point among employees for some time and even among top talents, such requests are scrutinized far more under TKO than they would be under the previous ownership. One story making the rounds is that all ticket requests have to be personally approved by WWE President Nick Khan’s office.
The Wrestlenomics report also cited something that PWInsider.com independently can confirm - that there are WWE HQ employees who have grown increasingly upset hearing how great the company is doing, but at the same time, find themselves with limited raises and bonuses alongside greater day to day responsibilities. The end of program allowing employees to buy WWE stock at a discount has also “poked holes” in employee morale.
The fear among employees is that they will continue to shoulder additional responsibilities as the company heads into the biggest part of their year - Wrestlemania season - will see the company certainly reaping rewards, but those with boots on the ground for the company will not.
WWE did not respond to Wrestlenomics' request for comment.
