Christy Hemme Questions Occupational Risk And Worker Classification Of Pro Wrestlers In White Paper

Christy Hemme is speaking out against the worker classification of pro wrestlers and health risks.

Hemme posted an 11-page paper that takes a look at the occupational risk and structure of pro wrestling.

Hemme compiled a list of 500 wrestlers who died before the age of 65, over roughly fifty years. She paired her data with published research: a 2014 study and a 2026 retrospective study of WWE wrestlers co-authored by Reidar Lystad, which found that wrestlers die from neurodegenerative disease at a rate roughly 68% higher than that of the general population.

Hemme marries repeated hits to the head to heart problems, quoting cardiologist Michael Tempelhof, who says concussions disrupt the autonomic nervous system, a part of the brain that regulates heart rate and blood pressure.

She presents head trauma as an added factor to heart-related deaths, also citing lack of sleep, frequent travel, chronic stress, drug and alcohol use, and pressure to perform even while injured.

Of the 500 deaths she recorded, 142 are categorized as cardiac deaths, the largest single category.

In the paper, she names the fundamental issues within the wrestling business, posting to worker classification, worker organization, and compensation as something that may need to change to better address wrestlers’ occupational risks.

Abstract:

This paper examines long-term health patterns and worker classification in professional wrestling. It draws on a dataset of 500 recorded premature wrestler deaths under age 65, published mortality research, and publicly available industry data. The paper considers cardiovascular and neurodegenerative health concerns, the independent-contractor model, healthcare support, performer compensation, and bargaining power. Its purpose is not to establish individual causation, but to identify recurring patterns and examine whether stronger long-term health and labor protections for professional wrestlers warrant further consideration.

Fans can read the full paper by clicking here.

Hemme wrestled from 2004 to 2009. She worked for TNA until she was released in February 2025.