Mike Bennett is using his voice to take a stand against WWE.
Following the news that WWE had released Zelina Vega and increased talk of unions in wrestling, Mike Bennett took to social media to offer his support for his fellow Independent contractors.
Vega was released by WWE for what's being described as a "breach of contract," pertaining to her OnlyFans account. WWE has cracked down on talent using third-party platforms and Vega was active on Twitch along with opening up an OnlyFans account to highlight her cosplay outfits.
Bennett addressed certain issues regarding the topic of Independent contractors and WWE, which you can read in the tweets below.
This is not a moment, it’s a movement....
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
I’m fighting for my friends and family. You are fighting for a greedy billionaire who let his wrestlers get held hostage in Saudi Arabia. One of us is on the right side of history. https://t.co/KXI5eDGvsq
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
My issues are not with wrestling fans or wwe fans. My issues are with @VinceMcMahon. It’s time he’s held accountable. https://t.co/EwVuz4ak5X
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
That is the problem right there. The company is run on fear. I don’t blame anyone for not speaking up. It’s terrifying. https://t.co/MGVPZ2SuUy
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
But it’s ok for them not to release an Independent Contractor when they ask for their release? -- https://t.co/nFJ91lJmMt
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
This is such a bigger issue than just WWE. Billionaires have made huge profits during this pandemic, while millions are unemployed. WWE didn’t have to fire a single person, but they did, in the middle of the biggest health crisis of our time. All because of greed. https://t.co/LaBsdaxsPm
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
That’s fine. Then maybe they should drop the whole WWE family moniker. Or not have people in their company say things like “philanthropy is the new marketing”. Profiting off charities is a disgusting tactic. https://t.co/qRFfNcS6TU
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
I don’t get being fans of wwe wrestlers but still defending Vince’s terrible business practices. Makes no sense. https://t.co/hIk0qUmKyO
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
I don’t think it’s a one size fits all. I think WWE wrestlers should 100% be considered employees. They deserve healthcare and other benefits. Other companies should hire them as IC, which they already do, but unlike wwe, they treat them as IC. https://t.co/3Be2YKkzx6
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
The entire company is run on fear. https://t.co/VXdcoHv58E
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
I’m going to log off Twitter for a bit. But I want to leave everyone with this note. For the amount of harassment I got today from all the @wwe bots and trolls, the people who support me and @MariaLKanellis, far outweighed them. That makes me hopeful. I love you all. pic.twitter.com/hYuongkDmX
— Mike (@RealMikeBennett) November 16, 2020
Bennett requested his release from WWE in October 2019, just months after signing a multi-year extension. He was released by the company in April 2020 as part of company-wide cutbacks due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
He is currently wrestling for United Wrestling Network, where he is in the finals of the UWN World Title tournament.
