4. Jerry Lawler On Why WWE Stars Don’t Work Indy Events Despite Being Independent Contractors

During a recent edition of “Dinner With The King” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler discussed United States Champion AJ Styles’ recent indy appearances at a NWA Wildside Reunion event. Below are the highlights:

On WWE Stars not working Indy events:
“When you sign a contract with WWE, it’s pretty much exclusive. However, WWE wrestlers are, technically tax-wise, considered independent contractors. In that sense, you are really truly, supposedly, work wherever you want to. But it’s just an understanding, and it’s in the contract, that WWE will basically keep you booked where you’re not available to do anything else.”

On how WWE Stars get booked for Indy events:
“I think they call them ‘third-party appearances’. That’s been a long-standing thing that if somebody else wants to book, say for instance AJ Styles, I’m sure what they did was call the office and made an offer. Then the office will look and see if it’s a viable thing; if AJ isn’t working that night.”

On why we don’t see majority of the WWE Stars doing Indy events:

“And why you don’t see WWE superstars at these shows, the reasons are money, it’s prohibitive for a promoter to be able to pay these guys what WWE is asking. And usually when these shows happen are on the weekend, when WWE are running their shows. Or a day off; days off are few and far between. They relish a day off; they wouldn’t want to do a third-party appearance on their day off.”

You can watch AJ Styles’ recent indy appearance as the United States Champion below: