John Oliver Slams WWE In Last Week Tonight, WWE & CM Punk React

– One week away from WWE’s flagship event, Wrestlemania, and the company was placed under a huge spotlight by HBO’s news show Last Week Tonight, hosted by John Oliver. While the program has lambasted the WWE in the past, this week, his entire segment was dedicated to the sports entertainment promotion.

Focusing on how they treat their superstars, with a talking point around the early mortality rate of WWE talent, Oliver listed Eddie Guerrero, the “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Chyna, as well as King Kong Bundy as WWE wrestlers who passed away earlier than they should have. He also talked about Vince McMahon and what an “a-hole” he can be.

Oliver would point out that talents are exempt from occupational safety and discrimination laws, pensions, health insurance, as well as annual leave. CM Punk’s claim against the WWE during his infamous Art of Wrestling podcast was also brought up, as well as an interview Vince McMahon had with Real Sports in 2003, where he took zero responsibility for any talent’s untimely death.

– The WWE responded to John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight’s segment, with the below statement:

“John Oliver is clearly a clever and humorous entertainer, however the subject matter covered in his WWE segment is no laughing matter.

Prior to airing, WWE responded to his producers refuting every point in his one-sided presentation. John Oliver simply ignored the facts.

The health and wellness of our performers is the single most important aspect of our business, and we have a comprehensive, longstanding Talent Wellness program.

We invite John Oliver to attend WrestleMania this Sunday to learn more about our company.”

CM Punk also reacted to Oliver’s show. While a December 2013 tweet Punk sent out was deleted, the program was able to grab it for the segment. Punk sent out the below tweet after the show was aired. See post below: