Last month, Vince McMahon sent out a notice informing all talents using third party platforms (Twitch, YouTube etc) could only hold on to their accounts if they did so under their real names and not the in-ring, character monikers they use in WWE. Now, it looks like the company intends to take full ownership of these accounts within the next four weeks.
Reports are coming in that WWE told all Superstars earlier this week that they'll be taking over the running of these accounts, with the changeover set to come into effect by the beginning of November.
Understandably, this has not gone down very well with those that have established significant followings on these online platforms, with the Wrestling Observer Newsletter claiming that the Superstars are "livid" about the decree.
“This is amazing because it’s really going to open up the independent contractor issue," said their source. "All these smart attorneys surrounding Vince and this is the battle he wants?”
Although an official reason for WWE's decision wasn't given, it's believed that McMahon blew a gasket when he found out that certain information was being made public (AJ Styles' revealing that he'd tested positive for COVID-19, for example) on these platforms, and wanted to put an end to it.