Former NXT Announcer Applauds John Oliver’s Piece On WWE; Details His Experience With The Company
Alex Del Barrio is backing up John Oliver.
In case you missed it, John Oliver had a scathing takedown of WWE and Vince McMahon on the latest episode of Last Week Tonight. In the piece, Oliver criticized McMahon over how he treats his wrestlers, specifically signing them as independent contractors instead of full-time employees.
Shortly after the segment aired, former NXT announcer Alex Del Barrio — known as Alex Reyes in WWE — detailed his time in the company.
Thank you @iamjohnoliver for exposing the fraud that is the Independent Contractor status of #WWE talent. Guess what it doesn’t just apply to the wrestlers, but also their announce team.
I was an “independent contractor” that was required to report to work on certain days
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 1, 2019
For certain hours. I was given a corporate email address, a corporate computer, a corporate cell phone. I was given no health insurance or any other benefits. I was given the ability to expense clothing and meals on the main roster, except…
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 1, 2019
The reimbursement was paid to me with my normal salary, which just increased the tax liabilities. So I essentially was double taxed on things I was told to buy. Hey go buy 1000 dollar suit with your money, we will reimburse you, oh but that increased your salary and tax burden
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 1, 2019
Ask @JustinRoberts or @RichBocchini or anyone else on announce team…guess what the NXT coaches…they are ICs too….they have to have meetings, have corporate emails, travel for company, and provide reports for supervisors. @USDOL time for you to look into them.
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 1, 2019
Let me also say before I get the tweets that say that’s what I signed up for. Yes I did, I signed up for that treatment because they are (were) a monopoly of the entertainment genre I loved. They used my fandom against me, because it is/was our dream to work there.
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 1, 2019
I would even do it again. I’m not a lawyer though and I wasn’t the one bending and actually breaking labor laws. It’s not my responsibility to follow commerce and labor laws correctly. That’s on them. I’m not trying to ruin that company. I love it still even after my release
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 1, 2019
I want so many talents to continue to do well including those on the announce team (except for those that bullied me and caused my exit with lies and deceit. I will be watching Wrestlemania..but something needs to change. For the talent, in-ring, referees, announcers
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 1, 2019
Agents, NXT coaches and others who are improperly labeled as independent contractors. It’s 2019 and that company is richer than it has ever been, time to take care of your most valuable product, the people who work for you,
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 1, 2019
I only hope @TonyKhan @CodyRhodes @TheBrandiRhodes @MattJackson13 @NickJacksonYB do things the right way for their talent at @AEWrestling. Based on what I’ve heard so far, they already are.
Thanks @LastWeekTonight for tonight’s episode.
— Alex Del Barrio (@alexdelbarrio) April 1, 2019
Reyes left WWE in May 2016.
You can view the entire Last Week Tonight segment here.
