The world of WWE is a unique blend of athleticism and entertainment, a constant traveling show with a dedicated roster. Unlike traditional sports with defined seasons, WWE operates year-round, demanding a rigorous schedule from its performers. This article delves into the realities of WWE travel, exploring the challenges, changes, and quirks that define life on the road for these Superstars.
Travel is fundamental to professional wrestling, especially for WWE talent. The company has a long history of extensive touring, covering North America and international destinations. Over time, relationships and creative partnerships have blossomed as wrestlers spend considerable time together. Technology, new ideas, and the leadership of Triple H have brought changes, but the core elements of life on the road remain.
WWE Santa Claus
Relationships and Road Life
The dynamics of relationships within WWE are evolving, with many talents openly embracing their personal lives alongside their professional careers.
Partners Together or Separate?
In modern WWE, couples like Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, Montez Ford and Bianca Belair, and Corey Graves and Carmella are common. This contrasts with older attitudes that emphasized keeping personal and professional lives separate.
Some couples enjoy traveling together, as seen in glimpses on WWE’s reality series Total Divas and Total Bellas, featuring Jimmy Uso and Naomi, and Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella. However, others prefer their personal space. Matt Cardona (formerly Zack Ryder) preferred separate hotel rooms from his partner, Chelsea Green, to maintain his routines and personal space.
Creativity and Collaboration on the Road
The demanding travel schedule leads to wrestlers spending significant time with colleagues, fostering creative collaborations.
Ideas Born on the Road
Given the intensive travel, wrestlers often spend more time with their colleagues than their families, leading to countless hours discussing and brainstorming wrestling ideas.
Bam Bam Bigelow, Justin Credible, Kliq
The Kliq famously “booked the territory” during long car rides, influencing WWE storylines in the 1990s as their power grew. Kevin Nash even booked WCW later in his career, and Triple H currently leads WWE’s creative direction, while Shawn Michaels oversees NXT. On a smaller scale, Mick Foley credited Diamond Dallas Page’s habit of thumbtacking curtains to the wall for inspiring him to use thumbtacks in his hardcore matches.
Triple H’s Impact on WWE Travel
Since Triple H took over as Chief Content Officer, there have been noticeable improvements in how WWE treats its talent.
A Wrestler’s Perspective
Triple H, a former wrestler himself, understands the demands of the WWE schedule better than many executives.
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Bayley noted that Triple H took her pitch for a female faction seriously, which resulted in Damage CTRL, while Vince McMahon had not. Wrestlers have also commented on Triple H being less inclined to make last-minute changes. AJ Styles mentioned that talents are now given time off to recuperate and reinvent themselves. Moreover, Triple H gave talent extra time off during the 2023 holiday season, demonstrating his care for the wrestlers’ personal lives.
Challenges for Main Eventers
Main event wrestlers have historically faced unique challenges due to the demands of their position.
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Hulk Hogan discussed the difficulties of main eventing in the 1980s and 1990s, often arriving at hotels after room service had closed, leaving him with limited dining options.
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Modern wrestlers benefit from expanded delivery services and late-night eateries, but the challenges of travel, especially for top stars, remain.
Family on the Road: A Double-Edged Sword
Bringing family on the road can be both a blessing and a curse for WWE wrestlers.
Balancing Act
The WWE schedule keeps wrestlers away from their families, with multiple TV tapings, house shows, and public appearances each week, exacerbated by international tours.
While some couples have successfully navigated this balance, others have struggled. Bret Hart wrote about bringing his wife on the road for WrestleMania 10, which ultimately worsened issues in their marriage, highlighting the difficulties of mixing personal and professional lives.
Personal Buses: A Luxury on Wheels
Personal buses have transformed travel for some WWE talents, offering comfort and convenience.
Comfort and Convenience
Randy Orton and his bus
Wrestlers like The Big Show, CM Punk, and Randy Orton have chartered private buses, providing them with room to stretch out, control their schedules, and get some sleep while someone else drives. Orton is known for using his bus to ice after matches and get full nights of sleep, contributing to his longevity in the business.
Holidays: Business as Usual?
Holidays have historically been a significant part of the wrestling business, sometimes requiring wrestlers to work on Christmas.
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In the past, WWE has held live Raw tapings on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Although WWE has provided perks like backstage Christmas parties and paid hotel bills, it remains tough for superstars to be away from their families during the holidays.
Ground Travel: Wrestlers’ Responsibility
WWE wrestlers are responsible for their own ground travel, often leading to unique travel arrangements.
Car Rentals and Camaraderie
Alexa Bliss And Braun Strowman Ride Along
As independent contractors, WWE wrestlers must book their own rental cars or transportation. Many band together to share rides, save money, and build camaraderie. WWE has even documented these journeys on shows like Ride Along. However, WWE does cover air travel, and sometimes arranges travel and accommodation for PR work without extra pay.
Hotels, Food, and Fitness: Self-Sufficiency Required
Maintaining peak physical condition while traveling is a challenge that WWE wrestlers must manage themselves.
Staying in Shape on the Road
R-Truth at Drake Maverick
WWE Superstars book their own hotels and must find their own fitness facilities and food. Wrestlers like Mick Foley were known for cutting corners to save money, while today, some wrestlers share rooms and rental cars to reduce costs.
The Toll of the Schedule
The demanding travel schedule takes a toll on WWE wrestlers, leading many to prioritize better travel arrangements in their contracts.
Negotiating for Comfort
WWE wrestlers often drive to the next town immediately after a show, traveling through the night. Upon contract extensions, some wrestlers negotiate for better travel, limited dates, and better accommodation, as seen with stars like Roman Reigns.
The Plane Ride From Hell
The infamous “Plane Ride From Hell” led WWE to discontinue using private planes for long-distance travel.
A Turning Point
After a series of incidents involving fights, drug use, and allegations of sexual abuse, WWE stopped chartering private planes, prioritizing the safety and well-being of its talent.
Wrestlers Who Travel and Don’t Get Used
A common frustration for some WWE wrestlers is traveling to events and not being utilized.
Just in Case
Curt Hawkins
WWE often flies in more talent than needed, in case they are required as background players or to fill in for injured wrestlers. This practice was also common in WCW, where the company would book tickets for the entire roster, even if they weren’t used.
Overseas Travel: Unique Challenges
Traveling abroad presents unique challenges for WWE wrestlers due to varying cultural norms and security concerns.
Navigating Foreign Territory
When WWE travels abroad, security can be an issue, as seen with incidents involving Randy Orton and Triple H being mobbed by fans.
The schedule is also rigorous on overseas tours, with WWE visiting different cities and countries every day, often leaving wrestlers with little time to sightsee.
Family Time: A Scarce Commodity
The intense WWE schedule means less time for wrestlers to spend with their families, a common complaint among the talent.
Balancing Act
WWE Superstars typically work three or more shows per week, often including TV tapings and live events. This hectic schedule leaves them with limited time at home, making it difficult to maintain a healthy work-life balance.
The Potential of a Union
The idea of forming a union could potentially improve the travel schedule and working conditions for WWE wrestlers.
Collective Bargaining
Zelina Vega Twitch
The concept of a union has been discussed by wrestlers like Zelina Vega, but the “independent contractor” status of WWE talents makes it difficult. However, unionization could potentially lead to better travel arrangements and working conditions.
Vince McMahon’s Travel Quirks
Vince McMahon, the former chairman of WWE, had peculiar rules about travel, including his dislike for anyone falling asleep on his private jet.
Private Jet Etiquette
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McMahon’s sometimes-weird ways of running things are unforgettable, including his odd rules, likes, and dislikes, such as hating sneezing and having a bizarre sense of humor.
In conclusion, the life of a WWE wrestler on the road is a complex mix of challenges, camaraderie, and constant adaptation. From navigating demanding schedules to finding creative inspiration in shared experiences, these Superstars exemplify dedication and resilience in the world of sports entertainment.
