Triple H courtesy of WWE
Originally published on May 6, 2024.
The following content reflects my personal opinion and should be interpreted as such. Any views expressed here are solely mine and do not represent any official stance. This opinion piece is intended for entertainment and discussion purposes only, and should not be construed as factual information or professional advice. Reader discretion is advised.
Are dirt sheet websites becoming obsolete? It is a question that I asked myself after watching the WWE Backlash Press conference in Lyon, France this past Saturday. The question was prompted by a specific incident involving a journalist asking the Chief Content Officer of WWE, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, a question concerning NXT wrestler Drew Gulak and his recent departure from the company. While asking Triple H to confirm Gulak’s status, he cited two specific wrestling websites, Fightful Select and PW Insider:
I just wanted to ask you—Fightful and PW Insider reported that Drew Gulak was released by the WWE. I just wanted you to clarify this situation and if it was true. And [did it] have anything to do with Ronda Rousey’s allegations?
Triple H responded to the journalist’s question:
First of all, if you’re going to cite new sources, pick good ones. That’s where I would start—credible really, maybe? We release talent all of the time. The NFL releases 400–500 people a year—players a year. We release talent all of the time. It is a part of what we do, you can’t just hire people and keep bringing them in. An unfortunate part of the job is talent gets released. Can I say that he was released? He was not released. His contract was just not renewed.
This incident brought up a thought in my mind on the evolving relevance of dirt sheet websites within the wrestling community. If industry figures like Triple H, who is characterized as having a huge significance in wrestling as a whole and the WWE company, can easily shoot down these websites as non-credible, are these sites going to start witnessing increased scrutiny regarding their credibility and relevance? And how valuable can you be to a company that can say this openly? That little snowball had a large avalanche behind it because that moment alone highlights the shifting dynamics within the wrestling media landscape and it raises questions about the future role of dirt sheet websites in an evolving industry, and whether you have to be with ESPN or Sports Illustrated to get into these rooms.
Now before I explain how I feel about certain dirt sheet websites whose mission statement balls down to announcing wrestling leaks, spoilers, and/or “exclusives,” let me first clarify the distinction between the report of Gulak’s release and Triple H confirming that his contract was not renewed.
So Triple H stated that Gulak’s contract was not renewed, which would mean WWE chose not to extend his contract for another term, right? Right. However, Gulak would technically still be on the WWE roster until his contract officially expires (which no one knows exactly how long or when his contract is set to expire.) However, WWE’s decision not to renew his contract could have implications for his 90-day non-compete clause. Now typically, when a wrestler’s contract is not renewed, their non-compete clause would kick in after the contract expiration date. This means Gulak would have to wait out the 90 days, on top of however long his contract remains before he could wrestle for another promotion.
But, if WWE decided to release him instead of letting his contract expire naturally, his 90-day non-compete clause would likely start from the date of his release. This could potentially speed up the process of allowing him to explore other opportunities sooner than if he had waited for his contract to run its course.
However, it was explained to me by a popular Indie wrestler that NXT wrestlers are subjected to a 30-day non-compete clause which runs concurrently with the duration of their contract. Long story short, after the contract expires, they can go wherever they want to go. Now things could have changed since the departure of Vince McMahon, but as recently as the TKO takeover, NXT wrestlers had to only wait 30 days (with pay) before appearing at another promotion. So the 90-day clause may not affect Gulak, but it would affect those such as Cameron Grimes, Jinder Mahal, Indus Sher, Xia Li, and other main roster wrestlers who were released from the company.
So, despite the difference in terminology between being released and not having his contract renewed, Gulak’s status on the WWE roster and the timing of his non-compete clause could vary depending on the specific circumstances of his departure. Which again, no one knows why his contract wasn’t renewed.
This is why Gulak would still “technically” be under a WWE contract because his contractual relationship hasn’t been severed, it just won’t be renewed. So actually, reporting that he was released is incorrect. Words mean things.
Now let’s move on to the meat and potatoes. While I can’t speak for everyone, I can certainly echo the sentiment of many when I say that leaks are single-handedly contributing to the slow erosion of the wrestling industry. Now hear me out, when I say that leaks are the blame, I mean all the behind-the-scene, backstage, private, “on a need-to-know basis” shit that these sites feed off of to thrive on for clicks and revenue. The so-called “exclusives” they peddle are often nothing more than sensationalized gossip from low-level wrestlers and employees, and speaking from nearly a decade of experience working in the entertainment media industry, I can say with absolute certainty that it’s doing more harm than good to the wrestling business.
I remember a time when a wrestler’s return was a genuine surprise and when injuries were just injuries whether it was kayfabe or not. I remember a time when storylines weren’t spoiled by leaks days and sometimes weeks ahead or when wrestlers weren’t talking to the media off the record. allegedly. A time when media members knew their place and didn’t get so big-headed that they thought they were more important than the company they were reporting on. Yet, I don’t believe those days are so far gone that we can’t revisit them. In fact, I interpret Triple H’s message as having a deeper significance beyond its seemingly straightforward delivery. We’re in the Paul Levesque era, aren’t we? It’s a phrase the company echoes almost weekly — a new era. And as the new era begins and the old ends, so do the old rules. I don’t believe for a moment that Triple H’s words were misinterpreted or misquoted. They signal the dawn of a truly new era, one with its own set of rules.
But of course, I am just a wrestling fan with no credentials, what do I know? Well, quite a lot. I can read the signs when things start to feel old and stale. I can sense when something isn’t quite working and it might be time for a change. Perhaps dirt sheet websites have reached their expiration date, and maybe WWE no longer wishes to be associated with that type of media. It’s a fascinating shift, isn’t it? A new timeline promising not only innovation but a fresh perspective from a new set of eyes from higher places.
Think about it: Since the TKO takeover, we’ve seen an influx of coverage on WWE from major news outlets and publications like Sports Illustrated, Forbes, Fox Sports, ESPN, The ShadeRoom, Complex, and other major news outlets and publications. There’s also been a noticeable spike in hip-hop stars rekindling their interest in wrestling, particularly WWE. The likes of 2 Chainz, Wale, Meek Mill, Sexxy Redd, Drake, Lil Wayne, Travis Scott, Latto, and many others have been showing their love for the squared circle once again.
And let’s not forget about Kendrick Lamar’s shoutout to Shawn Michaels’ “Sweet Chin Music” amid the biggest beefs in modern-day hip hop with Drake. The irony is palpable — these people aren’t scrolling through dirt sheet websites like Fightful Select or PW Insider for their wrestling fix. No Offense. But it goes to show that the mainstream appeal of WWE transcends the niche wrestling media sphere, drawing attention from a broader audience, including high-profile figures in the entertainment industry.
I think it will be a while before we start seeing an actual drastic change because this has been going on for so long and old habits die hard. But I do believe there will come a moment when the leaks dry up entirely and wrestling returns to its former glory — unpredictable and free from spoilers. As for when that moment will arrive, it’s difficult to predict. However, one thing’s for sure: we’re in a new era, and with it comes the potential for significant shifts in the wrestling landscape. Oh yes, shit is about to get real.
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