WWE News: WWE Makes Huge Change To Their Policy On Domestic Abuse And Sexual Assault

It seems that the WWE is learning a bit from the sports world and decided to change some policies around to make sure they do not have any future problems. The NFL has had a recent spree of off the field issues regarding domestic and child abuse. This on top of other random sexual abuse charges over the years. The NBA and other organizations are no different. WWE felt that by changing their domestic abuse policy, they’d be able to take care of a problem before it ever becomes one. This is also something that they changed for child and sexual assault.

Here is the new policy all WWE Superstars and Divas have to abide by immediately.

“WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving domestic violence, child abuse and sexual assault. Upon arrest for such misconduct, a WWE talent will be immediately suspended. Upon conviction for such misconduct, a WWE talent will be immediately terminated.

“WWE’s ability to fine, suspend or terminate a WWE talent will not be, however, limited or compromised in any manner in the event incontrovertible evidence of such illegal misconduct is presented to WWE. Section 9.13(a) of the WWE booking contract, commonly known as the “morals clause”, provides WWE with broad discretion and authority to act under such circumstances.”

WWE has always had the right to fire any talent due to moral cause. This pretty much meant they could fire anyone for any reason they wanted. WWE has released people for good reasons and stupid ones. So really, they have a right to fire any time they deem it necessary. A policy like this does not need to be in place for them to do that. This does, however, help WWE.

Here is how.

Before this year, the NFL had really no major policy in regards to sexual assault or domestic abuse. It was really a team decision whether or not to suspend or deactivate a player usually. The same can be said for other sports organizations.

By making this policy now, WWE allows themselves to stand above the rest and solve a problem before it ever reaches a level of being one like we see with the NFL now. While WWE has had a record of drug abuse in the past, there has been rare instances of domestic abuse with WWE Superstars. While it has happened, it is not nearly as common as it has been in the sports world. That being said, WWE knows it could happen again one day. This policy gives a stern warning to any contracted talent. So it could end up preventing some issues by simply having a policy in place.

After TMZ leaked a tape of the actual action of former NFL running back Ray Rice hitting his then girlfriend now wife, the NFL did damage control and pretty much kicked Rice out the league indefinitely, thus the current suspension from the league. They are still doing damage control, leading to the reason Rice could be back on a football field soon….if a team chooses to pick him up out of free agency.

WWE has always been behind when it came to major problems. Now that they are ahead of the highest grossing sports organization in America, they look great. This was a brilliant move by the McMahon family and WWE. The policy is certainly new, however it is uncertain how long it has been in place. Many can speculate it has been in the last few months as the major domestic abuse issues in the NFL happened a few months back. Stephanie McMahon made reference to the new policy in a Yahoo! interview published yesterday, which is why we are just finding out recently about the clause.

Now that WWE has changed some things up a bit, we can assume they will continue to try and make changes to their policies by watching the stupidity of other organizations. Either that, or focusing on correcting its own problems. WWE still has to answer for some Wellness Policy holes, so they are certainly not in the clear. However, they do look good today by adding a very good policy to their set of rules. To that I say, good job World Wrestling Entertainment.

[IMG Credits: WWE.com]