In an interview with Variety.com, Vince McMahon addressed HBO host John Oliver’s criticism of WWE over needing to treat in-ring performers better:
“Anybody who wants time off can get time off. That’s easy. In addition to that, it’s easy to weave a talent in and out of a storyline. If they get injured, you’re not expecting that. Or if they have a family matter. Our characters are real people with real problems. It’s a revolving situation where this talent will work these dates, that talent will work those dates.”
Jim Ross was also quoted in the article with the following remarks:
“Any company that is a 52-week-a-year operation should be evaluating the number of dates that their talent works. You can give them the time off they need without closing down. One of the charms of buying that brand is that it’s never a repeat. It’s always first run. And it’s live. If you take away those elements, it loses a little bit of its luster.”
