How WWE's Christmas schedule helps further prove Superstars' dedication
Some people look at the lives of WWE Superstars in envy.
In reality, though, WWE Superstars live as stressful lives as anyone else in the world.
Firstly, it is not easy to have the physique, agility, athleticism and stamina of a WWE Superstar. They are in gyms more than anyone else and are constantly having to live healthy lifestyles.
Secondly, WWE Superstars are not on as much money as fans may think. Not everyone is Brock Lesnar, John Cena or Randy Orton, who earn millions of dollars a year (justifiably so).
The salary of a lower card wrestler can be as low as $25,000 a year. When you think that has to cover food expenses, hotel accommodation, travel expenses (WWE do pay for flights, but wrestlers pay for car costs), it really is shocking.
Health insurance is also something Superstars must get on their own.
Thirdly, as we know, the frustrations of working with WWE can be huge, especially creatively.
Superstars are constantly trying to find the right way to impress upper management and be considered a top star within the WWE.
But now the biggest downside to the job has been taken too far...
WWE Superstars (and other personnel in the company such as ring announcers and backstage agents) travel over 300 days of the year to put smiles on the faces of the WWE Universe all around the U.S.A. and the rest of the world which means they are away from their family and other loved ones most of the time.
Yes, that is what they have signed up for. But, it is a tough toll on your mind and body.
However, you could be forgiven for thinking WWE are completely heartless right about now.
They are having RAW and SmackDown this week LIVE on Christmas Day and the day after Christmas (this rumoured to be because the USA Network has ordered WWE to do so).
Whoever's decision this was (WWE's or USA Network's), it was a horrible choice to make.
Festive periods, no matter which ones you celebrate, should be spent with family.
WWE Superstars are going to miss out on this precious family time.
It means if you are on RAW, you are travelled on Christmas Eve to Chicago, and are wrestling in the Allstate Arena on Christmas day, whilst SmackDown's roster is travelling on Christmas and wrestling on Tuesday (in the same location).
WWE Superstars barely get to see their families during the normal year, and now they are not even getting to be with them on what is to some people the most important time of the year
It gets worse.
On December 26th, when SmackDown is on, the RAW Superstars are not still receiving any break either, as they are putting on a live event in Madison Square Garden.
Not only that, but both SmackDown and RAW rosters are doing live events up until December 30th.
Then, a one-day break for both on December 31st, but New Year's Day and January 2nd sees them back to work. with a RAW and then SmackDown all over again.
It will be bad enough for American-born wrestlers being in a totally different state to their family and friends during the Christmas holidays. For example, Matt Hardy won't even be at home for his new child's first Christmas
But just imagine how upsetting it is going to be for the likes of Finn Balor, Sheamus, Becky Lynch, Paige, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura and others, who are living in a country in which they are not from originally.
Hence, they are going to be on the other side of the world to most of their family.
Take Finn Balor. The Demon King took to his Twitter account to comment on leaving his Mum in Ireland yesterday, on Christmas Eve, in order to be in the U.S. for RAW today (as we have already covered here at SportsKeeda).
Although Balor's mum looked at it in a positive way (by reminding Balor that this time last year he was injured and was unable to wrestle), it would have been hard for the inaugural Universal Champion not to at home for Christmas day.
This is the type of sad situation WWE Superstars (and RAW/SmackDown commentators) will find themselves dealing with.
It is really unfortunate Christmas takes place on a Monday this year, but in 2006, when this happened, WWE just had the USA Network air a pre-taped Tribute to the Troops instead of RAW.
So why could they not have done something similar this time around? Ratings for Christmas Day and day after Christmas shows are going to be AWFUL.
A lot of fans will be too busy spending time with THEIR FAMILIES.
Anyway...
Next time someone thinks the WWE way of living is a piece of cake, think again.
There are so many benefits to being a WWE Superstar, but I think the WWE Universe will now remember this week as a highlight of what is not so good about being one.
Keep the RAW and SmackDown wrestlers and their families in your thoughts over the coming days.
We should be all very appreciative of their dedication to entertainment.
Are you going to watch Monday Night RAW and Tuesday's SmackDown live at Christmas time?
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