Since WrestleMania week, which is all sorts of crazy and hectic for the men and women of World Wrestling Entertainment, the Superstars and Divas have traveled to Europe for a two week tour, hitting countries all over the continent, then returned home to tape television before heading to Chicago for this weekend's Extreme Rules pay-per-view. That is an insane schedule, one that lends itself to injury, exhaustion and burnout. While everyone who signed their name on the dotted line of a WWE contract understood what they were signing up for, it is still an incredible amount of travel and wear and tear to ask someone to endure. Which is why, more now than ever, WWE should consider an off-season. The roster is talented enough that the company could split it, allowing one-half to compete from April until August, the other from August until December, before bringing them back together in time for WrestleMania season. It would allow four months of off-time for the performers while also forcing WWE Creative to build and craft new stars. The risk of injury and burnout would be lessened significantly and situations such as the one involving Bryan would be less likely to occur, thanks to the time he would have to recover. Will it ever happen? Probably not. Triple H has already gone on record suggesting as much. But for the long term health and well-being of the men and women who fuel the company he will one day oversee, it is an idea worth revisiting in the future.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
