A.: Professional wrestling, as done by the WWE, has always been about entertainment. It features fantastic performers who are world-class athletes who have the ability to create entertaining characters and enthrall an audience. However, what we do is scripted and is not competitive sport. Unlike competitive sport, we can control the outcomes to ensure an exciting evening of entertainment. That's why our fans always get a great show.

Q.: What about the ex-wrestlers complaining that the WWE doesn't take care of its former athletes?

A.: These are past performers who, for whatever reason, seem bitter about their life after their performing days have ended. While we have no control over what people do when they are no longer under contract to our company, we are very concerned when we hear some of these sad stories about individuals who once performed for us who have squandered their money, abused drugs and fallen into hard times because they cannot adjust to life after their performing life is over. We do help some of our former performers, and just recently offered to cover the cost of rehabilitation for those former performers who feel they need help to overcome drug addiction.

Q.: A lot of your most famous stars have left the WWE. Who are your stars on the rise?

A.: At the top of the list is John Cena. He's a great athlete with a degree in exercise science, he successfully launched a music career last year, he is a knowledgeable classic-car collector, and he had a successful movie debut as the star of WWE Films' The Marine. He is athletic, good-looking, well-spoken and charismatic. I think we're just beginning to see his full potential emerge. There are several other very talented individuals performing for us today.

With Cena now out for several months due to injury, it is going to be interesting to see which performers step up to the opportunities that will present themselves. Guys like Randy Orton, our current WWE champion; Batista, our world heavyweight champion; and CM Punk, our ECW champion, are all performers to watch.

Q.: Any thoughts about retiring?

A.: No . . . It is definitely my passion for the business that gets me up in the morning. As long as I believe I can contribute to provide the fans a product that they want to see and enjoy, I'll continue to be involved in WWE one way or another. I love what I do. It's not work.