If WWE wrestlers are Independent Contractors then why do they have lots of restrictions like employees do?

I'm confused. It seems to me that in the eyes of the WWE they are employees but they cl them as Independent Contractors so they can have less expenses and take less responsibility over their employees. If they are Independent Contractors then they should have more freedom and these restricitons should not be in place. For example, the WWE have gotten annoyed with the likes of Maria and Mickie James because they were wanting to do things outside of wrestling. The fact that they were wanting to do things outside of wrestling contributed to their releases. But do the WWE have any right to get annoyed if they are Independent Contractors? I know the wrestlers accept this when they sign their contracts but it doesn't make it any less wrong. I know that a business has to do what it has to do to survive, keep strong and build for the future but when you're treating your employees like crap in the process then the law should deal with you quite frankly (which I think they are but I hope they do it properly).