Could RVD have actually been suspended?

[Bobby B]

Just to note, this is only a theory. I haven't seen any reports to back this up directly

But does anyone think that RVD may have been suspended after failing a drug test?

There have been reports that TNA have been running drug testing over the last few weeks/months.

Then all of a sudden RVD is written off TV. The rumoured reason - he ran out of dates. Yes Mick Foley had that problem in the past (not saying Foley is on drugs!), so it's not totally impossible that the same couldn't have happened to RVD.

But come on! This guy was the man they were (apparently) building the company around. Why would you put him on a certain number of dates knowing that you were going to build the company around him? Apprently they had him for a certain number of dates but overused him at live events...

Yes, it's possible. And given TNA's wage budget, I'm not surprised if they didn't want to pay him extra for more dates.

But, lets look at it another way. RVD takes a drug test, and fails it (let's face it - he's got history). TNA then have to write him off TV. So he does the match at the Whole F'n Show - then gets time off.

He made his last appearance on the Whole F'n Show - Aired August 12th, Filmed August 9th. 30 days later (today) he is set to make his return tomorrow on the live online show.

Look at the title tournament. Did it not feel rushed? Thrown together? Did it not ruin Kurt Angle's Top 10 run?

Bischoff claimed that he and Vince Russo had the 3 months planned out for Bound For Glory (ie two months ago). They must have known RVD was burning through his dates well before the time came? If they did how could they have come up with such a rushed tournament idea? Either the booking was terrible (Very possibly with TNA!).

Or could it be possible that RVD was suspended for 30 days following drug tests? We haven't seen Rob Terry on TV since the Title Tournament (to my knowledge, can't say I watch Xplosion anyway). And it's rumoured that the reason London Brawling were pulled from No Surrender because Magnus may have failed a drug test.

Only a theory, but it would go some way to explaining the totally screwed up title tournament that's followed on from the Whole F'n Show. It certainly didn't look/feel planned.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

TNA did drug testing a few years ago. They got the results, saw who was abusing and did nothing about it. I don't see why this one would be any different.

TNA not wanting to pay RVD more seems like the more plausible of the two. TNA have just introduced an ECW faction, so it's only natural they're remove the biggest ECW star on their roster from television. I say ''only natural'', I mean only natural for TNA to do something like that.

Also, if RVD was on a drug suspension then how come there aren't more?

 

[harrythem]

If RVD was on a drug suspension I'm sure TNA would say something about it, as Dixie's always going on about how their a family that look after their own. I'd buy the dates situation more then drugs as, honestly, I don't think TNA has a real drug policy yet. I think they're starting to test more for welfare for the talent, but not actually stopping them taking them, if you take my meaning.

 

[PhD]

How many things in TNA look/feel planned? So, Eric Bischoff tells you he and Russo have 3 months planned out in advance, and you'll take his word for it, concocting an elaborate story about RVD failing a drug test to justify a recent spate of shitty booking, something that anyone who watches TNA regularly knows is par for the course, rather than accepting a very plausible story about him running out of dates, something that has happened not only with Mick Foley, but also Ric Flair recently. In the words of Zack Ryder: "C'mon, bro."

 

[Rayne]

Hrm, let's see. You have a company who is begging so hard for characters the audience they're trying to attract can recognize that we just saw an ECW reunion featuring people that I thought were dead. So, while TNA's in the middle of promoting a guy in the main event (probably) of their biggest PPV of the year who happens to be facing distribution charges, they're going to pull their most recognizable guy outside of Hogan on a bad drug test? (AJ marks, don't bother- no one outside of TNA knows who AJ Styles is.)

Look, just because you say "now this is only a theory" doesn't mean you can spout off with any crackpot idea and have people take it seriously. It seems to be the new catch phrase around here for people who come up with wacky, incomprehensible shit that they haven't thought through for a second.

I'm not even going to bring up guys like Rob Terry who are so obviously juicing that someone could probably start a good cycle of their own by tapping his veins.

 

[Brother Love]

RVD's contract is set for a specific number of appearances per year. If he goes over those dates, TNA has to pay him $10,000 per apearance. That is the only reason he has not been on tv and the reason he lost the belt in the first place, money money money. He'll be back.

 

[CrazyBeastKing]

Interesting theory but its more of one of a mark. Unlike WWE, TNA superstars and knockouts get paid per appearance. This means for every regular show, house show, ppv, etc, they get paid for it. RVD is under contract for around 70 appearances (thats what my sources found and they are always right). Seeing as he is the most over guy in TNA right now, his appearances were being expended faster than they realized, so to save some and keep RVD under contract, they decided to keep him off TV.

 

[Hazardous]

Or RVD had just used up his TV appearances already?. Same as Foley had a while back, and Flair after that. Hogan is coming close as well. Wait, that makes sense because that's EXACTLY what has happened. In their contract, they are signed on to appear a certain number of days in a year, no more then that. RVD has almost hit that number of days, so he is "written off" for a while.

 

[Whatsinaname696]

yeah it's a drug problem even though they had a segment on air about how he likes to get high.... this is just ridiculous and totally unfounded in every way it could be

 

[jimivy]

I like how people automatically think go to either TNA is booking bad or drug abuse. Sources that I know (and are probably more reliable then some claim to have) discount both and say that it is a personal issue for RVD.

He will be back, but needed to get away ASAP. Remember this did happen many years ago when he was with the E

 

[rondiesel2005]

what I don't get about TNA is that if they knew RVD's Television appearance was already up then why didn't they make him lost the title weeks before getting injured because that makes it look like TNA forgot that his television appearance was almost up..wow they really need to create better contracts, what the hell has TNA got them signing??

 

[It's Damn Real!]

While I don't normally put too much stock into the reports that surface from the various dirt sheets that tend to "break" stories for us, and give us a (purported) glimpse into the backstage aspects of the industry, were this in fact the case, I highly doubt something that "big"—at least for TNA, who haven't the history the WWE does of suspending offenders and repeat offenders of it's wellness policy—would have slipped past any of the aforementioned exposers of all things pro-wrestling.

I'm much more inclined to believe RVD simply signed a contract that limited his performances to an n number of dates which TNA management felt he might be closing in on too quickly, so they put him into an injury angle to reduce that number if for nothing else but by a few dates, just as they reportedly did with Mick Foley.

 

[Marcesto Del Santos Vega]

Yes RVD is totally smoking the florida Bush, the mawi wauwi, the purple haze the california kush. is it me or is it that everytime he is world heavy weight champ he gets caught on drugs? are wrestlers better of just being alchoholics????? hm lets ask sandman or stone cold. RVD always looks high after his matches but two answer your question completely who is brutus magnum and Rob Perry?? ANYONE?

 

[I_Am_Electro_Boy]

I believe when he signed for TNA he had a certain amount of events that he would attend to and the number of events is nearly up and they don't want to waste them all at once. Even if RVD was on drugs (which I highly suspect) TNA wouldn't suspend him for it because they're not as strict as WWE.

 

[MB1025]

Tazz and Tenay both said RVD was returning at the next Impact which is on the 16th. I don't think it had had anything to do with not paying him or drugs. Most likely it was for some time off and a new contract.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

No way he was suspended for drug abuse. I think the whole angle was planned. I read an interview where Bischoff said that RVD vacating the belt and things happening as they did was planned back in March. I don't completely believe anything Bischoff says, but he is the type of guy who likes to plan things out and keep the fans guessing with each show.

It was either a contract issue, personal one, or maybe Bischoff was telling the truth.

 

[Mustang Sally]

If RVD was on a drug suspension I'm sure TNA would say something about it....

I'm not sure they would say something. And yes, I think it's possible RVD could have failed a drug test, yet had it contractually stipulated that the company would say nothing about it publicly if he did.

I also think it's possible they could have signed him to a contract that guarantees he won't be drug tested at all. TNA is (or was) so hell-bent on displacing WWE as the #1 wrestling organization that they might have included some outrageous clauses in the contracts of wrestlers they were trying to keep from WWE.

If you were RVD, wouldn't you want a non-testing clause put in your contract? When faced with a choice of two wrestling organizations that are bidding for you, might you go with the one who did everything in the manner you wanted it done?

By the way, this might also include a stipulation that it would be downright stupid for the company to include; one that gives a featured performer a "limited number of dates" he has to work. How do you effectively push a guy like that?

If a company wants to screw themselves like that, why shouldn't RVD take advantage of it?

Of course, I don't know any of this for sure. But the sum total of it makes me wonder if the people running TNA are a bunch of short-sighted morons. If so, it's too bad because a solid #2 company would be beneficial to the world of wrestling in terms of competition and employment opportunities for the people who work there.

Go, RVD.

 

[Rulk25]

Doubtful as the drug he pretty much goes for is Marijuana. Even the WWE does not suspend for that just fine. I think if TNA was suspending for that they would have a lot more wrestlers out... including Jeff. I think it came down to they wanted RVD vs Angle at the big PPV after Angle ran then top 10 and they screwed up because they used RVD at all the Live events and then went Uh oh crap we screwed UP

 

[Chess]

Everyone know's RVD smokes weed, as does Sabu, MCMG, Kendrick, Shannon Moore and Hardy. In fact I am sure most of the guys do as it is a good pain killer. TNA knows this and does not care.

I personally think it is more to do with the fact he wanted some time off from burn out. He had been working pretty hard lately, having said that he should have dropped the belt, but RVD seriously thinks he is a wrestling God and pretty much just for himself (who has he put over?) In my opinion he is just average nowadays and I am glad he was off my TV for a few weeks.

I highly expect him to return at BFG and interfere with the Main Event, turning heel and causing Kurt Angle to retire (albeit for a few months)

Weed is good, it grows in the ground just like potatoes, who has ever been hurt by potatoes? (Apart from the Irish)

 

[wushady]

I think the running out of dates on his deal story is more likely then him being suspended. I may be wrong but to the best of my knowledge TNA hasn't suspended anyone for failing a drug test.

TNA has been cutting back on expenses lately. With RVD's title reign not being a major success or a big ratings draw. TNA most likely wanted to go in a different direction with the title, and save money in the process.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

Everyone know's RVD smokes weed, as does Sabu, MCMG, Kendrick, Shannon Moore and Hardy. In fact I am sure most of the guys do as it is a good pain killer. TNA knows this and does not care.

I personally think it is more to do with the fact he wanted some time off from burn out. He had been working pretty hard lately, having said that he should have dropped the belt, but RVD seriously thinks he is a wrestling God and pretty much just for himself (who has he put over?) In my opinion he is just average nowadays and I am glad he was off my TV for a few weeks.

I highly expect him to return at BFG and interfere with the Main Event, turning heel and causing Kurt Angle to retire (albeit for a few months)

Weed is good, it grows in the ground just like potatoes, who has ever been hurt by potatoes? (Apart from the Irish)

I have to agree. RVD is good, don't get me wrong. I absolutely love the guy and I would never miss a chance to watch him do his thing, but he's just one of those guys that just can't be World Champions. As awesome as he is, even though a bit slower in the ring, the guy has always been a top mid-card to low main-event type of player.

I don't really care why he was suspended, I'm just glad they got the belt off of him. Didn't like him as champion. He was ( as he usually is ) total garbage on the mic and average in the ring. I'm glad that either Anderson or Angle are going to win the belt at B.F.G. I am counting Hardy out already because...well it's freaking Hardy, the guy doesn't seem like he gives enough shit about anything.

 

[jccool420]

Didn't RVD take his time off before the drug testing?

Anyway, I'm sure the dates issue is the correct verdict... It does seem kind of odd that RVD was vanishright before the drug testing... But, as people before me stated, RVD has always been a well known pothead and even speaks on the legalization of marijuana... Maybe, they took advantage of holding the testing while he was gone or perhaps it was in his contract for them to give him a heads up... Who knows, who cares?

Does anyone else see the match at BFG being turned into 4-way? Or will it be RVD versus Abyss in a Monster's Ball match?

I think it's weird for him to return before the title tournament is even over, but I'm sure they wanted him to be part of BFG... Just wondering if he will be back in the title scene of if he will continue his fued with Abyss...

 

[X]

Highly, highly, highly improbable. For quite a few reasons, the first of which being that TNA wouldn't give two shits if RVD tested positive for PCP, heroin, crystal meth and the bubonic plague, RVD has been one of their biggest assets this year, the chances of them suspending him for drug use are basically zero. TNA RARELY drug tests, and when they do, they literally do not punish anyone if they fail the test. I'm not making this up, they don't even give the guy a slap on the wrist.

The reason RVD was written off television was because the contract they have with RVD only requires RVD to wrestle on a specific amount of dates (not sure the exact number), and TNA had already used up like 90% of the dates they signed him for just in the last 6 months or so since he debuted in TNA. This is the only reason why RVD isn't currently on TNA television, but you can still expect him back very soon, probably after Bound For Glory would be my guess.

It's an interesting theory, but it's just highly, HIGHLY improbable.

 

[Rulk25]

Unless RVD has undergone a massive change that is wrong. He never felt he needed the belt. I think its just booking and really he never had much a chance to put anyone over. He beat Hardy and Aj as part of the porcess to get to teh title and since then he only coudl have put over Abyss but for whatever reason TNA didnt want Abyss with belt (possibly due to the They storyline)

Everyone know's RVD smokes weed, as does Sabu, MCMG, Kendrick, Shannon Moore and Hardy. In fact I am sure most of the guys do as it is a good pain killer. TNA knows this and does not care.

I personally think it is more to do with the fact he wanted some time off from burn out. He had been working pretty hard lately, having said that he should have dropped the belt, but RVD seriously thinks he is a wrestling God and pretty much just for himself (who has he put over?) In my opinion he is just average nowadays and I am glad he was off my TV for a few weeks.

I highly expect him to return at BFG and interfere with the Main Event, turning heel and causing Kurt Angle to retire (albeit for a few months)

Weed is good, it grows in the ground just like potatoes, who has ever been hurt by potatoes? (Apart from the Irish)

 

[Honkey_Kong]

Well RVD is a known pot head. He openly speaks about it, has been arrested for it and has been on the cover of High Times magazine.

So it is believable that he did get suspended for drugs, but I doubt it. Since he really only does pot as far as I know and Dixie must know that he likes the grass before she hired him.