The Shit Is Probably Going to Hit the Fan

[Frank the Frowner]

Senator Henry Waxman should probably be doing more important things, but after examining Major League Baseball, he wants to investigate professional wrestling for steroid use... led by the fact that Chris Benoit failed a wellness test three times, and all he got were "warnings". McMahon thought he could get away with fudging things, and it looks like he's going to come under a lot of scrutiny. TNA wasn't exactly forthcoming either.

The entire report can be read here: http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20090102115117.pdf

Here are some highlights:

*Chris Benoit was tested and positive three times for steroids by World Wrestling Entertainment prior to his June 2006 murder/suicide of his family, but was never penalized by the promotion beyond "only a warning."

*40% of WWE talents tested positive for steroids and other drugs despite being aware they would be tested when the company instituted their "Wellness Policy."

*25% of TNA's talent roster tested positive for steroids during the promotion's first baseline test while 11 talents tested positives for other substances. Waxman went on to note that while the company has instituted a policy, there are "significant weaknesses" in the TNA program.

*WWE hired five of eight wrestlers who tested positive for steroids in a pre-hiring test, despite their positives. It should be noted that according to material given to the Committee by WWE, those talents were only hired after later receiving negative tests at a later period.

*After this initial baseline testing, the WWE began imposing penalties for wrestlers who tested positive. Despite these penalties, between March 2006 and March 2008, testing of WWE wrestlers resulted in an additional 34 positive test results for steroids. The WWE also reported to the Committee that there were an additional 23 positive tests for other drugs, including cocaine, ecstasy, and methadone.

*Waxman was critical of WWE making changes to their Wellness Policy several months after instituting it to allow wrestlers to continue to perform (without pay) on TV and PPV events in order to maintain storyline consistency. In an interview with Aegis Science's Dr. Black (who oversees the WWE Wellness program), Black noted that was instituted, "because it was becoming difficult to deal with the talent who were being suspended". Black also noted he was "unaccustomed to programs that suspend and you're not suspended."

*Waxman also noted that WWE was allowing "therapeutic usage" of steroids from talents who were using a "testosterone replacement therapy" to issues brought on by previous steroid use in their past.

*Despite being a performer within his own company, Vince McMahon is not subject to the WWE's Wellness Policy testing procedures. Waxman noted McMahon would not comment on his own steroid use and claimed not to know of the damages brought on by long-term steroid use, noting he was "not a doctor."

Waxman's letter included transcripts of interviews with World Wrestling Entertainment's Vince McMahon, Linda McMahon, amd Stephanie McMahon-Levesque, Aegis Science's Dr. David Black, TNA President Dixie Carter, Dr. Tracy Ray (who works with Black on the WWE Wellness program), Dr. Frederick Feurerbach (who works on the WWE Wellness program's cardiovascular testing),

 

[The Mark of Zur-En-Arrh]

Lol, i love the fact that Vince doesn't have to adhere to steroid testing.

I still don't see why it matters that pro-wrestlers use steroids to increase their body mass when they aren't competing in a real sport. Hell, they aren't even competing. Steroids are illegal because they give athletes an unfair advantage over other athletes. Since the results of pro-wrestling are predetermined and no amount of physical prowess can overturn a booker's decision, then who cares?

I mean it's not like Milli Vanilli winning a Grammy thanks to backing singers is it? Pretending they're good at what they do, when in fact they suck.

If the government REALLY feel the need to punish wrestling organisations for steroid use, then they are effectively saying that pro-wrestling is a real sport, and therefore are making themselves look like complete morons in doing so.

If they care that much, they should punish the individuals and not the organisations as a whole, because i'm sure there's plenty of pro-wrestlers who've never used steroids and it wouldn't be right to penalize them as well.

As for the cocaine and ectsacy users, well that's not really relevant either is it? Fuck sake, these guys are celebrities, and if rock stars and movie stars can run down a kid in the street while smashed off their face and only have to go to rehab for 30 days, then why make such a big deal about it when a wrestler does it? Rock stars could probably get away with shooting up in the middle of a crowded restaraunt, so why is it so much more taboo for wrestlers to do it in private?

Hopefully they'll find something else to bitch and whine about and forget about the problems behind the curtain, within wrestling

 

[CCS]

The first thing that came to my head was, "Damn." Last time the congress got after WWE it was ridiculous. There was no sense in investagating pro wrestling. There's plenty of other problems in society besides some wrestlers taking steroids. The goverment should be looking at poverty or the economic crisis instead of damned pro wrestling. Now we'll be forced to see Nancy Grace, Geraldo Rivera, and all the other ******s shitty journalism again. For God's sake you'd think they'd actually get information about something before the went on national television spewing ignorance out of their mouth.

 

[Frank the Frowner]

http://oversight.house.gov/story.asp?ID=2298

Real interesting stuff here. Results of drug tests, and interviews with Stephanie, Linda, and Vince.

Stephanie's interview is really interesting as it gives a detailed account of the creative process, and what goes into people being pushed. Really fascinating stuff.

Vince's interview, from the few pages I've read so far, is hilarious. His co-counsel are extremely hostile, and Vince makes a remark about the Republicans smiling and being friendly, where the Democrats aren't.

 

[Steamboat Ricky]

Lol, i love the fact that Vince doesn't have to adhere to steroid testing.

I still don't see why it matters that pro-wrestlers use steroids to increase their body mass when they aren't competing in a real sport. Hell, they aren't even competing. Steroids are illegal because they give athletes an unfair advantage over other athletes. Since the results of pro-wrestling are predetermined and no amount of physical prowess can overturn a booker's decision, then who cares?

I mean it's not like Milli Vanilli winning a Grammy thanks to backing singers is it? Pretending they're good at what they do, when in fact they suck.

If the government REALLY feel the need to punish wrestling organisations for steroid use, then they are effectively saying that pro-wrestling is a real sport, and therefore are making themselves look like complete morons in doing so.

If they care that much, they should punish the individuals and not the organisations as a whole, because i'm sure there's plenty of pro-wrestlers who've never used steroids and it wouldn't be right to penalize them as well.

As for the cocaine and ectsacy users, well that's not really relevant either is it? Fuck sake, these guys are celebrities, and if rock stars and movie stars can run down a kid in the street while smashed off their face and only have to go to rehab for 30 days, then why make such a big deal about it when a wrestler does it? Rock stars could probably get away with shooting up in the middle of a crowded restaraunt, so why is it so much more taboo for wrestlers to do it in private?

Hopefully they'll find something else to bitch and whine about and forget about the problems behind the curtain, within wrestling

Steroids are illegal because of the physical harm the do to the human body. They are not illegal only in athletics...they are illegal throughout the United States. There are many people who just use them recreationally that get busted...not only people who are trying to get big for wrestling, bodybuilding competitions, or athletic competition.

 

[Mr. TM]

Steroids are illegal because of the harm that is caused to wrestlers, or anyone who intakes steriods, bodies. We have all seen enough deaths in the entertainment that we love. There are a couple issues that need to be brought forth though.

1.) If the WWE is not willing to protect their contracted employees, than maybe it is time that the government doe intervene. I do not support the government breaking people's rights by performing illegal tests, but if they create legislation statewide that says performers must test positively for a year before being tested, then so be it.

2.) Wrestling is not a sport. I hope this Congressman does realize this. Though Baseball is important to test for many of reasons, similar to any international body, the World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling companies are not sports institutes. Treat them like a business. If you believe that Wrigley's Circus is filled with steriods, would they treat them the same way that they treat Wrestling Entertainment companies?

 

[darkpenguin]

That was Christian.

And he had to lose that much, which was like 1-2 lbs, in order to be able to compete for that belt, which had a weight limit. It was done for comedic effect as well.

If anything, he could come under fire for when Chris Masters got off the juice. HHH made a joke about how Masters lost 50 lbs in about 3 weeks.

true but it doesn't matter who it was, Vince is still lying, he went on to say that most segments are ad-libbed which may be true but that one sticks out because it was a pre taped segment. To be fair I couldn't care less about steroids in wrestling, I just don't think Vince is going to help matters by lying or playing dumb as he did so much through that transcript...

 

[LigerBomb]

I too, am right in the middle of Vince's interview and I have to agree about how shockingly hostile his counsel -and Vince himself- tends to be. I honestly didn't think a professional would behave that way especially in front of an investigations committee; Vince's attitude on the other hand is entirely on par. If I'm really lucky there will be a surprise ending to the interview and he'll threaten the committee to a fight a la Real Sports with Bob Costas!

Also in my experience with debate, rhetoric, and argument you behave the way Vince's team does -attacking specifics of verbiage, definition, and tone along with other irrelevant minutia- when you really have nothing else. Sad really. And also quite obvious to the reader/audience as well.

For anyone who cares: As far as my stance on steroids I believe studies are needed to be done to prove not only their specific efficacy but also the real medical risks. However until those studies are done and the FDA is forced to re-examine the pro and cons of steroids, they are still illegal and people who break those laws need to be held accountable.

 

[PsxMeUP]

For anyone who cares: As far as my stance on steroids I believe studies are needed to be done to prove not only their specific efficacy but also the real medical risks. However until those studies are done and the FDA is forced to re-examine the pro and cons of steroids, they are still illegal and people who break those laws need to be held accountable.

Studies have been done:

Alen, M., P. Rahkila. Anabolic-androgenic steroid effects on endocrinology and lipid metabolism in athletes. Sports Med. 6: 327-332, 1988

Bahrke, M.S., C.E. Yesalis, J.E. Wright. Psychological and behavioral effects of endogenous testosterone levels and anabolic-androgenic steroids among athletes; a review. Sports Med. 10(5): 303-337, 1990

De Piccoli, B., F. Giada, A. Benettin, F. Sartori, E. Piccolo. Anabolic steroid use in body builders: an echocardiographic study of left ventricular morphology and function. Int. J. Sports Med. 12(4): 408-412, 1991

Haupt, H.A. Anabolic steroids and growth hormone. Am. J. Sports Med. 21(3): 468-474, 1993

http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/RRSteroids.pdf

Granted, most of the data on steroid abuse in humans come from case studies rather than lab tests, but only because nobody would volunteer to have their organs and body destroyed for the sake of a study. Animal tests have more then proven that steroids are harmful. Studying the effects of steroids on humans would be as pointless as studying the effects of rat-poison on humans... It's a moot point; abuse = bad.

I think the WWE has a poaching approach to business. It destroys its own assets, or at the very least doesn't protect them. How much potential money did the WWE miss out on with Eddie's death? How many fans did the WWE lose with the Benoit suicide-murders? How much capital slipped through Vince's hands with Curt Henning's death?

Vince is an idiot. Sorry, but he's a redneck that took advantage of blaring opportunities in a neglected industry full of morons without the slightest amount of business sense. Vince had "some" sense, so he rose to the top of the heap, but that doesn't mean he's smart. He was/is a big fish in a small pond. He's also fortunate to be part of an industry that lives in its own microcosm, so he can pretty much do what he wants and still reap the rewards from a loyal fan base. The best thing fans could do, is stop watching wrestling if it keeps main-eventing guys like Batista and Cena, or Orton (have you noticed is puffy nipples?).

I'm on the verge of giving up on wrestling after following it for over 20 years, only because I'm becoming disgusted with the industry. If they keep pushing guys the way they do - not giving them off time to heal up, not outright permanently banning steroids and wrestlers that abuse them, giving them independent worker contracts instead of full employee status with all the benefits associated with it, etc. - then I'll move on to something else. I'm at an age where I might have children. I wouldn't want them exposed to this filth. But knowing WWE, they'll add more midgets to their shows instead of fixing the aforementioned problems...

 

[LigerBomb]

Studies have been done:

Alen, M., P. Rahkila. Anabolic-androgenic steroid effects on endocrinology and lipid metabolism in athletes. Sports Med. 6: 327-332, 1988

Bahrke, M.S., C.E. Yesalis, J.E. Wright. Psychological and behavioral effects of endogenous testosterone levels and anabolic-androgenic steroids among athletes; a review. Sports Med. 10(5): 303-337, 1990

De Piccoli, B., F. Giada, A. Benettin, F. Sartori, E. Piccolo. Anabolic steroid use in body builders: an echocardiographic study of left ventricular morphology and function. Int. J. Sports Med. 12(4): 408-412, 1991

Haupt, H.A. Anabolic steroids and growth hormone. Am. J. Sports Med. 21(3): 468-474, 1993

http://www.drugabuse.gov/PDF/RRSteroids.pdf

Granted, most of the data on steroid abuse in humans come from case studies rather than lab tests, but only because nobody would volunteer to have their organs and body destroyed for the sake of a study.

1. I must respectfully disagree in regards to a supposed fear of volunteers to engage in human trials of steroid based therapies. Many of anabolic steroids original studies done in the 1930's where on patients that eagerly volunteered. Remember, these so called "evil" steroids were originally researched to halt or slow down muscles wasting diseases and/or other diseases that compromise the immune system. In fact currently many HIV positive patients wouldn't be alive today without the use of anabolic steroids, HGH, and other testosterone hormone replacement therapy . And the only way to find out the results of these medical uses where to do human trials. As stated below human trials and studies have been done on substances far more dangerous than anabolic steroids.

2. In regards to the efficacy of Case Studies in the almost 70 years that anabolic steroids have been in our midst, there has not been a single epidemiological study of the effects of long-term use. Instead, concerns about extended usage are extrapolated from what's known about short-term effects. The problem is that those short-term research projects are often, as you yourself said, simple case studies. Case studies of course often draw conclusions from a single test subject and are especially prone to correlative errors. So much so that most scientists regard case studies as the lowest form of scientific research!

Animal tests have more then proven that steroids are harmful. Studying the effects of steroids on humans would be as pointless as studying the effects of rat-poison on humans... It's a moot point; abuse = bad.

So you would liken steroids to rat poison? Interesting. I'm not one to speak in absolutes. Especially when in depth studies haven't been done. Which by the way, is not the case with other substances known to cause harm to people at abuse levels. Say for example cocaine, heroin and methadone, barbiturates, other classes of steroids like glucocorticoids aka corticosteroids, well known and all too legal poisons such as tobacco and alcohol, not to mention the myriad of over the counter "medicines" like pseudoephedrine, etc.

My point is that currently there aren't any studies with enough concrete scientific merit to actually make a meaningful and researched opinion about their legality. In fact back in 1990 when anabolic steroids and other hormones where voted on to be added to the Schedule III controlled substances list -placing them on legal par with barbiturates and narcotic painkillers and just one step down from methamphetamine, cocaine, and morphine- the American Medical Association (AMA), the FDA, the National Institute on Drug Abuse, and even the Drug Enforcement Administration all opposed the reclassification. Especially the AMA, whose spokespersons argued that steroid users did not exhibit the physical or psychological dependence necessary to justify a change in policy.

Abuse = Bad, huh? Shocking. Sarcasm aside, of course steroid abuse is bad. Please don't mistake me, I do not believe steroids are without dangerous short term and potentially irreversible long term side-effects, especially take in levels that amount to abuse, nor do I believe that people who have no medical need for them -those who use them for image enhancement or sports performance increases- should ever be allowed to posses, sell, or use them. However, and i hate to harp of this fact I can't say for sure the long term effects as there are no studies to say either way.
When you really think about it, ALL things have a benefit to cost ratio. Even so called all natural herbs and supplements. Hell it's possible to even suffer from water poisoning. Too much or too little of practically ANYTHING can kill you. As a man who makes his living in the strength and conditioning field I deal with health wellness fitness and nutrition daily. And there isn't a day that goes by where I don't see abuse of all kinds leading to aspects of physical, emotional, and/or psychological detriment/trauma. You can abuse food. You can abuse drink. You can abuse medically supervised prescription drugs. You can abuse fitness and exercise.

So I'll say again until those studies are done and law makers are forced to re-examine the pro and cons of steroids, they are still illegal and people who break those laws need to be held accountable. I do not promote or encourage steroid use but I do favor informed consent, intelligent research, rather than sensationalized legislation by an ultimately well meaning but nevertheless woefully uninformed group of law makers.

I'd speak on my thoughts on Vince but I think I've rambled enough. Suffice to say I mostly agree with you on those points.

 

[Shocky]

This is one of those things where I wish I never saw the Wizard behind the curtain as far as being a fan of the business. When you watch the programming at face value, it's an enjoyable product. Sure, it's not everyones cup of tea, but that's not up for debate right here. When I watch wrestling, and I am away from the internet, I love the show. I love the show at face value. I see guys busting their ass and workng hard to get the results that they get.

Then you get to the dark, under belly of this business. For every shady promoter that Wrestlezone runs an article on, they ignrore the worst one of them all, and that's Vince McMahon. Reading this and these articles, it makes me wonder why the hell I still wtch this shit.

The carnival wrestling has never left. Clearly, the McMahons still see talent as disposable assets that can easily be replaced if they don't shape up. The wrestlers aren't human beings, they are just pieces that fit into the giant, soulless machine that is known as the WWE Universe. For those that don't think vince is somewhat responsiblity with the Benoit situation, I say pull your head out of your ass.

It's ridiculous. How someone like Chris Benoit failed the Wellness Policy 3 times, and had nothing done to him is ridiculuous. Sure, Benoit has his blame in the situation, but why would he stop if there was fear of repricusion from a spineless Wellness Policy?