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August 30, 2007
WWE Suspends Ten Wrestlers
A report is breaking today that World Wrestling Entertainment, facing possible scrutiny over their testing policies and records by
Congress, has suspended ten wrestlers whose names are linked to the case in Albany, NY, relating to the online purchase of steroids
from Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, FL.
Although WWE has not released the names of the suspended wrestlers, the New York Daily News has claimed to have “obtainedâ
€� a list of thirteen individuals identified in the probe as clients of Signature. That list includes Randy Orton, Charlie Haas, Jr., Adam
Copeland (a/k/a Edge), Robert Huffman (a/k/a King Booker), Shane Helms, Mike Bucci (a/k/a Simon Dean), Anthony Carelli (a/k/a Santino
Marella), John Hennigan (a/k/a Jonh Morrison / Johnny Nitro), Darren Matthews (a/k/a William Regal), Ken Anderson (a/k/a Mr. Kennedy),
Eddie Fatu (a/k/a Umaga), Shoichi Funaki, and Chavo Guerrero.
Per the report, WWE claims to have suspended wrestlers based on an independent report provided by independent information from
Albany District Attorney David Soares, and does not appear to be the result of failed testing.
A separate report from ESPN, reporting on the story, included the names of David Bautista (a/k/a Batista) and Chris Mordetzky (a/k/a
Chris Masters).
The Wrestling Observer has noted that “WWE was aware of many of the names months ago�, adding they “chose not to
suspend the wrestlers at the time because the time frame predated the Wellness policy. If the prescriptions did predate the policy,
suspensions are questionable, but perhaps due to government pressure, WWE feels it has no choice. If the prescriptions were dated
after February of 2006, the company had little choice in the matter. At least nine of the names had prescription dates past the
implementation of the policy. Three other names, now deceased, Chris Benoit, Brian Adams and Eddy Guerrero were also on the list.
There are believed to be several more former WWE wrestlers on the list, including one that was expected to be hired this week.�
It should be reiterated that while the above reports list fifteen names, it is unclear at this time which ten of them have been suspended by
WWE. Although WWE has not released names as of yet, they have done so in the past, but have been vague as to the reasons for past
disciplinary action. They have reportedly vowed that as of November 1 of this year to begin detailing the reasons for future disciplinary
action, which is done in other major sports.
It has also been learned that the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection is planning on holding hearings
regarding performance enhancing drugs and professional wrestling beginning in September. A witness list has not been finalized, but
WWE has said they will comply and whomever is asked to speak will appear before the Committee as requested.
WWE Suspends Ten Wrestlers
A report is breaking today that World Wrestling Entertainment, facing possible scrutiny over their testing policies and records by
Congress, has suspended ten wrestlers whose names are linked to the case in Albany, NY, relating to the online purchase of steroids
from Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, FL.
Although WWE has not released the names of the suspended wrestlers, the New York Daily News has claimed to have “obtainedâ
€� a list of thirteen individuals identified in the probe as clients of Signature. That list includes Randy Orton, Charlie Haas, Jr., Adam
Copeland (a/k/a Edge), Robert Huffman (a/k/a King Booker), Shane Helms, Mike Bucci (a/k/a Simon Dean), Anthony Carelli (a/k/a Santino
Marella), John Hennigan (a/k/a Jonh Morrison / Johnny Nitro), Darren Matthews (a/k/a William Regal), Ken Anderson (a/k/a Mr. Kennedy),
Eddie Fatu (a/k/a Umaga), Shoichi Funaki, and Chavo Guerrero.
Per the report, WWE claims to have suspended wrestlers based on an independent report provided by independent information from
Albany District Attorney David Soares, and does not appear to be the result of failed testing.
A separate report from ESPN, reporting on the story, included the names of David Bautista (a/k/a Batista) and Chris Mordetzky (a/k/a
Chris Masters).
The Wrestling Observer has noted that “WWE was aware of many of the names months ago�, adding they “chose not to
suspend the wrestlers at the time because the time frame predated the Wellness policy. If the prescriptions did predate the policy,
suspensions are questionable, but perhaps due to government pressure, WWE feels it has no choice. If the prescriptions were dated
after February of 2006, the company had little choice in the matter. At least nine of the names had prescription dates past the
implementation of the policy. Three other names, now deceased, Chris Benoit, Brian Adams and Eddy Guerrero were also on the list.
There are believed to be several more former WWE wrestlers on the list, including one that was expected to be hired this week.�
It should be reiterated that while the above reports list fifteen names, it is unclear at this time which ten of them have been suspended by
WWE. Although WWE has not released names as of yet, they have done so in the past, but have been vague as to the reasons for past
disciplinary action. They have reportedly vowed that as of November 1 of this year to begin detailing the reasons for future disciplinary
action, which is done in other major sports.
It has also been learned that the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection is planning on holding hearings
regarding performance enhancing drugs and professional wrestling beginning in September. A witness list has not been finalized, but
WWE has said they will comply and whomever is asked to speak will appear before the Committee as requested.