02.07.2007, 09:48
Zitat: It's time for WWE to toughen stance against drugs
By Byron Robinson
The professional wrestling world is still in shock after World Wrestling Entertainment star Chris Benoit, his wife, Nancy, and their 7-year-old son, Daniel, were found dead at their home in suburban Atlanta on Monday.
Benoit took his own life after killing his wife and son.
After anabolic steroids were found in the home, many wonder if the horrific acts were a result of "roid rage."
During Thursday's "Today" show on NBC, WWE owner Vince McMahon urged people not to draw conclusions.
"Steroids may or may not have had anything to do with this," McMahon said. "It's all speculation until the toxicology reports come back."
The WWE announced earlier this week that Benoit passed his last drug test in April as part of the company's "Wellness Program."
Until the chemical tests come out, the speculation will continue.
Whether or not results indicate Benoit had drugs in his system, there are other factors to consider.
There are the rigors of a 250-to-300-day schedule -- constant traveling, the wear and tear on the body three or four days a week, and numerous press and public relations responsibilities -- and balancing that with family life.
We may never know what drove Benoit, who many considered to be a guy who had his act together in and out of the ring, over the edge.
But one thing is certain: If this incident isn't a wake-up call for the WWE and wrestling promoters in general to change how business is operated, then there's no hope.
Some thought the wake-up call occurred two years ago when WWE star Eddie Guerrero died of heart failure. Although Guerrero had been drug free for four years, his past substance abuse contributed to his death.
The WWE implemented a "Wellness Program" in February 2006. Under the policy, random drug testing is conducted by an independent corporation. For testing positive the first time, a wrestler is suspended 30 days without pay. A second positive test results in a 60-day suspension without pay, and a third positive test results in termination.
Current and former wrestlers appeared on various cable news shows this past week supporting the "Wellness Program."
In an Associated Press report by Paul Newberry, former WWE talent Lance Storm and journalist Bryan Alvarez of Figure Four Weekly newsletter say there are a couple of flaws in the program:
A wrestler can pass the doping test with a testosterone to epitestosterone ratio of 10:1, more than double the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) standard. Under the agency's rules, athletes are in violation starting at 4:1. The average ratio is 1:1.
A wrestler who tests positive can be excused if he produces a doctor's prescription and a medically justified reason for taking the drug in question.
Because of the frequency of pro wrestling deaths in recent years, the WWE, the largest pro wrestling company in the world, must lead the charge in taking a more aggressive stance against drugs. The tests should be more stringent and enforced by the letter of the law. Instead of a three-strikes-and-you're-out policy, how about two strikes.
And the changes in the "Wellness Program" shouldn't end with drugs.
With the brutal blows that wrestlers take over a period of time, regular cardiovascular and neurological tests should be administered to monitor the talents' heart and brain conditions.
And to take it one step further, a staff of psychologists or counselors should be on call to help wrestlers who are having problems in their professional or personal lives.
As far as in-ring changes, instead of pushing muscle-bound guys who don't know a wristlock from a wristwatch, subliminally encouraging talent to use illegal substances to get that perfect physical look, spotlight talent for their in-ring ability and natural charisma, no matter what size they are.
Also, to alleviate the mental and physical struggles that the talent endures, have a rotating schedule where a group of stars take a break for a period of time and when they return, another group gets time off.
Each day, more news on the Benoit case will come out, and the information could be more disturbing than it already has been.
This is ample time for McMahon and the WWE to step up and say the tragedies stop now.
It'll be interesting to see if the company continues to take a defensive position or be proactive in attempting to solve the problem.
Taking a slogan from the WWE, "the world is watching" from here on out how the company handles the negative media attention as well as the problems that have plagued the industry for many years.
*
Wrestle B'ham on Friday: Wrestle Birmingham returns to the Zamora Shrine Temple in Irondale on Friday for its "All-American Slam" show. Bell time is 7:30 p.m.
The main event features Total Nonstop Action stars Samoa Joe and Rhino squaring off.
Other matches include Sonjay Dutt vs. Scott Blaze, Elix Skipper and David Young vs. Bloodline, Anton LeVeigh vs. Brandon Barbwire, and McNasty vs. Bull Buchannan.
Other stars who are scheduled to appear include Robert Fuller, "Mad Dog" Dan Sawyer, Mike Jackson and Daffney.
http://www.montgomeryadvertiser.com/apps...7707010340