.jpg)
Congressional Investigation Reveals Professional Wrestlers Use Steroids
[January 3rd, 2009] by Millard Baker
Congressman Henry Waxman learned today that anabolic steroid use in the WWE and professional wrestling is “pervasive.” Baseline steroid testing conducted by the WWE indicated that 40% of WWE wrestlers tested positive for anabolic steroids and other drugs. Waxman passed on this “new” information to John Walters at the Office of the National Drug Control Policy in a letter that highlighted some of Congressional committee’s key findings (”Chairman Waxman Releases Letter Regarding Illegal Steroid Use in Professional Wrestling,” January 2).
- In the first year of the WWE’s testing program, which began in March 2006, 40% of wrestlers tested positive for steroids and other drugs even after being warned in advance that they were going to be tested.
- Six months after the WWE announced its 2006 steroid testing policy, it relaxed the policy to allow wrestlers suspended for steroid abuse to participate in “selected televised events” and “pay-per-views.”
- The WWE hired four of five wrestlers who tested positive for steroids in “pre-contract” testing conducted in2007 and 2008.
- The WWE regularly approved “therapeutic use exemptions,” explicitly allowing the use of steroids as part of a “testosterone replacement acceptance ptogtam” for wrestlers who abused steroids in the past.
- Test results from the WWE’s top competitor, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, reveal that a large proportion of TNA wrestlers have also tested
Representative Henry Waxman is responsible for the congressional hearings on steroids and baseball. Henry Waxman’s shocking ignorance about anabolic steroids and steroid laws was exposed in the critically acclaimed documentary “Bigger Stronger Faster*” directed by filmmaker Chris Bell.
Fortunately, the government report on steroids in wrestling represents one of outgoing Henry Waxman’s last acts as Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform as he leaves the committee to assume another post.
Tags: henry waxman, professional wrestling, WWE
Add New Comment
Viewing 3 Comments
Thanks. Your comment is awaiting approval by a moderator.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Do you already have an account? Log in and claim this comment.
Add New Comment
Trackbacks
(Trackback URL)