10 WWE Wrestlers suspended

[Cheap21]

BY T.J. QUINN

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Thursday, August 30th 2007, 4:06 PM

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The WWE was rocked again today, after several of wrestling's top names emerged in the Albany district attorney's probe into a widespread Internet doping scandal.

The wrestling congomerate based in Stamford announced that it will suspend 10 of its biggest stars for violation of its wellness policy.

Top wrestlers Randy Orton, Charles Haas, Jr., Adam "Edge" Copeland, Robert "Booker T" Huffman, Shane Helms, Mike Bucci, Anthony Carelli, John "Johnny Nitro" Hennigan, Darren "William Regal" Matthews, Ken "Mr. Kennedy" Anderson and Chavo Guerrero were all identified as clients of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, the site raided by Albany County and Florida law enforcement agencies in February for distributing steroids and other prescription drugs to clients who had not been examined by doctors. The investigation is part of a probe into illegal Internet drug distribution by Albany D.A. David Soares.

The WWE said in a statement that it issued suspension notices based on independent information received from the Albany D.A.

The WWE's announcement comes as members of Congress prepare to investigate steroid use in professional wrestling, as the Daily News reported today.

Two of its recently deceased stars - Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero - also received steroids and other drugs from Signature, as prescribed by Florida physician Gary Brandwein, who has pleaded not guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal diversion of prescription drugs. Benoit murdered his wife and son before killing himself in June and Guerrero died in a Minneapolis hotel in 2005 from heart disease.

Guerrero received the steroids testosterone and nandrolone, along with the estrogen-blocker anastozole, a drug commonly taken by men on steroids to prevent developing breast tissue, Nov. 2, 2005, just 11 days before he died of heart disease.

Guerrero's nephew, Chavo Guerrero, found Guerrero unconscious in the hotel room.

Benoit received steroids from Signature, based on a Brandwein prescription, in February, 2006.

The WWE stars are among the first athletes to face discipline for their part in the nationwide Signature Pharmacy scandal, the Internet steroid ring that has already led to guilty pleas from nine doctors, anti-aging clinic owners and operators. Law enforcement sources have said they expect the names of numerous NFL and Major League Baseball athletes to emerge as well.

[poohbear19]

When I first read this a couple of days ago, all I could do was shake my head at the WWE. These people have probably tested positive months ago, and they ignored it to keep them on tv... now that they are putting their backs to the wall, they are being exposed.

[Roman]

What kills me is that they got all holier-tahn-thou, and were lying through their funky ass teeth. They knew the whole time that those guys were doing Roids, but didn't want to admit the truth because it was right after the Benoit tragedy. Now, they look just downright horrible.

VM deserves everything he gets from this. I hope the good guys who didn't get caught can find other work, because the WWE is about to crash and burn. That's what he gets for running so many people out of business and for being a complete ass.

[LiasonAgent007]

It really won't destroy the industry...have you taken a look at fans of wrestling?

The couldn't care less about whos taking roids or not. Its all entertainment to them. As long as they see their favorite person out there each and every week they're happy and excited.

And the sad part is that its all fake. A bunch of guys dressing in silly outfits taking dangerous amounts of drugs to make themselves look good for the camera. Yet they're putting their lives at risk at the same time.

So unless the govt gets involved (and I really don't think tis their business to get involved) I don't see wrestling getting decimated by this news. Even with CB death they still showed the next event scheduled for Monday I believe. People are gonna do what they want to do. Its not like VM is forcing them to take roids.

However with that said Randy Orton is one hunk of a man!

[Danni]

The stories and eventual outcome are fake, but the bumps, bruises, and injuries they sustain during matches are very real especially if they're dealing with someone who's not able to work with another wrestler to make sure that they're safe.

[Ryan]

1) I agree, it won't destroy the industry. In fact, it'll force Vince and his team to change strategies. No longer will the biggest, freakiest be the the top guy. It should have always been based on talent and connection with the fans. So I hope this scandal will force the WWE to look hard at the message they have been sending. If you're little, then you won't get a push (hence why some of the smaller guys were trying to be bigger).

2) Actually fans do care who is taking steroids. Many fans, younger and those with aspirations to get involved with wrestling look up to these guys and base their future careers around how these wrestlers (and those before them) lived their lives and trained to become a wrestler.

3) We know it's "scripted." However if some 270 pound man was slamming you on that mat, you wouldn't think it was fake. The ring is not padded at all. The amount of stress that is put on their bodies due to wrestling is a lot. Yes, the outcomes are pre-determined and the punches and kicks are pulled (with most of the wrestlers), but people get hurt all of the time.

4) The government is getting involved. They are putting pressure on ALL of the major companies (I'm sure they'll go after the little ones too) to change their policy and crack down on steroid usage. The media has been after the WWE since the Chris Benoit incident. Many of the "news" shows are using former roided out and angry wrestlers, trying to get their new 15 minutes of fame. The reason why the WWE went on with their show the following Monday, was to get the news of the minds of the fans. They can't keep bringing it up every week. They had to move on, and they were doing that.

When other sports players do things, they don't keep bringing them up week after week, or canceling the game the following week. Why should the WWE be any different?

And I agree with you about Vince. However, he may not be forcing them to take steroids, but his actions make it appear that he condones it. Why? You have many talented guys on the roster, who aren't as big or as strong as others, yet they don't get the same opportunities as the big guys. Basically Vince (and those around him) like "hoss" guys. Meaning, if your over 6 feet tall, 250 pounds plus, then you have a "look" can be "crafted" into a superstar. Those guys get the storylines, the pushes and are usually the ones who beat the less talented.