Commentary on Suspensions

The news that 10 wrestlers have been suspended for violating WWE's Wellness Program hits the WWE hard, but you can't really defend them on this one. There may be more suspensions to come as well. WWE is taking action, however you would believe these suspensions could have and should have been done weeks ago. It makes it look as if WWE was being a bit sly and waiting until after the Summerslam Pay Per View (which involved a few of the names on the "rumored" lists). If Randy Orton is amongst those who was suspended (which we will probably know come Monday Night Raw) then he was headlining the main event match at Summerslam. Mr. Kennedy, also one of the rumored names, was part of a Triple Threat title match. Makes you wonder. The only reason to be suspicious, is the fact that WWE will be facing Congress come later this September. While forthright with their letter to Congress and providing records, they also realize they better make sure all t's are crossed and i's are dotted before even setting foot at the Congressional hearings.

One very important concept to clear up is the fans saying that if a wrestler is currently injured they can't be suspended. While a wrestler like Edge or Shane Helms might be out of action and not wrestling, that doesn't mean "out of contract". Under contract by WWE, they can still be given random drug tests for the WWE Wellness policy. A wrestler doesn't have to be wrestling to qualify as employed by WWE or to be required to take any drug tests, etc. If drugs are found in a WWE entertainer's system, then they can be suspended, whether injured or not. They can also be suspended for distribution of illegal drugs and for the "use of masking agents and/or diuretics to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs". See outline of the WWE Wellness Program here. (PDF)

Again, the lists of names that have surfaced so far are all speculation, so don't take these names shown to heart or think it's attempts to bash your favorite wrestlers. In time, the names will be given and confirmed by WWE, or it may become obvious based on who we see missing from Smackdown, ECW and Raw. The original speculative list was published by New York Daily News, but it is basically rumors based on wrestlers that are clients of Signature, a prescription drug company.

That said, it's always good to question sources. You'll see WWE rumors and news on various sites, but take it with a grain of salt because you can never be sure what is fact and what is rumor.

For fans wanting more info, here is a collection of links about the suspensions and WWE Wellness Program.