Drew McIntyre fired - did Drew violate Wellness Policy?
If you saw Smackdown on Friday night, or read the recent recaps, then you now know Drew McIntyre was fired. The on-air move came from Smackdown GM Theodore Long, but only after he first suspended Drew, then took away his Intercontinental title. Long was using the reprecussions due to the fact McIntyre kept beating up Matt Hardy at ringside and wouldn't stop when ordered to by refs, WWE personnel and then Teddy. Eventually about six WWE staff were required to escort McIntyre out of the arena. McIntyre said Mr. McMahon would hear about this, but maybe he already has?
The speculation over the Drew McIntyre firing seems to be the idea that Drew is the most recent wrestler to violate the WWE Wellness Policy. We've seen at least two other former Intercontinental title holders have to lose the belt due to this, Jeff Hardy and the late Umaga (Eddie Fatu). The WWE's policy states:
"For testing positive the first time, a Talent will be suspended for 30 days without pay. A second positive test results in a 60-day suspension without pay or, if Dr. Black so determines, in-patient care at a substance abuse facility, during which the Talent also will be suspended without pay. A third positive test results in termination."
As far as we all know, this is Drew's first violation of the policy, so that means 30 days off, no pay. However, it also meant he lost the Intercontinental title. The vacated title will now be decided between Kofi Kingston and Christian, both newcomers to Smackdown and both former Intercontinental title holders. My money's on Christian to win, but even if he doesn't, it still leads you to believe that both these guys are in line for the World Title at some point. Christian has a storied resume of titles, while Kofi is still on the rise. Both seem like logical candidates now that Smackdown transferred Edge and Jericho to Raw.
Back to the McIntyre situation though. If he did violate the policy, I believe WWE is required to inform the public of this. Unless they changed that aspect of the policy at some point, they have generally made notice when a wrestler is suspended for violating the policy. We'll have to wait and see if this is the case.
The speculation over the Drew McIntyre firing seems to be the idea that Drew is the most recent wrestler to violate the WWE Wellness Policy. We've seen at least two other former Intercontinental title holders have to lose the belt due to this, Jeff Hardy and the late Umaga (Eddie Fatu). The WWE's policy states:
"For testing positive the first time, a Talent will be suspended for 30 days without pay. A second positive test results in a 60-day suspension without pay or, if Dr. Black so determines, in-patient care at a substance abuse facility, during which the Talent also will be suspended without pay. A third positive test results in termination."
As far as we all know, this is Drew's first violation of the policy, so that means 30 days off, no pay. However, it also meant he lost the Intercontinental title. The vacated title will now be decided between Kofi Kingston and Christian, both newcomers to Smackdown and both former Intercontinental title holders. My money's on Christian to win, but even if he doesn't, it still leads you to believe that both these guys are in line for the World Title at some point. Christian has a storied resume of titles, while Kofi is still on the rise. Both seem like logical candidates now that Smackdown transferred Edge and Jericho to Raw.
Back to the McIntyre situation though. If he did violate the policy, I believe WWE is required to inform the public of this. Unless they changed that aspect of the policy at some point, they have generally made notice when a wrestler is suspended for violating the policy. We'll have to wait and see if this is the case.
Labels: Christian, Drew McIntyre, Kofi Kingston, Matt Hardy, Smackdown News, Teddy Long, Vince McMahon, Wellness Program, WWE News
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