WWE suspends 10 for Steroids
No names named yet in crackdown
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP) - World Wrestling Entertainment has suspended 10 of its wrestlers for violations of a policy that tests for steroids and other drugs.
Stamford-based WWE says it issued suspension notices based on independent information from the prosecutor's office in Albany County, N.Y., which has been investigating illegal steroid sales.
Neither the WWE nor the Albany County district attorney's office would comment on the suspended wrestlers' identities Thursday. No criminal charges were filed, they said.
Under a WWE wellness policy instituted last year that requires tests for steroids and other drugs, a wrestler faces a 30-day suspension without pay for a first violation, a 60-day suspension for a second violation and firing for a third violation. Performers are tested at least four times per year.
"We are very actively working to eradicate the use of steroids and performance enhancing drugs in the WWE," WWE spokesman Gary Davis said. "Today's action is part of that effort."
WWE officials met this month with New York prosecutors investigating illegal steroid sales. Albany County prosecutor P. David Soares' office has said that pro wrestler Chris Benoit, who killed his family before hanging himself in June, and other WWE wrestlers had been clients of Signature Pharmacy of Orlando, Fla. Investigators say Benoit had a steroid and other drugs in his system at the time.
When Soares' office began investigating the illegal sale and distribution of controlled substances, he said, his office sought the help of WWE after a number of its wrestlers appeared on customer lists of clinics connected with Signature Pharmacy.
Nine people, including three current or former physicians, have pleaded guilty, most affiliated with Internet and phone-order companies that filled orders for anabolic steroids and growth hormones through Signature and sent drugs to customers around the country, including Albany County.
Signature's owners have pleaded not guilty.
The Benoit case prompted the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to ask WWE to turn over any information it has on steroid and drug abuse in pro wrestling. The committee has not yet scheduled a hearing on the case.
WWE said the company's practice has been to not release the names of suspended wrestlers, but the company has notified performers that starting Nov. 1 the names of those suspended for violating the policy will be made public.
WWE has about 160 wrestlers. WWE shares closed Thursday at $14.80, down 21 cents.
News Source: msn.foxsports.com
Looks like the wrestlers that may be in the top 10 are:
The ten wrestlers on the list are all currently employed by WWE (although some are out injured). Remember, WWE started their Wellness Policy on February 27, 2006.
- Chavo Guerrero received somatropin, nandrolone and anastrozole from April 2005 through May 2006.
- Shane Helms received testosterone, genotropin and nandrolone from November 2003 through February 2007.
- Randy Orton received somatropin, nandrolone, stanozolol form September 2004 through February 2007.
- John Hennigan (Morrison) received somatropin, anastrozole, testosterone, stanozolol and chorionic gonadotropin from June 2006 through February 2007.
- Ken Anderson (Kennedy) received anastrozole, somatropin and testosterone from October 2006 through February 2007.
- Shoichi Funaki received somatropin in March 2006.
- Charlie Haas received anastrozole, somatropin, stanozolol, nandrolone and chorionic gonadotropin from August 2006 through January 2007.
- Edward Fatu (Umaga) received somatropin between July and December 2006.
- Darren Matthews (William Regal) received stanozolol, somatropin, genotropin and anastrozole between November 2004 and November 2006.
- Adam Copeland (Edge) received somatropin, genotropin, andstanozolol between September 2004 and February 2007
