Is WWE's wellness policy working?

Yes

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by John Atchison

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When considering this topic, I think you would have to answer in the affirmative. Just the fact that the WWE has even adopted a policy of this nature is a step in the right direction for this franchise. Remember this is an industry that is steeped in a rich tradition of gala spectacles, and men of almost mythical proportions when you take a long look back. No one who calls him or herself a wrestling fan will ever forget the likes of Hulk Hogan or Andre the Giant.

These were men that were bigger than life and of course those that wished to follow in their footsteps did not have to look to deep to discover that during the 80's when wrestling really exploded in popularity, bigger was indeed better. There has always been speculation that men like the Hulkster were "roiding" up per say, but as I mentioned earlier, this was an entertainment industry, which was dependent upon it's big name stars to carry the show, if not the sport as a whole.

I think if you have been a fan of the WWE (or the WWF back in day), you would have to say that the bodies on the some of the most popular stars, such as Hulk Hogan, Lex Lugar, or Ravishing Rick Rude to name a few, were things to marvel at. I would hasten to say, and I am sure no one with the Federation would acknowledge this, but there was most likely a do not ask, do not tell policy in effect during those days. Again, who was going to kill the Golden Goose at that time?

However much like any other industry, it is not until something sneaked up and bites you that most companies put any type of policy like this wellness policy together. If you think back to the Wrestling back in the 80's, very rarely did you even here a mention of the word steroids, though I am sure numerous people believed it was going on. It was not until into the 2000's that the WWE was even forced to address it. With the horrific story of the death of Chris Benoit and his family, and then the passing of Eddie Guerrero from years of abuse, it became an issue that could no longer be swept under the rug, or kept behind the curtain anymore. Does anyone recall the Lex Lugar story and the death of Miss Elizabeth?

There was speculation there that Lugar had been involved in the death, and may have been suffering from roid rage at the time, though it has never been proven. So the time had come for the WWE to institute some type of policy and this one was as good as any. If you have paid attention to wrestling in the past 5 years or so, you will definitely agree that the days of fat-bellied stars are long gone. Most of the people coming to the ring now look like Adonis coming down from the mountain, and one could only speculate which of these stars was doing "whatever it takes" to be part of the big time and get his name on this marquee outside the building. By implementing this policy, the WWE is taking a stance with its employees saying we understand this is a business, but you are also important to us. No longer could they afford to turn a blind eye to an ever-growing problem, which was bringing very negative stereotypes and publicity down on a sport that needs its popularity to survive.

The one thing that is never mentioned in this debate, whether it is in the WWE, NFL, or Major League Baseball, is the fact that doing this stuff is a personal decision and not one in most cases, being forced upon these athletes. In the quest to be the best, or to be this next great star in their sport, these people decide for themselves whether to pierce their bodies with the needle. No one else! As well as this, anyone who believes that some sports are altogether clean is nothing but naive. The steroid makers are always going to be one step ahead of the jailor if you will. Even today, as many sports tout the fact that they are clean and riding themselves of the stigma of steroids, athletes are getting around it by using HGH, which by most accounts in not detectable through most testing methods employed by major sports today. Just something to think about.

So I say bravo to the WWE for at least attempting to put a policy in place that shows in some part that they care about those, past and future, that make this entertainment package the great fun that it is. It is obviously not going to catch everyone with a desire to cheat, and who have the means to find ways around the system. What it might do though is get some of the younger guys to start thinking about doing things the right way, and in the end, might save a few lives along the way too.

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