With all the media coverage of the Chris Benoit murder-suicide seeming to be linking the deaths of almost every dead professional wrestler to steroid use a possible scandal is brewing not just for World Wrestling Entertainment but for all other wrestling companies as well.

It is a sad fact that many professional wrestlers do die young, however all these deaths cannot possibly be linked to the use of steroids, or any other single factor for that matter. However now that the implication has been made by the media congress is investigating the world of professional wrestling to see if there indeed is a problem with steroid use in the industry.

World Wrestling Entertainment implemented its Talent Wellness policy in 2006 following the death of Eddie Gurrerro who died of a heart condition thought to have been made worse by his use of steroids earlier in his career. The policy not only tests aggressively for drug use but it also tests and monitors cardiovascular functions of all wrestlers employed by the company and sets out clear disciplinary procedures for anyone who violates this policy. These procedures include suspensions and even dismissal of wrestlers who persistently violate the policy.

The wellness policy is currently being tested to its limits both by congress and by the media. The media appears to have already made up its mind and has decided that every death of a professional wrestler must have in some way been linked to the use of steroids. This ludicrous opinion is what started the frenzy in the first place, many news outlets failed to check even the most basic facts when reporting on the deaths of other professional wrestlers during the coverage of the Benoit case. There were many examples of wrestlers listed in articles whose deaths were in no way related to the use steroids or any other drug.

World Wrestling Entertainment has a drug testing policy, and they do use it and punish offenders. Just recently eleven wrestlers were suspended due to violations of the wellness policy, and while this doesn't look good for WWE as it shows that some wrestlers do indeed use steroids it does show that the policy not only works but is being enforced. It would seem that World Wrestling Entertainment is doing everything they can to make sure that they survive this current scandal. They are continuing with their wellness policy testing, and punishing anyone that violates it. They need to keep this up even if like we seen recently this involves suspending a lot of talent at once or talent that is involved in major storylines.

Personally I don't feel there is a scandal here at all; it is a fact that some athletes not just wrestlers will use steroids in an attempt to boost their performance. Many athletes from other sports have been caught and penalized for using steroids and it is only natural that there would be some professional wrestlers who would use steroids in the same way other athletes do. What matters most is that these athletes are caught by drug testing policies and punished for it. If WWE and other companies continue to do this then they will eradicate the use of steroids and other performance enhancing drugs within the sport.

Learn more about this author, Kirsty O'Lone.
Click here to send author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about WWE and steroids - a brewing scandal??
We want to hear your view. Write now!