More On Randy Orton's House Show Suspension
sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Pro Wrestling Torch
Quote:
As reported earlier, Randy Orton was suspended a few weeks ago from appearing at WWE house shows due to failing a WWE-issued drug test. The policy now calls for wrestlers to be docked pay and bonuses for thirty days should they fail a test. The perpetrator would continue to appear on television and pay per view events, but they would only have their travel expenses covered. Well, some sources are claiming that Orton was suspended for thirty days, but some other sources are claiming that he was suspended for sixty days. The thirty day suspension is probably the more accurate claim and we should know if that's the case in two weeks or so. If he's still not appearing on house shows about two or three weeks from now, then he was suspended for sixty days.
His downside guarantee isn't exactly known, but his latest suspension will stand to cost him between $40,000 and $80,000 (and that amount is doubled if its a sixty day suspension), so its not like these suspensions are a slap in the wrist. Orton has already lost three months worth of pay this year and thus he's paid fines well into the six figures in 2006. Also, there are some conflicting stories as to whether Orton will still receive his pay-per-view bonus for Unforgiven despite his suspension, which would have to be a couple tens of thousands.
Also, there's another conflicting report regarding Orton's suspension. The Pro Wrestling Torch is reporting that Randy Orton was telling people that he wasn't really suspended and that he actually asked for some time off from house shows because he was moving to a new home. Its believed that he's using that as a cover-up excuse though.
