WWE blasted for drug denial

[AFC1986]

THE WWE have been accused of MISLEADING wrestling fans over their reaction to the fact that Chris Benoit was injecting huge quantities of steroids at the time he murdered his wife and young son.

The official toxicology report found that Chris's testosterone levels were 15 times higher than those allowed in Olympic drug tests.

However in a press release and various media appearances the WWE and their employees DENIED that meant Benoit was taking anabolic steroids.

Heavyweight champion John Cena told TV host Larry King: "Even with elevated levels of testosterone, he tested clean for anabolic steroids."

WWE lawyer Jerry McDevitt was on a number of broadcasts repeating his line that: "There were no anabolic steroids found in Benoit's body - not the type taken for bodybuilding. What was detected was testosterone."

And the federation's statement also reads: "WWE understands that the toxicology reports for Chris Benoit indicate that he tested positive for testosterone and negative for anabolic steroids."

However the WWE's own Wellness Policy on drug abuse states: "The non-medical use of anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS), which include and are based on the natural steroid Testosterone, is prohibited."

In their full list of banned AAS substances, again testosterone is mentioned.

Dr David Black - who oversees that policy - has also contradicted the company's stance.

He was asked outright in a 2005 interview about American Football whether testosterone was a steroid.

Dr Black's reply was unequivocal: "Yes. Testosterone is the original base chemical, or the starting chemical, for all the anabolic steroids."

Other medical professionals and wrestling journalists were also quick to pour scorn on the WWE's claims.

Steroid expert Dr Gary Wadler, a member of the World Anti-Doping Agency, blasted: "What they are saying is a contradiction in terms.

"An anabolic steroid is nothing more than a derivative of testosterone."

Pro Wrestling Torch Editor Wade Keller reviewed all the TV footage and concluded: "The more you know, the more you see intellectual dishonesty in those interviews.

"Testosterone IS an anabolic steroid, by definition. It IS used for bodybuilding purposes.

"The medical examiner said regarding testosterone that 'no OTHER anabolic steroids' were found in his system."

Another grappling expert, Bryan Alvarez, said: "The reality is that they're the exact same thing, and if you don't believe me you can ask America's Drug Enforcement Administration, which flat-out classifies testosterone cypionate, which is what Benoit had been taking, as an anabolic steroid.

"Chris Benoit was taking anabolic steroids, and a lot of them."

John Lister, who conducted The Sun's recent study which showed more than 100 wrestlers had died in the last decade, was scathing.

He said: "The 'no anabolic steroids were found' explanation is misleading.

"Testosterone cypionate is a drug that simply contains pure testosterone plus a chemical allowing the body to absorb the testosterone gradually rather than all at once.

"WWE argues this is different to the 'anabolic steroids' which you would buy from a drug dealer and which usually contain a range of chemical substances, although testosterone is the nearly always the key ingredient.

"However, both medical experts and the American legal system clearly regard testosterone cypionate as an anabolic steroid.

"Saying Benoit tested clean on anabolic steroids is like saying somebody who switches from alcopops to straight vodka has gone teetotal."

credit: thesun.co.uk


in my opinion, no matter what happens after benoit's test results, i think there is a huge problem with drugs in wrestling. last year randy orton was suspended because of drugs, kurt angle's body was nearly dependant on drugs and also joey mercury and chris masters was suspended due to drugs. unless there is some sort of wreslter's union, i think things can only get worse

[Just KC]

lmao, noone seems to state Benoit was being treated for testosterone deficancy. And what were they blasted for? THEY WERE FUCKING RIGHT

[Dozer]

I still dont see why WWE is is being blamed for this. As Steve Blackman said, we are all adults and we make the decision. WWE is the only company that supplies insurance, supplies the "wellness plan" and drug tests. Yet that are being blasted for the 11 deaths since Johnny Grunge. You have Konnan protesting that WWE should be charged with all their murders when I think he has not been a part of WWE since the late '80s.(or early '90s) This is not a TNA bash, TNA does not have the budget WWE does and if they did I am sure they would try to do the same with caring for their roster. But it seems like WWE is taking the heat for all of this.

[JohnCenaFan28]

They honestly need a wrestlers union... Was it confirmed that Benoit had a testosterone deficiency?

[Dozer]

Jesse Ventura has been pushing for a union for over a decade.