BIG announcement expected backstage on Monday

[The Czech Republic 0]

Only Geico can do the Geico gag. Sorry.

[Dips 0]

The Elite section of PWInsider mentions it today, apparently.

[jester 0]

"Ok everyone. Interest in the product is at the lowest point in years, anybody with a hint of talent is leaving us, they're booing the shit out of our face champion, we could pull a better Wrestlemania card out of Mark Henry's ass than the one we've got now, and we're so desperate we're bringing back arseholes like Hacksaw Jim Duggan. But there's some good news. I just saved a bunch of money by switching to Geico.

 

And by releasing Torrie Wilson."

 

Vince McMahon just saved a bunch of money on his car insurance by switching to Geico.

 

This is my winner. It made me laugh a great deal.

[Dips 0]

As we reported Friday in the PWInsider.com Elite section, on our Hot News Hotline, Vince McMahon is expected to lay out the particulars of the company's drug testing and "Wellness Program" (as WWE has called it on their website) and a number of wrestlers that have been off the road of late have been summoned to today's Supershow taping in Washington, DC for that. Similar meetings are set for the developmental territories as well.

 

PWInsider

[iliketurtles 0]

Figured.

[Fartsauce 0]

There is a link to the wellness program story on wwe.com but the link says NOT FOUND when you click it.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

There is also a "Not Found" when you try to access Torrie Wilson's diva site.

[Dangerous A 0]

Here it is folks...

 

 

Effective today, February 27, 2006, WWE is implementing a broad WWE Talent Wellness Program. The Program has two components: 1. an aggressive substance abuse and drug testing policy, and 2. a cardiovascular testing and monitoring program.

 

The Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy (“Policy”) prohibits the non-medical use and associate abuse of prescription medications and performance-enhancing drugs, as well as the use, possession and/or distribution of illegal drugs by WWE Talent. The use of masking agents and/or diuretics to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs is also prohibited. This Policy will be administered by Dr. David L. Black, Ph.D., D-ABFT, D-ABCC, of Aegis Sciences Corporation, Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Black will be responsible for scheduling Talent for testing, administering collection of samples, coordinating secure shipment of samples to the testing facility, determining whether any WWE Talent has tested positive and directing the appropriate penalty be imposed.

 

Under the Policy, WWE Talent may be tested on a random and/or reasonable suspicion basis. The initial test of all Talent will be considered "baseline" testing. No discipline will be imposed for a positive test on the baseline test. The results of the baseline test, if positive for any prohibited substance, will be utilized thereafter by Dr. Black to determine if use has continued. After the baseline test, subsequent positive tests for non-medical use of a prohibited substance will result in disciplinary action. For testing positive the first time, a Talent will be suspended for 30 days without pay. A second positive test results in a 60 day suspension without pay or, if Dr. Black so determines, in-patient care at a substance abuse facility, during which the Talent also will be suspended without pay. A third positive test results in termination.

 

The cardiovascular aspect of the wellness program will be handled by New York Cardiology Associates P.C., led by Drs. Post and Feuerbach. Under this aspect of the Program, all WWE Talent will undergo an extensive cardiovascular stress test. Examinations and treatment will be conducted thereafter as warranted.

 

 

Basically, first positive, month without pay. 2nd positive, 2 months no pay and/or substance abuse treatment program. 3rd positive, [Vince] YOUREEE FFFIIIIRREED!!![/Vince]

 

However, everyone is getting tested today as a "baseline" test. It's realistically the 2nd test that will get you in trouble.

[SuperJerk 0]

There is also a "Not Found" when you try to access Torrie Wilson's diva site.

 

Or maybe your browser made an error.

[iliketurtles 0]

Look so far, it looks like a legitimate stoppage to drug abuse in the WWE. I think Vince has put quite a bit of time in working on this, so I'm looking at it optomistically.

 

As long as this isn't a quick fix and it's done fairly, there's no place for us to bitch about it.

 

It's been a long time coming...

[Dangerous A 0]

Look so far, it looks like a legitimate stoppage to drug abuse in the WWE. I think Vince has put quite a bit of time in working on this, so I'm looking at it optomistically.

 

As long as this isn't a quick fix and it's done fairly, there's no place for us to bitch about it.

 

One thing I'll say about Vince is even though he doesn't want to do this, if he's going to do it, he wants to be able to puff out his chest to show they are doing it better than anyone else.

 

That said, he also had to do this because the mainstream media push to WM is coming and he needs this in place for when the media comes asking about the drug related deaths in wrestling, particularly coming off the heels of Eddie last November.

[haws bah gawd 0]

It was nice knowing you RVD. Good Luck in TNA!

[Dangerous A 0]

Here is an interested tidbit from Dave Meltzer back in November when they announced the testing would be happening....

 

 

"Using 1991 as an example, McMahon made a similar announcement to talent in July, after a damaging steroid trial. In November, months after everyone was told to get off steroids, 50% of the wrestlers in the company (and that percentage included both male and female talent) tested positive on the first test. The company policy became that those wrestlers had to show decreasing levels of steroids in future tests or be suspended. That policy was criticized at the time by some leading steroid doctors who stated to us that levels of steroids when it comes to being in tests fluctuate up and down, and levels themselves could increase even upon cessation of usage..."

[Guest Dam(o)nYankees]

"Reasonable suspicion"

 

I expect Chris Masters pissing in a cup every single week.

[Murmuring Beast 0]

Can we expect to see Vince shrink or will he not be testing himself.

[buffybeast 0]

Who's that big, bald black guy on Smackdown? His piss has got to come up hot.

 

I'm curious as to how long this program will last.

[Art Sandusky 0]

Man, if your pee is cold, you've got problems.

[Dangerous A 0]

Can we expect to see Vince shrink or will he not be testing himself.

 

 

No, because Vince is no longer classified as "talent". Vince took himself off the talent roster a few months ago so he no longer gets a paycheck for being "talent". Vince instead rewarded himself with a $47 million dividend. This is how Vince is going to bypass the testing. Kind of hypocritical when you think about it.

[Guest SavageRulz]

It's a shame that's it's taken such a shocking and high profile death to happen before something like this has been put into place.

[Murmuring Beast 0]

I only tune in on occasion to see what colour Vince is going.

[Guest Brian]

From Meltz today:

 

It is almost a sure thing one of the subjects will be the new drug testing policy and cardiovascular testing. They will and have already announced the new policy prohibiting use of illegal drugs, distribution, abuse of legal drugs, use of masking agents and diuretics. Dr. David Black of Aegis Sciences in Nashville, who formerly worked with WCW, will handle the program indepedently. There will be random testing. Positives on the first test will not be punished, but levels must decrease in subsequent tests. First punishment is 30 days without pay, second is 60 days and possible rehab and third is termination. The New York Cardiology Associates will handle the cardiovascular program, with extensive stress tests for everyone.

 

Just show decreasing levels, so I'm assuming Vince already is prepared for the fact that a good deal of his roster is still on the stuff, and that they can continue using as long as they decrease their consumption.

 

The interesting thing would be the stress test if people don't pass, because that's something they have to deal with immediately.

[SuperJerk 0]

World Wrestling Entertainment summoned all wrestlers under WWE contract to today's SuperShow taping in Washington D.C. at the MCI Center, including people that have been off the road as of late. The meeting is about drug testing. Vince McMahon will be going over the particulars in regards to the company's drug testing program, or as WWE calls it, the "Wellness Program." There will be similar meetings to this one at Ohio Valley Wrestling and Deep South Wrestling.

 

source - PWInsider.com

 

http://www.lordsofpain.net/news/2006/articles/1141069037.php

[Murmuring Beast 0]

The many colours of Vince McMahon

 

Young Vince: Pale as hell - almost grey.

 

 

With Pops: Jaundiced - yellowish tinge

 

 

Bad Fashion Vince: Normal facial tone but old-looking

 

 

Vince, stoned.

 

 

Do you like your Vince well done?

 

[Murmuring Beast 0]

That was intentionally as bad a post as possible. It's all this folder deserves.

[Guest Brian]

That was so bad, I almost deleted the thread.

[Dangerous A 0]

OK folks, the policy, in even more detail...

 

 

WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

 

2006 SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND DRUG TESTING POLICY

February 27, 2006

 

1. GENERAL POLICY

 

The non-medical use and associated abuse of prescription medications and performance enhancing drugs, as well as the use, possession and/or distribution of illegal drugs, by WWE Talent are unacceptable and prohibited by this policy, as is the use of masking agents or diuretics taken to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs.

 

 

2. NON-MEDICAL USE

 

For purposes of this Policy, the phrase “non-medical use” shall mean use of a drug by a WWE Talent for other than a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician. Prescriptions obtained over the internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the internet shall not be considered to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose.

 

 

3. LIST OF PROHIBITED DRUGS

 

A. Performance Enhancing Drugs

 

(1) Anabolic Androgenic Steroids (AAS): The non-medical use of anabolic androgenic steroids, which include and are based on the natural steroid Testosterone, is prohibited.

 

The list of prohibited AAS includes, but is not limited to, those on the list below as well as related compounds.

 

▪ androstenediol

▪ androstendione

▪ bolasterone

▪ boldenone

▪ chloroxomesterone (dehydrochlormethyltestosterone)

▪ clostebol

▪ dihydroepiandosterone

▪ dihydrotestosterone

▪ dromostanolone

▪ epitestosterone

▪ 4-chlortestosterone

▪ fluoxymesterone

▪ formebolone

▪ furazabol

▪ mesterolone

▪ methandienone (methandrostenolone)

▪ methandriol

▪ methenolone

▪ methylclostebol

▪ methyltestosterone

▪ methyltrienolone

▪ mibolerone

▪ nandrolone

▪ norandrostenediol

▪ norandrostenedione

▪ norethandrolone

▪ norethindrone

▪ oxabolone

▪ oxandrolone

▪ oxymesterone

▪ oxymetholone

▪ stanozolol

▪ stenbolone

▪ testosterone

▪ trenbolone

 

(2) Peptide Hormones and Analogues: The non-medical use of Human Growth Hormone (hGH), Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ((hCG), Luetenizing Hormone (LH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) is prohibited.

 

(3) Clenbuterol, used as an anti-catabolic drug or beta-2 agonist or for any other purpose, is prohibited.

 

B. Other Prohibited Drugs

 

(1) Stimulants. The non-medical use of amphetamine, methamphetamine, Ecstacy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA), MDA, PMA, Phentermine, Ephedrine class and other amphetamine derivatives and related compounds is prohibited.

 

(2) Narcotic Analgesics. The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, heroin, morphine and/or its chemical and pharmacological analogs and related compounds, is prohibited. Additionally, codeine and codeine based combinations, including those available over the counter in some countries, are considered prohibited drugs if used for a non-medical purpose.

 

(3) Benzodiazepines. The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, Alpha-hydroxy-alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam (Ativan), Nordiazepam (Valium), Oxazepam (Serax), Temazepam (Restoril) and/or chemical and pharmacological analogs and related components is prohibited.

 

(4) Barbiturates. The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, Amobarbital (Amytal), Butabarbital (Butisol), Butalbital (Anolor 300, Esgic, Fioricet, Fiorinal), Phenobarbital (Luminol, Solfoton), Pentobarbital (Nembutal, Nembutal Sodium), Secobarbital (Seconal) and/or chemical and pharmacological analogs and related components is prohibited.

 

(5) Diuretics. The non-medical use of diuretics, including, but not limited to, those on the list below as well as related compounds, is prohibited.

 

▪ acetozolomide

▪ amiloride

▪ bendroflumethiazide

▪ benzthiazide

▪ bumetanide

▪ canrenone

▪ chlormerodrin

▪ chlorthalidone

▪ diclophenamide

▪ ethacrynic acid

▪ furosemide

▪ hydrochlorothiazide

▪ mersalyl

▪ spironolactone

▪ triamterene

 

(6) Prescription drugs. WWE recognizes that there are many prescription and over-the-counter medications that serve essential or beneficial purposes for the health and well being of WWE Talent, and nothing in this Policy is intended to discourage the proper use of these medications. Conversely, there are some medications that, even when used properly, may affect safety or health and also medications which can be abused and affect safety and health. Accordingly, the following uses are prohibited regarding prescription and over-the-counter medications.

 

(a) The use of such a medication in a manner which is inconsistent with the instructions provided by the prescribing physician.

 

(b) The use of such a medication so as to cause an increased risk to health, safety or an impairment of ability to perform duties on the day of a WWE Event.

 

© The use of prescription drugs taken without a proper prescription given for a legitimate medical purpose by the personal physician of the person tested.

 

(d) The use of prescription drugs obtained from a physician who was not advised that another physician was prescribing the same and/or similar drug(s).

 

(7) Illegal drugs. The possession, use, and/or distribution of any drug made illegal to possess, use and/or distribute by the laws of the United States of America and/or any of its fifty states is prohibited by this Policy.

 

 

4. MASKING AGENTS AND TECHNIQUES USED TO AVOID DETECTION

 

The use of any agent or technique which is designed to avoid detection of a prohibited drug and/or compromise the integrity of a drug test is prohibited. This includes providing false urine samples (for example, urine substitution), contaminating the urine sample with chemicals or chemical products, the use of diuretics to dilute urine samples, the use of masking agents (such as probenecid and related compounds), and/or the use of epitestosterone either systematically or directly to artificially alter the testosterone/epitestosterone ratio.

 

The use of any such agent or technique shall be treated as a positive test for substances prohibited by this Policy for disciplinary purposes.

 

 

5. ALCOHOL ABUSE

 

The use and/or abuse of alcohol in such a fashion so as to impair the ability to perform is prohibited by this Policy. Talent are expected to be free of the influence of alcohol when performing for WWE. Accordingly, the use of alcohol at any time twelve hours prior to any scheduled performance is prohibited by this Policy.

 

(1) Testing for alcohol use or abuse in violation of this Policy shall be for reasonable cause only as defined in Section 7A.

 

(2) The initial positive test for use and/or abuse of alcohol in violation of this Policy will be treated as a medical issue requiring evaluation for alcohol rehabilitation treatment. All subsequent positive tests for alcohol-related violations of this Policy shall be treated as disciplinary matters in accordance with this Policy.

 

 

6. ADMINISTRATION OF THE POLICY

 

The administration of this Policy is directed by the Program Administrator (PA) for the WWE. The PA shall be David L. Black, Ph.D., D-ABFT, D-ABCC of Aegis Sciences Corporation (“Aegis”), Nashville, Tennessee. The PA shall be responsible for scheduling Talent for testing, administering collection of samples, coordinating secure shipment of samples to the testing facility, interviewing Talent and determining whether any WWE Talent has tested positive for the existence of a prohibited drug and, if so, directing that the appropriate penalty as set forth herein is imposed.

 

 

7. TESTING FOR USE OF PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE

 

A. Reasonable Cause Testing

 

(1) Reasonable Suspicion. WWE may require Talent to submit to a test or tests, including, without limitation, urine, blood, saliva, hair, and/or breath tests, if there exists reasonable suspicion that the Talent has violated any part of this Policy or has diminished ability to perform as a result of using any prohibited substance. Some of the conditions, observations and/or reports that may cause WWE to have such a reasonable suspicion are as follows:

 

(a) When a Talent is found or observed in possession of illegal drugs or illegal drug paraphernalia at any time.

 

(b) Observation of signs, symptoms and/or behaviors known to accompany the use of prohibited substances including, but not limited to:

 

1. physical signs of red or droopy eyes, dilated or constricted pupils;

 

2. slurred speech, stumbling, or hyperactivity;

 

3. needle marks;

 

4. repeated unexplained disappearances from an Event;

 

5. unexplained lateness in arriving for an Event;

 

6. nose constantly runs, appears red, or persistent sniffling;

 

7. time distortion, including repeated tardiness and missed appointments;

 

8. chronic forgetfulness or broken promises;

 

9. accidents during Events;

 

10. inability to concentrate, remember, or maintain attention;

 

11. mental confusion, paranoia, or presence of abnormal thoughts or ideas;

 

12. violent tendencies, loss of temper, or irritability;

 

13. extreme personality change or mood swings;

 

14. deteriorating personal hygiene or appearance.

 

© A drug related conviction.

 

(d) Receipt of a report from a reliable source that a Talent is using, possessing or selling illegal drugs.

 

(e) An examination or test, as provided by the Policy, which shows evidence of use of a prohibited substance or adulteration or manipulation of the specimen.

 

In addition, WWE may require a Talent to submit to a test or tests, including without limitation, urine, blood, saliva, hair, and/or breath tests, following an incident in which careless acts were observed during a WWE Event.

 

(2) Tests for violation of this Policy for alcohol and marijuana shall be on the basis of reasonable cause only.

 

B. Random Testing

 

With respect to all substances and drugs prohibited by this Policy except alcohol and marijuana, which will be tested only if reasonable cause exists to do so, WWE Talent will be subject to unannounced testing at any time, as determined by the PA. WWE may require Talent to submit to a test or tests, including, without limitation, urine, blood, saliva and/or hair in a random selection program. The random selection program conducted throughout the year will result in all Talent being tested on average four times and at least twice but may result in more frequent testing due to the random selection process. WWE Talent placed into the follow-up random testing program will be tested more frequently than four times per year.

 

C. Refusal To Test

 

A refusal to submit to a drug test by Talent shall be treated as a positive test for disciplinary and all other purposes pursuant to this Policy.

 

 

8. COLLECTION AND TRANSPORT OF SPECIMEN(S)

 

The Program Administrator will be in charge of collection of specimen(s) and they will carry out the following procedures:

 

(a) Ensure that the specimen(s) is/are from the Talent in question (including observation of the collection of the specimen(s)).

 

(b) Ensure that the specimen(s) is/are collected within the time period designated. Normally, collection shall be made within one hour or less of the notification of the Talent that testing will be conducted, unless a different time is designated based on the circumstances.

 

 

© Ensure that the specimen(s) has/have not been manipulated by promptly measuring the temperature of the specimen(s). Where results indicate that the sample is inappropriate for testing, the PA may require the Talent to provide additional specimen(s) as necessary.

 

(d) Label, secure, and transport the specimen(s) to the designated testing facility in such a manner as to ensure that the specimen(s) is/are not misplaced, tampered with, or relabeled.

 

 

9. FACILITY FOR TESTING

 

All testing will be done at a facility or facilities selected by WWE from among those facilities that have been certified by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, College of American Pathologists Forensic Urine Drug Testing Program (CAP-FUDT) and/or American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors (ASCLD).

 

 

10. TECHNOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF TESTING

 

The WWE designated testing facility will determine whether and in what amount a particular specimen tests positive with respect to a prohibited substance and whether the specimen has been adulterated or manipulated. The testing facility will transmit the results to the WWE PA. The PA shall promptly notify the Talent and the designated WWE representative whether or not the specimen(s) yielded a positive result for a prohibited drug and/or were adulterated or manipulated.

 

 

11. DEFINITION OF A POSITIVE TEST

 

(a) A positive test is one which confirms the presence of a prohibited drug or a metabolite of a prohibited drug.

 

(b) The initial test of Talent under this Policy shall be considered baseline testing and shall not, if positive, subject Talent to disciplinary action. Any subsequent positive test for non-medical use after the initial baseline test shall be treated as a positive test for disciplinary reasons if, in the opinion of the PA based on the evidence of testing and its interpretation of that evidence, the Talent has continued to use any such drugs.

 

© For testosterone, the following standards shall apply:

 

1. A Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) ratio above ten (10) shall be conclusively regarded as a positive test result.

 

2. A Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) ratio greater than four (4) but less than ten (10) shall require follow-up testing and/or medical evaluation to determine if the test shall be interpreted as positive for the active use of Testosterone or evidence of other steroids influencing the T/E ratio.

 

3. A Testosterone/Epitestosterone (T/E) ratio of four (4) or less shall be regarded as a negative test result.

 

 

12. PROCEDURE FOR A POSITIVE TEST

 

(1) The PA shall notify the Talent and the designated WWE representative of any positive test detected on the initial baseline test as defined in Section 11(b) of this Policy.

 

(2) After the initial baseline test, any and all subsequent positive tests for the non-medical use of drugs shall be subject to the penalties set forth herein.

 

(3) In the event that a Talent tests positive for a prescription drug, it shall be the responsibility of Talent to provide to the PA, within five (5) days of notification of a positive test, suitable proof that the drug in question has been taken pursuant to a valid prescription for a legitimate medical purpose given by a licensed and treating physician, and to provide copies of the prescription and the name, address and telephone number of the prescribing physician. The PA, as part of this Policy, shall have the consent of Talent to contact the prescribing physician to confirm that the prescription provided by Talent is valid and for a legitimate medical purpose. The failure to provide suitable proof shall be treated as a positive test. For purposes of this Policy, prescriptions obtained over the internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the internet shall NOT be considered valid and/or to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose. The Talent may be required to participate in follow-up testing to verify compliance with prescription medication use.

 

(4) Upon being notified by the PA that a Talent has tested positive for a drug prohibited by this Policy, the Talent shall have five (5) days to request a second opinion test be conducted. The second opinion test shall be conducted at the WWE designated testing facility using bottle “B” from the original collection. If the second opinion test fails to confirm the original test, then the test will be recorded as “negative” and there will be no penalty.

 

 

13. DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATION OF LAW

 

Any Talent who is arrested, convicted or who admits to a violation of law relating to use, possession, purchase, sale or distribution of prohibited drugs will be in material breach of contract and subject to immediate dismissal.

 

 

14. PENALTIES FOR POSITIVE DRUG TESTS

 

First Offense. In the event of an initial positive result for drugs prohibited by this Policy, as amended from time to time, the Talent shall be suspended without pay for 30 days.

 

Second Offense. In the event of a second positive result for drugs prohibited by this Policy, as amended from time to time, the Talent shall be suspended without pay for 60 days or, in cases where the Talent appears to be in need of a drug rehabilitation program, an indefinite suspension without pay until the individual has successfully completed the drug rehabilitation program.

 

Third Offense. In the event of a third positive result for drugs prohibited by this Policy, as amended from time to time, the Talent’s contract with WWE will be terminated.

 

 

15. APPLICABILITY OF THIS POLICY

 

This Policy, as it may be amended from time to time, is applicable to and binding upon all WWE Talent under contract to WWE who regularly perform in-ring services as a professional sports entertainer.

 

 

Man, that's a tough read.

[BruiserKC 0]

Maybe Vince is going to take the pictures on his cell phone of him naked and have them on a huge slide show projecter for the roster.

 

 

Which means that Vince announces his love affair with JBL?

[bradolson 0]

Tests for violation of this Policy for alcohol and marijuana shall be on the basis of reasonable cause only.

So no random tests for marijuana or alcohol, only if they have "reasonable cause" to ask them to be tested. I wonder who in the WWE determines reasonable cause. "Hey, RVD looks high - should we test him?" Seems kind of subjective.

[LucharesuFan619 0]

The CM Punk thing on page 1 was indeed brilliant. Everything else was bad...just...bad. (not that I didn't laugh at any of it...)

[The Czech Republic 0]

9. accidents during Events;

Hear that, Chris Masters? Botch a move, we check your piss