WWE star Orton, others linked to steroids inquiry

Eleven professional wrestlers, including the WWE's Randy Orton, have joined the list of athletes linked to a nationwide steroids investigation.

SI.com reported Monday that Orton allegedly received eight prescriptions for six different drugs - including stanozolol, nandrolone and testosterone - between March 2004 and August 2004. According to the documents SI.com reviewed, two doctors whose names also appear in Gary Matthews Jr.'s file, wrote prescriptions for Orton.
Orton, through the WWE, declined comment, SI.com said.

In its review of documents, SI.com reported it found Adam Copeland, a.k.a. Edge, and Shane Helms, a.k.a. The Hurricane, received HGH from Applied Pharmacy in Mobile, Ala., one of the pharmacies raided in the investigation led by Albany, N.Y., District Attorney David Soares.

Through the WWE, Copeland and Helms didn't respond to a request for comment, SI.com said.

WWE spokesman Gary Davis told SI.com that WWE policy prohibits performance-enhancing drugs but would not say whether any wrestlers have tested positive since the policy was enacted.

A statement release Monday night by WWE said the allegations reported by SI.com occurred before the organization implemented its "Talent Wellness Program," which deems "prescriptions obtained over the Internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the Internet are not considered to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose."

Also linked to the scandal, in various reports, are baseball's Jose Canseco, John Rocker, Jerry Hairston Jr. and David Bell, former heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield, Pittsburgh Steelers doctor Richard Rydze, 1996 Olympic wrestling gold medalist Kurt Angle and bodybuilder Victor Martinez.

Monday, SI.com also reported Arizona doctor David Wilbirt's name has come up in multiple files, including Angle, Oscar Gutierrez (stage name Rey Mysterio) and former WWE star Eddie Guerrero, who died in 2005.

Through the WWE, Gutierrez declined comment to SI.com about the report that Wilbirt had prescribed him nandrolone and stanozolol.

Wilbirt told SI.com he's not practicing medicine now.

"I'll tell you one thing and then this conversation is going to end," Wilbirt told SI.com when asked about the professional wrestlers. "They had done blood work and had laboratory work done and they had come to see me."

Source: FOX Sports

Randy Orton is a loser.

But man, WWE screwed the pooch last night with having Chris Beniot....CHRIS BENIOT...tap out to John Cena.

I mean, its not that it was Beniot losing to Cena. By Pinfall or DQ, it would have been satisfyingly fair. Instead, its by submission...

Its like the Montreal Screw Job. Its super disgraceful to a respected and long-hard working wrestler like Beniot.

It doesn't really surprise me anymore what the WWE does. Almost all the guys I've ever liked never receive the "fair" push they deserve. The "fair" push is like a Rock or Stone Cold push. I got tired of those guys (they were just shoved down our throats). But look at how many times Chris Benoit or King Booker have won the title and how long those title runs have gone. Or a recent example like Shelton Benjamin. Whereas you have someone like HHH or John Cena who ALWAYS have to wear the gold.

Irish...the problem with Shelton Benjamin is he's got about as much charisma as my left tennis shoe.

We all know he's a terrific performer (he may very well be the best young guy on either of the rosters)...but give him the mic...and he's about as effective...well...I can't think of another witty metaphor...but you catch my drift. lol

Sure, but that can be molded. I think his in ring performance should be enough to warrant a longer singles push. The mic stuff can always be worked on. Early in his career Bret Hart hated to cut promo's (that's why The Mouth of the South Jimmy Hart or The Anvil did most of the talking in the interviews). Look at what he went on to accomplish. Now please don't think I'm comparing Shelton Benjamin with Bret Hart, I'm simply making a point. Even Melina and Johnny Nitro were HORRIBLE on the mic (remember that "press conference" in the middle of the ring when they got booed outta the arena?). Well, I have noticed they've gotten better in recent weeks and I believe Shelton can too (it's a small thing compared to what he can deliever in the ring).

That's entirely up to Benjamin. He's the one that needs to step up and make the changes that need changing. The trainers and everyone else can only do so much. At the end of the day, ultimately, it's up to him.

No argument here

Irish, true about the mic, but you still didn't answer about the charisma part.

Its also about a unique schtick that stays with wrestling fans.

Bret Hart's schtick was that of the Canadian patriot technical wrestling master. The Best that there ever was, the best there is , and the best that ever will be....Even when his mic work was flat, his ring-work spoke for him.

Interestingly, WWE had a gimmick idea with Shelton that they quickly and wrongly abandoned.

They teased an idea of Shelton being a new Terrell Owens or Randy Moss sort of persona: Loud mouth, up in your face, doesn't give a shit about you unless its about him, very boastful, and a proud black athlete unafraid to alienate the white redneck audience.

Then his respected ring work would come through his matches as the heel/anti-hero(either angle would work) and it would have worked.

Remember when Benjamin basically, save for actually saying it, once called Coachman a Uncle Tom?

Maybe they need to bring back Mama Benjamin.

Nothing against those who like wrestling but to me it always looked like men simulating gay rape.

Exactly! They should have stuck with that angle. I really enjoyed it and I at least thought it was working.He might not have had a lot of charisma but judging from your post, I'd say you enjoyed the storyline too, did you not?

Well Irish, I thought the storyline had potential, and considering the unremarkable way Shelton was having, it would have worked...if WWE had stayed with it, which they didn't.

I wouldn't say I was seriously enjoying it, but again it had potential, and it was alot better than what WWE was using him for anyway.

-Did anyone else see Monty Brown tackle the sh*t outta Sabu? HOLY SH*T!

-Looks like Chris Masters has made the shift over to ECW. Although, I don't even have to watch Lashley's matches anymore. It's like The Rock, Stone Cold or HHH, they ALWAYS win. You're surprised when they lose that's how often they win. I don't remember the last time Lashley lost a match.

-Still glad to see Elijah Bruke receiving his push

Yeah Irish he was knocked out. I don't know about you but the ECW is getting boring. The only thing I like about it is Lashly. Snitsky looks like Kane now.

I personally think ECW is getting better since Vince has been on the show, etc. As I said, I LOVE the Elijah Burke push but I don't know why they're f*cking around and won't push RVD or Sabu. I don't care how much heat they have backstage, those are the guys people pay to see and tune in to watch. But, as usually with the WWE, if it's someone I like, they won't push him Instead they'll push Lashley (who I have no problem with) as hard as they can (which I just find boring after awhile). No offense, but I'd like to see him and Cena drop the titles. Give it to someone else for a change.

Irish,

What do you think of Snitsky?

Not a huge fan of his. But as per the WWE's signature, he's big, they'll push him

Snitsky is a boring wrestler, but if he had ever been a Shelton Benjamin in terms of being a solid wrestler, then his schtick of a Harvard-graduate elite snob could have worked.

But again, he's as provacative as THE MARINE.

Snitsky played a Harvard-graduate?

Rebecca released

As first reported by WWE Mobile Alerts, WWE has come to terms on the release of ECW Diva Rebecca DiPietro. WWE wishes Rebecca all the best in all future endeavors.

Source: WWE

I love WWE press releases.

In translation:

"We don't need you anymore. You cost too much. We hate you. Go piss off and die!"

But really, getting canned from ECW roster.....ouch.

I saw the video online of Lashley breaking the Master Lock.

They made all this hype about the unbreakable Master Lock...and Lashley breaks it with little effort.

Granted...Lashley is just as big (if not bigger) than Chris Masters...but they should have drawn it out a bit. Have Lashley attempt to break out...then show signs of fatigue...he's drifting...down to one knee...then HE HULKS UP LIKE THE HULKSTER, AND SLOWLY...MASTERS HANDS COME APART. THE CROWD GOES NUTS!

Instead...Lashley breaks it as if I had him in the Master Lock. *yawn*

I've got to agree with XD.

What I loved what that clip-montage of the "unbreakable" MasterLock Challenge. I mean, its like WWE had to remind the uncaring audiences why its so important....and why Lashley breaking it is significant.

WWE has just announced that William Shatner will be inducting Jerry "The King" Lawler into the WWE Hall of Fame. Click here for the article.

Man...if only the World's Greatest (and only) Intergender Wrestling Champion was still alive.

I don't understand why captain kirk is inducting him.

That makes 2 of us Mig

Lawler wanted originally Russell, of Memphis Wrestling, to induct him. WWE vetoed it. Lawler then asked Jim Carrey(who had played the late Andy Kaufman in MAN IN THE MOON) but he was busy.

Apparently, WWE got someone that was available, and up for the money.

I say JR should do it but who am I?

Thing is...odds are that JR will ALSO be inducted into the HOF this year.

As for why Shatner is inducting the King: back in '90s (can't remember exactly when), William Shatner was a guest on Jerry Lawler's interview segment "The King's Court" (kinda like Piper's Pit.)

Shatner was plugging his new TV series, when Lawler threatened to put Shatner in his place. Shatner then shocked the world by knocking the King flat on his ass.

***EDIT***

Well lo and behold...they actually have the video up on WWE.com!

William Shatner on The King's Court