So how was SummerSlam, DMC?

I'm actually kind of surprised by this move but see it as a necessity

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Top WWE names emerge in doping scandal
BY T.J. QUINN
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER
Thursday, August 30th 2007, 6:28 PM

The WWE was rocked again today, after several of wrestling's top names emerged in the Albany district attorney's probe into a widespread Internet doping scandal.

The wrestling conglomerate based in Stamford announced that it will suspend 10 of its biggest stars for violation of its wellness policy.

In a list obtained exclusively by the Daily News, top wrestlers Randy Orton, Charles Haas, Jr., Adam "Edge" Copeland, Robert "Booker T" Huffman, Shane Helms, Mike Bucci, Anthony Carelli, John "Johnny Nitro" Hennigan, Darren "William Regal" Matthews, Ken "Mr. Kennedy" Anderson, Eddie "Umaga" Fatu, Shoichi Funaki and Chavo Guerrero were all identified as clients of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, the site raided by Albany County and Florida law enforcement agencies in February for distributing steroids and other prescription drugs to clients who had not been examined by doctors. The investigation is part of a probe into illegal Internet drug distribution by Albany D.A. David Soares.

It is unclear at this time which of these wrestlers will be suspended by the WWE.

The WWE said in a statement that it issued suspension notices based on independent information received from the Albany D.A.

The WWE's announcement comes as members of Congress prepare to investigate steroid use in professional wrestling, as the Daily News reported today.

Two of its recently deceased stars - Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero - also received steroids and other drugs from Signature, as prescribed by Florida physician Gary Brandwein, who has pleaded not guilty to criminal sale of a controlled substance and criminal diversion of prescription drugs. Benoit murdered his wife and son before killing himself in June and Guerrero died in a Minneapolis hotel in 2005 from heart disease.

Guerrero received the steroids testosterone and nandrolone, along with the estrogen-blocker anastozole, a drug commonly taken by men on steroids to prevent developing breast tissue, Nov. 2, 2005, just 11 days before he died of heart disease.

Guerrero's nephew, Chavo Guerrero, found Guerrero unconscious in the hotel room.

Benoit received steroids from Signature, based on a Brandwein prescription, in February, 2006.

The WWE stars are among the first athletes to face discipline for their part in the nationwide Signature Pharmacy scandal, the Internet steroid ring that has already led to guilty pleas from nine doctors, anti-aging clinic owners and operators. Law enforcement sources have said they expect the names of numerous NFL and Major League Baseball athletes to emerge as well.

Source: New York Daily News

Wow, they're suspending all those stars at once?

http://channels.isp.netscape.com/celebri...034.htm&sc=1110


yes they are all suspended.

I read this early this morning. I applaud the WWE for taking action. Some of them are big stars, but it's should either be zero-tolerance or nothing at all, IMO.

I agree XDCX and they're showing the government they're capable of running their own ship. Bravo Vince!

More on the suspensions

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In an interview on On the Record with Greta Van Susteren earlier today, WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt said that two more wrestlers may be suspended tomorrow. He said they have to talk with the talents to confirm information first before making a decision. McDevitt aso added that WWE independently confirmed all information it received from the DA before suspending the ten wrestlers earlier today. According to McDevitt, the ten suspensions are without pay and will last for either thirty or sixty days (depending on whether it was a first or second offense). Regarding why WWE aren't revealing names today of those suspended, McDevitt said, "It's a fair notice issue to us." Although he also noted that talent has been told that they will be publicly identified in the future should they violate the policy. "We do that in the belief that it will give greater transparency to the program and hopefully operate as a deterent to anybody who wishes to engage in this activity," McDevitt said. Furthermore, McDevitt said that it's not just a WWE problem. He said Signature Pharmacy was sending drugs to policemen, firemen, and pro athletes. He said that he heard that the NFL will be releasing names of players linked to the scandal in a few days.

Source: Rajah

I guess the writers will have to come up with all new story lines now huh?

They'll have to. I wonder how they'll write them off. No ECW champ John Morrison, no Randy Orton or King Booker, no Umaga or Mr. Kennedy. There's going to be a lot of holes on Raw. At least Edge is the only one injuried so they can just delay his return by a month or so.

I wonder if they will ditch Vince's bastard son story line?

I saw on WWE.com that Taker will return for Unforgiven PPV in September.

WOW Rey Mysterio vs Khali at Unforgiven. Does Rey even have a snowball's chance?

Good point Mig, I didn't think of that since Mr. Kennedy is suppose to be it and they're suppose to announce it in 2 weeks. A lot of plan changing now

Rey had better wipe the floor with Khali, but more than likely Rey will be in there to do the job to build up Khali since he can't wrestle and is pure eye candy

At the very least Vince is finally doing something. Maybe he's finally learned...as if all the deaths and the steroid trial weren't enough.

I can't find the link right now but basically any of the "big name" stars who are involved in story line that they can't be written out of will stay on TV but not be paid.

The rest will have a few weeks to be written out of line or serve their suspensions at a "better" time.

That would make more sense than to just cut everybody off at once. I was wondering how they would handle it

It's amazing how Orton still has a job.

Edit:


And they let go of some people.

Yeah I read that. WTF!?

WTF? Cryme Tyme was another heavily-hyped tag team gimmick that WWE then proceeded to not bother using. Its weird how much air space they waste on them, then not bother trying to make their investments work.

WWE is such a goddamn mess.

So I wonder what the hell "things are looking up" is supposed to mean?

So Mr.Kennedy is not the bastard son so they say. Well who in the hell is then?

You'll have to tune it next week

I guess so.

New study suggests concussions caused Benoit's rage

From WSBTV.com

NEW YORK -- A new study suggests that a series of concussions may have caused the rage that led wrestler Chris Benoit to murder his wife, his son and commit suicide.

Benoit's father, Michael Benoit, turned over part of the wrestler's brain to researchers at West Virginia University and the Sports Legacy Institute.

"I was grasping for anything. The world was very black. We didn't even know how to deal with this," said Michael Benoit.

Dr. Julian Bailes, head of neurosurgery at WVU, said the results of tests on Chris Benoit's brain were striking.

Showing a slide of Benoit's brain tissue Wednesday morning on ABC's Good Morning America Bailes pointed out what he called abnormalities.

"These are dead brain cells," said Bailes.

When asked how much of that he found Bailes replied, "It was extensive, throughout Chris's brain. It was striking and maybe shocking in the extent."

The researcher said Benoit's brain scan looked similar to those of Alzheimer's patients.

He described Benoit's brain as "very abnormal, something you should never see in a 40-year old."

Bailes has done similar research on the brains of former professional football players who committed suicide.

He said he found similar brain damage in their cases.

Bailes theroizes that repeated concussions can lead to dementia which can contribute to severe behaviorial problems.

In the case of the former NFL players he said he found a recurring "theme of failure in their personal lives and their business lives, depression and then ultimate suicide."

Benoit's father suggests that brain damage could have lead his son to murder his family.

"We have no understanding of how this could have happened. So it was important to us to investigate to see if something went terribly wrong," said Michael Benoit.

He said his son suffered dozens of concussions during his wrestling career.

Investigators have said that Benoit killed his wife, then his son and then himself in his Fayetteville, Ga. home the weekend of June 22.

Don't expect to say that on any of the major networks. They all like the steroid scandal more I'm sure

Are you serious? Part of Benoits brain is right here in Morgantown, and I didn't know about it??

Oh, it was definitely roid rage. Roid rage that lasted 3 days.

Well, it gives no comfort, but at least there is an explanation (perhaps) why Benoit snapped.

Anyway, CM Punk won the ECW belt last night. About time. Johnny Morrison is so damn lame.....

Punk should keep the belt for at least 6 months. He's easily the best on that show.

I wonder how far Ashley will go in the new season of Survivor coming up?