A Congressional Report has made allegations that after drug testing on the professional wrestling world, there is clear evidence that the use of steroid and amphetamine use is rampant. This sports spectacle is largely controlled by Vince McMahon’s WWE and has been long known to have his wrestlers juiced up and high before taking the ring.

The report indicated that there were 479 tests conducted and 58 of the subjects registered a positive result. The irony of it is that the positive drug results were cannabis sativa related which is a known downer. Of the wrestlers tested, only nine positive results came out for anabolic steroid use, two were nandrolone, five testosterone and two for Winstrol, which resulted in six suspended wrestlers. The other suspensions were for cocaine use and narcotics use.

The few positive results from the wrestling participants rang many other alarm bells considering how high the energy is when the lights are on. One of the many issues raised was the failure to test for human growth hormone, insulin use, EPO and other anabolic drugs used. And the interest in Congress, led by California Rep Henry Waxman continues to increase. The legislator has included in his agenda an anti-steroid campaign during his tenure as Chairman for the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform initially against Major League Baseball and now on the World Wrestling Entertainment, both awash with rumors of heavy steroid use.

The California Democrat sent a letter to the Office of the National Drug Control PolicyWWE requesting that its chief, John Walters, continue to investigate on the use of steroids in professional wrestling and undertake policy steps to address the issues. In his own committee, Rep. Waxman started its investigation a year ago by interviewing sports officials and by reviewing the drug policy for both the WWE and its competitor Total Nonstop Action or TNA. This came at the heels of the 2005 investigation on baseball which made MLB formulate stricter drug testing policies and processes and increasing sanctions for violators.

Comparing MLB’s actions as against the wrestling giants programs, Waxman observed there is still more to be uncovered since the professional wrestling policy has spotty at best drug testing policies. He even noted that in March 2006, 40% of the total number of wrestlers tested registered positive even with the advance notice given to them that tests were to be undertaken. He continued by saying that wrestlers who registered positives were given slaps on the wrist and were allowed to enter the ring despite such results. It was also seen that therapeutic use exemptions were easily obtained for use of the banned substances claiming an assortment of medical reasons. In an interview with its resident physician, Dr. Tracy Ray claimed that there were clear issues with TUE applications. It was observed that the TUEs were rubber stamped with approval even without any consultation on the actual use.

WWE has responded lamely to these allegations and even its owner has dodged questions about the reality and sincerity of the drug policy. This smackdown has opened a lot of raw nerves that surely will be resolved not in the squared circle but in the courtrooms in the country.

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