Professional wrestling is always associated with steroid use. Several professional wrestlers were already implicated in the use of performance enhancing drugs that brought them to fame but at the same time risking their lives. The “attitude era” is synonymous with wrestlers dependent on steroids. The story of Chris Benoit is an example of how steroids can ruin career and family if not used properly. Other wrestler’s deaths from the time of Hulk Hogan up to the time of John Cena were associated with performance enhancers.

Right now, the company who brought wrestling as a form of entertainment wants to overhaul their image which was long tainted with steroid use. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon initiated a bold step to change the image of their programs which include removal of offensive languages, bloody fights, and lingerie matches. Wrestlers like John Cena and Rey Mysterio who are popular to young audiences get more publicity. They also published magazine for Kids. With these initiatives, WWE was able to get PG ratings for their programs which were previously rated TV-14.

According to McMahon, the changes are based on the clamor of their audiences. In the Associated Press interview, McMahon said that they only listened to what the audience wants. He believes that it is the right business move specially in trying to capture larger share of the audience. The WWE’s programs like the Monday Night Raw, Extreme Championship Wrestling, WWE Superstars, and Friday Night Smackdown are being broadcast in different networks. The strategy has attracted new advertisers for these programs which previously shunned WWE.

The WWE chairman did not want to compete with the Ultimate Fighting Championship and mixed martial arts which are now becoming popular and considered as their competitors. Intensifying violence and sexuality on their shows will not make any sense according to McMahon. “You really can’t compete with that. Why not deliver a more sophisticated product and not go to those extremes? If the audience wants those extremes, they know where to go and how to get it,” he said.

Meanwhile, a pro wrestler who was previously charged with possession of human growth hormone was cleared by the court. Professional wrestler Kurt Angle who was arrested for human growth hormone possession and driving with a suspended license was cleared of the charges by District Judge Carla Swearingen of Pittsburgh. Angle was arrested by police officers when they found HGH Hygetrophin in his car but during the hearing Angle was able to prove that he has legal prescription for the drug.

Angle told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that he has been completely innocent of any charges that have been brought against him and God has shown it when they were able to prove it in court. “I’ll continue to live my life by the law the way I’ve always done, and I will always abide by the law and try to be a role model in this community, and that’s all I’ve ever asked for,” he added.

On the other hand, Jeff Hardy will still appear on a WWE DVD even with pending charges on possession of anabolic steroids and other controlled substances. TNAHeadlines.com reported that the World Wrestling Entertainment is continuing the Jeff Hardy DVD productions. The DVD is tentatively scheduled for release on December.

Hardy is facing charges for trafficking in controlled prescription drugs and possession of anabolic steroids. Authorities searched his Raleigh residence last month and found various prescription pills like Vicodin, Soma, and anabolic steroids. Traces of cocaine and other drug paraphernalia were also found during the search.

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