Whatever public relations initiative that Linda McMahon uses, steroid issues will always be a tough problem to handle. McMahon’s bid to the Senate will not be an easy path especially that her critics will not stop attacking her credibility and capacity to handle public office. The death of another wrestler under their company, the WWE, caused more issues for her to resolve.

The recent death of Lance McNaught or more popular as Lance Cade, was again blamed on the McMahons. Earlier this month, Lance Mcnaught died of heart attack at the age of 29. The cause of death was due to abuse of drugs particularly painkillers. Critics say that the Wellness Program of the WWE is a failure since it does not control the increasing number of young wrestlers dying because of steroid abuse or overdose of medications.

Months before McNaught died, he was interviewed by podcast author Kenny Bolin. McNaught revealed to Bolin that some of the high ranking WWE officials encouraged the use of steroids to make them bigger and stronger. He said that both Jim Ross, the WWE ring announcer, and John Laurinaitis, the head of the company’s talent relations division were aware that he had used steroids to bulk himself up from January through March 2003 according to the report of The Day.

The WWE immediately counteract this allegation and defended the Talent Wellness Program of the company. The WWE said that the well being of the performers is their number one concern, without whom, WWE would not exist. The program include drug testing including steroids, cardiovascular testing, screening for possible head injuries, and yearly physicals and referrals to external consultants as needed.

“Specifically, our current Talent Wellness Policy is at least as good or commensurate with any others of its kind. As for the assertion that the company was embarrassed because Lance went to rehab , that is ridiculous. Other WWE performers have successfully completed rehab and are currently on the roster. We are proud that we can offer this assistance, and of our performers who have completed these programs,” the statement said.

But what enraged critics is the assertion of Linda McMahon that they should not be blamed for the deaths of its employees outside the ring. Wrestlers under WWE are still treated as independent contractors and were not given health benefits. The father of Lance lambasted Linda McMahon for her statement regarding his son. “I might have met him once,” McMahon said in an interview. In the report of the Day, Harley McNaught said that Linda met his sons in 2 different occasions and called his son by name. “She disrespected him. She disrespected my family,” Harley said.

Ed Patru, Linda’s campaign spokesperson defended his boss. He explained that it “certainly wasn’t Linda’s intent to diminish any additional interaction she may have had” with McNaught. He also added that the WWE has nearly 600 employees and 140 performers. I think it’s understandable that Linda may not recollect every interaction she’s had, particularly given the fact that she’s personally met with thousands of voters since resigning her position at WWE in September. Linda’s a very kind and sympathetic person, but she is human,” said Patru.

In the interview of Bolin, McNaught was also asked if there are other high profile wrestlers who are involved in steroid use. “We’re not dumb. We know who’s using and who’s not. It comes down to, ‘Well, do you like your income, do you the like the fact’ - hey, I have two daughters. Do I want to keep giving them a better life and shut my mouth, or say something? ‘Cause if you say something, your — is gone,” said McNaught.

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