5 former Superstars WWE helped in real life

A WWE Superstar's job isn't an easy one, despite how it looks from a fan's perspective. The fame and glory are just one side of the coin, and WWE Superstars have several obstacles during their stint as wrestlers.

Traveling for the better part of the year, being away from their families, and sometimes dealing with depression and other real-life problems takes a toll on their bodies and minds.

WWE has extended their help to Superstars whenever they have needed it. In the following article, we will take a look at five former Superstars who have received help from WWE outside the ring.

#5 Vince McMahon helped WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley lose weight

WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley gave his blood and sweat for Vince McMahon's company during his stint as an active wrestler, and fans still watch his matches in awe and fascination. A former WWE Champion, Mick Foley was one of the biggest Superstars in WWE during the Attitude Era.

Mick Foley once did a Q&A session with fans and had some interesting tidbits to share in regards to his weight loss. The Hardcore Legend revealed that it was Vince McMahon who gave him the push to lose his weight.

"I said, 'I just want you to know, I've lost 25 pounds with a goal of losing 80 by Christmas. And once I heard his voice on that phone say, 'I'm going to hold you to that,' I knew I could do it."

Vince McMahon's words led to Foley losing a whopping 80 pounds, and he always makes it a point to thank the WWE Chairman. Foley also revealed that Stephanie McMahon has told him multiple times that Vince is incredibly proud of him for his weight loss journey.

#4 Justin Credible reveals how WWE's rehab program helped him

Former WWE Superstar Justin Credible is mostly known for his time with ECW, back in the 90s, which saw him become the promotion's World Champion on one occasion.

Credible also had several runs in WWE, and was presented as a mid-card act for the most part. While speaking with Stone Cold Steve Austin on his podcast, Credible had nothing but praise for WWE for helping him improve his well being.

"Over a period of five years, brother, it snowballed to where I was almost 300 lbs. of just pure bloat, fat, on the verge of death. My liver failing, my calves were… I thought I was going to lose my legs. It was ridiculous. So anyways, I went for help. I asked WWE’s Wellness Policy.

"The Wellness Program, the first time around, saved my life, and that got me good."

Credible explained how the program works, and stated that one needs to contact Talent Relations first. A network of people then sets the wrestler up in a facility, and thus the rehab process begins. The WWE Wellness Program has helped several former wrestlers get off drugs and alcohol and live better lives.

#3 Vickie Guerrero recalls how Vince McMahon helped her

Vickie Guerrero was featured on WWE TV back in 2005, during Eddie Guerrero's feud with Rey Mysterio on SmackDown. Following Guerrero's untimely passing, WWE gave Vickie Guerrero a job and she went on to become a heel authority figure on WWE TV.

A short while ago, Vickie Guerrero put up a tweet to promote her upcoming autobiography, and heaped praise on WWE and Vince McMahon, crediting them for helping her after Eddie's death. She revealed that WWE helped her with debts and lawsuits, among other things.

Since 2006, @wwe & myself came to the agreement of @wwe owning the rights to Eddie’s image, name, and likeness! Vince was my saving grace from lawsuits with Eddie’s ex, debt, and other legalities to be settled! More details to come in my autobiography, out soon!
— Vickie Guerrero (@VickieGuerrero) June 26, 2020

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Vickie Guerrero became involved in a romantic angle with Edge on SmackDown, back in 2007-09, and was one of the most hated heels in WWE at the time. Vince McMahon helped her earn a living and not struggle after Eddie's passing. Vickie left WWE in 2014, and has made occasional appearances since then.

Last year, Vickie made an appearance on AEW TV, and later revealed that it led to WWE "cutting her off".

#2 Kurt Angle opens up on help he received from WWE

WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle had a decorated career as a WWE Superstar, back in the early to mid-2000s. Presented as one of the best pure wrestlers to ever step foot in the ring, Angle lived up to the hype and much more.

Angle talked about his initial WWE run, and his exit from the company. He revealed how Vince McMahon did his best to him battle his addiction problems.

"Vince was always great to me. He treated me very well. He went above and beyond for me in many ways. He tried to help me in so many ways. He even tried to check me into rehab when I quit in 2006."

It was a good gesture by Vince McMahon to try to help Angle with rehab even after he quit the company. Angle was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2017, and was appointed RAW GM soon after. He wrestled his final match against King Corbin at WrestleMania 35, in a losing effort.

#1 Zach Gowen reveals how Vince McMahon saved his life

Fans who actively watched WWE during the Ruthless Aggression Era might know who Zach Gowen is. He was a one-legged wrestler who was heavily featured on SmackDown, back in 2003.

Portrayed as a babyface, Gowen feuded with Vince McMahon and other major heels on the blue brand at the time. While talking about his WWE stint, Gowen had nothing but praise for Vince McMahon.

"I want to tell my truth and my story and it's 'Thank you Vince. He gave a kid who was on his deathbed who was losing his leg to cancer, 10 years later I'm in the ring with Hulk Hogan and living out my childhood fantasy and inspiring others. He also gave me legs to walk on and 10 years after that, he's saving my life and now I get to be a 36-year old father of two and now I can affect other people's lives with what I do in all of my work whether it's speaking, yoga, wrestling or whatever it is."

Gowen wrestled Vince McMahon at Vengeance 2003, with the WWE Chairman coming out victorious. He remained a mainstay on SmackDown for the next few months, and was finally released from the company in early 2004.