7 things you need to know about the WWE Wellness Program

#1 Loopholes

Hardcore Holly has talked about the Wellness Policy’s loopholes in his book.

The main problem with the current version of the WWE Wellness Program is the number of loopholes available to talent who want to get past it.

Despite Mr. McMahon’s public stance against prescription drug abuse, the loopholes available to talent who want to abuse prescription pills has only finally tightened in the last few years. Now talent must be vetted by WWE doctors – even those who have valid prescriptions from outside specialists.

However prescription pill use is very hard to detect and impractical considering the variety of pills available in the market.

An excrept from Hardcore Holly’s book reveals the same.

“In mid 2008, we were down at a show in Bakersfield, California. I needed some pain meds because my neck was hurting and I needed yet another elbow surgery, so I asked Ken [Kennedy] if he had anything. He said sure and gave me some meds.

He then said that if I needed any more later, I should just go in his bag and get them. That’s normal. I can’t tell you the number of times Ken came to me, saying, ‘Have you got anything?’ and I told him, ‘Help yourself.’

Everybody in the locker room helps each other. It’s an unwritten rule. The office knows it happens and they turn a blind eye.”

Another problem the Wellness Policy faces, is detecting Human Growth Hormone which is a banned substance. Human Growth Hormones like Somatropin and Genotropin are really hard to detect through the world of sports because it doesn’t show up in urine samples like other drugs, but is only detectable in blood samples.

There are other HGH substances that might not show up in tests, but I won’t bore you with the long names.

Three other major problems with the Wellness Program is that WWE allow elevated testosterone levels, they don’t test talent when they’re out injured and then too, only full-time talent are tested.

What are your thoughts on WWE’s Wellness policy? Is it a relevant practice in today’s climate, or an outdated excuse to allow pro-wrestlers to get away with drug related transgressions with little more than a slap on the wrist?