The History Of WWE's Drug Testing Policy, Explained
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The world of professional wrestling is harsh and hard-hitting with wrestlers battling through numerous injuries for years due to the physicality involved in getting inside the squared circle for the majority of their lives. Over the years, many of these athletes have subjected themselves to using prescription drugs and substances to keep their in-ring career going and get relief from pain problems.
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However, many promotions like WWE identified the accelerated use of these substances and even performance-enhancing drugs which could prove to be fatal if overused, and have introduced many wellness policies to keep a close watch on it. Moreover, the company has had a long and tumultuous history when it comes to drug testing policies. One area where this has been particularly evident is in their policies surrounding marijuana use. So let's explore the subject of the history of WWE with the use of these substances.
WWE Instated Drug Testing Policies Following Hulk Hogan's Steroid Scandal
In the early days of the WWE, there were no formal drug testing policies in place. Wrestlers were often expected to maintain a certain level of physical fitness, but there was little oversight when it came to their personal habits. This all changed in the 1990s when the steroid scandals of that era brought drug use in wrestling to the forefront of public attention, especially when Hulk Hogan shed light on the same during his controversial appearance on The Arsenio Hall Show in 1991.
In response to this scrutiny, WWE implemented a drug testing policy in 1991. This policy initially only applied to anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing drugs. However, as time went on, the policy expanded to include other substances, including marijuana.
Marijuana had long been a popular drug among wrestlers. Many wrestlers reported using marijuana to help them relax after long matches or to manage pain and injuries. However, WWE's new policy put an end to this practice. Any wrestler caught using marijuana would face disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or termination.
The WWE's drug testing policy for weed remained in place throughout the 1990s and into the early 2000s. However, it was not without controversy. Many wrestlers felt that the policy was too strict and that marijuana use should not be punished in the same way as steroid use. Others argued that marijuana use was a personal choice and that the WWE had no right to dictate what wrestlers did in their own time.
Rob Van Dam Was Arrested For Marijuana Use In 2006
These debates regarding the use of marijuana came to a head in 2006 when WWE wrestler Rob Van Dam was arrested on drug charges. Van Dam, who was a well-known advocate for marijuana legalization, was caught with a small amount of marijuana in his car. He was subsequently suspended by the WWE and stripped of his championship title. Moreover, Van Dam even detailed the first time he smoked weed and claimed that former Heavenly Body, Jimmy Del Rey was responsible for it. "I remember Jimmy Del Rey saying, ‘Here.’ I was like, ‘Oh. No thank you. I'm good.’ He's like, ‘Hit it you Prima Donna it's not going to kill you.’ I was like, oh. okay. I remember hitting it one time. Did not enjoy it. I remember staring at the wall and feeling more paranoid. ‘They’re going to say I'm stoned now. Why am I looking at the wall?’ That was my first experience." (h/t Fightful)
Van Dam's suspension sparked a heated debate within the wrestling community about the WWE's drug testing policy for weed. Many wrestlers and fans felt that Van Dam had been unfairly targeted because of his outspoken views on marijuana. Others argued that the WWE had no choice but to enforce its policies, regardless of personal beliefs.
In response to the controversy, WWE made some changes to its drug testing policy in 2007. The new policy still prohibited marijuana use, but the penalties for a positive test were less severe. Wrestlers caught using marijuana for the first time would receive a fine and a warning. Subsequent positive tests would result in a suspension, but the length of the suspension would be shorter than under the previous policy.
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WWE Made Constant Changes To Its Drug Testing Policies
WWE's drug testing policy for weed remained relatively unchanged for several years after this. However, in 2013, the policy underwent another revision. This time, the policy was changed to bring it more in line with the changing legal landscape around marijuana use. At the time, several states had already legalized medical marijuana, and a few had even legalized recreational use. The WWE's new policy reflected this by allowing for the use of medical marijuana with a valid prescription. However, recreational use was still prohibited, and wrestlers were not allowed to use marijuana during working hours or at WWE events.
The WWE's drug testing policy for weed has continued to evolve since then. In 2018, the policy was updated again to reflect changes in the legal landscape. The new policy allows for the use of CBD oil, a non-psychoactive compound found in marijuana, as long as it contains no more than 0.3% THC. However, the recreational use of marijuana is still prohibited, and wrestlers are subject to disciplinary action if they test positive for THC.
Therefore, WWE evolved with time and included the fair and safe use of these substances to give ease to its competitors and their physical well-being in the industry.
