Posted September 16, 200718 yr comment_5421933 This is what the tease for this week's WON is about, I guess... WWE took an amazing step Tuesday, when the company announced it would pay for drug rehab, for any wrestler under WWE contract — or any who had ever been under contract to the company — who needed the help.It will be interesting to see who takes them up on it.
September 16, 200718 yr comment_5421934 I would rather see them allow wrestlers to form as union and cut back to 4 days of travel a week. More heal time, more pleasant family lives, better all around.
September 16, 200718 yr comment_5421937 This is certainly better than the WWE stubbornly doing nothing, but this doesn't exempt them from having a strictly enforced, comprehensive drug testing policy. The key is to stop their wrestlers from abusing pain medication while working for them, so fewer wrestlers eventually become addicted and need rehab. They need to start stepping in a lot earlier and stop their wrestlers from hiding injuries and working through them. If this is the only thing they are going to do to better the lives of their past and present performers, the measure seems too little, too late. I hope this policy is a permanent one, because it will be a bit of a hollow gesture if the offer doesn't stay on the table indefinitely, as drug addicts will only get help when they finally realise they need it.
September 17, 200718 yr comment_5421943 I'm sure a lot of us are thinking it. I may as well say it. Something's fishy about this.
September 17, 200718 yr comment_5421945 I would rather see them allow wrestlers to form as union and cut back to 4 days of travel a week. "Allow"? Jesus Christ, we really need to start teaching more labor history in this country. Anyway, it's not up to Vince McMahon to "allow" people to exercise their rights, and it's not his fault if they don't.
September 17, 200718 yr comment_5421946 Probably they require anyone who asks for help to join the Kiss My Ass Club first.
September 17, 200718 yr comment_5421948 What the fuck? Former contracted workers? Does that include guys who were in developmental?
September 17, 200718 yr comment_5421951 I hate to be cynical, but it's hard not to given WWE's history. This honestly sounds to me more like an attempt to get guys who need help under Legends deals so they can't jump to TNA, while getting good PR all in the same breath. It could also just be a way to publicize things they've done for Sean Waltman in the past few years.
September 17, 200718 yr comment_5421963 I would rather see them allow wrestlers to form as union and cut back to 4 days of travel a week. "Allow"? Jesus Christ, we really need to start teaching more labor history in this country. Anyway, it's not up to Vince McMahon to "allow" people to exercise their rights, and it's not his fault if they don't. Like always, Cook brings the common sense with a touch of historical relevance.
September 21, 200718 yr Author comment_5422154 From Keller via a C&P site: Over the last ten years, an inordinate number of wrestlers have passed away. Some of those deaths may in part have been caused by drugs and alcohol. In an effort to prevent such tragedies in the future, the WWE is willing to pay for drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation at a certified treatment chosen by WWE for any performer with a prior WWE booking contract who may need this service. The WWE will pay for this service in full. There is no cost to you or your family. Help will be provided regardless of the circumstances of your departure from the WWF or the amount of time you performed for the WWE. If you do not have a drug and/or alcohol problem, but know you know a former WWE performer who does, we are asking you to try to help them by encouraging them to take advantage of this opportunity. Liz Difabio has been appointed as a representative in this matter. Liz has been with the company for over 24 years and has been directly involved with the majority of WWE performers who have received treatment for substance abuse. She understands emotions that individuals and family members go through in this process. Any conversation you have with Liz will remain confidential and will not be released to the public. In many instances, an individual in need of help is in denial and will not want rehabilitation. There are professional intervention companies that will help persuade that person that they need treatment. Liz will be able to facilitate such interventions, should they be necessary. An intervention and treatment will be at the cost of WWE exclusively. This service is being provided for performers with a prior WWE booking contract only. No family or friends. Please reach out to Liz if you think you might have a drug or alcohol problem or if you know someone who does. We all need to do anything we can to help prevent another tragedy. Sincerely, Vincent K. McMahon Chairman, World Wrestling Entertainment
October 1, 200717 yr Author comment_5422422 According to today's WON, Bruno Sammartino completely flipped out over getting the form letter and came close to holding a press conference of some sort.
October 2, 200717 yr comment_5422439 at a certified treatment chosen by WWE Damnit there goes my fantasy of WWE being forced to finance a DC Drake run "rasslin rehab" program. It could've made for greatest "reality" programming ever.
October 4, 200717 yr comment_5422518 On a somewhat related note, apparently Kurt Angle was arrested for DUI a week ago, but it's only now hitting the news. Nice going, TNA. Pacman wasn't enough bad publicity, you just had to stick your world belt on a guy with those dreaded "personal demons" and keep it there.
October 4, 200717 yr comment_5422519 Wasn't Angle on the Signature steriod list? If they didn't take the title off of him then, they won't now.
October 4, 200717 yr comment_5422522 Wasn't Angle on the Signature steriod list? If they didn't take the title off of him then, they won't now. No, but news organizations kept mentioning Angle because of that other steroid list he ended up on a while back. Still, Angle's such a trainwreck, even TNA has to reach the point where they go "Jesus Christ, this guy's fucked up"
October 4, 200717 yr comment_5422530 Actually according to this week's WON, Angle is majorly in Dixie Carter's ear and may wind up swiping TNA right out from underneath Jarrett.
October 4, 200717 yr comment_5422536 Sadly, if rumours of him pushing for clean finishes at the last PPV are true, Kurt having more influence could be GOOD for TNA.
October 4, 200717 yr comment_5422538 Really, all things considered, Kurt's TNA run so far has been surprisingly incident free. I mean he hasn't missed multiple PPVs or TV tapings like other trainwrecks they've pushed in the past.
October 4, 200717 yr comment_5422539 Wasn't Angle on the Signature steriod list? If they didn't take the title off of him then, they won't now. No, but news organizations kept mentioning Angle because of that other steroid list he ended up on a while back. Still, Angle's such a trainwreck, even TNA has to reach the point where they go "Jesus Christ, this guy's fucked up" Yeah, right. WWE fired the guy because he was such a wreck and they didn't want another under contract death on their hands (that sure worked out well) and TNA snapped him right up. I'm sure they've come to terms already with what a mess the dude is and just don't care.
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