Does Pro Wrestling Need Steroid Testing?
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Updated: 6:16 PM Jan 3, 2009
Does Pro Wrestling Need Steroid Testing?
Congressman Henry Waxman says the "apparently widespread use" of steroids in pro wrestling is sending a bad message to youngsters, and he wants the government to do something about it.
Posted: 6:16 PM Jan 3, 2009
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WASHINGTON (AP) -- A key congressman says the "apparently widespread use" of steroids in pro wrestling is sending a bad message to youngsters, and he wants the government to do something about it.

In a letter released Friday, Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., requested that John Walters, director of the president's Office of National Drug Control Policy, "examine the systemic deficiencies in the testing policies and practices of professional wrestling."

Waxman, chairman of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, has led a congressional investigation into steroid use in professional wrestling for more than a year, spurred in part by the murder-suicide deaths of wrestler Chris Benoit and his family in Georgia in June 2007.

Waxman is leaving the oversight committee to become chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and his letter offered a final look at the findings that focused on top pro wresting bodies World Wrestling Entertainment and Total Nonstop Action.

"Since the committee began its investigation last year, both the WWE and the TNA have made efforts to improve their steroid testing programs," Waxman wrote. "But these efforts suffer from a lack of independence and transparency. As a result of these weaknesses, the organizations appear unable to effectively prevent the use of steroids and other illegal drugs by professional wrestlers."

Waxman wrote that one former wrestler who agreed to talk to the committee on condition of anonymity said that, in the wrestling business, "steroids are like white socks and tape, they're just part of your gear."

"Over three million children and teenagers watch professional wrestling each week," Waxman's letter said. "The apparently widespread use of steroids in professional wrestling sends the wrong message to youth."

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.


Latest Comments

Posted by: unkown on Jan 11, 2009 at 01:51 AM

its all fake, but i still watch it. its more of entertaiment than anything else. if it was truly real, iwould say have them tested.
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Posted by: The Pirate Lady Location: Grimesland on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:21 PM

Well, you have to care now, b/c you have people like Chris Benoit up and killing their families b/c the steroids have turned their brains to mush. But I do agree, that there are other things the gov't should be worrying about right now...like our failing economy?
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Posted by: unknown on Jan 7, 2009 at 09:39 AM

I believe they should have testing in wrestling they do it in other sports why not wrestling. to kevin it may be fake to an extent but im here to tell you these guys are athletes you try jumpimg off a cage onto a man without causing him serious injury. when u land on the matt it aint fake it hurts,and to all the haters out there if you think its so fake and easy to do why dont u try it and see how you feel after one day of training'
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