Congressman asks Congress to investigate steroid use in professional wrestling

[Terminator]

The Chris Benoit situation was a senseless tragedy and has has affected countless people both in and out of the wrestling industry. The story has gained tremendous mainstream attention and its affect on the overall landscape of professional wrestling is not yet fully understood.
However - it is clear within World Wrestling Entertainment that a "worst case scenario" would be major involvement by the United States government into their subculture. It now appears the worst may become a reality.
Congressman Cliff Stearns, a republican from Florida, said 89 wrestlers had died before the age of 50 between 1985 and 2006, and he called on Congress to investigate.
"This abnormally high number of deaths of young, fit athletes should raise congressional alarms," Stearns said. "Congress needs to investigate the recent events and find out how big of a problem steroid use is in professional wrestling. Steroid use is a major public health problem that deserves Congress' full attention."
Former pro wrestler, better known as Konnan, agrees with Cliff Stearns. "I welcome the congressman's comments and I am definitely available to testify about the exploitation in wrestling. The wrestling life needs to be investigated. It's a draconian work schedule. We're on the road year-round. No other profession is that physical. At least touring rock bands get a few months to recuperate. Baseball players and football players get time off. But in wrestling, you can't take time off to recuperate because you might wind up losing your job. If Congress thought baseball was bad, just wait until they look into wrestling. I hope they do it soon. People are dying."

[Lawdog32]

I think Congress has bigger things to worry about like......um......getting us out of Iraq. Also didnt they already investigate wrestling back in the 80's with Vince and Hulk Hogan?

[BigDawg]

Fist off I wouldnt clasify Wrestling in the same catagory as Baseball and Football. Its not a professional sport, just because it has the word in its name. Yes they are athletes, but not in the same catagory as professionals.

With that being said anything that can be done to make it safer and better for the millions of impressionable people that watch it the better off we all would be. (Impressionable=Children and ALL Rednecks)

Does this mean I support Congress getting involved.....NO!!!! Maybe just an oversight committee that doesnt get money or anything else from the sport.

I wonder how all the wrestlers will look if they had to stop using steroids??

[kjlaw]

I have to say that the use of steroids needs to stop in wrestling I do not feel that congress should be the one to step in and investigate. I believe that the problem lies not in the top level of the business but in the doctors who are prescribing and giving these things to the wrestlers. The home office of pro wrestling does not have a storeroom of illegal substances.
Now I will not deny that the business is more than aware of the problem and turns a blind eye to it.
To say that congress should investigate steroid use in sports entertainment then maybe they should conduct an investigation of the illegal use of prescription pills in Hollywood.
This is Entertainment and if an investigation is conducted than I would think that if drugs are the focus of the investigation than the DEA might be able to handle this.

I have been a fan of pro wrestling since I was a young child but do not see where this is something for congress to deal with.

Just my .02 which that and $1.25 will get you $1.27.

[BEK]

congress should be thinking about how they should be doing their job. How they should allow the troops to have the equipment they need to win the war. Give more money for protecting our borders and protecting our cities. It is just like the polidicks to look into something that there is already a law on the books about. Kinda like keeping guns and drugs off the streets, we dont need more laws just enforce the ones we have.

[Ianl6]

I don't think congress shoud step in to stop steroid abuse in wrestling but the big cheeses in wrestling should be made accountable for trying to eradicate it from wrestling.If they do not then they should have stiff penalties thrown at them, ones that will hurt like taking big money in fines for failing to self regulate.

[Terminator]

I am pretty sure Congress is going to get involved in this.

[Terminator]

The following is now being reported:

This week, the federal government raided the office of Dr. Phil Astin for a third time. WAGA-TV in Atlanta has just reported that federal investigators have seized all medical records of Dr. Phil Astin and patients Larry Pfolhl (Lex Luger), Marcus Bagwell, Mark Jindrak, Bob Howard (Bob Holly), Chris Benoit, Nancy Benoit, Mike Durham (Johnny Grunge) and Oscar Gutierrez (Rey Mysterio).

The station also reported that M.J. and O.G., the two wrestlers involved in the indictment of overprescribing pain killers were, as speculated, Mark Jindrak and Gutierrez. Mysterio and Bob Holly are currently under contract with WWE.

I wonder what the WWE will do? The names keep coming...

[Rhino]

I agree that Congress should worry about more important issues. But that would involve having a spine and getting shit done. Something Congress hasn't been prepared to do since... well, since I've been alive.

[NCC1701]

The government has no business in professional sports. Collect taxes, maintain the military and enforce the Constitution is what they need to worry about.
Less government is better IMHO.

[Ducky]

Congress should be more worried about policing its own members. They don't want to do that though, so they'll try to meddle in everything else.

[mfranklin01]

every year congress starts sticking there nose in more and more stuff that they are not suspossed to. since when is congress suspossed to investigate anything. now im not saying that the things they have been investigating are not worthy causes ie. steriods and dog fighting, however I think there are more pressing matters that they can involve themselves with. Iraq being the main thing. congress seems to forget what they were put there in the first place for. now everytime high profile people get in trouble with something that might get them a few extra votes during re-election they want to have a full investigation. i agree with bigdawg about maybe having an oversight committe but that would be the most involved i think they should be. /rant off

[Usaforcewife]

I think Congress has bigger things to worry about like......um......getting us out of Iraq. Also didnt they already investigate wrestling back in the 80's with Vince and Hulk Hogan?

I agree!!! As well as more funding for our LE !Do you know how many UID"S are on some of the shelves of LE and have been there for years because they do not have the funding to get a sketch or recreation of the UID done . ( i do that for FREE to ALL LE in the united states, Clay and sketch ) just so you know .

and higher pay! bigger death benifits for spouses and children .

Oh i could go on for a while i am sure y'all know what i'm talking about.

[BEB]

So far every comment has been neutral or against congress getting involved, yet there are 13 votes in favor. I'd be interested in hearing the perspective of those who support that side of the discussion.

[Terminator]

One point the wrestlers are making, that I agree with, is that WWE is now considered "sports entertainment," not a professional sport. What they're doing is all scripted, the match outcomes are known ahead of time, the wrestlers try not to hurt each other,...etc. They're putting on a show, albeit a physical one, for their fans. So, if congress is going to clamp down on steroids in professional wrestling, will they do the same on broadway, in Hollywood...etc.

Everyone knows how bad the drug use is in Hollywood (steroids and other drugs), why don't they go after the celebrities? Or would that would a political career killer?