WWE's medical director Dr. Joseph Maroon says WWE decided to ban Carisoprodol (somas) due to a realization that "some of the talent" were struggling with addiction issues.
"We've become aware that (it) was becoming a very addictive type of drug,'' Maroon told the Hartford Courant in today's important newspaper report on prescription drug issues in wrestling. "When combined with codeine, it can have the potency of heroin."
Maroon added: "Because some of the talent have used it in the past, we've decided there are other substitute drugs that (are) less addictive that are available," he said.
WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman said WWE was looking to "close new loopholes" in the company's Wellness Policy, which is why they added muscle relaxants, including Somas, to the list of banned drugs. A positive test for Somas will now lead to applicable punishment for WWE wrestlers.
On the concussion front, Maroon added that WWE is attempting to "minimize head injuries" by requiring padded helmets in training sessions and going to WWE's developmental territory to require wrestlers to practice punching techniques on dummies.
source: pwtorch.com
October 14, 2010
WWE Medical Director Explains Why Somas Were Banned, Also Speaks About Minimizing Head Trauma
MMA & Fitness Expo in Atlantic City, NJ
Guests include:
Kurt Angle, Christy Hemme, Bill Grant, American Gladiator "Fury", American Gladiator Beth Horn, April Hunter, Chuck Zito, JD Maverick, Joe Piscopo, Diamond Dallas Page, Kevin Nash, Rob Terry, and more!
This Day in Wrestling History
Frank Gotch defeats Fred Beell in St. Joseph, Missouri
October 14, 1911
Lou Thesz defeats Buddy Austin in Los Angeles, California to win the WWA World Heavyweight Title
October 14, 1966
The Assassin defeats Jose Lothario in Shreveport, Louisiana to win the Mid-South Louisiana Heavyweight Title, ending Lothario's second reign as champion.
October 14, 1978
Shawn Michaels is beaten up outside Club 37 in Syracuse, New York.
October 14, 2002
Captain Lou Albano passes away
October 14, 2009
October 13, 2010
Martha Hart vs. WWE Lawsuit Update
Attorneys representing Martha Hart have been granted an extension until October 25th to respond to the WWE's motion to dismiss the case. They were originally supposed to respond by October 11th. A hearing on the motion to dismiss has been set for January 28th in Bridgeport, CT.
WWE Attorney Threatens Lawsuit Against a Publication for Story on Past Sexual Harassment Allegations Against WWE's CEO
According to a report by Talking Points Memo, WWE's long-time lead attorney Jerry McDevitt threatened a libel and defamation lawsuit against the publication if TPM published a story on past sexual harassment allegations against WWE CEO Vince McMahon.
TPM went ahead with the story, recapping the allegations made by former WWE (then WWF) referee Rita Chatteron 17 years ago for an incident that allegedly occurred in 1986. McMahon was never charged due to the statute of limitations expiring.
TPM reports that when they told McDevitt the story would be published, he responded, "You do so at your peril. Preserve all your notes, I'm going to send a litigation hold notice."
He added, "We will treat any republication of those allegations as libel and defamation. ... I say this on behalf of Mr. McMahon."
TPM published the report as part of the running narrative of former WWE CEO Linda McMahon's U.S. Senate candidacy in Connecticut as questions have come up about her past in WWE while she was a key member of of management.
source: pwtorch.com
Rumor Mill - Hollywood Actor Returns to WWE's Creative Team
PWInsider.com is reporting that Hollywood actor Freddie Prinze, Jr, who was a former Raw guest host, has returned to WWE's creative team. Prinze, Jr made his return to WWE this past Monday night on Raw, and is reportedly now working as a producer and director of WWE TV shows.
