--If the revelation that Chris Benoit was getting ten months worth of steroids every three to four weeks from Dr. Phil Astin is accurate, it is beyond devastating for WWE. U.S. attorney David Nahmias reported that on average, Benoit was getting a ten month supply of steroids every three to four week during a period from May 4, 2006, and May 9, 2007, from Dr. Astin. The April 10, 2007, drug test that Benoit passed was right in the middle of that period, which is why this charge is the most devastating to the company since the deaths themselves.
Whether fair or not, to the public, it is a complete credibility loss when it comes to the drug policy that the company can't afford at this time. And quite frankly, since Benoit was regularly tested during this entire one year period, it is impossible to have confidence in the drug policy with the release of this information. Benoit was off for several months in 2006 and likely not tested during this period, but he should have been tested at least four times minimum during a period it would appear he was taking heavy doses of steroids. As noted in this week's issue, he and his wife were arguing over his increased use of steroids at the same time he was subject to a drug testing policy.
The announcement that Benoit passed his 4/10 steroid test, even if he did, is one that can't hold up to public opinion with the revelation in this indictment, because it covers a period well into the Wellness policy. A key point of this is unlike with Balco, where they were using designer drugs that could beat the tests, Astin was prescribing Benoit regular steroids, so either the testing is incredibly flawed, Benoit had a way to easily beat the tests, or the tests themselves were a sham. I strongly believe the latter is not the case, but I also believe the latter will be the conclusion most will come to. This is the first time when I truly fear that wrestling as we know it not only will be undergoing great changes, but that as bad as Vince McMahon's reputation is in some circles, and even with his history of rebounding from negatives, this will tarnish it to a level that he may never live to fully turn around. There will be a far increased number of cries in the media over the next week, which have already started, to do something about the industry. Between the advertisers, sponsors, and those action figures with the muscular physiques, this is not a story going away soon.
--Astin was indicted on seven federal counts of distributing painkillers in an illegal manner, as in for reasons other than the treatment of disease. The names of people he is accused of doing this with were not released. It is not known whether any of the people named in the sealed indictment are pro wrestlers, but it is known Chris Benoit is not one of them. The raid of Astin's office included looking at medical records to see if he was appropriately prescribing steroids to Benoit. The indictment regarded prescribing drugs like percoset, vidoprofen, xanax, lorcet and adderall to men with initials M.J. and O.G.
--Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of all property and proceeds Astin obtained through his conduct if he is convicted.
--Prosecutor Scott Ballard of Fayette County stated he currently has no plans on filing any charges against anyone involved in the case.
--In the second raid of Dr Astin's office, Federal agents removed huge amounts of material including filled up boxes, computer and entire file cabinets.
--WWE told Newsday today that it will make any improvements necessary in its Wellness policy, but didn't give any details. The company today said its policy is one of the most aggressive in sports and that it is unique for an entertainment company. They said the policy sends a clear message the company finds the abuse of drugs and steroids to be unacceptable. However, based on who they push, one could say there are more than just mixed messages out there.
--Even worse for WWE, Ballard said there are reports that contradict the information Daniel Benoit was suffering from Fragile X syndrome. Ballard said a source with access to Daniel's medical records shows no mention of any mental or physical impairment. Reports from his teacher also contradicted the claim, saying he was prepared this year to go into first grade on par with the other students in his class.
--Konnan and Alex Marvez both appear on Nancy Grace tonight. As most of you know, Konnan is facing a kidney transplant that is likely related to steroids later this week.
--Among the stories in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution at
www.ajc.om is one on "One great wrestler ruins fans' memories." There are plenty of other new stories regarding the indictment.
--Jimmy Ivey at the Weatherford, TX Democrat at
www.weatherforddemocrat.com/sports/ did a story on deaths in wrestling, noting that in the sports world, this Benoit story "marks the end of a delusion." Basically, he said that it would prove not only that steroids can lead to damage to others, and kills the "personal choice" part of the argument and also the argument in baseball that the most important thing is that it ruins the record books in sports, as opposed to playing down the long-term health risks aspect.
--At
www.northstarwrtiers.com/ss049.htm there is a story on whether Benoit's death will lead to changes in wrestling with the author saying he doesn't bet on it, because things hadn't changed up to this point in time.
--CNBC had a story at
www.cnbc.com/id/19547416 noted WWE's attempt to eliminate all references to Benoit off the web site.
--The Winnipeg Sun ran a story at
www.winnipegsun.com/News/World/2007/07/02/4306229-sun.html regarding the flaws in the steroid program because 10:1 is a failure and not 4:1. The program itself was designed by Dr. David Black, who also oversees the NFL program and the T/E ratio is different from the first WWE policy which was 6:1, but that was by design of the doctor, where they call into question everyone above 4:1.
--Ballard said they have looked into the possibility of it being a triple murder or anything other than the murder-murder suicide but have found no evidence to suggest it's anything other than what it is believed to be. He said it's irresponsible not to consider anything, but all the evidence leads in the same direction.
--There is an article at
www.sportsline.com/print/mmaboxing/story/10243354 by Zach Arnold bringing up steroids in sports, media coverage, and asking the media why they never paid attention as wrestlers have continued to die at a high frequency. This is an awesome article, including quotes from Keith Kizer of the Nevada State Athletic commission who said the commission has no intention of regulating pro wrestling. Ironically, wrestling just got dropped from regulation in Nevada a few weeks ago, which Kizer had pushed for on the grounds that it isn't a sport. Nick Lembo of the New Jersey Athletic Control Board said he thinks pro wrestling should be re-regulated in New Jersey, which years back stopped. "I think the health of safety of the competitor should always be a regulator's first concern. I am in favor of regulation. From pro wrestlers that I have spoken to, I have been told that the use of painkillers and performance-enhancing drugs is rampant. It is also commonplace (for wrestlers) to continue to wrestle while suffering from injures." He also noted wrestlers have told them about using insulin (which bodybuilders use in power drug stacks, often with GH). He said due to the injury rate and death rate that it is in the best interest of wrestling to be regulated. Sheldon Goldberg, a small independent promoter, argued against regulation saying it would kill the independent scene if they had to pay for drug testing.
--Another good story called "There's More to the Benoit" tragedy is at
www.thnt.com by Steve Feitl.
--Terri Runnels was on Shepard Smiths' show today on FNC and said steroid use was prevalent and that even with the limited wrestling she did, she used painkillers. When asked how prevalent, she just said "a lot of people." She also said if you lined up 1,000 wrestlers and asked who would have committed such a horrible crime, Benoit would be among the last people anyone would have guessed. She noted Benoit always checked on her while she was undergoing her divorce.
--On WWE 24/7, on the Great American Bash show with the Tower of Doom match, they show Kevin Sullivan stating to strangle Precious with a tag rope. They need to get that thing off pronto. There was also a Chris Benoit vs. John Cena match still on the web site as of this morning.
--Today is Bret Hart's 50th birthday.
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s 
in' garbage. GARBAGE.