Following the tragic passing of Eddie Guerrero, WWE implemented a new policy on February 27, 2006, where they would begin random drug testing on all superstars on a regular basis. Talent would now be subject to an average of four tests per year, no less than two. With this new program in place, talents would now be tested for marijuana, steroids, prescription narcotics and all illegal recreational drugs.
In addition, talent would also be subject to cardiovascular testing as well. This would be to check for heart-related problems. This new policy would be called the WWE Talent Wellness Program.
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Since its inception, the Talent Wellness Program has resulted in over 50 suspensions. Typically, the first violation results in a 30-day suspension and 60 days for the second offense. Here's a look at 10 Superstars who have been suspended for violating this policy.
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UMAGA
In 2007, WWE found itself under the thumb and watchful eye of the government, by way of a New York District Attorney. Multiple WWE superstars had been named in a list of customers of Florida-based Signature Pharmacy, which was accused of running an illegal steroid and drug ring. Unfortunately, Umaga made this list.
As a result of the findings in the investigation of the Signature Pharmacy scandal, Umaga received a 30 days suspension for his first violation of the Wellness Policy.
In 2009, Umaga violated the Talent Wellness Policy once again, which ultimately led to his release in November. Sadly, less than a month later Umaga was discovered unresponsive and incoherent. After being rushed to the emergency room, he had a massive heart attack and passed away at the hospital. He was only 36 years old.
CHRIS MASTERS
Chris Masters was yet another name mentioned in the District Attorneys findings. ESPN.com was first to identify Masters as a client of Signature Pharmacy. As a result of this being his first offense, Masters was suspended for 30 days.
Masters left the company for a few months to rehab from an addiction to painkillers. However, he would be suspended again, this time for 60 days, for his second violation of the WWE Talent Wellness Program.
BOOKER T
In 2007, Booker was performing under the King Booker persona and during this time, he too was found to be a customer of Signature Pharmacy. However, Booker would get a 60 days suspension, as this was reportedly his second violation of the company's Talent Wellness Policy.
To this day, it is unclear exactly when he first violated the policy.
RANDY ORTON
There's a misconception that The Vipers suspension in April of 2006 was a result of a failed drug test. However, that's not the case. Randy was suspended for 30 days in 2006 due to "unprofessional conduct." In his own words, Randy said he was "behaving in a way that was not appropriate for a professional athlete to behave."
On March 19, 2007, Sports Illustrated posted an article on its website as part of its continuing series investigating a steroid and HGH ring used by a number of professional athletes in several sports. That article mentioned several current and former WWE wrestlers, including Orton who was alleged to have obtained numerous illegal drugs. WWE has since made a statement on this situation, claiming that the allegations preceded the Talent Wellness program WWE launched in February 2006.
In May of 2012, Orton violated the Wellness Policy for a second time, earning himself a 60-day suspension. It has been rumored he tested positive for marijuana.
DOLPH ZIGGLER
On October 10, 2008, Dolph Ziggler was suspended for 30 days for his first Wellness Policy violation. This came at a very pivotal time in his career, as he was in the midst of a major character repackaging and many have speculated that Ziggler was due for a substantial push as well.
However, the suspension really affected The Showoff for quite some time. In fact, that very suspension may have lingering effects that are felt by Dolph, even to this day.
REY MYSTERIO
Even one of wrestling's most beloved smaller guys of all time is susceptible to falling off track from time to time. On August 2, 2009, Rey was suspended for 30 days as a result of his first violation of the WWE Talent Wellness Program. Rey alleges that he was prescribed the painkillers which ultimately caused him to fail the test. But, he was unable to find the proof of prescription in time to prevent the suspension.
Nearly three years to the day, Mysterio failed the random drug screen yet again, resulting in a 60-day suspension for his second offense.
EDGE
The Rated-R Superstar was another name listed on the big Signal Pharmacy investigation. Sports Illustrated was the first major outlet to announce Edge being included in the investigation, citing that Edge allegedly bought some sort of steroids and/or illegal drugs of some sort from the Pharmacy.
Drugs found in Edges screening included somatropin, genotropin, and stanozolol. As a result, the WWE Hall of Famer received a 30-day suspension.
KURT ANGLE
Wrestling's first Olympic Gold Medalist has certainly had his share of problems with substances that aren't necessarily conducive to life as a professional wrestler.
In mid-2006, Kurt Angle was suspended for 30 days for his first violation of the company's Talent Wellness Program. Angle tested positive for the steroid known as Decca-Durabolin. Shortly after this particular violation, Kurt left WWE for a run in TNA, where he would go on to have a Hall of Fame career.
JEFF HARDY
It's not secret that Jeff Hardy has battled some addiction demons for quite some time.
In mid-2007, Jeff was abruptly taken off TV, right after his failed Intercontinental Championship match against Umaga at The Great American Bash. On his personal website, Jeff posted a statement that he was taken off television to recover from nagging injuries, but we would eventually learn that it was indeed a result of violating the WWE Talent Wellness Program.
On March 11, 2008, Jeff received another suspension, this time for 60 days, as a result of his second violation.
ROMAN REIGNS
The final superstar to make this list just so happens to be the most recent superstar to receive a suspension resulting from a violation of the Wellness Policy.
On June 21, 2016, Roman Reigns was fresh off of a WWE Title reign and was seemingly on top of the world, so to speak. Granted, Roman was struggling to get over with the fans, the people in big offices in Connecticut still believed in Reigns and he kept his top spot, even with the shade from the fans. Unfortunately for them, this date would derail everything they had planned, at least for the moment. Roman violated the WWE Talent Wellness Policy and was suspended for 30 days as a result.
Roman would still come back and remained in the main event at the Battleground pay-per-view.
