A major WWE superstar was suspended Tuesday for violating the company’s “wellness program.”
It is believed that Roman Reigns (real name Joe Anoa’i), who was the WWE World Heavyweight champion up until Sunday night,was taking performance-enhancing drugs.
“I apologize to my family, friends and fans for my mistake in violating WWE’s wellness policy,” Reigns tweeted on Tuesday afternoon. “No excuses. I own it.”
Despite the suspension, Reigns could technically return for WWE’s next Pay-Per-View event, Battleground on July 24. He is scheduled to face Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins in a triple-threat main event that night. Below is a list of banned substances by WWE and an explanation of WWE Wellness Policies (via WWE.com): Anabolic Androgenic Steroids: The non-medical use of anabolic androgenic steroids (“AAS”), which include and are based on the natural steroid Testosterone, is prohibited. The list of prohibited AAS includes, but is not limited to, those on the list below as well as related compounds: androstenediol Peptide Hormones and Analogues: The non-medical use of Human Growth Hormone (hGH), Human Chorionic Gonadotropin ((hCG), Luetenizing Hormone (LH) and Insulin-like Growth Factor (IGF-1) is prohibited. RELATED: WWE Talk – John Cena and Seth Rollins lead wrestling world into Summer 2016 Clenbuterol, used as an anti-catabolic drug or beta-2 agonist or for any other purpose, is prohibited. The non-medical use of amphetamine, methamphetamine, Ecstasy (MDMA), Eve (MDEA), MDA, PMA, Phentermine and other amphetamine derivatives and related compounds is prohibited.
C. Pseudoephedrine D. Narcotic Analgesics E. Benzodiazepines F. Barbiturates G. Diuretics H. Muscle Relaxers I. Sleep Aids J. Anti-Estrogens K. Prescription Medications L. Illegal Drugs M. Herbal and Dietary Supplements N. Synthetic Drugs 5. MASKING AGENTS AND TECHNIQUES USED TO AVOID DETECTION 6. USE OF ALCOHOL 7. PROVISION OF PRESCRIPTIONS FOR PROHIBITED DRUGS TO THE MEDICAL DIRECTOR/ THERAPEUTIC USE EXEMPTIONS
androstendione
bolasterone
boldenone
chloroxomesterone (dehydrochlormethyltestosterone)
clostebol
dihydroepiandosterone
dihydrotestosterone
dromostanolone
epitestosterone
4-chlortestosterone
fluoxymesterone
formebolone
furazabol
mesterolone
methandienone (methandrostenolone)
methandriol
methenolone
methylclostebol
methyltestosterone
methyltrienolone
mibol erone
nandrolone
norandrostenediol
norandrostenedione
norethandrolone
norethindrone
oxabolone
oxandrolone
oxymesterone
oxymetholone
stanozolol
stenbolone
testosterone
trenbolone
B. Stimulants
The following uses of pseudoephedrine, even if purchased as an over the counter medication without a prescription, are prohibited under this Policy:
The use of pseudoephedrine in a manner which is inconsistent with the instructions provided by the drug manufacturer (e.g., use in concentrations or amounts in excess of the recommended manufacturer’s dosage.)
The use of pseudoephedrine in a manner or an amount that may cause an increased risk to health, safety or an impairment of ability to perform his/her duties in relation to a WWE event or WWE scheduled performance.
The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, heroin, morphine and/or its chemical and pharmacological analogs and related compounds, is prohibited. Additionally, codeine and codeine based combinations, including those available over the counter in some countries, are considered prohibited drugs if taken for a non-medical use.
The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, Alpha-hydroxy-alprazolam (Xanax), Lorazepam (Ativan), Nordiazepam (Valium), Oxazepam (Serax), Temazepam (Restoril) and/or chemical and pharmacological analogs and related components is prohibited.
The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, Amobarbital (Amytal), Butabarbital (Butisol), Butalbital (Anolor 300, Esgic, Fioricet, Fiorinal), Phenobarbital (Luminol, Solfoton), Pentobarbital (Nembutal, Nembutal Sodium), Secobarbital (Seconal) and/or chemical and pharmacological analogs and related components is prohibited.
The non-medical use of diuretics, including, but not limited to, those on the list below as well as related compounds, is prohibited:
acetozolomide
amiloride
bendroflumethiazide
benzthiazide
bumetanide
canrenone
chlormerodrin
chlorthalidone
diclophenamide
ethacrynic acid
furosemide
hydrochlorothiazide
mersalyl
spironolactone
triamterene
The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, carisoprodol (Trade name Soma® and others) and meprobamate (Trade name Miltown®, Meprospan® and others) is prohibited. The “non-medical use” of drugs belonging to this class is prohibited. Regardless of whether there is a prescription, the use of muscle relaxers known under the generic name carisoprodol (Trade Name Soma ® and others) and/or meprobamate (Trade name Miltown® and others) will be considered a non-medical use for purposes of this policy and is prohibited.
The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, zolpidem (Trade name Ambien®), is prohibited.
The non-medical use of drugs belonging to this class, including, but not limited to, anastrozole, letrozole, aminooglutethimide exemestane, formestane, testolactone, raloxifene, tamoxifen, toremifene, clomiphene, cyclofenil and fulvestrant, are prohibited.
WWE recognizes that many of the drugs prohibited by this Policy are prescription medications that serve essential or beneficial purposes for the health and well-being of WWE Talent, and nothing in this Policy is intended to discourage the proper use of prescription medications. Conversely, there are some prescription medications that, even when used properly, may affect safety or health and some prescription medications that can be abused and affect safety and health. The following uses of prescription medications are prohibited under the Policy:
The use of a prescription medication in a manner which is inconsistent with the instructions provided by the prescribing physician.
The use of a prescription medication so as to cause an increased risk to health, safety or an impairment of ability to perform his/her duties on the day of a WWE event or WWE scheduled performance.
The use of a prescription medication without a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician that was given for a legitimate medical purpose.
The use of a prescription medication obtained from a physician who was not advised that another physician was prescribing the same and/or similar medication/drug.
The possession, use, and/or distribution of any drug made illegal to possess, use and/or distribute by the laws of the United States of America and/or any of its fifty states is prohibited by this Policy.
Over the counter or internet purchases of dietary supplements represent risk of testing positive for a prohibited drug under this Policy. WWE Talent are advised that any product sold with a warning advising non-use if the purchaser is subject to a drug testing program is prohibited by this Policy even though such product may be available without a prescription.
The following uses of synthetic drugs, even if purchased as an over the counter medication without a prescription, are prohibited under this Policy:
Synthetic Cannabinoids – most commonly referred to as “Spice”, or “K2”, are chemically engineered substances, similar to THC – the active ingredient in marijuana – that, when smoked or ingested, can produce pharmacological effects similar to marijuana.
Synthetic Stimulants/Synthetic Cathinones – most commonly referred to as the “Bath Salts” drugs or the “Plant Food” drugs are chemically engineered substances, such as mephedrone, methylenedioxypyrovalerone (MDPV) and methylone that when smoked, ingested or injected, can produce pharmacological effects similar to illegal forms of amphetamines/stimulants such as cocaine, LSD, MDMA and/or methamphetamines.
Regardless of whether there is a prescription, the use of synthetic drugs in any form will be considered a non-medical use for purposes of this Policy. The use of synthetic drugs is therefore prohibited and subject to the penalties set forth in Section 15 A of the Policy.
Regardless of whether there is a prescription, the use of synthetic drugs in any form will be considered a non-medical use for purposes of this Policy. The use of synthetic drugs is therefore prohibited and subject to the penalties set forth in Section 15 A of the Policy.
The use of any agent or technique which is designed to avoid detection of a prohibited substance and/or compromise the integrity of a drug test is prohibited. This includes providing false urine samples (for example, urine substitution), contaminating the urine sample with chemicals or chemical products, the use of diuretics to dilute urine samples, the use of masking agents (such as probenecid and related compounds), and/or the use of epitestosterone either systematically or directly to artificially alter the testosterone/epitestosterone ratio.
The use of any such agent or technique shall be treated as a positive test for drugs prohibited by this Policy and shall be subject to the penalties set forth in Section 15 of this Policy.
WWE Talent are expected to be free of the influence of alcohol when performing for WWE. Accordingly, WWE Talent are prohibited from using or consuming alcohol at any time within a twelve hour period prior to any WWE event or WWE scheduled performance. Testing for the use of alcohol shall be for reasonable suspicion only as defined in Section 8A of this Policy. A positive test for alcohol shall subject WWE Talent to the penalties set forth in Section 15 C of this Policy and may also require evaluation for alcohol rehabilitation treatment.
A. Provision of Prescriptions:
WWE Talent are required to provide prescriptions for all drugs prohibited by this Policy to the Medical Director upon receipt of such a prescription from his/her treating physician.
The method to provide this information to the Medical Director is as follows:
Using a fax cover sheet, WWE Talent should print his/her name and phone number, the name of the medication, the prescribing physician, and his or her office phone number along with a copy of the prescription providing the dosage and duration instructions for proper use. Though WWE Talent are free to use any format of cover sheet they wish, as long as they provide all of the requested information, a sample fax cover sheet is attached as Exhibit A to this Policy.
Fax both the cover sheet and copy of the prescription to the Medical Director at XXX-XXX-XXXX.
The Talent’s physician may receive a call from the Medical Director to discuss the prognosis and expected length of treatment and corresponding duration of the prescription.
B. Request for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (“TUE”):
A WWE Talent may request a Therapeutic Use Exception (“TUE”) for a prohibited drug under the Policy if (i) such use is for a legitimate medical purpose given pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician of the WWE Talent; (ii) the use of such prohibited drug is required for more than sixty (60) consecutive days; (iii) the medical need for the prescription and for the prescribed dosage is documented in accordance with standards and practices commonly accepted within the United States medical community; and (iv) the medical need is confirmed by the Medical Director. A WWE Talent in need of a TUE must immediately notify, or cause his/her issuing physician to notify, the Medical Director of the existence of a prescription for a prohibited drug and the medical need for the TUE. Whenever requested to do so by the Medical Director, the WWE Talent shall provide, or cause his/her issuing physician to provide any and all documentation supporting the issuance of the prescription. If requested by the Medical Director, a WWE talent will be examined by physicians/consultants designated by the Medical Director with an expertise in the specific area covered by the prescription. Following the review of all documentation provided by WWE Talent and his/her medical team and, if necessary, the results of any medical exams/tests performed by physicians/consultants designated by the Medical Director, the Medical Director shall make a determination as to whether or not a TUE should be granted to a WWE Talent. The Medical Director shall report his determination to the WWE Talent, the PA and WWE.
A TUE shall be effective for no more than one (1) calendar year (or the remainder of the calendar year then in effect) from the date the WWE Talent first notified, or caused his/her issuing physician to first notify, the Medical Director of the need for a TUE and the existence of a prescription for a prohibited drug. The TUE shall not be effective for any use or possession of a prohibited drug prior to that date. After initial issuance, a TUE may be renewed annually, upon request of the WWE Talent, if (i) the WWE Talent is in full compliance with the terms of the previously issued TUE; (ii) the WWE Talent provides updated medical documentation necessary to support the continued need for a TUE, and (iii) the WWE Talent submits to any additional medical tests or exams required by the Medical Director to confirm the continuing need for the TUE.
A urine sample which is found to contain a prohibited drug will not be deemed a positive test result if such sample was provided by a WWE Talent with a valid and effective TUE for that prohibited drug. A WWE Talent with a TUE for a prohibited drug does not violate the Policy by possessing or using that prohibited drug.
A WWE Talent who is determined not to qualify for a TUE may not challenge a determination that he/she violated the Policy by contending, in connection with a “no fault or negligence” defense or otherwise, that he/she believed he/she would qualify or had qualified for a TUE.
Former WWE champ Roman Reigns suspended for possible steroids violation
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