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You may remember that the WWE updated their Wellness Policy last July. The WWE has tried very hard to keep the new details a secret. But full information has finally become public. As the full document is tricky to understand, here we have a shortened version.
The WWE has a list of banned substances. If a WWE Talent tests positive for any of them, this will count as a violation.
<div class='spoiler_toggle'>Basic Rules</div><div class="spoiler" style="display:none;">
The WWE has a list of banned substances. This is carefully explained to every WWE talent before they sign or renew a contract. When they sign the contract, they agree to participate in semi-regular drug tests. The WWE does not have to give more than 2 hours’ notice for one of these tests.
If any WWE Talent tests positive for a banned substance, they will earn a Wellness Policy violation.
The first violation will result in a fine and a 30 day suspension.
The second violation will result in a larger fine and a 60 day suspension.
The third violation will result in the contract being ended.
A violation may come with the WWE Talent being told to complete a course in alcohol/drug rehabilitation. If the Talent refuses, they will be fired.
Any violation that is particularly serious may result in the WWE firing the Talent.
If a 1st or 2nd violation is particularly serious, the WWE may choose to end the contract.
The WWE will pay all costs relating to the rehab program.
Talent may choose to enter rehab voluntarily. This will not count as a violation and this will not be held against them. Details will remain secret. The WWE will also pay all costs. This offer is also open to all former employees.
If a Talent is arrested, convicted or admits to criminal acts involving drugs (including buying, using, possessing and distribution), the WWE may choose to fire him immediately.
</div>
<div class='spoiler_toggle'>New: Therapeutic Use Exceptions (TUEs)</div><div class="spoiler" style="display:none;">
A WWE Talent, or their doctor, may request a Therapeutic Use Exception (TUE) for 1 item on the banned items list. If a Talent tests positive for the TUE substance, they will not fail the drug test.
The TUE must be for a legitimate medical purpose. It must be prescribed by the physician treating the condition. Every detail, including the dosage and frequency, must be documented. The substance must be required for at least 60 consecutive days. It must be kept within the United States Medical Community’s standards and practices. The Talent and their doctor must submit documentation whenever the WWE requests it. After the paperwork is approved by the WWE’s own Medical Director, the Talent must be examined by a medical team that the MD approves of. If everything checks out, the talent will be granted a TUE.
If a Talent tests positive for the TUE before it is approved, this will still count as a violation. The TUE can last for anything between 60 and 365 consecutive days (from when the MD was first notified), depending on what the Medical Director decides. If nessesary, the talent AND their doctor may request an extension. However, they must repeat this entire process before the current TUE expires.
If the MD decides not to issue a TUE, the decision is final. The talent and his doctor cannot put in an appeal or another request.
</div>
<div class='spoiler_toggle'>Alcohol</div><div class="spoiler" style="display:none;">
If a WWE Talent tests positive for alcohol (i.e. too much alcohol in their system to work safely that night), will be fined $2,500.
</div>
The WWE has a list of banned substances. If a WWE Talent tests positive for any of them, this will count as a violation.
<div class='spoiler_toggle'>Basic Rules</div><div class="spoiler" style="display:none;">
The WWE has a list of banned substances. This is carefully explained to every WWE talent before they sign or renew a contract. When they sign the contract, they agree to participate in semi-regular drug tests. The WWE does not have to give more than 2 hours’ notice for one of these tests.
If any WWE Talent tests positive for a banned substance, they will earn a Wellness Policy violation.
The first violation will result in a fine and a 30 day suspension.
The second violation will result in a larger fine and a 60 day suspension.
The third violation will result in the contract being ended.
A violation may come with the WWE Talent being told to complete a course in alcohol/drug rehabilitation. If the Talent refuses, they will be fired.
Any violation that is particularly serious may result in the WWE firing the Talent.
If a 1st or 2nd violation is particularly serious, the WWE may choose to end the contract.
The WWE will pay all costs relating to the rehab program.
Talent may choose to enter rehab voluntarily. This will not count as a violation and this will not be held against them. Details will remain secret. The WWE will also pay all costs. This offer is also open to all former employees.
If a Talent is arrested, convicted or admits to criminal acts involving drugs (including buying, using, possessing and distribution), the WWE may choose to fire him immediately.
</div>
<div class='spoiler_toggle'>New: Therapeutic Use Exceptions (TUEs)</div><div class="spoiler" style="display:none;">
A WWE Talent, or their doctor, may request a Therapeutic Use Exception (TUE) for 1 item on the banned items list. If a Talent tests positive for the TUE substance, they will not fail the drug test.
The TUE must be for a legitimate medical purpose. It must be prescribed by the physician treating the condition. Every detail, including the dosage and frequency, must be documented. The substance must be required for at least 60 consecutive days. It must be kept within the United States Medical Community’s standards and practices. The Talent and their doctor must submit documentation whenever the WWE requests it. After the paperwork is approved by the WWE’s own Medical Director, the Talent must be examined by a medical team that the MD approves of. If everything checks out, the talent will be granted a TUE.
If a Talent tests positive for the TUE before it is approved, this will still count as a violation. The TUE can last for anything between 60 and 365 consecutive days (from when the MD was first notified), depending on what the Medical Director decides. If nessesary, the talent AND their doctor may request an extension. However, they must repeat this entire process before the current TUE expires.
If the MD decides not to issue a TUE, the decision is final. The talent and his doctor cannot put in an appeal or another request.
</div>
<div class='spoiler_toggle'>Alcohol</div><div class="spoiler" style="display:none;">
If a WWE Talent tests positive for alcohol (i.e. too much alcohol in their system to work safely that night), will be fined $2,500.
</div>
The Redemption Program is open to all talents with “two†violations, if the Medical Director approves. It begins with the Medical Director (or a specialist he has approved of) examining the Talent.
The Medical Director will develop a healthcare program to help the Talent with their medical needs. Using this information, they will find a suitable time for the Talent to begin the 545 day program (18 months).
The Talent consents to random medical examinations and agrees to the healthcare and recovery program that the MD decided upon.
The Talent must not fail a single drug test during this time.
If the Talent finishes the program successfully, then they can request to have one of their violations deleted. If approved, this will return them back to ONE violation.
</div>
The Medical Director will develop a healthcare program to help the Talent with their medical needs. Using this information, they will find a suitable time for the Talent to begin the 545 day program (18 months).
The Talent consents to random medical examinations and agrees to the healthcare and recovery program that the MD decided upon.
The Talent must not fail a single drug test during this time.
If the Talent finishes the program successfully, then they can request to have one of their violations deleted. If approved, this will return them back to ONE violation.
</div>
Testing positive for marijuana no longer counts as a Wellness Policy violation. The Talent will be fined $25,000, but will not be suspended or earn any violations.
The WWE will not be reporting most violations on the WWE website anymore.
</div>
Long story short, this new program allows bigger name stars to avoid being fired. As previously reported, Rey Mysterio has 4 violations and Randy Orton has 5, but the WWE keeps insisting that both men only have 2. This means that people like Mysterio, Orton and Rob Van Dam have immunity from being fired.
The exception is if the wrestler’s behaviour becomes a serious risk to his own health. In those instances, the WWE will make serious efforts to help the talent. If the Talent refuses help, the WWE will be forced to release them from their contracts.
The WWE will not be reporting most violations on the WWE website anymore.
</div>
Long story short, this new program allows bigger name stars to avoid being fired. As previously reported, Rey Mysterio has 4 violations and Randy Orton has 5, but the WWE keeps insisting that both men only have 2. This means that people like Mysterio, Orton and Rob Van Dam have immunity from being fired.
The exception is if the wrestler’s behaviour becomes a serious risk to his own health. In those instances, the WWE will make serious efforts to help the talent. If the Talent refuses help, the WWE will be forced to release them from their contracts.