Well this is good news for WWE. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter has reported that former WWE champ Roman Reigns received his 30 day suspension for taking adderall without a prescription. The drug itself is allowed in the company if prescribed, but Reigns lacked such a distinction. It is often used to combat diseases like ADHD and narcolepsy.
Roman Reigns Gets Busted…with Adderall
What a Relief!
When WWE’s golden boy was first suspended nearly 30 days ago, it was a public relations disaster for the Pro Wrestling giant. Whenever one hears about a wellness policy violation, especially in pro wrestling, the first assumption is always steroids. Here was the man that was being pushed as the face of the company for years to come, getting busted for taking the easy way out. It was just yet another scandal in pro wrestling.
This substance announcement is an absolute best case scenario for WWE. Adderall does not enhance musculature or strength. It is often used to enhance focus and is actually quite mainstream in society. In fact, as a college student, it isn’t rare to see them making an appearance when finals come around.
This was merely an innocent mistake, something that is easily correctable. However, this announcement raises a few questions.
Why Now?
WWE presumably knew what their top star was being suspended for, why not make it public? Vince McMahon has been in the business long and enough and has gone through enough scandals to know that steroids is still presumed to be an issue in pro wrestling. Why would he want this speculation about his top star taking PEDs? It would have made perfect sense to include the infraction in the suspension announcement to pad the flames. Why not state that Reigns made a mistake and got punished properly for it, but he will be back. All in all it just seems like terrible public relations on the company’s behalf. The only thing that holding out the info has accomplished is putting more heat on Reigns that he did not need.
Now I would like to give WWE the benefit of the doubt and believe that they just found out this week about what the substance is. But, if so why have they not released a statement? Why have it released in a report from the Wrestler Observer?
It might very well be possible that Vince truly is losing interest in his pet project. Maybe he did not care enough to release the substance to bring down speculation. It might very well be the nail in the coffin for Reigns, regardless of what the substance is.
Great News
Regardless of the motivations or how the scandal was handled, the news could not be any better. Just days away from his return in the main event triple threat at Battleground. Reigns is free from steroid accusations and can focus on coming back better than ever. However, it is curious that we did not receive this news earlier.
MIAMI, FL- SEPTEMBER 01: Roman Reigns looks on during the WWE Smackdown on September 1, 2015 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Ron ElkmanSports Imagery/Getty Images)
