WWE News: Jim Ross Talks Criticism Surrounding Brock Lesnar And The WWE Wellness Policy
The WWE Wellness Policy has been talked about within the WWE realm more in the last few weeks than in the last several years. Despite Randy Orton’s two violations in the past, they didn’t garner as much attention as Brock Lesnar’s violation with the UFC for his fight at UFC 200. When the news came out that Lesnar violated the policy for the UFC, WWE fans immediately jumped to the conclusion that he’d be suspended and miss his SummerSlam matchup with Orton.
It was the match that fans wanted to see. Lesnar and Orton only wrestled once and saw the Beast Incarnate come out on top. However, that wasn’t the focus heading into SummerSlam. This was Lesnar’s return to the WWE since WrestleMania 32. He decimated Dean Ambrose and walked away to take his break from the company. Paul Heyman accompanied him as he always does. WWE fans wanted to see Lesnar back on programming.
As soon as the UFC began to hype UFC 200 the week prior to the fight, so did the WWE. Lesnar was the primary focus for both brands, especially since Jon Jones failed a test of his own to get banned from the pay-per-view, so it was a win-win for the WWE. They promoted Lesnar, and even if he lost, it wouldn’t matter to WWE storytelling. That wasn’t a worry. He beat Mark Hunt, and the WWE was on cloud nine. That didn’t continue, however.
A report of Brock Lesnar failing an anti-doping policy surfaced, which was referenced above. Technically, he wasn’t under any fire in the WWE because it was a UFC policy. Regardless of that fact WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross commented on the criticism surrounding his failure.
“WWE Wellness Policy being applicable to full time talents only. I have no issues with this philosophy, as it is daunting to test part timers who are not in the every day rotation of the roster. WWE’s drug testing program is by far the best within the genre and it strikes me odd that other company’s who either rarely test their talents or don’t do it all are seldom questioned on this matter simply because ‘They can’t afford it.’ Wouldn’t the wellness of one’s athletes be a vital part of doing business? Many critics of this matter have no idea what Lesnar’s contact states nor the full understanding of the Wellness Policy in general. Please do not construe this as me eluding to the fact that I enough PED usage even in an entertainment entity. I don’t. Talents don’t need them but the narcissistic nature of many pro wrestlers always will rear its ugly head when it comes to how they look and the short cuts some talents take to achieve an unnatural appearance.”
For those who still criticize the policy, you can read it here. It clearly highlights all of the questions WWE fans are having about this situation. Lesnar’s ordeal is one that hasn’t happened before. First, part-time talents do not get tested, as Ross says adamantly. However, a part-time talent in the WWE hasn’t failed a test for anything outside of the company. Therefore, a resolution was needed to make sure the right decisions were made.
Aside from select talent being upset about Lesnar remaining exempt from the WWE Wellness Policy, it really isn’t a big deal anymore. He will still appear at SummerSlam and face Randy Orton.
Even the WWE doesn’t care anymore. Orton took a shot at the Beast Incarnate about his anti-doping policy that was in the script at WWE Battleground. Ross is absolutely right when he said it’s not really a big deal. The policy is a big part of the WWE, and they do a great job of monitoring it. Part-time guys don’t need to be on that same policy.
[Image via WWE]
