WWE News: Randy Orton's Redemption With Drug Policy Changes
The WWE Wellness policy was quietly amended in July 2013 to allow for "Therapeutic Use Exceptions" relating to drug policy - in addition to an amendment that allows for talent with two violation strikes to get a strike removed. This should have been a massive story, but passed without much controversy, much to WWE's delight. This is hugely significant considering current WWE Champion Randy Orton was one of those men with two violation strikes to his name. That had meant Orton would be terminated if he violated again on the three strikes and out ruling. The policy amendment has now allowed Randy to be cleared of a strike. This clearance is achieved by going through a "Redemption Program", essentially a re-assessment with a doctor and implementation of the doctor's recommendations over an 18 month period. It doesn't seem a coincidence that as soon as these policy changes came in to effect, Randy was instantly catapulted from having no story line to becoming the most important character in the entire WWE. There is speculation that Randy had his 18 month Redemption Program applied retrospectively. There is further speculation that the entire Wellness Policy amendment was made to re-accommodate Orton as a franchise star. Other current WWE talent with two strikes include Rey Mysterio, Evan Bourne, Booker T and William Regal. Orton was a liability as long as he had two strikes to his name. WWE didn't use him to a full capacity. Now able to function without the threat of termination, Orton is back as one of the most bankable assets in the WWE.