10 Most Shocking WWE Wellness Policy Violations
Some careers recovered while others were never the same again...
WWE had a drug-testing policy back in the late 1980s but as the war with WCW intensified the following decade, that was deemed too expensive and ended up falling by the wayside. After a number of notable deaths and scandals, the decision was made in 2006 to launch a Wellness Policy requiring those under contract with the company to undergo random testing to check for everything from recreational drug use to abuse of prescription medicines and, obviously, steroids.
It's a system that does seem to work and while there are plenty of crazy theories out there about WWE covering up violations, the fact a number of big names have found themselves suspended over the years says otherwise (it's 30 days for a first offence, 60 for the second, and a potential firing for the third).
Following the unexpected suspension of United States Champion Andrade last month, rumour has it that more WWE Wellness Policy violations will soon be announced by the company. There are bound to be some shockers, especially with rumblings that more big names could be about to get sent home.
Now though, we're taking a look back at the most shocking WWE Wellness Policy violations from when it was first introduced right through to the present day.
10. Roman Reigns
No one saw this coming.
In 2016, Roman Reigns was as divisive as ever but still very much WWE's top dog. Well, his status as the face of the company was put at risk when he found himself suspended for 30 days for his first violation of the Wellness Policy. WWE immediately ended his WWE Championship reign by having Seth Rollins defeat him at Money in the Bank and then put the title on Dean Ambrose moments later when he cashed in to steal the belt.
It was soon revealed that WWE was aware of the violation before the PPV but chose to hold off on Reigns' suspension so he could be written off television. Surprisingly, they would then go on to face the issue head on by having Rollins make reference to it on RAW and the hope among The Big Dog's detractors was that his push would end. It didn't and he was back in the main event scene as soon as he returned at Battleground the next month.
At the time, Reigns took to Twitter to say: "I apologize to my family, friends and fans for my mistake in violating WWE’s wellness policy. No excuses. I own it." Rumours swirled about what he had tested positive for but the substance was never officially revealed (amphetamines and marijuana were among the possibilities).