The WWF/E has always been seen as 'the land of the giants' - big wrestlers with even bigger physiques. In 1991, the WWF was in a state of shock. It's doctor of choice, George Zahorian, was convicted of distributing steroids to wrestlers. The WWF then sent Hulk Hogan onto the Arsenio Hall Show, where he said that he had only used steroids once, in the 1980's, to heal an injury. The wrestling world exploded...... There were several wrestlers who called Hogan out and in turn some came forward to say that not only were wrestlers taking steroids, but that Vince McMahon himself had instructed them to do so. Vince was subsequently indicted in 1993, and it went to court the following year. Several wrestlers gave evidence - including Hulk Hogan, who had to admit under oath that he had used steroids throughout his wrestling career. Wrestlers, such as Nailz, gave evidence that Vince had given them steroids or recommended that they use them, but they came across as bitter ex-employees.....sorry, ex-independent contractors. Most importantly, Hogan testified that Vince had never encouraged him to take steroids or given them to him. Vince was eventually acquitted by the jury and returned to his job in WWF. The fact that he had 'beaten the government' made him even more bullish than usual.
I am a teacher, but also write about all things wrestling. I have been writing/interviewing wrestling personalities for over 7 years for both the Wrestling Observer site, as well as The History Of WWE site.
