10 Real-Life Dramas That Made It To Wrestling TV
6. Multiple Violations
The Chris Benoit double murder-suicide in 2007 kicked open a door into spiralling drug issues going on behind-the-scenes in WWE, despite a hastily-agreed 2006 Wellness Policy the company had established following the death of Eddie Guerrero in November 2005.
Over 60 superstars have been hit with Wellness Policy-related punishments in over a decade of testing, but the biggest swathe of activity came in 2007's rollercoaster year. August alone saw 12 names caught out.
After some token suspensions in 2006, the Benoit case threw eyes on the validity of the policy, especially when a list of wrestlers were confirmed as customers of the Orlando-based Signature Pharmacy group that were busted for illegally distributing steroids and other supplements.
Former and existing clients of the group following a police raid included Batista, Edge, King Booker, Chris Masters, Randy Orton, Umaga, William Regal, Mr Kennedy, John Morrison, Gregory Helms, Funaki, Chavo Guerrero and others, as well as the deceased Benoit and Guerrero.
These catches alongside numerous others from within the company saw suspensions rain down on the main roster, with countless storylines abruptly halted when yet another performer had to take a 30 or 60 day vacation from television.