5 Most Insane Things Happening In Wrestling Right Now (Jan 19)

4. Roman 'Roids (Or Maybe Not)

Paige WWE
WWE.com

Something of a non-story - at time of writing - swept through the wrestling Internet this week when Richard Rodriguez, a jailed steroid dealer, implicated The Big Dog as a client. Jailed in February of 2017 after the DEA raided the premises of Wellness Fitness Nutrition, LLC, Rodriguez named Reigns on a video.

It's strange; people jumped all over this, fantasy booking the alternative main event of WrestleMania 34, despite the untrustworthy nature of the source - many of whom fail to take the likes of the Wrestling Observer and PWInsider seriously despite their consistent track records. If fire exists where there is smoke, Reigns faces a 60-day suspension. Fans repelled by Roman's push rushed into premature celebration, even though, after failing a Wellness Policy test in 2016, that push continued unabated. At this point, Reigns would have to sneeze on Kevin Dunn's teeth for that to not happen.

Reigns himself issued a formal personal statement in response:

"I have never heard of Richard Rodriguez or Wellness Fitness Nutrition. I learned from the mistake I made nearly two years ago and paid the penalty for it. Since then, I’ve passed 11 tests as part of WWE’s independent drug testing program."

Categorically, you simply don't release something to that effect if you are guilty - and if he is, then at least there's an entry to fill in next week's article.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!