7 WWE Suspensions Nobody Saw Coming
From current champions to referees, few saw these guys being slapped with a suspension...
Implemented on February 27, 2006, the Wellness Policy is designed to keep everyone in WWE on the straight and narrow. On the surface, it's there to maintain the health of contracted performers, but it's also there to punish drug-related offences and other misdemeanours. It's also not the only reason for suspensions in the company, but it is the main one.
In November 2007 WWE announced that they would start making Wellness Policy violations public. Since then, there have been numerous suspensions that few could see coming. Joining those that contravened Wellness were others just plain shocking to those who follow the industry closely.
Over the years, WWE stars have been suspended for - amongst other things - racial allegations, disrespecting national flags and even playfully shoving the boss on live television. Tag-team those with various suspensions for breaking the Wellness Policy, and it makes for a surprisingly eclectic list of names.
Let's look at some of the most eye-opening WWE suspensions ever, ones that were either classic examples of bad timing or just flat out stunning...
7. Rey Mysterio (2009)
2009 wouldn't be the last time that Rey Mysterio violated the WWE Wellness Policy, but it was the most unforeseen. On August 27 of that year, the masked man was given a delayed suspension by the promotion, one which would begin on September 2. The main reason for that holdup had to do with his on-screen character.
At the time, Rey was the reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion, and one of the best in quite some time. A reign beginning at WrestleMania XXV was temporarily interrupted by Chris Jericho at Extreme Rules in June. Mere weeks later, Mysterio regained the belt at The Bash, and he'd hold it until that September.
There's a good chance Rey would have continued as champion had he not breached Wellness, but he was dethroned by John Morrison at a SmackDown taping on September 1 (aired on September 4) before taking a 30-day break from action.
Allegations of drug use were all over the rumour mill in '09, with many believing that Mysterio ingested substances that were banned in the Wellness Policy. Mysterio, speaking to the Mexican media, claimed he had a valid prescription for what he was using. Whatever happened, it was definitely bad timing for the high-flying star.