8 Times WWE's Rules Didn't Apply To Brock Lesnar

1. The Wellness Policy Fiasco

Brock Lesnar Wellness Policy
2016 Rey Del Rio

The returning 'Beast' was paid a record $2.5 million purse for his UFC 200 win over Mark Hunt, but ended up losing a sizeable portion after running afoul of the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

Lesnar was flagged for a potential failed drug test on 15 July. One month later, it was confirmed that he'd tested positive for a banned estrogen blocker in the build-up to the Hunt fight, and as a result, the Nevada State Athletic Commission slapped him with a $250,000 fine and 12-month suspension, as well as flipping his victory to a no contest.

This should have been a violation of WWE's Wellness Policy (and another fine or suspension), but while section 17 of the company's Abuse and Drug Testing document decrees that this is "applicable to all WWE Talent under contract," WWE claimed that Lesnar was exempt as a part-timer. Thus, he slipped through the absurd loophole unscathed.

The incident exposed a colossal double-standard in WWE's anti-doping policy, heaping further resentment and bitterness upon the part-timer, but as the company had clearly agreed this term in Brock's last round of negotiations, there was likely nothing they could do by then.

In this post: 
Brock Lesnar
 
Posted On: 
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.