Report: AEW Does NOT Have A Wellness Policy

Don't expect any 30-day suspensions in AEW anytime soon...

by Andy H Murray
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All Elite Wrestling

All Elite Wrestling doesn't have a Wellness Policy in place.

This is according to Dave Meltzer who, on the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, claimed that while the promotion's right to test its performers for drugs is written into talent contracts, "there is no policy right now that I'm aware of, and I'm sure I'd be aware if there was."

WWE's Wellness Policy was introduced in February 2006, though the company had some kind of drug-testing procedure in place as far back as 1987. Per WWE's own terms, it requires all performers "under contract to WWE who regularly perform in-ring services as a professional sports entertainer" to be tested, and was brought in just two months after Eddie Guerrero had passed away.

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10 wrestlers including Kurt Angle, Randy Orton, and Rob Van Dam all fell afoul of the Wellness Policy in its first few months, with each handed a 30-day suspension. It has largely sat dormant in recent years but shot back to prominence when Primo Colon and Bobby Roode were punished in December 2019, with Samoa Joe the latest to be suspended just a few short weeks ago.

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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.