LionDen
07-03-2006, 11:12 PM
As reported earlier, an article appearing in The Ironton Tribune stated that current WWE & ECW Champion Rob Van Dam and Sabu were both arrested yesterday evening and were found to be in possession of controlled substances.
With this news comes a lot of questions about what kind of reaction WWE will be giving and especially as it relates to the company's new Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy that was put into effect earlier this year on February 27. In revisiting the rules in the policy, you can clearly see the writing on the wall for RVD and Sabu. Here is a breakdown of some of the policy as it relates to this story:
"The non-medical use and associated abuse of prescription medications and performance enhancing drugs, as well as the use, possession and/or distribution of illegal drugs, by WWE Talent are unacceptable and prohibited by this policy, as is the use of masking agents or diuretics taken to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs."
Given the wording, it is obvious that marijuana would fall into the "illegal drugs" category and that it would be a direct violation of the policy. It should be noted that WWE does not include marijuana in the random testing they do unless there is a quote "reasonable cause" to do so. However, the drug is included on the list of prohibited drugs under this listing below.
"Illegal drugs. The possession, use, and/or distribution of any drug made illegal to possess, use and/or distribute by the laws of the United States of America and/or any of its fifty states is prohibited by this Policy."
In regards to Vicodin being found in the bust, which was allegedly said to be in the possession of Rob Van Dam, it would fall under the category of "prescription drugs." WWE's policy does have a section for that in regards to non-medical use. The policy states that a legitimate prescription is required by a physician and that drugs purchased over the internet and/or from suppliers wouldn't be considered legal. So, if RVD doesn't have a legitimate perscription, he would be in direct violation of the policy.
Item 13 in WWE's Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy is very clear on the punishment for violating the law. It states:
"13. DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATION OF LAW
Any Talent who is arrested, convicted or who admits to a violation of law relating to use, possession, purchase, sale or distribution of prohibited drugs will be in material breach of contract and subject to immediate dismissal."
Given how much media attention WWE's drug testing policy has received since February, it will be very interesting to see how the company handles this situation given that it is already out in the public eye as we head into Monday Night RAW tonight in Philadelphia. As of now, WWE & ECW Champion Rob Van Dam is still scheduled to take part in the "Pick Your Partner" Triple Threat Tag Team Match along with John Cena and Edge. Some had even hoped Sabu would be picked as RVD's partner tonight before the above information was released.
Thanx to PWInsider
With this news comes a lot of questions about what kind of reaction WWE will be giving and especially as it relates to the company's new Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy that was put into effect earlier this year on February 27. In revisiting the rules in the policy, you can clearly see the writing on the wall for RVD and Sabu. Here is a breakdown of some of the policy as it relates to this story:
"The non-medical use and associated abuse of prescription medications and performance enhancing drugs, as well as the use, possession and/or distribution of illegal drugs, by WWE Talent are unacceptable and prohibited by this policy, as is the use of masking agents or diuretics taken to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs."
Given the wording, it is obvious that marijuana would fall into the "illegal drugs" category and that it would be a direct violation of the policy. It should be noted that WWE does not include marijuana in the random testing they do unless there is a quote "reasonable cause" to do so. However, the drug is included on the list of prohibited drugs under this listing below.
"Illegal drugs. The possession, use, and/or distribution of any drug made illegal to possess, use and/or distribute by the laws of the United States of America and/or any of its fifty states is prohibited by this Policy."
In regards to Vicodin being found in the bust, which was allegedly said to be in the possession of Rob Van Dam, it would fall under the category of "prescription drugs." WWE's policy does have a section for that in regards to non-medical use. The policy states that a legitimate prescription is required by a physician and that drugs purchased over the internet and/or from suppliers wouldn't be considered legal. So, if RVD doesn't have a legitimate perscription, he would be in direct violation of the policy.
Item 13 in WWE's Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy is very clear on the punishment for violating the law. It states:
"13. DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATION OF LAW
Any Talent who is arrested, convicted or who admits to a violation of law relating to use, possession, purchase, sale or distribution of prohibited drugs will be in material breach of contract and subject to immediate dismissal."
Given how much media attention WWE's drug testing policy has received since February, it will be very interesting to see how the company handles this situation given that it is already out in the public eye as we head into Monday Night RAW tonight in Philadelphia. As of now, WWE & ECW Champion Rob Van Dam is still scheduled to take part in the "Pick Your Partner" Triple Threat Tag Team Match along with John Cena and Edge. Some had even hoped Sabu would be picked as RVD's partner tonight before the above information was released.
Thanx to PWInsider