Spring Break
Steroid abuse accusations have no place in the wrestling ring
Michael Bertacchi
Issue date: 3/23/07 Section: Opinion
A recent article on Yahoo! News revealed professional wrestlers are the latest link in the steroid abuse scandal that has swept American sports.
According to the report, Randy Orton, Kurt Angle and even the late Eddie Guerrero have joined the ranks of athletes such as Jose Canseco and Evander Holyfield in the wake of America's attempt to clean up professional sports. But what I want to know is why.
Don't get me wrong; I firmly believe the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports is just another form of cheating. It has no place in professional sports and I despise anybody pathetic enough to take the "easy way out." But professional wrestling? Seriously? Is this some sort of joke?
Of course professional wrestlers use steroids - it's practically what the entire "sport" is about. Professional wrestling isn't even a sport; it's sports entertainment. There is no real competition taking place considering everything is pre-determined. So can somebody please explain to me what harm will ever come from someone such as Orton or Angle using performance-enhancing drugs to make himself or herself bigger, stronger and more intimidating looking? If these performers' actions are not tainting their "sport" in any way, shape or form that will ultimately determine the event's outcome, what's the big deal?
Unlike baseball, football, hockey or soccer, professional wrestling is a form of entertainment first and athletic competition second. It is about showmanship and storytelling - not integrity, pride and fair play. The entire concept of professional wrestling revolves around one thing: big scary-looking men pretending to hurt each other for the crowd's enjoyment. What harm do steroids play in that?
The only (sane) argument that could be made to support this ridiculous study is that it is looking out for the health and well-being of those using these body enhancers, almost as though the people performing the study are trying to safeguard a bunch of grown men from themselves. At what age can a person finally begin making his or her own decisions?
According to the report, Randy Orton, Kurt Angle and even the late Eddie Guerrero have joined the ranks of athletes such as Jose Canseco and Evander Holyfield in the wake of America's attempt to clean up professional sports. But what I want to know is why.
Don't get me wrong; I firmly believe the use of performance-enhancing drugs in professional sports is just another form of cheating. It has no place in professional sports and I despise anybody pathetic enough to take the "easy way out." But professional wrestling? Seriously? Is this some sort of joke?
Of course professional wrestlers use steroids - it's practically what the entire "sport" is about. Professional wrestling isn't even a sport; it's sports entertainment. There is no real competition taking place considering everything is pre-determined. So can somebody please explain to me what harm will ever come from someone such as Orton or Angle using performance-enhancing drugs to make himself or herself bigger, stronger and more intimidating looking? If these performers' actions are not tainting their "sport" in any way, shape or form that will ultimately determine the event's outcome, what's the big deal?
Unlike baseball, football, hockey or soccer, professional wrestling is a form of entertainment first and athletic competition second. It is about showmanship and storytelling - not integrity, pride and fair play. The entire concept of professional wrestling revolves around one thing: big scary-looking men pretending to hurt each other for the crowd's enjoyment. What harm do steroids play in that?
The only (sane) argument that could be made to support this ridiculous study is that it is looking out for the health and well-being of those using these body enhancers, almost as though the people performing the study are trying to safeguard a bunch of grown men from themselves. At what age can a person finally begin making his or her own decisions?
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 17
Scott Steiner
posted 3/23/07 @ 1:59 PM CST
All I care about are my freaks and my peaks....now holla if ya hear me!!!!!!!
Ric Gillespie
posted 3/23/07 @ 3:46 PM CST
I'm a bit confused, but maybe you'll be kind enough to help me out. Are you saying usage of illegal drugs is only an issue, if someone is participating in (what is, in your mind) a competitive sport?
AngelD
posted 3/24/07 @ 1:05 AM CST
I agree with the fact that it's not really "cheating" to use steroids in pro-wrestling seeing as it's not really a sport and it's all choreographed and plain fake. (Continued…)
David Tillotson
posted 3/24/07 @ 4:36 PM CST
So you would be happy to see non-unionized contract laborers in any industry pressured by their employers to take drugs that increase their job performance but kill them by age 50? Because that is what is happening in professional wrestling. (Continued…)
Andrew C
posted 3/25/07 @ 11:06 AM CST
how could you say there is no harm to using performance enhancing drugs in wrestling? Look at all the wrestlers who have died over the past years because of their abuse. (Continued…)
Eddie Guerrero's ghost
posted 3/25/07 @ 1:05 PM CST
Listen fools, no one is forcing professional wrestlers to take steroids or human growth hormone. They do this to themselves.
ron reagan
posted 3/25/07 @ 8:29 PM CST
cheating is cheating,no matter what the cost is. just go ask eddie guerrero.
DonDee
posted 4/03/07 @ 1:32 AM CST
I agree, Pro Wrestling IS NOT a sport. And, of course, they use "Enhancers", you can't get that big and cut without them. If they want to join the ranks of all the other guys found dead in their hotel rooms due to "heart failure" or "death due to drug inter-action" let them. (Continued…)
Mr._Derova
Mr._Derova
posted 10/02/07 @ 10:36 PM CST
alright, i'm forcing myself to not fully go off on you about this issue but the fact is, wrestling isn't about steroids and steroid users. A lot of wrestlers have entertained and are recognised as pioneers in wrestling withought the use of steroids, people like Mick Foley, Lance Storm, and others. (Continued…)
iwrotethehatefiles
posted 4/15/08 @ 9:53 AM CST
stfup
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