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Randy Orton was suspended for 60 days as he violated the WWE’s Wellness Policy for a second time.
At the time of the drug test, he was found to have marijuana and Dianabol in his system. While marijuana only enforces a $2,500 fine under ‘Wellness’, Dianabol is a controlled substance banned by the United States Congress.
Orton is no stranger to being in trouble with the WWE.
A well-known muckraker backstage, Orton has been suspended many times in his tenure with the promotion.
One instance in 2006 saw him suspended for behavioral/drug problems. He was written out at the time by having him stay in Kurt Angle’s Angle Lock a big too long.
Another instance in 2007 saw Orton trash a hotel room during an overseas tour. Orton was sent home early from that tour. He also worked the next little while without pay.
Orton would also suffer his first strike with ‘Wellness’ that year by his involvement in the Signature Pharmacy scandal. As you may recall, Signature was an online pharmaceutical that distributed illegal anabolic steroids amongst other drugs to clients via the mail. Orton was one amongst many names leaked in the investigation.
This current suspension however is a very uncomfortable time for both WWE and Orton.
With the suspension, WWE is temporarily losing one of their biggest draws. On a roster thin of main event talent, this will allow somewhat-lower tier superstars to step up. The problem is that Orton is a big enough name where if the man was advertised, and he didn’t show up (even if the subject to change clause was enforced), refunds would be handed out. This happened with John Cena just over a year ago when he was injured for a short time, and many people walked out on Live events due to this inability to appear.
For Orton, it’s another in a long list of setbacks. After his first ‘Wellness’ violation, it seemed as if Orton was finally getting his act together. He had won multiple world championships with the organization, headlined Wrestlemania multiple times, and is even one of the more respected veterans in the locker room. In addition, Orton will not be paid during this down time, which has to affect his family back at home.
With news coming out about Orton’s future in the WWE being in jeopardy, it must be noted that this is the absolute definition of ‘a rock and a hard place’.
Randy is a top-drawing superstar in the WWE wherever they go. He consistently puts on top-tier matches, and gets the reactions to match. WWE on the other hand can’t trust a man who not only has had issues in the past, but only has one more strike until he is released per policy.
What do you think of this ‘venomous’ issue? Do you think Orton is done with WWE, or will he come back as if nothing ever happened? Comment below, or even bring the talk to Twitter or Facebook!
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