NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Rush, Stearns Request Drug Prevention Records from World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.

Washington, D.C. – The chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection announced today that they are opening an investigation into the use of steroids and other drugs by professional wrestlers. In a letter to Vincent K. McMahon, chairman of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE), Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Rush (D-IL) and Ranking Member Cliff Stearns (R-FL), requested all records pertaining to the WWE’s monitoring and prevention of the use of performance-enhancing substances by its employees.

“I am extremely concerned about possible illegal and destructive practices by professional entertainment athletes that negatively influence the younger generation. We must make sure that today’s wrestling sports heroes are not using illegal performance-enhancing drugs that, unfortunately, can and have lead to their untimely deaths,” said Rush.

“Since I called for a congressional hearing on steroid use in professional wrestling, former wrestlers have told me of rampant use of steroids and other drugs in the industry,” said Stearns. “In this letter, we seek information on how the industry is trying to detect and prevent illegal drug use among wrestlers. I look forward to working with Chairman Rush in ensuring that the nation’s drug laws are enforced.”

See the July 31, 2007 letter