In Monday’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter (click here for subscription information), Dave Meltzer writes that “the wrestlers we know of that have failed tests and been suspended at one point or another are” the following:
Kurt Angle (steroids, because the date on his prescription expired; he was never suspended for painkillers nor was he fired over a failed test)
Matt Hardy (claimed he was off due to a staph infection, which he really did have)
Jeff Hardy (claimed he was off due to a neck injury, which is possible he had due to a band landing in a match with Kennedy)
Randy Orton (claimed he was moving into a new house, which is true)
Test (wasn’t fired for failing a test, although had a disagreement of some sort after failing a test)
Chris Masters (pain killers; went to rehab)
Rob Van Dam (suspended after being arrested, not failing a test)
Joey Mercury (painkillers; was fired for “being in no condition to perform” but not for failing a test)
Rene Dupree (later fired)
Ryan Reeves (later fired)
Ryan O’Reilly (was in ECW I believe as one of Heyman’s security after Danny Basham was injured; lost his spot due to failed test)
Sabu (was fined, but suspension isn’t confirmed although it’s possible)
Angle, Test, RVD, Mercury, Dupree, Reeves and Sabu are no longer with the company, although Mercury has recently been named trainer of the beginners class at Ohio Valley Wrestling (a WWE developmental territory). Orton is the only above name named in the detailed SI.com article that lists specific wrestlers linked to the Signature Pharmacy Internet drug investigation. Masters was mentioned in an ESPN.com report, based on a source that said he was a client of one of the pharmacies under investigation.
