by James Caldwell, Assistant editor

Speaking to the U.S. government's Committee on Oversight and Government in December 2007, WWE chairman Vince McMahon provided a detailed description of his role in the company - on-air talent, head of the creative team, and overseer of the entire business operations.

"I'm the chairman of the board, so I would think I would have some oversight over everything that we do as the chairman of the board," McMahon said.

McMahon described his role as "general oversight" with emphasis on the storylines involving top-level talent. "I will be very much involved in the development of that talent, of the storyline," McMahon said. "Top talent means to me that the people that are drawing the money and people with popularity of them coming into the arena."

McMahon said he works closely with the creative team to determine which wrestlers receive top billing on TV. Asked whether the topic of steroids has come up from other staff members when making top-billing decisions, McMahon said he is "not aware" of any such conversations.

McMahon also said "no" to three specific questions on whether he has ever told a WWE talent that he/she needed to (a) gain weight, (b) be bigger to be more successful, or (c) more muscular.

Related to wrestlers being in violation of the Wellness Policy, McMahon said he is removed from hearing about the results. "As a matter of fact, Dr. Black notifies our legal department, who then notifies our Talent Relations, and action is taken there. I really am removed," he said.

However, McMahon is subsequently notified about the test results, as he has to make creative decisions on how to remove talent from TV storylines if they are suspended.

"And once we started this whole Wellness Policy with Dr. Black I explained that to him; hey, look, someone may test positive here, but I need to get those test results back and have a number of days to be able to conclude what that storyline is," McMahon said. "So that's what we did. That still exists today."

McMahon added that he takes personal responsibility for the health of WWE wrestlers through the Wellness Policy.

"What I am concerned with, however, is the present, which is why we have this Wellness Policy, to make certain that our talent, while they're under contract to us, have good habits and can perform at their highest level and be well," McMahon said. "That to me is my responsibility, and I don't take it lightly."

Asked to explain the entire process of bringing a WWE talent onto TV, McMahon said he has no input in the developmental aspect of the company's training system in Florida. He only comes in contact with talent when they are brought onto the main roster and the writers create a storyline introduction for the talent.

However, the talent must clear WWE's Wellness Policy prior to even being brought on board in WWE's system.

"Generally speaking, if they failed any sort of test, there is no reason to bring them on," McMahon said. "I mean, there is a proliferation of prospective talent out there. If they failed anything, whether it is a heart problem or whatever it may be, we wish them luck and bring in somebody else. So, right away, we test talent before they even sign with us."

Link: Committee website with documents, including McMahon testimony.

RELATED STORY at PWTorch.com: McMahon Testimony analysis Part II - Eddie Guerrero.

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