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CALDWELL'S TAKE
CALDWELL: What to do with Rey Mysterio - WWE faces slippery slope if they reverse Mysterio's suspension Aug 31, 2009 - 3:30:00 PM
WWE has arrived at a tough spot. Based on what we know from what Rey Mysterio has said, Mysterio appears to have been wronged by WWE and WWE's Wellness Policy run by Dr. David Black.
Mysterio says that on Wednesday, he was informed he was facing possible suspension the next day for a raised testosterone level on a recent drug test. According to WWE's Wellness Policy, wrestlers have three days to provide a valid prescription for a substance that shows up on the results.
For the sake of argument, we assume Mysterio's doctor is legit and that there was a valid prescription for the substance that showed up on his drug test, as Mysterio claims. Also for the sake of argument, we assume that Mysterio's claim that he was only given one day notice to provide the prescription is valid.
So, what does WWE do?
They could uphold his suspension based on speaking out against WWE and the Policy. Something to the effect of insubordination. They could also uphold the suspension based on making a final decision and there not being an appeals system in the Policy guidelines.
Or, they could reverse the suspension upon further review of how Mysterio's situation was handled and not suspend him for 30 days.
If WWE were to reverse Mysterio's suspension, WWE would essentially be admitting a flaw in the Wellness Policy. That's a slippery slope for WWE. How many other wrestlers - past and present - could suddenly come out of the woodwork and claim their suspension was handled poorly?
Wrestlers with one or two strikes currently with the company might want a closer look at their suspension. Former wrestlers who are no longer with the company might wrangle up some of those pesky lawyers who want to milk a possible Mysterio Mistake for all its worth to get a second opinion on samples taken that might have caused a client to lose his job and thousands of dollars in past and future earnings.
If a person commits one crime in a lifetime, does that make him or her a bad person? If the system failed one time, does that mean the entire system is flawed?
We know the system had more holes than a slice of Swiss cheese early on - as the Chris Benoit Tragedy coverage revealed in 2007 - but WWE has increased its effort to make the system as airtight as possible. The appearance of a mistake could blow over in a few months or hurt the Policy going forward.
Related to the talent relations department, it goes all the way to the top. A wrestler is suspended after what he claims to be insufficient time to provide a valid prescription following a drug test. He then turns on the company in the press to defend himself after he felt he was wronged. It looks bad on the company to have a wrestler show no fear blasting WWE in the public eye.
Mysterio certainly had motivation to save face in Mexico where he could practically print money the rest of his life, even after his WWE career is over. He also has motivation to defend himself as one of the faces of the promotion, especially when WWE is marketing so heavily toward kids and families.
Just like TNA lost control over the Kurt Angle situation when Angle went into business for himself on Bubba the Love Sponge two weeks ago to defend himself against Rhaka Khan's allegations, WWE lost control over the flow of information from one of their top stars.
Then again, Rey and Angle are independent contractors, so why wouldn't they complain about what they claim to be wrongful treatment from one company that could impact potential future earnings?
Oh, the nasty independent contractor talk. Caldwell, don't tell me you're delivering another speech about wrestlers needing Screen Actor Guild protection. Don't worry, another day will come for that topic to be re-visited.
It doesn't seem likely WWE will reinstate Mysterio - if Mysterio's claims are valid. Again assuming Mysterio isn't just trying to save his hide, perhaps WWE can find a way to reverse the suspension and save face at the same time without opening the floodgates.
What we've seen in August are top wrestlers taking it upon themselves to fight for themselves when the company isn't showing support. Mysterio has future big money on the line. Angle has a movie career and possible TNA career on the line.
It will be interesting to see how WWE handles Mysterio's situation. It could affect future policy and set a standard that will affect the company's business going forward.
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