WWE Timing Failed Drug Tests, Samoa Joe’s Suspension Not Well Known

WWE Timing Failed Drug Tests

Dave Meltzer of Wrestling Observer Radio believes WWE officials are timing when they announce suspensions by superstars for wellness policy violations.

This comes on the heels of news that superstar Samoa Joe has been suspended for 30 days. It was previously reported weeks ago that Joe would be suspended, but the official statement just came out this past Monday.

“Maybe they didn’t think that he was going to be out for a month,” Meltzer said (thanks to Ringside News for the quotes). “Now they know he’s gonna be out for a month (with a concussion). It’s not that weird, I mean they’ve timed suspensions before. Plenty of guys we’d hear about guys failing — I mean you’ve heard stories about guys who fail the test in June and in September they get suspended. I mean, that’s not weird.”

WWE officials and creative have used television to “write off” superstars after they knew a suspension was coming as a way to take them away from the spotlight.

Of note, Andrade, the reigning WWE United States champion, was suspended late in January for a violation of the wellness policy. Creative wrote him off television by having Humberto Carrillo deliver a move to him on the cement.

That suspension, though, is up in time for Andrade to compete at WWE Super ShowDown from Saudi Arabia. He was part of a six-man gauntlet match for the Tuwaiq Trophy. However, he lost the match.

Samoa Joe’s Suspension Not Well Known

Speaking of Samoa Joe’s suspension, WWE creative appears to have been in the dark regarding it.

Joe, was suspended for 30 days for his first offense beginning Monday, February 24. Also, he is dealing with a concussion that could keep him sidelined.

According to a report by the Wrestling Observer Radio, WWE’s creative team found out when the suspension was announced on the official website and not any earlier.

Many reports have stated that Joe would be suspended for quite some time, prompting rumors that people knew about the failed wellness policy tests.

Joe suffered a second concussion within 30 days when he was driven through a table earlier this month. He has also battled a broken thumb that sidelined him for an extended period of time.

As has been the case, WWE offered very little information on the suspension. They confirmed it was his first offense and that he would be sidelined for 30 days. But, they did not disclose what he tested positive for.

In conclusion, we are starting to see more suspensions due to violations of the Wellness Policy. With WrestleMania 36 right around the corner, nobody wants to miss a big payday.