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The Real Story on how Kurt Angle and WWE Parted Ways
Posted By: Wrestling-Radio.com on May 03, 2009
jvarsallone@MiamiHerald.com
What was a case of 'he said, he said' between top wrestler Kurt Angle and top company World Wrestling Entertainment became a clarification in favor of WWE.
In an article in the Philadelphia Inquirer on April 9, 2009, former WWE star Kurt Angle addressed his steroid use, pain pill addiction and WWE.
In the article, it read Angle was fined and suspended by WWE for steroid use in 2006.
Angle, 40, said in the interview: ''Have I used steroids before? Yes, I have, after I broke my neck and lost three inches in this arm and 2 ½ in the other from loss of circulation,'' said the wrestler, who has battled through a few serious neck injuries in amateur and pro wrestling.
''But I paid the price, both financially -- I got fined $125,000 -- and reputation-wise,'' he said. ``I was a pure athlete, an Olympic champion, and all of a sudden, I'm like Kurt Angle the cheater? It really sucked.
''You can test me right now,'' he adds defiantly. ``I'll come up clean, but there was a time when I did it.''
The Inquirer article continued:
`Before the furor died down [in WWE], Angle announced he was leaving WWE. He has subsequently said that there were other reasons for his departure, specifically an addiction to painkillers. [WWE Chairman Vince] McMahon, he says, refused to give him time off to seek treatment.'
WWE remembers differently.
''WWE let Kurt Angle out of his contract because he refused to go to rehab,'' a WWE spokesman told the Inquirer.
• WWE then issued a statement on April 15, 2009.
``Kurt Angle was granted a mutual release from his contract on Aug. 25, 2006 because, at WWE's insistence, Kurt Angle refused to enter a drug rehabilitation program.
``This is contrary to what Kurt Angle asserts [Philadelphia Inquirer - posted Thursday, April 9 - philly.com/inquirer/magazine/20090409_Kurt_Angle_wrestles_on_.html?viewAll=y], which is that WWE refused his request to attend rehabilitation.
``More specifically, on May 30, 2006, a WWE physician informed WWE management of concerns regarding Mr. Angle's addiction issues and recommended to Mr. Angle that he attend a rehabilitation program. At that time, Mr. Angle refused to attend rehabilitation.
``Subsequently, on June 27, 2006, Mr. Angle was suspended for violating the WWE Talent Wellness program and was released from his contract on Aug. 25, 2006.
``In his contract release, a treatment facility was recommended and an offer for assistance was also provided in a meeting on that date and in another follow up letter.
``Over the course of the last three years, Mr. Angle also received several WWE Former Talent Rehabilitation Assistance letters, offering him the opportunity to attend a certified treatment facility with all expenses covered by WWE.
``WWE has never denied Kurt Angle or any of its talent rehabilitation assistance.''
• Angle's business manager and friend is IFBB pro bodybuilder David Hawk, a former Mr. USA and Mr. World.
According to WWE, on Aug. 25, 2006, the day of Angle's release from WWE, there was a meeting in Stamford, Conn. at WWE's headquarters with Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, John Laurinaitis, Angle and Hawk.
• On April 21, 2009, Hawk sent an e-mail reply about Angle's reference in the Inquirer story claiming Vince McMahon refused to give him time off to seek treatment.
Hawk e-mail: ``This letter is to clarify the misunderstanding or misinterpretation in the Philly Inquirer on April 9 with Mr. Kurt Angle.
``At the closure -- and mutually agreed release -- between Kurt Angle and WWE, Mr. Angle wants you and wrestling fans to know that he was offered a health and Wellness program by WWE at their conclusion.''
In a follow-up e-mail to discuss the situation with Angle and Hawk, Hawk responded, ``I appreciate the interest, but there is nothing more to say on the subject. As I mentioned before, on good terms Kurt and WWE mutually agreed to separate.
``At the time, WWE had offered Mr. Angle help in a Wellness program, if he was interested.
``Kurt is currently doing very well with TNA while keeping his life and career moving forward in a positive manor.''
Was help offered prior by WWE to him?
Via e-mail, Hawk wrote: ``If it was offered [prior], I had no personal knowledge of it. I can only comment on the final days when Kurt and WWE decided to part ways. At that time, WWE did offer Kurt support and a treatment program.''
• According to WWE, it's not the first time Angle was referenced making the claim, specifically McMahon refusing to give him time off to seek treatment.
On Nov. 3, 2008, Angle appeared on Howard Stern's Sirius program and said the reason for his departure from WWE was he became addicted to painkillers, and McMahon denied him time off to go to rehab.
• WWE recently decided to react and respond, especially since pro wrestling/sports entertainment receives a black eye from the media, public and Internet when a wrestler dies young, but when the company tries to help, nothing or little is mentioned or some facts are distorted.
• John Laurinaitis, 46, is the Senior Vice President of Talent Relations for WWE. He became vice president of Talent Relations in 2004, replacing Jim Ross.
Laurinaitis took charge of talent scouting and contracts for the company. In May 2007, Laurinaitis was promoted to senior vice president. A former wrestler trained by Nelson Royal, he debuted in 1986 and retired in 2000. He wrestled in the territories including Florida and made a mark competing in Japan.
Laurinaitis' department oversees the WWE Wellness and WWE Former Talent Rehab Assistance programs. Those improved and new features offer current and former talent (including developmental prospects) rehab treatment.
• According to WWE, on May 30, 2006, a WWE physician informed WWE management of concerns regarding Angle's addiction issues and recommended to Kurt that he attend a rehabilitation program. Angle refused to attend rehabilitation.
Laurinaitis said: ``What I remember of that situation was somebody recommended that Kurt may need to go be evaluated. I believe Kurt was dead against doing that. I was told in passing that was told to Kurt, and Kurt and his wife [Karen] refused.
``At that time, I didn't see anything in Kurt to warrant that [treatment], so to speak.''
According to WWE, on June 2, 2006, WWE Talent Relations receives a call from Angle's wife, Karen, stating that Kurt is not moving, and she can't wake him up. WWE Talent Relations advises her to call 911 ASAP. Angle's manager [Hawk] is called, and EMT arrives after Angle is awake.
Laurinaitis said: ``That was the time, and it was very concerning to me. I know David Hawk was involved, and that was when the [red] flag went up, and I believe we actually tested him that night.
``That's just being pro-active to find out what's going on. As you can imagine, we're told one thing, but until you actually do anything, you never know what's going on.''
• Thoughts about what was written in the Inquirer and the comment made on radio that McMahon would not allow Angle time off for treatment.
Laurinaitis said: ``That was not true. Even when we came to an agreement to release Kurt, I actually sent a letter to David Hawk very concerned about Kurt and his condition -- which David was very concerned -- just giving him the information to have Kurt going to treatment.
``I feel near the end of Kurt's time with us, he was in a state that he could not remember things he said or text messages he sent, and it concerned us as a company, and we offered to help Kurt, and he kind of refused our help.''
So is hearing or reading reports -- by talent about not being allowed time off to seek treatment -- frustrating to you?
''It's not as much frustrating as it's just not factual,'' Laurinaitis said. ``It's funny that when the company comes back to make an update to the media of what actually occurred, then how fast a talent's accusation or perception of how they remembered things changes.''
• Any reason why Angle did not go for treatment?
Laurinaitis said: ``It's hard for me to make that judgment. I just know he did refuse to go to treatment when we offered it to him, and then we ended up parting ways. I'd rather not speculate on why I think he didn't do it because only he can really tell why he would do it or not do it.''
Do you know if he was offered help, prior?
Laurinaitis said: ``I'm not aware of anything prior. I do know that Kurt had some injuries he was working through with Dr. Joseph Maroon in Pittsburgh, I believe.''
Dr. Maroon, vice chairman of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, has been the team neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers since 1977 and has done extensive research and teaching in concussions and other head injuries in athletes along with neuropsychological testing of pro athletes.
Laurinaitis said: ``I was involved in the last part of the discussion when we were very concerned about Kurt and his pain pill addiction, so to speak.''
Did Kurt Angle ever come to you or the company to take time off for rehab or treatment for any type of addiction?
Laurinaitis said: ``I don't ever recall Kurt coming to us telling us that he needed time for rehab, per se. He had come to me a few times and asked me if he could have a weekend off here and there for some personal issues. Kurt was dealing with a lot in his life.''
Angle claimed in a past Miami Herald interview that WWE allowed him time off, but the company would usually call him during his off time because someone would get injured or something happened, and they would want him to help, and he said he should have said, 'No,' but he didn't and worked.
Laurinaitis said: ``Just so you know how we work. We schedule live events -- sometimes three to four months out -- and usually when talent needs time off, they come and talk to me. We work very judiciously around scheduling talent, especially depending on what their needs are.
``Time to time, depending on different talent and different situations, if a talent had requested time off, yet we have another talent who's injured or something happens storyline wise, I usually can, and I do call to see, but the bottom line is, if a talent needs time off, we give it to them, whether it's for their personal life or any kind of physical rehab.
``It's really up to the talent, and I've only said to talent who's been off from time to time, `I know that you're off. If you can do this weekend for me because of this situation, we will definitely look forward at getting you back that time off.
``This is a business, and things happen on a day-to-day basis, but in no way would I ever or has the company ever forced anybody to do anything.
'Kurt Angle, if he had time off and needed that time off, all he would have had to say is, `Johnny, I can't do it,' and that would have been the end of it.''
What is Kurt Angle like as a performer?
Laurinaitis said: ``Kurt is a very talented performer. I think he has a lot of good attributes -- not only his background as an Olympian [Angle won an Olympic gold medal in freestyle wrestling in 1996], but also he has what I feel a lot of amateur wrestlers don't have which is charisma. So Kurt is definitely an entertainer.''
What is Kurt like as a person?
Laurinaitis said: ``I think Kurt as a person would give his shirt off his back for anybody who needed help. He is a very giving and caring person.''
How was your relationship with Kurt?
Laurinaitis said: ``Kurt and I had a very good relationship. I helped Kurt deal with several personal issues he had. Kurt and I not only were professional, but he was always easy to get along with and talk with.''
Did you have any confrontations with him during his time in WWE?
Laurinaitis said: ``Actually, no. Kurt's personality and Kurt as a person is a very non-confrontational person. Kurt is very easy-going and tries to get along with everybody. I feel Kurt is somewhat of a pleaser, too.''
Do you think it was difficult for him to be injured (2003 and 2004 in WWE) and not be the top guy because of his injuries?
Laurinaitis said: ``It's hard for me to make that judgement. I can only make a judgement on myself when I was a performer [Laurinaitis most notably worked as Johnny Ace during his national and international in-ring career].
``I know that him as a top athlete -- and I can just speculate -- him being an ex-Olympian and working through issues and always having to be on top of his game, I can see where that can be frustrating.''
Did you notice a change in him from when you first met him and toward the end of his WWE days?
Laurinaitis said: ``I noticed a little bit of change but not necessarily in his personality as much as it was his demeanor.''
• An Olympic gold medalist and former WWE and TNA champ, Angle is one of the top amateur and pro wrestlers all-time. He has dealt with personal issues such as steroids, a pain pill addiction and a divorce.
Angle has persevered, and Hawk said Angle is doing well in life and TNA.
• Angle was suspended by WWE for steroid use as a first-time offender under the upgraded WWE Talent Wellness Program in 2006.
Does the Wellness program call for mandatory rehab/treatment?
Laurinaitis said: ``When a talent is in violation of Wellness policy, under the first suspension, it's a 30-day suspension.
``We have a computer generated program that Dr. [David] Black has set up where a talent is tested on an average of four times a year. That is the average. Some are tested more, but the average is four times a year.''
Dr. Black is the head of the company which oversees the WWE Talent Wellness Program. In 1990, Dr. Black incorporated the Vanderbilt Athletic Drug Testing Laboratory as Aegis Sciences Corporation, where he serves as chairman, president and director.
Laurinaitis said: ``When a talent has a suspension, they are automatically put on an every time list for up to a year. In other words, they would be tested every month for a year. Kurt was put on that list, spot testing, just to make sure that the talent is OK.
``On a suspension, it really is a case-by-case basis and what the suspension was for. Dr. Black, Dr. Maroon and I would consult on whether or not they feel -- depending on what kind of medication or steroid the talent was on -- as to whether or not they would need to be evaluated into a rehab facility.
``I believe in Kurt's case it was a steroid violation which he claimed was part of a treatment which he did not have any prescriptions for; therefore, Dr. Black would not approve that type of treatment for that type of injury.
``Something on a steroid level would not necessarily need to go into a rehab facility, so to speak, per the doctors who are heading our Wellness policy.''
Dr. Black has been working with WWE since the early 1990s.
Do you recall Kurt Angle and some of his issues?
Dr. Black said: ``I do recall Kurt very clearly. I do recall issues.''
Initially, it was more of a steroid violation, and there was no reason to recommend any rehab or anything along those lines?
Dr. Black said: ``That's correct. I'm typically reluctant to talk about any case in specifics. The situation with Kurt really came down to whether or not he wished to participate in the program in a pro-active way.''
In general, when a person is suspended for a first-time violation in WWE, he or she could also be recommended for treatment or not -- more so on a case-by-case situation, not so much how many times a person is suspended?
Dr. Black said: ``That's correct. It would depend upon the drug. It would depend upon the circumstances. Absolutely right, it is on a case-by-case basis.''
Can anything be done to make the rehab and treatment portion mandatory?
Dr. Black said: ``If you look into the health aspects of substance abuse, you'll learn very quickly that rehab which is forced does not work. Individuals have to want to deal with whatever issues they're struggling with.
``So a policy with a forced rehab program is doomed to failure because individuals have to want to have a change in lifestyle and a change in the direction of their life. It's not viable to force someone into treatment.''
How have you felt the WWE Wellness program has evolved and improved?
Laurinaitis said: ``We have a very extensive Wellness policy, and we also have a very extensive pre-contract screening policy to where before we even look at a potential talent, they go to Pittsburgh.
``They are evaluated by a cardiologist. They're also evaluated by a sports physician. They're drug tested. They're impact-tested.
``Dr. Maroon, who is our medical director, has set up a specific amount of tests for potential talent, much like the NFL does.''
The screening test for WWE talent goes through Dr. Maroon.
Laurinaitis said: ``Between WWE talent relations and Dr. Black with the Wellness testing and Dr. Maroon with the medical staff, I would challenge that it's probably the best testing and Wellness provider of any, even better than the NFL.''
How has the WWE Wellness program evolved?
Dr. Black said: ``The program has moved ahead of just a drug policy and drug testing program. There are aspects to the program that have involved cardio vascular assessments, blood work, looking at other indicators for overall health.
``It's been more than just a monitoring program to prohibit certain substances from being used.''
Why the improvements to the program?
Dr. Black said: ``I think the most recent significant factor was the death to [WWE and WCW standout] Eddy Guerrero [2005], and the recognition that the wrestling profession has certain risks associated with it. There has been a determined effort to put in place a program that would encourage and improve the overall health of the talent participating in sports entertainment.''
• The WWE Talent Wellness Program is a comprehensive drug, alcohol and cardiac screening program exclusive to WWE, initiated in February 2006, shortly after the sudden death of Guerrero, 38.
The policy tests for recreational drug use and abuse of prescription medication, including anabolic steroids. Under the guidelines of the policy, talent is also tested annually for pre-existing or developing cardiac issues.
The drug testing is handled by Aegis Sciences Corporation. The cardiac evaluations are handled by New York Cardiology Associates P.C.
In August 2007, U.S. champ Montel Vontavious Porter (MVP) was diagnosed with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which if gone undiagnosed can be potentially fatal. The ailment was discovered while MVP was going through a routine Wellness program checkup.
How do you feel the program compares to other programs in other sports?
Dr. Black said: ``Since it's not strictly athletics, it's not a fair comparison. This is entertainment. It's not a program that functions under the same rules as a sport. This is kind of a hybrid between sport and workplace testing. It's unique.
``So I don't know that it's fair to directly compare it with a sport program or workplace drug testing program. It's truly different. Now if Hollywood had a drug testing program, I might be able to compare it with whatever Hollywood would do or should do.''
In the WWE Wellness program, is everyone tested periodically?
Dr. Black said: ``Our goal is to test every talent a minimum of four times per year.''
Is it a random test, or do they know ahead of time when they will be tested?
Dr. Black said: ``It's principally a random program, but whenever we've identified use, even if it's by prescription, we will have follow-up testing. Once we're aware that there is use of medication, individuals are placed in a follow-up program. It's a combination of random and follow-up.''
Do you feel there could be even more improvements made with the WWE program?
Dr. Black said: ``I think all programs -- whether we're talking sport or workplace -- can improve over time as we learn more, understand the issues better. I think all programs evolve and improve, and that's certainly true of the WWE program.''
Is there enough being done at this point, and does the general public know that?
Dr. Black said: ``As a writer, I'm sure you appreciate that stories tend to focus on the negative and not promote the positive. I think most stories have been written to portray negative aspects of sport in general. I'm not just talking about WWE.
``I think there are a lot of positives going on in all aspects of trying to deal with the issue of either illegal substance abuse or non-medical use of prescription medication. Unfortunately, not too many stories get written that really focus on the good, sincere, hard efforts to try to deal with these issues in a positive way.
''What we typically see through stories is not a fair balance to the concerns -- as well as the positives addressing those concerns.'' When a performer is going to be tested, is the testing done on the road at WWE events or at the office or somewhere else?
Dr. Black said: ``It's done at events and at their home. We test them at both places. We do have teams of collectors. It's unannounced as to who will be collected.
``We are at every WWE event with a random identification of who would be collected, but we will also show up at people's homes and require them to provide a sample, or we will contact them depending upon the circumstances, and they will have a short period of time to report to a collection site.''
Anything you would like to add about Wellness or WWE?
Dr. Black said: ``I worked with this program for many, many, many years, and there was certainly a change in this program several years ago which has been extremely positive. WWE has put tremendous resources in supporting its talent and the folks involved in this profession.
``I see it as a very positive program that's made a tremendous amount of headway on dealing with the issues. I see the majority of the talent being positive and supportive of the program.''
• Did you know WWE also has a rehabilitation assistance program to help past WWE stars and former developmental talent battle alcohol and/or drug addictions?
The company started the all-expenses-paid Former Talent Rehab Assistance program in September 2007.
WWE issues an annual letter encouraging those who require assistance to do so. The company recently sent more than 500 letters to former superstars (even former developmental talent). That does not mean more than 500 have a problem.
WWE also maintains regular contact with those who accept the offer. WWE revealed that 3.1 percent of former superstars have accepted assistance.
The letter, signed by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, is at corporate.wwe.com/documents/FormerTalentAssistanceLetter32409_001.pdf.
• What was the collective thought behind the Former Talent Rehab Assistance program?
Laurinaitis said: ``The collective thought is to try to help any former WWE talent, who may have any type of issues, get better. Some former talent may not have the assets available; so it was a company decision to send out a little over 500 letters offering assistance, if a former WWE talent needed any help.
``We set up a hotline they can call, and we would provide assistance. Since then, my department has gone out and researched different rehabilitation facilities around the United States, and we're currently looking into international, also.
``We have gone out to some of the main facilities in California, Phoenix, Houston, New York, Florida, looking regional for different facilities that handle different types of issues, because there's not one facility that handles everything. Each facility specializes in a certain addiction or issue a person may have.''
Was the idea for the program a collective effort or from an individual?
Laurinaitis said: ``It came together as a committee, but the original idea was from Vince [McMahon] of trying to reach out to former talent who may need help. That's how it kind of started, and then a committee was formed to come up with a program of how to go about reaching out to former talent.
``You would not believe the extensive man hours it was just to find all the former talent. Everybody moves all over the place. It was very difficult, but we put a lot of time and expense into making sure that this former talent outreach program would be successful.''
How often is the letter sent?
Laurinaitis said: ``The letter goes out every year, and if you were under a WWE contract, which is either a main roster talent or a former developmental talent, the assistance would be available to you.''
Does it get frustrating when the media, the general public, the Internet jumps on the company, the wrestlers, the issues and the deaths (the negative), and then when things like this (Former Talent Rehab Assistance) are done, there is really little heard, seen or written about it?
Laurinaitis said: ``I don't know if I'm frustrated. I think it would be nice if they covered both sides of the story and actually what WWE provides, but as you know, there's no sizzle in that side of the story, so to speak.''
Is there anything you want the public to know about any of WWE's programs?
Laurinaitis said: ``WWE is reaching out to try to help not only our current talent [Wellness program] but the former talent [Former Talent Rehab Assistance], but as we both know, it's up to the individual to make the decision whether or not they want help.
``We can't force anybody to accept our help, but we do reach out. Anytime we also hear a former WWE talent who needs help, we do reach out to them and their families. We have tried to do an intervention, and I think we go above and beyond what a lot of people realize of what we actually do for our former or current talent.''
With the WWE Former Talent Rehab Assistance program, letters were mailed the last week in March to 567 former talent (including former developmental talent).
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