Hearings held today on steroids in sports, McMahon criticized, responds

Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com
On Wednesday, February 27, 2008 at 7:22 PM EST

The Bobby Rush Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommitte held hearings earlier today on steroids in sports.

Bud Selig, Roger Goodell, David Stern, Gary Bettman and others all testified. Rush stated he is going to introduce legislation after the hearings, with the belief being that he will push for mandatory independent testing with full reports of results going public and mandatory two-year suspension for the first positive test.

It should be noted that Representative Terry of Nebraska brought up Vince McMahon's name and stated that McMahon continues to "flip his fingers" at the committee and didn't deserve to be on the panel. Rush mentioned that he was upset that out of all the people invited, only Georgia Mitchell and McMahon didn't show up. Rush did state the panel will continue to investigate pro wrestling, mentioning Chris Benoit (although he pronounced his last night wrong) and referred to WWE as "World Wrestling Association."

Rush suggested that McMahon make himself more available in the future because they aren't done with pro wrestling yet on this issue. Representative Cliff Stearns of Florida, who has taken the most interest in looking at pro wrestling, said he feels all leagues should adopt a uniform testing policy that complies with US Anti-Doping Agency standards and that pro wrestling should do so as well. He said if pro wrestling doesn't do this then the government should get involved.

In response, Vince McMahon stated that any suggestions that he or WWE have been uncooperative or "flipped their finger" at the committee by not testifying is inaccurate and unfair. McMahon added that they have provided 3,000 pages of documents and have fully cooperated with both committees. He said that he didn't come because Jerry McDevitt was in trial and that he had declined 30 days ago and hadn't heard anything until today about the issue.

The full WWE response can be read at this link.

Source: WrestlingObserver.com