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The W - Pro Wrestling - Mr. Kennedy speaks out
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kentish
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Since: 19.8.05
From: My Old Kentucky Home

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#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.50
Interesting read, he doesn't pull any punches on the Benoit situation.

http://www.ken-kennedy.com/




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Since: 9.12.01
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#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.81
    Quoted For Posterity

    Please GOD, I'm just BEGGING for someone who has actually wrestled in a WWE ring in the past decade besides Jericho, Bret Hart, John Cena, and Ted Dibiase to come forward on one of these shows and tell the world what's really going on. For these goofs, like Lanny Poffo? Ultimate Warrior? and Marc Mero???!! to repeatedly act as "experts" and "wrestler advocates" on the current situation is like having a frustrated ex-jock who rode the pine bench throughout his high school sports career give advice to Brett Favre on how to improve his game! It's ridiculous, insane, and it really makes me sick that these so called reporters like Bill O'Reilly, Nancy Grace, and Geraldo Rivera, call upon these silly bastards who are bitter and frustrated that their careers have ended to represent the WWE which of course makes all of us look like a bunch of babbling idiots who are all addicted to steroids, drugs, alcohol, etc.

    THINGS ARE MUCH DIFFERENT THAN THEY WERE FIVE OR TEN OR TWENTY YEARS AGO! Most of the "expert", frustrated ex-wrestlers that they've had on the show came from an era where everyone wrestled every day and then went out and partied like rock stars until dawn, drinking copious amounts of alcohol, smoking cigarettes and marijuana, snorting cocaine, taking fistfuls of pills, and injecting massive amounts of steroids. They would take pills to go to sleep, snort coke or take speed to get up and do this day after day after day! This would not be even remotely tolerated in today's environment. We have a strict drug policy in place. The WWE's wellness program was designed and instituted by the same doctor who implemented the NFL and the NBA's substance abuse programs. Contrary to what somebody recently said on one of these "tabloid" shows the WWE's allowed levels are exactly the same as the NFL. (Someone, I can't recall exactly who said it, said that the WWE allowed a 10:1 Testosterone to Epitestosterone level, which is false. We have a 4:1 level exactly like the NFL and the NBA.) In fact, I knew of someone who took an over the counter supplement from GNC which he didn't know was on the banned list, which caused him to have an elevated testosterone level. This individual was suspended and fined because of it. We can't even take Ephedrine which is another legal supplement that can be bought at any gas station in the country. Since I've been with the company, I've seen the few people that did have problems with drugs either sent to rehab to try and help them overcome their addictions, (sent to one of the top rehab facilities in the country and paid for in full by the WWE) or be fired for repeat offenses. Look at the list of wrestlers who have prematurely passed away over the years, and most of them made the decision to live their lives this way. That's right, I said "made the decision" because we have this cool thing in the United States of America called "freedom of choice". I have the choice to quit my job if I don't like it, or if I feel that I'm on the road too much. I have the right to choose whether or not I want to break the law and use drugs. I have the right to choose between eating healthy food and exercising regularly and eating fast-food three times a day, not going to the gym, and becoming obese like a good majority of the citizens in this country. When will individuals be held accountable for their own actions? Will it ever happen, or will we always try and point the finger at someone else? Unfortunately as much as I respect the man, Superstar Billy Graham is ultimately responsible for the health problems he suffers from right now because of the choices he made in his career. I find it both sad and humorous that the man who many say is largely responsible for starting the whole "steroid craze" in pro-wrestling is now pointing the finger at the industry rather than blaming himself.

    I, like everyone else in the company, have the luxury of being able to go home almost every week, play with my dog, hang out with my girlfriend, sleep in my own bed, and eat good home cooked food. This wasn't the case with these frustrated ex-wrestlers who are trying to grasp on to FIVE more minutes of fame and recognition.

    I hear some of these guys talking about how the WWE doesn't have any type of benefits. I heard Johnny Grunge's widow on Nancy Grace saying that wrestling leaves you with nothing, and that two weeks after her husband was released from WCW that they lost their cars and their home. It apparently wasn't obvious to Nancy Grace, who is reportedly an extremely intelligent person, that they were obviously living outside of their means, and they weren't doing something that my parents taught me to do when I was a little kid……SAVE MONEY. This job pays well, but I know that it won't last forever. It's the same problem with pro athletes and actors in Hollywood who spend, spend, spend, like the money grows on trees and like it's always going to be there, and then falls flat on their faces when their careers are suddenly cut short. Who's fault? The team? The studio in Hollywood? I'm sorry, but I have no sympathy for people who don't save money and spend everything that they earn so they can impress everyone around them with all the NEAT THINGS that they own. As far as the having no health insurance thing goes, I've been seriously injured twice since I've been in the WWE. Every red cent has been paid for in full by the company, which is the case for any employee who is injured during a work or work-related event. Yes, I have my own supplemental insurance which is a bit expensive, but if WWE paid for it, I'm sure that, just like every other company in the country that offers health insurance to their employees, I would just be paid less, so it's a wash!

    In the end, we are all responsible for our own actions. Saying that Vince McMahon is responsible for the deaths of the Benoit's is like saying that you and I are responsible for the deaths of Anna Nicole Smith and her son. The millions of people who tuned in every week to be entertained by "how funny" she was when she was all PILLED up and DRUNK, suddenly became the same people who acted SHOCKED and APALLED when she died of a drug overdose. Somebody, PLEASE, stop the insanity!!!!

    KK



(edited by Guru Zim on 12.7.07 1543)



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ges7184
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Since: 7.1.02
From: Birmingham, AL

Since last post: 2178 days
Last activity: 2166 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.47
Of course, if WWE isn't going to allow their talent to go on shows to represent them, they shouldn't be surprised when those shows turn to people outside of the company who are willing to go on. Not to say he doesn't have a point about those that come on, because when those guys were last with the company and the circumstances under which they left should be disclosed, and would definitely have an impact on both the content and value of their opinion. But I would also think, though, that these shows would still want some comments from those outside of WWE. They would want to hear from people that could speak freely without the fear of repercussions from the company if they said the wrong thing. The discussion on these shows are out of balance at least partly because of the decision WWE made.

As far as the testing goes, it would be fair to note that there are plenty of people that don't think the NFL policy is strict enough, so maybe it's not be good enough to just match the NFL. Granted, if they do match the NFL, they shouldn't be criticized more than the NFL. But that doesn't necessarily mean they would be above scrutiny. Also, Kennedy doesn't address the prescription thing, which could be a pretty big loophole (I don't know what the NFL policy is toward prescriptions).

Kennedy's point about benefits is a good one. It seems that some people don't realize that you can actually individually purchase most "benefits". And it seems like they make pretty good money as it is, so they should be able to afford those "benefits" if they want them.

Good stuff in this article, Kennedy has always come off as being a bright guy.



(edited by ges7184 on 12.7.07 1819)

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Since: 2.1.02

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#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.32
He makes some good points, but it still doesn't address the whole Joey Mercury known pill popper gets whacked in the face and does a ton of damage and is back on the road a week or so later and then fired for falling off the wagon again type of stuff. While a lot of personal choice goes into everything, I think he is over simplifying a lot of things too.



Whattaburger
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Since: 18.5.04
From: Badstreet USA

Since last post: 3400 days
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#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.49
All the "well, they all took/take steroids" arguments aside, I find it funny how Kennedy talks about "credibility."

When Ken Kennedy was still Ken Anderson, St. Paul Personal Trainer, he used to charge a buttload for exercise sessions while juicing up behind the scenes to maintain his own look. And when his clients (i.e--my friends) would ask him about the needle marks all over his body, he wouldn't go into it.

I dunno, that's what I was told. Obviously, he's not on them anymore because he's much smaller than when he first appeared on SD!, but still I just find some of the things this guy says to be so brown-nosey.

And The Warrior may be a lot of things, but until Misssssssterrrrrr Kennedy draws and makes even HALF of what the Warrior did, or make the sort of impact he did (and he did make one), I wouldn't lump him in a category as people who are bitter or "never really made it."

Just my two cents...

(edited by Whattaburger on 12.7.07 2020)


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Since: 6.1.02
From: Pittsburgh, PA

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#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.33
He makes some good points but how can he say that none of the old guard knows what goes on in the WWE now because they aren't there and then go on and on about how it used to be, when he wasn't there? I'm sure he's heard stories from guys who used to work in those days but I'm sure the old guard has heard stories about what happens now so you can't really talk about the old days if the old timers aren't allowed to talk about what is happening now.



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Jackson
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Since: 4.1.02

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#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.85
    Originally posted by Whattaburger
    All the "well, they all took/take steroids"

    talks about "credibity" And when his clients (i.e--my friends)

    I wouldn't lump him in a category.

    (edited by Whattaburger on 12.7.07 2020)



I will be happy to lump you in a catagory.



kentish
Andouille








Since: 19.8.05
From: My Old Kentucky Home

Since last post: 3414 days
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#8 Posted on | Instant Rating: 2.50
I am just glad to hear someone on the current roster give more info than just "this is a tragedy, Chris was so respected".
Mero, Blackman, and Bret have all been gone from WWE for a long time, how do they know what is going on these days behind the scenes? I do think there are guys doing steroids (among other things) but I am not ready to just declare that if a guy is muscular, he is on 'roids. I know guys who do manual labor for a living, and are quite muscular without ever working out. I always wonder how big they would be if they did.

I am more suspicious of the smaller guys, like Rey. Anyone notice how much bigger Dahvari is lately? He looks like he is ready to explode.




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Since: 28.2.02
From: Boston

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#9 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.74
Ken Kennedy ...likes his job.

I'm Kent Brockman.



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Rush4Life
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Since: 2.1.02
From: Tacoma, WA

Since last post: 1762 days
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#10 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.70
I love the fact that someone from the active roster finally said something. I have grown tired of the washed up, bitter wrestlers (I am looking at you Mero and Blackman) believing they are "experts" at what the 'E is doing because they worked there.

I also want to say that watching Nancy Grace last night, they listed the wrestlers who died before 65 and there has to be 5-10 percent that were accidents. The names that come to mind are Owen, JYD, Adrian Adonis. Those were all accidents that I remember but damnit, the press needs to get their facts straight!

OK...I am done now..



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geemoney
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Since: 26.1.03
From: Naples, FL

Since last post: 13 days
Last activity: 57 min.
#11 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.54
    Originally posted by Rush4Life
    I love the fact that someone from the active roster finally said something. I have grown tired of the washed up, bitter wrestlers (I am looking at you Mero and Blackman) believing they are "experts" at what the 'E is doing because they worked there.

    I also want to say that watching Nancy Grace last night, they listed the wrestlers who died before 65 and there has to be 5-10 percent that were accidents. The names that come to mind are Owen, JYD, Adrian Adonis. Those were all accidents that I remember but damnit, the press needs to get their facts straight!

    OK...I am done now..

I don't know why you've been waiting for a WWE wrestler to say something....they're all saying the same thing, toeing the company line. "Blah blah Benoit was a nice guy but what he did was bad, blah blah we have tough drug testng, blah blah personal responsibility." Everything I've read/heard from WWE wrestlers all look/sound alike. I know some on this board agree with what they're saying, and while I don't, I guess I don't get why you're so happy someone finally spoke up when nothing at all that Kennedy said (maybe the way he said it though) was surprising (at least, to me).

And Mero and Blackman are bitter because they want to change the industry for the better? They don't have to "walk through the doors" as Finlay said to know about the drug testing when everything about it is available online (or was at some point).

I agree about the lists....someone needs to make some new ones and put wrestlers on there who actually died from steroid/drug related happenings.



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JustinShapiro
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Since: 12.12.01

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#12 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.62
I don't think Mero and Blackman are on the same page, although it could be Blackman is so boring I don't remember what he says. But I thought he's been riding the "blah blah personal responsibility" train and was part of the Larry King group hug.

Mero has been kind of repugnant, at the opposite end of the spectrum from WWE's "nothing to see here" battening down of the hatches. Even though I agree with almost everything he's saying on the surface, it's very transparent the way he's using the issue and the coverage as a vehicle to get himself over as a public face on the issue, school assembly speaker, and who knows what else. Holding up that list, pleading with the congressman to call on him to testify, picking the fight with Blackman. Going to the funeral when, I could be completely mistaken, but I don't believe he and the Benoits were friends other than being coworkers briefly. It's possible they both lived in Atlanta as I don't know how long Mero has lived in Florida, but my impression is that the funeral is just another part of his new itinerary on the Marc Mero Outcry Tour. In that sense, I can totally understand why WWE would resent what he's doing. Still, he may be grandstanding, but at least he's grandstanding for positive change, which is better than going on these shows and saying everything is great.

    Originally posted by Rush4Life
    I also want to say that watching Nancy Grace last night, they listed the wrestlers who died before 65 and there has to be 5-10 percent that were accidents.


The list is the list. I dunno. If 10% were accidents or otherwise unrelated (like Dino Bravo's murder), that's still 90% that weren't. It might leave it less open to easy objections if it was just limited to heart- or drug-related deaths, of which there would still be plenty, but even then you're excluding the suicides and other things that can be realistically argued to be related to the culture of wrestling. They should probably come up with a better list just to avoid the nitpicks intended to invalidate the whole thing, because it would still more than speak for itself.
Mr. Boffo
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Since: 24.3.02
From: Oshkosh, WI

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#13 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.12
    Originally posted by kentish
    Anyone notice how much bigger Dahvari is lately? He looks like he is ready to explode.

Justin Shapiro is prescient.
Rush4Life
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Since: 2.1.02
From: Tacoma, WA

Since last post: 1762 days
Last activity: 1429 days
#14 Posted on | Instant Rating: 3.70
I guess what I should have said was that I was glad that someone from the active roster said anything to begin with. The WWE is sitting back, sitting on their hands and letting the media have their way. The other night on that Nancy Grace show, she just looked disgusted with the WWE and the issue of Benoit in general and good god, callers were actually asking if WWE would be charged with murder.

I suppose their stance of distancing themselves with the situation is, in their eyes, a good idea but anyone outside the industry doesn't see it that way and continue to bring up the WWE as the employer among other things.

No, I am not against Mero and Blackman speaking out but they (to me) have come off as somewhat bitter and are only on TV to grab some publicity off an otherwise tragic situation. The same goes with Konnan, Kevin Nash and to a lesser degree, Jericho.

Geemoney, good call at pointing out though about the current roster toeing the company line. I suppose this should be the one time that "freedom of expression" Vince was babbling on about in the 90's to actually be used with his athletes.



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geemoney
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Since: 26.1.03
From: Naples, FL

Since last post: 13 days
Last activity: 57 min.
#15 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.54
    Originally posted by Rush4Life
    Geemoney, good call at pointing out though about the current roster toeing the company line. I suppose this should be the one time that "freedom of expression" Vince was babbling on about in the 90's to actually be used with his athletes.

Ya know, now that I've thought about it, for guys like Kennedy who are young and haven't been in the business 20 years, what they say may be really how they feel. A lot of the guys that are looking for change in the industry have been chewed up and spit out by the travel, the pills, the growing old in an industry where they're always going younger, etc. So maybe in 10 or 15 years Kennedy and the like will feel differently.

(edited by geemoney on 17.7.07 0054)


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