This is a very interesting situation. On one hand, this is the kind of thing that can kill a push right out of the gate. But on the other hand, the Swagger character is getting the kind of negative mainstream press that Vince just LOVES, so I can also see him looking past this and putting the title on him anyway.
EDIT: And by "negative mainstream press," I mean this and not...well...you know.
You think so? You think Vince will put the title on a guy arrested for drug possession on the biggest show of his PG company's year? Bruno would love it.
There are almost seven weeks left until Wrestlemania. Plenty of time for this to get swept under the rug...assuming Swagger stays on his best behavior in the meantime.
Originally posted by John OrquiolaYou think so? You think Vince will put the title on a guy arrested for drug possession on the biggest show of his PG company's year? Bruno would love it.
They seem to have left the PG era behind with other developments in the life of Jack Swagger. (And there's probably a great Zeb 'the police planted it on him! don't trust the government!' spiel we'll never get to hear.)
I thought this was going to be a thread about the Right Wing Media being up in arms about a Tea Party Heel, which is how Swagger & Zeb *had* been in the media over the last 24 hours...
I was thinking this would mean an automatic 30 day Wellness Suspension, but found this in regards to the Wellness policy:
WWE Talent do not receive a strike for testing positive for alcohol or marijuana, but they are subject to the following punishments for a positive test for either substance:
B. FOR POSITIVE MARIJUANA DRUG TESTS
In the event of any positive test for marijuana, the WWE Talent shall be fined Two Thousand Five Hundred US Dollars ($2,500.00) per positive test, which shall be deducted from the WWE Talent's downside guarantee.
The same $2,500 fine is in effect for positive alcoholic substance tests.
So basically he pays his fine, they sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened on TV, and he jobs at Mania as was likely the original plan. Though I highly doubt he gets any further push after Mania and he's back to jobbing to Zach Ryder on Saturday Morning Slam by the Summer
Forget PG; the precedent has been set that a pot possession arrest is a wellness violation with a minimum of 30 days suspended. (And while there's a "yeah but it's Wrestlemania" argument, there was a "yeah but he's the champion" argument for RVD.)
EDIT:
Monte, this is the bigger section
14. DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATION OF LAW
Any WWE Talent, who is arrested, convicted or who admits to a violation of law relating to use, possession, purchase, sale or distribution of drugs will be in material breach of his/her contract with WWE and subject to immediate dismissal.
In addition to the penalties that may be imposed pursuant to his/her contract with WWE, a violation of this Section 14 may also be treated as a positive test for drugs prohibited by this Policy and therefore, subject to the penalties set forth in Section 15 of this Policy.
(edited by hansen9j on 20.2.13 1547) "Northern Illinois posted its best defensive effort in seven seasons allowing just 42 points on Saturday afternoon, but it came in a losing effort as the Huskies fell to Eastern Michigan, 42-25, at the EMU Convocation Center. "
Go Pack Go! Owner of one (1) share. Let's Go Riders! Owner of one (1) share.
You know, I get that some folks think dope is acceptance and fine and other stuff like that. But fact is, it's against the law. Also fact is, when you're in line to be one of the main players in Wrestlemania, maybe you should KEEP THE DOPE AWAY FOR AWHILE AND NOT DRIVE DRUNK.
Originally posted by hansen9jForget PG; the precedent has been set that a pot possession arrest is a wellness violation with a minimum of 30 days suspended. (And while there's a "yeah but it's Wrestlemania" argument, there was a "yeah but he's the champion" argument for RVD.)[/quote
We will see how tough the wellness policy or how tough Vince wants it.
The Wee Baby Sheamus.Twitter: @realjoecarfley its a bit more toned down there. A bit.
Originally posted by MonteCarlSo basically he pays his fine, they sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened on TV, and he jobs at Mania as was likely the original plan.
If Swagger just failed a pot test, sure. He does the match, then he gets his punishment. See R-Truth at Survivor Series '11, or Randy Orton at Wrestlemania 22.
But when you get arrested and publicly embarrass the company, especially at a time of important visibility ... look out. They've looked the other way about DUIs but the drug arrest would seem to take it to the next level of PR vindictiveness (Daniel Bryan and the tie, Finlay and the anthem, Jericho in Brazil).
Then again, Cameron tried to bribe a police officer and lived to tell the tale, so who knows.
Originally posted by hansen9jForget PG; the precedent has been set that a pot possession arrest is a wellness violation with a minimum of 30 days suspended.
Even if Swagger goes away for 30 days, that still leaves him almost two weeks to build up the Wrestlemania feud. At that point, you have Zeb cut promos in the arena and Swagger do taped vignettes or something.
I'm not saying these are the right moves or even GOOD moves, but this is the bed this company made for themselves by strapping a rocket to Swagger's ass after only one week with this new character.
Originally posted by hansen9jForget PG; the precedent has been set that a pot possession arrest is a wellness violation with a minimum of 30 days suspended.
Even if Swagger goes away for 30 days, that still leaves him almost two weeks to build up the Wrestlemania feud. At that point, you have Zeb cut promos in the arena and Swagger do taped vignettes or something.
I'm not saying these are the right moves or even GOOD moves, but this is the bed this company made for themselves by strapping a rocket to Swagger's ass after only one week with this new character.
Originally posted by It's Falsethis is the bed this company made for themselves by strapping a rocket to Swagger's ass after only one week with this new character.
So if Swagger's makeover had begun in, say, December, he wouldn't have gotten in the car drunk and with weed on him? Or is it that WWE shouldn't have gotten behind him because they should have known he would get busted with drugs? I can't figure out what these two things have to do with each other. Can WWE executives see the future? Do you know which guys are going to get busted with drugs next year so WWE doesn't bother getting behind them?
If NBC spent half as much energy promoting the XFL as it had the AFL, it would probably still be around. But once the ratings went in the tank, they left it floundering like rats leaving a sinking ship.