WWE could be sending a very dangerous message with the return of two strikers (guys who have had strikes against them in the WWE drug policy) named Eugene and Chris Masters.
Returning Strikers
On November 2, 2007, Chris Masters was suspended by WWE for 60 days because he had failed the drug program for a second time. Executives spent the next few days trying to decide if it was worth it for them to keep him around.
Six days later, and the company decided that he was not worth the trouble (and the potential bad publicity) and Chris Masters was released.
In September 1, 2007, Eugene was informed by WWE that he was being released because he had failed his third drug test. The release came a few days after he worked a program with Mark Henry on an episode of Smackdown.
Both Eugene and Chris Masters received the typical reaction that most wrestlers get when they leave WWE.
First, a lot of fans try to discredit any and all abilities that they may have since they're no longer associated with WWE. Then, speculations began about when Eugene and Chris Masters would be joining TNA (which obviously didn't happen).
Instead, both guys have been brought back into WWE.
Sending the Wrong Message
Bringing back strikers like Eugene and Chris Masters can be a risky move because of the potential that it has for sending the wrong message to people.
For one, the corporate sponsors are going to need to be alerted that the company has hired back two wrestlers that were previously fired from their jobs because of drugs.
Giving second chances might be a valuable lesson to teach the younger fans, but bringing back two guys that have had prior issues with drugs isn't.
These two moves also sends the wrong message out to the wrestlers as well.
For a while there, WWE was having some major issues with developmental wrestlers failing drug tests. It doesn't send a very strong message to these wrestlers that the punishment is going to be severe.
You're also going to encounter issues with wrestlers who have been punished for their own drug violations as well. It's been said that WWE did not bring up the drug issue when they released Brian Kendrick. It would have looked bad for them to have brought it up, knowing that Chris Masters and Eugene were back in the fold.
Is It Worth It?
Nothing against either guy (Eugene is a very talented in-ring performer and Chris Masters has the look), but it's hard not to wonder if WWE is taking a risk that's worth it.
If you're going to have people accusing you of not taking the drug program seriously, then you do it for someone that is a bigger star. You do it for the likes of Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy, and Rob Van Dam.
Those are guys that can draw in fans and revenue. Not too many people are going to be tuning into the program to see Eugene and Chris Masters.
Closing Thoughts
This isn't a personal shot at either guy. I'm glad that they're able to make it money again. This piece is basically just looking at things from the business side, and it looks like WWE is taking a big risk. |
