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Missy's Manor: Steroids, Weight Cutting In Pro Wrestling and MMA

Posted: Jan 22nd 2013 By: CMBurnham

Here is my stance on some of the topics that were discussed on the January 21, Observer podcast. Fans and writers at times develop this double standard on what they expect from an athlete that uses performance enhancing drugs. I have read sheet writers in the 1990?s blast large slow plodding wrestlers for their inferior work rate by calling them every steroid insult in the book. At the same time, they would heavily praise the undercard guys that were misused by saying they would be placed higher if they were on steroids. Here's the problem, a few of these undersized wrestlers were also on the gas. You can?t have a double standard on steroid use if they are an immobile heavy weight or a high flying junior heavy weight.

The same situation applies to MMA. Alastair Overeem is the poster boy for drug testing, based on his growth size from when he started out [MMA Uncensored showed the growth size of his head over the years]. Between dodging drug tests and other shenanigans, one must question the MMA drug policy. Like any sport, you either can afford the good stuff [HGH] and you mastered cycling the drugs in your system to acceptable levels for drug testing. This is despite having passing levels that are higher then the average person, which is a joke in my opinion.

People used to praise Royce Gracie for being a non muscular 180 pounds and beating fighters larger then him in the infancy of UFC. I recall Royce blasting Ken Shamrock in the mid 1990's for possibly being on steroids [Ken would fail a drug test years later in MMA]. Royce ended up testing positive in 2008 when he beat Kazushi Sakuraba [who had potential match of the year at the Tokyo Dome]. How come we don't rip 180 pounds- Royce to shreds in the same light as a guy with a ripped up physique?

When I was full time in wrestling, people that used steroids, recreational drugs, and prescription drugs would convince themselves that they have their usage under control. When warning signs would pop up, the excuse was hereditary or diet. Everybody including myself was convinced there were no issues, despite co-workers having health issues when they got older. Many of us rationalized it as if we got a prescription, it was legal and ethical. We convinced ourselves that it was no different then getting any over the counter prescription. Deep down we all knew the truth. I?m sure that same rationale is currently applied by athletes in professional sports.

In 2013, we now have many athletes using testosterone replacement therapy [TRT]. The use of testosterone for a person in their early thirties is usually attributed to endocrine damage from steroid usage or excessive weight cutting. If the fighter is allowed to use the testosterone exemption by the overseeing committee, it's acceptable. That's crap, in the real world nobody is getting testosterone therapy unless they have a legitimate hormone deficiency or they are using the excuse that they are rejuvenating themselves. Even with a prescription, testosterone is being over prescribed for body building purposes. It falls in to the category that if you have a prescription and an exemption note, it?s acceptable.

Let me get to the part that annoyed me about Lance Armstrong. Most of us heard about the accusations of Lance blood doping for years. The constant denial is more insulting, since the truth caught up with him.

Lance Armstrong had the support of so many people who purchased yellow bracelets, since he was a sympathetic figure with his battle with testicular Cancer. The denial of blood doping and the successful lawsuits against those that accused him is worst then any denial from any sports person.

I'm sure Hulk Hogan in his head thought if he denied extensive steroid usage in 1991, the media would move on. Who would have ever thought his denial would cause a steroid media buzz which attacked wrestling so fierce with major ramifications. Desirable TV time slots were lost. Merchandise died in retail stores. Sponsors left in droves. The fan base dwindled. I'm sure whatever backlash had a major effect in comparison to MLB or NFL steroid scandals. That's speculation on my part.

My biggest gripe is the PSA's by any person that uses drugs or PED's. When I worked for WCW in the 1990's, I was assigned to give speeches to the inner city children. At that point in my life, I was drug free. There is no way at the time that I could in good conscious tell kids not to do drugs and do the opposite. Keep in mind my value system at various points in my life is warped, but lying to children is horrible. I remember WCW in 1992 would have PSA's with wrestlers who had a conflicting habits warn kids about steroids. I remember WWE in 1987 would have PSA's after The Iron Sheik/Jim Duggan arrest, which was comical for that era.

One must ask themselves if charitable contributions and charity work override lying to the public about PED's? I don?t have an answer.

The aspect of weight cutting to extreme measures is very disturbing in my opinion. There were various times that I cut weight in which my body would shut down. The idea that Mrs. Cyborg is planning to cut from a muscular 170 pounds to 135 pounds is dangerous. Cyborg will literally have to burn muscle in order to meet an unrealistic weight goal in order to compete in Ronda Rousey?s weight class. Between excessive cardio, strict dieting, weight cutting, and other excessive methods is beyond dangerous. I?m sure many male fighters are using extreme methods to cut weight in comparison. The dangerous weight cutting game is something that needs to be monitored and revamped in my opinion.

Performance enhancing drugs will always be used by people who will do anything to excel in sports, acting, wrestling, etc. At the end of the day, any usage lies with the person that rationalized whatever choices they make in their lives. One must question the drug testing policies that creates the loop holes that allow some athletes to squeak by in their respective sports.

I?m sure my points can be disputed, but this was my personal take on the topic.

Missy Hyatt
1st. Lady Of Wrestling