Effective February 27, 2006, WWE implemented a WWE Talent Wellness Program (the “Wellness Program”).  Since its implementation, the Wellness Program has been refined and expanded, and it contains multiple components, as described below.

Comprehensive Medical and Wellness Staffing and Infrastructure

The Wellness Program is administered through a comprehensive medical and wellness staff and infrastructure supervised by WWE Medical Director, Dr. Joseph Maroon.  Dr. Maroon manages the Wellness Program staff and infrastructure, including the supervision of ringside physicians and athletic trainers and the administrative oversight of medical care and drug testing for WWE talent.  Dr. Maroon is a board certified Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh.  Honored as one of America’s Best Neurosurgeons for 8 consecutive years, he has published 4 books, has written more than 250 papers and 40 book chapters (many on sports medicine), and has been the Team Neurosurgeon for the Pittsburgh Steelers for more than 25 years.

The medical staff consists of 2 ringside physicians, 3 athletic trainers and various administrative assistants who attend to the specialized, performance-related medical needs of WWE talent.  The past experience of that staff is extensive and varied, and includes work for sports organizations such as USA Boxing, Golden Gloves, D-1 team sports, USA Taekwondo, the US Olympic Committee and the United States Soccer Women’s National Team, NFL Europe, World League of American Football, Canadian Football League, International Hockey League, Central Hockey League, the Texas Louisiana Baseball League and Ohio Valley Wrestling.

Cardiovascular Testing and Monitoring Program

Under the cardiovascular testing and monitoring aspect of the Wellness Program, all WWE talent undergo an extensive cardiovascular stress test before they are offered a contract by WWE, and at least biennially once under contract (more frequently as and when circumstances warrant).

The cardiovascular testing and monitoring aspect of the Wellness Program is administered by Bryan Donohue M.D., F.A.C.C., Division Chief of Cardiology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside Hospital, and Senior Partner at Donohue Cardiology Associates.  Dr. Donohue also has qualifications and memberships in multiple professional societies, including the American College of Cardiology, American Medical Association and American Heart Association.

Mandatory ImPACT Testing

Under this aspect of the Wellness Program, all WWE talent undergo tests of brain function, including memory, processing speed and reaction time.  An initial analysis is conducted for new WWE talent to gather baseline results before they participate in any in-ring activity for WWE, and then thereafter as circumstances warrant if head trauma is suspected.  This monitoring and analysis is accomplished through the ImPACT™ Concussion Management Program, which is used by the N.F.L, the N.H.L, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, all M.L.B. umpires, over 400 colleges and universities and more than 2,000 high schools, the USA Olympic Training Center, USA Hockey and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Ice Hockey team, the U.S. Soccer Federation, the U.S. Ski Team, Championship Auto Racing Teams and the Indianapolis Racing League, among others. 

This aspect of the Wellness Program is administered by neuropsychologist Mark Lovell through ImPACT Applications Inc., a leader in computerized neurocognitive assessment tools and services which Dr. Lovell co-founded.

2006 Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy

The 2006 Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy (the “Policy”) prohibits the use of drugs by WWE talent for other than a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician.  The use of masking agents and/or diuretics to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs is also prohibited.  Under the Policy, WWE talent may be tested on a random and/or reasonable suspicion basis, and positive tests result in disciplinary action.  For testing positive the first time, a WWE talent is suspended for 30 days without pay.  For testing positive a second time, a WWE talent is suspended for 60 days without pay.  For testing positive a third time, a WWE talent’s contract with WWE is terminated.

The Policy is administered by Dr. David L. Black, Ph.D., D-ABFT, D-ABCC, of Aegis Sciences Corporation, Nashville, Tennessee.  Founded as a sports doping laboratory in 1986, Aegis Sciences Corporation has evolved into a full service forensic sciences company providing toxicology and consulting services to sports organizations, medical examiner systems, crime laboratories, physicians, corporations and other organizations throughout the world. Aegis provides comprehensive drug testing and consultation services to colleges, universities, sports organizations, and corporations throughout the U.S. Aegis is the largest independent sports doping laboratory in the U.S., and is certified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services – Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and other certifying agencies.

Annual Physical Examinations and Blood Screening

The Wellness Program includes annual physical examinations and blood screening for all WWE talent.  The examinations and screening, performed by the WWE ringside physicians and athletic trainers with support from Quest Diagnostic Laboratories, are undertaken with a goal of identifying issues before they manifest into symptoms of disease, illness and/or injury.

Referrals to Consulting Health Care Providers On An As Needed Basis

WWE recognizes that its talent are faced with unique circumstances and demands in the course of their day-to-day lives as performers.  Through the Wellness Program, WWE offers all WWE talent the opportunity for referral to qualified health care professionals who can help them with issues that may from time to time arise.  Under the supervision of Dr. Maroon, WWE has established relationships with renowned specialists in psychiatry, orthopedics and endocrinology.  These experts are available on an as-needed basis to consult with both talent and WWE.

The primary first line of referral for psychiatric counseling to WWE talent is Mark Unterberg M.D., F.A.P.A., a Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School who is Board Certified in Psychiatry and Board Certified in Addiction Psychiatry.  Dr. Unterberg has been Team Psychiatrist  for the Dallas Cowboys since 1979, and is also an NFL Clinician for the NFL Players Program of Substance Abuse.  He has been the team psychiatrist for both the Texas Rangers and the Dallas Mavericks, Executive Medical Director of two major hospitals, and Chairman of the Board of Timberlawn Psychiatric Hospital in Dallas, Texas.

The primary first line of consultation for orthopedic issues is Thomas M. Sisk, M.D., who practices primary sports care medicine at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center in the Department of Orthopedics.

The primary first line of consultation for endocrine issues is Vijay Bahl, M.D., a Clinical Professor of Endocrinology at the University of Pittsburgh who is co-director of the Endocrine Fellowship Training Program at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and Chief of Division of Endocrinology at University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Shadyside Hospital.