Effective February 27, 2006, WWE implemented a broad WWE Talent Wellness Program.

Dr. Joseph Maroon, effective March 2008, became the Medical Director for WWE’s Talent Wellness Program. He will administer all aspects of this program, including the supervision of physicians for WWE live events, performer’s medical care and drug testing. He is a board certified Clinical Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Pittsburgh. Honored as one of America’s Best Neurosurgeons for five consecutive years, he has published four books and has written more than 250 papers and 40 book chapters, many on sports medicine. His primary area of research is on the prevention and treatment of injuries and diseases of the brain and spine. He and his colleague, neuropsychologist Mark Lovell, Ph.D., developed ImPACT ™ (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing). Dr. Maroon is a director of the Scientific Advisory Board to the General Nutrition Corporation (GNC).

For a full list of the WWE Talent Wellness Program Medical Team, click here.

Here is a description of some of the program’s main components:

 

The Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy

WWE’s Substance Abuse and Drug Testing Policy prohibits the use of prescription medications without legitimate medical purpose. It also prohibits the use, possession and/or distribution of illegal drugs by WWE performers. The use of masking agents and/or diuretics to conceal or obscure the use of prohibited drugs is also prohibited. This Policy will be administered by Dr. David L. Black, Ph.D., D-ABFT, D-ABCC, of Aegis Sciences Corporation, Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. Black will be responsible for scheduling performers for testing, administering collection of samples, coordinating secure shipment of samples to the testing facility, determining whether any WWE performer has tested positive, and directing the appropriate penalty be imposed.

Under the Policy, WWE performers may be tested on a random and/or reasonable suspicion basis. The initial test of all performers will be considered "baseline" testing. No discipline will be imposed for a positive test on the baseline test. The results of the baseline test, if positive for any prohibited substance, will be utilized thereafter by Dr. Black to determine if use has continued. After the baseline test, subsequent positive tests for non-medical use of a prohibited substance will result in disciplinary action. For testing positive the first time, a performer will be suspended for 30 days without pay. A second positive test results in a 60-day suspension without pay or, if Dr. Black so determines, in-patient care at a substance abuse facility, during which the performer also will be suspended without pay. A third positive test results in termination.

To view the policy and amendments, click here.

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 U.S. and 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.

Dr. David L. Black earned his undergraduate degree from Loyola College in Baltimore,
Maryland and doctorate degree in Legal Medicine (Forensic Toxicology) from the
University of Maryland at Baltimore (1982). Dr. Black is a Diplomat of the American
Board of Forensic Toxicology (DABFT) and Diplomat of the American Board of Clinical
Chemistry (DABCC). Dr. Black was Director of Toxicology for Maryland Medical
Laboratory prior to joining Vanderbilt University in 1986 as Assistant Professor with
appointments on Pathology and Pharmacology, and as founding director of the
Vanderbilt Athletic Drug Testing Laboratory. In 1990 Dr. Black incorporated the
Vanderbilt Athletic Drug Testing Laboratory as Aegis Sciences Corporation, where he
serves as Chairman, President and Director. Dr. Black served with the U.S. Marine
Corps (1966-1970) in Vietnam (1968-1969) prior to attending college.

Cardiovascular Testing And Monitoring Program

The Cardiovascular Testing and Monitoring Program is handled by New York Cardiology Associates P.C. Under this aspect of the program, all WWE performers undergo an annual extensive cardiovascular stress test. Examinations and treatment are conducted thereafter as warranted.

New York Cardiology Associates is the largest cardiology practice in Manhattan. It is made up of seven board-certified cardiologists and specializes in the evaluation, diagnosis and management of cardiac problems. New York Cardiology Associates has participated in the evaluation and management of both professional and non-professional athletes in a variety of different sports. The two main partners of New York Cardiology Associates working on the WWE Wellness Program are Dr. Martin R. Post and Dr. Frederick J. Feuerbach.

Dr. Frederick J. Feuerbach, M.D. is Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Disease and is a fellow in Pulmonary & Critical Care and Cardiology. Dr. Feuerbach holds a B.S. from Cornell University and a B.S. from SUNY Binghamton. Dr. Feuerbach also earned his M.D. from the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

 

Concussion Management Program

WWE is using the ImPACT™ test, the world’s most widely used computerized sports concussion evaluation system. The test has been adopted by team doctors and athletic trainers for numerous top sports leagues in the world, including the National Football League, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer, and the NCAA, to aid in the assessment and management of mild traumatic brain injury.

Every WWE performer has undergone baseline ImPACT testing. New talent entering WWE will have ImPACT testing as a mandatory test before participation.

ImPACT evaluates and documents multiple aspects of brain functions, including memory, processing speed, reaction time and post-concussive symptoms. Through a 20-minute test, baseline data on an athlete’s neurocognitive functional state is collected and stored. When a concussion is suspected, the performer is re-tested and the baseline neuropsychological data is compared to post-concussion data to help determine the athlete’s post-concussion neurocognitive status. Specific head injury management protocols are initiated and followed before athletes with a cerebral concussion may return to their work.

ImPACT Applications Inc. oversees the operation and administration of the ImPACT testing and overall WWE’s Talent Wellness Program. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pa., ImPACT (Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is a leader in computerized neurocognitive assessment tools and services. ImPACT is used by numerous leagues and teams including the National Football League, National Hockey League, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer; all MLB umpires; more than 400 colleges and universities and more than 2,000 high schools nationwide; the USA Olympic Training Center; USA Hockey and the U.S. Women’s Olympic Ice Hockey team; U.S. Soccer Federation; the U.S. Ski Team; Championship Auto Racing Teams and the Indianapolis Racing League, as well as numerous other national and international professional athletic organizations and sports medicine programs.

Mark Lovell, Ph.D., ABPN is in charge of the ImPACT nerocognitive testing for WWE performers. He is a neuropsychologist and director of the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program. He is a consultant to the NFL's MTBI Committee, and also consults with the NHL. He oversees neurocognitive testing for the Indianapolis Racing League, CHAMP car racing, major league soccer, the U.S. Ski and Snow Board Team and numerous other sports organizations, nationally and internationally. Dr. Lovell has published more than 150 peer-reviewed papers and is recognized as an international authority in the diagnosis and management of concussions in sports.