Another blog-jacked rant

Over at The Steel Cage, former (and increasingly bitter) WWE writer Seth Mates went on yet another anti WWE-tirade regarding the tragic and untimely death of past WWE performer Andrew "Test" Martin.

I really cannot stand these ridiculous arguments. First off, why is WWE responsible for Test's actions? The man worked for the company from 1998 to 2004, and then again from 2006 to 2007. That's seven years -- a relatively short career, all things considered.

On top of that, what more could WWE have done? He was suspended for failing a drug test during his 2006-2007 return, and was eventually released as a result of his drug use. More than a year after being fired from the company, WWE paid for him to go to rehab after they heard he was going through some personal issues. Following his successful completion of the program, WWE kept regular tabs on him. Let me remind you that this is all without him even working for the company.

Following Eddie Guerrero's death in 2004, Test went on numerous rants about how many Superstars are dropping dead due to drug use. So he's clearly well aware of the dangers of drug abuse. And on what grounds is WWE's Wellness Policy "bogus"? Because some guy who hasn't worked for the company in two years (who was -- and this apparently needs to be repeated -- FIRED FOR VIOLATING THIS VERY POLICY) died?

And how about the fact that several top name stars have been suspended because of this program? That includes Jeff Hardy, who was in the midst of a super push and was forced to miss WrestleMania as a result. There's also William Regal, who had just won the King of the Ring, and Mr. Kennedy, who was supposed to be announced as Mr. McMahon's illegitimate son. Hell, Rob Van Damm was the ECW AND WWE Champion, and he was suspended as well. Along with that, former World Champions Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Edge, and Booker T had been suspended.

But the policy's bogus, right? And, as Seth Mates ignorantly (idiotically/bitterly?) states, the WWE "has blood on their hands"? Give me a break. Mates himself states that Test cared more about being famous than being great. This wasn't a case of WWE having a "big men" fetish. Test was vain, plain and simple. HE wanted to look great.

This is a legitimate tragedy, to be sure. This man left behind a family and friends that cared deeply for him. But he was fully aware of what he was doing to his body. Test is not a victim. He's just a tragic story.