Professional Wrestlers Are Apparently Crazy… Or Cursed
November 27th, 2007 at 1:37 pmBy Chris
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No, this is not a rehash of the Chris Benoit tragedy, although, this particular story ranks right up there with some of the other ridiculous stuff you read about when it comes to professional wrestlers. For the last few years, we’ve all been either shocked or fascinated with stories about Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Eddie Guerrero, Miss Elizabeth, Owen Hart, and of course, Chris Benoit.
It seems as if professional wrestling and personal tragedy go hand-in-hand; a fact supported by revelations from the recently released book authored by WWE and WCW superstar, Bret Hart.
If, as a wrestler, giving your all for the square circle doesn’t cripple you, lead to heavy drug problems, or kill you, you will probably wind up in some sordid situation that requires legal intervention. It seems very few wrestlers make it out unscathed, much like Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson did (I guess he knew something the other wrestlers didn’t… that or he was smart enough to see what was in store for him had he stayed). Even the uber-popular Stone Cold Steve Austin has had to deal with spousal abuse issues since his back got so bad he couldn’t continue with his WWE career.
Well folks, unfortunately we have another log to throw on the wrestling bonfire.
The genius that is Harrison Norris has decided he’d play his part in further trashing the name of professional wrestling. In case you don’t recall, Norris was a bit-player in the WCW stable and went by the name of Hardbody Harrison. Apparently, that moniker went to his head… and then some.
Norris was recently found guilty, in a federal court, of multiple counts of sex trafficking because Harrison thought it would be a great idea to kidnap some women and force them into his prostitution ring; all under the guise of a professional wrestling training facility. Prosecutors indicated Hardbody would lure the women in, under the guise of a wrestling trainer, and then force them to perform manual labor and into his ring of prostitution:
Witnesses testified that Norris, a former Army sergeant and veteran of the Persian Gulf War, imposed a strict military structure, with each of the women assigned to a squad overseen by an “enforcer.”
One witness testified that Norris beat or threatened them to keep control and that he threatened to throw one through a hotel window when she would not engage in sex with two customers. In addition to forcing the victims to work as prostitutes, Norris made them work in and around his houses, requiring them to haul trees, lay sod and paint, according to testimony.
I mean, how is this not a brilliant idea? Snatch up some women, force them to landscape your houses and then make them have sex with your clientèle, all under the threat of violence. Isn’t this how every successful marriage starts? Anyway, Hardbody Harrison, who, in another brilliant move, decided to represent himself in court — against federal prosecutors — is expected to be sentenced in February 2008. He is facing a life sentence.
It was certainly nice of Norris to further perpetuate the incredibly strong image America has of professional wrestlers, especially since the details on the Chris Benoit story hit the mainstream. Keep up the good work (something he apparently excels at), Hardbody… although, this may be tough during your stay at the PMITA Federal Penitentiary.
Stumble it!
November 27th, 2007 at 2:49 pm
So this Grade-A, World-Class scumbag is a moron to boot.
I can’t wait to hear your responses to this one, but I’ve never been one to shy away from controversy, so here goes:
The real finger of blame should be pointed at the WWE and other wrestling organizations. It is altogether pathetic and unacceptable that only amidst federal drug testing mandates and the Benoit scandal did the WWE instate a wellness program.
As a whole, the WWE should establish a rehabilitation program that helps drug-abusing athletes beat addiction and become healthy once they retire. If the WWE really wants to shed the image that most wrestlers are mentally insane, they should look after the athletes’ mental sanity. I am of firm belief that such a rehabilitation program would have benefited Mr. Norris.
Needless to say, Benoit’s reflections of the industry as a whole do not surprise me in the least. This is my main argument against classifying wrestling as a sport. An art - sure, but not a sport. In real sports, the safety of the athletes is a priority. As revealed in Benoit’s letters, his safety was never a concern of the WWE.
Perhaps if the WWE treated the athletes as humans, they might behave like humans.
November 27th, 2007 at 4:15 pm
oh, I agree about McMahon fostering an atmosphere of drugs and violence, especially in the 80s and 90s but that doesn’t mean personal responsibility should be ignored either. Norris knew what he was doing was wrong and if he didn’t, he’s got bigger problems than needing a WWE-funded rehab facility.
and rasslin’ is not a sport. it’s sports ENTERTAINMENT…
November 27th, 2007 at 4:51 pm
In addition to helping current wrestlers beat addiction, how about the WWE adopting Olympic-style drug testing to catch the usage before it becomes an addiction?
MMA needs to do this too. Far too many guys are getting popped in post-match drug testing, and that’s going to hurt the sport before it ever hits critical mass. The Sherk-Franca mess at UFC 73 should have been a huge wakeup call over the summer, when both guys tested positive after a championship match.
People are always going to look for an edge, especially with bigger cash prizes and lucrative contracts at stake. You know athletes look at what’s happened to people like Lyle Alzado or whoever you want to use as an example, and they think nah, that ain’t going to happen to me.
And then it does.