PWInsider - WWE News, Wrestling News, WWE

THE UNSEEN OPPONENT: HOW 5 WRESTLERS STRUGGLED WITH ADDICTION

Some of the greatest names in the history of professional wrestling have struggled with drug addiction. While some of them still managed to have legendary careers, others lost theirs. Even more tragically, some lost their lives to the addictions that had such a hold on their lives. 

While these men and women played the role of superheroes in the squared circle, many were unable to defeat the greatest villain that they would ever face: substance abuse. Here are a few of the names that have battled drug addiction and substance abuse during their time in the pro wrestling limelight.

Lex Luger

Wrestling fans who watched WCW and WWF/E in the late 1980s and into the late 1990s will recognize Lex Luger as the man who was picked to replace Hulk Hogan when Hogan jumped from WWE to WCW. Luger certainly had the physique to pull off his new role, but like so many other superstars, he couldn’t get out of his own way. 

Initially booked to defeat Yokozuna for the WWE Championship at 1993’s Summerslam, an intoxicated Luger told a journalist about everything that was set to happen. This led to his push being stifled before it really got off the ground.

After being arrested when his girlfriend, fellow wrestler Miss Elizabeth, died of an overdose, Luger now works with WWE on their wellness policy. He still suffers the health effects of his own drug abuse.

Jeff Hardy

The only name that will be included on our list that still actively wrestles, Jeff Hardy has long been up and down the ladder of professional wrestling. Throughout his career, a sober Hardy has received multiple pushes to the upper-mid card and into the main event, before having it all fall apart due to run-ins with the law due to his own addictions.

For all of his accolades, many fans remember Hardy for his lowest moment: TNA’s 2011 Victory Road, when he was in the main event against Hall of Famer, Sting. Hardy came to the ring very intoxicated, forcing Sting and the referee to alter the match on the spot, ending the main event in under two minutes. Hardy’s career never fully recovered, and while he is back in WWE now, he’s nowhere near the top of the card.

Brian Pillman

Fans who watched WCW in the early 1990s and the WWE Attitude Era know Brian Pillman well. Pillman was a natural athlete who put together a very respectable football career before going into professional wrestling. While he had all the raw talent a professional wrestler could ever need, Pillman’s addictions held him back and eventually cost him everything.

Pillman’s “Loose Cannon” character landed him in WWE and in a feud with Stone Cold Steve Austin before tragedy struck. Sadly, Pillman was found dead of a drug overdose just before WWE Bad Blood 1997. The toxicology report indicated that Pillman’s system was full of illegal painkillers, presumably taken to help alleviate the pain he was in from his time as a wrestler.

Miss Elizabeth

While we referenced Miss Elizabeth earlier, she certainly deserves her own place on this tragic list. Miss Elizabeth was at the center of the legendary feud between Macho Man Randy Savage and Hulk Hogan before taking part in a historic on-screen wedding to Savage. While the two were also romantic partners in real life, their demons made the relationship unsalvageable.

After moving onto Lex Luger, Miss Elizabeth continued to abuse painkillers and alcohol along with her new love interest. She was tragically found dead in 2003 with a lethal dose of painkillers and vodka in her system.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts

The fact that Roberts is now playing a key role in upstart promotion, AEW, is great for both older fans who grew up watching him and young fans who missed out on his legendary mic work. One of the greatest heels of his time, Roberts would actually bring a snake to the ring to attack his opponents. 

Sadly, many didn’t realize that the snake wasn’t the most dangerous part of Roberts’ life, as he was fully immersed in drug and alcohol abuse.

Roberts never reached his full potential because of his own addictions. Thankfully, WWE sent him to rehab in 2007, and he worked with Diamond Dallas Page to get his life back on track. Roberts' career was railroaded by his own demons, but his presence in professional wrestling today provides a tale of redemption.

Drug and alcohol addiction knows no bounds and has wrecked the lives of millions around the globe. If you or someone you know is struggling with addiction and the effects of it, please seek treatment. If you are worried that a treatment center is going to be too restrictive, look for one with outpatient programs, such as Nexus Recovery in LA. Remember, you can beat addiction; you have what it takes.

 

If you enjoy PWInsider.com you can check out the AD-FREE PWInsider Elite section, which features exclusive audio updates, news, our critically acclaimed podcasts, interviews and more by clicking here!

• Tweet