Paige suspended for “illegal substance” rather than prescription drugs insists WWE
WWE has shot down claims Paige was suspended from the sports entertainment company for issues relating to prescription drugs - insisting the Brit was banned for an “illegal substanceâ€.
Paige - real name Saraya-Jade Bevis - was rapped with a 60 day ban for a second violation of the company’s in-house health program on Monday.
The 24-year-old crowd favourite - benched for a month in August for a first infringement of the 'Wellness Policy' - immediately hinted at her frustration in a series of tweets as WWE announced her suspension across social media channels.
"Rules apply depending on your status,†she told her 1.6 million followers.
WWE told the New York Post last night: “Saraya-Jade Bevis tested positive for an illegal substance, not a prescription drug.
“In addition, WWE is providing world-class medical care for her in-ring injury.â€
WWE’s Wellness Policy covers cardiovascular testing, concussion recovery assistance, substance abuse and drug testing, annual physicals and health care referrals for talents.
The company does not usually reveal reasons for violations but the unprecedented decision to publicly disclose the cause of Bevis’ test failure comes after a spate of failures in 2016, with performers known in the ring as Adam Rose, Konnor, Roman Reigns, Alberto del Rio and Eva Marie all receiving bans since April.
The last policy infringement reported by WWE before those of Rose and Konnor related to former star Hornswoggle in September 2015. Previous to that, bans hadn’t been handed out since Ricardo Rodriguez in July 2013.
WWE took no action against Brock Lesnar following his temporary suspension by the Nevada Athletic Commission in August after the main eventer failed several drug tests taken prior to UFC 200 while on MMA duty.
A spokesperson told TMZ in July: â€WWE’s talent wellness program does not apply to part-time performers such as Brock Lesnar.â€
According to WWE’s corporate website, a third violation “for substances prohibited by this Policy other than marijuana and alcohol†results in the termination of a talent’s contract.
“WWE will publicly disclose the WWE Talent’s name and that WWE Talent’s contract was terminated for a third violation of the Policy,†it continues.
Following Bevis’ latest suspension, her father - veteran wrestler and promoter Ricky Knight - indicated painkillers may be the cause of the policy breach.
He also commented his daughter had been "let down big time in the USA", claiming Paige - real name Saraya-Jade Bevis - has not received "proper care and advice".
Last month, Paige insisted rumours she was suspended for a drug test failure were false.
She also denied claims she intends to quit WWE and follow real life partner Alberto Del Rio - suspended on the same day as Paige's first exclusion before his own departure from the company - out the door as "completely false".
At the end of last month, Paige tweeted she is considering options for surgery on her neck.
A popular mainstay for WWE's women's division since making her main roster debut in 2014, Paige was signed up by WWE in September 2011 but has not appeared in the ring since June.