On a recent edition of his “Everybody’s Got A Pod” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase discussed steroid usage in WWE, which happened to be around the time of the steroid trial against Vince McMahon.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On whether he saw steroid usage in WWE: “By the time the steroids came along, I was seeing it everywhere. So it wasn’t anything — I mean, okay. Because of WWE, because of Vince’s move, it ended up that the WWF ended up being — all the territories died eventually because they couldn’t compete with Vince. And at that point, if you’re going to be a pro wrestler, you’ve got one place to go. And that’s to the WWF if you’re serious about it.”
On whether steroid usage was more rampant in WWE or if it was in every promotion: “I don’t think it was any more prevalent there than it was in any other. You know, like, whenever we went to LA, we all worked out at Gold’s Gym. It’s a famous gym down there. It’s like, right on the beach. [They] call it Muscle Beach. And that gym, I mean, that’s where Schwarzenegger worked out. There are a lot of celebrities that have worked out in that gym. So I would go, I worked out — I mean, and even when I signed the contract with Vince ]McMahon], he said, ‘Teddy said, your work is great.’ But he says, ‘I would like to see you have a little more presence in the gym.’ And that’s it. And I did, I started working out regularly.
“The whole steroid thing was — I was kind of, I was afraid of steroids. Because I would hear stories about people taking steroids, and then all of a sudden they got cancer. Because steroids does what, it makes things grow. Yeah. So then when I start hearing those stories, I go, ‘Yeah, I don’t care.’ Did I ever? Yeah, I did that a couple of times. And then again, just my fear of it is kind of like, I was more concerned about my personal health.”
In a recent episode of his podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase opened up about steroid usage in WWE during the time of the steroid trial against Vince McMahon. DiBiase shared his insights and experiences regarding the prevalence of steroids in the wrestling industry.
When asked if he witnessed steroid usage in WWE, DiBiase admitted that he saw it everywhere. He explained that due to Vince McMahon’s aggressive expansion and the subsequent demise of other wrestling territories, WWE became the only viable option for aspiring professional wrestlers. As a result, many wrestlers flocked to WWE, making it a hub for talent.
However, DiBiase also clarified that steroid usage was not exclusive to WWE. He mentioned that during his time in Los Angeles, he and other wrestlers would work out at Gold’s Gym, a renowned fitness center frequented by celebrities and bodybuilders like Arnold Schwarzenegger. DiBiase emphasized that steroids were prevalent in the fitness industry as a whole and not limited to WWE.
Despite the widespread use of steroids, DiBiase admitted that he was apprehensive about using them himself. He had heard stories of people developing cancer after taking steroids because they promote growth in the body. These accounts made him cautious about using such substances and prioritizing his personal health over potential gains in the wrestling industry.
DiBiase’s perspective sheds light on the reality of steroid usage in WWE during a pivotal period in the company’s history. While acknowledging its prevalence, he also highlights the concerns and fears associated with these performance-enhancing substances. This discussion adds depth to the ongoing conversation surrounding the use of steroids in professional wrestling and its impact on the health and well-being of wrestlers.