AEW's MVP Recalls Pro Wrestling 'Drug Culture,' Says He Never Got Into It

Pro wrestling and drugs have been associated with each other for decades. Over the years, many wrestlers passed away due to either overdoses or drug influenced complications, and many got hooked on substances because of past injuries and dealing with pain, or enhancement drugs to draw attention and get better bookings.

During MVP's run in WWE, the Wellness Policy was just starting to be taken seriously, with the Benoit double murder-suicide rapidly advancing the procedure. In an episode of his "Marking Out" podcast, MVP looked back at the culture of drugs in the locker room and whether he ever took part.

"When I got called up to the main roster, there were still – at that point – stars, Hall of Famers, that are on the roster today, face down in their food in catering," he recalled.

MVP claimed that many mostly took muscle relaxers to get high, and not for any pain. "At one point, guys were taking pain pills because hey, you got an injury, if you don't work, you won't get paid. But, the abuse of the pharmaceuticals that I saw from guys that were friends of mine, and some of them are no longer here." he said. "The whole drug culture was a big thing when I started, and it was a way to get in, a way to be accepted, a way to, you know, to become one of the boys."

MVP further noted that he was fresh out of prison and into pro wrestling, so he wasn't afraid to turn down drugs.

"That drug culture was something that was big," he said. "The Wellness Program came along? Top down effect ... And that culture of, you know, sharing pills got decimated with the Wellness Program."

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit "Marking Out," and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.