First off, yes; the use of steroids was a major problem in professional wrestling during the era of the Ultimate Warrior. However, there has been no indication of whether they were a factor in the sudden death of the Hall of Fame in inductee on Tuesday past.
And even if they had been, this segment from Nancy Grace was hugely insensitive and inaccurate. Her entire piece is pretty much about steroids and they had a list of a number of wrestlers who have died young to back up their argument. It included Owen Hart, who died after a fall at a live show, and Mark Curtis, who died of stomach and bowl cancer a couple of years ago.
Then, when interviewing Diamond Dallas Page, she seemed to think he was implying she took steroids. Surely the time to grill a professional wrestler about steroid abuse is not the day after his friend has passed away?
After the interview, DDP released a statement:
I went on Nancy Grace last night expecting to discuss Warrior the man. Had I known the only topic discussed would be steroids I would not have participated. At the time I was also unaware of the list that was shown to the viewing audience. To imply that all of the wrestlers on that list died from steroids was wrong and for that they owe the families an apology. Again, my only intention was to discuss Warrior the man and share some stories about how dedicated he was to the wrestling business. I am saddened that was not what happened and my thoughts remain with his family.
The backlash to her segment has sparked a #CancelNancyGrace petition, which has gotten over 10,000 signatures. Some of the current WWE talent also took to Twitter to give their views.
Why are folks surprised by @NancyGraceHLN ?? She got dumped by a pro-wrestler in the 80s' and started a life quest to be just awful...
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodesWWE) April 10, 2014
...if she was remotely confident in her accusations, she'd interview an active talent, yet she won't do that because she'd have a...
— Cody Rhodes (@CodyRhodesWWE) April 10, 2014
Hey @NancyGraceHLN, there's this new thing out now...it's called FACTS. Use it sometime. @UltimateWarrior #boycottnancy @HLNTV
— Zeb Colter (@WWEZeb) April 11, 2014
We all make mistakes @NancyGraceHLN. Please admit you made one regarding the death of #OwenHart. You have caused his family great pain.
— Mick Foley (@realmickfoley) April 10, 2014
hat-tip: Sports Grid
