Former Pro Wrestler Admits Steroids, Discusses Benoit

[samanthajane13]

POSTED: 4:11 pm EDT June 27, 2007
UPDATED: 7:08 pm EDT June 27, 2007

ALTAMONTE SPRINGS, Fla. -- The investigation into the murder-suicide of a pro wrestler and his family is tying back to Central Florida. Investigators said Chris Benoit was a regular customer of a company that sold prescription medications, including steroids, through Signature Pharmacy in Orlando.

Signature was raided in February and the owners were arrested. Steroids were found in Benoit's home. Eyewitness News reporter Elizabeth Artz spoke with a locally-based former pro wrestler who knew Benoit well and says enough is enough.

Marc Mero, who owns an Altamonte Springs training facility, admits to using steroids. He said he did not order them from Signature Pharmacy, but he thinks the drug played a big part in the Benoit tragedy and in many other pro wrestling tragedies.

Mero and Benoit wrestled together more than 50 times. In the ring, they were known as Johnny B Bad and the Canadian Crippler. In real life, Mero remembers his friend as a loving father.

"A good family man. He was a guy that would pray before the matches," Mero told Eyewitness News reporter Elizabeth Artz.

So what snapped in the 40-year-old entertainer?

"That is the million-dollar question. What could have possibly prompted someone to do something so hideous who just loved his little boy?" Mero questioned.

The murders have put the spotlight back on steroids.

"There is only 12, 15 spots available, thousands of people. If you're not ready or look good, well someone is," Mero said.

Mero, who used steroids for seven years, told Eyewitness News he never witnessed Benoit take the drug, but he's sure he did and probably used for the better part of his 22-year career.

"Anybody is capable of doing some very out of their character. If anything, steroids could enhance that," Mero said.

Mero blames the dark side of pro wrestling for the deaths of 23 fellow wrestlers for various reasons, including steroids. Mero said it's time someone starts regulating wrestling like other pro sports.

"You tell me that the world of baseball is not going to investigate that I've wrestled 23 fellas that are dead?" Mero questioned. "There comes a point that in life you have to do the right thing. The right thing is, enough is enough, somebody needs to do something."

Mero said he uses his experience with steroids to talk to kids and teens about not using the drug.

[nightwatcher]

You can look at Vince McMahon and tell that he uses steroids too. Any man his age, cannot possibly have a physique like that naturally. Not only that, I think that steroids are affecting his brain, as well. Anyone who thinks it's funny to fake your own death, doesn't have too much upstairs, in my opinion. Death is final, and that's not funny at all. When Vince McMahon finally does meet his maker, I wonder who's going to be laughing more, him or the WWE wrestling fans. This fool is just tempting fate, and he just keeps proving that he will do anything for money. The fact that he uses, abuses & exploits all of his wrestlers is all the proof you need. IMO