Vince McMahon has had a long and storied history in pro wrestling. Some are memories to last a lifetime, while others he'd like to forget. Recently, news regarding him qualifies for the latter.
In a Netflix documentary on McMahon, titled "Mr McMahon," the 6-part docuseries highlights the rise and fall of the former WWE promoter. Topics include his start to the end of his run in WWE. One of the topics covered in the doc is the then-WWF's 1994 steroid trial.
McMahon took on the United States over the suspicion of supplying illegal anabolic steroids to wrestlers.
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Here's a breakdown of the Steroid Trial, including the timeline of events.
Inside the steroids trial that almost took down Vince McMahon
WWE was extremely popular in the late 80s following Hulkamania and the birth of WrestleMania. Wrestlers were larger than life in many ways.
The timeline of events starts with Dr. George Zahorian getting hired as a ringside medic in 1984. Meanwhile, in 1987, "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan and The Iron Sheik were arrested for drunk driving and cocaine possession, forcing WWE to enact a wellness policy. However, per Wrestling Inc., steroids were not being tested, even after the Anabolic Control Act of 1990, which banned them.
Some wrestlers used anabolic steroids to achieve muscle mass. Zahorian was said to have delivered wrestlers steroids over the next few years. He was later convicted of illegally supplying anabolic steroids. Per The New York Times, Zahorian testified to providing steroids to Hulk Hogan and McMahon himself.
McMahon and then-Titan Sports, now WWE, were arraigned in November 1993. He was charged with possession with intent to distribute, conspiring to distribute, and embezzlement. McMahon pled "non-guilty," was released on a $250,000 bond, and, per The Wrestling Observer, called the proceedings "unfair."
If convicted, McMahon could have faced eleven years in prison.
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"(Government's prosecutors) are now trying to make me responsible for what the doctor (Zahorian) did. I did no such thing," McMahon's lawyers stated.
"To turn my personal use into a crime, they claim I shared some of those steroids with a friend, and that somehow made me a dealer," McMahon said.
The trial lasted 18 days, with Jacob Mishler acting as judge. McMahon was ultimately acquitted by a jury in Federal District Court, a massive victory for the wrestling promoter.
Who was the steroid doctor in WWE?
George T. Zahorian was a Harrisburg, Pa. Physician and a ringside doctor for WWE, hired in 1984. He was convicted of illegally distributing steroids and was the un-indicted coconspirator.
Zahorian was sentenced to three years in prison after his conviction. He was also fined $12,700 and ordered to serve two years' probation after his jail term.
Zahorian resumed practicing medicine in the late 2010s and is currently a urologist in Pennsylvania.
Vince McMahon interviewing Dr. George Zahorian in 1981 who cuts a hell of a promo. pic.twitter.com/FgSOtRad13
— Allan (@allan_cheapshot) May 28, 2017
Which WWE wrestlers took steroids?
One of the most prominent figures to testify was Hulk Hogan. The WWE Hall of Famer, who was with WCW then, received immunity from prosecution. He stated he initially took steroids prescribed for medical issues.
The heavily muscled wrestler, unnamed in the trial for protection, was not directed to take them for over 14 years but did share steroids with McMahon. Steroid use "was fairly common," per The New York Times at the time. He called McMahon's executive secretary "and asked her to place an order for me with Dr. Zahorian."
Hogan was said to have picked up the steroids along with his paychecks and fan mail.
Other wrestlers who took the stand include Rick Rude, Tully Blanchard, The Warlord, and The Ultimate Warrior. "Superstar" Billy Graham also testified he had bought steroids from the doctor.
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Meanwhile, Nailz, aka Kevin Wacholz, testified, saying McMahon urged him to take steroids. He was fired by WWE in 1992 and forced to testify in the trial by the Department of Justice and the federal government.
"I strongly suggest you go on the gas," McMahon allegedly said to Nailz via The New York Times. "Gas" was a common word for steroids.
Ted DiBiase discussed seeing Zahorian at events on Everybody's Got a Pod, claiming he never dealt with him.
"I can't ever say that I openly saw him. I mean, most of — you know, it was not like he walked in the dressing room. He would show up, you'd see him there, and he would go do business with whoever was under the bleachers, out back in the parking lot, or whatever, I don't know. And I didn't care," DiBiase said via Wrestling Inc.
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