The hot topic on that was steriod rage and that is something Hardy hasn't been accused of.Steroid was the hot topic in the sports world.
Alternatively... Again, using your example, should no-one give a fuck about the social connotations of Winehouse's behaviour until it effects here singing voice?
People won't care. They will move on to the next thing that comes along. She will be rememberd as a tradgedy like all the other stars that have died of overdoses.
Whether I as a an individual agree or not, I think there are a significant amount of influential body's, organisations and authorities that are proven to strongly disagree with that.
If it was legally his job to police them he would be in prison. The people that already hate wrestling for that don't watch it anyway. Wrestling fans have known for years about wrestlers taking steroids and we still watch.
A purely business-based example: TV newtorks and advertisers. If Vince loses the support of those, there's no show and no platform for Mr Hardy or, maybe more importantly in this case, any of the other wrestlers to ply his/her trade. (This isn't the 60's or 70's - House shows alone won't keep them affloat for too long.)
If USA cancelled RAW because of it there will be networks happy to take it. It wouldn't have no problem finding a home no matter the drug backlash.
I don't see that that has much to do with anything. Regardless of how a drugs test transpires, once employed, if it reads positive for any illegal substance, then what? ...As I said, you're sacked and, not only that, it will stain your work record and it will be nigh on impossible for you to get another employer to take a second look. (Wrestlers are damn lucky in this respect.. As I said before, I wish I could get away with a mere suspension!)
The point of this is why are they being tested regulary for drugs other than steroids. They are athletes like in the NFL or NBA. They don't have contracts like they do that has clauses about deadly activities. They are private contractors.
On the contrary most organisations with right-wings views on drug use are happy not to discriminate...
How many of them watch wrestling anyway? They look for scandals anywhere.
Hense the very real threat that has been posed in the past by scandals involving Cocain & other recreational drugs, non-prescription painkillers and of course Steroids.....
And wrestling survived them all. The NBA survived their cocaine scandal in the 70's. Baseball and Football survived steroids. Britney won the VMA Video of the Year. Society likes to tear people down but they love it when they get back up.
Don't for one minute think that Vince & WWE actually want to impose these rules like they do... They've been left with little choice...
If it will cost Vince serious money he will sweep it under the rug. What real star has he ever fired for it?
You mention the example set for children... Let me ask you, do you think WWE was wrong to suspend RVD when his drugs bust went public during his WWE-title reign.... Are KIDS supposed to understand the many somewhat subtle differences between a so-called "soft" recreational drug (and i do use the term losely) such as Marijuana and Steroids, Cocaine or other more volatile substances?
How many PARENTS will chose to no longer allow their kids to watch WWE cos THEY feel it is not suitable for their kids because of THEIR opinions on drugs issues?
RVD got busted by the cops that isn't much you can do about that. He got caught breaking the law he didn't fail a drug test that's the difference. Didn't they portray RVD as a pot head anyway? Don't they portray their most popular star of the last 15 years as an alcoholic? So are KIDS supposed to know that difference when the crowd goes wild as Stone Cold chugs down beer after beer. The WWE has had some pretty adult storyline through the years and parents still let kids watch it, why would something that happens in real life that doesn't even get mentioned on the show itself quit watching it when they let them watch the other stuff that is on it.
You can stop right there...
It makes a mockery of the entire justice system.
One example of a (former) celeb that DID get busted doesn't substantiate anything... He got treated like any other guy on the street.... GOOD (that's all I really ask to start with).
I agree with you about that but it isn't going to change. There will be always jurors and judges who are in awe of the celeb. But you can't fault the celeb for it, I mean if they would let me off with a slap on the wrists I'm not going to complain about it.