My Friday column for the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review is all about the 3 suspensions handed down by WWE. Here’s an excerpt:
As of Thursday, WWE announced Alberto Del Rio, Paige and Eva Marie have been suspended for 30 days for violation of the company wellness policy.
It starts with the suspensions announced Wednesday of Del Rio and hours later Paige. It’s not the first time a pair of talents has been suspended on the same day, but it is the first time the pair has been known to be in a real-life romantic relationship.
Their suspensions coming the same day given their personal relationship leads many to believe whatever caused the violation could be the same for both parties.
Social media has allowed the world to learn of their relationship. It has also caused speculation by many of whether or not WWE is keen on the relationship. Those rumors took more life to them when they were moved and put on separate shows and separate travel schedules.
WWE doesn’t make public what caused the violations. So it’s important to remember there are two sides to every story and suspension. We hear of talent being suspended and often immediately think criminal or the worst scenario.
Paige is still young, turning 24 on Wednesday. She debuted on WrestleMania weekend when she was 21. If she has made any mistakes, that’s all part of growth for someone of her age in the position of travel, fame and money.
Hopefully after these 30 days we see a positive revitalization in her career because she has too much talent to waste.
For Del Rio, the 39-year-old veteran has seemed to never click in WWE the way you might expect from someone of his talents and business acumen. I put a lot of blame on WWE. They took away a lot of what I felt made Del Rio stand out. He had a personal ring announcer, which fit his gimmick well, and they took that away from him. After that was an awkward babyface turn nobody bought. He then left amid controversy when the company released him after a backstage altercation with an employee.
CLICK HERE for more on Del Rio and his future. Plus, what I’ve heard regarding the suspension of Eva Marie and it being handled poorly.
