The recent, sudden death of two professional wrestlers couldn't have come at a more difficult time for the WWE.

Edward Fatu, better known in the professional wrestling universe as Umaga, died suddenly of a heart attack on Dec. 5 at the age of 36. The cousin of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Fatu had previously been suspended and released for prescription drug abuse as part of the WWE's Wellness Program. Autopsy results have yet to be made public.

Legendary in-ring performer Steve "Dr. Death" Williams, 49, died on Dec. 30 due to complications from cancer, following years of alleged steroid use. The former University of Oklahoma football player was once one of the fiercest stars in pro wrestling, but he spent his last few years recovering from ravaging ailments.

The deaths could put a dent in the 2010 U.S. Senate campaign of Linda McMahon -- the wife of Vince McMahon, the chairman and CEO of the WWE. McMahon's campaign opponents have used the tragedy to paint her as being soft on drugs and the product of a corrupt entertainment company that cares little for its employees.

When you consider the brutal life of a professional wrestler, it's difficult to argue with some of those attacks. To get a rare, inside look at the place of drugs in the daily grind of a WWE star, Asylum turned to Dan Madigan, a former writer for the company's "Raw" and "SmackDown" broadcasts as well as the screenwriter of the WWE-produced horror feature "See No Evil."


A life on the road
During an average year, the WWE will produce as many as 300 shows in 300 different cities. The punishment dished out in the ring combined with the long hauls between venues can wear down the bodies, minds and spirits of even the elite physical specimens in pro wrestling.

To counter those effects, many of the combatants have resorted to taking everything from legal supplements to human growth hormone. Others become addicted to painkillers or marijuana to dull the constant aches of too many bone-crunching impacts.

Diamond Dallas Page, a former champion in both the WWE and WCW promotions, tells us that in the case of steroids or HGH most fans assume the wrestlers indulge out of vanity to maintain their sculptured bods. But more often those drugs are used to increase stamina and recovery powers.

"You don't have time to heal when you have to shower, change and drive overnight to the next show," Page says. "I got into the ring later in life, after working as a manager. Even though I stayed in shape, there's no way any body can suffer that wear and tear without breaking down."

Popping pills
Page recalls wrestlers downing as many as 40 Vicodin tablets a day just to stay on their feet, and the blend of supplements and painkillers can make for a deadly cocktail. It's part of the reason that it's rare to find a former pro wrestler in his or her 60s.

The mental breakdown and resulting murder-suicide of Chris Benoit is the most tragic example of wrestlers checking out too soon. But you can add the names of other legends, including Gorilla Monsoon, Big John Studd, Andre the Giant, the Junkyard Dog, Mr. Perfect, Big Boss Man and Rick Rude. All died before the age of 65. Put Fatu and Williams on the list.

To heal his list of injuries, Page turned to yoga -- eventually developing his YRG health and fitness system to help other men heal their various injuries: "We've helped our guys lose hundreds of pounds and restore flexibility and strength they thought was long gone. In fact, without yoga, I don't know if I'd be walking -- or even alive -- today." But to most fans, that darker, desperate side of the business stays behind the curtain.

None of the hard truths of the pro-wrestling life matter now to the grieving Fatu family. And there's no indication the latest wrestler death will tighten the WWE's Wellness Policy. But we're left to wonder what government officials would do if a similar death rate hit the NFL or NBA. Apparently, it's OK for men to die in a "fake" sport.