Former WWE wrestler Luther Reigns suffers a stroke, blames steroid use and painkillers

Former WWE wrestler Luther Reigns (a/k/a Matthew Wiese) suffered a stroke recently and rehabs on an outpatient program at a hospital in Glendale, Ariz. The 36 year-old Reigns told the Arizona Republic that a culture of steroid and painkiller abuse led to the stroke. "We wrestled every night, damn near every night," he said. "We were beat to hell. So we needed pain pills to do our job."

Former WWE manager and wrestler Armando Estrada (a/k/a Hazem Ali) was also quoted in the story. "I think it was a different time," Ali said. "(But) I don't think it's a fair assessment to say, 'Wrestling causes this, or wrestling causes that.' It's a decision." You can read the article at AZCentral.com.

Powell's POV: Wiese went on to say that he was taking 40 to 50 painkillers per day at one point. He also admitted to using steroids throughout his career dating back to his college days. Wiese also wrestled as "Horshu" in WCW. He stated in the story that he views the stroke as a blessing in that it feed him from his addictions.