As reported earlier, Lance Cade was released again last week by World Wrestling Entertainment. He was re-hired this past October, but was conspicuously never used sans a one-off appearance in developmental.
In an interview last week with PWInsider.com, Cade said John Laurinaitis told him last December they were going to call him up to the main roster, but he was having problems going through pain killer withdrawal and it was keeping him awake. He said that led to getting hooked on sleeping pills, so he called the office and asked to be put into rehab.
Cade completed four weeks of rehab and in early March, talked to his mentor, Shawn Michaels. He claimed HBK told him “he’s done” and would never be used a top guy.
During the interview, Cade expressed his displeasure with being let by WWE as he couldn’t understand why they would fire him for asking to go to rehab considering that everyone else is given an ultimatum to take up rehabilitation assistance or have their contract terminated. He felt he was doing the right thing by addressing the issue and asking to enter rehab, especially considering that his ongoing pill problems stemmed from working for WWE. He then said he doesn’t want to be part of a company that says they want to help wrestlers with their issues, but then turn their backs on them when they ask for help. He also feels it sends a bad message to the wrestlers in the locker room that if they get injured and take time off, they’ll lose their spot. Or, if they have issues medication and ask for help, they’ll be fired.
Additionally, Cade implied during the interview that there are top guys doing stuff much worse than he had done, saying WWE’s drug testing policy “doesn’t apply to everyone.”
Cade was previously released from WWE on October 14, 2008. Jim Ross later stated on his official website that “he made a major league mistake while utilizing bad judgment” and that it was instrumental to his departure. J.R. also made reference to Cade having a seizure on a plane and needing emergency medical care.
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
