No Enhancement Needed?: Randy Orton Obtained Same Substance As Lesnar In Mid 2000s

Randy Orton returned to WWE programming at WWE Battleground Sunday night and promptly took a shot at Brock Lesnar’s drug test violation. But does he really have room to talk?

Orton will take on Lesnar at next month’s Summerslam, and started the build while on Chris Jericho’s Highlight Reel. During the segment, Orton targeted Lesnar’s failed UFC and United States Anti-Doping Agency tests by saying that “no enhancements” were needed in ‘Viperville.’ It’s not known if Orton was fed the line or came up with it on his own, but as it turns out, that isn’t necessarily true.

Brock Lesnar failed two drug tests for clomiphene, an estrogen-blocker often used when cycling off of PEDs. The situation made headlines within both the MMA and wrestling, although Lesnar is unlikely to face any disciplinary action from the WWE.

As pointed out on last night’s Fightful.com Podcast, Orton himself faced no disciplinary action in 2007, when a Sports Illustrated article revealed that he had obtained…..clomiphene — the same substance as Brock Lesnar. However Orton was also said to have obtained anastrozole….and stanozolol….and nandrolone….and oxandrolone…and testosterone. WWE would issue a statement regarding the Sports Illustrated article, saying that the allegations preceded the WWE’s wellness policy, which started in February 2006.

Orton himself has faced two suspensions, once in 2006 and once in 2012 for violations of the company’s wellness policy. Lesnar may not have even faced testing by the WWE, as Vince McMahon has personally indicated that part-time on-screen characters aren’t necessarily subject to testing.

By Sean Ross Sapp