LAWMAKERS BODY SLAM REQUIREMENT THAT WRESTLERS UNDERGO DRUG TESTS

SALEM, Ore. - Hoping to lure more professional wrestling events
to Oregon, the state Senate on Tuesday body slammed a requirement that
the beefy performers undergo mandatory drug testing.

Backers of the bill to dump drug testing for pro wrestling argued that
the matches are not true athletic events, but skits. They hope the
measure will persuade World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling
Federation promoters to stop shunning Portland's Rose Garden and other
major venues.

Tuesday's Senate debate produced no flying folding chairs, but it
provoked an impassioned floor speech by Sen. Frank Shields, a Portland
minister who said the bill sends a "lousy message" to young people.

"If these guys pretend to be athletes, and kids think they are
athletes, then they're going to end up concluding that it's OK to do
drugs if you're an athlete," he said. "Are we zero tolerant or not
with regard to drugs?"

But Shields' argument was driven into the canvas when the Senate voted
22-5 to approve the bill and send it on to the House.

Supporters noted that World Championship Wrestling last year scrubbed
a televised performance that had been scheduled at the Rose Garden
after learning its performers would be subjected to drug tests.

Under the bill, backed by Oregon Arena Corp., which handles
entertainment contracts for the Rose Garden, performers would submit a
doctor's letter of physical fitness but wouldn't undergo the drug screening.

Oregon Boxing and Wrestling Commission officials have said that the
professional wrestling industry has had problems with performers using
painkillers and steroids.

But wrestling promoters said their shows are pure entertainment and
that their performers should be treated no differently than other
entertainers.

"We don't test circus performers, rodeo contestants or rock stars, do
we?" said Sen. Marylin Shannon, R-Brooks.

The co-sponsor of the bill, Sen. Randy Miller, said he thinks it would
promote an activity in Oregon that many find diverting and
entertaining.

Miller said he and his father shared an interest in wrestling
matches.

"We would watch them on Friday nights and have some good laughs
together," the Lake Oswego Republican said. "We knew who the good guys
were and who the bad guys were."