Jon Heidenreich Explains His WWE Release, His Battle With Drug Use

During a recent interview with Insight with Chris Van Vliet, former WWE Superstar and Tag Team Champion Jon Heidenreich discussed his career and getting released by WWE in 2006, along with his battle with an opioid addiction. Below are some highlights from Insight:

Jon Heidenreich on Why He Got Released

“Some of it was my bad decisions at the time. I was showing up late for some shows. I guess it was mostly me probably being late. I would say that it was my bad. I didn’t realize how lucky I was, and the opportunity I had at the time. I mean, my worked my whole life to make it a football, I really didn’t make it to that level. I get in wrestling and get to that level, and here I am. I was doing Legion of Doom, we had the belts, I think we maybe dropped them, but still a top spot, bro. I had an ear infection issue where I couldn’t wrestle, but that wasn’t the reason they sent me home and released me a couple days after that. It was a built up of probably me being stupid and then them probably thinking, man, this guy’s out of hand. Maybe release him and get he either gets himself straight and comes back, which I never really tried to go back. A bunch of times people would tell me you need to go to this house show or show and talk to somebody, and I think my pride was too big, stupid.”

On His Battle With Drug Use

“Yeah, some drug use, and basically that would cause me to be late. Sometimes I would miss my flight and have to buy another flight to get there. But I was never messed up at the building where I screwed up in a match, but at home, I may have stayed out at night. The night before I was going to travel, I’d go out and I stay out all night, and then I’d come home, I’d be like trying to get ready and I’d fall asleep or something.”

On Getting Clean About 10 Years Ago

“About 10 years, probably at least. Pain pills was a terrible addiction. I wouldn’t wish that on anybody. I started out taking them. I was hurt. I didn’t want to get into taking them all the time.”