By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

The Arizona Republic published a story on former WWE wrestler Luther Reigns (Matt Wiese) recovering from a recent stroke in Glendale, Arizona.

Reigns told the newspaper that he believes his stroke was brought on by pain pill addiction and steroid use that began before his WWE career, but was heightened when he joined the promotion.

"We wrestled every night, damn near every night," Reigns said said. "We were beat to hell. So we needed pain pills to do our job."

Reigns was released from WWE in 2005 prior to the company instituted the current Wellness Policy. The newspaper also interviewed former WWE wrestler Armando Estrada, who operates a restaurant in Glendale, to counter Reigns's assertion.

"I think it was a different time," Estrada said. "(But) I don't think it's a fair assessment to say, 'Wrestling causes this, or wrestling causes that.' It's a decision."

Reigns, who notably conducted one of the most memorable Torch Talks with Torch editor Wade Keller back in 2005, is described by the Republic as "struggling to finish a sentence or a thought" due to the effects of the stroke.

The report also notes that Reigns has "blown most of the money he made from wrestling" and is relying on royalty checks to help pay for stroke recovery treatment. He said hopes to pursue acting gigs in Los Angeles after his recovery.

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