Brian Cage has never built his wrestling presentation around subtlety. In AEW, “The Machine” is defined as much by a remarkably muscular frame as he is by explosive power, athletic counters and an ability to move with a speed that frequently surprises opponents and audiences alike. That visual identity has also meant years of fan speculation about performance-enhancing drugs, a subject Cage addressed directly in a recent appearance on The Smoothvega Podcast.
Rather than sidestepping the issue, Cage said he wants to be more open about it. The 42-year-old acknowledged that he has used PEDs and discussed testosterone replacement therapy as part of maintaining his physique. At the same time, Cage pushed back strongly against the notion that drugs alone create a bodybuilder-level look or replace the demanding work required to perform at a high level in professional wrestling.
“Do steroids work? Absolutely. Have I taken PEDs? Absolutely! I’ve never said I haven’t!” Cage said on The Smoothvega Podcast.
That admission is notable in an industry where the subject has often been handled with evasion, coded language or outright denial. Cage’s comments did not frame PEDs as a shortcut to his success. Instead, he emphasized the role of long-term training, diet and consistency in building and retaining the physique that has become central to his in-ring brand.
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For Cage, the conversation is especially relevant because his physical appearance is inseparable from his character. The “Machine” nickname is more than a catchphrase: it communicates the force behind his offense, from powerful throws and suplex variations to feats of strength against much larger opposition. Yet the physical demands on a wrestler extend far beyond appearance. Traveling, training, recovering from matches and remaining durable enough for a full-time career all place substantial pressure on the body.
Cage Draws a Line Between Use and Abuse
While being candid about his own experience, Cage also stressed a distinction he believes is often lost in wider discussions about steroids and related substances. He compared the issue to alcohol, arguing that there is a meaningful difference between measured use and damaging abuse.
“There’s obviously a difference between use and abuse with everything, right?” Cage said on The Smoothvega Podcast.
Cage also discussed peptides favorably, saying they are widely used and can be effective, while reiterating that they are not an overnight answer. His broader point was that no substance can remove the commitment needed to build elite conditioning or maintain a demanding physical regimen over a long period of time.
That distinction matters in a wrestling context because conversations about PEDs frequently become broad judgments rather than specific discussions about health, regulation, individual circumstances and risk. Cage’s position is plainly a personal one, and athletes considering any hormone-related or performance-enhancing substance should seek qualified medical advice. The potential health implications can vary widely based on the substance, dosage, medical supervision, pre-existing conditions and other factors.
In the interview, Cage also said he uses testosterone replacement therapy to help maintain his physique at his age. TRT is generally discussed differently from non-medical anabolic steroid use, though the terminology and treatment practices are often blurred in public debate. Cage did not present himself as unique in pursuing such treatment, suggesting that many people use it as they get older.
Professional wrestling has changed dramatically in how it presents its athletes. There remains room for every kind of body type, from technical specialists and high-flyers to imposing heavyweights. Still, physiques like Cage’s continue to draw immediate attention because they evoke the larger-than-life tradition that has been part of wrestling’s visual language for generations. His willingness to speak openly gives that conversation a more direct framing, even if it will not settle the ethical and medical debates that surround PEDs.
Addressing the Chris Benoit Conversation
The most sensitive portion of Cage’s discussion came when the subject turned to Chris Benoit and the 2007 double murder-suicide that remains one of the darkest tragedies in wrestling history. Benoit’s actions have long been discussed in connection with a range of possible factors, including brain trauma, mental health concerns and steroid use. Cage argued that he does not believe “roid rage” explains what happened.
“That’s not a ‘roid rage thing,’” Cage said on The Smoothvega Podcast, arguing that a three-day premeditated sequence of events could not be reduced to that explanation alone.
Cage’s remarks reflect his personal view, not a definitive conclusion about a tragedy that has been examined and debated for nearly two decades. The circumstances surrounding Benoit’s crimes are profoundly complex, and public discussion has included concerns related to repeated head trauma and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, commonly known as CTE, alongside other possible contributing issues. It is important not to reduce an event of that magnitude to a single cause or a simple label.
At the same time, Cage’s comments underscore why steroid discussions in wrestling remain so emotionally charged. The industry’s history with performance-enhancing drugs is tied not only to questions of physique and competition, but also to real human consequences, changing wellness standards and an ongoing reckoning with past practices. Any public figure speaking on the issue will inevitably be measured against that history.
Cage Reflects on His Early Concerns About Steroids
Cage also looked back on his younger years and explained that he had concerns about using steroids because of his own temper when he was in high school. He said that fear of what is commonly called “roid rage” was among the reasons he avoided steroids earlier in life.
According to Cage, he did not use steroids during his independent wrestling run and did not begin until after his first bodybuilding competition. He questioned the popular understanding of “roid rage,” saying he believes some people may use steroids as an explanation for pre-existing anger problems. However, Cage also acknowledged that people can react differently to substances they put into their bodies.
“I had a really bad temper in high school and stuff when I was younger, and that was one of the reasons, too, why I never wanted to do it,” Cage said on The Smoothvega Podcast.
The issue is more nuanced than any one wrestler’s experience. Individual reactions, medical histories and behavioral health factors differ significantly, and broad conclusions should not be drawn from a single account. Cage’s main argument was not that every user will have the same experience, but that he believes the phrase “roid rage” is too often used as a blanket explanation for conduct that may have deeper roots.
That is a provocative stance, particularly given wrestling’s difficult history, but Cage was not trying to present his comments as an excuse for harmful behavior. He repeatedly returned to accountability, discipline and the difference between controlled use and abuse. Whether fans agree with his conclusions or not, his appearance was unusually direct for a wrestler discussing a topic that has historically carried stigma and secrecy.
What the Comments Mean for Cage’s AEW Identity
Cage remains one of AEW’s most visually distinctive performers. His size and strength are obvious advantages in the ring, but his career has also been built on athletic versatility. He is capable of working power-based matches, keeping pace in faster multi-person contests and bringing a rare combination of muscularity and movement to his performances.
His latest comments are unlikely to end fan discussion about PEDs. If anything, the directness of his admission will invite further debate about transparency, health and what audiences expect from wrestlers whose physical presentation is a major part of their appeal. But Cage’s central message was clear: he does not deny using PEDs, he does not regard them as magic, and he believes responsibility and hard work remain essential.
In an era where athletes increasingly speak openly about training, recovery and health, Cage’s willingness to discuss the subject without euphemism stands out. The conversation around performance-enhancing drugs in wrestling will remain complicated, particularly because of the industry’s past. For Cage, though, the immediate focus is on separating his personal experience from the assumptions that have followed his physique throughout his career.
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Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.