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-------------------- For Brock Lesnar's 2004 departure, I keep hearing that it was the "grueling WWE schedule that drove him away", as if he couldn't take the schedule or that he wasn't a dedicated wrestler. WRONG. From all that I've heard from the few WWE sources I had during the mid-2000's, the issue wasn't just that Brock Lesnar hated working a "grueling road schedule", but the issue was that he was a Main Eventer of the Smackdown brand and yet there were a handful of WCW wrestlers that were paid nicely and ONLY had to work Televised/Pay Per View events. THAT'S THE ISSUE. In 2002, the WWE brought in the New World Order with Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, and Hulk Hogan all with nice monetary deals but a non-Houseshow schedule. In 2003, the WWE signed Bill Goldberg to a similar deal and Goldberg's deal actually had a specific # of dates in his contract (I believe Goldberg got paid extra for the RAW before Wrestlemania 20 because the events # was exceeded). MEANWHILE, Brock Lesnar was a main eventer and unlike the former WCW wrestlers, he HAD to work all of the houseshows, televised shows, and Pay Per Views. Plus WWE scheduled appearances. Sure, the long schedule can burn any wrestler out... But it was PART of his exit in 2004. Seeing the special exceptions made to former WCW wrestlers infuriated Lesnar and he did in fact go to WWE Management and request a lighter schedule. The WWE held Lesnar to the terms of his existing contract with a big fat "NO". I believe he made this request sometime during late 2003 and it made him begin to re-think his chosen profession in the WWE. I believe there were personal issues with the Undertaker... Undertaker, through special priviledge of being a WWE veteran, had a lighter schedule than Brock. Brock did appear to have a level of resentment with WWE veterans who had lighter schedules than him and I believe this is part of the heat with Triple H (the other part is that HHH is a member of WWE management). That, and Brock was burned out from fighting the Undertaker. Vince McMahon reportedly LOVED their match-up, as Brock was one of the few wrestlers in 2002-2004 who could legitimately look like he matched up with the Undertaker. Reportedly after Wrestlemania 20, Brock was to enter into yet another program with the Undertaker. With none of the scheduling requests being fixed, Brock gave his notice that he was leaving the WWE after Wrestlemania 20. WWE, of course, "stuck it to him" by allowing an also departing Bill Goldberg defeat him cleanly at Madison Square Garden. Worse yet, if memory serves, Steve Austin got to Stone Cold Stunner both Goldberg and Lesnar. The best hilarity is how Austin joined Goldberg/Lesnar in leaving the WWE after Wrestlemania 20, OOPS! Sure, the WWE schedule is TOUGH and can burn anybody out. But Lesnar did it for most of 2002-2003 without complaint, while also enduring a lengthy stay in Ohio Valley Wrestling which didn't exactly give large amounts of time off, either. WWE's farm system is quite demanding, as it's testing future superstars to see if they can hang in the WWE. The FACT is that other conditions pissed Brock off and it was mostly based on the special exceptions the WWE was making to other superstars that weren't being made to Smackdown's #1 Main Eventer. Many suggest that Brock Lesnar's WWE Title loss to Eddie Guerrero was the "last straw". I disagree with that. I believe that Lesnar informed the WWE of his departure BEFORE No Way Out 2004 and thus didn't want to risk Lesnar leaving the WWE with the title. Guerrero gets unnecessary blame for Lesnar's departure, and in hindsight, Lesnar has actually admitted himself that his loss to Eddie at No Way Out wasn't a cause for his departure. Keep that in mind as you assess his possible return to the WWE after "retiring" from UFC from Friday Night. Lesnar could certainly argue that as a former UFC Champion, he deserves exceptional treatment as a superstar much like Hogan, Nash, Hall, and Goldberg received with their contracts in 2002-2003 and much like the Undertaker receives as a longtime WWE veteran. The added attraction of being a former UFC Champion who was also a former WWE Champion (oh, and All Japan champion and NCAA Heavyweight Champion) would pack houses with his name on the card. But would the WWE make a special exception for Lesnar, the same guy who walked out of the WWE and also caused LEGAL COSTS due no-compete clause that Lesnar wanted to dishonor? It's a good question... It would make ample opportunity for a wrestling promotion with a lighter road schedule to make an offer of a lifetime... Hey guys, do you know of any wresTling promotioN thAt could provide a lighter schedule that would cause less of an IMPACT to Brock Lesnar for WRESTLING? Happy New Year! So just chill... Till the next episode! CONTACT MR. TITO - Email: [email protected] - Twitter: @titowrestling - Join LoPForums.com: Feedback Thread BLOG is TITO Archive on LoPForums.com © Mr. Tito 1998 - 2011
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