OT- Brock Lesner To Quit WWE

[Suicane75]

All the major Wrestling websites are reporting that Lesner gave a heartfealt and sincere speech last night announcing his plans to leave the WWE and concentrate on attempting to get into the NFL. This is shocking on 2 levels, 1 that it appears that Lesner never really had his heart in wrestling, and 2, that he feels he can make it in the NFL. Really bizzare story.

[hukarez]

Did he ever play football when he was in college? I understand he was an NCAA wrestling champion and all. I would've figured he'd give the Olympics a shot or two at the least...

[MikeVic]

:( That sucks. Can he really make the NFL? I don't think so. Has he even played football before? I don't remember them saying anything during wrestling, and they're pretty good at milking a wrestler's past real-life accolades...

With Goldberg probably not coming back, WWE has taken a huge hit. That Goldberg/Lesnar match at Wrestlemania could suck even more now that it could be the last match for both guys...

[Travis]

I thought he was leaning towards trying to get into acting? Or was that Goldberg, I know he's got that Santa Claus flick? (not on a part time thing, but retiring from the WWE to pursue a full time acting career)

[MikeVic]

I thought he was leaning towards trying to get into acting? Or was that Goldberg, I know he's got that Santa Claus flick? (not on a part time thing, but retiring from the WWE to pursue a full time acting career)

I'm pretty sure Goldberg will wrestle from time to time in Japan. Maybe he plans to do movies too...

[Suicane75]

I thought he was leaning towards trying to get into acting? Or was that Goldberg, I know he's got that Santa Claus flick? (not on a part time thing, but retiring from the WWE to pursue a full time acting career)

Yeah, Goldbergs got the Santa Clause movie coming out pretty soon. I'm sure he'll do some stuff in Japan but from what I know he's never really been as big into Wrestling as one would assume.

[The Afoci]

I am fairly sure Lesnar was a very good high school football player. He focused on wrestling in college obviously. I do think the guy would have to have decent enough strength and speed to play DT or DE. Now if he would have the vision and feel need to play in the NFL, that is a different story. But it would be fun to see the guy in the AFL.

[Travis]

Come on, if San Diego signs Brock as a WR, they'll have the two WR's with the biggest biceps in the history of the NFL.

[Deattribution]

He had college and NFL teams scouting him as a LB, don't know if he was any good but he had to be pretty decent to get the kind of interest he did. Obviously he chose a different route though, so who knows if he has a shot now.

[HornedFrog Purple]

If he gets a touchdown will he F5 the goalpost?

[stevew]

Is this work or shoot?

Im guessing they are working all the Marks.

[Maple Leafs]

If it's a work, they're apparently also working the wrestlers and employees, which would be odd. There's some thinking that it's a work, since everyone knew Lesnar was beating Goldberg and they figured they needed to add some suspense.

Big blow to the WWE, assuming it's true. He was one of the few main event guys who was a.) young and b.) could actually wrestle.

[JeeberD]

I do think the guy would have to have decent enough strength and speed to play DT or DE.

But what size and speed is he going to have once he lays off the 'roids?

[Ksyrup]

Yeah, Goldbergs got the Santa Clause movie coming out pretty soon.
Clue #1 that your movie sucks:

It's based on a holiday or seasonal theme, yet the release does not coincide with the holiday/season the movie is based on.

Same thing happened with Ben Affleck's Reindeer Games, which got released in January or February.

[Maple Leafs]

But what size and speed is he going to have once he lays off the 'roids?Do they drug test in NCAA? He's huge, but he was pretty much the same size when he was an amateur.

[rkmsuf]

Clue #1 that your movie sucks:

It's based on a holiday or seasonal theme, yet the release does not coincide with the holiday/season the movie is based on.

Same thing happened with Ben Affleck's Reindeer Games, which got released in January or February.

It was close enough...they were banking on Charlize's tatas to make up for the post Christmas release...

[JeeberD]

Do they drug test in NCAA? He's huge, but he was pretty much the same size when he was an amateur.

NCAA? I thought that he was trying to go straight into the NFL. My bad...

I'm pretty sure that the NCAA does do drug tests, though.

[The Afoci]

He was huge in college. My friend was a trainer at the U of M when he was there and Brock was just a work out freak. The man was in the gym for 6 or 7 hours a day. He is also on a radio show in the Twin Cities about once a week and has stated numerous times he takes some supplements, but is very against 'roids. Doesn't mean he doesn't do them, but if he does, he has hid it very well.

[Maple Leafs]

NCAA? I thought that he was trying to go straight into the NFL. My bad...No, he does mean the NFL. But he was an NCAA wrestling champion, so I'm assuming he was tested then. If he was clean back then (and huge), it's at least possible that he's clean now (and still huge). It's not like he went from being 200 lbs to being a monster in six months.

[RawIsDan]

Is this work or shoot?

Im guessing they are working all the Marks.

Hard to say right now as the information is all second or third hand. It would hurt them if it's true but I think it's a work.

[Leonidas]

Either this is another Vince McMahon gimmick or Lesnar is just not very bright. Athletes like him are a dime a dozen in the NFL. Look at the next closest thing to Lesnar in the WWE, Goldberg. Goldberg was a scrub in the NFL. A special teams and practice squad guy, and that's the best wrestling has to offer. At least Goldberg was an All American football player in college and was devoted full time to the sport. This isn't like wrestling or ultimate fighting where you can just cross over. Everyone in the NFL is a superior athlete, but with a difference. They all did this in college and have been doing it full time their whole lives. In the realm of all that is possible of course it's possible he could make it, but in the realm of reason no way.

[JeffNights]

I highly doubt lesner is on roids. true the industry was rampant with them in the 80's and early 90s... but mcmahon seems to have turned a frown on them now. as he was after federally indicted and put on trial.

Lesnar, another hint hes not on roids, he is huge and massively strong. however, looking at his vascularity, u really dont see it, aside from the normal stuff. so i think hes soild mass.

[hukarez]

He was huge in college. My friend was a trainer at the U of M when he was there and Brock was just a work out freak. The man was in the gym for 6 or 7 hours a day. He is also on a radio show in the Twin Cities about once a week and has stated numerous times he takes some supplements, but is very against 'roids. Doesn't mean he doesn't do them, but if he does, he has hid it very well.
If I'm not mistaken; I think he's sponsored by Met-rx.

[JeeberD]

I highly doubt lesner is on roids. true the industry was rampant with them in the 80's and early 90s... but mcmahon seems to have turned a frown on them now. as he was after federally indicted and put on trial.


Like Vince himself isn't totally juiced up... :rolleyes:

[Ryche]

Lesnar's not leaving specifically so he can try playing football, that's just one of his options at this point. He's leaving because he's still young, relatively healthy, and has made quite a bit of money (he just bought a private airplane). Wrestling is extremely hard on the body and one's personal life, not many wrestlers can give it up while as healthy and wealthy as he is right now. And the door will always be open to return.

[PsychoCop]

It's probably a work. Just to add some suspense on who will win the Lesnar-Goldberg match at WMXX. With Goldberg on his way out of the company, they probably felt to add that little push to grab more PPV buys this Sunday.

[Sun Tzu]

I am in agreement with PsychoCop.

[Deattribution]

It's probably a work. Just to add some suspense on who will win the Lesnar-Goldberg match at WMXX. With Goldberg on his way out of the company, they probably felt to add that little push to grab more PPV buys this Sunday.

90% of there fanbase already didn't know Goldberg was leaving, most people, especially people who buy WM are just casual fans.

[Suicane75]

I doubt highly that this is a work. Theres nothing gained by trying to work the 10% of your fanbase who would read about this.

[CubsFan915]

Lesnar is a pussy. "I don't like all the travel." Suck it up - you're not the only one who has to deal with it, and you're very well paid for what you do.

[Deattribution]

I doubt highly that this is a work. Theres nothing gained by trying to work the 10% of your fanbase who would read about this.


Correct, and that 10% are more dedicated fans, so they were more than likely going to order anyway.

Not to mention they would do more harm by doing this then good. Who really cares who wins the match now?

The whole WM card is so weak to begin with, aside from this match there was only one other I was looking forward to seeing (angle/guerrero) and I don't see myself paying 40-50 (whatever they hike the price up for WM) for one match.

[TLK]

Didn't they try something like this last year with Angle saying it was going to be his last match due to injury?

[The Afoci]

Lesnar is a pussy. "I don't like all the travel." Suck it up - you're not the only one who has to deal with it, and you're very well paid for what you do.

So that requires him to work until he can work no longer. Why not get out while you are healthy and have the financal means to do so?

[Suicane75]

Angle had a legit neck injury and was scheduled to have the same surgery that Benoit & Edge have had, he choose to go a different route however and it only sidelined him for about 3 weeks. It wasn't a work, they really were planning on going with the fusion surgery that would of kept him out a year.

[Deattribution]

Didn't they try something like this last year with Angle saying it was going to be his last match due to injury?


No, the story was legit. Angle actually did have a neck injury and have the POSSIBILITY of it being his last match. He wrestled that match with only the full use of one arm, which is amazing. Had he of taken a nasty bump he could of ended up paralyzed but he did the match anyway and had neck surgery 2 or 3 days afterwards. Obviously he made a full recovery, even though he had to have a second less invasive surgery late last year.

[CubsFan915]

Well, they actually were worried about Angle's career last year, as he was facing the same kind of neck surgery Stone Cold went through. He tried ad different process which was much less invasive, and he was able to get back much sooner, and feel much safer continuing his career, than Austin did.

[Suicane75]

The whole WM card is so weak to begin with, aside from this match there was only one other I was looking forward to seeing (angle/guerrero) and I don't see myself paying 40-50 (whatever they hike the price up for WM) for one match.

I'm looking forward to much of the card, but the reason i'm throwing down my $50 can be summed up in 5 words......World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit.

[CubsFan915]

So that requires him to work until he can work no longer. Why not get out while you are healthy and have the financal means to do so?

When you've got a contract that runs (I think) two more years?

And entering the NFL is not much safer than pro wrestling...

[Suicane75]

Well, they actually were worried about Angle's career last year, as he was facing the same kind of neck surgery Stone Cold went through. He tried ad different process which was much less invasive, and he was able to get back much sooner, and feel much safer continuing his career, than Austin did.

Isn't Austins surgery different than the one that & Edge & Benoit had and Angle was planning on having? The way I understand it is that the type of surgery Austin had means it's over and the surgery that Edge and Benoit had means about a year of recovery but you can come back.

[Deattribution]

Lesnar is a pussy. "I don't like all the travel." Suck it up - you're not the only one who has to deal with it, and you're very well paid for what you do.


That's such an asshole remark. He busted his ass, he made money for the company and he even put a few guys over (Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit) along the way.

He has a daughter he probably doesn't see much, not to mention traveling 300 days of the year isn't the life for everyone. If he isn't happy, and he can leave, why stay?

[Suicane75]

That's such an asshole remark. He busted his ass, he made money for the company and he even put a few guys over (Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit) along the way.

He has a daughter he probably doesn't see much, not to mention traveling 300 days of the year isn't the life for everyone. If he isn't happy, and he can leave, why stay?


Well, i can see where cubsfan is coming from because id bet ya dollars to donuts that if Lesner were still the World Champion this wouldn't be happening.

[Deattribution]

I'm looking forward to much of the card, but the reason i'm throwing down my $50 can be summed up in 5 words......World Heavyweight Champion Chris Benoit.


Don't get your hopes up, I'd like to see that as well but I certainly wouldn't order WM for it because the two others that are in involved in the match.

I did that last year for Booker T, now he's in the opening match as a tag wrestler :rolleyes:

Chris Jericho went from heavyweight champion, to losing to Shawn Michaels, to wrestling Christian....


See where this is going?

[albionmoonlight]

When you've got a contract that runs (I think) two more years?

And entering the NFL is not much safer than pro wrestling...

Courts don't enforce employment contracts against employees by forcing them to work. The contract is good for preventing him from wrestling in another promotion and (possibly) some money damages for the WWE (though thoes are hard to prove). In American law, you simply cannot be forced to work for someone against your will--even pursuant to a vailid employment contract.

And I think that the NFL is safer than wrestling in that they have a union, full time trainers, etc. There is a lot more done to keep NFL guys safe.

Finally, it's his life and his decision. If he thinks that he can be the next Reggie White--let him try. If he fails, he can always come back to wrestling.

[Deattribution]

Well, i can see where cubsfan is coming from because id bet ya dollars to donuts that if Lesner were still the World Champion this wouldn't be happening.


I think it had more to do with having to run away from Bob Holly like a girly man then it did losing the title. And getting ready to be buried by the 40+ Undertaker after WM. He along with anyone not in Evolution have been booked so piss poor it's not funny.

[Suicane75]

Don't get your hopes up, I'd like to see that as well but I certainly wouldn't order WM for it because the two others that are in involved in the match.

I did that last year for Booker T, now he's in the opening match as a tag wrestler :rolleyes:

Chris Jericho went from heavyweight champion, to losing to Shawn Michaels, to wrestling Christian....

See where this is going?

I understand what your saying, but Id rather pay $50 and miss it than pay nothing and not see it, if that makes sense. All I know is, If Benoit wins that match I will mark out for the first time in about 3 years.

[CubsFan915]

Because he's leaving for two primary reasons, according to the original statements that were made:

(a) He's upset with the travel, and
(b) he's upset with the fact that he had to feud with Hardcore Holly.

I can certainly sympathize with the fact that he doesn't like to travel. With the 5 day workweeks that the the rosters have (the Smackdown wrestlers usually work shows Friday through Tuesday, and have Wednesday and Thursday off), he does miss a lot of time at home. That's not any worse than businessmen who have to travel all the time, but I can certainly sympathize with not wanting to travel around the country with a the occasional trip overseas that much. And everyone in the WWE (except Hunter-Hearst McMahon) feels like they've been underutilized, or has had to put others over on occasion. And it's wrong for him to leave simply because he doesn't like the way his character is booked. It was wrong when Austin did it, and it's wrong now. Lesnar got a huge push as a wet-behind-the ears rookie, with people like the Undertaker and the Big Show putting him over. I'm sure they didn't like having to feud with a rookie, and I'm sure they didn't like putting him over, but they did it, because that's their job. Key difference between him and Goldberg: Goldberg's contract is over. That's completely different from walking out in the middle of a contract.

If he's legitimately doing this for family reasons, or health reasons, that's fine, but the impressions released to begin with had nothing to do with personal reasons, and had everything to do with him being unhappy with the travel (despite having his own personal plane, which nobody else on the roster does) and the booking.

He's certainly welcome to leave - heck, I encourage it, if it means we'll see more of the cruiserweights. I think it's a shame that the WWE neglects the cruiserweight division as much as they do, and I hope that (with the ascension of Eddie Guerrero to the top) that it means that the cruisers will get more time. (I also really, really want them to send the Hurrican back to Smackdown to be used, instead of jobbing to La Freaking Resistance all the time).

[CubsFan915]

Deattribution - I'd forgotten about the program with the Taker. He sure as hell wasn't happy about that in the slightest, either.

My complaint isn't so much that he's leaving. It's that he's leaving because he's unhappy professional, and is trying to spin in like it's for personal reasons. Be a man, and admit why you're leaving. Anything else is pussy bullshit. At least Austin freely admitted he left because he wasn't happy with creative.

[Deattribution]

Deattribution - I'd forgotten about the program with the Taker. He sure as hell wasn't happy about that in the slightest, either.

My complaint isn't so much that he's leaving. It's that he's leaving because he's unhappy professional, and is trying to spin in like it's for personal reasons. Be a man, and admit why you're leaving. Anything else is pussy bullshit. At least Austin freely admitted he left because he wasn't happy with creative.


I think it's a case of both, he's supposedly been unhappy about the travel for quite a while, that is why he bought his own personal plane but he still just hated the travel. The time it took away from his life, and his work-out routine, saying he only had 30 minutes or less to work out daily.

Austin, in my opinion was more 'pussy' then Lesnar, he hasn't taken it out on his ex wife/girlfriend and beat her up atleast, unlike Austin. So using him as an example is a bit poor.

[Maple Leafs]

I understand what your saying, but Id rather pay $50 and miss it than pay nothing and not see it, if that makes sense. All I know is, If Benoit wins that match I will mark out for the first time in about 3 years.Save your money, and spend it on the next PPV in April. It's in Edmonton, so my bet is that's when they'll finally give Benoit his belt. The place would go apeshit.

[CubsFan915]

I wasn't comparing Austin and Lesnar on a "non-wrestling" level, only on a professional level. I thought it was chickenshit the way Austin left, and I think the way Lesnar's spinning his leaving as "personal" reasons is chickenshit. If he's burned out on travel, that's one thing. It's not like life as a football player will be any less physically demanding. Sure he'll have more workout time, but he'll also have to face people who truly don't care about his well-being, and who may have a chip on their shoulder that a guy who hasn't played football since he was a senior in high school thinks he can jump right into the NFL.

The part that concerns me more and disappoints me, though, is that he's bailing on the WWE with not even a week's notice. He was around to take advantage of Vinnie's plans for him, and when he decides to go, he leaves Vinnie holding the bag and having to scramble to replace him. Sure, he's elevated Eddie to the top, and he got Benoit to the upper-midcard, but if you look at the guys in the business who really made him the star that he is - Hogan, Rock, and Taker - he's really gotten much more than he's given. The fact that a big reason he's unhappy he was going to be placed into a run with the Taker, who he should be willing to do anything for, since Taker was the first man to really get him over, is a shame.

Ultimately, it's his life, and if he goes into football, I hope he does well. But I think he's taking the weasel way out, since nobody knew he was burned out until he quit 5 days before the biggest show of the year.

[CubsFan915]

http://www.1wrestling.com/news/newsline.asp?news=17797

[Maple Leafs]

Warning... don't click on a 1wrestling.com link unless you have some serious popup killer software running.

[ScottVib]

Sportstalk 980 in DC came on with their newsflash saying that in 2002 Lesnar turned down tryout offers with the Redskins and Buccaneers; but that he still works out with a Bears player. (I forget the name)

The reporter then conjectured that Lesnar probably wouldn't turn down the offer a second time if the Danny came calling again.

[Maple Leafs]

... but that he still works out with a Bears player. (I forget the name) Has anyone ever seen Lesnar and Urlacher in the same room?

[CubsFan915]

Warning... don't click on a 1wrestling.com link unless you have some serious popup killer software running.I knew I was forgetting something. Thanks, Maple Leafs.

[Leonidas]

I love "he said he'd quit the WWE if he could find something that pays the same money."

First off, being a special teams/practice squad guy in the NFL (which IMO is the best he can hope for) pays a heck of a lot less than being world champ in WWE. What else? I heard selling encyclopedias can pay well. Sounds to me like Lesnar needs a healthy dose of growing up to do. McMahon handed him his stardom on a silver platter, placing the guy years ahead of other guys who have been on the road 15-20 years, paid him outrageous sums of cash for a guy just starting in the biz, and yet he just whines about crap the rest just suck up and take. Like the other wrestlers said, good riddance. If he thinks he can do as well in something else, more power to him. I think he's going to be a little dissappointed though.

[PsychoCop]

Lesnar buys a $400,000 plane to ease his travel load and a few weeks later, he quits? I don't buy it.

[SuburbanPimp]

Who knew that the Undertaker/Sid Vicious match from WM13 would only be regarded as the second worst main event in WM history? Thanks Bill and Brock!

Danny Snyder will think that he can get the final piece to his D-line of domination, seeing that F-5's will not count towards a personal foul penalty. HAIL TO THE REDSKINS, HERE COMES THE PAIN INDEED!

On the one hand, it's a shame that Brock left, because he could have been good. It took about 3-4 years for Angle to find his niche, and there were at least small signs that Brock could have been good in the ring. On the other hand, this leaves extra interview time for John Cena and extended ring time for the cruiserweights, Benjamin/Haas, and Angle & Eddie Guerrero, so I won't complain.

[TLK]

What time does this madness start tomorrow and are there any current WWE drinking games around?.....

[General Mike]

What time does this madness start tomorrow and are there any current WWE drinking games around?.....

7pm ET.

The only drinking game I have is:

HHH puts someone over, drink the whole damn bottle. :D

[RawIsDan]

7pm ET.

The only drinking game I have is:

HHH puts someone over, drink the whole damn bottle. :D

LOL. Well, you won't be drinking that anytime soon. :D

[Suicane75]

Heat starts at 6pm EST, dont know if any of the announced matches will be moved to Heat or not but better safe than sorry. The only drinking game we have is to chug whenever theres a 2 count :D , by 8:30 were all pretty much doing our Jim Ross en espanol impersonations or performing sharpshooters on each other.

[Suicane75]

LOL. Well, you won't be drinking that anytime soon. :D

Is it gay to have a bottle of champagne on hand to pop when Benoit wins the world title? Cause one of my.......friends......yeah, friends, suggested it.

[PsychoCop]

Brock's Coach thinks it's a work

Brock's college wrestling coach, J. Robinson, had this to say:

"If he were to call me, I'd investigate to see what kind of football background he has. But I'm not spendnig any time thinking about it."

“He's making millions in wrestling; he just bought a plane. What would you do? Give it all up with no guarantee of making it in the NFL? I think they're trying to hype WrestleMania."

Credit: WrestlingObserver.com

[duckman]

Heh. Looks like Brock is heading back to wrestling.

hxxp://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/newsboard.php?news_id=10902

So where is he going?

New Japan Pro Wrestling's Antonio Inoki has announced that Brock Lesnar will be a special guest at the promotion's Tokyo Dome event this weekend.

If he does appear, it would be Lesnar's first wrestling appearance since his match with Goldberg at WrestleMania XX.

Credit: PWInsider.com, PuroresuPower.com

[Ragone]

Looks like Brock lesnar was the next big bust :)

[TLK]

over/under on his next WWF(e) appearance: April 2005

[haji1]

I know Brock from high school and my best friend in college married his cousin Dawn. He came to the wedding, this was before his college career took off, and he wasn't that big, but he was a stud athlete and he had the frame. I have seen him several times over the years and you could just see him fill out over time and watch the transformation.

Anyway, Brock really does not care for wrestling professionally at all. If he could not do it and earn a living he would do it. But the money is such a pull on him. His family is very down to earth and would be happy if he just moved back to the area, but Brock feels an obligation to them. He has the ability, he can do it, so why not if it helps provide for his family. I don't know what Brock will do, but he is very conflicted about the whole thing.

One last thing, Brock is not juiced up. He is just a workout warrior. I guarantee you his family would kick his ass if he ever did roids, and there is enough Lesner's to do it. The whole family is athletic and tough as nails, cousins, uncles, aunts.

I just hope that Brock does what is best for him, whatever it is.

[MacroGuru]

I know Brock from high school and my best friend in college married his cousin Dawn. He came to the wedding, this was before his college career took off, and he wasn't that big, but he was a stud athlete and he had the frame. I have seen him several times over the years and you could just see him fill out over time and watch the transformation.

Anyway, Brock really does not care for wrestling professionally at all. If he could not do it and earn a living he would do it. But the money is such a pull on him. His family is very down to earth and would be happy if he just moved back to the area, but Brock feels an obligation to them. He has the ability, he can do it, so why not if it helps provide for his family. I don't know what Brock will do, but he is very conflicted about the whole thing.

One last thing, Brock is not juiced up. He is just a workout warrior. I guarantee you his family would kick his ass if he ever did roids, and there is enough Lesner's to do it. The whole family is athletic and tough as nails, cousins, uncles, aunts.

I just hope that Brock does what is best for him, whatever it is.
I remember reading a press release a while ago...didn't he hurt himself in a motorcycle accident while trying to get on the Vikings team, he was doing well, but this ruined his chances at the NFL.

[sovereignstar]

I remember reading a press release a while ago...didn't he hurt himself in a motorcycle accident while trying to get on the Vikings team, he was doing well, but this ruined his chances at the NFL.

He signed with the Vikes in July - the bike accident was in April. It had no impact on his chances.

[moriarty]

Heh. Looks like Brock is heading back to wrestling.

hxxp://www.411mania.com/wrestling/news/newsboard.php?news_id=10902

So where is he going?

New Japan Pro Wrestling's Antonio Inoki has announced that Brock Lesnar will be a special guest at the promotion's Tokyo Dome event this weekend.

If he does appear, it would be Lesnar's first wrestling appearance since his match with Goldberg at WrestleMania XX.

Credit: PWInsider.com, PuroresuPower.com

Which event are they referring to? There's the huge Pride Fighting Championsihps this weekend (New Years Eve) which is the mixed martial arts competition and I thought at the Tokyo Dome. A lot of legit wrestlers make the jump to this legit competition. Rulon Garner (of Olympic fame) has his first match Friday. Wonder if Brock is going to take a shot at MMA?

[JonInMiddleGA]

Which event are they referring to? There's the huge Pride Fighting Championsihps this weekend (New Years Eve) which is the mixed martial arts competition and I thought at the Tokyo Dome.

I had to look it up because I don't follow Pride much, but the 12/31 event is at the Saitama Super Arena. NJPW has a Tokyo Dome show scheduled for 1/4, I suspect that's the one that's mentioned here. Card includes Liger v Kanemoto, Tanahashi v Nakamura (U-30 title), 3-way dance with Choshu/Chono/Tenzan, and from AJPW Nishimura v Kojima.

[rkmsuf]

I'd go just to see the Super Terrific Arena.

[moriarty]

I'd go just to see the Super Terrific Arena.

I'd probably avoid the 3-way dance with Choshu/Chono/Tenzan though.

[rkmsuf]

I'd probably avoid the 3-way dance with Choshu/Chono/Tenzan though.

I'm guessing that would be banned by the FCC over here.

[TLK]

<!--StartFragment -->
Brock Lesnar's lawsuit against WWE claims that they are preventing him from working in his chosen field due to a no compete clause he signed last year shortly after WrestleMania. He decided he did not want to wrestle in WWE anymore because he didn't like the travel and wanted to pursue a dream of playing in the NFL.

He did make the preseason squad for the Minnesota Vikings, but ended up being cut before the season. He was not retained on the practice squad.

His no compete clause prevents him from working for any competitor, including other pro wrestling or professional fighting (i.e. UFC, Pride) organizations worldwide for the duration of the WWE contract he signed less than a year before asking for a release. That expiration date is June 30, 2010.

WWE sources indicate that Lesnar was making "ridiculous" demands regarding the terms of a return to WWE when he began calling them showing interest in returning in the last few months. WWE agreed to let Lesnar out of his contract because he was willing to sign a no compete, promising not to take the star power and equity WWE had given him through all of the TV time and wins over established names and help a competitor.

WWE's no compete clause includes the entire world, not just the U.S., because a competitor in Japan or any of the other countries WWE runs live events could use Lesnar to draw fans at a non-WWE event.

credit: PW Torch


How stupid do you have to be, to sign a six year no compete clause?

[Joe]

How stupid do you have to be, to sign a six year no compete clause?

depends how much they paid him to sign it.

[Franklinnoble]

He should talk to Brian Bosworth about a career in movies.

[Sun Tzu]

A no compete clause is a very common thing in the wrestling industry actualy.

[Anthony]

after investing so much into Brock i would think they'd want to prevent a rival league from reaping the rewards of using his likeness at their expense. that sucks for him, he probably should have surrounded himself with better advisors.

[General Mike]

A no compete clause is a very common thing in the wrestling industry actualy.

Yeah, but not a 6 year no compete clause. What was Brock thinking?

[duckman]

Brock Lesnar's lawsuit against WWE claims that they are preventing him from working in his chosen field due to a no compete clause he signed last year shortly after WrestleMania.
The first line is the most important indicator to why I think Brock will win this case. You can't deny someone from working in his chosen career especially for such a long time without some kind of compensation.

[albionmoonlight]

The first line is the most important indicator to why I think Brock will win this case. You can't deny someone from working in his chosen career especially for such a long time without some kind of compensation.
I have no idea what the details of the situation are, but it could be that the "compensation" was letting him out of the contract in the first place and or some other cash as part of the settlement.

Look at it from WWE's perspective. This was an employment contract--much more like a MLB contract than an NFL contract. WWE was obligating itself to pay Lesnar through 2010. If he began to suck or just not draw fan interest, they still would have had to pay him. Even if they "cut" him, they still would have to pay him. They took a risk in this contract.

In exchange, he agreed to work for them until 2010 and agreed not to work for a competing company. He took a risk as well. There is no way to really force him to actually work for them, but they certainly can force him to live up to the second part of the agreement--especailly if he reaffirmed it upon leaving.

What he needed was a better agent.

[digamma]

Yeah, but not a 6 year no compete clause. What was Brock thinking?
FWIW, a six year non-compete is probably unenforceable (typically states limit the length of allowable non-competes and six years would seem to be on the outer limits for most states), but if the WWE lawyers are worth their salt, they put in a clause that says, in effect, six years or the maximum amount of time permitted by state law.

[Chubby]

I thought the no compete clause came with him getting out of his contract and that it wasn't part of the initial deal?

[albionmoonlight]

I thought the no compete clause came with him getting out of his contract and that it wasn't part of the initial deal?
I am sure that one of the provisions of his employment contract is that he would not compete in other promotions while working for the WWE.

When he left, I gather that there was a new agreement that superceded the old agreement.

I was just pointing out why a non-compete clause that goes for the length of the initial contract is not on its face unreasonable.

[Neon_Chaos]

The first line is the most important indicator to why I think Brock will win this case. You can't deny someone from working in his chosen career especially for such a long time without some kind of compensation.

From what I've gathered, Brock was all set to leave the wrestling business. He was on the high and mighty road to the NFl, that's why he signed the damn no-compete clause the WWE gave him before he left. The 6 year clause was part of the deal that allowed him to bail out of the contract that the WWE gave him.

It was to safeguard the WWE from Brock jumping out and taking what the WWE had invested in him into some other sports-entertainment venture.

Brock probably didn't bank on being back in wrestling... unfortunately for him, the NFL was a much TOUGHER place. ;)

[Flasch186]

If vince was smart he'd welcome him back with open arms......and listen to me about how to write a story.

[albionmoonlight]

and listen to me about how to write a story.I'm not really into fan fiction, but it pains me to think about how much better I could have written the Invasion angle than WWE did.

(I know that that's not saying much because of how amazingly badly they handled the "invasion," but it still pains me).

[Flasch186]

its amazing to me how simple it is to write a story mechanically (3 parts or more if its rolling, character arcing, betrayal over time, emotional vulnerability) yet they blow it consistently. And if they use the excuse of an injury could happen (like some of you say) I say phooey!! When HHH tore his quad they just built that into the story whih they could do on almost any injury...You roll with it and let the story develop over time and the audience will be so engrossed that when they turn comes they actually will care that the face went heel or vice versa.