WWE booked Lesnar all wrong

[Justin Satiable]

I thought this wasn't quite far back enough to be considered "old-school" so this forum seemed appropriate.

I was just thinking (and watching The Ultimate Fighter 13) and I got thinking about Brock Lesnar's WWE career. He debuted in impressive fashion, blew up incredibly quickly, became King Of The Ring, won the WWE Championship, won the Royal Rumble, headlined Wrestlemania... and then it dawned on me. I'd always hated how Brock Lesnar had left WWE, but just now it kinda hit home.

Why would he stay?

They dropped Brock off at the top of mountain, and seemed to think he'd simply stand there, occasionally lose his footing, and not want to come down. This, I think, was foolish on WWE's part. Brock's push was orchestrated right in the sense that he was a credible monster champion, both heel and face, but what did they really leave Brock to do? Brock was/is an incredible athlete, but why give him everything so fast?

When you look at superstars like the recently-retired Edge, and the late great Eddie Guerrero, they worked years and years and worked their asses off, fighting through injury after injury to earn the right to be called WWE Champion. Due to that fact, it meant more to them, and they were willing to wait as long as it took to hold that title with their name printed in bold letters on the front again once they'd lost it.

Now when we look at Brock Lesnar, we see that not only was he launched into the title scene at a ferocious pace, but he also earned the WWE title almost immediately. Sure, it feels good to be the best at a sport, but when it's not real, what's the point? When you've been dedicated to being a performer your whole life, and you're rewarded with your time of being called "the best" it must feel good, but when you have an athlete like Brock Lesnar, why should he care about earning the accolade again? They gave it to him so soon that he didn't have time to really respect its prestige, and didn't make him work any real length of time to earn it. Not only did he become champion, he also headlined Mania, became KOTR, and won the Royal Rumble. What else is there to do?

I've ranted a lot, but bear with me, this is the end. I have no disrespect for Brock now, and I know it was his decision to leave, but here's some questions as a reply guideline.

Why should Brock want to stay at something he was instantly the best at, when it's scripted?
Why couldn't they try to insight the wisdom and respect of the business into him first?
Do you think it was a bad move by WWE to clusterfuck Brock with accolades so quickly?
Do you think that many other people would have left so soon if everything they could have wanted to achieve in WWE was achieved this quickly?

(This was quite probably my longest post ever. I'm sorta proud. Time to get grilled for being stupid. Ah well.)

 

[Loveless]

Why should Brock want to stay at something he was instantly the best at, when it's scripted?

You either do it because you love it or you do it because of money. The first didn't apply and there was bigger money available elsewhere.

Why couldn't they try to insight the wisdom and respect of the business into him first?

You can't impart that into anyone. You either love the business and are able to handle it or you can't. I'm fairly confident most people wouldn't be able to handle the schedule.

Do you think it was a bad move by WWE to clusterfuck Brock with accolades so quickly?

I really don't think it would have mattered. The accolades would still be scripted and largely worthless, he still would have gotten better money elsewhere, he still would have hated the travelling. I think he would have left at the same time anyway so maybe the WWE made the most of him while he was there.

Do you think that many other people would have left so soon if everything they could have wanted to achieve in WWE was achieved this quickly?

Not many. Pretty much every wrestler who has reached that level had worked at it with the WWE in mind for years and had gone through independants, training camps and been used to being on the road for so long. Brock was unique in that he managed to skip all the hard work before you get to the big show.

 

[whoopin' ass]

i agree. the biggest problem that the wwe has is that they push people to make them look like they are unbeatable but then they need them to lose. angle is a perfect example - he is a wrestling machine, how do you not make him champ but yet how do you have him lose in a way that is believeable. with brock, at least there was kurt and they did do the feud between them but otherwise, he pretty much would have had to dominate like cena does today and i think people would have lost interest in him.

 

[TUFFY54]

You make some good points, but I think it all comes down to Brock not wanting to be a pro wrestler.

Many other people have had huge success quickly.

Hulk Hogan won the title almost immediatly after comming back to the WWF in 84.

Nash won the title in a little over a year.

Angle won the title his rookie year.

Big Show won the title his rookie year in the WWE.

Warrior won the title in under two years.

Kane won the title in about 6 months.

Taker won the title in one year.

Brock simply didn't want to the a pro wrestler. If Brock had been say 3 years older he wouldn't have left the WWE. It just happened that 2004 was when the UFC really took off and thats when his contract was up. He also hated the travel.

He walked away from a 7 year 3 million a year contract. Brock was great, but he just didn't want to be a pro wrestler anymore.

 

[EStreet]

It is all scripted and therefore the push of Brock was scripted. He had physical gifts and athleticism that is required to be a great champion. However, his push was given in the same way that new stars are pushed today. Brock was billed as the Next Big Thing and it worked and got him over very quickly. It actually worked so well that it built his name in the fighting community and he was a perfect candidate to become a big thing in the MMA world.

I agree with the comment that if he was interjected in this same fashion in 2001/2 he would have stuck around. He was an interesting guy in terms of era because he was at the very very tail end of "Attitude" and had been booked as that next bad ass - ala Goldberg.

Its fitting that him and Goldberg left in the way they did, an irrelevant match that got boo'd with both guys getting stunned by a real wrestling legend. Goldberg last longer and had more staying power but he was also an athlete who crossed into professional wrestling. Stone Cold was the classic wrestler who busted his ass without the athleticism of these guys but he worked the business and grinded and battled. To some extent Goldberg did this (while w/ WCW), but both guys to me were always outsiders in an insider business.

 

[Azane]

the only thing WWE failed at from a booking perspective is making him the next face of the company. They put so many eggs into his basket, that it was a real blow to see him go after one of the most amazing years in history. All the build and such was wasted after he showed no passion for the business.

I would argue that Brocks UFC success is a little free advertisement for WWE, but that's a whole nother topic entire.

 

[trinerigelado]

Why would he stay when makes more money in the UFC in a year than any wretler in the WWE does in a year?

Why would be an actor when he wants to compete legit?

Why would he stay when originally signed because he would make decent money at a time when only a handful of guys were making any real money at mma? He's on record saying he didn't go straight into MMA because he would have been stuck fighting in local shows for a couple hundred bucks at the time.

He actually would have been on the main roster sooner if not for vince buying WCW.

The reason why 90% of pro wrestlers are doing pro wrestling is because they can't be competitive in a real sport where they can make good money at.

 

[bigbootydaddyV]

Why should Brock want to stay at something he was instantly the best at, when it's scripted?

why wouldn't he? the money is better, it may be scripted but being pushed that fast means someone appreciates your talent. If anything, he'd have left a lot sooner had he not been pushed so hard. If he left because he hated the schedule can you imagine doing the same schedule with less money, prestige, and appreciation. Look at Kaval for instance, he'd have stuck around if he was tossed into the main event scene and given titles rather than pissed away.



Why couldn't they try to insight the wisdom and respect of the business into him first?

Didn't they recruit him? It'd be different if he wanted to join them first, they probably wanted him in as soon as possible or risk him doing something else with his life. Either way, it wasn't a lack of appreciation for the business in general that got to him, it was working for vince as he was on the road damn near every day of the year.


Do you think it was a bad move by WWE to clusterfuck Brock with accolades so quickly?

No, he succeeded as champ, was a huge draw and made for some amazing matches/moments. The only thing that screwed it up was the long schedule, if it wasn't as rough he'd have stayed longer and still been an impact player.

Do you think that many other people would have left so soon if everything they could have wanted to achieve in WWE was achieved this quickly?

No, I don't think ppl who love wrestling would quit just because they did it all... the only reasons to quit are you have to, you can make more money elsewhere, or you just don't like it. Brock had 2 out of 3, most guys only need 1, can't be too surprised he left.

 

[bigbootydaddyV]

It is all scripted and therefore the push of Brock was scripted. He had physical gifts and athleticism that is required to be a great champion. However, his push was given in the same way that new stars are pushed today. Brock was billed as the Next Big Thing and it worked and got him over very quickly. It actually worked so well that it built his name in the fighting community and he was a perfect candidate to become a big thing in the MMA world.

I agree with the comment that if he was interjected in this same fashion in 2001/2 he would have stuck around. He was an interesting guy in terms of era because he was at the very very tail end of "Attitude" and had been booked as that next bad ass - ala Goldberg.

Its fitting that him and Goldberg left in the way they did, an irrelevant match that got boo'd with both guys getting stunned by a real wrestling legend. Goldberg last longer and had more staying power but he was also an athlete who crossed into professional wrestling. Stone Cold was the classic wrestler who busted his ass without the athleticism of these guys but he worked the business and grinded and battled. To some extent Goldberg did this (while w/ WCW), but both guys to me were always outsiders in an insider business.

that's a good point about him and Goldberg... though I don't think he busted his ass and grinded at all... he just had a huge pay check in wcw so he'd stick around with anything. I think there is something to be learned from these 2 guys, when there is a real legitimate athlete willing to try his hand at pro wrestling and can be successful (since some guys look terrible in the ring like pacman) it is best to strike while the iron is hot but also to position them in a way to make only short term gains since odds are they will not be around for the long haul (the exception being kurt angle)

 

[MachoMadness8894]

I agree with every point you said there

but look at Sheamus, he won the WWE title very quick when he came on to the scene, beating todays Hulk Hogan, I think WWE saw what happened with Brock in Sheamus, thats why he seems almost irrelevant now

 

[Prince Punk]

Yes and no to all of the above.

Brock was young and given it all.. But not really. He had not gone up against the biggest names just a few. He was not in a situation like the Rock. Brock was a main event player. The Rock WAS the main event. The Rock left to go explore other avenues and let others step up and let the business evolve and grow. Brock left and created a hole. Brock still had people to feud with. He still had miles to go. HOWEVER he did not like the road. As when he left he tried out for the vikings got cut. started wrestling in japan and then went over to the UFC. Funny thing about all of this though is that it was obviously not a care for his body that he was concerned about as Football and UFC are both more dangerous than Wrestling.. However he is smart.

He dominated the wrestling ring. so if there is a time he can't compete for the big bucks in the UFC, WWE would HAPPILY take him back. Brock is smart. He tried something got paid. Went on to do what he Really wanted to do.

 

[EastCoastFan]

Did WWE make a mistake by pushing Brock Lesnar too much too soon? In Brock's case, no. Brock had a great look and a legit amateur athletic background (NCAA Hwt. Champ). WWE had big plans for him that included him being one of their top guys for several years. He could have been an all-time great and at least a 10-time world champion if he wanted to.

The problem was he didn't want to. He just couldn't handle the grind that goes with being a WWF/E superstar. That job isn't a glamour detail. They have to constantly travel from city to city, keep their bodies in shape AND put it all on the line, banging themselves up in the ring. It takes its toll on a person. In the end, he just didn't have the undying love for the business that a Shawn Michaels or a John Cena has.

Brock had a LOT of time left on his contract (I think he was originally signed to a 10 year deal). He tried the NFL, but got cut during the pre-season, and it took a lot of litigation for him to be able to wrestle in Japan. Then UFC/MMA came knocking. He found he was good at it, and could make a LOT more money without the constant travel that goes with WWE. It was win-win for him.

Everything WWE did with him was with the expectation that he'd be around for 10 years. If they had known he'd want out after only two, they would have played it differently with him.

 

[SickJames]

They shouldnt have pushed him so quickly I never liked that or him, I was cool about him later but always hated his insta-push

but to say why would anyone stay when they're best a something scripted, how can u ask why? if you love something you crave it, you want to do it forever you dont quit look at HBK, HHH, Rock, Austin, Y2J these guys keep goin, comin back, go off do good for the company elsewhere and bring in more casual fans, but they dont just say fuck it and run

I mean thats like being married and after 2 years saying, well i've had this pussy several times over and made her cum on many occassions, i'm ready to conquer another woman's vagina now. you dont do that if you love her. Brock's issue was that, he didnt commit, HHH married the business, Brock stuck his dick in and just when kids popped out and became glorious moments for him he tucked his tail and ran away leaving the WWE with the mess and not wanting to pay child support on the wasted time they invested in him.

 

[SinCityBlitz]

Why would he stay when makes more money in the UFC in a year than any wretler in the WWE does in a year?

Why would be an actor when he wants to compete legit?

Why would he stay when originally signed because he would make decent money at a time when only a handful of guys were making any real money at mma? He's on record saying he didn't go straight into MMA because he would have been stuck fighting in local shows for a couple hundred bucks at the time.

He actually would have been on the main roster sooner if not for vince buying WCW.

The reason why 90% of pro wrestlers are doing pro wrestling is because they can't be competitive in a real sport where they can make good money at.

You apparently have no idea how much the UFC guys make. Brock made more in his first year of WWE than he has made in any year in UFC. UFC guys are majorly ripped off by Dana White.

Anyway Brock made $5.3 million for 2010. In WWE he made $3 million salary. Throw in PPV bonuses and merchandise he would crush $5.3 million.

Brock Lesner had no love for the business. Hell he has no love for UFC. The only thing he cares about is making easy money. I know UFC is not exactly easy but being a pro wrestler is a helluva lot harder. In another year or two when he's done with UFC he will come crawling back again.

I don't think he was booked wrong at all. The only way to get him over quickly was to push him as a monster. It worked because Brock took off quickly but they had no way of knowing that he didn't have the heart for it. But with a guy like Brock you HAVE to take the chance. Because if it works you have a major superstar for years.

 

[Cena's #1 In My Heart]

All a guy needs to tell you is.. IT WAS REALISTIC.

Brock went to the UFC.. dominated and won the World Title in pretty quick fashion. So kudos to WWE for pushing him so hard.

Why would Brock be losing to people like Edge? Whole different level...

 

[GrandSword]

I don't agree with you OP.

They did the exact same thing with Cena if you think about it. His first ppv he beat Jericho. He faced Angle in his first match and was booked to team with Taker. Cena has been in the Main Event for the last 6 + years. If Cena could be booked like that and be successful so could Lesnar. He just decided to leave due to him not handling the travel etc.

 

[BASSER911414]

for all of u guys who keep saying brock dominated the ufc

plz stick to wwe...

look at brocks record 5 wins 2 losses. just 7 matches... tht hardly qualifies as a dominant record. he beat big names like frank mir shane carwin and randy couture but those r just a few out of the many heavyweights he has yet to fight.

back to the topic I agree tht lesnar was given everything too quickly. sheamus was made champ aftr a few months but he was just made champ. not king of the ring and royal rumble winner. and the two big names he beat were hhh and cena. brock beat EVERYONE. rock, taker, angle, big show, cena, edge, rvd, the hardyz, benoit, mysterio and put up a feud with goldberg. all in a period of two years.

and i also believe tht had lesnar not been given everythng so readily he wud have stayed for more accolades before eventually retiring

 

[GameOver]

Brock screwed Brock. he couldn't hack the pressure and schedule that countless others live with year after year, so he went to try out for Footbal and failed.

WWE gave everything to him on a silver plater, everyone dropped what they were doing to get him over. and how did he repay them?
oh now i'm a household name i don't wanna play anymore i'm going home.

Sure the schedule etc. isn't for everyone but if he had an issue don't you think he shoulda spoken up earlier.

Goldberg didn't want to return either, he was done when WCW folded but Vince convinced him to come back once his WCW contract payments finally finished years after WCW was purchased.
He lost interest and only stuck around for a year or 2 b4 quitting wrestling altogether and going off to do BullRun and other TV shows.

 

[KoC417]

Brock Lesnar was put on this earth to be a UFC fighter. He is a natural born WRESTLER learning/developing an impressive stand-up game and working to perfect his ground game. Listening to all of his interviews he absolutely hated moving around constantly. Now he gets paid what was it 5MILLION DOLLARS (according to Yahoo I believe it was) to be in the UFC. Imagine that. He's making a ton of money doing what he actually enjoys doing. He wasn't happy in the WWE so he left.

Was WWE wrong for pushing him so far so fast? Absolutely not. They wanted Brock to stay so they figured giving him all that stuff (KoTR, Royal Rumble etc etc) might keep him around. The money was good too I'm sure. Why did they give him everything so fast? Because they wanted to push him as a monster. What did they leave left for Brock to do? Become one of the most dominant wrestlers, become one of the most hated WWE heels in recent memory.
WWE did the booking the correct way. They billed him as a BIG thing, had him dominate for a long time, got beat, got screwed, chased the title like a mad man, made a massive heel turn and became one of the most hated guys in the WWE. The fans were chanting for him to leave at WM20 (and for Goldberg to get lost too I bet). Even the fans could sense Brock didn't want to be in the WWE where it's fake. Yes the moves require athleticism but it's not on the level of the UFC.
Brock wanted to get into some serious competition. He failed at getting in the NFL, but has since succeeded majorly in the UFC.

Everything the WWE did with Brock was done absolutely right.

 

[multiverseman.com]

No. I have never and will never agree with the booking philosophy of making someone "earn" their push. That's like watching how hard an actor works at learning his lines before you give their character a good storyline. It's ridiculous. Brock came, did his thing, and now he's gone. They were better off for having had him, not worse off.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Brock Lesnar left because, quite frankly, he didn't love pro wrestling. In numerous interviews he's given, when asked why he left the WWE, Lesnar has stated that he hated the schedule. The WWE's extensive touring schedule kicked Brock Lesnar's ass.

Lesnar had a misconception a lot of people have about wrestling. People think that pro wrestling is all fun and games, that it's a walk in the park where there's easy money to be made. Lesnar found out the hard way, after he got there, that's not what working for the WWE is like at all. Lesnar was making big money in the WWE but in order to make that big money, you have to be willing to work your ass off on the road for the vast majority of the year. You wanna make a few million bucks a year in WWE? Then you've got to be willing to be out on the road 300+ days out of the year. You have to be willing to work through sprained ankles, pulled/torn muscles, bruised/broken bones, general fatigue, etc. if you want the perks that come from being a huge star in the WWE.

 

[harrythem]

Well Austin had started to fall apart (physically and mentally) and couldn't be counted on to main event. The Rock was going part-time (and clearly on his way out) and Triple H was consistently injured. The WWE had a real lack of main event level talent then (possibly even more so then now) so it made perfect sense to rocket someone to the heights they sent him too, especially with the fact it actually worked.

It's just a shame that, outside of Batista and Cena, no-one seems to be getting that consistent main event level push anymore (and Orton doesn't count due to the time he went face and went back to the mid-card)