A BADSTREET
PERSPECTIVE ON THE BROCK LESNAR SITUATION
by Dave Whitaker
Well, well, what a mess we have here. Brock Lesnar, a WWE original
creation and one of Vince McMahons favorites, is upset with the
company. It seems as if Brock is angry that he is going to be fed
to the Undertaker after Wrestlemania. Hes also mad about having to
face Hardcore Holly on the last WWE tour of South Africa, and his
push down the card, not to mention the WWEs travel schedule. There
are several angles to this story, ironies, and other things which
need to be at least touched on.
I think the most important thing to ask is if Brock Lesnar has a
point in his gripes. To that, Id say for the most part, yes. Brock
Lesnar had been built up as a monster. He got a job over Hulk
Hogan, as well as the Undertaker. Hes been in some of WWEs
biggest matches. Hes given it 100 percent each time hes gone out
there. When you consider that, plus the fact that Hardcore Holly is
a midcarder, why is someone who could be the future of WWE being
treated like a jobber? While Lesnar isnt the first wrestler to
have his push scaled back suddenly (Kurt Angle comes to mind), he
is certainly justified in being angry about it.
Its also puzzling why WWE wants to feed Lesnar to Undertaker.
Payback perhaps for the jobs Lesnar got over Taker while he was
doing the biker gimmick? While its understandable that Vince
McMahon wants to allow Undertaker to go out in a blaze of glory
because of the loyalty he has shown, why sacrifice your young
stars? Especially one who could probably carry the SD brand if not
all of WWE for months as champion if needed. How will Brock Lesnar
benefit by having his moves which have put people down be no-sold
by the Undertaker? Regardless of whether its part of the UT
character, Lesnar is being made to look less credible.
The travel schedule I have mixed feelings on. On the one hand,
Lesnar should thank his stars he didnt come up in the 80's. You
had guys driving by car from town to town, on the road 350 days a
year. They risked their own lives and health, and in some cases,
and didnt always get reimbursed for the travel. No chartered jets,
none of the amenities provided for WWE wrestlers. But on the other,
I can understand the frustration of having to do TV tapings and
house shows, then flying across the globe for more shows. All
because Vince McMahon wants to line his pockets with cash, not
considering the physical and emotional toll it takes on the people
he employs.
Theres a rich irony that I must touch on. Brock Lesnar has voiced
his disdain for the Internet in the past. At one point he
threatened to kill anyone he saw talking on the Internet
(something he later apologized for saying.) But its smart marks
whove expressed some of the same things hes saying now. About
Undertakers no-selling hurting the company. About a young talent
being fed to him. About just how dull and unappealing Hardcore
Holly is, all those things are thoughts smart marks have expressed.
Its so ironic that Brock Lesnar is pretty much agreeing with
opinions expressed by people he seems to have very little respect
for.
As to Lesnars career choice, I would say he doesnt know what hes
getting in to. The NFL is a different animal. Yes, size and speed
are important. But skill also matters. Does Lesnar have the skill
needed to play pro football? Can he handle the practices, game
tapes, and possible mocking from teammates because he was a
wrestler? Not all football players are wrestling fans. Can he
handle having someone else with even more control over him than WWE
did? In the NFL, you cant pitch a fit and expect to play, you
cant always do what you want, and get everything your way. While
WWE may be more demanding, Lesnar was given much more freedom than
he will see if he is signed by an NFL team.
There is one thing Lesnar does deserve credit for. He handled his
departure the right way. He didnt pitch a tantrum. He was public,
he shook hands with the management, and expressed appreciation for
the opportunity given. He didnt burn the bridge. I would say then
that if Lesnar decides he wants to come back to WWE, Vince McMahon
would welcome him with open arms.
