Former wrestler's lawsuit dismissed June 12, 2006

STAMFORD, Conn. --A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit Monday by a former wrestler who accused World Wrestling Entertainment of unfairly prohibiting him from seeking work elsewhere.

Brock Lesnar, who was billed as "The Next Big Thing," left wrestling in 2004 to pursue a professional football career. After failing to make the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, however, he challenged an agreement he signed with WWE barring him from re-entering professional wrestling.

Last week, attorneys for Lesnar and the WWE asked a judge to dismiss the case. The request did not list any payments Lesnar would receive and said he was responsible for his own attorney fees.

In the lawsuit, Lesnar argued the prohibition was too broad. It restricted him from working in sports entertainment until 2010 and applied to many areas to which a 6-foot-3, nearly 300-pound man might aspire, from wrestling to ultimate fighting.

Messages were left seeking comment from attorneys for Lesnar and the WWE.

In addition, it appears Lesnar has reached a deal with WWE to be part of the revived "ECW" (Extreme Championship Wrestling) brand. For more on that, click the link below.