Eddie in 2004

Hey Scott,


I’ve been watching some old Smackdowns from 2004 and Eddie seems to have been really over back then. What do you think the reason was behind taking the belt off him so soon? Was there a ratings/buyrate problem? Was he considered too much of a risk a​s​
champion?

And while we’re at it, have they ever considered putting the title back on him (and one more "while we’re at it", any truth to the rumor that he was supposed to win the title on the week of his death?)

Thanks in advance!

​They liked him just fine as champion, but he wasn’t doing well physically or mentally by that point and the stress of having the belt was too much for him. Eddie was actually completely broken down by that point, which is amazing considering the quality of matches he was still able to put on. There was a very real fear, mostly from Eddie, that something terrible would happen if they forced him to continue as champion, so they took it off him right away at his request. ​

​And I believe the rumor about him winning the title back was debunked. It was talked about, but was never actually in the plans. ​