There was a shortage of really good technical wrestlers in the WWF in 1990, but Rick Rude was one of the best. During Hulk Hogan's absence, it was on Rude and The Ultimate Warrior to carry the WWF with the main event program throughout the summer. By the end of the year, however, Rude was out of the WWF and in WCW. How did Rude go from the main event to the competition? The story seems to be that Rude left on his own. However, he was actually released from his contract. Rude was hurt with a neck injury, and wasn't wrestling on shows. However, WWF was still advertising Rude as appearing on house shows, and were replacing him on the night of the show (playing the "Card Subject to Change" angle). Rude felt that he should still have gotten a portion of the gate, but Vince never paid wrestlers who didn't wrestle. This led to an impasse, and Rude's contract was allowed to expire in 1991. Interestingly, Rick Rude mentioned the WWF, as well as being the Intercontinental Champion, on WCW television in 1992. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwtwFub2q5I
