15 Things We Learned From Dark Side Of The Ring: Vader
4. He & Yokozuna “Cheated” At Weight Loss Camp
The SummerSlam scenario did irreparable damage to Vader's confidence, but something bigger than locker room drama and wrestlers not getting along was a play. Namely, Leon's long-term physical health. The WWF grew concerned by Vader’s ballooning weight after signing him, and it was the same deal with Yokozuna (who had become one of the heaviest wrestlers of all time).
Looking to help, Vince McMahon sent both men to a weight loss camp at Duke University in North Carolina.
Jim Ross said reports started coming back that both guys were gaining weight, not losing it. That's when workers at Duke did some digging and found out both wrestlers had been sneaking out and smuggling fried chicken into the dorm. JR told Vader: "You’re gonna eat yourself out of a job, man. Act like an adult!”, but there was no going back.
This seems to be generally considered the period when McMahon put a mental red pen through Leon's name. He'd tried to help Vader turn things around and even funded the weight loss camp on his behalf, but White wasn't taking it seriously whatsoever. Helpless, Ross could only report back to his boss what was happening with Vader and Yoko at Duke.
The fact they were actually gaining weight didn't sit well. It was the complete opposite of what they were sent there to do, and the WWF took that as a slap in the face.
Vader was still booked in some strong matches on the undercard after this, but he never came close to righting the perceived wrongs of SummerSlam 1996. In other words, he could kiss any WWF Title aspirations goodbye in years to come. Leon had shown he wasn't reliable.