Eric Bischoff
Interview with Eric Bischoff
by Phil Speer
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- July 15, 2002 -- Pick your word to describe Eric Bischoff's appearance on RAW -- shocking, stunning, astonishing. Because Bischoff didn't hang around the backstage area during the day, the World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars were just as surprised as everyone else was when he appeared. He didn't even get a chance to mingle with old friends until after the show had concluded. At that time, Bischoff took time out to chat with WWE.com.
WWE.com: Can you just talk a little bit about how this came about?
Bischoff: We've been talking unofficially through third parties for almost a year now. We've come close to doing something a couple of times, but for a variety of reasons it's just never worked out. About a month or two ago, we'd gotten a little bit more serious in our conversations, and I got a chance to talk directly to Vince (McMahon). I think we were able to break a lot of ice, just over the phone. Once we did that, it just seemed like it was much easier to move forward and get a deal done for sure. Really, this just came together within the last week or 10 days.
WWE.com: What was it like walking through the TitanTron and down the WWE ramp? What was it like holding a WWE microphone in your hand?
Bischoff: It was different. It was really different, for a whole variety of reasons. I just never thought that the opportunity would be there (or that) the timing would be right. And let's face it: There's a lot of bad blood. There's a lot of history, and not all of it good, between Vince and myself, and between myself and a number of other people in this company. So to actually do it, and to come here and to meet Vince really for the first time in 11 years, all the while I'm 30 seconds away from walking out in front of an arena full of people, was a very different feeling and sensation. It was adrenaline, it was a little nervousness, and it was a lot of excitement.
WWE.com: Did you hear reaction of the crowd when you first popped on the screen with Booker T?
Bischoff: Yeah.
WWE.com: So that must have been kind of cool.
Bischoff: Yeah. It was very cool. It was reassuring. Because I'll tell you the truth, I've been off television for a long time. It's been three years since I've been on television, and you always wonder, how are they going to react? How are they going to remember me? Do I look the same to them? How do they feel about me?
The worst thing in the world in this business is for the audience to just not really care that much. I don't mind if they love me or if they hate me, as long as they feel strongly one way or the other. And it was apparent that they did. So it really was reassuring. And so when I walked out there live, I kind of knew what to expect. It was great.
WWE.com: What have you been up to since wrestling fans saw you last?
Bischoff: I've actually got quite a bit going on. Currently I'm working with Mark Burnett, the guy who created "Survivor," and we're developing a reality show that's based on martial arts. I'm doing a couple of other deals with other networks for sports and entertainment type properties and different reality shows. I've got about three or four different projects that I'm working on in Hollywood.
WWE.com: What time did you get to the building today?
Bischoff: I actually got to the building about a quarter to nine this evening. I hid in a limo out in the parking lot.
WWE.com: Are you anticipating any standoffishness backstage? How are you going to deal with that if it comes about?
Bischoff: People are people. We're all human. There are some people here who I sense are genuinely happy to see me here, and there are others who have some misgivings. And that's only natural. But the way I feel about it is, I'm here to work hard. I'm here to contribute. And hopefully the rest of history, both good and bad, will take care of itself.
WWE.com: How much do you know about your role? Are you going to have any say over the creative direction of the company? Or are you strictly an on-camera talent?
Bischoff: No, I'm an on-camera talent. If the opportunity ever comes up, or if anybody ever asks an opinion, I'm happy to give it. But that's not really what I'm here for. I'm here to play a character and play a role.
WWE.com: Are there guys that you're particularly looking forward to working with?
Bischoff: There are a lot of them here, actually. There are the obvious ones: obviously, The Rock has turned into such a phenomenon. There's a lot of veterans here that I've never had a chance to work with, including the Undertaker. The guy's just a wealth of knowledge. There's a lot of talent here that I've never had a chance to work with, and I'm looking forward to it.
WWE.com: Anything you want to add?
Bischoff: No, not really. I'm just going to take it one day at a time, and hope that it works for everybody, and hope that it stays fun.
Superstars react to ‘The Bisch’
by Matt Duda
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. – July 15, 2002 – Veteran World Wrestling Entertainment Superstars have seen just about every plot twist imaginable, but a lot of jaws still gaped open backstage as Vince McMahon and Eric Bischoff hugged beneath the TitanTron at the Continental Airlines Arena.
Since Bischoff arrived at the arena mere moments before he appeared on RAW, nearly everyone backstage Monday had no idea that the controversial former head of Ted Turner’s WCW was about to make his WWE debut. Although several WWE Superstars and staff members declined to comment on their new co-worker, many offered WWE.com a wide array of opinions, ranging from shock and wariness to excitement and hopefulness.
Triple H
I hope he doesn’t run us out of business too. His stuff was very innovative,
right up until the point he went out of business. It’s got people talking.
That’s good for business. A lot of people are talking. Believe me, he starts
to screw up our product and I’ll be the first one to kick his ass.
D’Lo Brown
It’s a big shock… right now it’s an indifferent shock. It’s
a let’s-wait-and-see shock. I’m almost speechless, and for me to be
speechless is really something.
Matt Hardy
I think it could lead to some interesting possibilities. But when he came out
and talked about the past history between WCW and WWE, it just felt like when
the nWo re-debuted here. I feel like we can bring him in as a character, but
instead of continually mentioning about the past, I think we need to worry about
the future. A lot of that seemed like in the past to me. Personally, I don’t
know him. I’ve never met him. I can’t say anything about him.
Bubba Ray Dudley
If he’s here to help RAW and the WWE product, then great. If he can’t,
then go home. Everybody needs to really step up to the plate, and that includes
wrestlers, writers, Eric Bischoff, everybody. It’s all for one common good:
put out a great product for the fans.
William Regal
I think it’s very good. I have no grief with him. He always looked after
me when I was a mess and I was screwed up. He got rid of me once and it was
the right thing to do. I realize that now. When I came out of rehab and I needed
a job, he was the first one to call me and offer me a job. He was always good
to me. As far as being on the show, I think it’s great. He’s a heat-getting
guy. If done right, it’s definitely intriguing. He’s an amazing heat-getting
guy.
DDP
Never say never. That’s the first thing I thought when I saw him out there.
Say what you want to say, but he’s a friend of mine. He always has been.
The bottom line is he brings a real buzz to what’s happening. I know that
he enjoys being there. He’s already called me and told me about it. This
guy’s got heat no matter where he goes. He knows that. He had it when he
was running the company. But he’s real tough. And I already see the chemistry
between he and Vince. They can draw real money together I think. You couldn’t
have written the built-in story that they’ve got. Hopefully everything
will work out.
Gene Okerlund
I think it’s great to see him. I’m sure he can contribute. He’s
a bright piece of talent, and that shouldn’t be confused with whether or
not he was good at running WCW. He’s still very credible on the air. I
think it’s a positive addition to our talent roster.
Howard Finkel
I’ve seen a lot over my nearly 25 years in the company and nothing surprises
me. But this one just took the wind out of my sails. We’ll see what happens.
That’s all I have to say.
Booker T
One thing about Eric, he’s always innovative. He always came up with a
lot of good ideas. All of them weren’t great. But he did invest a lot of
time in me as far as keeping me around and making sure I was taken care of in
a certain way. As far as Eric Bischoff goes, I think he’ll add a lot more
intrigue to the show now as far as showing people more of an authority figure,
something that he’s been in a position of before. I think it’ll be
good for TV because as you know ratings were at an all-time high when it was
WWE vs. WCW. I think it’s going to be a good thing, to be honest. Plus,
Eric Bischoff said he’ll make me a rich man, and that I am.
Shawn Stasiak
It doesn’t surprise me. It’s the wrestling business. I think it’ll
make people more interested in our shows. You don’t have to get along with
everyone. It’s business; that’s the bottom line.
John Laurinaitis
I’m excited. I’ve worked with Eric before in WCW. He had a lot of
good ideas. I think there’s going to be good chemistry between Vince and
Eric, and hopefully there’ll be good chemistry between Eric and the talent.
Raven
I’ve always gotten along with him. He paid me a lot of money when I worked
in WCW before. I have no complaints.
Bradshaw
I’ve always thought what goes around comes around. Honestly, I don’t
know him. I don’t have an opinion. If he helps our product, then that’s
good.
But the son of a bitch tried to run us out of business, he messed with every one of our livelihoods, and now he’s here. If he can help us now, that’s fine. But we’re dancing with the devil.
Paul Heyman
What a f***ing business, huh?!