On the latest episode of 83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff, the former WCW President and co-host Conrad Thompson discussed the WCW career of The Giant, best known to WWE fans as the Big Show. Bischoff, who was at the helm when Paul Wight was brought in, took a deep dive on Show’s early run, and the challenges of booking Big Show in WCW.
Bischoff said that the veterans in the WCW locker room, some of whom are legendary for holding down young talent, were very supportive of Show in his early days. “Everyone was impressed with what he could do athletically, and at how fast he was picking things up in the ring.”
Bischoff admitted, though, that from a creative standpoint, he had a difficult time figuring out exactly what to do with Show’s character, especially early on.
“Even in [his] early matches, he’s in the ring with some of the top guys in the business, because we needed the camouflage. We needed to camouflage that not only was he somewhat inexperienced, or very inexperienced. But also, what do you do with a guy that’s over seven foot tall and 400 pounds?”
Challenges Booking Big Show in WCW
Bischoff continued. “As a character, if you’re going to put him out there every week, what do you do with that character? Is the character a babyface? Well if the character is a babyface, you’ve got to be able to get sympathy on him. Otherwise, the formula doesn’t work.”
Likewise, Bischoff said, booking Show as a heel came with its own set of challenges. “Conversely, if you want him to be an effective heel, he’s gotta lie, steal and cheat. Eddie Guerrero. Why does a guy who’s seven foot four and 400 pounds have to lie, steal and cheat?”
Bischoff said that the reason Show never reached the level of stardom of an Undertaker, John Cena, Triple H or Batista, is because of that creative challenge.
“It’s just too hard to put him in a role,” said Bischoff. “It’s hard for him to be a babyface you can get sympathy on, or a heel that you believe.”
Other topics covered include Show and Kevin Nash’s relationship, Hulk Hogan’s role in Show’s career, and why Bischoff was not heartbroken when Show left WCW for WWE in 1999. The full episode can be found below.
When referencing this transcript, please credit SEScoops.com. Some quotes have been edited for clarity.
