The ever-controversial Eric Bischoff always finds himself in headlines due to his wrestling opinions and his remarks often lead to strained relations with superstars. Though he got to turn things around and make up with one such superstar during his recent wrestling appearance.
Donovan Dijak is one name that has made MLW his home in recent months just as the former WCW President has made appearances for the brand.
During a recent interview with Fightful Overbooked, Dijak was asked about meeting Bischoff in MLW after the two traded some harsh words during Donovan’s time in Retribution back in 2020. The former T-Bar said their previous exchange was all water under the bridge:
“Nothing too dramatic. He and I have no actual history before, that was the first time we had ever met, as far as I know, besides the time we were yelling at each other Twitter in 2020 when I was T-BAR, but it’s water under the bridge.”
The wrestling star explained that they were all on the edge due to the pandemic at the time. There is no ill will between the two because both him and Eric Bischoff were only doing their job:
“We were all going through COVID and it was a mess. His job is to talk about pro wrestling and my job was to defend what was happening at that point. It was a tall task for both of us, but there’s no issue there or anything like that. It was nice to meet him in person and tell him I was a big fan of his work.”
Donovan Dijak announced in June last year that he would be leaving WWE after the company had decided not to renew his deal. He has been wrestling in the indie circuit since then, and been a regular for MLW.
WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff has confirmed that he is not under contract with WWE, despite being featured in the upcoming WWE 2K25 video game. On X, Bischoff clarified his status with WWE after being announced as part of the playable roster during IGN FanFest.
I receive royalties whenever WWE uses my likeness. It was a part of my original talent agreement and is/was standard language for talent agreements. I have no contract w WWE. Legends or otherwise. https://t.co/syp8dI4l9g
While Bischoff does not have a formal agreement with WWE, the former Raw General Manager has maintained a positive relationship with the promotion. Bischoff was part of the December 3, 2024, episode of WWE NXT but reiterated at the time that he was not signed to any contract.
Bischoff isn’t the only notable name included as a playable character in WWE 2K25. Several stars who were recently released will also be playable including Baron Corbin, Blair Davenport, Cedric Alexander, Sonya Deville, and others. Paul Ellering will not be a playable character but will be a manager option despite his release from WWE.
WWE 2K25 will release on March 14, with the Deadman and Bloodline Editions of the game launching a week earlier on March 7. With WWE 2K Mobile also announced, this year is shaping up to be a massive one for wrestling fans and gamers alike.
Eric Bischoff believes Hulk Hogan’s Raw reception was due to his political leanings.
WWE presented the Raw on Netflix premiere this past Monday Night on January 6 from Inglewood, California. One of the unlikely talking points coming out of the show was Hulk Hogan getting booed out of the building by fans. The story was picked up by many mainstream outlets after the show.
The former WCW President gave his thoughts on the matter during the latest episode of 83 Weeks podcast. Bischoff first claimed that anyone who hasn’t spent a lot of time in the area would not think it to be a Democrat hub:
“You know, if you’re someone who hasn’t spent a lot of time in California — particularly LA or San Francisco — you’ve heard all the stories about how liberal it is and all that.
But until you’ve been there and realize just how intensely liberal and Democrat California is, you might not think that that could possibly be the reason why Hulk got booed.”
“But Hulk and Trump are kind of joined at the hip now, in the eyes of many. At least publicly, given Hulk’s involvement in — and of course, you’re gonna have some backlash in California. You can’t be shocked; you can’t be surprised. You could be disappointed, but you can’t be surprised.”
While Bischoff suggests otherwise, many people believe that Hogan’s past racially insensitive comments are the reason for the rejection of fans.
Hogan’s Raw return was to promote the company’s new partnership with his beer company and it was expected to lead to more appearances for the WWE Hall of Famer. With the unexpected reception for him however, the officials will now have to rethink their strategy with the former champion.
WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff would enjoy doing more with WWE NXT, but can’t see a full-time role playing out at this point in time. On Busted Open Radio, Bischoff shared his conflicted views when asked about a future role with WWE’s silver brand.
“It’s something I wish I could do in a way, but I love where I live, and I’m not a big fan of traveling. If there’s anything I’d be passionate about, though, it would be working with talent.”
Bischoff was a part of the December 2, edition of WWE NXT, where he was part of a segment with NXT Champion Trick Williams and Eric Bischoff. The two Superstar traded barbs and brawled ahead of their showdown at Deadline where Williams would retain the WWE NXT Championship.
While Bischoff won’t have a regular role honing the minds and skills of young talent (at least not yet,) WWE is preparing to do just that with WWE LFG (Legends & Future Greats.) The new show from WWE & A&E will be a competition between contestants seeking to earn a WWE contract by participating in weekly matches. The titular ‘future greats’ will be mentored by legends of WWE, including The Undertaker, Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, and Mickie James.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Eric Bischoff, as the WWE Hall of Famer continues to share his wisdom with talent, even without an official role in NXT.
Eric Bischoff was granted total creative control for the MLW One-Shot event on December 5, 2024, at the Melrose Ballroom in NYC. This event marked his first time promoting a wrestling show in New York City, a place considered “enemy territory” during the Monday Night Wars when he was with WCW.
Bischoff’s influence was seen in several aspects of the show. One notable feature was the introduction of the “83 Weeks Girls,” a dance squad reminiscent of WCW’s Nitro Girls, bringing a unique flair to the event.
A “Fan’s Choice Match” was added to the card, where fans could vote on the match stipulation for Alex Kane vs. Bobby Fish. This interactive element allowed fans to engage directly with the event’s booking decisions.
Bischoff incorporated various match types, including a “Spin the Wheel, Make the Deal” for a match involving Matthew Justice and The Andersons.
Key matches included Matt Riddle vs. Donovan Dijak, Místico vs. Trevor Lee for the World Middleweight Championship, and several other high-profile bouts.
In various interviews, Bischoff has expressed his intent to have fun with the creative control, focusing on enhancing storytelling, character development, and presentation rather than overhauling MLW’s established storylines. He aimed to put a new spin on wrestling staples and engage the audience differently.
Bischoff’s role at MLW One-Shot was described as a one-off, but he has left the door open for potential future collaborations if the experience is mutually enjoyable. He emphasized enjoying the process and collaboration rather than focusing on long-term involvement.
Eric Bischoff, the legendary former leader of WCW and WWE Hall of Famer, made his highly anticipated debut on WWE NXT during the December 3 episode. Known for his revolutionary impact on pro wrestling and his knack for controversy, Bischoff added star power to the show as he brought his trademark charisma to the second hour. This special episode also promised an appearance by another Hall of Famer, Sean Waltman (X-Pac), to further excite fans.
Bischoff’s segment opened with him addressing the crowd and reflecting on his storied career, highlighting his role in reshaping the wrestling industry. He expressed admiration for NXT, stating that walking through its doors gave him the same excitement he once felt at the height of his career.
To cap off his appearance, Bischoff introduced Trick Williams and Ridge Holland, competitors in the NXT Title match set for this weekend’s NXT Deadline 2024 premium live event. The tension between Williams and Holland quickly escalated during their promo exchange. While Bischoff praised both athletes, Holland dismissed Williams as a “stand-up comedian with abs,” prompting Trick to retaliate by labeling Holland as dull and uninspiring.
The verbal clash turned physical when Holland called Trick “soft,” leading Williams to throw the first punch. The confrontation spilled outside the ring, where Holland delivered a brutal DDT to Williams on the announce table, delivering such damage to the champion that he was transported to a local hospital.
Eric Bischoff is ready to have some fun this coming Tuesday when the WWE Hall of Famer comes to WWE NXT. On his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff gave fans a taste of what they can expect to see during this week’s edition of the silver brand.
“You know how I like to have fun… It’s been a little chaotic over at NXT, so I thought I’d drop in and say hello, and show up in person next week. So yeah, it’s gonna’ be fun.”
Bischoff appeared on the Titantron during last week’s episode of WWE NXT after Ridge Holland declared that “controversy follows me.” Bischoff, the author of 2006’s Controversy Creates Cash, shared that he wants to see what makes Holland and Trick Williams ‘tick’ ahead of their NXT Championship match at NXT Deadline on December 7.
WWE NXT – December 3, 2024
Here’s what fans can expect to see on this week’s WWE NXT, the go-home show before NXT Deadline.
WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff to appear
Karmen Petrovic Vs. Nikkita Lyons
Eddy Thorpe vs. Lexis King vs. Axiom vs. Cedric Alexander (Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match)
Jaida Parker vs. Wren Sinclair vs. Cora Jade vs. Kelani Jordan (Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match)
Tag Team Battle Royal to become the #1 Contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championship
NXT Deadline will take place from the Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, December 7. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Deadline including breaking news and live results.
Former WCW President Eric Bischoff has announced that he’ll be making the trip to Orlando for an in-person appearance at next week’s episode of NXT.
This week’s episode of the Black & Silver show featured Trick Williams in a segment where he talked about his upcoming Deadline title defence against Ridge Holland. Holland later came out to deliver some words of his own.
The segment didn’t end with just the two of them, however, and Eric Bischoff appeared on the Titan Tron to address both the stars. The wrestling veteran revealed that he’ll be attending next week’s episode of the show in person to test both the NXT talents:
“Now, Trick, you’re right. Things have been very chaotic in NXT, and I really enjoyed it. But next week, I want to get a closer look because next week, I’m coming to NXT.
Ridge, you want the NXT title so bad? Trick, you want to keep it, right? Well, we’re going to find out how bad. What makes both you guys tick? If you think tensions are high right now, by the time I’m done, you guys are going to want to destroy each other at Deadline. Hell, maybe right there in the room. See you next week.”
Ridge Holland originally won the title shot by defeating Andre Chase on the November 19 episode of the show. The loss not only cost Andre the title opportunity but his Chase U faction was also forced to disband after it.
The NXT Deadline event will be taking place from The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, December 7.
Eric Bischoff is heading to Major League Wrestling’s upcoming event from New York City on December 5, MLW One Shot.
Bischoff’s latest guest on his 83 Weeks podcast is Paul Walter Hauser, as the accomplished actor who has been heavily involved with MLW over the past few months. During their discussion, Hauser turned the tables on Bischoff, asking him if he ever gets the itch to get back in the business. Bischoff said that the feeling comes and goes, but he does particularly enjoy working in a backstage role and in the production realm of the business.
Hauser noted that he has MLW CEO Court Bauer in his phonebook and decided to call him on the spot. Bauer picked up, Hauser caught him up to speed and asked if he’d be open to working with the outspoken former wrestling executive.
“Without hesitation, the answer is absolutely yes. Dude, ERic going to enemy Territory in one place where he’s never promoted a show, new york city, for one night, calling the shots. That to me sounds like money.”
MLW President Court Bauer open to working with Eric Bischoff
Bauer then made the pitch for Bischoff to attend MLW One-Shot on December 5. Hauser, playing the facilitator, made clear he’d get the two in a group text to hammer out the details. On Thrusday afternoon, MLW confirmed Bischoff will be on hand.
The event is now being billed as, Eric Bischoff’s One-Shot: An Eric Bischoff Production. Tickets are now on sale at Eventbrite.
Both Tony Schiavone and Bruce Prichard worked for MLW both in production and commentary years back right as their podcasts began taking fire courtesy of Conrad Thompson. Bischoff has previously said he wouldn’t get involved with AEW, stating that the environment wouldn’t be fun for him.
WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff has made it clear that he would not be interested in signing with AEW if he is offered a job in the promotion.
Bischoff has been a critic of AEW and never misses a chance to lambaste the promotion. During a recent episode of the 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff was questioned whether he would consider being the General Manager of AEW if he had the chance.
The pro wrestling legend said that he would not be accepting the role. He was hopeful that AEW would find a direction amid the backstage drama. Eric Bischoff explained that if he was younger, there would have been a chance that he would have grabbed the opportunity. However, he feels that at his current stage in life, he wouldn’t want to be involved.
“No. I hope AEW pulls a nose up, figures out a way, and has vision, but we all know it’s pretty public, the kind of drama going on backstage. If I was in my 20s and 30s, hell yeah. Why not, especially with the kind of bags that are being thrown around backstage there. Hell yeah, I’d do it. Even in my 40s, I would have done it, but at this stage of my life, I wouldn’t go near it.”
Eric Bischoff highlighted that if he would step into AEW, he would be held responsible for its issues. He said that he wouldn’t want to show up on camera anymore. The former WWE star noted that if AEW were in a “better environment” and had “more momentum”, he might have considered appearing. However, he believes that is not the case. Eric Bischoff added:
“First of all, the first time I step foot in AEW, everything that’s wrong with that place would be wrong because of me. I ain’t going near it. I wouldn’t even want to show up on camera anymore. If everything was fine, and you know, Tony and I weren’t going back and forth, and I didn’t call his last All In show hot garbage this morning, even if none of that was happening and we were buddies, I wouldn’t even really want to be on the show. At this stage of my life, why? It’s not as much fun for me anymore as it would have been when I was in my 40s. If it was a better environment, if the show was great, if it had some momentum and it was fun, sure I would, if it was fun, but it’s not fun.”
Eric Bischoff has made a handful of appearances in AEW in the past. However, he is currently focused on his new career. Bischoff has found a new career in the mortgage industry. The pro wrestling veteran has launched his career as a mortgage loan officer. He has remained dedicated to make an impact in the field.
Eric Bischoff, the former WWE executive and wrestling industry veteran, has recently shared his thoughts on the possibility of AEW’s rumored new show “Shockwave” airing on FOX. Speaking on his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff expressed strong skepticism about the likelihood of such a deal.
Bischoff’s Stance on AEW and FOX
Bischoff didn’t mince words when addressing the rumors, stating emphatically that AEW landing on FOX’s broadcast network is “a fantasy.”
He pointed out the significant disparity between SmackDown’s viewership on FOX and AEW’s current ratings for shows like Rampage and Collision:
“Does anybody in their right f*cking mind think that FOX Network is going to go, ‘Well, we couldn’t make SmackDown work with two and a half million viewers. But man, that Rampage or that Collision show, hmm! And this new one they’re coming out with, let’s do that.’ I understand why Swerve did it. He got excited, he’s emotional. He’s doing what he should do. But that was a bad take. I don’t see it, no. And to think that it could happen is a reflection of lack of information and knowledge, aka ignorance.”
Criticism of Swerve Strickland’s Comments
The discussion was sparked by recent comments from AEW wrestler Swerve Strickland. While Bischoff acknowledged Strickland’s enthusiasm for promoting his company, he criticized the wrestler’s suggestion that FOX might replace SmackDown with an AEW product
Viewership Comparisons
Bischoff highlighted the stark contrast in viewership numbers:
SmackDown on FOX: Approximately 2.3-2.5 million viewers per week
AEW Rampage and Collision: Around 300,000-400,000 viewers per week
He argued that it would be illogical for FOX to replace a show drawing over 2 million viewers with one that struggles to reach even a quarter of that audience.
Eric Bischoff believes there is one member of the D-Generation X who gets less credit for the success of the group than he deserves.
While talking to Inside The Ropes‘ Kenny McIntosh, The former WCW President discussed DX’s invasion of WCW on April 27, 1998 when both Raw and Nitro were held miles apart in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia.
During the session, Bischoff claimed that Sean Waltman, known as X-Pac at the time deserves more credit for making the whole thing believable:
“This guy gets very little credit for the success of DX. A lot of people take credit for shit they don’t deserve to get credit for, right? One of the guys who really helped make DX believable and feel real was Sean Waltman, X-Pac. Cause I fired him—he was a part of nWo.”
Triple H ejected Shawn Michaels from DX after he lost to Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania XIV. The Game then assumed full control of the group and recruited Sean Waltman as well as the New Age Outlaws into the faction. This came months after Waltman was fired by Eric Bischoff via FedEx while he was on shelf with a neck injury.
The former WCW official claimed that they had developed an edgy character for the former Cruiserweight Champion which he ended up using against them:
“He had that personality, he brought that edge, he brought that character, that sense of ‘screw it, I’ll do whatever it takes.’ He brought that character that we created, and he was very instrumental in by the way, and supportive of. But when I fired him—and I did—he took that same character with him, and he was a part of DX. He used that same creative psychology to fire back at us.”
DX remained together until Triple H and Chyna turned on X-Pac and joined the Corporation at WrestleMania XV. While Waltman and the Outlaws continued using the name even after this, the turn is considered the end of DX’s first run by many as all original members of the group had left the faction.
Eric Bischoff has found a new career in the mortgage industry as per Conrad Thompson. It has come to light that the pro wrestling veteran has launched his career as a mortgage loan officer.
Thompson, who has thrived in the mortgage industry had assembled a team of talented members and built his Save with Conrad company. However, he soon linked with pro wrestling through his podcasts which further put his company in the limelight. He then added Eric Bischoff to his 83 Weeks show podcast.
Thompson told Justin Barrasso Sports Illustrated that Eric Bischoff was ready for a new adventure and detailed how the WWE Hall of Famer got into the mortgage industry. He revealed:
“Eric knew that I did mortgages, and he was looking to do a refinance. We took a stab at it, came up with a plan, and found a way to help him, as he puts it, change his life. When we’d do the podcast together, he would heap praise on me for saving him a boatload of money. That’s when Eric became enamored with the idea of helping people in a similar way.”
Eric Bischoff wants to help people
Thompson added that Bischoff didn’t want anyone to know about his new project and he loved the idea of helping people, similar to how Thompson did. The 69-year-old managed to pass a test that had a high failure rate and got licensed. Thompson decided to hire Eric Bischoff as a mortgage loan officer and he made it clear this is the real side of the veteran who is motivated and genuinely wants to help people. He said:
“He doesn’t need this to pay the bills, he’s doing it because he wants to,” said Thompson. “I know he played a bad guy on TV, but that was TV. This is real-life. And the real-life Eric Bischoff is hungry and motivated to help people.“
Bischoff is connecting with people while working in his office at his home in Wyoming. He excited to help people and some might turn out to be wrestling fans who are familiar with him. He said:
“It’s wrestling fans responding to Conrad’s advertisements, and if a wrestling fan is calling about a new home or a refinance, they’re familiar with me. They’re excited to get a call from me. I’m excited to help them. If I can save someone money every month just by seeing the bigger financial picture, that’s extremely rewarding. It’s made a very profound impression on me.”
After a decorated pro wrestling career, Bischoff continues to help several people and remains eager to make a new impact in the mortgage field.
Eric Bischoff has made a bold claim about the impact of the nWo on wrestling history.
The former WCW President was recently interviewed by Robert Breedlove on his What Is Money podcast. Bischoff went through his whole journey in pro wrestling during the show.
While detailing WCW’s rise to prominence under him, Eric mentioned that he knew the company could not compete with WWE in their own game. So Bischoff chose to focus on things they could do differently. This included going live and leaning towards a more reality-based programming which resulted in the introduction of nWo.
The former SmackDown Executive Director discussed how this gave WCW the upper hand for a long time. This continued until Vince McMahon decided to adapt to the circumstances and deliver his infamous promo, ushering in the Attitude Era:
“In ’97 Vince McMahon came out and said ‘Okay we’re no longer going to insult our intelligence. We’re going to bring more reality-based storylines to our audience’ and basically copy the formula that I used to beat him for 83 weeks in a row.
They did a phenomenal job. They actually did it bigger and better than I did. They had more latitude. They were able to do things that I couldn’t do because of the network programming executives I had to answer to. They turned that business around.”
Eric Bischoff then made a bold claim about the influence of nWo in pro wrestling. He reasoned that had nWo and the WCW programming not forced McMahon’s hand, WWE would have ceased to exist:
“Had there been no…and this is the part that’ll be controversial, but it’s true. Had there been no nWo I don’t think WWE would exist today.
Because when Vince McMahon changed his model. When he replicated what we were doing but did it bigger and better his business exploded. Within two years he took his company public based on the success of that transformation and recently sold a year ago for 9 billion dollars.”
Of course, we can never really know what would have been the result had Vince McMahon decided to double down on their version of pro wrestling instead of adapting to the change. The only thing that is certain is that his promo was the official start of an era that changed the business forever and its effect will continue to be felt in wrestling for a long time to come.
Steve McMichael has finally been inducted into the Pro Football Hall Of Fame and the city his was most known to terrorize the gridiron for made sure he saw and heard everything.
McMichael joined fellow other Chicago Bears as Canton’s Hall Of Fame class for 2024, but due to his battle with Lou Gehrig’s disease, the NFL legend turned pro wrestler was unable to physically be at the ceremony. Mongo’s wife Misty was there in attendance and got to see the bust of her husband revealed to the fans.
However, the beautiful aspect about it all during such battle was that Chicago brought the Hall Of Fame to Mongo. Several other Hall Of Famers like Mike Singletary, Richard Dent and Jim Covert all came to McMichael’s home, who also donned a gold jacket as he was presented with his bust in person. Jarret Payton, son of the late Walter Payton (who Mongo handpicked to induct him), welcomed McMichael into Canton where he rightfully belongs.
Ric Flair, who has constantly visited McMichael during his ALS battle, went to social media to wish a big congratulations to one of his closest friends.
“He’s In!! Congratulations My Great Friend Steve “Mongo” McMichael. You Made It! So Well Deserved! What A Beautiful Ceremony! And Needless To Say, You Would Always Want Me To Say WOOOOO!”
He’s In!! Congratulations My Great Friend Steve “Mongo” McMichael. You Made It! So Well Deserved! What A Beautiful Ceremony! And Needless To Say, You Would Always Want Me To Say WOOOOO! pic.twitter.com/fXcJfSVIHR
Mongo’s former boss, Eric Bischoff, was brought to tears when he saw the city of Chicago brought a bagpipe band to play outside of his home when his induction occurred.
“This brings tears to my eyes. Good on you CPD Pipes & Drums. Good on you.”
Other names also took to social media to send their love and congrats including Marc Mero & Blue Meanie.
Congratulations to Steve "Mongo" McMichael for being inducted in the Pro Football Hall Of Fame! pic.twitter.com/MZWDSfQj1Z
— Brian Heffron aka The Blue Meanie (@BlueMeanieBWO) August 4, 2024
We extend our warmest congratulations to Steve 'Mongo' McMichael, a legendary figure in the history of the Chicago Bears, on his well-deserved induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame today. He was also a member of the renowned 4 Horsemen in the 1990s WCW. Great to see. pic.twitter.com/sJ2bHJ0cLS
Former WCW President Eric Bischoff took to X/Twitter to mock The Young Bucks following their match at Forbidden Door.
“This 6 man with The Elite looks like something from WCW Saturday night from 1992 zzzzz” the former WWE on-screen General Manager tweeted during the match featuring The Bucks/Kazuchika Okada taking on The Acclaimed and Hiroshi Tanahashi.
Bischoff would then follow that up with another incendiary shot, this one taking a dig at the overall match itself: “Damn that much sucked. There HAS to a motive behind putting on such waste of time.”
Bischoff has not been shy about his dislike of certain AEW tropes and approaches to on-screen presentation over the past few years, especially when it comes to the likes of The Young Bucks and Tony Khan.
When it came to the replies from fans and detractors on the tweets, it was a 50/50 balance between those agreeing with Easy E and those calling him a grifter that didn’t know what he was talking about.
Either way, The Elite continues to be a focal point of All Elite programming and will continue to be as the storyline with Kenny Omega and (possibly) Hangman Adam Page unfolds over the next few months.
Whether Bischoff will enjoy any of the work that the group presents going forward remains to be seen, but going by his recent comments and overall view of the EVPs? It’s probably not going to get any more positive.
Wrestling fans are far too familiar with how WCW ended as the story’s been told over and over, but according to Brian Gewirtz we all may get a different look tonight when VICE premieres the Who Killed WCW docuseries
Speaking with Eric Bischoff on a bonus episode of “83 Weeks” former WWE Head Writer Brian Gewirtz and Evan Hunsey of Dark Side Of The Ring gave details at how the show came about and what fans can expect from the episodes that will make it differ from what WWE can typically put out that tends to lean towards the company narrative. Gewirtz broke it down for the former WCW President.
“The talent sitting down aren’t told like, ‘Yeah, of course you can curse. Yeah, you can talk about this thing, you can talk about this business thing that normally wouldn’t appear in a WWE program or that kind of thing.’
“I know from watching it that WCW and Turner executives specifically had never really been interview to tell their side of things or tell their story and all these factors, plus the fact that you’re now approaching 23 years since the end of WCW, it seems like if there was ever a time to play off of the 90’s nostalgia plus the relationships that we’ve cultivated and our relationship with VICE, especially Evan and Jason’s, that now would be a great time to do it.
Bischoff asked Gewirtz how The Rock felt about doing a WCW-focused series and ‘The Final Boss’ was all about it.
“He was like, ‘Great, let’s do it. Let’s do it and if we’re going to do it, let’s do it in the exact way that we’re pitching it which is unfiltered and the no bullshit version of the story. He was on board for that. [The Rock said] ‘No I would love to sit down and give the perspective of the WWE during this time,’ even though that is going to be a small part of it.”
“Who Killed WCW” premieres tonight at 10 PM ET on VICETV.
After a frustrating run with WWE, AEW presented new opportunities for Harwood and Wheeler. The decision to leave WWE proved to be the right one for their careers, as they’ve cemented their legacies under the ‘All Elite’ banner. Harwood took a moment this week to commemorate their anniversary with AEW.
Thanks to the haters
Dax expressed his gratitude and also let off a few ‘live rounds’ at former wrestling personalities who have been negative about the company they’ve helped build.
“…Sometimes, online, I get a lot of flack for either defending AEW too often or being soft when it comes to criticism of the company. Mostly by ex-wrestling personalities, who now have an outlet to speak and use AEW for clicks & likes, which is completely ironic because they all hope for the very worst for the company that they monetize the most from.”
Although the AEW superstar didn’t name anyone specifically, he has recently had issues with former WCW President Eric Bischoff, and his negative comments could have been aimed at him. Regardless, Harwood took the time to thank AEW for being with them for four years and how much they meant to his career.
“…Without this company, I doubt I’d still be in wrestling. All I ever wanted was to do something GOOD for pro wrestling. That was never going to happen without AEW,” wrote Harwood
Accomplishments
Since joining the company, FTR has won the AEW Tag Team Championships twice. They’ve also added the Ring of Honor, AAA, and IWGP tag team titles to their remarkable list of accomplishments. Harwood continued to reflect on what FTR has achieved thanks to AEW.
“…I’ve become a 10(time) World Tag Team Champion. I’ve won numerous awards from internationally reputable organizations. Above all, I’ve made a living that takes care of my family(Yes, I know I say it all the time) incredibly well, all because of AEW,” Harwood posted.
He also added that he defends the company and AEW President Tony Khan out of passion for his career. On potentially their last deal, FTR seems content with finishing their career in AEW and putting on excellent tag team matches. Harwood is already looking to enjoy the rest of his time with the company and be around to see AEW succeed 40 years from now.
For this moment, FTR can appreciate four great years with the company as they aim to show why they are one of the best tag teams in wrestling every week.
YouTube Playlist: FTR’s best AEW World Tag Title defenses:
Dax Harwood and Eric Bischoff has gone back and forth with one another on social media before, but Monday night the two took it to a whole new level.
Bischoff has always been vocal when it comes his constructive criticism on AEW. Eric’s opinion was even more resounding following the recent buzz Tony Khan has been getting after the polarizing angle from last week’s Dynamite and the former WCW President had some more words regarding the current AEW President.
Harwood, who in 2023 re-signed with AEW, decided to express his thoughts regarding Eric’s “obsession” with Khan on his “83 Weeks” podcast, calling him “stalkerish.”
“I know it’s your gimmick and the other guys pay you well to bury AEW, but checking out your timeline & all the Tony tweets and RT’s, it looks very stalkerish. Netflix “Baby Reindeer” would do you a bit of good, my brother in Christ.”
Bischoff wasn’t having any of that, stating that Dax is the pot calling the kettle black.
“Says the chunky little monkey that studies my timeline. That’s weird.”
Says the chunky little monkey that studies my timeline. That's weird. https://t.co/COe3TUEZAG
Eric then decided to unload on Harwood following fan input who labeled Dax a hypocrite. Bischoff went on to call Harwood “mid as mid can get” and that his supposed “loyalty” to Khan is just a means as holding onto the bag as long as he can. He also threw another jab, calling Dax a future greeter at Walmart.
Don't be so hard on him. He's as mid as mid can get. He knows it. He's flailing away trying to prove his “loyalty” so he can hold on to that bag as long as possible. He knows that being a Walmart greeter is his next stop. https://t.co/UE2KnmaU1h
Earlier this year, Harwood said Bischoff was a “miserable podcaster” as he and FTR Wheeler said Eric was just upset that Tony Khan had never hired him. On several occassions, Bischoff has made clear he really took issue with Khan after he took a dig at Ted Turner.
Bischoff isn’t the only top WCW talent to dole out constructive criticism to Khan. Kevin Nash has expressed his thoughts on the current AEW product. Both he and Bischoff had made it quite clear that they want to see AEW succeed.
A new four-part docuseries about legendary wrestling promotion WCW is coming to Vice TV on June 4. The former rival to WWE has seen many involved share their stories and experiences from working or competing against the promotion. However, WWE and Hollywood megastar Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson plans to share new stories about the company’s fall with Who Killed WCW this June.
Johnson and longtime business partner Dany Garcia are the executive producers for the docuseries. The creators of Dark Side Of The Ring are also involved in the project.
Here is the official trailer for Who Killed WCW from Vice TV’s X/Twitter account.
"Who Killed WCW?" from our @SevenBucksProd & the Co-Creators of @Darksideofring comes a 4-part series about the meteoric rise and spectacular fall of the cultural phenomenon that was World Championship Wrestling.
In a press release about the making of Who Killed WCW, Johnson shared why he wanted to create the docuseries and what fans can expect.
SEScoops’ Michael Shalik transcribed the following quotes.
“The iconic rise and fall of WCW is one of professional wrestling’s most captivating stories – full of big dreams, massive successes, painful failures, and the harsh realities of the pro wrestling business. With wrestling viewership and fan engagement at an ultimate high, there has never been a more perfect time to tell top-quality wrestling stories, and there’s no better one to start with than a one-of-a-kind, behind-the-scenes look at this epic saga, known as The Rise and Fall of WCW and personally, the rise of WCW, not the fall, inspired me greatly early in my career where I would eventually become, the Final Boss,” said Johnson.
More On Who Killed WCW 4 Part Docuseries
How many former WCW superstars or em ployees will be involved in the project is unclear. However, the trailer shows former WCW Senior Vice President Eric Bischoff, Goldberg, and Booker T, who will share their experiences of the company’s decline.
Although the premiere date is June 8, Vice TV will likely release a new weekly episode. The series may stream on Hulu the next day after it airs on ViceTV.
The new project seems like it may shed new light on WCW’s fall. However, it will be interesting to see how much new information will come from stories shared for over two decades.
The wrestling world has made its views clear following the airing of backstage footage showing last year’s altercation between Jack Perry and CM Punk.
The April 10, 2024, episode of AEW Dynamite saw the Young Bucks air the much-anticipated footage from All In London 2023 that saw Perry and Punk get physical. The altercation led to both men being suspended from AEW and Punk being fired a week later.
The Wrestling World Reacts
Unsurprisingly, the airing of this footage has caused quite a stir among those in professional wrestling. On his Instagram Stories immediately after the segment, Punk shared an image of President George W. Bush with the message “Mission Accomplished.”
The Young Bucks took to Twitter to speak about being petty Executive Vice Presidents of All Elite Wrestling.
EVPetty
— Matthew & Nicholas Jackson (@youngbucks) April 11, 2024
Shawn Spears, an AEW alum who has since returned to WWE as part of NXT, suggested that releasing the footage had backfired for Tony Khan.
Eric Bischoff, who has been critical of AEW and Tony Khan, believes releasing the footage proved that Khan is a ‘clown,’ a term Punk used to describe him post-fight.
“This is not on the talent. This is not on the locker room. And most of the time, it never ever is across the board. It’s on creative. It’s on the booker. It’s on the matchmaker. This company needs help. At this point, I hope even you diehards realize that.”
Ultimately, Punk will continue to be a source of controversy within AEW even after his release from the company. As far as these reactions and those by fans go though, it appears airing the footage may not have done AEW or Tony Khan any favors.
The feud between Tony Khan and Eric Bischoff continues and it doesn’t appear to be going away despite one of Bischoff’s podcasts coming to an end.
Eric Bischoff didn’t have one, but two podcasts on AdFreeShows and co-host Jon Alba last night announced that “Strictly Business” would be coming to an end after a successful two-year run.
AEW President Tony Khan has had a contentious relationship with Bischoff ever since Khan made remarks about former WCW Founder, Ted Turner. Bischoff took exception to that, but also remained outspoken about the on-air AEW product. The two’s relationship has been fractured ever since despite Bischoff making several appearances on AEW television early on.
Once Alba made the announcement, Tony Khan replied, stating:
“Sunsetting this fraud of a business podcast before the next AEW media deal is a wise choice.”
Sunsetting this fraud of a business podcast before the next AEW media deal is a wise choice.#AEWDynamite
“Strictly Business” may be ending, but as Jon Alba stated, Eric Bischoff has a lot on his plate when it comes to further work, including his original podcast with Conrad Thompson, “83 Weeks.” Thompson took to social media to provide clarity that “Strictly Business” is going away, but not “83 Weeks.”
“Don’t get it twisted: ’83 Weeks’ with Eric Bischoff is not “sunsetting.” See y’all Monday. After waking up to Twitter this morning, I wonder, as a friend of mine might say, ‘what do you guys wanna talk about?'”
— Conrad the Mortgage Guy (@HeyHeyItsConrad) March 28, 2024
Bischoff also had some words for Tony Khan, also including a video of a tarped off Videotron Centre in Quebec City during ROH tapings ahead of AEW Dynamite.
“A money mark with no talent other than spending daddy’s money, going all the way to Canada to draw less than 4k in one of the hottest pro wrestling markets in North America, talking about ‘wise choices’? Strap in. It’s going to be a fun day!”
A money mark with no talent other than spending daddy’s money, going all the way to Canada to draw less than 4k in one of the hottest pro wrestling markets in North America, talking about “wise choices”? Strap in. It’s going to be a fun day! https://t.co/Wr9EWwi01dpic.twitter.com/L1tX2Smszc
Strictly Business, the podcast hosted by WWE Hall of Famer & Jon Alba, has come to an abrupt end with its final episode airing this week.
On Twitter, Alba shared the news about the podcast’s end. Alba was appreciative of being able to work for ‘Easy-E’ who will now be putting his effort into other endeavors.
“Unfortunately, this week’s episode of Strictly Business with Eric Bischoff will be the last edition of the podcast. Eric’s schedule is loaded these days, and for good reasons, he’ll [be] putting his efforts into other endeavors.
“I’m extremely grateful to have had a chance to share a platform with Eric for the past two years. We are 38 years apart, and have wildly different views of pro wrestling, storytelling, and even life. Yet I think that has been one of the most fascinating parts of our dynamic and never fails to make for engaging conversation. I have always said Eric is one of the greatest television performers in wrestling history, and doing this show has been one of the most exciting challenges of my career. He has made me a better broadcaster, helped open new professional doors for me, and has been extremely gracious to me personally.
I hope you’ll join us this week as we bid farewell to the show! Thank you to the Ad Free Shows team as well for always making it featured programming and everything who has tuned in the past couple of years. Hopefully we’ve been “different than” the rest.”
Bischoff launched Strictly Business in April 2022, providing his insight into the business of professional wrestling both past and present. The show is the second podcast as part of Ad Free Shows, as Bischoff also hosts the ’83 Weeks’ podcast. The name of that show comes from WCW’s 83-week winning streak in the Monday Night Wars before losing to WWE Raw.
Tony Khan Responds
On both his podcasts, Bischoff has never shied away from sharing his hot takes. The WWE Hall of Famer has often been highly critical of AEW and the machinations of AEW President Tony Khan.
In a tweet, Khan didn’t hide his feelings about the show coming to an end. The AEW President that it was wise for this “fraud” of a business podcast to end before AEW’s next media deal.
Sunsetting this fraud of a business podcast before the next AEW media deal is a wise choice.#AEWDynamite
AEW has received their fair share of criticism since opening their doors, especially in recent memory. Eric Bischoff has been vocal about his opinions as well, and that’s not stopping any time soon.
Tony Khan responded to a critical tweet about his booking skills by stating that the show was sold out, countering the fan’s claim. Eric Bischoff clarified that he never called Khan “a fraud” but criticized his understanding of television production and industry knowledge.
Tony Khan Responds To Booking Critique
Tony Khan has been known to engage with fans on social media, and that happened again. One fan posted a video of Mercedes Mone’s segment on AEW Dynamite with a critical caption that read, “I’ve seen enough. I can book better than Tony Khan. This guy is fckin terrible.”
I've seen enough. I can book better than Tony Khan. This guy is fckin terrible. pic.twitter.com/wnapoL3Oh2
— The Antimark of Pro Wrestling (@theantimarkofpw) March 21, 2024
Another fan chimed in to say, “Well, there are alot of spare chairs not being used in the arena.” That is when Tony Khan replied, “Actually there were not, because the show was sold out.” Khan used an animated gif asking if this fan is “f*cking stupid” as well.
This is when Eric Bischoff was brought into things as a fan replied to Tony Khan on Twitter/X, “You’re spending a lot of money, and you can’t crack 1 million viewers. You’re a fraud. Eric Bischoff is right about you.”
Bischoff saw that post, and he had to set the record straight. In his reply, the former WCW President said that he has never called Tony Khan a fraud. In fact, he believes that Khan is a good person who has no “freaking clue about producing television.”
For the record, I’ve never said Tony was a fraud. My impression is that he’s a good person. He doesn’t have a freaking clue about producing television, and his knowledge of the industry is limited to what impressed him when he was 12, but that doesn’t make him a fraud.
For the record, I've never said Tony was a fraud. My impression is that he's a good person. He doesn't have a freaking clue about producing television, and his knowledge of the industry is limited to what impressed him when he was 12, but that doesn't make him a fraud. https://t.co/521by8LFlG
Eric Bischoff has made a couple appearances on AEW television in the past. His last appearance was during the May 28, 2021, episode when he returned to Dynamite to host a party for the Inner Circle.
Bischoff has gone on the record to say that he’s grateful for everyday he doesn’t have to work with Tony Khan. In response to his sentiment about AEW, Eric Bischoff has also been accused of just wanting a job with Tony Khan’s company. This is a narrative that Bischoff has refuted.
The Rock has received quite a bit of attention thanks to the fact that he has cut some non-PG promos in recent memory, especially online. This came after WWE sent out a memo reminding talent that they need to keep it clean. The story traveled all over the pro wrestling business, especially into Eric Bischoff’s line of sight.
Eric Bischoff is never short on opinions, and this is certainly the case yet again. Regarding reports of WWE talent’s discontent with The Rock’s promos, Bischoff suggested they may be exaggerated and emphasized the need for transparency in wrestling journalism.
The Backstory
I exclusively reported that a recent memo highlighted the mandate for talent to follow PG guidelines on TV and social media. Despite this, The Rock’s use of profanity, like in a recent promo, has raised questions among talent about double standards. They wonder why he’s allowed to curse while others aren’t.
I was told that the thinking among some talent, not the entire locker room, but SOME talent, is that “even if he is the big movie star, shouldn’t everyone play by the same rules? So he can curse and use that to get over, but everyone else is handcuffed?”
Eric Bischoff Weighs In
On the latest episode of Strictly Business, Eric Bischoff discussed various aspects of the wrestling business and WWE talent’s reported issues with The Rock’s promos. Bischoff expressed optimism about the wrestling industry’s overall state, citing its growing revenue and global appeal, particularly with WWE’s expanding reach and the excitement surrounding events like WrestleMania.
Regarding the state of the wrestling business, Bischoff emphasized the importance of revenue as the ultimate metric of success, highlighting WWE’s efforts in securing sponsorships and hosting premium live events like WrestleMania. While television ratings may raise questions, Bischoff noted the industry’s revenue growth and highlighted AEW’s collaboration with Warner Brothers Discovery as a positive development. He also cautioned against excessive violence and reliance on shock value, suggesting it could deter potential partners and advertisers.
On the topic of scripted promos and The Rock’s use of explicit language, Bischoff cautioned against overreliance on that vulgar shock value. He suggested that occasional use of explicit language could enhance storytelling but warned against its excessive use. Bischoff then speculated that WWE might be aiming to strike a balance between creative freedom and maintaining control over the product.
“They have [been entertaining], and I agree with you. I would love to see us get away from them [scripted promos]. When I say us, I don’t mean content-wise as much. It’s not like — I mean, the kind of language that we’re talking about, the kind of stuff that Rock has been saying, particularly in social media. Occasionally, appropriately done, can enhance the story or the moment and make it more interesting and feel more real and honest. Because that is how people talk. It’s how politicians talk, it’s how teachers talk. It’s how business executives talk. Maybe not in public, not when they’re on camera, but it is the conversation of our life across the board for the most part.”
“Not everybody, but for the most part. And sometimes, done judiciously and appropriately, yeah it can make things feel more real. It can have that kind of — I don’t want to say shock value because nobody is shocked. But it definitely makes you take notice when you hear something in terms of, you know, F-bombs or whatever that you wouldn’t normally hear on television. It gets your attention, that’s the purpose of it. But when it’s done too frequently, it then becomes boring. It becomes a crutch. That’s the best way to say it, it becomes a crutch. Much like blood and extreme violence, and jumping off a f**king ladder that the referee’s holding for you onto a plate of glass when there’s nobody around, just so you can say you did it… if that’s as far as you’re going to have to appeal to your audience and you rely upon that too much, it hurts the product overall. Because you’re relying on that, as opposed to great character and great story.”
WWE & Profanities
Cody Rhodes’ promo on WWE RAW this week included some notable profanities, and The American Nightmare delivered his lines like a champ. He had to answer back to The Rock’s profanity-filled rant, and now we will have to see what happens next.
Profanities can be valuable, if used correctly. AEW certainly saw the negative effects of dropping double-digit number of S-bombs in one two-hour show, and they have since toned things down greatly. Only time will tell if WWE will open up their roster to allow a bit more of an edge to their promos, but it’s really all about keeping a balance.
SEScoops will keep our eye on this story, and so much more, as we continue down the road to WrestleMania. You never know what will happen next, but we will be here with the headlines that you need.