Bischoff on Wrestling with Co-Host Nick Hausman
Episode 52: 1 Year Anniversary Live, Call-In Show (Part 1)
Release Date: July 19, 2017
Recap by: Ryan Thompson
DIRECT LINK TO LISTEN/DOWNLOAD
Top Newsworthy Items:
– This is part one of a two-part call in show.
– Eric once had to do a forced landing in a plane he was piloting, similar to what happened to Shane McMahon this week.
– Eric claims his reputation for flipping out backstage is mostly nonsense.
– Eric has a rather embarrassing Randy Savage story.
– Eric denies “stealing” talent from the WWF.
– Eric believes Dolph Ziggler could potentially be the next WWE star to breakout into the mainstream.
Timestamps:
00:00: Show Introduction
03:35: Shane McMahon Helicopter Incident
06:30: Live Calls
13:25: Brock Lesnar to UFC?
14:31: Live Calls
28:10: Kurt Angle-Jason Jordan Angle
30:20: Live Calls
51:10: Talking Smack Cancellation
56:35: Final Live Call
59:00: Show Wrap-Up
Show Introduction:
As it’s the one-year anniversary of the show, Eric and Nick have decided to record a live show with callers, a first for the show. In addition, Nick announces that they have released a new t-shirt in their store (prowrestlingtees.com/bischoff), which says “I’m An Eric Bischoff Guy.”
News Items:
The big news of the day was the Shane McMahon helicopter “forced landing.” I write “forced landing” because Eric was insistent that there is a big difference between an “accident” and a “forced landing.” Eric opines: “Only Shane McMahon could find a new way to top Hell in a Cell”, which came across surprisingly well. Eric proceeds to tell a story of his own forced landing when he was the pilot, which sounded absolutely harrowing due to his family being on board at the time.
Brock Lesnar has, reportedly, re-entered the USADA drug testing pool in order to fight for the UFC again. Eric understands why he would want to do this, as he feels the Mark Hunt fight probably left a bad taste in his mouth, with the drug suspension looming over his head.
Eric isn’t ready to comment on the Kurt Angle-Jason Jordan angle quite yet; his theory being that a great story takes time to build. He resents people that jump to conclusions. He references both The Handmaiden’s Tale and GLOW as two slow-starting series that are worth it in the end. He stresses that we need to give the angle time.
Eric understands why Vince McMahon would cancel Talking Smack, though he doesn’t agree with it. He mentions an interview he had last summer, in which he talked about how he liked the format of Talking Smack, due to the unscripted nature of it. He feels the audience can learn more about the characters than what you see on television. However, Vince McMahon likes to have complete control over his product and understands why he wouldn’t like the format. When Nick asks whether this decision should make people question whether Vince should still be in charge of creative, Eric essentially laughs him off. It’s his company, after all.
Live Calls:
Saul from Queens, NY: “Is there any talent from the WCW days that you either coached or took under your wing who showed a strong interest in producing shows or wanted to be more involved in the business of television?”
Eric: There were several, but Kanyon and Ernest “The Cat” Miller are the two that come immediately to mind.
“The Rasslin’ Redneck” from Charlotte, NC: Nick Hausman has an indie character named Renaldo Pivens. Is Eric aware of the character and would he sign him to a contract during the Monday Night Wars? Also, does Eric see WWE having to go to a more mature product to increase the ratings?
Eric: He was aware of the character and it is “doubtful” he would sign him. He also thinks WWE is doing just fine with 3 million plus viewers on television.
Matt from Williamsport, PA: Matt and Eric exchange pleasantries about the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also asks, “Who is your favorite nWo member?”
Eric: Hulk Hogan is his best friend to this day, but feels that Scott Hall was very important to the cool factor within the nWo. He also mentions Kevin Nash, of course.
Mr. Michael 87 from Milwaukee, WI: On Tony Schiavone’s podcast talking about the May 2000 pay-per-view (he couldn’t remember the name, Slamboree 2000 for those wondering), Tony mentioned Eric having a meeting with the talent regarding a gimmicked part of the stage for Kanyon’s big fall. Curt Hennig proceeded to rib Eric with a feigned body slam onto that part, in which Schiavone claimed Bischoff blew a gasket. Does Eric have any thoughts on that incident or any other Hennig stories?
Eric: Eric doesn’t recall the moment, also questions Schiavone on how he would know how he reacted. He claims he rarely flipped out backstage, despite his reputation, and when he did, it was either in private or in front of very few people. Eric wasn’t around Hennig enough to be aware of any ribs, but did say he had a great sense of humor and was an overall happy guy.
John from Parkersburg, WV: If Hulk Hogan didn’t make the jump from the AWA to the WWF in 1983, who would Vince McMahon have wanted as the “hood ornament” for the WWF? Also wants to know whom Eric would have picked if he was in McMahon’s position.
Eric: He has no way to guess. Names Roddy Piper, Ric Flair and André the Giant, but it’s all speculation. Hates hypothetical questions for this reason. Eric names Nick Bockwinkel and Superstar Graham as potential names.
Nicholas from Houston, TX: Is Eric involved with Cauliflower Alley or does he attend any of their events?
Eric: He is not involved and has never attended an event, considers it a potential bucket list item.
Robert from Santa Fe, NM: He’s a big “Macho Man” fan and wants to hear a “Macho Man” story.
Eric: Mentions he loves Santa Fe. Eric has one long story. It involves negotiating a new contract with Randy at Halloween Havoc in Las Vegas. The negotiations took place in Randy’s room early in the morning on a Sunday. Long story short, a room service guy came to the door, Eric let him in, but unfortunately for Eric, Randy was completely naked, shaved head to toe, and dying his beard at the moment. Oops. How awkward.
Joe from Albany: If Eric had the chance to go back to WWE or another promotion, would he rather be a talent or in creative?
Eric: Creative. Enjoys the process of working with the talent more than being in front of the camera at this point. Claims the “wheels are constantly turning.”
Dan from North Hollywood, CA: During the Monday Night Wars, when Eric was signing talent away from the WWF, did he ever try to sign Jim Johnston away for his musical talent?
Eric: No, but he gets angry when people assume he was stealing talent away. He claims talent contacted him because they wanted to leave, and that he never contacted any talent unless they contacted him first. But there was no attempt to sign Jim Johnston, no.
Jake from Chicago, IL: What advice would you give to someone who aspires to be in the television production/directing industry, specifically unscripted entertainment/sports?
Eric: Eric claims most of the unscripted television today is geared towards documentaries and docudramas. He recommends that Jake find a production company he likes and start from the ground up, and claims his daughter did the same thing. Learn every aspect of the business, even the aspects you have no interest in.
Todd from Oglesby, IL: What was one Hulk Hogan angle that never saw the light of day? Is there a way he can get another signed copy of Eric’s autobiography since his was destroyed?
Eric: Can’t recall an angle that didn’t happen off the top of his head. Tells Todd to send something to Twitter regarding the book.
GP from San Jose, CA: What do you think of today’s WWE talent?
Eric: Doesn’t think there has ever been a time in history with a pool of talent with this level of athleticism, but thinks the characters are lacking. Doesn’t see the real “breakthrough” characters anymore.
Mike from Jersey: Wants to know Eric’s take on wrestler’s selling today.
Eric: He has heard these complaints about selling dating back to the AWA. Selling is a lost art. He believes the modern-day audience has a shorter attention span, leading to a greater desire of fast-paced spotfests.
Jake from Tennessee: Who on the current roster has the potential to make it to the mainstream, like Cena, Rock and Hogan?
Eric: He doesn’t work closely enough with any of them to really have a safe guess. But he believes, seriously, that Dolph Ziggler may have that potential, due to his versatility.
Brian: Would Eric consider being on “Chair Shot Reality” with Justin LaBar?
Eric: He would love to work with Justin again.
Justin from Virginia: What was Eric’s favorite part of the “creation” of WCW?
Eric: He loved the process of creating and launching Nitro. He considers it the highlight of his time in wrestling.
Mike from Westchester, NY: If Eric could do another documentary in the style of Finding Hulk Hogan, which wrestler would he want to follow?
Eric: Eric feels that Finding Hulk Hogan was one of the best pieces ever shown on television about Hulk Hogan. He felt Hogan really opened up. To answer the question, he’d love to know more about the Undertaker.
Frankie from Queens, NY: Did the nWo have too many incarnations in WCW?
Eric: He says of course. The original group of three was perfect, but they definitely added too many people. While there was a reason they added more members, it was clearly the wrong decision in hindsight. The plan was to form two separate brands, like Raw and SmackDown.
Score and Review (7/10):
Like most Bischoff shows, this one was fun and easy to listen to, though some of the callers weren’t exactly lighting the world on fire with their charisma (or lack thereof). While I question some of his claims, such as the fact that he never contacted any WWF talent during the Monday Night Wars, he comes across as honest and genuine on most of the questions asked. The Randy Savage story is probably something that would have been funnier had you been there, but nevertheless, I chuckled. I look forward to hearing part two of the call-in special next week.
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