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ERIC BISCHOFF DEFENDS WCW, TALKS UPCOMING CHALLENGES & REDEMPTION IN FIRST INTERVIEW SINCE WWE ANNOUNCEMENT
Newly appointed Executive Director of SmackDown Live, Eric Bischoff revealed details of his new role on the post-show for his 83 Weeks podcast, After 83 Weeks with Christy Olson. Going much further into detail than he did on his own show, Eric talks about negotiating with WWE and admits that he has a lot to learn before taking on the new job. Plus, will he be at Extreme Rules this Sunday? Excerpts are below…
What’s different about producing wrestling TV now: The honest answer is, I’ve got a lot to learn between now and the time I actually am fully integrated into the process, because the audience has changed. Television has changed. So much has changed over the last five or seven years that I’ve got some catching up to do. I’m not going to sugarcoat it.
How he’s so sure 83 Weeks will continue: Because I’ve discussed it. Because it was a topic of conversation and everybody’s cool with it. So it’s not an issue. My issue is going to be timing. I’m not going to lie to you. Clearly my life has changed dramatically. I’m not sure what it’s going to be like once I get fully immersed into the process. I’m guessing it’s going to be challenging. But I’ll find a way.
Why he and WCW have the reputation they do: That was the narrative coming out of WWE at the time. You know, ‘The only reason that WCW is competitive is because billionaire Ted [Turner] is giving Eric a blank check.’ That wasn’t true. ‘The only reason they’re competitive is they’re stealing all of our talent.’ That wasn’t true.
If he’s seeking career redemption with the new WWE position: What can I do to meet and exceed everybody’s expectations? That’s really the way I look at it. I’m really not looking at it within the context of anything else that’s ever happened before.
Who did Eric tell about his return to WWE?: That’s it, my family. It’s just another thing that’s inherent in me about this industry is, just don’t talk.
Whether he’ll be backstage at Extreme Rules: No, I’ll be driving on Sunday. It’s going to take me five days, it’s like 2000 miles and I’ve got a couple stops I want to make a longer wait. So I’ll probably be stuck on the Ohio Turnpike on Sunday.
For more of Eric’s first interview since the big announcement, watch the latest After 83 Weeks with Christy Olson here: https://youtu.be/hWkgqQle7AE or listen on Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/after-83-weeks-with-christy-olson-afterbuzz-tv/id1438060090?mt=2&i=1000425693158.
About the show: After 83 Weeks with Christy Olson is the first ever podcast about a podcast! Christy and co-hosts Steve Kaufmann, Christian Rosenberg and George Hermoza offer insight on the latest episode of 83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff, covering revelations, fan reactions and more. An AfterBuzz TV Wrestling and Sports production, the show airs on Eric Bischoff’s 83 Weeks YouTube channel and features a weekly Q&A with Eric himself.
