Eric Bischoff Comments On TNA’s Live Impact
Posted by Larry Csonka on 12.30.2009
Eric Bischoff speaks…
- Eric Bischoff posted a new blog, discussing TNA going head to head with WWE. Here is what he had to say…
There are many things I am looking forward to in 2010. From a non-wrestling point of view, one of the things I am most looking forward to is an end to 2009. From politics, the economy and the general malaise within the television industry, I am optimistic that the new year will be a brighter one than the one we have been struggling through for the 363 days.
From a professional wrestling perspective, I am excited to see a heightened level of energy and interest in the business. TNA has ratcheted up their game, and Spike TV has put some nitrous into the tank with a live Monday Night head to head broadcast and some serious advertising and marketing.
As expected, WWE is reacting to the competition by bringing in Bret Hart.
I am happy for Bret. Hopefully, by going back to work for Vince and the WWE, Bret will be able to put a painful and personally traumatic part of his life behind him. I have always liked Bret as a person and respected him as a professional. It was disappointing to me when I would read or hear comments that Bret would make, that reflected the bitterness he has been carrying around with him for so long. Bret has an opportunity now to write the last chapter of his book in a way that will allow fans to remember him in a more positive way.
I wish the best for Bret and wish good luck to TNA as well.
Clearly TNA is up against a Wall Street mega-corp bully with a billion dollar bank account and a Chairman that thinks only he should have any meaningful market share of the professional wrestling business (even though he's embarrassed to admit he's in the professional wrestling business). It will be an up-hill battle for TNA indeed.
The real winner though, will be the wrestling fans.
Based on the mind-numbingly stupid Raw I had the misfortune of dropping in on last week, perhaps the fact that TNA stepped up and is at least taking a swing at the bully was enough to make McMahon realize that he could not afford to take his audience for granted and continue to shove tripe down the throats of his Goliath "universe" while David was reaching for a stone.
This Monday Night...win, lose, or draw I have to give credit to the folks at TNA and Spike. They could have taken the easy path and put their best foot forward un-opposed. That would make the most sense to many people. But by at least getting into the fight, TNA is most likely going to gain the awareness and respect of a completely different audience.
And wrestling fans are not only going to have a choice this Monday night, they will most likely see a higher quality product all the way around. And for that they should thank TNA.
They gonna get owned on monday,it's waay too early to go against wwe
Posted By: Guest#3227 (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 07:36 PM
How long before someone asks who "Eric Bisshoff" is?
Posted By: cw217 (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Eric Bischoff hit the nail on the head.
Posted By: saiyahog84 (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 07:43 PM
EB is right. I never even thought of this. TNA being on a monday night, even if it's just one, will force WWE to put on a better product, as well as TNA. Monday night should be filled with some good wrasslin'.
Posted By: ToxicMischief (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 07:45 PM
Well said, I kind of want them to do good now. It doesn't matter though, they're going to get crushed.
Posted By: Foolio (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 07:51 PM
I a not a big fan of Bischoff but he is 100% correct about the WWE putting on one crappy Raw show after another. I hope the head to head competition brings back the old spark that was once there and we get to see some great wrestling action on both programs.
Posted By: juiceman (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 07:51 PM
Bischoff can talk all he wants, but I think its pretty clear that the Bret Hart situation was set in stone a long time ago. I don't think McMahon & Co. have brought Hart in to "counter program" against Hogan. DX vs Jerishow and Orton/Kofi? Well, that's counter programming. I just think the Bret thing has been in the works for a long time now.
Posted By: KB (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 07:55 PM
Ah back to taking shots at RAW then Eric?
Do you not remember how badly that blew up in your face last time?
Posted By: Guest#3644 (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 07:59 PM
Gotta love Eric
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:00 PM
LOL Bischoff is so pathetic.
Posted By: jonah (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:02 PM
just had a thought...wouldn't it be a HUGE "screw you Vince" if Bret Hart showed up on TNA instead of WWE on Monday Night?!!??!! I mean come on, what better way to get back at Vince than to screw him in front of milions just like he did Bret years ago. Is this even a possibility? Has it been considered? Wow, wouldn't that be awesome!
Posted By: nico (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:41 PM
Bischoff will be begging Vince for a job in 6 months
Posted By: Danny Charisma (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:42 PM
couldnt have said it any better. the real winners are the fans. dont really get the "hope tna fails and were only left with wwe" posters
Posted By: I.C (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:42 PM
He's not wrong.
Posted By: Guest#8263 (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:48 PM
"Based on the mind-numbingly stupid Raw I had the misfortune of dropping in on last week, perhaps the fact that TNA stepped up..."
-------------
Has Bischoff watched Impact? Ever?
Posted By: Koby (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:58 PM
" Spike TV has put some nitrous into the tank with a live Monday Night"
oh shit, he just mentioned Monday and Nitro!!!!
Posted By: Tobias Fünke (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 09:25 PM
Interesting comments, however, I was under the impression that Eric would be bringing his business/marketing expertise to the TNA trenches?
Nonetheless, this will be my final 411Mania post: A Happy and Most Blessed New Year to ALL!
Posted By: HisPrinceMichael (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 09:28 PM
I'll be watching Raw. Bret > Hogan
Posted By: guestwwe (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 09:33 PM
They ARE gonna get owned by WWE, and still come out looking good. That's the thing.
Posted By: C (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 09:33 PM
Nice comments about Bret, but they do come off as a bit hypocritical considering that Bischoff & co. screwed over Bret every bit as much as McMahon--only not as blatantly.
They welcome him with open arms in Dec 97, but then fuck him over with the Starrcade main event, particularly regarding the "Fast" three count that wasn't.
Then Bret faces midcarder after midcarder as a face in early 98, and turns heel in April for no real reason.
Hell, a former WWF world champion doesn't even get a WCW world title shot until late 99 when Russo was in charge.
Posted By: Michael L (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 10:12 PM
If WWE offered Hogan/Bischoff $1 more than TNA did, Bischoff would be mouthing off about how TNA is bush league.
Posted By: MasterShake (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 10:41 PM
Coming in 2010...TNA Monday Nitrous!!!!!!!!
Posted By: future (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 10:45 PM
i dont know if its been pointed out but on January 4 it will be 11 years since the infamous "that'll put butts in the seat" incident
Posted By: Guest#8868 (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 10:46 PM
TNA rules! Competition makes wrestling better. I can't wait until TNA puts WWE out of business.
Posted By: Another TNA Fan (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 10:55 PM
I have to think that, if TNA can maintain their audience for the venture into Monday night, then it's a success all around.
Hell, I kind of think it's already a success. They already got Vince hitting the panic button.
That said, I'm gonna be watching Raw. I find the idea of Bret, Shawn, and Vince in the same arena on a live show much more intriguing than Hulk Hogan.
Posted By: HeartBurnKid (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 10:55 PM
"Based on the mind-numbingly stupid Raw I had the misfortune of dropping in on last week, perhaps the fact that TNA stepped up..."
-------------
Has Bischoff watched Impact? Ever?
Posted By: Koby (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:58 PM
Have you ever watched Raw before? He was right about Raw and Tna. Tna has been stepping up to the plate the last few months putting on great ppv matches. I liked a lot of bichoff's comments except about Bret Hart. He is right. Vince is a bully. And is too embarressed to say that he is in the wrestling buisness anymore. He has destroyed wrestling. I'm rooting for TNA this week. I hope they do well. The only people that can hate Bichoff after his statements are WWE marks, who don't want to admit that he is right. Lets face it gang monday night wars are back for at least one week. And that makes this fan happy
Posted By: Guest#2932 (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 11:20 PM
Vince is a Chicken. Bringing Bret in shows you that he is scared. You know that's the fact. Come on Vince. Do you really need Bret Hart to save your ass?
Posted By: Guest#2957 (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 11:24 PM
One crappy part about this situation is that Raw sucks but Impact isn't a great alternative--Impact tends to suck just as much as Raw. I think Raw's biggest downfall is its potential to be awesome (Raw does have some good talent) is usually dealt a huge blow by the shitty storylines that permeate the show week after week. Hornswoggle and DX is terrible. Cena is boring. The guest hosts are a joke. Raw is a mess right now, but it's not like Impact is much better.
What I wish would happen is that TNA would become a credible threat to WWE, forcing the E to step up its game and be entertaining again. Sadly, I highly doubt that will happen.
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 11:31 PM
As a fan of TNA (hence the name) I am happy for TNA. But I am not too pleased with Eric's comments. It wasn't that long ago that this same person was blasting TNA, calling it all sorts of crap. But now that he works for the company, all of a sudden he is supportive. I'm all for a guy speaking his mind, but don't change your tone now that you are cashing their paycheck. The strides TNA has made were happening before you got there and will happen once your gone.
Posted By: TNA Mark (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 11:51 PM
"some nitrous into the tank"? Hmm.
No matter how bad the rating, I think this is a good move for TNA because they will gain the channel flipper's attention. A better move is if they stay live on Monday Nights forever, because Vince only has so many noteworthy guest hosts and matches to give every week. Not sure if Spike TV or any network thinks long term though, because it will probably take a year of horrible ratings before it starts reaping rewards.
Posted By: 2kev (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 12:30 AM
Eazy-E is right. TNA is to thank for a potential increase in quality all around for pro wrestling.
Bret Hart coming back is probably the biggest bombshell of the next decade already.
However I am curious to see if the nWo comes back on TNA...it suddenly feels very much like 1997 again. Guess what? That's alright with me.
Posted By: Smo (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 12:48 AM
If it wasn't for me, Eric Bischoff would still be selling meat from a truck in Minneapolis!
Posted By: Hulkster (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 04:38 AM
Perfect world:
RAW - 4.6
Impact!- 2.0
Posted By: Guest#3877 (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 06:40 AM
Say what you want about EB and how pathetic he is, blah, blah...he's dead-on right here. Who would know better than him how two companies competing against each other makes both products better? Hell, in this industry, he invented the concept!
Posted By: Jon (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 08:13 AM
"I can't wait until TNA puts WWE out of business."
God I hope you are not serious. If you are, then you will be in for a long wait because mark my words: TNA WILL NEVER PUT WWE OUT OF BUSINESS.
And why wish that? That would mean all we would have is TNA and quite frankly, I shudder to think what the world would be like if that was to occur.
Posted By: Guest#7663 (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 08:21 AM
I just hope the rumors of guys like Hall, Waltman, DDP and even Flair coming in to TNA are just rumors. They've got plenty of good young talent that's really starting to get over, like Wolfe, Dinero, The MCMG's, Hernandez, Daniels, etc., and bringing in a bunch of washed up old fossils would definitely be a giant step backwards. Now RVD on the other hand, that might be a name worth bringing in.
Posted By: Guest#8656 (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 09:35 AM
"TNA rules! Competition makes wrestling better. I can't wait until TNA puts WWE out of business."
The irony is absolutely palpable.
You LITERALLY praised competition in one sentence, then said you can't wait for it to come to an end in the next.
And THAT'S why you're in an idiot.
Posted By: Christ the Lord (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 11:59 AM
True. 2009 was been a crap year. Good to see he doesn't let an interpromotional rivalry get in the way of his felings for Bret. And yeah, WWE does need a challenge, they are way too big for their britches.
Posted By: lilwayne1 (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 12:07 PM
Shane leaves WWE January 1 then is in TNA January 4 maybe?
Posted By: Guest#9728 (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 12:12 PM
"Bischoff will be begging Vince for a job in 6 months
Posted By: Danny Charisma (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:42 PM"
Considering he and the one kid from the Wonder Years have an in-demand television production company, I'm pretty sure Bischoff never has to work for Vince again.
Posted By: Guest#9382 (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 12:22 PM
EB is right, and I hope that TNA can dish out the Pain just as WCW did in the mid 90's, I totally quit watching all WWE programming when WCW was at it's peak, it was a shame to see them go, I just hope TNA can make the WWE put out a better show and also hope that TNA can do the same.
Posted By: Dark Wolverine (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 12:44 PM
What does this website have against my comments?
Posted By: Propagandhi (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 01:04 PM
"Based on the mind-numbingly stupid Raw I had the misfortune of dropping in on last week, perhaps the fact that TNA stepped up..."
-------------
Has Bischoff watched Impact? Ever?
Posted By: Koby (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 08:58 PM
That doesn't really change how stupid Raw has been.
Posted By: JD (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 01:37 PM
"TNA rules! Competition makes wrestling better. I can't wait until TNA puts WWE out of business."
The irony is absolutely palpable.
You LITERALLY praised competition in one sentence, then said you can't wait for it to come to an end in the next.
And THAT'S why you're in an idiot.
Posted By: Christ the Lord (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 11:59 AM
---
I was hoping someone would pick up on that. :)
But I guess I need to telegraph my sarcasm from now on. Happy New Year!
Posted By: Another TNA Fan (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 02:13 PM
I'm pumped tbh...say what you want about Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan's relevance with their respective audiences, say what you want about ratings; its the first time in a long time that their is direct competition, the first time that both companies are feeling monumental pressure to outperform the competition, the first time in a long time that the spotlight is on professional wrestling...
Last week's Raw was a complete 180 from the crap that we've been getting for the past few months and I'm happy that Vince finally feels the pressure to put on a better product. If he had gone into the 4th with the crap that he's been producing as of late, TNA will have surely taken a bite out of his fanbase. Now the QUALITY of the shows looks to be a bit more evenly matched.
I know fans will come on here and talk about the ratings, but I don't care about ratings...I'm all about the quality of the programs.
Posted By: bighustle (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 03:12 PM
Just reading Eric's book, funny hearing him condem McMahon for having billions and bullying TNA, yet in his book applauding Ted Turner for doing the same thing with WCW in the mid 90's.
I understand why TNA wants to step up, but they definitely need to step away from eric's ego or face making alot of mistakes WCW made
Posted By: Guest#6690 (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 03:52 PM
"I can't wait until TNA puts WWE out of business.
Posted By: Another TNA Fan (Guest) on December 30, 2009 at 10:55 PM"
HA HA HA HA HA!!!
Posted By: b-dag (Guest) on December 31, 2009 at 05:28 PM
WE as fans need to be like brothers. Like a united front...let's (gasp!) support BOTH shows, as COMPETITION will increase the quality of both shows. Wanting or expecting one company to fail is foolishly shortsighted as a fan. Bothe brands doing well can only be GOOD for us. Here's hoping the night is awesome, brings in news fans, solidifies current fans, and re-sparks the interest of "ex fans". Another Monday Night War is just what the doctor ordered for the industry.
Posted By: Guest#2192 (Guest) on January 01, 2010 at 05:04 PM
You know guys this may sound selfish but the only way i will route for TNA is vince dosent put on great shows after this monday i mean face it wwe knows what to do before long hell if he could (He Can) vince would rename wwe to World Wrestling Federation Entertianment vince is getting worried he has now named wwe Raw "Raw Zone"
I may seem like a TNA Fan but im WWE Through and Through and vince i got to admmit if he beats TNA,Before long TNA will be in vinces face once agian.I Want WWE To Put on good matches but vince wont becuase theres no competition as proved when WCW were risening wwf werent doing much but when vinced realized he steped up his game and then after WCW Got Owned vince went down to PG so he didnt have to "waste" money putting on great shows ,as proved by TNA Monday Night Wars 2010,
Posted By: WWF MNW (Guest) on January 02, 2010 at 01:57 PM
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