Two of probably the most famend and celebrated commentators and on-screen figures in skilled historical past are former ECW boss Paul Heyman and former WCW boss Eric Bischoff, each of whom ran wrestling promotions that arguably modified the trade. Whereas WCW and ECW had been thought-about rivals in skilled wrestling all through the 90s, they two have held fairly favorable opinions of one another’s work in recent times. On a current episode of “83 Weeks,” Bischoff mentioned how his strategy to wrestling was at all times much like Heyman’s.
Commercial
“Heyman, whether or not he knew it or not, approached the enterprise in a really related trend that I did, which is, ‘You possibly can’t compete with WWE… how can I be totally different?” mentioned Bischoff. “[ECW] showcased superb expertise that individuals weren’t already aware of.”
Bischoff had the same need to showcase expertise that was unfamiliar to most wrestling audiences within the WCW days. This got here within the type of a Cruiserweight Division, which was essential in separating WCW from WWF and sustaining sturdy scores, saying the 9 o’clock hour was “simply as essential as the primary occasion” of the present,
“We would have liked one thing that regarded and felt totally different… one thing that was sooner paced,” Bischoff defined. Whereas the time period Cruiserweight was popularized by Bischoff and WCW, Bischoff gave Heyman credit score for having smaller-size wrestlers on tv earlier than him within the type of Luchadors.
Commercial
“I wasn’t the primary individual to make use of Luchadors on tv,” mentioned Bischoff. “I’ll give that nod to Paul Heyman. Paul Heyman was utilizing Rey Mysterio earlier than I did.”
If you happen to use any quotes from this text, please credit score “83 Weeks” and supply a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.
