If there’s one constant in the world of professional wrestling, it’s that nothing is guaranteed or constant. Things are always in flux from the talent to the creative divisions.
The uncertainty of life keeps some on their toes, while it makes possible scapegoats out of others. Everyone knows the risks, but few outside the business may. In cases like that, the October firing of Eric Bischoff from his executive producer position on WWE’s Friday Night Smackdown was the latest story.
It took a few days following being let go, but Eric Bischoff finally responded (courtesy of comicbook.com and Cageside Seats):
“My feelings right now are, number one, I’m really grateful for the opportunity to work in WWE. It didn’t work out the way I wanted it to work out. It clearly didn’t work out the way Vince McMahon wanted it to work out. But that happens. I’m not taking any of it personally. Professionally, I’m taking a hard look at it and thinking it through. More than anything, I’m grateful for the opportunity. Part of the reason is I am, I had a chance to work with a great team of people. The writing staff for SmackDown in particular, as well as a lot of other writers who were on Raw. They are very, very talented and unbelievably hard working and dedicated group of people. Just to have the opportunity to work with people like that, was worth this experiment.
“I didn’t come here thinking I was going to be in WWE for five or 10 years. I looked at it as a relatively short term opportunity, meaning 2-3 years. I didn’t think it would be quite this short term, but sometimes that happens. WWE is a great company with a very defined culture and process. I didn’t necessarily fit into it. That’s just the way it is. I’m not sad, disappointed, any of those things. Just looking forward to the next opportunity, whenever and wherever that may be.”
Where to from here
This was a typical response we’ve come to expect in the professional world as no one wants to burn a bridge, especially in a tightknit world like professional wrestling.
As much as we may feel he was treated harshly or unfairly, entertainment is a volatile business that can chew up and spit out the toughest and most gifted of us. With any luck, Eric Bischoff will land with another promotion like AEW, Impact, or even New Japan’s new American endeavor.
Wherever he goes, he’s sure to draw a crowd and make things interesting, as those of us that lived through the Monday Night Wars can attest. The typical conversation will probably be:
Someone new: But he’s an a-hole!
Established Fans: Yeah, but he makes it fun!
Is there a better reputation than that when it comes to entertainment?
Sources: Comicbook.com, Cagesideseats.com
