Eric Bischoff blasts AEW, Tony Khan & CM Punk, praises Bloodline, shares biggest career regret

Ariel Helwani interviews former WCW boss and WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff, who shares his thoughts AEW, Tony Khan, CM Punk, WWE's Bloodline story and the current state of pro-wrestling.
Bischoff believes AEW won't have success down the road and why he thinks it's a mistake to bring back CM Punk.
#ericbischoff #arielhelwani #prowrestling

[@ArielHelwani]

I've been watching this man - or the content he produces - for 30 years. What an honor to speak with the one and only EZE!

[@jeffery44]

YOU bash TK and give Bischoff softballs. SHOCKER

[@DimJongUn]

​@@jeffery44can't we all just get along? What is with the comment section these days.

[@PissedOffCanuck]

​@@jeffery44 TK deserves to be bashed.

[@Heyyo57]

Where is the muhammad ali story? I have watched the entire interview and you didn’t talk about him at all

[@semyaza555]

Bring Jim Cornette on lmfao.

[@jakeinator722]

Please get Jim Cornette on, Ariel!

[@coded3604]

Yes!!!!

[@milkmanspiffy85]

This please!!!

[@Liamc405]

Yes!

[@debking3064]

Cornette is too big for this show

[@killvash]

Yes

[@DIRTKNAPFX]

What a great episode. What I love that Ariel does is, he listens. He doesn't interject and and interrupt. He knows how to dictate the pace of the interview, and always asks great questions. Keep up the great work Ariel.

[@CK2008able]

Bischoff is 68?! The man looks incredible

[@SS-tg8lf]

Him and Russo aged gracefully thanks to their active lifestyles and good diet choices

[@jeffery44]

It's called plastic surgery

[@JMFSpike]

@@jeffery44 No, it's what SS3422 said. If you eat right and exercise regularly, you can slow down the aging process quite a bit and potentially live an extra 20 years or more.

[@marcbasil]

@@SS-tg8lftell us more, mark 🎯🤤

[@marcbasil]

@@JMFSpikeno, no, and no

[@chrismorin23]

Ariel,,,, what a great interview and what a great guest Eric was. Such a compliment that Eric genuinely enjoyed being on your show

[@Lingerer_]

Eric's the third person I've heard say Vince will never die lmao

[@Robby_C]

Eric is the king of bullshtting with confidence.

[@sextonhardcastle1940]

Like?

[@Ryanonfire03]

He said “I don’t ever really think about the past” so confidently. This being the guy who hosts 83 weeks where all he does is think about the past. Lmao

[@Oh-ffs]

He doesnt ponder it, he answers Tundra's questions that are asked after regurgitating Meltzers comments. Plus no need to remember when you have EZE's capacity for bullshitting

[@al5306]

@@Ryanonfire03 Eh, it's not that simple. He has a podcast where he talks about the past, but he's not losing sleep over it.

[@johnnyskinwalker4095]

and yet you still watch

[@Ryanonfire03]

“I don’t think about the past too much.” - The guy who makes his living off talking about 83 weeks in time that was 25 years ago.

[@leonlewis9551]

They ask him about it 💯

[@stewartmcrae8007]

@@leonlewis9551 And then to respond to them he needs to think about the past which he apparently doesn't do too much only once a week i guess

[@GNR4Life355]

Also, this guy will trash AEW one week and praise it the next. He just praised Collision on something I saw posted. Bischoff is so wishy washy

[@chrishuber8930]

​@@GNR4Life355clicks bud

[@Ryanonfire03]

@@leonlewis9551 ….because he made a show about it. Lmao

[@markwrenn5965]

"When the meteor hits, there will be cockroaches and Vince McMahon... and he'll be booking matches with the cockroaches." Great quote

[@_justinblizzle]

Vince booking matches w the cockroaches took me out! 😂

[@dickfitzwell1557]

Vince is a cockroach.

[@zlinedavid]

He left out Keith Richards. He can be the guest referee.

[@dickfitzwell1557]

​@@zlinedavid Charlie Sheen can be the ring announcer.

[@crazypato3752]

Coackraches screwed coackraches

[@nicholasrivera2950]

His vince impression is spot on

[@firstinstinct420]

Eric always does a good interview.

[@yooanto9465]

no hearts on real comments.

[@DimJongUn]

How does Eric Bischoff always look so damn good? He gets heel heat just for that alone.

[@markwrenn5965]

It is amazing. Lucky bastard

[@JMFSpike]

If Eric was here right now, he'd tell you that it's the hair.

[@_justinblizzle]

I was just about to say he’s 68 and he looks almost better now than he did when he was on tv. I read somewhere that he used to be a model so maybe that’s why/how he knows how to take care of himself, I mean just look at his skin

[@jeffery44]

Plastic surgery

[@WrestlingGawdMedia]

He is using the same "soft focus" filter Kari Lake uses to hide wrinkles. At the same time Eric DOES look good! Just saying, the filter is obvious

[@solidesh]

@32:10 damn!! that vince expression is spot on!!! best one i've seen anyone do. 😂

[@rodjohnson6408]

One of the few 90s heels I actually hated was Bischoff. He just had such great soap opera villain energy back then!

[@GNR4Life355]

You don't look like a guy who knows anything about soap

[@JMFSpike]

Eric does Vince's voice damn near perfectly, lol.

[@k999999]

thats how good he can act and imitate different personality in a heartbeat pal !

[@chillbest14]

Jim Cornette, Paul Heyman, Eric Bischoff are the three people i can listen to talk about pro wrestling all day everyday. Three masterminds💯💯💯☮️❤️

[@louio]

2 out of the 3 also tell the truth about modern wrestling

[@Rosadomofo]

@@louiohis comment up above sufficed 💯 no one needed you to chime in

[@louio]

@Rene Rosado

[@Kr4ShSkeL]

Very sad for you, Cornette is a garbage human being and Bischoff is bittered. Heyman is great tho

[@bokymijic873]

Hm only on this still on work is Paul Heyman

[@Imhim247]

Ariel and Eric?! This is way beyond awesomeness

[@diluted8]

I'm ready for this juicy content thank-you Ariel and thank you mr bischoff

[@EdSmith313]

Since Eazy E likes to punch down on AEW and Punk whenever possible, I bet that Ariel didn't even push back on how Bischoff helped kill WCW (including the $62 Million LOST the year before they got bought by Vince) and with his buddy Hogan killed off whatever momentum TNA had after the late 00s. I wouldn't be surprised if Punk calls Ariel a weasel the first chance he gets in a promo.

[@andu1854]

Also giving Hogan creative control was a huge mistake, because in 97 And at Starcade, Sting should have destroyed Hogan and Hogan changed the match to make himself Look like a monster heel (when he has been the biggest chicken bleep heel Ever), and made Sting look like a chump,

[@jayone1371]

You want it to be better take the criticism and learn. What he is saying is true, just like we did with WWE we need to do with AEW TO better. Punk is not a draw, and the matches he had have been Mediocre. It's time to be honest. And it does feel like AEW is Tony Kohn's Hobbie

[@chriskay1449]

Eric wasn't even in charge of WCW the year it lost 62 million. And it was Jamie Kellner that killed WCW by cancelling Nitro and Thunder, not Bischoff.

[@KIRA-EL]

Look criticism are made for you to just retaliate they're made to make you better than you currently are and as far as TNA goes they chose to put the people in charge that they did they really didn't have to that's on Dixie Carter and them as a company

[@saviorself1164]

​@@jayone1371 criticism needs to come from a valid place to be taken seriously. Bischoff caught lightning in a bottle with the NWO. He topped WWF is ratings for over a year and caused them to completely change their product. Therefore, people listen to him and ignore the fact that the NWO was just as responsible for the decline of WCW as it was for the rise of WCW. Plus, let's be honest, the NWO worked because the ultimate good guy turned heel. THAT is what made people tune in. Bischoff was just at the helm at the time so, he gets far more credit than he deserves. Now, I agree that AEW is deserving of criticism and is in desperate need of better booking (primarily with Miro. That man should be right up there with MJF as a top heel), but Bischoff is not in the position to criticize anyone else's booking mistakes.

[@carlosm.2818]

Amazing interview with Easy-E.... Thanks Ariel

[@Gcool243]

dusty rhodes really did impact just about everyone he interacted with in wrestling

[@jonathansantiago9736]

What a great interview!!!! 👏 🙌 👌

[@24inchdubz]

This was awesome!

[@CarbiesChronicles]

excellent interview here, really enjoyed it...

[@Heyyo57]

Where is the muhammad ali story? I have watched the entire interview and you didn’t talk about him at all.

[@dannooooooo]

I'd love to watch Eric do a Let's Play of TEW 2022 with modern roster mods. Be fun to see his decisions

[@CristianGeelen]

I can listen to Eric forever. Well done Ariel.

[@Takerfanatic]

Great listening to Eric on the business and his stories on Punk, AEW is always fun.

[@realslickshady4871]

Wrestling BTS stories are the best and Ariel is the best to bring it out of them!

[@wrestlingfan1596]

Great interview, brother ! 👍

[@budgiecat2885]

Wow that was a spot on Vince impersonation he did at the end there

[@christophermcgregor4724]

Where is the Muhammad Ali story?

[@gregoryescobar9011]

Great conversation 🔥🔥🔥

[@Otreblarioma1]

Fantastic job Ariel. Congratulations

[@mariopadilla1445]

Bischoff putting Vince over puts a smile on my face not gonna lie lol. People confuse the characters for the real people so often, that any positive of negative impressions are often because of how blurred the lines are. This was nice haha

[@marclau6974]

Love Eric Bischoff! Love @ArielHelwani!!!

[@aidantkbaker]

Fantastic interview!

[@samidnasir]

Very wrong about CM Punk

[@texasforever1894]

I love CM Punk but AEW needs to push other stars. CM Punk gets hurt too often and is a step slow in the ring. Guys like Ricky Starks, Jay White, Powerhouse Hobbs, etc. need to be pushed with MJF.

[@al5306]

@@texasforever1894 AEW can't make new stars though. They haven't been able to do that in four years. Every time someone gets over on their own, the rug is pulled out from under them. MJF is their world champion and he's less over now than he was last year.

[@texasforever1894]

@@al5306 yeah I feel like their show has no structure. I honestly prefer WWE because their storylines typically are slow builds and in most cases have good payoffs.

[@marknewton7212]

Thank you Ariel, what a legendary 30 minutes

[@engrey]

68 years old and he looks better than I do at 50. Good for him.

[@nathansilva8141]

Say whatever you want about Eric, the man knows the business inside out and backwards and what he said about AEW and CM Punk is 100% right.

[@sheriffdraws8789]

Totally agree 💯

[@harrykocoronis8821]

Great episode!

[@CMFTR-]

ARIEL, please try to talk to Jim cornette!!!!

[@philippatton7128]

Great interview!

[@freakinkrang5152]

His Vince McMahon impression is 100 percent spot on. If you aren't actually watching the video and just listening. You would think they were playing a clip of Vince talking.

[@twinkie84z]

This is best Eric Bischoff I've ever witness.

[@scoonboon]

Until the brawl… CM punk was doing very well for AEW. Lifted ratings. Lifted ppv sales. Sold merch. Good storylines and good matches. Now all of a sudden he’s useless and not an asset? It’s simply not true. Now.. he has had 2 bad injuries in that time which is a concern. But let’s not make lies up. CM punk is an asset and a draw.

[@jeepernj99]

Besides his first couple appearances with AEW. How much did he increase viewership 200 thousand on a good night? I thought he would of brought in more viewers.

[@bls8959]

@@jeepernj99 Exactly...i remember ppl complaining about that last storyline he was in

[@scoonboon]

@@jeepernj99 Ye but the reality it he moved the needle for AEW and is a draw. The biggest star they have. It’s pathetic marks like you that expect him to pull in Stone Cold numbers. It’s 2023. Things have changed. We know he moves the needle and makes the company money by the simple fact TK has brought him back. He’d of been fired had he been a failure.

[@ec5018]

good story lines with who ? his shit outside the ring was more intresting than his shit inside the ring. Plus how come collison tickets sales are low ? hes the Headliner

[@scoonboon]

@@ec5018 Maybe because some little girls have bitched about him for a year? Ratings have plummeted since he left. You’ll find he turns up on Dynamite soon too…

[@marcodigirolamo5454]

I hope when I'm 68 I look as young as EZ E

[@ralphso5567]

Heelwani getting the Bischoff rub

[@ReapFamily]

Lmao all the AEW fans mad as hell in the comments.

[@darensparks]

I've noticed that too. They can't admit aew isn't even nearly as successful as WCW was from 96 thru early 99 and it drives these neck beards crazy.

[@JayL8899]

@@darensparksI agree about AEW being hella overrated. But let’s not forget Bischoff’s years in TNA. Funny how none of these podcast ever bring that up like his stint there with Hogan didn’t exist.

[@darensparks]

@@JayL8899He has done episodes on his own podcast strictly about his TNA run. Of course he never blames Hogan for anything still always kisses Hogan's ass in regards to TNA and WCW.

[@saviorself1164]

If that is what you call "mad as hell", I would hate to see how you describe ACTUAL anger

[@crownedkingoffrancet8427]

Remember that Eric Bischoff is being biased towards Hogan his best friend and meal ticket and burying punk because punk spoke out against Hogan on numerous occasions. Exhibit A. Bischoff said that because punk was off tv for seven years that generated interest. Which is bs cause the best way to make sure someone doesn't get over as punishment in the wrestling business is to not put them on tv to cool down the wrestler in tje eyes of the fans.

[@TL2354]

You failed to mention Punk saying AEW bringing in Cole and Danielson was bigger than The Outsiders going to WCW. That's an important fact. Did you leave that out intentionally or just too stupid to breathe in our air?

[@marcbasil]

Lolwut

[@RG-lr4pk]

Hogan is the GOAT and Punk is trash. You're being biased because you don't understand wrestling or life in general. Go cry in your cereal.

[@nbaldwin45]

Punk threw shade at WCW, not just Hogan, and Khan’s done the same thing. Both Punk and Khan have been known to massively overstate their place in wrestling history. Punk’s return on Collision isn’t going to take AEW to the next level … you watch. Dwayne Johnson or Steve Austin couldn’t help AEW overtake WWE because AEW had way too many intrinsic flaws

[@ec5018]

did you forget his failed UFC stint and the timing to comeback made it seem like he cameback not for the fans but because he probably was losing money and felt he had no choice

[@darthsebio1726]

Iˋm not even a CM Punk fan but he is pretty much the only one who makes a difference in their Business..but if you don’t like Hulk Hogan..you are not good in whatever you do..and Hulk Hogan (NEVER NEVER..)emasculated Eric Bischoff...😬

[@chrisogorman6546]

What a nice compliment at the end from Good Old Eric Bischoff you're the best in the business Ariel

[@beesterscardcorner9668]

I'll hang my hat on the reason Punk went nuts at the press conference was all to do with him being able to talk to all the dirt sheets face to face. It was a dumpster fire waiting to happen that Tony did nothing about.

[@JackCuhhh]

Cornette please

[@FreeHat]

I was always disappointed that Eric couldn't get the WCW deal to work

[@ericbambergerphilly]

Great interview

[@allknowerofwwetna1]

Man, Bischoff is so intelligent

[@boreduser12]

Ask him: If wcw had won the war, would wcw have invited Vince to be a part of wcw?

[@philliplandry4139]

Eric wouldn't mine but Turner probably would be against it. The difference between Ted Turner and Vince McMahon when it comes to the wrestling business, Vince would tried put his emotions on a side for the sake of the business. Ted wouldn't, because all he did was look at wrestling as his project, nothing more. So for Vince, that's his bread and butter. The reason why Vince hired Eric, he probably thought it be good for business. Look at all the people that burn bridges with him and he still hired them back. If Ted was in Vince's shoe, he wouldn't have done that.

[@NickCorvello]

Anyone have timestamps for the video?

[@timslee0618]

I am surprised Eric Bischoff made it through without making a comment about Dave Meltzer

[@ifgwelf]

Very illuminating interview.

[@619AJ]

Bischoff speaking nothing but facts 💯

[@StraightEdgeHeathen]

Holy crap that Vince McMahon impression was awesome!

[@ralphso5567]

Any timestamp?

[@StylezClash24]

I don’t agree with Bischoff take, because when Bischoff ran WCW, he cater to a lot of wrestling for example Hogan Nash and Hall. And TNA did he move the needle there cmon. Tony Khan still new, he still trying to get things together to make his company as great as a can be. Instead of tearing him down every five seconds, how about give her some invoice behind the scenes.

[@Matt-cr4vv]

He has tried to give him advice and Tony has attacked him for it. People forget that for a period of time Eric and Tony were good until Tony made a comment about Ted Turner that pissed eric off and ever since then it’s been as it is now. People tend to forget that advice is only an asset to the extent it’s followed. Tony has a ton of veterans on his payroll and clearly doesn’t follow their counsel when you watch the product they put out. I don’t think Tony is a bad guy but to an extent he falls short in the sense of heeding the counsel of those with mroe experience and because of that he loses some of the sympathy of “just starting out” with me. I get that and it’s valid but if you don’t need the advice of those who have that experience then your mistakes fall on you becsuse part of wisdom is knowing what you do and do not know and taking the counsel of those around you.

[@qweasdzxcname]

tony is clearly doesnt want advice from anyone. he has guys there with decades of experience, and he completely ignores them. and thats ok. Tony wants to create his own thing.

[@henrylove4916]

Tony has to shoot down that company ASAP 😂😂😂😂😂

[@americoboni7883]

Love your shows ariel! I agree with another comment in regards to interviewing jim Cornette. That man has a wrestling mind that is interesting and hilarious to listen to

[@semyaza555]

15:15 Ariel laughing in the background lmfao.

[@Artbanditofficial]

Gotta love it

[@VoltronShakespeare]

"I don't know what I'm talking about really" - the only Eric Bischoff quote anyone needs

[@carriebrooks2377]

Wow Eric 68 looks great

[@WhipahSnapah]

I can’t believe he is almost 70 years old holy shit

[@Brian-sf6ew]

*Augh! LOL. I wish Ariel had asked him who was the first actual wrestler(or wrestlers) Bischoff ran into on his way to the ring on his first day in WWE, and what was their reaction. Otherwise great interview. Love hearing Bischoff talk about wrestling, old days and new. Gotta get his second book. First one is amazing.*

[@ondoidlifestyle5754]

Probably like golddust or something and probably “hey Eric”

[@missm3333]

Exactly 💯 I agree

[@boreduser12]

I wonder if Stephanie ever didn't know something and felt the goosebumps when there is a wrestling surprise revealed, the way the rest of us fans do. Or if she just knew everything in advance.

[@chriskay1449]

She absolutely did know once she got into WWE management. Hell, she ran creative for a number of years back in the early 2000's.

[@shahminhajuddin]

Wow so many interesting stories !! So much wisdom !! ❤️

[@davilima7318]

eric looks great

[@SahajPS]

I agree with Bischoff

[@ReapFamily]

We need Punk on!

[@albs7025]

Great guest Ariel !

[@carriebrooks2377]

Eric speaking facts ❤❤

[@ibezzant]

Fantastic interview. Your knowledge and passion for the wrestling industry makes for some awesome interviews with these various luminaries. Say what you want about Bischoff but the man was very talented and helped revolutionize the industry in many ways and I don't think he gets enough credit for that. The one question I'd love to see him get asked is that if WCW might still be around had he pushed Jericho, Benoit, Guerrero, Rey, Booker T, etc. in '98 going forward, working with the established older guys. Who knows what would've happened on the Turner side business wise but Vince made all those guys stars and certainly could've been in WCW. That was some of the lack of foresight that killed that company, imo.

[@marcbasil]

…..??

[@ronniemurphy8138]

@@marcbasil dude had paragraphs to explain his excitement and your clueless . Moral of the story you might be border line mentally challenged.

[@JoeyT1]

Knowledge? 😂

[@marcbasil]

@@unlimitedayoproduction2452 that isn’t true whatsoever. There isn’t a company on the planet that would cancel a tv program if it was doing huge numbers. They cut dubya see dubya because it was a negative entity, it was hemorrhaging money

[@marcbasil]

@@unlimitedayoproduction2452 …? And? What’s your point? What does that have to do with anything that was said?

[@CD-rs2pl]

Wish this guy would do creative for Aew

[@fatmanjebis]

The hiding thing is funny because they do it now...for returns and surprises which came from bischoff I love it hahaha

[@meshachwhite2811]

If you can get the legend EB on here you need to get jim cornette ASAP

[@whatssogoodaboutindy6696]

CM Punk will respond to Easy E tonight.

[@fatmanjebis]

Mr bischoff I have all kinds of WCW memorabilia thank you for drawing me into sting Goldberg nwo...I'm a wrestler collector because of WCW /nwo vs wwe attitude area

[@brentturner7232]

I can’t believe he’s 68 years old.

[@justcruzin17]

Ariel Helwani covering hoops. I love it! Cheers and congrats on expanding your empire away from the interfering hands of Dana

[@four321zero]

😆😆I got full Tito Ortiz "cheese and wine" vibe from - 04:18 to 04:30

[@BruhNut]

Jim Cornette next!

[@Gary-su8sb]

Eric just said my point on their Wembley show! Its nostalgia people, that's why aew did 65k people! They haven't seen wrestling live there for more than 30 years.

[@ModernDayRenaissanceMan]

Hearing Bischoff talk exposes him so badly. It hurts because I was a WCW guy & still am to this day. But the older I get (43 next month) I realize he really is a fake. He knows nothing about the business at all. Cornette exposes him. A few others also expose him & then he does a great job of exposing himself. If you a prone to love him you can be blind to it like I was but now I know that he didn't get close to Hogan & Nash or become close to them by accident. They are top notch political guys. He can work it but he leaves the other stuff to smarter people. He just never admits it & when he has power he screws it up. His track record even in the past 10 years is very poor. Edit: To clarify he is correct on AEW though. I'm not saying he is ever wrong. But he is wrong about CM Punk. Right on AEW not being able to succeed because they need to turn it over to Punk. He IS a draw & if Eric understood money he would still be in business twice. He mentioned ratings but he refused to mention PPV buy rates. Wembley was going to sell because no one ever goes to the UK. Also most of the tickets are sold to scalpers we don't know how many real tickets there are. Dude is literally spitting lies.

[@HaroldCollins-vw1dh]

I been a wrestling fan for over 60 years and still enjoy most of it. It doesn’t do Any good to criticize people take the good and forget the rest., I like AEW and tony but he could gain valuable advice by consulting someone like jim Cornette for things he could change. Top heavy with too many under performers. Bookings are a major area of concern, just CD a couple of ideas😎🙏🇺🇸✈️✝️🔯🛸👽🎳🎳

[@russelllemieux]

Eric was still is a genius

[@chyguy9132]

That December convo with Vince was most likely doing the draft

[@MarkieMX]

Punk started moving the needle. It wasn't til Punk buried Hogan that Bischoff started hating Punk

[@kirkanderson3265]

He's right about Punk though

[@RatedRWW]

Not really, he sounds extremely emotional when talking about him, he just hates him.

[@kirkanderson3265]

@@RatedRWW You're right. But he's also right when he mentioned the numbers here. They sold out 60000+ tickets without punk and the viewership hasn’t improved that much either. So don't make it all about him again.

[@stuka187]

Because TnA/Impact did and does so well!

[@ReapFamily]

That wasn’t Eric’s fault.

[@stuka187]

@@ReapFamily I agree (AOL/TimeWarner/SpikeTV). I dont know this for a fact but im pretty sure AEW is doing better in thier 4th year than any other wrestling promotion in the last 30 years?

[@ReapFamily]

@@stuka187 Depends what you consider a success. Sure they sold 60/70K for all All In, but their ratings are dropping, are down year after year and ticket sales in the US are not good. They have potential, I just believe Tony needs to step away as booker.

[@stuka187]

@@ReapFamily I consider AEW a success because both ECW and TNA had tv deals but couldnt stay on tv for very and the fact that I can talk wrestling without it being about wwe since 1998! P.S Sorry but I stopped reading after ratings.

[@ReapFamily]

@@stuka187 That’s fine. I was just making honest points.

[@nickmorris9311]

Sweet!

[@wishmart]

Someone has to play Cornette what Bischoff is saying about Punkn

[@nbaldwin45]

Cornette knows and that seems to be the only major thing he and Bischoff disagree on nowadays. I think Eric underrates Punk as a draw and talent but Jim overrates him