Former WCW President Eric Bischoff has revealed he had to turn down an invitation to attend the Saturday Night Nitro event at Mall of America.
On September 10th, wrestling returned to the Mall of America for the first time since the ionic venue hosted the inaugural edition of WCW Monday Nitro in September 1995.
The mall is the largest in the western hemisphere and in September 1995 saw Nitro’s first main event as WCW World Champion Hulk Hogan defeated Big Bubba Rogers.
F1RST Wrestling paid homage to the event with ‘Saturday Night Nitro’ being held in the same venue. The show featured a multitude of top stars including Rob Van Dam, Orange Cassidy, and Colt Cabana.
One personality who would have made the link between the two versions of Nitro, former WCW President Eric Bischoff, has revealed that he was invited to attend the show.
Speaking on his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff recalled being asked to participate but had to turn it down due to a family commitment.
“I saw some of the pictures on social media this weekend and I think they reached out to me and asked me. I think it was them, asked me if I could participate.
“Unfortunately, because I knew my kids were coming into town, there was no way that I could, but I was kind of jealous that I couldn’t be there. I was looking at it, they had a nice looking set-up and I really do [wish I could be there].”
However, Eric Bischoff hinted that F1RST might not be the last promotion to host an event at the mall, saying that he would be interested in working with Conrad Thompson to do another show next year.
“I’m gonna talk to Conrad and see if he could bring some of his Conrad Thompson pixie dust and sprinkle some pixie dust on that idea. Maybe do it next year.
“When was when did we launch that? ’95 How many years ago was 1995? So next year will be the 28th year, that will be an odd anniversary to celebrate the 28th year of anything.
“Hell, maybe next year we’ll talk Conrad into having an event in Minnesota and we’ll do it at the Mall of America. And we’ll have a blast.”