Eric Bischoff On Chris Kanyon: “He Was Way Better Than We Realised”

Sadly professional wrestling is littered with the names of incredibly talented performers who never managed to showcase their potential. One name that certainly fits into that category is that of former World Tag Team Champion Chris Kanyon.

Speaking on a recent episode of his 83 Weeks podcast Eric Bischoff opened up about his memories of Kanyon, and how he was so much more talented than many realised at the time. A listener contacted the podcast suggesting that Kanyon didn’t get the credit that he deserved and he was very much ahead of his time, explaining that he may have excelled during the 2010 to 2015 era.

Bischoff stated that he agreed with that sentiment, before likening his feelings to those expressed in the song ‘If I Die Young’ by The Band Perry, which deals with a young girl losing her life, causing her to miss out on many life experiences. He specifically cited the line “Your songs are worth so much more when you’re a goner,” explaining that he feels as though that idea also rings true for Chris Kanyon.

“Now that he’s gone and now we can look back at his body of work, as little of it as there was unfortunately. Still enough of it to go back and look and go ‘wow, he was way better than we realised’ and i think that his impression, the impression that he made on the audience, the things that Chris innovated in the ring, his ability to tell story in a physical manor which is the artform that we call professional wrestling was so far ahead of everybody else’s, in terms of innovation, that nobody appreciated it until he was a goner, referencing the song, not to make light of it. And it’s unfortunate. But i like to hope that Chris recognises now, that we’re recognising him.”

Chris Kanyon debuted in WCW in 1995, before really hitting his stride into the latter part of the decade, feuding with the likes of Diamond Dallas Page. He was later part of The Invasion storyline following the WWE’s purchase of WCW, where alongside old adversary DDP, he clashed with the likes of The Undertaker, Kane and the APA. (Faarooq and Bradshaw)

After an injury hit couple of years Kanyon was released from his contract in 2004. He promptly announced his retirement from the ring, only to return to action on the independent circuit the following year.

Tragically Kanyon took his own life in April 2010, he was only 40 years old. Kanyon had previously struggled with his sexuality as well as depression and Bi-Polar Disorder.

You can listen to the full episode of 83 Weeks here, which finds Eric diving into SuperBrawl Revenge 2001 as well as giving his opinion on WCW’s cruiserweights influencing the wrestling of today.

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