Eric Bischoff discussed why he’s critical of Tony Khan’s handling of All Elite Wrestling.
Former WCW President Eric Bischoff is no stranger to running a wrestling company, and on a recent episode of his 83 Weeks podcast (available early via AdFreeShows), he explained why he’s frustrated with the way AEW President Tony Khan is running his business. Bischoff believes that Tony Khan is in danger of wasting the goodwill AEW has garnered from its fans.
“But I’m seeing him make the same mistakes Dixie Carter made, and it frustrates me and that’s what I’m outspoken about. My outspokenness is more about my frustration with Tony and, I say anxiety, but my concern that Tony is going to flop and blow a great opportunity.
“Tony had when he launched AEW he had so much goodwill, AEW had so much goodwill. Everybody, including myself, was cheering for them to be successful. We wanted a real alternative, when I say alternative, not just something else to watch, but I mean, something is more exciting than the WWE to watch. And I think we all believed that was going to happen.
“And there was a lot of indications even after the first six months, you know, going into the Arthur Ashe Stadium and some of the big things that they did, it was like f*ck I’m on board, I’m a believer, I was cheering him on, until he started doing some really stupid sh*t. And still, you know, putting himself over at the expense of other people.”
Continuing, Eric Bischoff revealed that there was a particular moment he found disrespectful and that soured him on the AEW President.
“When he came out and said ‘If Ted Turner would have known half as much about booking as I do. WCW would still be in business.’ That statement right there is what turned me off to Tony Khan. That was so disrespectful to Ted Turner. And meanwhile, the little bitches on TNT, or TBS, and he’s disrespecting the guy that created the f*cking network and suggesting that Ted Turner doesn’t know as much as Tony Khan.
“I’m sorry, your name is now on another list. I was willing, you know disrespect me, I’m cool with that. Disrespect a lot of people in WCW that did a lot of great things and actually made your opportunity possible Tony, disrespect them. I get that you’re young, you’re excited, you’re pushing your product.
“But when he sh*t on Ted Turner, it says something especially when he’s part owner of a f*cking football team that has nothing more than a punchline. Are you f*cking kidding me? Like if Tony Kahn knew half as much about building a successful sports franchise as Ted Turner did with the Atlanta Braves, maybe the Jaguars wouldn’t be a f*cking punch line.”
Bischoff recently compared the tension in AEW to his time running WCW, saying he’s never seen anything like the drama that arose following the All Out media scrum.
If you use any quotes from this transcription, please credit 83 Weeks and link back to this article with a h/t to Inside the Ropes.