On the latest episode of 83 Weeks, Eric Bischoff responded to CM Punk’s recent comments about WWE’s old and new regimes, describing how carefully he navigated the locker room during his own run — and offering a measured assessment of Vince McMahon. You can check out his comments below:
“When I was talent there, I’d show up, keep my head down, keep my nose in my script, my format, make sure I knew what I was going to be doing that night, and work with myself, I guess, in my own head, to try to figure out a way to deliver as best I could. I sat off by myself most of the time. I didn’t really communicate with very many people, and I did that intentionally, just because I didn’t want to get sucked into the drama of it all — because it’s treacherous. You can be standing there having a conversation with somebody talking about the weather, and depending on the time of day and what that person may have talked about with somebody else, or to Vince himself, or to an agent, all of a sudden it looks like I’m part of that. So I stayed well clear of any potentially political situations, including talking to talent, especially young talent, and giving them any kind of feedback or guidance when it came to what they should be doing.”
“As I was listening to you read those quotes, I can see it. Vince was unique, and we can criticize him. I certainly didn’t enjoy working for him. I couldn’t make it work — the chemistry was just never going to be there. But other people have made it work and have done extremely well. One of the hardest parts of that four-month experiment for me was trying to get a read on Vince McMahon, and it was not a pleasant experience in any way, shape, or form. But at the same time, I recognize that as unique as Vince was, as difficult as he was in many respects, he still had a good eye. He wasn’t right all the time — nobody’s right all the time. But if he saw something he liked in somebody, he would push it and push it until it worked, or until, after giving it sufficient time, it didn’t work. He would also make very quick judgments. It could be the way someone carries himself backstage, the way they carried themselves on the ring entrance. If you don’t have the basics, if it doesn’t look like the lights are on and people are home, there’s a good chance you’ll get shut down before you really get started. It’s not pleasant. I’m not justifying it. It’s a tough spot to be in, but that’s what happens when you’re talent — there’s always somebody making a subjective opinion that has an objective impact on your life.”