The Ring, The Stage, and The Cage had Eric Bischoff on, and Chandler Sorrells & Cole Henry asked the former WCW boss some interesting questions. Brought up in the interview were his opinions on WCW’s North Korea event with NJPW (Collision in Korea), working with Eugene, and why the Attitude Era lives on.
Check out a few highlights below.
On WCW’s infamous North Korea event:
I was instrumental in putting that trip together. It was one of the most surreal experiences that I have ever had. I don’t know if either of you have been out of the country, but the first time I stepped foot out of the country I was in high school. Now I spoke German, so that’s why I went over [to Germany]. I was part of a student exchange program. When I went to Germany things were different but for the most part, I could make my way around pretty easily.
When you go to North Korea, nothing is like anything you have ever experienced before in your life. The geography is red and dry, and you can’t understand the language or the street signs, and on top of that you’re surrounded by a country of people that actually hate you.
We had security with us all the time, but not really being mindful of the situation I got up and went out for a six-mile hike. The people in the area where all walking to work, and they had never laid eyes on an American. For three generations the children in school there have been taught that American men will rape their women, eat their children, and murder their village. That’s how they look at us, like monsters. So, when I went running, I saw a lot of scared North Koreans. When I got back to the hotel my security person read the riot act.
On the Eugene angle:
Oh, I didn’t have a lot of thoughts about it. I loved working with Nick Dinsmore, a very talented guy and an easy person to work with, and a great performer. I didn’t really think the story line was that powerful. I don’t think it was that successful. I think it was a little too hard to believe, and a little bit too contrived. There’s a line and when you cross over it, it becomes entertaining but not compelling.
His opinion on the Attitude Era still being relevant today:
For me it was the peak of my career, so naturally I am going to look favorably on that era. But I think what’s interesting about wrestling fans is that they are generational. I will go to an appearance and I will have somebody older than me come up to me and say, ‘Oh I remember watching you with my kids!’ and then the kids that are now 30 or 35 come up and say, ‘I used to watch you with my dad!’ I think wrestling fans more than any fans are generational, and very loyal, and it’s a family viewing experience. It just amazes me that so many people still want to speak about that era. That’s what my podcast is all about. That era and how it developed into so much of what we see today.
Make sure to check out the full Eric Bischoff interview for even more.
RELATED: Eric Bischoff Says Wrestling And Cable News ‘Are The Same’
