Eric Bischoff issues response to what AEW President Tony Khan said about him on Ariel Helwani’s show
While speaking to Ariel Helwani this week, AEW President Tony Khan commented on his critics such as former WCW President Eric Bischoff. Here is what Khan said about Bischoff…
“I do respect his opinions. I think he talks about AEW a lot because AEW is on every Wednesday night, every Saturday night, and it gives them good content to talk about. In his case, I think it’s interesting because he spends a lot of time talking about AEW, but I think he’s also cognizant that there were a lot of media personalities and former wrestling promoters who had strong, vocal opinions of him. And I’m not trying to say that I’ve done more than him.”
During his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff issued a response to Khan…
“I don’t know what to think. He didn’t really answer—he didn’t really talk about my critique other than saying, ‘I talk about AEW a lot.’ Let me make something really clear: I don’t like talking about AEW. I had a conversation with you six months ago or so where I said, ‘I just don’t want to talk about it anymore. There’s nothing new to talk about.’
So if I get asked a question in the course of doing my show, I’m going to give an answer. I’m not going to respond with, ‘Oh, I don’t want to talk about that.’ It’s not what I do. It’s not what the show is about. But at the same time, I don’t spend much time thinking about AEW, and I try not to think about it unless I’m asked a question.
My criticism toward Tony Khan and AEW has been—granted, it’s probably been a little salty, probably drew blood once or twice—but my criticism is based in fact. It’s based in experience. It’s based on what’s going on today. And me being critical of what AEW has—and Dave Meltzer calls stories—for example, I’ve been talking about the lack of story, good story, actual story, the lack of it in AEW for five and a half years.
I’ve been talking about the characters and the way they’re presented, and the way the wrestling is presented, for the last five or six years. And in the process of talking about what’s wrong and what could be better, I’ve also predicted what the outcome of AEW would be from a ratings perspective and an audience perspective if these things are not addressed.”
Bischoff said that he hopes Khan would listen to criticism…
“So it was nice of him to say nice things about me. I’m always happy to hear that. He didn’t say anything negative, so I don’t have anything to react to other than: I wish Tony would listen to criticism—whether it’s from me or Jim Cornette, who I think is probably smarter than me in many respects. He’s got a different feel than I do in terms of the wrestling product, and it’s a valuable perspective. You may not like the way it comes out. You may not like the package that that information is in. But the value of that information is nonetheless really important.”
Bischoff was asked if he was open to having a meeting with Khan…
“I’m not against it. I just don’t know what the purpose would be. But you know me—sit me down with a glass of wine and a steak, and I’ll talk to anybody.”