Eric Bischoff is back and better than ever, at least for one night only.
The wrestling legend will be at the helm of the Major League Wrestling (MLW) One Shot event in New York City on December 5th. He told FOX News Digital in an exclusive interview that he will donate his entire salary to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation.
“What I (MLW founder Cort Bauer) said right away was this wasn't about the money,” Bischoff said. “He started negotiating my salary, but I didn't really want to negotiate, I just said whatever, I'm going to donate it to Tunnel to Towers.
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Eric Bischoff speaks on stage at “The Roast of Ric Flair” at the Nashville Fairgrounds on July 29, 2022 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Jason Kempin/Getty Images)
“So, that's not an issue and I don't want to negotiate. I just want people to donate whatever they can because I'm not doing it for the money. I'm doing it for the fun of it.”
Bischoff will be in charge of a night of wrestling at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens. He said he had talked with Bauer for several years about doing a show on MLW, but the timing was never right. Then the stars aligned.
Actor turned MLW wrestler Paul Walter Hauser appeared on wrestling mogul Bischoff's YouTube show “Life Choices.” While the two were discussing business, Hauser placed a live call to Bauer, and the domino effect started from there.
Alex Shelley, Austin Aries, Lexis King (then known as Brian Pillman Jr.), Francine, Gangrell, Jacob Fatu, Karrion Kross (then known as Killer Kross) , Konnan, Matt Cardona, MJF, Tajiri, and several others.
Emmy Award-winner Hauser's time in the square circle means he's ready for Major League Wrestling.
Eric Bischoff was previously the head of World Championship Wrestling. (Major League Wrestling)
The current roster includes established talent such as KENTA, Matt Riddle, Satoshi Kojima, Mistico, Minoru Suzuki, Bobby Fish, and The Andersons. Donovan Dijak also debuted with the company in the summer after his contract with WWE was not renewed.
“It's clear they've assembled great talent. Court, as a former WWE writer, understands the art of storytelling. I love the fact that they're the underdogs, and of course they're a great addition to the brand. It's like you're building up the ground.
“And I love seeing startups, whether it's in the wrestling industry or whatever. I'm just fascinated by the prospect of MLW growing and getting to the next level and whatever that is for them.” ”
Bischoff was instrumental in founding the New World Order faction in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), and was instrumental in the development of professional wrestling, including Hulk Hogan's transition from do-gooder to heel and joining his peer group in professional wrestling. It has been behind some of the most interesting creative angles in history. Kevin Nash and Scott Hall, collectively known as “The Outsiders.” This decision sparked the “Monday Night Wars” with WWE (then known as the World Wrestling Federation), and WCW held the top spot in the ratings battle for over a year.
In the end, WCW went up in flames, but Bischoff's influence in the business never slowed down. He joined WWE as the on-air general manager of the RAW brand and also served as executive producer of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
Former WWE star Donovan Dijak makes his electric Major League Wrestling debut: 'The execution was perfect'
Eric Bischoff will take over creative duties at Major League Wrestling for one night. (Major League Wrestling)
Bischoff told Fox News Digital that he is already beginning to enjoy returning to the creative side of the professional wrestling industry and is looking forward to producing the show.
That doesn't mean he's looking for a long-term return.
“I don't even think about it,” he said. “One of the things I told Court is that doing anything in wrestling right now has to be fun. If it's not fun for me, then it's just a job, it's just a paycheck. If it's day or night, I'm really not having fun.''When I dip my toe back into the water in wrestling, my first priority is, if it's not fun, I'm not interested.
“So, it all depends. To be honest, I don't get it. I like my life as it is. I live in a beautiful place in the countryside, in a secluded place. You can see Yellowstone National Park from the back window.
“So, for me, being dedicated to wrestling 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you're not doing it, you're thinking about it. If you're not thinking about it, you're worrying about it.” I think if you're not worried, you're asleep, but it all depends on whether it's successful or not, and whether the audience enjoys it, not just me. It's possible, but highly unlikely, if Cote and his team, most importantly, enjoy the process. ”
Eric Bischoff attends SiriusXM's “Busted Open” celebrating 10 years in New York City on the eve of WrestleMania 35 on April 6, 2019 in New York City. (Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images, SiriusXM)
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Several matches are already booked for One Shot. Here are the cards so far: More matches will be added in the coming weeks.
- Matt Riddle vs. Donovan Dijak
- Mistico vs. Trevor Lee World Middleweight Championship Match
