WWE- The "E" stands for Eric! By Matthew Evans (03/08/02)
A few weeks ago, as I wrote my "Who Misses WCW?" column , little did I know that "Easy E" Eric Bischoff had joined the WWE. When I watched Raw on Friday, and seen Booker T bump into Eric Bischoff, I was shocked. Then when Vince Mcmahon announced Bischoff as the new GM of Raw, I was more shocked. And seeing those two shake hands and embrace was just surreal.
For 18 months, WCW beat the WWE (then WWF) in the Monday Night Wars. Bischoff was smug about it, giving away pre-taped results of Raw hoping that the audience would stick with Nitro (this backfired on one occassion in 1999 when Tony Schiavone uttered the famous "that'll put butts in the seats" phrase, in reference to Mick Foley's WWF title win. In fact, that very comment by Tony "put butts in the seats" as most of the audience switched to Raw upon hearing it). Bishoff had Madusa throw the WWE Women's title in the trash on Nitro after she left the WWE still recognised as the champ. Bischoff gleefully described his tactics and 18 month dominance over the WWE in a truthful and memorable interview.
Which is what makes Bischoff's return to wrestling so great. Everytime he makes Monday Night War references, it's the truth. Everytime the WWE make Monday Night War references at Bischoff's expense, it's the truth. Bischoff's arrival is exactly the shot in the arm the WWE needs, if it's handled correctly. So far it has. The tv shows have been entertaining and Bischoff is merely an on-screen character. His "bidding war" with Smackdown! GM Stephanie Mcmahon is a refreshing change and could possibly be the catalyst to revive WCW. This writer still has hope. Look at the position of the commentary team on Raw. Raw could definately become Nitro and hopefully it will.
Plus there's great potential for box office money-makig feuds. Hogan VS Bischoff, Bischoff VS Mcmahon (the best and the one with most potential which should be saved for a Wrestlemania), Bischoff VS Flair (some real-life heat there as Bischoff attempted to bankrupt Flair in WCW), plus a bigger, better invasion feud between WCW and the WWE, with Goldberg and Sting thrown in the mix. Things are definately looking up for the WWE and its fans. Maybe WCW fans won't have to rely on their video library so much after all.