Eric Bischoff Reflects On TNA Collaborating With The NWA

Speaking on the latest episode of his “83 Weeks” podcast, Eric Bischoff delved into TNA Wrestling’s first pay-per-view event in 2002. Bischoff discussed TNA working with the NWA, Mike Tenay, Jerry Jarrett, and more.

Bischoff expressed his opinion on TNA Wrestling’s decision to work with the NWA, stating that he would have preferred starting from scratch instead of relying on a brand that had lost its value over the years. He said,

“By this point in time, 2002, you’re resurrecting something that had been so diluted, the NWA brand, 10 years earlier. But by this point in time, I think the NWA brand had just been diluted to the point that you’re better off starting from scratch. I would’ve started from scratch as opposed to leading into the history of a brand that had been diluted and kind of drug through the dirt.”

Reflecting on his time in WCW, Bischoff acknowledged his respect for Mike Tenay’s color commentary skills and believed he would have brought Tenay back for WCW 2.0 to provide depth, perspective, and insightful information about the talent. He said,

“Yeah, I think so, because I always respected Mike when it came to color commentary. I mean, he was a walking, talking encyclopedia and was so good at adding that little touch of color, that little bit of information, that little bit of depth to a character or a story or backstory. There was nobody better at that than Mike. I was not a fan. I’ve said this before, as much as I respect and still do, Mike Tenay, play by play was not his strength. Color commentary was his strength. And I think that he was just — I’m sure he enjoyed doing it, but it just wasn’t his strength. And I would’ve used Mike much like I did in Nitro originally, to come in and just add depth and perspective and educate the audience about the talent as opposed to, you know, knowing very little about their lives prior to stepping into the ring.”

Bischoff also shared his motive for bringing Jerry Jarrett into WCW, emphasizing the importance of incorporating voices and perspectives from successful promoters who had experience and a different approach, while still maintaining a connection to the fundamental aspects of the industry. He said,

“I brought Jerry in — so my idea to bring Jerry in and as well as a couple of other people that I wanted, you know, I wanted that voice and experience and perspective from promoters who had been successful. I knew I was going in a much different direction, but I was hoping to find some balance. And it’s not like I discounted, you know, the generation that came before me or in Jerry’s case, maybe two generations that came before me as much as I was wanting to find something different then. But at the same time, still be rooted in some of the fundamentals and basics. And I was hoping that Jerry Jarrett would be one.”

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