I am not one of those fans that is so much anti-WWE but I also don't think Bisch is the anti-christ in wrestling like so many on these forums think. When WCW was up for sale EB and his investment group had made an offer to buy WCW for over $150 mill but they had no plan of taking it off of TW's owned networks which use to be Turner's. If Bisch could of got a tv deal off of TW WCW would still be in biz today. Bisch was just starting to turn WCW around albeit slowly and Bisch had a five year plan to have WCW profitable again. I am not going to rehash about the positive and negatives of WCW because that debate can go on forever regardless if you were a WCW fan or not. Bisch has been more successful outside of wrestling than VKM can dream about. VKM has always wanted WWE involved with Hollywood and Bisch has been doing that since 97. I think Bisch considers himself more of a producer than a promoter. The best thing for TNA would be Bisch to own the company with the right investment company that is related to the entertainment world. Could you imagine if Bisch could work out an agreement with LGF or New Line Cinema to sponsor TNA and then the entertainment company could buy SPIKE and you would have a network of exclusive films and wrestling. That would mean Bisch beat WWE to the punch of their own network. TNA could do away with HH but EB is the main piece of any future success. If EB was to buy TNA I also think he would have a partnership with either AAA or NJPW. Bisch knows he needs new stars and only sign the right former WWE talent. Fans tell me what you think what the success of Impact could be if Bisch was the majority owner with the right entertainment company as an investor and consultant?
Should Bischoff/Hervey Buy TNA?
- Thread starter scomvp316
- Start date
BaconBits
WZ Czar of Steaks
No, just no. And it's not because I think Bischoff is the anti-Christ or anything, it's because he's part of the old guard of a different time of professional wrestling, and he was damn successful at it. But now, I don't think he's bringing anything new and interesting to the table, regardless if he has a huge bankroll or not. The same old shit isn't going to start a new rating wars or any of that.
If TNA is to be sold, I'd want it to be sold to somebody with a better grasp on modern realities of professional wrestling.
If TNA is to be sold, I'd want it to be sold to somebody with a better grasp on modern realities of professional wrestling.
lil bitch Kid
Getting Noticed By Management
No!!!! The fact is that Eric tried to get the cake together to buy WCW 10 plus years ago before he completely lost sight of the wrestling equivalent to his nose in front of his face, and that fell flat. TNA on the surface looks like WCW lite, but is nowhere near the success and name that WCW was, so to think that Bischoff will bring greater success now is naive.
I am not proposing if Bisch bought Impact that would change the landscape of the industry. I think most people if they had to choose between Bisch and Dixie they would pick EB. In WCW the wheels were oficially off when the Halloween Havoc producing megacatastrophe had happened. When EB was fired as Prez of WCW and Russo had free reigns the product went to complete shit. TW brought Bisch back but he had to work with Russo and those two just can't stand one another. WCW was starting to improve when Russo was removed near the end but by that time it was way too late. As much as people want to hate EB WCW was finished when the creative direction of the company went to Russo with no oversight and no one in the company had balls to standup to the mess Russo created before Bisch was re-hired. I do think Bisch needs some overhead and not proposing Bisch to have unlimited power. Thats why I mentioned as an investment group should be headed by an entertainment company. Bisch as a producer is much better than Bisch making all of the final decisions of the company that included hiring and firing. We do see in today's current WWE product alot of Bisch's ideas not just from WCW but also Impact. People can say what they want but Dunn isn't even close to being as good as a producer as EB. When Dunn can go on his own without WWE being involved then he can be in the same league as Bisch. Dunn is no better than Russo because both were highly successful only when VKM had the oversight in their version of the finalized product!
SinCityBlitz
Crossface Chickenwing
Bischoff no longer has the unlimited credit card. So I say no. I don't think Bischoff learned anything with his time in WCW except he has respect for Vince now.
If TNA is sold I want it to be sold to someone who has some financial stability. Like Ted Turner before he AOL/TW merger. I know TT would never buy it because he has $$$ problems. But I would like to see someone who loves the "sport" buy it.
If TNA is sold I want it to be sold to someone who has some financial stability. Like Ted Turner before he AOL/TW merger. I know TT would never buy it because he has $$$ problems. But I would like to see someone who loves the "sport" buy it.
Antichrist
Dark Match Winner
Yes. They should rename Impact Wrestling and have a non PG wrestling show.
Eric Bischoff isn't the Antichrist. He is an extraordinarily good con man who has managed to take a few good years in the '90s and turn it into a name and legend. Beyond the rise of WCW, his major accomplishments include Scott Baio-themed reality shows. His time in TNA has resulted in zero growth; you might have enjoyed the stories, but financially, the man has done nothing.
Yet professional wrestling fans (and only professional wrestling fans) parrot his name around as if he is some sort of media hegemon. Guess what- you've been sold.
The offer to buy WCW wasn't a serious offer, because Eric Biscoff had no serious way to pay for the company. Any deal they made would handcuff Time Warner to the same problems they were looking to escape by selling WCW. (A program which was very costly to produce, losing lots of money, and with limited prospects for recovery.) The Fuscient deal required Time Warner to keep WCW on their networks for a guaranteed period of time- an insane proposition for just about any but the most successful shows, let alone one that's dropped more than half of its audience over two years while losing piles of cash. Further, the deal was backloaded and dependent on WCW's future profits. If WCW didn't get turned around, Time Warner wouldn't get their price for selling it. The deal was absolutely insane from Time Warner's perspective; it's small wonder they turned around and sold all of the properties to Vince for a few million.
The only purpose of the Fuscient offer was to allow Eric Bischoff to be able to turn around later and say he tried to 'save' WCW. He rode that pony right back into professional wrestling, and as far as career moves go, it was a shrewd one.
So should Eric Bischoff "buy" TNA? He wouldn't know what to do with it, and I'm sure he knows that. He's best when he's in a position to suck off of someone else's tit, which is why you're still seeing his fucking son on television.
Yet professional wrestling fans (and only professional wrestling fans) parrot his name around as if he is some sort of media hegemon. Guess what- you've been sold.
The offer to buy WCW wasn't a serious offer, because Eric Biscoff had no serious way to pay for the company. Any deal they made would handcuff Time Warner to the same problems they were looking to escape by selling WCW. (A program which was very costly to produce, losing lots of money, and with limited prospects for recovery.) The Fuscient deal required Time Warner to keep WCW on their networks for a guaranteed period of time- an insane proposition for just about any but the most successful shows, let alone one that's dropped more than half of its audience over two years while losing piles of cash. Further, the deal was backloaded and dependent on WCW's future profits. If WCW didn't get turned around, Time Warner wouldn't get their price for selling it. The deal was absolutely insane from Time Warner's perspective; it's small wonder they turned around and sold all of the properties to Vince for a few million.
The only purpose of the Fuscient offer was to allow Eric Bischoff to be able to turn around later and say he tried to 'save' WCW. He rode that pony right back into professional wrestling, and as far as career moves go, it was a shrewd one.
So should Eric Bischoff "buy" TNA? He wouldn't know what to do with it, and I'm sure he knows that. He's best when he's in a position to suck off of someone else's tit, which is why you're still seeing his fucking son on television.
New Hot Fed
Championship Contender
Yea him running TNA you would see more nepotism, more Hardy and former WWErs on top. More Hogan.
When TW was selling WCW they were worth a little over $250 mill. EB's investment group proposed deal was around $150 mill. TW didn't want wrestling on any of their networks. From some of the info released of EB's proposal to buy WCW TW's only cost was to pay for Nitro's production cost for the first three years. All other cost for WCW was to be handled by EB and his investment group. Most of the info TW has never released and probably won't release any of the info of negotiations that went with a few groups and then ultimately was sold to WWF for around $2.1 mill.
From a ratings standoint you are correct he has not increased from a max of 1.34 but most weeks its between .97-1.2. TNA has increased in sponsors and international revenue. I still think TNA should only do no more than two tours in Europe and they should not go further than VA and no further west than TX. They should only have four PPV's a year and no more than four specials on SPIKE. In my OP I don't believe EB should have the same power he did in WCW but he should have no more than 51% share in the company but with a entertainment company that is the major investor that oversees operation cost and they should have final say on any financial issues. People can say what they want about EB but if you take a look at his career outside of wrestling he is way more successful than any of VKM's non-wrestling projects!
From a ratings standoint you are correct he has not increased from a max of 1.34 but most weeks its between .97-1.2. TNA has increased in sponsors and international revenue. I still think TNA should only do no more than two tours in Europe and they should not go further than VA and no further west than TX. They should only have four PPV's a year and no more than four specials on SPIKE. In my OP I don't believe EB should have the same power he did in WCW but he should have no more than 51% share in the company but with a entertainment company that is the major investor that oversees operation cost and they should have final say on any financial issues. People can say what they want about EB but if you take a look at his career outside of wrestling he is way more successful than any of VKM's non-wrestling projects!
So you're going to sit here with a straight face and say that a company, which your sure was worth $250 million (horseshit, something is worth only what someone else will pay for it), turns down a $150 million offer in favor of a few million, for the reason "we just don't like professional wrestling". So you're going to claim that the financials were all there, but Time Warner passed up a free $140+ million for the sake of culture.
Fucking wrestling fans, man.
Newsflash: Sponsors don't pay more to be advertised on a product which gets the same ratings. Sponsors- advertisers- pay by the person-view. You've been sold, again.
Eric Bischoff's career outside of professional wrestling involves two Scott Baio reality television shows and a beer company located in the middle of fucking nowhere. (Ever been to Cody, Wyoming? Middle. Of. Nowhere. But there's a rodeo.) Vince has WWE Films- a financial success, even if their movies fall short of artistic merits. Even Vince's failures look spectacular. When Vince fails, he'll do it on major network television (XFL). You haven't heard of many of Eric Bischoff's failures, because they were too insignificant to attract notice.
Like I said, Eric Bischoff is perhaps the greatest con artist to ever work in professional wrestling. You're not a good con artist without convincing a few people that you're a lot better at what you do than you are.
Oh I almost forgot VKM is the greatest promoter of all time. I love the fact how people don't give EB or Heyman their props but they kiss VKM's ass the guy who has had a career built off of copying everyone else. Lets remeber VKM bought WWF from his father when his father was on his deathbed dying from cancer. TW themselves had mentioned they would not accept any offer that would have WCW on their networks because they were going into a different creative direction. Go to the press releases and TW mentions they wanted nothing to do with wrestling. WCW became a public trading company before WWF was. Anyone that doesn't believe what I am saying just go to public records that Time Warner provides and you find everything you need to know.
The sponsors TNA has aren't near what WWE gets but does save them a little bit of money. A few wrestling insiders on this site has even mentioned they have increased sponsor deals within the last year. If you want to talk about top brass families being involved in the product take a look at the McMahons. VKM had even mentioned to his daughter to get a boob job because no fan wants to see a flat chested girl and other than that just be a file clerk. Numerous former WWE employess and not wrestlers have mentioned discussions of dear ole daddy making his daughter get an enhancement via employment. We can go on and on about why people hate EB but VKM has done a hell of alot worst ethically than EB has ever done
The sponsors TNA has aren't near what WWE gets but does save them a little bit of money. A few wrestling insiders on this site has even mentioned they have increased sponsor deals within the last year. If you want to talk about top brass families being involved in the product take a look at the McMahons. VKM had even mentioned to his daughter to get a boob job because no fan wants to see a flat chested girl and other than that just be a file clerk. Numerous former WWE employess and not wrestlers have mentioned discussions of dear ole daddy making his daughter get an enhancement via employment. We can go on and on about why people hate EB but VKM has done a hell of alot worst ethically than EB has ever done
We're talking about Eric Bischoff, not Vince McMahon. Focus.
And no shit, of course Time Warner wanted out of WCW. It was losing shitloads of money. The only offer they received to 'save' it required them to finance WCW and provide it with guaranteed prime-time television space (a deal that no one gets, especially shows with high production costs that are hemorrhaging viewers.)
But no, it wasn't money. Television executives are moguls of culture, totally uninterested in what will make them a profit, and so they turned down $140+ million for the sake of art. If that wasn't complete bullshit, it'd be a very noble statement.
And no shit, of course Time Warner wanted out of WCW. It was losing shitloads of money. The only offer they received to 'save' it required them to finance WCW and provide it with guaranteed prime-time television space (a deal that no one gets, especially shows with high production costs that are hemorrhaging viewers.)
But no, it wasn't money. Television executives are moguls of culture, totally uninterested in what will make them a profit, and so they turned down $140+ million for the sake of art. If that wasn't complete bullshit, it'd be a very noble statement.
Its not bullshit its fact. Here we have in WCW the first ever wrestling public trading company and you are trying to say WCW was worth only $2.1 mill because thats what VKM bought it for. Like I said before TW had made up their minds they didn't want wrestling on any of their networks. In fact when Turner sold WCW to them they hated the fact of wrestling at all. Just go to public statements TW made when they officially made the sale public. Talent that was working in WCW at the time of the sale have mentioned numerous times that TW just wanted to dump the company and making a profit wasn't an option just getting rid of the company was their only focus.
Jesus.
First off, WCW was never publicly traded. That's the WWF you're thinking about. Who went public in 1999.
Second, yes. Anything- anything at all- is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. That's about as basic of an economic rule as you can find. You might think that the beaten-up dog chewed baseball you have that was once touched by Roger Clemens might be worth $500, but it's only actually worth about 30 cents. Don't get the idea that WCW was worth $150 million, because Eric Bischoff didn't have a workable plan to provide that money. (Unless you're a wrestling fan who really wants to believe he tried to save WCW.)
Third, public statements are not outpourings of truth. They are attempts by a public relations department to shape public opinion in a way most favorable to the company for whom said PR department works for.
Fourth, professional wrestlers have a very vested interest in blaming anyone but WCW for its failings. They have careers after WCW to think about, and no one wanted to be blamed for causing WCW to fail. So, instead, you blame television executives. Everyone wants to read Kevin Nash's shoot interview. No one gives a shit what some television executive they've never heard of has to say.
Fifth, are you fucking seriously saying that large, multinational media companies are uninterested in profit because they are more interested in a cultural standard?????
"The Narrative" from former WCW employees as to why the company went under makes sense only to professional wrestling fans upset that WCW failed. To anyone else, it doesn't make one little bit of sense. It wasn't the fact that the company was bleeding cash that caused it to fail; no, it was a cultural war!
First off, WCW was never publicly traded. That's the WWF you're thinking about. Who went public in 1999.
Second, yes. Anything- anything at all- is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. That's about as basic of an economic rule as you can find. You might think that the beaten-up dog chewed baseball you have that was once touched by Roger Clemens might be worth $500, but it's only actually worth about 30 cents. Don't get the idea that WCW was worth $150 million, because Eric Bischoff didn't have a workable plan to provide that money. (Unless you're a wrestling fan who really wants to believe he tried to save WCW.)
Third, public statements are not outpourings of truth. They are attempts by a public relations department to shape public opinion in a way most favorable to the company for whom said PR department works for.
Fourth, professional wrestlers have a very vested interest in blaming anyone but WCW for its failings. They have careers after WCW to think about, and no one wanted to be blamed for causing WCW to fail. So, instead, you blame television executives. Everyone wants to read Kevin Nash's shoot interview. No one gives a shit what some television executive they've never heard of has to say.
Fifth, are you fucking seriously saying that large, multinational media companies are uninterested in profit because they are more interested in a cultural standard?????
"The Narrative" from former WCW employees as to why the company went under makes sense only to professional wrestling fans upset that WCW failed. To anyone else, it doesn't make one little bit of sense. It wasn't the fact that the company was bleeding cash that caused it to fail; no, it was a cultural war!
I'm not sure about Bischoff and Hervey, but I'd be open to seeing someone else own TNA.
Vince McMahon... great promoter. Dana White... great promoter. Dixie Carter... is she even considered a promoter?
I'd also have to agree that Bischoff is a good con-artist, but so is everyone's beloved Paul Heyman. As for promoter, Bischoff like much of the TNA roster seems too "part-timer-ish."
I'd like to see someone come in and be 100% involved with TNA and get the talent to buy in as well. Off the top of my head, Shane McMahon is the type of guy I'd be interested in seeing take over, but that could lead to problems and probably isn't realistic. What I wouldn't want is an old school guy such as Jim Cornette or some one who praises 80's IWA mid-south wrestling, because in this day an age I think you need something fresh, but who appreciates the throw back style.
The bottom line is that I feel TNA needs more dedication as far as ownership and talent goes and while you may think TNA is doing a good job, when I see all the green talent, nepotism, full time mma fighter, reality tv star, and broken down part time stars/legends that TNA is using, it's hard to think that they couldn't be doing better if everyone was completely committed to TNA/being a full time wrestler without all these outside interests.
Vince McMahon... great promoter. Dana White... great promoter. Dixie Carter... is she even considered a promoter?
I'd also have to agree that Bischoff is a good con-artist, but so is everyone's beloved Paul Heyman. As for promoter, Bischoff like much of the TNA roster seems too "part-timer-ish."
I'd like to see someone come in and be 100% involved with TNA and get the talent to buy in as well. Off the top of my head, Shane McMahon is the type of guy I'd be interested in seeing take over, but that could lead to problems and probably isn't realistic. What I wouldn't want is an old school guy such as Jim Cornette or some one who praises 80's IWA mid-south wrestling, because in this day an age I think you need something fresh, but who appreciates the throw back style.
The bottom line is that I feel TNA needs more dedication as far as ownership and talent goes and while you may think TNA is doing a good job, when I see all the green talent, nepotism, full time mma fighter, reality tv star, and broken down part time stars/legends that TNA is using, it's hard to think that they couldn't be doing better if everyone was completely committed to TNA/being a full time wrestler without all these outside interests.
californiachef84
Pre-Show Stalwart
Jesus.
First off, WCW was never publicly traded. That's the WWF you're thinking about. Who went public in 1999.
Second, yes. Anything- anything at all- is only worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. That's about as basic of an economic rule as you can find. You might think that the beaten-up dog chewed baseball you have that was once touched by Roger Clemens might be worth $500, but it's only actually worth about 30 cents. Don't get the idea that WCW was worth $150 million, because Eric Bischoff didn't have a workable plan to provide that money. (Unless you're a wrestling fan who really wants to believe he tried to save WCW.)
Third, public statements are not outpourings of truth. They are attempts by a public relations department to shape public opinion in a way most favorable to the company for whom said PR department works for.
Fourth, professional wrestlers have a very vested interest in blaming anyone but WCW for its failings. They have careers after WCW to think about, and no one wanted to be blamed for causing WCW to fail. So, instead, you blame television executives. Everyone wants to read Kevin Nash's shoot interview. No one gives a shit what some television executive they've never heard of has to say.
Fifth, are you fucking seriously saying that large, multinational media companies are uninterested in profit because they are more interested in a cultural standard?????
"The Narrative" from former WCW employees as to why the company went under makes sense only to professional wrestling fans upset that WCW failed. To anyone else, it doesn't make one little bit of sense. It wasn't the fact that the company was bleeding cash that caused it to fail; no, it was a cultural war!
You just don't have any idea what you are talking about... I have a WCW magazine from March of 2001 where they were advertising their next ppv (Spring Stampede) as a "new beginning" for WCW. Now WCW ended up being sold to WWE for literally peanuts, but Eric Bischoff had Fusient Media in line to buy the company. Jamie Kelner, of TW, decided at the last minute that they didn't want pro wrestling on any of their networks anymore which led Fusient to back out of the deal, and let McMahon walk in and pick up the scraps.
This is FACT!!! This is what happened!!! I even have a 5 figure action set of Sting that was called the "Evolution of Sting" that was released as part of their new rebranding. Eric Bischoff was also on Nitro telling "any former WCW world champion to show up to the last show, and don't be afraid to bring your wrestling boots". Fusient was gonna buy WCW, but TW decided not to let them have any time slots on the network which caused Fusient to back out...
Facts are facts!!!
I don't mean con man with any disrespect. I mean that with a small degree of admiration. Honest people don't survive in professional wrestling. Paul Heyman is a con artist who knows how to associate himself with a good name. Not that great of a businessman, and I still wonder how he got away with owing so many performers so much money without ending up in a river or with his knees broke.
Eric Bischoff is a much better con artist. The smart ones aren't the ones that own the money, they're the guys that manage the money and take a cut.
Zeven_Zion
King Of The Ring
Why would they considering the fact that Dixie Carter has done a splendid job at the helm? She took the company in 2002-ish and turned it into a pretty damn cool wrestling company in 10 years. It ain't the second coming of WCW nor should it be, but TNA's doing good for themselves. No sign of any horrible financial struggles, ratings are maintained, they do new stuff every year, develop their vision, develop their wrestlers, work on the show and put on a product that's quite enjoyable when Eric Bischoff's sperm isn't wobbling in the ring.
Bischoff has been there and done that. The dude is co-running a production company which is flourishing it would seem, TNA is his tie to wrestling which he probably adores, it's more of his hobby than anything else I assume and he's overall enjoying a good life at this point.
The dude is set, for life. He's a successful man. Good for him, I wish we'd all be like that.
So why oh fucking WHY would him and his partner buy TNA and encumbur themselves with all the pressures of running another business, perhaps larger than their production company? So he can go against Vince again? So he can turn TNA around? So he can revive wrestling?
Wrestling's dead and gone. Or at least gone for the foreseeable future. Eric Bischoff did his part in the past and if movie reboots tell us anything - it's never as good as the first time.
Bischoff has been there and done that. The dude is co-running a production company which is flourishing it would seem, TNA is his tie to wrestling which he probably adores, it's more of his hobby than anything else I assume and he's overall enjoying a good life at this point.
The dude is set, for life. He's a successful man. Good for him, I wish we'd all be like that.
So why oh fucking WHY would him and his partner buy TNA and encumbur themselves with all the pressures of running another business, perhaps larger than their production company? So he can go against Vince again? So he can turn TNA around? So he can revive wrestling?
Wrestling's dead and gone. Or at least gone for the foreseeable future. Eric Bischoff did his part in the past and if movie reboots tell us anything - it's never as good as the first time.