Eric Bischoff Reflects on Working with Dennis Rodman in WCW
Former WCW President Eric Bischoff recently appeared on the podcast 83 Weeks to discuss his experience working with NBA legend Dennis Rodman in the late 1990s. Bischoff shed light on the challenges and rewards of bringing Rodman into the world of professional wrestling.
One of the key topics of discussion was the reported $1 million payment made to Rodman for his involvement in WCW. Bischoff clarified that while the figure may have been higher than what WWE offered, it was a worthwhile investment considering Rodman’s promotional activities and in-ring participation.
“It was a massively good investment,” Bischoff stated. “He was promoting, and he was going to be involved in the show, and he was going to wrestle. That comes with a much different price tag and a much bigger benefit. So I still think the deal that I did with Dennis, whether it was ten times more than the WWE offered or not, was one of the best deals I did in 1996 or 97.”
Bischoff also discussed the challenges of working with Rodman, particularly in terms of training and punctuality. He recalled instances when Rodman would arrive late or seemingly disinterested, but then perform flawlessly once in the ring.
“Getting him to a facility to train on time, especially if there were camera crews, was a challenge,” Bischoff explained. “Sometimes you just got the sense that he didn’t give a s**t. But he did. And he does. And he’s paying very close attention.”
The collaboration between WCW and Dennis Rodman was a groundbreaking moment in professional wrestling history. Rodman’s involvement brought mainstream attention to the sport and helped WCW gain a competitive edge against WWE at the time.
For the full interview with Eric Bischoff, be sure to check out the latest episode of 83 Weeks. And for more wrestling news and updates, visit prowrestlingwars.com, your go-to source for all things professional wrestling.
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