Major AEW name lashes out at The Rock's documentary - "Have some freakin' respect for the business"
The Rock's Seven Bucks Productions and Vice TV premiered the new "Who Killed WCW?" docuseries this week. The feedback has been a mixed bag so far, but one key talent and current AEW star has revealed why they are not watching the series, and they used some non-PG language to explain how the decision is related to an ECW Original.
The four-part "Who Killed WCW?" docuseries premiered this week, and the full episode was released along with upcoming previews. The non-WWE series debuted with significant fanfare as The Rock changed his own plans after seeing the first episode. One of the top names speaking out against the series is former WCW commentator Tony Schiavone, who now works for AEW.
On the latest episode of his What Happened When podcast, The Voice Of WCW was asked by co-host Conrad Thompson if he would watch "Who Killed WCW?" at some point. Schiavone disclosed what he thinks of The Rock's project, and began to knock DSOTR producers Evan Husney and Jason Eisener:
"I will not. That one, I won't watch. I have watched some of the 'Dark Side of the Ring' but I won't watch that, because I know what it is - it's a hatchet job, by those guys who are your friends, who consider themselves wrestling fans but they're really not, those producers. ... I see these people on Dark Side of the Ring, talking to the camera, and I'm thinking, 'What are we doing? Have some freakin' respect for the business that paid you a lot of money,'" Tony Schiavone said. [From 1:06:39 to 1:08:45]
Thompson mentioned how Ric Flair was upset over not being interviewed for the series, noting that Flair should have expected the snub because he was angry over Vice's WWE Plane Ride from Hell episode from DSOTR. Schiavone said the controversial Plane Ride from Hell episode upset him as well, noting that he turned down an interview request. Conrad also asked if Schiavone views Dark Side of the Ring as something that betrays the pro wrestling brotherhood.
The 66-year-old broadcaster responded by revealing exactly why he's boycotting The Rock's "Who Killed WCW?" and why he has a bone to pick with Husney and Eisener - because of how Tommy Dreamer was treated in the Plane Ride from Hell episode fallout:
"I don't know, that's kind of... I guess I'm saying the same thing, I just don't know. Here's what this came down to for me: Tommy Dreamer, one of the greatest guys ever, was canceled for a time, because of what he said defending Ric Flair on that show. I get it, he should not have said it, but they did not have to air that part. [What airs] is up to the producers, and I'm sure they talked to Tommy for hours... they did not have to air that footage. I'm sure they knew it would get Tommy in trouble... that's all I need to know about those producers. That's my problem with it, that's the only thing. Nothing else," Tony Schiavone said. [1:08:53 to 1:10:14]
Schiavone added that he thinks the "Who Killed WCW?" production is "pretty cool," based on what he's seen so far, and he thinks the docuseries was "very, very well done" by The Rock and his crew. However, he's adamant that the producers did not properly use their editorial rights. He elaborated on thinking the producers made a bad decision.
"Bad decision... it was a decision made solely on entertainment, and not looking out for the person who probably did this for you to help with your show. Tommy helped with the show, they f****d Tommy over," Tony Schiavone said. [From 1:10:34 to 1:10:55]
Schiavone has not received a public response from the producers as of this writing. The Rock has not addressed any "Who Killed WCW?" feedback either.
WWE rival of The Rock's on "Who Killed WCW?"
The premiere of "Who Killed WCW?" from Vice TV and The Rock's Seven Bucks Productions aired last Tuesday. The next 3 episodes will air on Tuesdays at 10 pm ET.
The premiere of the docuseries included several former WCW stars commenting on the dynamic between Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. The most viral remarks came from WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart:
"Bischoff... He remembers the big crowds, and he was the kingpin, but the truth of it is, he never knew anything about wrestling. That's the bond right there - Hogan and Bischoff, they're both accountable to each other. That's the secret, is that Hulk Hogan was basically the puppet master to Eric Bischoff, and Eric Bischoff, he was just a prop, and that's what killed WCW," Bret Hart said.
Bischoff did address the accusation during the same premiere episode. He had an interesting defense and made an accusation of his own.