5 things you don't know about Eric Bischoff's new role on WWE SmackDown Live

Last month, WWE made the bombshell announcement that Paul Heyman would be taking over as the new Executive Director of Monday Night Raw. Heyman began his duties several weeks ago, and key angles such as Braun Strowman putting Bobby Lashley through the entrance ramp, along with the new Mike and Maria Kanellis storyline, are said to be the brainchild of Heyman.

Possibly even more shocking was WWE's announcement that Eric Bischoff is returning to the company to helm the SmackDown Live brand, as the former WCW Executive Producer will help the blue brand usher in its new television deal with FOX in October.

Of everything that has been reported about Eric Bischoff in WWE since the announcement was made that he is taking the reigns of SmackDown Live, let's look at 5 things you probably don't know about Bischoff's new role in WWE.

#5 He was not present at WWE SmackDown Live this week

Past reports indicated that Eric Bischoff would officially start with the SmackDown Live brand at the July 16th taping. However, that was not the case as Bischoff was not at this week's show and was said to have no hand in the show's creative.

SmackDown Live this week featured a first-ever Town Hall meeting, led by Shane McMahon, and ended with Shane taking a stunner from Kevin Owens after numerous WWE Superstars, including Roman Reigns and Apollo Crews, aired public "grievances" with their boss.

Furthermore, new feuds were teased on the blue brand, including Shinsuke Nakamura vs Ali for the Intercontinental Title, and Bayley and Ember Moon kicked off their rivalry heading into their WWE SmackDdown Women's Title match taking place at SummerSlam. The preceding storylines were not created by Eric Bischoff, as he reportedly has yet to offer creative input on WWE SmackDown Live.