WWE legend defends Eric Bischoff after Vince McMahon documentary comments
Eric Bischoff and Vince McMahon have different opinions on the creation of the latter's WWE persona. Kevin Nash worked for both men during his legendary wrestling career and believes Bischoff's side of the story is accurate.
In 1996, Bischoff began portraying a villainous boss on WCW television after aligning with the nWo. A year later, McMahon debuted the bad-guy Mr. McMahon persona after fans became aware of his real-life involvement in Bret Hart's controversial WWE exit.
McMahon claimed in the Mr. McMahon Netflix docuseries that Bischoff's WCW success had nothing to do with him becoming an on-screen character. However, speaking on his Kliq This podcast, Nash disagreed:
"I think that they [WWE] kinda took our whole formula [in WCW] and made it work like that. I'm sure that he [Vince McMahon] watched that show when we were killing it and he sat there at Gorilla [backstage area] and he's like, 'Man, who would we use in the role of Eric?'" [1:30:29 – 1:30:49]
McMahon booked Nash's Diesel character as the longest-reigning WWE Champion of the 1990s. In 1996, Nash joined WCW and became an original member of the iconic nWo stable alongside Hulk Hogan and Scott Hall.
Kevin Nash explains why he agrees with Eric Bischoff
Between June 1996 and April 1998, Eric Bischoff's WCW Nitro beat Vince McMahon's WWE RAW in the television ratings for 83 consecutive weeks.
Kevin Nash elaborated on why McMahon had little choice but to take inspiration from WCW during that time:
"I would think that Eric would be accurate in stating that absolutely that [Bischoff character] caused a thought [to create Mr. McMahon]. They didn't just come up with it and go, 'Oh, really? They were doing that down at the other place?' I mean, that's kind of a no-brainer. I think he [Vince McMahon] played it different, as they would, but I don't disagree with Eric." [1:31:19 – 1:31:44]
In the same episode, Nash opened up about his friendship with McMahon and revealed when he last spoke to the former WWE Chairman.
Do you think the Mr. McMahon character was inspired by Eric Bischoff? Hit the discuss button and let us know.
Please credit Kliq This and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.