Bischoff: Uncensored
Apr. 2, 2007

Eric Bischoff arrived at PWF headquarters in Birmingham, Ala., at 1:13 p.m. CT today with the sole intention of breaking his silence. We have heard little from the PWF president since the trial began; little since what was temporarily the PWF's final live event in Portland's Rose Quarter on Dec. 14, 2006, actually. The Boss wasn't about to go four months without addressing the PWF fans. Mr. Bischoff wanted to sit down with PWF commissioner Jim Ross, and he wanted the interview taped for ThePWF.com. He also wanted it to be uploaded unedited. He wanted nothing removed from his, at times, unbelievably frank commentary, for lack of a better term. Mr. Bischoff addresses much of what you've seen and heard over the last few months, and no stone was left unturned. Here is Mr. Eric Bischoff, PWF president and owner, uncensored.

[THEPWF.COM MEDIA PLAYER » PLAY]

Jim Ross:
Today, ladies and gentlemen, I've been given the privilege of conducting the first one-on-one interview with the owner and president of the Professional Wrestling Federation, Mr. Eric Bischoff. Actually, just for the record, you didn't so much "request" but "demand" this take place today. Am I right?

Eric Bischoff:
Oh, you're quite right, Jim. (smiles) This is long overdue.

Jim Ross:
I see. Well, you made it perfectly clear to me before we got started that I'm not supposed to "pull any punches," as it were. Now, exactly what do you mean by th-...

Eric Bischoff:
(interrupting) Jim, Jim ... as commissioner of my fine company, I would expect you to be a bit more, what should I say ... "intuitive" about what I want to accomplish with this interview.

Jim Ross:
You made a couple of things clear to me, Mr. Bischoff. One ... you wanted this to be as unedited and candid as possible. That's going to have to be between you and the editors over at ThePWF.com.

Eric Bischoff:
Oh, I've got that under control. Don't you worry about that, Jim.

Jim Ross:
And two ... you want this to be primarily about the ongoing trial between yourself and William Jason Reso. Is that wise, Mr. Bischoff, since the proceedings are not yet over?

Eric Bischoff:
Listen, I will decide what's wise to talk about in this interview and what isn't. I trust you to be a man to ask me the kinds of questions people want to hear about and to dig deep enough to let me get out a lot of frustration that I haven't had the chance to release since this trial began. I trust you can do that, Ross. Can you?

Jim Ross:
I'll do my best. I still don't think this is a good idea, but that's apparently your call.

Eric Bischoff:
You're damn right it is. I'm sick and tired of people trying to restrict me from telling the truth or speaking my mind. Isn't this a free country? I mean, I'm being kicked out of courtrooms because some people just can't take it. Call it irrational, but I'm out to stop this whole thing before it gets out of hand. At least, that was my outlook in the beginning. Apparently, the right people in the right places have made sure that this is going to take a while, at least long enough to put an ugly scar on the beautiful history that the Professional Wrestling Federation is, or was, building. Preposterous. Removing me from a courtroom, simply for speaking my mind.

Jim Ross:
I'm sure it wasn't THAT simple, Mr. Bischoff. Mr. Reso was thrown out, too, which I know you're aware of.

Eric Bischoff:
Who said anything about him? We're talking about ME, here, and how I'm being silenced when I COULD be educating people on this matter. There are plenty of people out there that think they know everything and then some when it comes to this trial and how guilty I MUST be because of how I'm portrayed on television. Look, I'm a crude businessman in an even cruder business. I do what I have to in order to survive in this place. Despite how it might look to people when they turn their channels to FOX every week for the latest PWF programming, this is not a glamorous position I hold. Fame and fortune don't come free in the world I live in. You have to pay for what you get, in one way or another. So yes, I do what I have to do sometimes to ensure the product I'm putting out is the best thing possible for those wrestling fans. Yes, the profits are a factor. I'm no idiot or liar when it comes to that kind of stuff. But to be successful when running a professional wrestling promotion like the PWF, you have to step on a few toes. You have to cross a few lines. You have to get dirty with the people spreading the dirt, as it's said.

Jim Ross:
So, what you're telling me is that you have done some "not-so-innocent" things when it comes to what you're being accused of in this trial?

Eric Bischoff:
Incorrect. I am not ashamed of anything I've done, nor do I regret ANY action I've taken since starting the PWF over two years ago. When I do what I have to in order to be the best there is in this business, you're going to piss a few people off. There are going to be some people along the way that don't get their slice of the cake called "spotlight." There is only so much room at the top. This is always going to happen. Eventually, one man got enough power to muck things up for everyone, and that man is William Jason Reso.

Jim Ross:
You can't be seriously telling me that he's only out for vengeance, Eric. These are real lives being affected here. People's families are at stake. Some are already losing their damn jobs for Christ's sake. Don't treat this like it's something we're brewing up in the Birmingham offices.

Eric Bischoff:
Oh, you're not going to turn this around on me, JR. You've always been a big supporter of Reso. Ever since he came onboard a couple of years ago, you've sung his praises. I didn't have problems with the man at first, not even on a personal level. Of course, we know that all changed. But you ... you've always been in my ear about how wrong I was. Don't think because you hold more power now that you can overstep your bounds and tell me what's really going on around here, especially when it comes to this case. The only person that knows the truth is me, apparently, and Reso proves that with every statement he makes. You think it's a coincidence that he was so silent when this all got started? No. He had to take a long time to dream up what kind of lies and propaganda he was going to spread this time. It was going to take an extra effort to make this one seem legit. Right now, the court may not be convinced of that yet. But they'll see.

Jim Ross:
There is definitely validity behind this case, Mr. Bischoff. The likeness of VCW being used on PWF programming ... you couldn't have expected it to go unnoticed. Knowing you, it's why you did it in the first place.

Eric Bischoff:
Let's make one thing perfectly clear, RIGHT now. When it comes to the faction known as "Very Controversial Wrestlers" being used on PWF television, it was never intended to be some sort of reincarnation of VCW. True, there was a play on letters, but I'm not the first one to ever dream something like that up. It stirred the pot. That's all it had to do. And, with little surprise to me, it worked. I know a lot of people doubted Flynn could run with something like that, but I saw something in him ... enough to make it work. But to act like I'm going to be the one to take full responsibility for this thing is utterly ridiculous.

Jim Ross:
It's been said that you forced Flynn to do it, threatening him with termination. I supposed the truth lies only with you and Mr. Flynn.

Eric Bischoff:
I'll tell you the truth right now if you'd like to hear it.

Jim Ross:
By all means.

Eric Bischoff:
The Hammond release ... well, it was ugly. Everyone and their mother knew what was going on with that one, and I was the bad guy from every angle. Whatever. I'm not apologizing for that one, and I never will. End of story. How it relates to Flynn is simply personal. I was never going to fire Mike over any of it, let alone force him to do something he didn't want to do. Flynn was a huge part of the formation of the Very Controversial Wrestlers group. Bigger than what people want you to believe, I can tell you that. If I had to have my say, he should get more credit than anyone else.

Jim Ross:
And what about when this whole thing turned into VCW ... and I mean Excellence's company, not the group of wrestlers you put together here in the PWF?

Eric Bischoff:
I can't get into it. Now you're touching stuff that I legally can't get into. That's to be left for the trial. There's only so much I can give you, but believe me, I'll give you what I can.

Jim Ross:
I feel you'll likely get in trouble for what you've said already.

Eric Bischoff:
Perhaps. But I don't give a damn. There are some truths that need to be spoken here today, and some things I need to get off my chest, as well.

Jim Ross:
I see.

Eric Bischoff:
Bottom line is that the "VCW likeness," as it were, being brought into the PWF was good business.

Jim Ross:
Excuse me?

Eric Bischoff:
You heard me. It hit people on a personal level. Everyone knew about our "competition," which I say lightly because, let's be honest with each other here, it was NEVER anywhere CLOSE to being that. The PWF was and still is, in my opinion, a wrestling juggernaut, and VCW was like a rookie learning his first grapple. There is simply no comparison. None. But like I said, everyone knew about it. It wasn't just what you saw on TV. It was on the message boards on the Internet. It was all over the news. And after VCW bit the bullet, willingly ending the charade of a federation they had quickly become, it was fresh on the minds of the viewers. I wasn't going to let that kind of an opportunity go to waste. Not when the chance came to do it, that is.

Jim Ross:
And you call that whole thing "good business"? Look at where you are now because of this.

Eric Bischoff:
This is not my fault. This is all happening because of Jay.

Jim Ross:
You both accuse the other man for being in the wrong. You can't both be right.

Eric Bischoff:
Absolutely. That's why I'm right, and he's wrong. You'll see.

Jim Ross:
And how have you felt about how vocal some of the superstars have been about this court case? Are you pleased with the things that have been said?

Eric Bischoff:
Yes and no. You've got Copeland, who most of you know as "Edge," out there doing ... well, whatever exactly that was that went up a few days ago. But that's nothing new. What gets me is the bullshit he was crying about when this whole thing got started. Not that I'm surprised that he's got his friend's back in this one, but he needs to get a clue. Reso is not right. Not this time. Adam's being blinded by someone who he has become very good friends with through the years, but I hope he can come around and see the light. But I will say this ... he once said, very early on, that my business practices in the PWF are "predatory." No shit. That's who I am. Get used to it or get out. This is not as black and white as Adam has tried to make it sound. This is not a battle for what's "right" in the wrestling business. This isn't a moral conflict between us. This is me ... versus Jay. And it's been this way for a long, long time.

Jim Ross:
I think you're being a bit too candid, Mr. Bischoff.

Eric Bischoff:
I'm not being candid ENOUGH, Jim. Frankly, if you want to know the truth, I'm STILL stunned this lawsuit has seen the light of day. When I first heard of it, I thought it was a joke. I didn't believe it for a minute. When I learned it was actually true, I was like, "Wow. Jay, you little bitch." I mean, court? Are you serious? This is what it's come to? If anything, the little SCW stunt I pulled would've made more sense as something that got me into a courtroom than this whole VCW fiasco. But let's be honest with ourselves, here ... it's not like anyone with a lick of common sense has ever believed this trial was just to begin with.

Jim Ross:
I think there are plenty that beg to differ. Enough to keep this trial going, anyway.

Eric Bischoff:
You're damn right, and it makes me sick. Actually, correction ... it makes me SAD. Someone didn't get as big of a piece of cake as all the other kids at the party, so he's decided to grab the whole damn cake and throw it into the pool. "Boo-hoo, I can't get the title shots I deserve, so I'm going to use Excellence's power and resources to screw EVERYONE! BOO-HOO!" Screw him. I'm going to let you all in on a little secret in case you haven't figured it out already. The character on TV known as "Christian" and Reso are no different ... they're both a couple of whiny, ungrateful little bitches.

Jim Ross:
Okay, that's enough, Eric.

Eric Bischoff:
You sit your ass back down, Jim. I'm not finished.

Jim Ross:
I am not going to sit here and participate in some sort of outlet to lash out at Jay. This was supposed to be a chance for you to speak your mind but not to belittle the man. You've done enough of that already.

Eric Bischoff:
Let me tell you something about your little "friend," Jay Reso, and what he continues to just not GET. Whether he wants to believe it or not, every man that found himself in the industry's spotlight ... every World Champion that ruled the wrestling world ... all of these guys that have come before him have earned their time in the sun. If he would just be a man and do the same thing, the PWF would be on the air right now. But he's not, and here we are: the most influential man in the wrestling business, Eric Bischoff, talking to Jim Ross of what should be instead of what IS. And you don't think that's got me a little irritated? You don't think I'm pissed off at the man that's created a four-month gaping hole in what could've been possibly the greatest months in PWF history? Did you not notice the kind of roster we had when all this shit hit the fan? Please. Reso is a pain in the ass of not only me, but every hard-working wrestler that's still trying to make a living in this industry.

Jim Ross:
You really do think this is personal, don't you? I can see it in your eyes.

Eric Bischoff:
It's not just me, Ross. It's the both of us. He can deny that it's personal, or he can admit the truth and fess up ... I don't care. I really don't. But this is all happening because he didn't get his way. One day, Jay wakes up and decides life has finally taken its last proverbial shit on him. Either that, or his vagina hurt him a little more than usual on that particular morning, and it was time to take it out on who he hates most. If you or anyone else believes this is anything BUT personal, you're simply out of your mind.

Jim Ross:
Noted. Is this the kind of attitude you've tried taking into the courtroom? Because if so, I can understand why some people feel like you're not winning this fight right now.

Eric Bischoff:
I'm not worried. I'm sure people think I'm just being me when I say that, but I honestly have no reason to be. I will be exonerated of everything I'm being accused of, and that son of a bitch will eat every negative word he's been saying about me since this whole thing began. Wait ... are you laughing at me?

Jim Ross:
No. (scribbles on his notepad) No, sir. I ... well, I think you're a bit deluded, to be quite honest with you.

Eric Bischoff:
I see. I will win this, Ross. I hope you're writing that down, because it's the God-damned truth. Nobody goes toe-to-toe with Eric Bischoff and comes out unscathed. Reso undoubtedly thought it was embarrassing and unbearable when I beat him in the ring; you wait until that son of a bitch loses to me in the courtroom.

Jim Ross:
Is he your only enemy in all this? I mean, he's not the only one that's tried to benefit from this trial. You know who I'm talking about?

Eric Bischoff:
What? Ace? To put it simply, I hate that bastard. Always have. The fact that he's actually the Federation Champion makes me a little sick to my stomach. He's a legend in this business, sure, but there are a number of people that I'd rather have representing this company now that I've had the time to mull a lot of 2006 over in my head. A situation to fix when the PWF wins this suit, I suppose. But I will say this much. Ace and I don't agree on much. But one thing we do agree on is that Jay is a petty man, and he's taken the coward's way out in this one. He's not going to get what he wants, and he'll know that. ... eventually. (smiles)

Jim Ross:
You know, I've never liked it when you smile like that, Eric. You know that.

Eric Bischoff:
I smile like that when I know something people don't. Just believe me when I say that the PWF will win this war Reso has started. And I'll do this on my own, damn it; I don't need ANYONE'S help in this matter. And yes, that includes James and his ridiculous offer. Never in a million years would I allow someone else to take over control of MY company, let alone a sadistic bastard like James Ace. I hear Reso doesn't want it, either. Cute that we actually agree on something, but I'm nipping that in the bud right here, right now. James Ace? I hope you weren't serious because I laugh on the inside and outside thinking about what you suggested.

Jim Ross:
I don't think he was kidding, but I'm sure your reaction will please him.

Eric Bischoff:
I will say this about our PWF Champion ... he had the courage to speak his mind on the issue and tell Jay how much of an ungrateful bitch he's being. James isn't alone in speaking up, either. Raven has stood firmly by the PWF. These are things that will not soon be forgotten. But, at the same time, I will also not forget about those that remain silent during this entire debacle. Believe me when I say that I am a very unforgiving man, and some people are going to know this a little better than others.

Jim Ross:
Some of your detractors are not even silent, though, Eric.

Eric Bischoff:
Oh, like Kristina, right? Well, Ms. Laum should really start taking a couple of steps back and stop talking like she's anything important in this matter. I don't care if she's a part of the VCW's regime or not ... this has nothing to do with her. I don't care HOW many diatribes she wants to go on about James Ace or how bad she wants to stand up for her "friend with benefits" ... there's simply no more place for it. I know I can't be the only one sick and tired of hearing her run off at the mouth in the defense of Jay. And for the record, when it comes to the PWF, I AM God. Those that are refusing to believe that I make the rules within my OWN company are going to regret buying into such nonsense. Count on it.

Jim Ross:
Mr. Bischoff ... I'm struggling with something, here. What, or even who, exactly bothers you the most about this trial?

Eric Bischoff:
Honestly, it's what's been done to the PWF that upsets me the most. This company was really taking off when this whole debacle began. I'm not sure many people were too aware of it at the time, because that's how it goes. Time flies when you're having fun, as they say, and when the wrestling business was as hot as it was at the close of 2006, it wasn't just flying ... it was breaking damn sound barriers. People were more interested in this business than they had been in nearly five to six years. Dare I say ... probably more interested than they EVER were? Yes. I dare. Because I know it to be true. There has never been anything like the PWF, and there never will be again. Now ... we've got an abrupt halt to it all. And who's the killjoy that would bring all of this to an end to satisfy a personal vendetta? A small, pathetic excuse for a man named William Jason Reso.

Jim Ross:
Yes, I think you've made that abundantly clear. Any closing remarks, Mr. Bischoff? Somehow, I don't find you to be at a loss for words today.

Eric Bischoff:
Let me address Reso directly. Jay ... do you really believe you're the first man to feel like you're not getting your "fair shake" in the business, or that you were "slighted" when it came to title shots? There have been plenty of people that could've used one at a pivotal time in their careers, but instead, the company had other plans to put their strength behind someone else. Does it always work? Of course not. But the nature of our business is not always fair. Life's not always fair. Get over it. When you do, maybe we can all get on with our lives and go back to doing what we love. When you get to that point, please ... let me know. Until then ... screw you, kiss my ass, and I hope you rot in hell, you crybaby son of a bitch.

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