Eric Bischoff Lays Down Plan To Improve AEW

Eric Bischoff has some bold ideas for AEW.

Despite previously appearing on AEW television, Eric Bischoff has become one of the company’s most vocal critics, believing they’re falling well short of challenging WWE. His comments have often brought him into conflict with Tony Khan who hasn’t taken the criticism lying down.

Back in April, Tony Khan said the criticism “isn’t rational, logical or truthful.”

On a recent episode of his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff was asked by a listener what he would do to improve AEW if he was in charge. The WWE Hall of Famer began by explaining how and why he would cut the talent roster.

“Re-evaluate the talent roster,” Bischoff said. “Get rid of the people that there’s just no reason to have around. Thin out the herd, because the roster’s too big and what’s the harm? … I don’t know what [Tony Khan’s] payroll is, but it’s got to be massive with the amount of money he’s paying people…

They’re getting a check every week, and that’s a good thing, but there’s a lot of talent there that shouldn’t be on that roster. It’s a morale issue. When you’ve got 30, 40, 50, 60 people under contract that haven’t seen a television camera in months, or in some cases longer, what do you think they talk about when they talk amongst each other?”

Bischoff added that when he’s finalised the roster, he’d call a company-wide meeting to outline his creative strategy and vision for the company.

“Bring everybody together and say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, here is the vision for this company,'” Bischoff stated. “I would clearly define my creative strategy and my business strategy, so that everybody onboard had a chance to actually get onboard, or not. But everybody needs to understand what the direction of the company is.”

“We Are Moving Into The Storytelling Business” – Eric Bischoff

The former WCW boss said he would completely restructure AEW’s creative approach moving them away from what they’ve been doing since the company launched.

“I would make sure the talent knew that we were moving into the storytelling business,” he continued. “This ‘athletic exhibition’ s**t that we’re doing … [is] not what the American television audience is interested in. Only a small percentage of them are, and it’s evidenced by where AEW is at over almost the last six years.”

AEW is currently preparing for its annual Forbidden Door event which is due to include talent from NJPW, Stardom, and CMLL. The event is due to take place on June 30th.

H/t to Wrestling Inc