10 Things WWE Wants You To Forget About Eric Bischoff

4. He Challenged Vince To A Fight

Unless you're a professional boxer or Alex Kidd, just about nothing can be solved by a bout of fisticuffs. So perhaps that's why, when Eric Bischoff challenged his WWF opposite to a game of Queensberry rules, Vince McMahon went against every grain in his fibre and refused to take things outside.

After all, what did he have to gain from rising to Bischoff's Nitro challenge? His company was already trailing, and offering free publicity to a rival with a fight against a trained Karateka which he could realistically lose was clearly a daft idea.

A seeming no-brainer then, but Vince didn't take the decision lightly. A man of considerable inflated machismo - not to mention hubris - the WWE chairman felt it was a personal affront to his manhood. Letting the challenge slide characterised him as a coward in his mind, rather than an astute, sensible, civilised businessman. Missing the opportunity to demonstrate some tangible Austin 3:16 to the former meat salesman must nag to this day, and he won't like to be reminded.

Editorial Team
Editorial Team

Benjamin was born in 1987, and is still not dead. He variously enjoys classical music, old-school adventure games (they're not dead), and walks on the beach (albeit short - asthma, you know). He's currently trying to compile a comprehensive history of video game music, yet denies accusations that he purposefully targets niche audiences. He's often wrong about these things.