10 Times Wrestling Opened The Forbidden Door

9. Eric Bischoff Calls Out Vince McMahon

Tony Khan Vince McMahon
WWE.com

Vince McMahon couldn't walk through it - that was the bit - but Eric Bischoff nonetheless opened the Forbidden Door and asked his rival to.

Ahead of Slamboree on May 17, 1998, Eric Bischoff challenged Vince McMahon to a fight live on pay-per-view. It was never, ever going to happen. There's more chance of the Roman Reigns and Kevin Owens feud finally ending than there was of Vince risking the humiliation that Bischoff would have monetised. That is precisely why Bischoff issued the challenge: to win via forfeit and claim Vince was too sh*t-scared to show up. A petty ego massage that doubled as a publicity stunt, that Bischoff felt a publicity stunt was even needed demonstrated where the fear really resided. The WWF was on the ascendency, and Bischoff knew it. That he didn't issue such a challenge in November 1997 said far more about WCW than Vince's supposed lack of grapefruits.

What would a fight have looked like?

Bischoff told Sportskeeda last month that he'd have kicked Vince's ass. His (exaggerated) martial arts background would have played a part, for sure, but Vince wouldn't have quit. Ever.

Honestly, with one man refusing to yield and the other constantly kicking him, it would have been a bit like Ali Vs. Inoki.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!