10 Wrestling Facts We Didn't Know Last Week (Dec 7)

7. Eric Bischoff Challenged DDP To A Fight In The AWA

Back when Verne Gagne's AWA promotion was creaking harder than ol' Verne himself, two of the men who'd reshape WCW history were at loggerheads. Eric Bischoff, a 'Ken doll' announcer and Diamond Dallas Page, a loudmouth manager, didn't see eye-to-eye when they first met at all, and Eric actually thought DDP was kinda' annoying.

Things came to a head when Bischoff brokered a deal with a local bar to promote an upcoming football game between NFL players and AWA stars. At the gig, Page was rude to staff and raised the ire of Eric. Enough was enough, and Page's future boss challenged him to a fight.

It was a fight DDP wanted no part of. Bischoff claims on his 83 Weeks show Page got into his car and drove away (which he's glad of).

The next morning, after yelling at one another back in the hotel, Page and Bischoff realised they were making fools of themselves and agreed a truce. That was the end of it, and they'd become friends years later by taking WCW to the top of the industry.