Eric Bischoff's WWE Backstage Heat After "Botched" Roman Reigns Storyline?

SmackDown Executive Director in hot water ALREADY?!

Eric Bischoff
WWE Network

Eric Bischoff has only been in-place as WWE SmackDown's Executive Director for a couple of months, but it sounds like the former WCW man is already encountering problems backstage.

A new report from The Wrap notes that there are "growing questions" surrounding Bischoff's leadership. One source cited Eric's decision to hire Stevie Long, a former Sons of Anarchy writer, who was apparently found sleeping in the writer's room by Michael Hayes during his first day on the job. Long is still with the company; Bischoff declined to comment when The Wrap reached out.

The Roman Reigns whodunit/Erick Bischoff doppelganger storyline is also said to be a bone of contention, with The Wrap's source stating WWE feel it was "botched so bad" and that "explaining to anyone what it was supposed to be wouldn't make any sense at all."

Advertisement

Mid-August saw Bryan Alvarez and Dave Meltzer of Figure Four Online/The Wrestling Observer note that Bischoff wasn't doing much "besides showing up" on SmackDown. This contradicts The Wrap's report, which suggests Bischoff is involved creatively, though it's easy to see why this might spark frustration as well.

Whatever the case, here's hoping any issues get resolved.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.