The former President of World Championship Wrestling, Eric Bischoff spent years trying to put World Wrestling Entertainment and owner Vince McMahon out of business. If that is not a big enough reason for Bischoff to be considered one of the biggest heat magnets since 2000, the fact that he became the hated General Manager of Monday Night Raw and regularly toyed with the careers of the most popular Superstars in the company is. During his four years in control of the flagship show, he stuck it to all-time greats such as Steve Austin, Goldberg, Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels and Rob Van Dam, all in the name of entertaining himself and gaining kayfabe political favor with the evil Mr. McMahon. Bischoff often abused his power, making decisions that were in his best interest, rather than the best interest of the Superstars under his control. His boasting about the success he had in WCW while simultaneously glad-handing Mr. McMahon made him the type of insufferable bad guy that everyone hates. His disingenuous smile and his backhanded compliments only added to the hate the audience had for him. His smugness and arrogance made him so dislikable that many had trouble differentiating between entertainment and real life. That is the sign of a great performer. Was there likely a hint of truth behind the character, elements that were true to the person as much as they were to the persona? Of course, and it made for more intense heat and even more entertaining television.
Erik Beaston is a freelance pro wrestling writer who likes long walks in the park, dandelions and has not quite figured out that this introduction is not for Match.com. He resides in Parts Unknown, where he hosts weekly cookouts with Kane, The Ultimate Warrior, Papa Shango and The Boogeyman. Be jealous.
