Every Version Of Eric Bischoff, Ranked Worst To Best

Eric Bischoff put together quite a successful career in wrestling. The run in WCW is what established him as an all-time important personality on screen and behind the scenes. Bischoff transitioned from just the business side of things to wanting to have a presence on television as well. The success would see him having quite a few incarnations throughout the years.

Bischoff moved from WCW to WWE to TNA all with different roles. Some of the characters stood out for the best with extreme success. Others missed the mark and showed the worst side of Bischoff. Find out just which stand the test of time. Without further ado, let's take a look back at Bischoff's career from his worst to his best phases in the wrestling industry.

11 AWA Eric

Before Eric Bischoff became a legendary figure in WCW, he first cut his teeth in the industry with the American Wrestling Association. While working for AWA, Bischoff took on various roles and responsibilities within the company. At first, stationed with the sales department, Bischoff lucked out with an onscreen role as an interviewer and a host.

Bischoff was still wet behind the ears, so his job performance can't possibly match his contribution to pro wrestling later on. Eric began his working relationship in AWA in 1987 and left when the company folded in 1991.

10 WCW Broadcaster

The introduction of Eric Bischoff to wrestling fans came in the role of a broadcaster. Bischoff started off in a lesser AWA role, but WCW was where he really had the chance to break out. Both backstage interviews and commentary saw Bischoff adding to the product.

The response to the work of Bischoff in broadcasting was polarizing. Many felt he lacked the knowledge of his peers to add to the storytelling of matches while others felt he was good at steering the ship for the betterment of the show.

9 Feuding with DX

The WWE career of Eric Bischoff saw him having a short return in late 2006. Bischoff’s book Controversy Creates Cash was a huge project by WWE hoping to get more success after The Rise and Fall of WCW was a top-selling DVD.

The 2006 reunion version of D-Generation X feuded with Bischoff as he took digs at them for not being as big as the New World Order. Bischoff was the guest referee when helping Rated RKO beat Triple H and Shawn Michaels. There was a future segment of DX getting revenge on Bischoff to end the short lackluster run.

8 TNA Heel Run

Eric Bischoff’s heel run in TNA felt like a parody of his time in WWE and WCW. The eventual turn to form Immortal saw Bischoff having an extended time as a heel when Hogan turned face to end his association with his best friend.

Bischoff grew even worse as a heel trying to stop many of the top faces on the show in his decision-making. TNA even booked Eric’s son Garett Bischoff into a feud with him, leading to some of the worst moments in company history.

7 AEW Guest

Tony Khan has a lot of respect for Eric Bischoff and has gone out of his way to book the legend for a few episodes of Dynamite. Bischoff first appeared as the moderator for a live debate between Chris Jericho and Orange Cassidy during their feud.

The timing of Bischoff added to the segment that made Cassidy look like a huge star. Bischoff returned months later during Jericho’s Town Hall Meeting with The Inner Circle to ask a question about MJF. Both appearances were well received for Bischoff back on TNT.

6 WCW Face Authority Figure

The end of the New World Order in 1999 saw Eric Bischoff trying to play a face character in the authority figure role. Bischoff made decisions that would appease the fans and hopefully improve the experience during a time when WCW was struggling.

The face character of Bischoff felt strange since he was primarily a heel once becoming more than just a broadcaster. Bischoff ended up having a solid run on-screen once fans grew used to his face side, but the backstage issues led to him being removed from power and television angles.

5 New Blood Leader

WCW tried to completely rebuild the brand in the summer of 2000 when both Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo were tasked with working together. The New Blood was the heel faction birthed on the first episode of the rebranding led by both Russo and Bischoff.

Hulk Hogan and Diamond Dallas Page specifically feuded with Bischoff based on his prior relationships with them. Bischoff played a great heel, but the entire angle was a misfire. Wrestlers like Billy Kidman and Jeff Jarrett struggled to become bigger stars even with Bischoff’s help.

4 Taking Over TNA with Hulk Hogan

The start of the TNA regime with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff provided some positives. Impact initially saw a few bigger ratings numbers and introduced a few wrestlers that fans loved like Jeff Hardy coming back after a superb WWE run.

Bischoff and Hogan even had some momentum as characters when playing faces. The WCW nostalgia was still real, so Bischoff was able to get a few pops. There was an interesting struggle between the two as well, leading to Bischoff having more layers than usual.

3 Sharing GM Role with Steve Austin

Back in 2003, there was a storyline of Steve Austin and Eric Bischoff sharing the duties of Raw General Manager after Austin retired. Fans were ecstatic to see Austin every week since it meant the iconic promos from the all-time great character would continue.

Bischoff was an outstanding heel, adding more heat to the program. WWE utilized the back story of Bischoff firing Austin in WCW to make their issues personal. Bischoff did some of his best work in WWE during the feud against Austin.

2 Heel Raw General Manager

The moment of Eric Bischoff debuting on Raw and hugging Vince McMahon in 2002 will live in wrestling infamy. Bischoff and McMahon had the most personal wrestling promotion war of all time that ended with Vince winning.

The “best for business” approach saw McMahon hiring Bischoff to become the heel Raw General Manager in the early stages of the brand split. Bischoff instantly made Raw more important and established himself as a top heel for WWE within weeks. The company trusted him to hold the GM spot for over three years.

1 NWO Heel Personality

The New World Order was already the hottest act in wrestling, but Eric Bischoff turning heel to join the group put them on another level. There was no experience for Bischoff as a heel which made this a risky idea to execute.

Roddy Piper exposing Bischoff for helping Hulk Hogan’s takeover saw him finding his perfect role as a heel character. Bischoff cut outstanding promos every week and added more heat to the nWo. Few characters received as many boos as Bischoff in the entire industry at the time.

NEXT: 5 Reasons Eric Bischoff Was Better In WCW (& 5 Why He Was Best In WWE)