Eric Bischoff says taking Sting's finisher was an unique experience that tested his performance skills.
In the nineties, Eric Bischoff was on WCW Monday Night Nitro as an authority figure who eventually joined the villainous NWO. In a recent interview with Sports Illustrated, Bischoff discussed his role with WCW and how it built to a particular moment.
“We talked last week about how important it was for talent not to get their hands on me. I had an immense amount of fragile heat, but people were dying to see me get my ass kicked. We knew that would be a great moment," said Bischoff.
Bischoff was referring to the May 19, 1997 episode of Nitro when Bischoff's in-ring promo was interrupted by Sting coming up through the ring and delivering his finisher, the Scorpion Death Drop. Bischoff told Sports Illustrated about his mindset going into the segment.
“I remember the anticipation and I remember feeling what was going on behind me as Sting was coming up through the ring. I remember trying to ignore that so my reaction could be as real as it could possibly be, and I also remember taking that bump because he and I never rehearsed it. It’s an awkward kind of a bump to take, and it requires completely letting go. Bumps often require giving yourself completely to the talent you’re in the ring with, and that’s what makes wrestling such a performance art that is different from every other. Since I’d never done it before, it was a really strange moment,” said Bischoff.
You can watch the segment, including Bischoff's full promo, below. The rest of Bischoff's interview covering his days at WCW can be found at SI.com.
