Talking on his 83 Weeks podcast this week, Eric Bischoff pitched in on the many conversations relating to Ric Flair. Much has been said in recent weeks about Flair, and Bischoff had his own views that he wanted to share.

Ever since his departure from WWE the rumors have been running wild about where Flair will go next. AEW looks like the most obvious choice, especially following his appearance beside Andrade at AAA Triplemania earlier this month. While appearing in a managerial role is the most likely, there has been lots of talk about the 72-year-old wanting to get back in the ring.

While this might be unlikely in a full-match capacity, Eric Bischoff discussed why there is now, and always will be an appeal to someone the likes of Ric Flair getting his hands dirty in the ring.

“Watch what happens when Ric Flair steps in the ring in AEW,”

Eric Bischoff

“Just watch what happens. We saw what happened in Mexico in AAA when Ric Flair and Andrade got together. When Ric Flair steps back in the ring and starts chopping somebody, nobody is going to say to themselves ‘Oh man, that was a weak chop, he doesn’t chop as well as he did 20 years ago.’ Nobody could give two shits. They’re going to have a blast, they’ll rejoice. It’s going to trigger their memory and they’re going to go back in time and remember some of those magic Ric Flair moments. That’s what they’re paying their money for.” Eric Bischoff Explained.

Eric Bischoff Knows First-hand You Can’t Build a Legacy on Legends Alone

Talking further, Eric Bischoff confirmed that no wrestling company can build an empire by relying on older superstars like Flair. He did however say that it is important for older superstars to make appearances while giving room for the next generation to grow.

“You do need younger talent, definitely building that roster full of the future, there’s no question about that. I’m not suggesting all you do is feature that older legacy talent, but people still want to see them get in the ring, they still want to see them active, they still want to rejoice in seeing talent like Ric Flair to this day at 72 years old step in the ring and have some fun.” Eric Bischoff reasoned.

This is a tactic WWE have used in recent years, with the likes of Goldberg and yes, even John Cena, returning for short bursts to get the crowd going. Eric Bischoff knows full-well Ric Flair is never going to have a full-time run or another championship reign inside a major promotion. However, we all know that Ric Flair will never retire, and all it will take to make a place come alive is a strut, a chop and a woo!”

Eric Bischoff is a man who knows the wrestling business through and through. From his time in charge of WCW to his years in WWE. He has close associations with AEW and remains a vocal point for the wrestling community.

Talking recently on his 83 Weeks Podcast (a name that points to WCW’s Monday night winning streak) he discussed WWE and criticised their storytelling capabilities. Furthermore, he addressed what he feels is a complete lack of long-term story vision in the wrestling world at large.

“As recently as 24 months ago I was in the thick of it in WWE. There were no three- and six-months storylines locked in, I can assure you of that. Maybe that’s changed, hopefully, it has and I think you need to have a good plan, a three-month plan, a six-month plan, if you can have a year great.” Eric Bischoff said, his comments were initially directed at WWE however soon broadened to the grander scale of the entire wrestling business.

Eric Bischoff feels people nowadays rely too heavily on the statistics that get thrown up week to week. He likened this to living in the past. Instead, he recommends reading the crowd. Arguing this gives you knowledge of what they want to see in the future.

Eric Bischoff Advises Promotions to Start Listening to their Crowds

His comments were once again addressed to the industry at large. However, there can be no denying the intended direction of Eric Bischoff’s words.

“But you also have to be flexible enough and spend enough time reading the audience, not the ratings, not the quarter hours. That doesn’t tell you sh**. That tells you what history is, that doesn’t tell you what the audience is thinking or feeling. There’s only one way to know that and that is to be out there with the audience. I hope that there are three and six-month plans out there and if there are, hopefully, people are paying attention to the crowd reaction as well.”

Much has been said about WWE’s storytelling and creative juices in recent months. Almost every wrestler released has listed the stifling atmosphere in the creative rooms that left them frustrated and restless. Eric Bischoff is a man who is no stranger to making mistakes in wrestling. He has tasted success and failure in equal measure. This gives him a wide-angled lens through which he can give his commentary. This surely gives makes him a well-rounded authoritative voice.