Eric Bischoff Speaks Out - TNA Status, Daniels-TNA, Lethal

Monday Night Mayhem radio with Eric Bischoff
Hosts: Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent
Recap by Paterson from New Jersey

Eric's recent cryptic Facebook posts and his current TNA status: "Things are fine; things are no different from the last time we spoke on this show. As far as my page being cryptic, I've been on my Facebook page for a long time, and I was suggesting to fans that as much as I like to have an open forum and have people comment and have constant communication, there's just a couple of things I don't want to see on my Facebook page.

"I don't want to see profanity and just stupid crap. One of the problems I have had with the Internet Wrestling Community is brain dead commentary and the same kind of redundant comments and statements over and over again, and when I started on the site, I really wanted to raise the bar and have conversations and even be critical without being abusive. It just got to the point where I didn't want to spend anymore time editing my page, so I made a statement a couple of times and just got sick of it and said enough was enough and I pulled the wall posting."

"The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels leaving TNA and his response to the fact that fans may perceive that he had something to do with Daniels' departure: "I don't really have a side. I'm a fan of Chris, and I was excited to meet him when I came to TNA. We talked a few times creatively about some character development for him and things like that, and I think he's a phenomenal talent. But honestly, I can't take a side when I'm not really on the inside of any of the discussions and issues as it relates to Chris. All I know is that there are a lot of people in TNA that think highly of him, and that's all I know. There are a lot of misconceptions on my role in TNA, Hulk Hogan's roles in TNA, and the day-to-day operations. It's understandable; we are very high profile and out in front as story lines go, but I'm a really big fan of Chris and probably will be and hope we see him back in TNA in the near future."

Why he sees Jay Lethal and Brian Kendrick as two of the most promising young talents in TNA right now and potentially as being major players in the industry in the years to come: "It's so hard to say, and this is going to sound so political and such a kiss-ass answer, but there is a lot of good young talent there, and not only do they have talent, but they have attitude...and when I say attitude, I mean the desire, passion, and focus with an open mind, which I think is critical in this business especially with young talent. Young talent are so influenced (when it comes to learning) that unless they keep a very open mind, they tend to get very pigeon-holed.

"In TNA, there are a lot of guys that fall into that category. Jay Lethal is the obvious one, and I could take up a whole show talking about Jay Lethal. (Brian) Kendrick is another guy. I've been watching him for years, and I think he was in the WWE when I was there, and I saw him in TNA, but no one really spent the time with him, and he never had the opportunity, but because he had the drive to approach me and say 'Hey, this is what I'm thinking, and this what I feel,' and as I'm listening to him, I'm thinking there is something there. There's a lot of guys and girls just like him in TNA."

His response to those that feel that TNA always puts former WWE superstars in the main event matches/storylines, as opposed to TNA's "homegrown" talent: "First of all, I have to say this, and this piss off some people in TNA, but I hate the term "homegrown talent." We're not selling vegetables here or freshly-made pies. This is about creating awareness. Our survival, our ability to grow our audience, and appeal to a broader audience isn't about appealing to the same people who've been watching this, and quite frankly, the audience hasn't grown all that significantly over the last 4, 5, or 6 years, or you probably wouldn't be talking to me right now.

"This is about growing and expanding the audience. You gotta grow the brand, and you do that by bringing in people (whether they're movie stars, television stars, or anything else) who have a broader appeal because they have been out there in front of other people in a bigger, broader audience than perhaps the talent you already have on the show. That's not a knock at all on the talent that TNA currently has, but it does reflect the need that in order for TNA to grow, you have to bring in people that have a broader appeal worldwide. By bringing some of those people in, it benefits the talent that hasn't been anywhere outside of TNA."

The current status of TNA's Knockout Division: "We got hit with a rash of injuries a few weeks ago, along with some contractual issues. But I think what you are going to see is the Knockout division getting back on track in very short order. Everyone in TNA is proud of the Knockouts division, and I look at the division and look at anything else that has been done before, I think the Knockout division is consistently one of the better women's divisions that I've ever seen in any promotion. I think there is a lot of commitment to it, and I don't see that changing anytime soon."

More is contained in the return of "The Hot Seat With Eric Bischoff," including what he looking forward to seeing at Slammiversary this Sunday evening, along with his candid thoughts on the "tweaks" that he has installed in the last few weeks to TNA iMPACT, the likelihood of see the company go live on Thursday nights in the foreseeable future, the expansion of TNA on the road, what one thing he would change to the promotion right now if he had complete control of TNA, plus more of your calls/Facebook questions! Due to the continued overwhelming response, "The Hot Seat With Eric Bischoff" (flavored by Sizzlin Sauces) will return LIVE once again on Monday night, July 5th (beginning @ 7PM ET/6PM CT) leading into TNA's Victory Road...exclusively on Monday Night Mayhem!