This week on the “83 Weeks” podcast, Eric Bischoff and Conrad Thompson cover the September 11, 1995 edition onf WCW Monday Nitro. This is the second-ever Nitro and it took place at the James L. Knight Center in Miami, FL.
Bishoff and Thompson discuss the news that was happening around that time and they cover the main event between Hulk Hogan and Lex Luger shortly after Luger made the jump from WWE, Sting vs. VK Wallstreet, Randy Savage vs. Scott Norton and much more.
Bischoff said the following about the heat between Jesse Ventura and Hulk Hogan when they were in WCW: “I know I have said things and been pretty hard on Jesse but usually it’s only when we are talking about my relationship with him within the context of having to fire him at the MGM Studios and my disappointment with Jesse at that time. One or two things led up to that. Jesse did not like Hulk Hogan. He did not like him on a personal level, professional level, or any other way. He was so anti-Hogan. Prior to Hulk coming in, I got along great with Jesse. When Jesse would come in to do TV, we would go out to dinner and have cocktails. He was a Minnesota guy. We had a lot in common. We knew a lot of the same people and had mutual friends. I got along fine with Jesse until Hogan came in. Once we brought Hogan in and we made that commitment, there was just negativity or resentment or something that made him miserable to be around. I didn’t have to work with Jesse a lot. I didn’t have to work a show with him like Jim Ross or Tony Schiavone. They probably could give you more of an insight as to what was going on with Jesse at that time. All that being said, as a person, I dig Jesse. I don’t like the way he handled his business in WCW. I think the way he reacted to us bringing Hulk Hogan in was counterproductive and unprofessional. I think his antics at the Disney MGM Studios when he was working for WCW which was the catalyst for me having to fire him was all really unprofessional, callous behavior to be frank. But, set that aside, I dig Jesse. I love that he speaks his mind. I don’t always agree with him. But he is a smart guy. He’s interesting to listen to even when you don’t agree with him. He brings a perspective to a conversation that I enjoy listening to whether I agree with it or not. In some respects, I have a lot of respect for Jesse. He ran for governor and won. He did a horsesh*t job in a lot of people’s opinion, but it’s Minnesota politics. It’s a cesspool.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit 83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription
