How Elvis Presley helped Eric Bischoff make it through the Joey Ryan/Mick Foley controversy

If you are a wrestling traditionalist and cringed at the sight of Mick Foley getting flipped by Joey Ryanโ€™s junk, then youโ€™re not alone. The internet was full of differing opinions on the subject and plenty of people felt the need to commentโ€ฆESPECIALLY JIM CORNETTE.

Eric Bischoff has seen a lot in the pro wrestling business and just like anyone else he was pretty surprised when this spot took place between Joey Ryan and Foley at an OTT Wrestling show in Dublin Ireland. Eric recently opened up about the subject on an episode of MLW Radio.

First off, Eric said he was happy to see Mick Foley was doing well enough to take a bump in the first place because the last time he saw The Mickster he was in need of a hip surgery. Bischoff elaborated on the subject and the former head of WCW and Raw GM revealed how he always leans on advice from โ€œThe Kingโ€ Elvis Presley in times like this.

โ€œLike you, I enjoy the response to the crowd as much as I do whatโ€™s going on in the ringโ€ Bischoff said to Bocchini. โ€œSomebody told me one time and I canโ€™t remember who it was and I donโ€™t even know if itโ€™s true โ€” but Iโ€™ve stuck to it. That Elvis Presley once said presumably โ€˜the most important part of a performance isnโ€™t whatโ€™s happening on the stage itโ€™s whatโ€™s happening in the audience.โ€™ And whoever old me that, whether itโ€™s true or not true or whether Elvis Presley said it or didnโ€™t โ€” to me that rings true. Especially in a professional wrestling event.โ€

โ€œBecause if the crowd energy is dead, people arenโ€™t having fun if they havenโ€™t thoroughly engaged in the product. Sometimes that means taking them on a roller coaster ride, sometimes that means comedy spots, sometimes that means stuff that doesnโ€™t make any sense but damn they have fun watching it. But if you donโ€™t set the audience into that performance youโ€™re not gonna last long.โ€

So there you go, words of wisdom from Elvis Presley (allegedly). But at least itโ€™s enough for the wrestling traditionalist and producer in Eric Bischoff to be able to deal with this controversial spot.

Catch up on some of the top news stories from the past 24 hours by clicking below:

If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit MLW Radio with Court Bauer & MSL with a H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription

Related Articles

Stay Connected

1,500,000FansLike
115,000FollowersFollow
70,000FollowersFollow
284,133FollowersFollow
160,000SubscribersSubscribe