With the star power he once had in the Memphis wrestling scene, it remains a mystery why the late “superstar” Bill Dundee Has never been a standout talent for WWE. While his circus training as a trapeze artist was beneficial in the ring and he was a must-see for many, Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff believes it wasn’t enough to catch Vince McMahon’s eye at the time, as he was more interested in bigger body types than Dundee statues. Dundee was not authorized to help behind the scenes. In fact, Bischoff wonders why the former CEO and president never offered Dundee a role in behind-the-scenes creative or booking.
“I think it’s pretty easy to see why Bill didn’t work in WWE as a talent, right? He would never understand Vince’s view of what a wrestler was, especially at that moment. But behind the scenes, he was more than qualified,” said the former senior vice president of WCW. “83 Weeks” podcast. “I think (what was) more mysterious to you is with WWE, when they were WWF, the UK has always been a big market for Vince… The whole European market, obviously, it’s a different style of booking over there… What they’re used to and conditioned to believe is a different nuance than what we have here. tour, wouldn’t you want somebody who has experience touring the markets you’re going to be in, because that guy you’re sitting in the room with, or at least you, must be reading the room for a living.
A few years before his death, Dundee himself announced that WWE was interested in offering him a role backstage. However, he believed that a potential opportunity was denied because of it alleged conflict with WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker. Dundee, who had 60 championships to his name, died earlier this month aged 82. WWE paid tribute to him shortly after his death.
If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit “83 weeks with Eric Bischoff” and credit ah/t Wrestling Inc. for transcription.
