Eric Bischoff isnt one to shy away from wrestling history, and he just gave a surprising take on one of Booker Ts most infamous moments.
On a recent episode of 83 Weeks, Bischoff was asked by a listener how Time Warner reacted to Booker Ts 1997 WCW Spring Stampede promo, where he accidentally dropped the N-bomb while calling out Hulk Hogan.
According to Bischoff, there was no major fallout from the incidentsomething that would be unthinkable today. Back then, I didnt hear a word from Time Warner. I didnt hear a word from the audience. There may have been some people who wrote in and some who were offended. Believe me, Im sensitive to that, even to this day. Im not suggesting that people werent; Im just telling you it wasnt even a blip on the radar. It would be todaypeoples hair would catch fire, and depending on your point of view, rightfully so. It was a different time, and thats a perfect example of that.
Bischoffs comments highlight how different the wrestling industry was in the late 90s. In an era without social media, controversies didnt spread as quickly, and corporate oversight wasnt as immediate. Fast forward to today, and a moment like that would dominate headlines, forcing immediate damage control.
Booker T has since laughed about the moment, even recently responding to a question about whether hes still coming for Hogan. His answer? Naw man, because Hulk Hogan is coming for himself, implying that Hogans own actions have hurt his reputation more than anything else could.
Hogans name remains controversial. From past racist comments to his unwavering support of Donald Trump, his public image has taken a hit over the years. That was evident when he appeared on WWE RAWs Netflix debut on January 6, where a thunderous chorus of boos nearly drowned out his promo. Even when Pat McAfee gave him a chance to address his past, Hogan avoided the subject altogether.
While WWE still brings him back for occasional appearances, the reaction from fans is a clear sign of how much things have changed. The days of Hulkamania being universally beloved are over, at least in most places outside of Saudi Arabia.
Do you think Time Warner should have responded to Booker Ts promo back in 1997, or was it just a product of the times? Share your thoughts in the comments.
