Eric Bischoff Recalls Working With Eddie Guerrero, Eddie Being a Better Heel in WCW

On the latest episode of 83 Weeks, Eric Bischoff talked about WCW turning Eddie Guerrero’s car accident into a storyline and his roles in WCW and WWE. You can check out some highlights below:

On Eddie Guerrero return from his car accident: “On a personal level, just I was really, really, I was grateful [he was back]. Because there, you know. There was a period of time when we weren’t sure we’re gonna get him back, that he’d be able to come back or get through it at all. So yeah, very, very happy to have him back. And on a personal level, I’ve always loved Eddie, loved working with Eddie. Got a kick out of hanging out with him.

“Professionally, you know, that could be a roller coaster. Partly because of him, and partly because of me. We both had these personalities that neither one of us was afraid to be very honest about where we were coming from. And I respected that from Eddie. I welcomed that. I’d rather know the truth about what somebody’s thinking than the bulls**t that you generally get. And there was no bulls**t with Eddie. You know, he was straightforward and somewhat emotional from time to time. And so was I. So that part of it could be touchy. But the rest of it was about him having a beer with him after the show. I had great memories of him, and he was happy to have him back.”

On the narrative that Eddie was a better heel in WCW and babyface in WWE: “Absolutely. Eddie embraced the heat. He wasn’t a wrestler playing a heel. He was a professional wrestler, embracing his character. And I think he was more comfortable as a heel. He was great as a babyface. But I don’t know, other people who know any better than I did would be able to comment on this. But I always got the impression that Edie preferred being a heel. It’s more fun. Who wouldn’t?

“Being a babyface is hard, really hard work. You got to be on — look at Cody Rhodes. And you know, ‘Yay, he is the champ, and he’s the face of the company and all the things that come along with it.’ Including the money, the opportunity, the travel, and the experiences. But it’s also a ton of work, because Cody is out there representing the company in a million different ways that none of us ever see on television or PPV. It’s his business, and it’s a full-time and a half business. And it’s work. Whereas a heel, you don’t get a lot of — you don’t make the money you don’t get the accolades and the experiences, which are the most important I think, for me anyway. The memories and the experiences you don’t get as a heel that you do get as a babyface. But you pay the price. It’s not free.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit 83 Weeks with an h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.