Eric Bischoff says Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar have a lot more control over what happens with their WWE characters than some fans want to admit — and he thinks anyone who believes otherwise has no clue how the business works.
The former WCW boss addressed the subject while discussing the backlash surrounding his criticism of Roman Reigns. The conversation eventually shifted toward Roman’s status as one of WWE’s most protected stars and comparisons to Brock Lesnar and Hulk Hogan.
Bischoff brought up the years of criticism he took for allowing Hogan to have creative control in WCW. In his eyes, wrestling fans who ripped him apart over Hogan while believing Reigns and Lesnar don’t have similar influence are kidding themselves.
“I’m going to jump in here and point one thing out. Again, and not so much anymore, but I used to be criticized often for allowing Hulk Hogan to have creative control. If any of you dirt sheet morons out there think that Brock Lesnar did not have creative control — that Roman doesn’t — you are more clueless than even I can imagine.”
Bischoff wasn’t finished. He doubled down and said anyone who believes stars at the level of Reigns and Lesnar simply take whatever WWE creative hands them doesn’t understand how things work at the top of the company.
“And I don’t give any of you all credit for having much of a mind of your own. I just don’t think you do. But if you’re one of those who think that Brock Lesnar or Roman Reigns don’t have creative control, you clearly, clearly are out of touch and know less about the business than even I thought you did.”
Ringside News can confirm that Roman Reigns does have significant input when it comes to his creative direction in WWE. That process also involves Paul Heyman, who works closely with Reigns and upper management on the creative team when putting together material involving the former Undisputed WWE Champion.
That doesn’t necessarily mean Reigns has the exact same contractual creative-control clause Hulk Hogan famously had in WCW. The reality is that a star at Roman’s level has considerable influence over his character, storylines and presentation, with Heyman also playing an important part in shaping that creative before it reaches television.
Bischoff clearly isn’t backing away from his position. He may be bored with Roman Reigns’ current character, but he also recognizes the enormous power and star status Reigns has earned inside WWE — and he believes that includes having a major say in what happens creatively.
What do you think about Eric Bischoff saying Roman Reigns and Brock Lesnar have creative control in WWE? Do you think top stars should have that much influence over their storylines? Let us know your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
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