WWE Hall of Famer and former WCW President Eric Bischoff took on an episode of his 83 Weeks podcast, where he talked about a number of topics including the impact Dixie Carter had on the wrestling business.
Bischoff said, “I think that’s a little broad. Conrad, I think the business would be exactly where the business is without Dixie Carter and TNA. I think the individuals that you referenced may not be a part of it, because of exactly what you said. You know, you’ve — it’s one thing to learn your craft and get better at your craft and go out there every night and practice, and get yourself on TV and grow your own personal brand. But you’ve got to be able to pay your bills in the process or you’re going to be working in a warehouse, or as a stockbroker or whatever, real estate agent. Dixie did provide those people an opportunity to stick with their dream, and to get better and grow with it. I don’t think in terms of its impact on the industry in general, I can’t subscribe a lot of credit to TNA for that. But I can certainly acknowledge what they did for individuals.”
On if TNA wanted to position Carter as the Stephanie McMahon of TNA:
“No, they wanted to position her as Vince McMahon. That’s what Dixie wanted. That was her primary driver, was to be recognized as the first female president of a highly successful professional wrestling company. She wanted to be in the same conversation as Vince McMahon, or Paul Heyman, or Eric Bischoff.”
You can check out the complete podcast in the video below.
(H/T to 411Mania.com for transcribing the above quotes)