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 when he first saw The Shockmaster attire.
Bischoff said, “I’m seeing it live like everybody else. Again, this was before I was really into there. I don’t know why I look back so fondly at this. I think everybody was excited. Dusty [Rhodes] loved [it].”
On Fred Ottman being positive about it:
“Poor Fred. I say, ‘poor Fred,’ I see him at conventions now. He’s still got that helmet. He brings it with him. He sends pictures of him falling through the wall. He’s got such a great attitude about it. The most embarrassing moment, maybe for ever in professional wrestling. What is he thinking right now as he’s coming up? He’s got his helmet back on, shaking his head, ‘What the f**k just happened to me?’”
On not feeling bad about the failed debut of the character:
“The only reason I don’t feel bad about it, going back and watching it to this day, is knowing Fred’s attitude about it and the fact that he’s still making money signing autographs with his little helmet.”
On the attire:
“Did you see that helmet? You talk about bad gimmicks… it’s so bad! Look at the vest oh him. Like, who the f**k, who — and he’s got a lizard skin belt. He’s like something out of Star Wars meets Fred Flintstone meets Crocodile Dundee that falls through the wall.”
You can check out the complete podcast in the video below.
(H/T to 411Mania.com for transcribing the above quotes)
