Eric Bischoff Believes Comparing TNA And AEW Is "Stupid And Ignorant"

Since it's founding, All Elite Wrestling has added multiple former WWE Superstars to its roster, including Chris Jericho, Miro, Christian Cage and Paul Wight.

This has drawn criticism in some circles, and the company has been compared to late 2000s-early 2010s TNA when they brought in the likes of Mick Foley, Booker T, Scott Steiner, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair.

Eric Bischoff had his say on the comparison during an appearance on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast.

"That's stupid and ignorant, I mean that in the literal sense," Bischoff said. "People who say those things have no real first-hand knowledge or experience. They have theoretical knowledge based on their fandom. But they don't really know what they are talking about.

"I think what AEW is doing is by no means ground-breaking but they are smart. Bringing in former WWE talent with international brand equity and a fan base, what is wrong with that? If you have to rely solely on that I can see the argument. The wrestling audience is not one demo and it's family viewing. If people today understood the challenge of building a primetime product, you have to appeal to a wide variety of people. If you bring in a load of young fresh talent, no one knows or cares about them.

"You have to build the relationship with the audience. AEW is bringing in equity with former WWE talent and scratching the nostalgia itch. But they are also simultaneously bringing in new and fresh talent. The legends are not detrimental to the new stars."

H/T to Inside The Ropes for the transcription