Oklafan.com v5 Beta > News > Eric Bischoff comments on the Verne Gagne incident

Home
News

Eric Bischoff comments on the Verne Gagne incident

Posted: Feb 22nd 2009 By: mikeiles

A Sad Situtation

My thoughts and prayers are with the family of Mr. Guttman, who must be going through much pain as a result of the passing of a member of their family who escaped the Holocaust, contributed so much as an American citizen, only to pass away in a state of dementia in an assisted care living facility.

I cast no aspersions to the owners or care givers as I have never been to the facility and I have not read anything to suggest a lack of care (although if recent reports are true and the incident that resulted in a broken hip to Mr. Guttman took place in front of a nurses station, it does make me wonder).

I am also very saddened for Greg, Kathy, and Donna Gagne who are dealing with this tragedy and the media spotlight it casts on their father.

I have strong feelings and memories for Verne and the Gagne family. I was given the chance to break in to the business and learn it from the ground up as a result of the opportunity that Verne gave me when he hired me in 1987.

My wife and I became friends with the Gagne family during my employment there and I can honestly say that some of my best memories and experiences in the wrestling business were the early days of my career working for Verne. I had the opportunity to spend time hunting with Verne and Greg (and a trip or two that will go down as all time greats with Wahoo McDaniel and Ray Stevens) and get to know them as people as well as my employers.

When I left the AWA to go to Turner in 1991, it was only after sticking it out as long as I could from a financial point of view and Verne knew that. I went with his full support.

My family and I owe very much to Verne. If it weren?t for Verne Gagne, as Hulk Hogan once said ?Eric Bischoff might be selling meat door to door?.

And I?m not alone. When one looks at the who?s who of the wrestling business over the last 25 years, one would be hard pressed not to acknowledge Verne, as a reason the business still exists to this day.

But that is not really the point I want to make here.

Above all that Verne has accomplished as an athlete, father, and a businessman, the Verne Gagne that I know was one of the most generous and caring people I have ever met. He gave tirelessly to the community and was passionate about supporting the community where he lived.

Verne Gagne deserves better.

I promised myself that I would refrain from my usual rant when it comes to the media, but as the days go by I am getting more and more angry.

Perhaps if the State of Minnesota and Hennepin County where Verne built the home he invested his life work in and wanted to retire, hadn?t forced him to give up his property for a fraction of its market value by invoking an act of socialism known as ?eminent domain? (for those who don?t know Verne had a spectacular home on a large acreage that the State/County wanted as a park on Lake Minnetonka just west of Minneapolis), Verne and his family would gave been better able to provide for Verne?s care without having to live in an assisted living facility.

Perhaps that?s the story the media should focus on: that despite the hard work, contribution, and self made success of an individual like Verne Gagne, the State of Minnesota and Hennepin County can force a then 62 year old man to take pennies on the dollar for his life?s work, and end up in an assisted living facility in such a tragic situation. Perhaps that would help shed some real light on the real story that has made victims of the Guttman and Gagne family.

I am grateful to Verne and the Gagne family for everything that I have been able to provide my family. Nothing will tarnish the respect I have for Verne.

I am also grateful for the Guttmans who obviously empathize with Verne and his condition and who are responding with such grace.

And our thoughts go out to Greg, Kathy and Donna.

Tags: Verne Gagne, Wahoo McDaniel, AWA

Supplemental Information

Upcoming Events

There are currently no upcoming appearences.

Complete Calendar

Spotlight in History

1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title

Week of Sun 10-18 to Sat: 10-24

10-18 2009 Carnage def. Spoiler 2000 for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
10-18 2019 Tego def. Prince Mahalli for the ASP Inter-County Title
10-18 2019 Will Allday def. J. D. Griffey for the TexPro Heavyweight Title
10-18 2024 Luther Zay Diamond def. Brandon Warhawk for the MajCW Flawless Title
10-18 2024 Nashoba became the MajCW Wetumka Indian Community Centre Champion
10-18 2024 Auzzy def. Kari Wright for the TexPro Dynasty Title
10-18 2024 The Strays (Barrett Brown & Izzy James) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the TexPro Tag Team Titles
10-19 1976 Karl Kox & Ken Patera became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
10-19 2013 Tyson Jaymes def. Brock Landers for the SWCW All-American Title
10-19 2013 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. Nasty Swag (Ace Archuleta & Robert Lee) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
10-19 2013 Jon Cross def. Anarchy [2nd] for the UWE Heavyweight Title
10-19 2014 Jon Cross def. Robert Lee for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
10-19 2019 Luke Langley became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
10-19 2024 Anarchy [2nd] def. Damien Morte for the EPW Internet Television Title
10-19 2024 E-Bone def. Trench Blythe for the EPW International Title
10-20 1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
10-20 1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
10-20 1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
10-20 2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
10-20 2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
10-20 2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
10-20 2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
10-20 2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
10-20 2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
10-20 2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
10-20 2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
10-20 2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
10-20 2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
10-20 2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions
10-20 2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
10-20 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
10-21 1969 Fritz Von Erich became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
10-21 1985 King Parsons def. John Tatum for the WCCW Television Title
10-21 2005 Mitch Carter def. Kenny Campbell for the SRPW X Division Title
10-21 2006 J. T. LaMotta def. John O'Malley for the IZW Cruiserweight Title
10-21 2017 MVP def. Damon Windsor for the IWR Heavyweight Title
10-21 2017 Spirit Squad (Kenny [1st] & Mikey [1st]) def. Excellence Personified (Duke Swellington & Dustin Heritage) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
10-21 2022 Tego def. Mr. Wobble for the TexPro Texas Title
10-21 2023 Wolf of War def. Martin Justice for the EPW International Title
10-21 2023 Johnny Dynamite def. Johnny Lightning for the WFC Prime Title
10-21 2023 Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) def. K. O. A. (Caine Carter & Devion Black) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
10-21 2023 Malik Mayfield def. Clayton Bloodstone for the NCWO Choctaw Nation Title
10-21 2023 Dominik Whiteheart def. Luke Richmond for the NCWO United States Title
10-22 1984 The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) def. The Long Riders (Bill Irwin & Scott Irwin) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
10-22 2005 Big Van Vader def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Heavyweight Title
10-22 2005 Carnage def. John O'Malley for the IZW Hardcore Title
10-22 2005 Ryan Davidson became the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Champion
10-22 2005 The Lone Shining Star def. Tyler Bateman for the MSWA Tri-State Title
10-22 2005 Michael Faith def. Outlaw for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
10-22 2005 The Real Impact Players (Aaron Neil & Se7en) def. The Red Dirt Outlaws (Devon Monroe & Kevin James) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
10-22 2011 Fuel def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
10-22 2022 Justin Lee def. Koko for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
10-22 2022 Dutch Hagen def. Wesley Crane for the WFC Heavyweight Title
10-22 2023 Tunnel Vision (Derek James & Logan Knight) became the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
10-22 2023 Luke Richmond def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Oklahoma Title
10-22 2023 Trench Blythe def. El Gallardo for the BPW Lion Heart Title
10-22 2023 The Stage Dive Mafia (Rook Tyler & Axel Savage) def. Native Law (Sheriff Schultz & Nashoba) for the NCWO Tag Team Titles
10-23 1965 Lee Fields & Bobby Fields became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
10-23 1967 Spoiler #1 & Gary Hart def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
10-23 1968 Manuel Perez & Pepe Perez def. The Blue Demons (Blue Demon #1 & Blue Demon #2) for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
10-23 1988 Jerry Lawler def. Kerry Von Erich for the WCCW World Title
10-23 2003 Payton Scott def. Chris Matthews for the ACW Heavyweight Title
10-23 2005 Matt Garza & Mr. Brown def. Brandon Bishop & John Zorthos for the ACW Tag Team Titles
10-23 2005 Pretty Young Things (Cade Sydal & Mitch Carter) def. Matt Garza & Mr. Brown for the ACW Tag Team Titles
10-23 2011 Javi Hernandez became the UWF06 Heavyweight Champion
10-23 2015 Vinny Pacheco def. Buster Cherry for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
10-23 2015 The Creepsters (Buster Cherry & Mr. Barnes) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
10-23 2021 Richie Adams def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Prime Title
10-23 2021 Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) def. The Space Age Cowboys (Paul Puertorico & Jason Jones) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
10-23 2021 Luke Langley def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
10-24 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Chris Adams for the WCCW Television Title
10-24 1998 The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
10-24 2004 Se7en def. John O'Malley for the ACW Hardcore Title
10-24 2009 Xavior became the SWCW Cruiserweight Champion
10-24 2009 Dawn of Extreme (Ty Thunder & Crucifer) def. Texas, Inc. (Tim Rockwell & Bernard Funk) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
10-24 2009 The South Side Soul Assassins (Tyson Jaymes & 3rd Rail) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
10-24 2009 The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) became the SWCW Tag Team Champions
10-24 2009 Rated N (Crisstopher Crow & Shane Sanchez) def. The Good Ol' Boys (Bud Barnes & Moonshine) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
10-24 2020 Sam Stackhouse def. Alex Royal for the WFC Heavyweight Title
10-24 2021 Ryan the Ripper def. Drake Gallows for the EPW Internet Television Title
10-24 2025 Merc def. Riker for the BUW This Is Wrestling Title

10-20

Morgan Mercy Oct 20th Today!
Ed Sharp Oct 20th Today!
Chavo Guerrero, Jr. Oct 20th Today!
Devan Scott Oct 21st
Bushwacker Butch Oct 21st
Tom Jones Oct 22nd
George Knight Oct 22nd
Porkchop Cash Oct 22nd
Red Eagle Oct 23rd
Daniel Powers Oct 24th
Ray Durán Oct 24th
Bobby Lambert Oct 24th
Bill Dundee Oct 24th
Paige Turner Oct 25th
Double D Oct 25th
Sheriff Schultz Oct 25th
Phil Shark Oct 25th
Halo Oct 26th
Eddie Williams Oct 26th
Anthony Wayne Oct 26th
Troy Graham Oct 26th
AWOL Oct 27th
Miss Linda Oct 27th
Doberman [2nd] Oct 27th
Jake Boulder Oct 28th
Chris Smith Oct 28th
Mike Sharpe, Jr. Oct 28th
MVP Oct 28th
D. J. Hall Oct 29th
Paul Orndorff Oct 29th
Mischief Oct 29th
Danny McShain Oct 30th
Debbie Combs Oct 30th
Jesse Beeler Oct 30th
Brandon Bishop Oct 30th
George Wells Oct 30th
Jayson Boss Oct 31st
Bugsy McGraw Nov 1st
Dutch Hagen Nov 1st
Big Daddy Moore Nov 1st
Mike Davis [2nd] Nov 2nd

1969 Danny Hodge def. Chuck Karbo for the TSW North American Title
1971 Bill Watts became the TSW North American Champion
1986 Crusher Yurkov def. Steve Simpson for the WCCW Television Title
2001 The Texas Outlaws (Beau Dalton & Butch Dalton) def. The VIP Crew (Rocco Valentino & Vinnie Valentino) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
2001 Amanda St. George became the OPW Oklahoma Womens Champion
2001 Big Daddy Moore became the OPW Oklahoma Hardcore Champion
2007 Chris Fury became the SECW Light Heavyweight Champion
2007 Impact, Inc. (John Zorthos & Bernie Donderwitz) def. Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2007 Tyson Armstrong became the SECW Heavyweight Champion
2007 The Texas Outlaws (Bobby Burns & Dan Wilder) became the SECW Tag Team Champions
2012 Kevin James Sanchez def. Austin Tacious for the SWCW All-American Title
2012 The Static Knights (X-Statik & Keith Knight) def. Dynamic Storm (Justin Dynamic & Daemon Storm) for the UWE Tag Team Titles
2018 Dusty Gold became the UWE Apex Champion
2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Dusty Gold for the UWE Apex Title
2018 Fuel def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
2018 Galaxy Cruzers (Paul Puertorico & Steven Cruze) became the UWE Tag Team Champions

More Look Back In History

Most Active Members

Striker
Michael York
The Mayne Event
cphs_sweethearts
Talon