Eric Bischoff believes professional wrestlers who fully commit to their characters are essentially practising method acting, naming Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan and Steve Austin among the best examples.
Speaking on 83 Weeks, Eric Bischoff discussed the concept of wrestlers “living the gimmick” and argued that the approach should be viewed as a commitment to character rather than being dismissed as taking wrestling too seriously.
“In sports entertainment, it’s living your gimmick 24/7, brother,” Bischoff said. “Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, so-called Steve Austin.”
Bischoff believes Steve Austin and Ric Flair were particularly effective because their wrestling personalities were extensions of who they were away from television.
“There’s very little difference between their real personalities and their TV characters, except that on TV they turn up the volume a little bit.”
When discussing Flair, Bischoff suggested the 16-time World Champion has inhabited his wrestling persona for so long that the distinction between Ric Flair and Richard Fliehr has effectively disappeared.
“Ric Flair, he’s Ric Flair in the ring. He’s Ric Flair out of the ring, 24/7,” Bischoff said. “I’m not sure he knows who Richard Fliehr even was at this point. Not is. Was.”
Eric Bischoff stressed that he intended the observation as a compliment rather than criticism.
“That’s how deep Ric Flair is into being Ric Flair, and I say that with respect. That’s not a flaw.”
Eric Bischoff Compares Wrestling Characters To Method Acting
Eric Bischoff witnessed a similar transformation with Hulk Hogan during their friendship outside wrestling. He recalled spending time privately with Hogan when he was simply Terry Bollea, only to watch his personality change as soon as they entered a public environment.
“We get into the car, and by the time we get into wherever we’re going, and now the public is there, he’s Hulk Hogan,” Bischoff said. “That’s the commitment.”
Bischoff also described Stone Cold Steve Austin as essentially Steve Williams with his personality amplified for television, while naming The Undertaker as another performer who completely committed to his character.
“They’re method actors in the world of entertainment acting.”
Bischoff believes wrestling has traditionally treated that approach differently from other areas of entertainment, where method acting is often respected.
“It’s interesting how the world of entertainment refers to and respects method acting, but in wrestling it’s living your gimmick, brother. You’re a mark for yourself.”
According to Bischoff, relatively few modern wrestlers take their characters beyond their entrance, appearance and moveset. He argued that completely becoming a character can separate successful wrestlers from those who reach the very top of the industry.
“When you take that to the next level, and you become your character, that’s when things get real,” he said. “Ironically, the money gets real. The success gets real.”
Eric Bischoff said most performers, including many successful wrestlers, never reach that level of character immersion. While discussing the small number of wrestlers who still take that approach today, Bischoff identified MJF as one of the modern performers who continues to fully commit to his wrestling persona.
