Bischoff says Brian James could bring major television experience after Tommy Dreamer’s exit
Summary
– Eric Bischoff believes Road Dogg would be a major creative upgrade for TNA Wrestling
– Bischoff said Brian James has valuable television experience and strong talent relationships
– Road Dogg’s name has been linked to TNA after Tommy Dreamer’s creative exit
Eric Bischoff believes Road Dogg could bring real value to TNA Wrestling if the company adds him to its creative team.
Speaking on his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff discussed the possibility of Brian James joining TNA after Tommy Dreamer’s exit. Bischoff said James has the instincts and experience needed to help the company improve its television product.
“Road Dogg’s abilities, his skill, his instinct, his relationship with talent, his ability to motivate talent to do better—I 100% believe he has all these qualities.”
Bischoff then compared James directly to Dreamer. He said Road Dogg would be a major step forward because of his experience working in television creative at a higher level.
“In a place like TNA Wrestling, I think he’d be a huge leap forward from Tommy Dreamer, who doesn’t really have any TV experience. And what experience he has is extremely limited and not really what I would consider television experience as far as creative.”
Bischoff made it clear that Dreamer’s wrestling background is not the same as having experience building a television product. He said working with network executives and understanding their goals is a different skill.
“Wrestling? Yeah, fine. He was a former wrestler, learned enough about performing—he’s got that background. But has he ever sat in a room with television executives to understand their goals, needs, the way they have to operate, and tailor their creative to those needs? Probably not.”
Bischoff said that is where Road Dogg would have an advantage. James can bring both television knowledge and wrestling experience to a company like TNA.
“That’s the advantage that Road Dogg would have. He’s had a broader base of TV experience at a very high level with very well-established networks, and he’s going to be able to bring that experience.”
Bischoff also pointed to Road Dogg’s success as a performer during the Attitude Era. He said James’ ability to combine creative experience with what he learned as a wrestler could make him especially valuable.
“If it were to end up in TNA, he’ll bring that experience, but he will also bring very valuable experience that he learned during the era where he became successful as a performer. And I think the ability to marry both of those skill sets together in those categories makes someone like Road Dogg extremely valuable to TNA.”
Road Dogg’s name has been connected to TNA following Dreamer’s exit as head of creative. Dave Meltzer reported that James had been speaking with TNA officials, though not everyone knew what role he was being considered for.
“It was known that Brian James and TNA officials were talking, but nobody knew it was Dreamer’s position he was going to take, only that he would be added to the team.”
Meltzer also noted that one WWE source had a positive view of what James could bring to TNA. That source described him as a fundamentals-first creative voice who works well with talent.
“One person in WWE noted to me that James was a ‘very fundamentals style booker, which would do that product a lot of good. He’s enthusiastic when he deals with talent, which is also a positive.’”
TNA’s creative direction remains in transition after Dreamer’s departure. Delirious is expected to take a leading role, while Road Dogg’s possible involvement continues to generate discussion.
If Bischoff’s view is correct, adding Road Dogg would give TNA more than another familiar wrestling name. It could give the company someone with television experience, performer credibility, and a clearer sense of how to structure a wrestling show for a modern audience.
