In 1998, boxing legend Mike Tyson appeared at the showcase event of WrestleMania 14. Fans went nuts when they saw him appear as the special enforcer in a fight between Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin. The announcement of the former world heavyweight champion’s WWE appearance generated mayhem, even though he didn’t have the same impact as he did in the 1980s.

During the late 1990s, WCW was dominating the professional wrestling scene, even surpassing WWE. From 1996 to 1998, under the leadership of Executive Producer and Vice President Eric Bischoff, WCW was the world’s premier entertainment wrestling platform. However, this changed in 1998 with Mike Tyson’s appearance at WrestleMania 14, marking a turning point for WWE’s resurgence. Eventually, WWE’s rise led to WCW’s decline, resulting in WCW shutting down and merging into WWE a few years later. In a recent conversation, Eric Bischoff was asked about Mike Tyson’s appearance at WrestleMania and the rumors that, at one point before his WrestleMania appearance, Iron Mike was in talks to appear in WCW. Is there any truth to these rumors?

Eric Bischoff sheds some light on Mike Tyson joining WCW in the ’90s

During the conversation, Bischoff was asked, “One of the other rumors that goes around is obviously one of the things that turned the tide for WWE was getting Mike Tyson for WrestleMania 14 with Steven Austin and Shawn Michaels. There’s a rumor that you either had talks or offered something with Mike Tyson before that.”

Agreeing that he too had heard of the rumors, Eric Bischoff stated that the rumors were too good to be true. “That never happened. I never offered Mike Tyson a dime. I never had a conversation with Mike Tyson. I never had a conversation with a representative of Mike Tyson. I think if there’s any truth, and I’m guessing now, I don’t remember it. But if there is a kernel of truth. Because a lot of times these rumors they start out as a little small kernel of truth, and then all of a sudden they turn into a, you know three feature film trilogy,” Bischoff admitted. 

He further explained that there may have been a discussion or someone might have brought it up. But there was no offer ever made, and it was just a rumor that ‘Iron Mike’ was signing a deal with the organization. However, sadly for WCW, it never went beyond the initial stages.

But it did for WWE and the gamble proved to be a great success. Not just for the WWE but also for Mike Tyson himself.

WrestleMania saved Mike Tyson from bankruptcy 

The boxer has lived quite a controversial life and often found himself making headlines for all the wrong reasons. In 1991, he was sent to prison over the Desiree Washington case. After serving three years in prison, he made his boxing comeback in 1995. But then in 1997, he bit off Evander Holyfield’s ear in their rematch. This also resulted in the Nevada State Athletic Commission revoking his boxing license and placing on him a fine of 3 million bucks. 

‘Iron Mike’ had a reputation for leading a lavish lifestyle. His once multimillionaire net worth, however, plummeted to $146,000. Fortunately, he received an opportunity from WWE to participate in Wrestlemania 14 in 1998. It is reported that he received $3 million for the appearance which ultimately saved him.

During a Q&A with GQ years later, Tyson revealed, “I was broke at WrestleMania and needed some money. I think that was the big thing, that we made a lot of money. We took a lot of money to pay bills, so we didn’t really see much of it.” Eric Bischoff, for his part, landed on his feet after the fall of WCW when he took the role of on-screen general manager of WWE’s Raw.

What are your thoughts about Eric Bischoff’s revelation that they never considered getting Iron Mike on WCW? Do you think it could have saved WCW from going under? Share your thoughts in the comments below.