WWE Hall of Famer Dishes on Triple H’s Controversial WCW Exit

Tired of too many ads?. When WCW was tightening its financial policies, Bischoff ascribed the decision to budgetary constraints. Bischoff clarified. Levesque's $75,000 annual salary from WCW, which is roughly $158,000 in today's currency, was insignificant compared to what WWE would eventually pay its biggest stars. WCW was unable to compete financially at the time.

He said, “I really wanted to keep Paul for a variety of reasons, but Paul came along at a really difficult time. I had a very, very limited budget. As much as I wanted to keep Paul, I couldn’t. The budget just wouldn’t sustain it.”

Logistical concerns also came into play. Levesque was "geographically undesirable," according to Bischoff, who also pointed out that WCW was unable to pay for travel expenses unless Levesque moved to Atlanta. These elements, along with the high-priced contracts already in place for other talent, made the deal final. After giving the move some thought, Bischoff admitted that Levesque's timing was fortunate.

He further notes, “WCW was just a stepping stone for Paul, it worked out really, really well. Had he stuck around for WCW, what could’ve been? Or could not have been, but it worked out in the end.”

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