By James Caldwell, PWTorch columnist

After a report from TMZ indicated that WWE filed a "cease and desist" suit against the producers of Hulk Hogan's "Celebrity Championship Wrestling" for Ed Leslie's use of the "Brutus the Barber Beefcake" moniker on the CMT show, Eric Bischoff responded in kind this weekend.

Viewing this as a sign of WWE chairman Vince McMahon believing he has monopoly rights over the entire wrestling industry, Bischoff says his production company already responded to WWE's attorney letter to resolve the matter. Or so he thought.

"We received the letter from Vince’s lawyer in early November and responded accordingly (and continue to use Brutus The Barber Beefcake)," Bischoff said on his website. "His recent actions are simply his way of trying to maintain his monopoly like grip on the business and is reacting to what he thinks is a threat."

Bischoff also said that WWE VP of talent relations John Laurinaitis called Brian Knobs, who is one of the trainers on the CCW show, with threats and vowed that he would never work for WWE again. Bischoff added that WWE also severed any business relationship with Jimmy Hart, who is a judge on CCW.

"I found out that Jimmy Hart, one of the hardest working and loyal people I have ever met, was told he was no longer going to be used for WWE promotions because of his association with CCW, even though he asked for and received permission to do our show!" Bischoff said. "As we subsequently learned, Vince went ballistic after viewing an episode of CCW and ordered Johnny to make the calls."

Vince McMahon's frustration with the product, according to Bischoff, is that it exposes the wrestling business and damages his WWE product. Bischoff defends the CCW product against that allegation.

"The truth is, I don’t blame Vince for going ballistic. If I were Vince, I wouldn’t want 5+ million wrestling fans watching a fresh concept and entertaining product either. Especially with the product he is currently producing," Bischoff said.

He continued: "Even the most die-hard WWE loyalist knows that Vince has exposed the business more than anyone in history whenever it suits his financial self-interest."

Link: Bischoff blog link.

RELATED STORY at PWTorch.com: Sunday report on WWE's lawsuit against CCW.

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