I think Piper has a bit of resentment towards Atlas.
According to Hot Rod, the day that VKM, Barnett, and Vince Sr. called a meeting with all the wrestlers in which they unveiled the WWF’s expansion plans, Tony was the weak link on the wrestlers‘ side.
Apparently, Dave Schultz got a little smart and mouthy with Vince Jr, who opened the meeting’s proceedings.
All the other wrestlers joined and unified kind of like a mob, which really knocked the three suits down a few pegs.
By this time, Vince Jr. had acquired most of the top talent from many of the other territories, and the majority of the industry’s biggest names sat in that room, glaring at Vince & co.
Piper said that, for the first time ever, it seemed like the wrestlers had finally gained a hand over the promoters…
…until Tony Atlas raised his hand like a little schoolboy and said, “Excuse me, Mr. McMahon: I see Arnie (Skalland) to get me an advance at the beginning of the week, and when I get my pay at the end of the week, it ain’t that big.”
The room went silent, and supposedly, Don Muracco turned to Atlas and whispered, “You stupid asshole!”
“Jr.” siezed the opportunity and very condescendingly replied with something like, “Well, you see, Tony - if you have three of something and take one away, that leaves you with two.”
Piper said at that moment, all the momentum was lost and Vince was once again in complete control of his “stupid” wrestlers.
