Former WCW executive Eric Bischoff paid tribute this week to late media mogul Ted Turner following Turner’s death at the age of 87, reflecting on his enormous influence on professional wrestling and the television industry as a whole.
Turner, the founder of CNN, TBS and TNT, played a pivotal role in transforming WCW into WWE’s biggest national competitor during the 1990s. After purchasing Jim Crockett Promotions in 1988, Turner rebranded the company as WCW and expanded its reach through the Turner Broadcasting network.
Speaking about Turner’s legacy, Bischoff credited the former WCW owner with reshaping both his personal career and the wrestling business itself. He said, “He changed my life, he changed the lives of my children. None of us would be where we are today.”
Bischoff also described Turner as a visionary businessman who was willing to take chances on ideas many others dismissed. According to the former WCW Vice President, Turner recognized the value of professional wrestling as mainstream entertainment at a time when many television executives viewed the industry negatively.
“Ted believed in professional wrestling. Not just from a fan’s point of view, but he also, more than being a fan, believed in the product as a business opportunity,” said Bischoff.
Bischoff added that Turner personally defended WCW during difficult financial years in the early 1990s, when company executives reportedly pushed to remove wrestling from Turner-owned networks.
He added, “Ted Turner stood up to the board. He essentially said, ‘You’re not taking my wrestling. Forget about it.’ WCW could’ve died three or four deaths between 1993 and 1994 if the board had got their way. Ted stood up for the product because he believed in it.”
Eric Bischoff reflects on the legacy of Ted Turner and the massive impact he had on the wrestling business and beyond:
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) May 6, 2026
“He changed my life, he changed the lives of my children. None of us would be where we are today.
And I’m just one guy.
Think about all of the people who… pic.twitter.com/qMk6DVGryV
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Tributes from across the wrestling industry followed news of Turner’s death, with several former WCW and WWE stars, as well as AEW executives, recognizing his role in reshaping wrestling television.
Ted Turner Helped WCW Challenge WWE During The Monday Night Wars
Ted Turner’s support allowed WCW to launch Monday Nitro on TNT in 1995, directly competing against WWE’s Monday Night RAW. The move sparked the Monday Night Wars, one of the most significant competitive periods in wrestling history.
Under Bischoff’s leadership, WCW gained momentum through major signings including Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall. The company’s New World Order storyline became a defining part of wrestling television in the late 1990s.
From 1996 through 1998, WCW Monday Nitro defeated WWE’s Monday Night RAW in television ratings for 83 consecutive weeks. Moreover, the company also became known for its cruiserweight division and fast-paced in-ring presentation during that era.
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WCW remained under Turner ownership until 2001, when the promotion was sold to WWE following the AOL Time Warner merger. Turner’s influence on cable television and professional wrestling continues to be recognized throughout the industry.
