Who Owned Wcw Before Vince Mcmahon

Who Owned WCW Before Vince McMahon? Unraveling the Complex History of World Championship Wrestling

Introduction:

The fall of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) is a captivating tale of ambition, mismanagement, and ultimately, acquisition by its biggest rival, WWE under Vince McMahon. But before the Monday Night Wars concluded with WCW's demise, a complex web of ownership and leadership shaped the company's trajectory. This in-depth exploration delves into the ownership structure of WCW before Vince McMahon's purchase, revealing the key players, significant decisions, and ultimately, the factors that paved the way for WCW's eventual takeover. We'll uncover the story behind the scenes, shedding light on the financial struggles, creative disputes, and the gradual erosion of WCW's dominance in the professional wrestling landscape. Prepare to journey back in time and discover the fascinating history behind who truly held the reins of power before the WWE’s acquisition.

The Early Years and Ted Turner's Influence (1988-1995):

Jim Crockett Promotions (JCP), a wrestling powerhouse of the 1980s, formed the foundation of WCW. However, it wasn't until Ted Turner, media mogul and owner of Turner Broadcasting System (TBS), acquired JCP in 1988 that the company truly transformed. Turner, with his vast media empire, injected significant resources and leveraged his television networks (TBS and TNT) to propel WCW into a national spotlight, directly competing against the WWE (then WWF). This period saw WCW's initial rise, propelled by charismatic wrestlers like Ric Flair and a distinct style that aimed to provide a more mature and realistic wrestling product compared to the WWF’s cartoonish approach. Turner's influence was undeniable; his financial backing and strategic vision allowed WCW to expand its reach and challenge the WWF’s dominance, setting the stage for the later Monday Night Wars.

The Rise of Eric Bischoff and the Monday Night Wars (1995-2001):

While Turner remained the ultimate owner, the creative direction of WCW fell largely under Eric Bischoff, who became Executive Vice President in 1993 and later President. Bischoff's leadership marked a pivotal era, characterized by the "Monday Night Wars," a fierce ratings battle between WCW's Nitro and WWF's Raw. This era saw WCW’s peak popularity and creativity. Bischoff's aggressive booking strategies and his ability to attract top talent (like Hulk Hogan) initially gave WCW a significant advantage. However, Bischoff’s reign was also marked by controversial decisions, creative inconsistencies, and questionable financial management. The initial success of Nitro eventually faltered as the WWF regained momentum. This period highlights the internal complexities within WCW, with creative differences and managerial choices ultimately contributing to the company's eventual decline.

Financial Troubles and the Road to Acquisition:

Despite its initial success during the Monday Night Wars, WCW faced mounting financial challenges. Turner Broadcasting, under AOL Time Warner’s ownership post-merger, grew increasingly concerned about WCW's profitability. The dwindling ratings, coupled with rising operational costs and a lack of clear strategic vision, led to a significant financial burden. AOL Time Warner’s assessment of the wrestling landscape didn't favor WCW’s continued operation. Despite attempts at restructuring and regaining audience share, the decline continued, making the company a prime target for acquisition. This financial instability played a crucial role in making WCW vulnerable to a takeover by a competitor.

The Sale to Vince McMahon and the End of an Era:

By 2001, WCW's fate was sealed. AOL Time Warner, facing mounting losses, decided to sell the struggling wrestling promotion. Vince McMahon, seeing an opportunity to eliminate his primary competition and consolidate his market dominance, acquired WCW’s assets for a surprisingly low price. This acquisition marked the end of an era, bringing an abrupt close to WCW's legacy and solidifying the WWE's position as the undisputed king of professional wrestling. McMahon's purchase effectively concluded the Monday Night Wars and radically reshaped the landscape of the professional wrestling industry.

Article Outline:

Introduction: Hooking the reader and providing an overview.
Chapter 1: The Early Years and Ted Turner's Influence.
Chapter 2: The Rise of Eric Bischoff and the Monday Night Wars.
Chapter 3: Financial Troubles and the Road to Acquisition.
Chapter 4: The Sale to Vince McMahon and the End of an Era.
Conclusion: Summarizing key findings and highlighting the lasting impact.


(Detailed explanation of each point is provided above in the main body of the article.)

9 Unique FAQs:

1. What was Jim Crockett Promotions' role in WCW's formation? JCP was the wrestling company that formed the basis of WCW before Turner's acquisition.

2. How did Ted Turner's ownership impact WCW's growth? Turner's media empire provided significant financial backing and television exposure, propelling WCW to national prominence.

3. What were the key events of the Monday Night Wars? The Monday Night Wars was a fierce ratings battle between WCW's Nitro and WWF's Raw, shaping the wrestling industry.

4. What were Eric Bischoff’s key contributions and shortcomings as WCW's leader? Bischoff initially brought success with bold strategies but ultimately made controversial choices that contributed to WCW's downfall.

5. What were the primary financial issues that led to WCW's decline? Dwindling ratings, rising costs, and poor management decisions resulted in substantial financial losses for WCW.

6. Why did AOL Time Warner decide to sell WCW? AOL Time Warner deemed WCW unprofitable and decided to divest from the wrestling business.

7. How much did Vince McMahon pay for WCW? The actual price was kept relatively quiet, but it was significantly less than WCW's perceived value due to its financial distress.

8. What was the impact of WCW's acquisition on the WWE? The acquisition eliminated a major competitor and solidified WWE's dominance in the professional wrestling industry.

9. What are some of the lasting legacies of WCW? WCW's contributions include memorable wrestlers, innovative storylines, and a lasting impact on professional wrestling's history.

9 Related Articles:

1. The Rise and Fall of Ric Flair in WCW: Explores Flair's prominent role within WCW and his impact on the company's success and failure.

2. The Impact of Hulk Hogan's NWO on WCW: Analyzes the formation and impact of the New World Order on WCW's popularity and storylines.

3. Eric Bischoff's Controversial Booking Decisions in WCW: A critical analysis of Bischoff’s key decisions and their impact on WCW.

4. AOL Time Warner's Financial Mismanagement of WCW: A detailed look at the financial factors that contributed to WCW's demise.

5. The Monday Night Wars: A Detailed History: A comprehensive overview of the battle between WCW and WWF, its key moments, and its consequences.

6. The Legacy of WCW's Nitro: A tribute to WCW's flagship show and its influence on professional wrestling.

7. Comparing WCW and WWE Wrestling Styles: An analysis of the differences in the presentation, storylines, and overall style of wrestling between the two companies.

8. The Untold Stories of WCW's Wrestlers: Explores the personal stories and careers of key WCW wrestlers.

9. Vince McMahon's Acquisition of WCW: A Strategic Analysis: An in-depth look at McMahon's business strategy behind the acquisition of WCW.


  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Controversy Creates Cash Eric Bischoff, Jeremy Roberts, 2006 Under Eric Bishoff's watch as president of WCW, the company went head to head with Vince McMahon's WWE and beat them at their own game before WCW itself spectacularly imploded. But by then, Bishoff had made an indelible mark on televised wrestling, producing shows that had appeared more dangerous, more sexy, and more edgy than anything that had come before. He did this to such an extent that in 2002, McMahon seized the chance to bring in his former nemesis as General Manager of RAW; since then, true to form, Bishoff regularly surprises fans with matches that would once have been unthinkable for television. In this revelatory look at his life and career, Bishoff frankly discusses the things he did, both right and wrong, as he helped shape the sports entertainment industry into today's billion dollar business.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: The Death of WCW R. D. Reynolds, 2004-12 What went wrong with WCW? In 1997, World Championship Wrestling was on top. It was the number-one pro wrestling company in the world, and the highest-rated show on cable television. Each week, fans tuned in to Monday Nitro, flocked to sold-out arenas, and carried home truckloads of WCW merchandise. Sting, Bill Goldberg, and the New World Order were household names. Superstars like Dennis Rodman and KISS jumped on the WCW bandwagon. It seemed the company could do no wrong. But by 2001, however, everything had bottomed out. The company -- having lost a whopping 95% of its audience -- was sold for next to nothing to Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment. WCW was laid to rest. How could the company lose its audience so quickly? Who was responsible for shows so horrible that fans fled in horror? What the hell happened to cause the death of one of the largest wrestling companies in the world? The Death of World Championship Wrestling is the first book to take readers through a detailed dissection of WCW's downfall.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Sex, Lies, and Headlocks Shaun Assael, Mike Mooneyham, 2010-11-03 “Current fans and recovering Hulkamaniacs alike should find [Sex, Lies, and Headlocks] as gripping as the Camel Clutch.” —Maxim Sex, Lies, and Headlocks is the ultimate behind-the-scenes look at the backstabbing, scandals, and high-stakes gambles that have made wrestling an enduring television phenomenon. The man behind it all is Vince McMahon, a ruthless and entertaining visionary whose professional antics make some of the flamboyant characters in the ring look tame by comparison. Throughout the book, the authors trace McMahon’s rise to power and examine the appeal of the industry’s biggest stars—including Ed “Strangler” Lewis, Gorgeous George, Bruno Sammartino, Ric Flair, and, most recently, Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock. In doing so, they show us that while WWE stock is traded to the public on Wall Street, wrestling remains a shadowy world guided by a century-old code that stresses secrecy and loyalty. With a new afterword, this is the definitive book about the history of pro wrestling. “Reading this excellent behind-the-scenes look at wrestling promoter McMahon . . . is almost as entertaining and shocking as watching the most extreme antics of McMahon’s comic-book style creations such as Steve Austin and The Rock.” —Publishers Weekly “A quintessentially American success story of a cocky opportunist defying the odds and hitting it big . . . Sparkling cultural history from an author wise enough to let the facts and personalities speak for themselves.”—Kirkus Reviews
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Rope Opera Vince Russo, 2010 Many have tried to explain the inner workings of wrestling's most turbulent era, but this is the first time someone in the centre of the maelstrom has laid everything bare. Taking readers from the death of WCW to the rise of TNA - the world's fastest growing and most cutting-edge wrestling promotion - Vince has crafted a remarkable storyline about how he came to terms with, and found peace within, the insanity of the squared circle.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Titan Sinking: The decline of the WWF in 1995 (Hardback) James Dixon, Jim Cornette, Benjamin Richardson, 2014-08-02 Throughout the history of the WWF, there have been times of prosperity and times of hardship, cycles that shape the ethos of the company by forcing changes to its infrastructure and on-screen direction. The one constant throughout three decades of change is Vincent Kennedy McMahon, the stalwart puppet-master who captains the ship. Unflinching, thick-skinned, and domineering, McMahon has ultimately outlasted all of his competition and come out on top of every wrestling war he has waged. In 1995, he very nearly lost. Titan Sinking tells the tale of one of the most tumultuous, taxing and trying years in WWF history. This book gives the inside story of all of it. Find out the real story of the year, and learn how 1995 brought WWF to the brink.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Slobberknocker Jim Ross, Paul O'Brien, 2017-10-03 The Wrestling Biography You’ve Been Waiting For! There are few people who have been in the wrestling business longer than Jim Ross. And those who have made it as long as he has (half a century to be exact) probably made enemies or burned bridges. But that’s just not JR. Slobberknocker is the story of how an Oklahoman farm kid, with a vivid imagination and seemingly unattainable dreams, became “The Voice of Wrestling” to record TV audiences and millions of fans around the world. Jim opens up about his life as an only child on a working farm, who became obsessed with professional wrestling having first saw it on his grandparent’s TV. Even though the wrestling business was notoriously secretive and wary of “outsiders,” he somehow got a foot in the door to start a historic career, one where he held almost every job in the business?from putting up the ring to calling matches, from driving his blind, drunk boss towards revenge, to consoling two naked 600 pound brothers in the shower room after a rough match. With all those adventures and responsibilities, he’s also recognized as the man who built and nurtured a once-in-a-generation talent roster that took the WWE to new heights, including “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, and The Rock to name a few. Readers will finally get the opportunity to hear never-before-told stories about the politics, wackiness, and personalities of all the biggest stars. But this isn’t just a wrestling story. It’s a story about overcoming adversity and achieving your dreams, as success did not come without significant costs and unforeseen challenges to JR, including multiple bouts of severe facial paralysis called Bell’s Palsy. Currently the host of the podcast The Ross Report, any fan of wrestling?from the territory days to today?will be enthralled with stories from the road and behind the scenes. Slobberknocker is the first time Ross tells his story?and you don’t want to miss it!
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Nitro Guy Evans, 2018-07-12 Reviews The most definitive, well written and thoroughly researched book on the rise and fall of WCW. --Eric Bischoff, former WCW President This is - without question - the very best book ever written on professional wrestling. --Conrad Thompson Well written and captivating...a fresh take on [the] time period. --Chris Harrington, AEW VP of Business Strategy ...may be the best overall pro wrestling book to date. --David Bixenspan, Deadspin Synopsis In April 1999, Entertainment Weekly asked its readers what many were surely wondering to themselves: how did wrestling get so big? As a consequence of the heated ratings competition between World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), the spectacle had taken over Monday nights on prime-time cable television. But in a departure from the family-friendly programming produced by the last industry boom - the 1980s wave, which made household names of Hulk Hogan, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper and Andre the Giant - the new era of wrestling combined stunning athleticism with a raunchy sex appeal, engrossing story lines and novel production techniques that reflected a changing society and its shifting values. Once again, wrestling was a ubiquitous phenomenon - only this time, it seemed as though the fad would never end. With both WCW and WWF expanding into other forms of entertainment - movies, video games, music and the like - the potential for growth appeared to be limitless. But with uncertainty surrounding its corporate future, and increasingly uninspired programming eroding its audience, WCW stood on the verge of collapse. Three years into a five-year plan devised by its charismatic leader - a former Blue Ribbon Foods salesman named Eric Bischoff - the company whose unexpected ascension initiated the entire boom was operating on borrowed time. For by the end of the five-year plan, WCW ceased to exist. But NITRO is a story about much more than WCW and the Monday Night Wars. It is a story of an era, a time in which the media and cultural landscape precipitated - and later supported - pro wrestling's mainstream popularity. It is a story of how a company made in the image of an intuitively brilliant risk-taker betrayed its original promise. It is a story of how a handful of men, each struggling with their own limitations, facilitated a public obsession that changed television forever. And so, with the inside knowledge of a journalist, the perspective of a historian, and the passion of a fan, author Guy Evans provides a fresh look at an unfortunate inevitability - the downfall of World Championship Wrestling. Bolstered by exclusive interviews with over 120 former TBS and WCW employees, NITRO is the definitive picture of the last wrestling boom. Featuring exclusive interviews and comments from: Eric Bischoff, fmr. President of World Championship Wrestling;Harvey Schiller, fmr. President of Turner Sports;Jamie Kellner, fmr. CEO of Turner Broadcasting System;Bill Burke, fmr. President of TBS network;Joe Uva, fmr. President of Turner Entertainment Sales and Marketing; Scot Safon, fmr. SVP of Marketing for TNT network;Kevin Nash, WWE Hall of Famer and 5-time WCW world champion; Diamond Dallas Page, WWE Hall of Famer and 3-time WCW world champion;Vince Russo, fmr. WCW writer;Marcus 'Buff' Bagwell, fmr. WCW superstar and 5-time world tag team champion;Kevin Sullivan, fmr. WCW superstar and head booker;Hugh Morrus, fmr. WCW superstar;Neal Pruitt, fmr. WCW Feature Producer and voice of the nWo;David Crockett, fmr. WCW Vice President of Production;Dick Cheatham, fmr. Group Controller for TBS;Alan Sharp, fmr. WCW Director of Public Relations;Mike Weber, fmr. WCW Director of Marketing;Rob Garner, fmr. WCW Vice President of TV Programming and SalesJerry Jarrett, legendary wrestling promoter and booker...And many, many, many more!
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Forgiven Vince Russo, 2005 Revealing the true, behind-the-scenes stories from some of wrestling's most famous moments, including Bret Hart's lost championship and the rise to superstardom of Stone Cold Steve Austin, Mick Foley, and The Rock, this autobiography is the one that every wrestling fan has been waiting for.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: A Lion's Tale Chris Jericho, 2007-10-25 Experience the thrilling journey of a wrestling superstar in this no-holds-barred memoir from the first undisputed WWE heavyweight champion. Chris Jericho is the first undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the WWE and WCW, and has been called one of the fifty greatest wrestlers of all time. Now retired, he is writing his memoir, telling the story of his journey from wrestling school in Canada to his time in leagues in Mexico and Japan to his big break in the WCW. He'll dish the dirt on how he worked his way through the ranks alongside major wrestling stars like Chris Benoit and Lance Storm to become a major superstar.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Wrestlecrap: The Very Worst of Professional Wrestling (Large Print 16pt) Randy Baer, R. D. Reynolds, 2012-12-27 WrestleCrap: The Very Worst of Professional Wrestling examines some of the ridiculously horrible characters and storylines that pro wrestling promoters have subjected their fans to over the past twenty years. Why would any sane person think that having two grown men fight over a turkey was actually a reasonable idea? Was George Ringo, the Wrestling Beatle, really the best gimmick that a major promotional organization could come up with? And who would charge fans to watch a wrestler named the Gobbeldy Gooker emerge from an egg? In an attempt to answer such questions and figure out just what the promoters were thinking, authors Randy Baer and R.D. Reynolds go beyond what wrestling fans saw on the screen and delve into the mindset of those in the production booth. In some instances, the motivations driving the spectacle prove even more laughable than what was actually seen in the ring. Covering such entertainment catastrophes as an evil one - eyed midget and a wrestler from the mystical land of Oz, not to mention the utterly comprehensible Turkey - on - a - Pole match (a gimmick which AWA fans might recall), WrestleCrap is hysterically merciless in its evaluation of such organizations as the WCW and the WWF. This retrospective look at the wrestling world's misguided attempts to attract viewers will leave wrestling fans and critics alike in stitches.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Death of WCW, The R.D. Reynolds, Bryan Alvarez, 2014-10-01 As history repeats itself, a wrestling classic becomes even more relevant. In 1997, World Championship Wrestling was on top. It was the number-one pro wrestling company in the world, and the highest-rated show on cable television. Each week, fans tuned in to Monday Nitro, flocked to sold-out arenas, and carried home truckloads of WCW merchandise. It seemed the company could do no wrong. But by 2001, however, everything had bottomed out. The company - having lost a whopping 95% of its audience - was sold for next to nothing to Vince McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment. WCW was laid to rest. What went wrong? This expanded and updated version of the bestselling Death of WCW takes readers through a detailed dissection of WCW's downfall, including even more commentary from the men who were there and serves as an object lesson - and dire warning - as WWE and TNA hurtle toward the 15th anniversary of WCW's demise.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Wrestlecrap Randy Baer, R. D. Reynolds, 2010-12-16 WrestleCrap: The Very Worst of Professional Wrestling examines some of the ridiculously horrible characters and storylines that pro wrestling promoters have subjected their fans to over the past twenty years. Why would any sane person think that having two grown men fight over a turkey was actually a reasonable idea' Was George Ringo, the Wrestling Beatle, really the best gimmick that a major promotional organization could come up with' And who would charge fans to watch a wrestler named the Gobbeldy Gooker emerge from an egg' In an attempt to answer such questions and figure out just what the promoters were thinking, authors Randy Baer and R.D. Reynolds go beyond what wrestling fans saw on the screen and delve into the mindset of those in the production booth. In some instances, the motivations driving the spectacle prove even more laughable than what was actually seen in the ring. Covering such entertainment catastrophes as an evil one-eyed midget and a wrestler from the mystical land of Oz, not to mention the utterly comprehensible Turkey-on-a-Pole match (a gimmick which AWA fans might recall), WrestleCrap is hysterically merciless in its evaluation of such organizations as the WCW and the WWF. This retrospective look at the wrestling world's misguided attempts to attract viewers will leave wrestling fans and critics alike in stitches.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Death of the Territories Tim Hornbaker, 2018-09-18 For decades, distinct professional wrestling territories thrived across North America. Each regionally based promotion operated individually and offered a brand of localized wrestling that greatly appealed to area fans. Promoters routinely coordinated with associates in surrounding regions, and the cooperation displayed by members of the National Wrestling Alliance made it easy for wrestlers to traverse the landscape with the utmost freedom. Dozens of territories flourished between the 1950s and late ’70s. But by the early 1980s, the growth of cable television had put new outside pressures on promoters. An enterprising third-generation entrepreneur who believed cable was his opportunity to take his promotion national soon capitalized on the situation. A host of novel ideas and the will to take chances gave Vincent Kennedy McMahon an incredible advantage. McMahon waged war on the territories and raided the NWA and AWA of their top talent. By creating WrestleMania, jumping into the pay-per-view field, and expanding across North America, McMahon changed professional wrestling forever. Providing never-before-revealed information, Death of the Territories is a must-read for fans yearning to understand how McMahon outlasted his rivals and established the industry’s first national promotion. At the same time, it offers a comprehensive look at the promoters who opposed McMahon, focusing on their noteworthy power plays and embarrassing mistakes.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: A Chosen Destiny Drew McIntyre, 2022-02-22 From a young age, Drew McIntyre dreamed of becoming WWE Champion and following in the footsteps of his heroes Stone Cold Steve Austin and Undertaker. With his parents' support, he trained and paid his dues, proving himself to tiny crowds in the UK's Butlin circuit. At age twenty-two, McIntyre made his WWE debut and was touted by none other than WWE Chairman Vince McMahon as The Chosen One who would lead WWE into the future. With his destiny in the palm of his hands, Drew watched it all slip through his fingers. Through a series of ill-advised choices and family tragedy, Drew's life and career spiraled. As a surefire champ, he struggled under the pressure of expectations and was fired from the company. But the WWE Universe had not seen the last of this promising athlete. Facing a crossroads, the powerful Scotsman set a course to show the world the real Drew McIntyre.--
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Broken Harts Martha Hart, 2004-01-08 Owen's wife Martha, tells the story of their life together from the days as high school sweethearts, through Owen's rise to fame in the WWF.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: 100 Things WWE Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die Bryan Alvarez, Lance Storm, 2019-07-16 Most WWE fans tune in each year to watch WrestleMania, remember the Monday Night Wars of the 1990s, and have heard the story behind the Montreal Screwjob. But only real fans recall the name of Steve Austin's original character, can tell you how the Intercontinental championship was created, or know the best places to get an autograph of their favorite superstars. 100 Things WWE Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die is the ultimate resource guide for true members of the WWE Universe. Whether you've been keeping kayfabe since the days of Bruno Sammartino or you're a more recent supporter of AJ Styles and Becky Lynch, these are the 100 things all fans need to know and do in their lifetime. Bestselling author Bryan Alvarez has collected every essential piece of WWE knowledge and trivia, as well as must-do activities, and ranks them all from 1 to 100, providing an entertaining and easy-to-follow checklist that will have you chanting YES! YES! YES!
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Under the Black Hat Jim Ross, Paul O'Brien, 2021-03-02 From legendary wrestling announcer Jim Ross, this candid, colorful memoir about the inner workings of the WWE and the personal crises he weathered at the height of his career is “a must-read for wrestling fans” (Charleston Post Courier). If you’ve caught a televised wrestling match anytime in the past thirty years, you’ve probably heard Jim Ross’s throaty Oklahoma twang. The beloved longtime announcer of the WWE “has been a driving force behind a generation of wrestling fans” (Mark Cuban), and he’s not slowing down, having signed on as the announcer of the starry new wrestling venture All Elite Wrestling. In this follow-up to his bestselling memoir Slobberknocker, he dishes out about not only his long career, which includes nurturing global stars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and John Cena, but also about his challenges of aging and disability, his split from collaborator Vince McMahon, and the sudden death of his beloved wife, Jan. The result is a gruff, endearing, and remarkably human-scale portrait, set against the larger than life backdrop of professional wrestling. Ross’s ascent in WWE mirrors the rise of professional wrestling itself from a DIY sideshow to a billion-dollar business. Under the Black Hat traces all the highs and lows of that wild ride, in which Jim served not only as on-air commentator, but talent manager, payroll master, and even occasional in-ring foil to threats like Paul “Triple H” Levesque and Undertaker. While his role brought him riches and exposure he had never dreamed of, he chafed against the strictures of a fickle corporate culture and what he saw as a narrow vision of what makes great wrestlers—and great story lines. When suddenly stricken with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis that makes it impossible to smile, he started down his greatest fear—being cast out of the announcing booth for good. Picking up where Slobberknocker left off and ending on the cusp of a new career in a reimagined industry, Under the Black Hat is the triumphant tale of a country boy who made it to the top, took a few knocks, and stuck around—just where his fans like him. Not only being one of the greatest wrestlers of the WWE, Ross is also “a master storyteller, and this book is the perfect forum for his forty years’ worth of tales” (Chris Jericho, former WWE champion).
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: The Raw Files: 2001 James Dixon, Arnold Furious, Bob Dahlstrom, Benjamin Richardson, Dan Hey, Jonathan Sullivan, Andrew Ortman, 2017-06-19 The team at www.historyofwrestling.co.uk are back with the tenth in their series documenting every episode of WWF Monday Night Raw, year by year. We cover every angle, segment and match in detail, and offer plenty of thoughts and facts along the way. The book is written and presented in the usual History of Wrestling style, with various awards, match lists and a host of star ratings for fans to debate at will. Featuring: WWF vs WCW, the WCW and ECW alliance, the return of Ric Flair, THAT tag team title match, Steve Austin as a heel, Rob Van Dam kicking people in the face, crazy moonsaults from cages, Paul Heyman on commentary, the build-up for the greatest WrestleMania of all time and SO much more. Fans of the series won't be disappointed, and once again the tome clocks in at a monster 140,000 words! A must have have all wrestling fans.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Titan Sinking: The decline of the WWF in 1995 James Dixon, Jim Cornette, Benjamin Richardson, 2014-08-31 Throughout the history of the WWF, there have been times of prosperity and times of hardship, cycles that shape the ethos of the company by forcing changes to its infrastructure and on-screen direction. The one constant throughout three decades of change is Vincent Kennedy McMahon, the stalwart puppet-master who captains the ship. Unflinching, thick-skinned, and domineering, McMahon has ultimately outlasted all of his competition and come out on top of every wrestling war he has waged. In 1995, he very nearly lost. Titan Sinking tells the tale of one of the most tumultuous, taxing and trying years in WWF history. This book gives the inside story of all of it. Find out the real story of the year, and learn how 1995 brought WWF to the brink.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: The Last Real World Champion Tim Hornbaker, 2023-09-12 For more than a century, professional wrestling has cultivated some of the most eccentric and compelling personalities. As the embodiment of flamboyance and intensity, the “Nature Boy” Ric Flair stood at wrestling’s apex for decades, cementing his place as a once-in-a-lifetime athlete and performer. When he was in the ring, fans knew they were witnessing the very best, and he not only became a multi-time world heavyweight champion in the NWA, WCW, and the WWE, but his status as a generational great has been confirmed with inductions into numerous Halls of Fame. The Last Real World Champion: The Legacy of “Nature Boy” Ric Flair is a gripping portrait of a wrestling legend. This unflinching biography explores the successes, struggles, and controversy of Flair’s life in wrestling, pulling no punches in sharing the truth behind his in-ring achievements and out-of-the-ring hardships. Today, Flair is celebrated for his pioneering career and as an iconic figure in the realm of mainstream sports entertainment. Celebrated wrestling historian Tim Hornbaker tells Flair’s complete story, with meticulous attention to detail and exhaustive research, creating a must-read for fans of wrestling, sports, and popular culture.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: The Squared Circle David Shoemaker, 2013-10-31 Grantland and Deadspin correspondent presents a breakthrough examination of the professional wrestling, its history, its fans, and its wider cultural impact that does for the sport what Chuck Klosterman did for heavy metal. The Squared Circle grows out of David Shoemaker’s writing for Deadspin, where he started the column “Dead Wrestler of the Week” (which boasts over 1 million page views) -- a feature on the many wrestling superstars who died too young because of the abuse they subject their bodies to -- and his writing for Grantland, where he covers the pro wrestling world, and its place in the pop culture mainstream. Shoemaker’s sportswriting has since struck a nerve with generations of wrestling fans who—like him—grew up worshipping a sport often derided as “fake” in the wider culture. To them, these professional wrestling superstars are not just heroes but an emotional outlet and the lens through which they learned to see the world. Starting in the early 1900s and exploring the path of pro wrestling in America through the present day, The Squared Circle is the first book to acknowledge both the sport’s broader significance and wrestling fans’ keen intellect and sense of irony. Divided into eras, each section offers a snapshot of the wrestling world, profiles some of the period’s preeminent wrestlers, and the sport’s influence on our broader culture. Through the brawling, bombast, and bloodletting, Shoemaker argues that pro wrestling can teach us about the nature of performance, audience, and, yes, art. Full of unknown history, humor, and self-deprecating reminiscence—but also offering a compelling look at the sport’s rightful place in pop culture—The Squared Circle is the book that legions of wrestling fans have been waiting for. In it, Shoemaker teaches us to look past the spandex and body slams to see an art form that can explain the world.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment New Edition DK, 2020-09-29 Delve into the world of WWE with the most expansive all-encompassing e-guide ever produced on sports entertainment! Get all the history, facts, and stats on the Superstars you love in the updated WWE Encyclopedia of Sports Entertainment. This bumper new edition packs more than 1,100 Superstars into more than 400 exciting pages, making it the perfect reference e-guide for the WWE universe. This expansive e-guide features the most controversial, charismatic, and revered Superstars from all eras and sports entertainment brands, including the most popular Superstars such as Bret Hit Man Hart, John Cena, Becky Lynch, Ronda Rousey, and The Rock. This encyclopedia covers it all, from the unbelievable championship wins and thrilling bouts on SmackDown, RAW and NXT, to the Royal Rumble and the grand spectacle of WrestleMania. With stunning visuals and in-depth commentary, the WWE Encyclopedia, 4th Edition brings together the entire WWE roster in one tremendous volume! Relive the history and excitement with this massive ebook dedicated to the thrilling world of WWE. TM & © 2020 WWE. All Rights Reserved.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs Pat Laprade, Bertrand Hebert, 2013-03-14 A fascinating history of one of the hottest wrestling territories of all time Montreal was the proving ground for some of the biggest names in wrestling, including Andre the Giant, Abdullah the Butcher, and the infamous Mad Dog Vachon; it was the site of the first midget battle ever; and made famous worldwide for the infamous Survivor Series screw job that saw Vince McMahon, the Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels, and Bret Hart create the attitude that reshaped the business. Mad Dogs, Midgets and Screw Jobs is the ultimate guide to Montreal's legendary place in professional wrestling history. Get the lowdown on all the major wrestlers who made their name in the territory, from Yvon Robert, the Rougeaus, and Gino Brito to edouard Carpentier. With a detailed account of the promotional war between the Rougeaus' AllStar Wrestling and the Vachons' Grand Prix, a complete history of how wrestling developed on Montreal TV, and an investigation of the murder of Dino Bravo, this book demonstrates how much of what has happened in wrestling, just may have happened first in Montreal.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Wrestling's Sinking Ship Ian Hamilton, 2006 In 2001, the professional wrestling scene in the western world changed almost overnight. From three major promotions at the start of the year, just one remained by the start of April, ending more than a decade of competition. But success breeds complacency, and the five years since World Wrestling Entertainment stood triumphant over its rivals has seen unprecedented shifts in wrestling. Charting the highs and lows of the business in that time, Wrestling's Sinking Ship offers a unique look at the fall and rise of sports entertainment's most controversial characters. From necrophilia to exploitation, nostalgia to racism... oh, and don't forget that fake gay wedding!
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Titan Shattered James Dixon, Lee Maughan, Benjamin Richardson, Justin Henry, 2015-03-08 The highly anticipated sequel to best-selling Titan Sinking After enduring a turbulent year in 1995, Vince McMahon was looking to rebuild his sinking empire in 1996. He had high hopes for a new World Wrestling Federation flag bearer, Shawn Michaels - the man he was looking to as the leader of the WWF's 'New Generation'. With Michaels supported by a strong cast of established characters, some old faces, and an influx of new blood, McMahon fully expected the WWF to dominate rivals WCW in the burgeoning Monday Night War. It did not work out that way. Titan Shattered tells the behind-the-scenes story of the WWF's tribulations in 1996. It was a year where paranoia threatened to destroy the WWF, where decades-old industry traditions were broken, and where Vince McMahon fully abandoned his wrestling principles in pursuit of the almighty dollar.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Wrestling and The New World Order Michael Hur, 2015-07-05 The hidden world of professional wrestling. Many fans often wonder about the lives of the superstars of professional wrestling. Many fans even wonder why so many deaths occurred with their favorite wrestlers. This book explores the mysteries and scandals of the professional wrestling going all the way back to the 19th century carnivals to the current mainstream wrestling you see today.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: The Red Devil Battery Sign Tennessee Williams, 1988 This book is William's symbol for the military-industrial complex and all the dehumanizing trends it represents from mindless cocktail party chatter to bribery of officials to assassination plots directed against those who won't play the game, to attempted coups by right-wing zealots.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Tagged Classics: Just The Reviews James Dixon, Arnold Furious, Lee Maughan, 2013-05-22 History of Wrestling presents a bumper pack featuring all of the reviews from Volume 1 & 2 of their highly successful Complete WWF Video Guide series. This no-frills super guide breaks down the books into the tapes and the scores, nothing more. No bios, artwork or awards, just raw ranting and raving about the best and worst of the WWF from 1985-1993, in no less than HALF A MILLION words. Read about the all-time classic matches and revel in the despair the writers go through covering some of the very worst. All of the major stars from the WWF's boom period are featured, and all three writers (James Dixon, Arnold Furious and Lee Maughan) have plenty to say about all of them. For a fun mixture of facts, opinions, previously unknown information and a host of interesting points and debates, look no further. If you loved wrestling in the 80s and 90s, you have come to the right place.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Ric Flair: To Be the Man Ric Flair, 2005-05 Ric Flair personifies the outrageous, action-packed, incredibly popular world of professional wrestling.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: The Complete WWF Video Guide Volume II Christine Simonotti, 2012-11-25 An invaluable resource for any wrestling fan of the era. The second in the series. This is the complete guide to every WWF VHS release from 1990-1993, with full reviews of every tape, alternative wrestler bios, exclusive artwork by Bob Dahlstrom, awards, match ratings, and much, much more.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: The Story of the Development of NWATNA Jerry W. Jarrett, 2004 When the WWE bought WCW from Turner/Time Warner, they were basically the only professional wrestling company in the US. Jerry and Jeff Jarrett knew the needed capitol to begin a traditional wrestling company was beyond their resources. the father and son team realized that a new concept would be necessary to accomplish the task of starting a national wrestling company. Against great odds, the largest time allotment contract with the pay-per-view providers, InDemand and Direct TV was negotiated. With the seed money (1,000,000.00.) and a boat load of optimism, the Jarrett's set out to form a start up International wrestling company. After bankers promised loans and then withdrew at the last minute, Health South came in as the financing partner in the venture. Health South was forced to pull out without notice because of international problems and with a window of only 30 days, a replacement for Health South was found when Panda Energy bought into the project. The road was never an easy one. From discovering that a key man who handled the PPV end of the business was on the payroll of the company that handles WWE PPV's at the same time, to receiving forged documents form InDemand, to wrestlers that had verbally committed to NWATNA suddenly getting attractive contracts with WWE, the venture has survived. Today, two years after the launch, this company that insiders gave no chance of survival, has produced 90 weeks of pay-per-view programs, and is seen around the world on international television. NWATNA has secured a deal with a major television network.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Hacksaw Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Scott E. Williams, 2012 Offering professional wrestling fans a ringside seat into his adventurous life, WWE Hall of Fame wrestler Jim Duggan recounts for the first time key moments and legendary bouts both inside and outside the ring. Known to millions of enthusiasts as a charismatic patriot--with an American flag in his right hand and his signature two-by-four in his left--Duggan here reflects on his early life as a student-athlete on the Southern Methodist University football squad. Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons, Duggan shares how an injury-plagued rookie season curtailed his football ambitions and paved the way for a brighter career in professional wrestling. Rising to fame in the Cold War-era 1980s, Duggan immediately put himself at odds with anti-American heels and engaged in legendary feuds with some of the most legendary names in the sport, including the Iron Sheik, Nikolai Volkoff, and Andre the Giant. In this who's who of top-tier wrestling, Duggan reveals not only the high points of championship bouts but also the low points that occurred far away from the TV cameras and screaming fans, including his fight against kidney cancer during the prime of his career. With each page peppered with Duggan's charming wit, fans will find much to enjoy and discover about the man they once knew only as Hacksaw.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: The Raw Files: 1995 James Dixon, Arnold Furious, Lee Maughan, 2013-06-27 The team at www.historyofwrestling.info are back with the third in their series documenting every episode of WWF Monday Night Raw, year by year. We cover every angle, segment and match in detail, and offer plenty of thoughts and facts along the way. The book is written and presented in the usual HOW style, with various awards, match and show lists and a host of star ratings for fans to debate at will. This time, we even have graphs! Learn about the wrestling half cow, half man; witness the birth of the Monday Night Wars; despair at the booking of some of WWF's biggest shows, but see how we would fix them; see the start of the slow morph from New Generation to Attitude; be baffled by the very existence of Kama; wonder aloud why Owen Hart was jobbed into midcard hell; see the debut of Triple H and relive Shawn Michaels' ascent to the pinnacle of the WWF in classic matches and angles. Plus much, much more in an action packed, fun-filled 100 page, 80,000 word + tome. Our biggest Raw book yet.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: We Promised You a Great Main Event Bill Hanstock, 2020-10-13 “A fascinating dive into the physical art of modern-day wrestling entertainment and the unbelievable characters who make it work in the ring and the back.” —Chris Kluwe In We Promised You a Great Main Event, longtime sports journalist Bill Hanstock pulls back the curtain to give a smart fan’s account of WWE and Vince McMahon’s journey to the top. Untangling the truth behind the official WWE storyline, Hanstock does a deep dive into key moments of the company’s history, from the behind-the-scenes drama at the Montreal Screwjob, to the company’s handling of the Jimmy Snuka scandal, to the real story of the Monday Night Wars. WWE is an extraordinary business success and an underappreciated pop cultural phenomenon. While WWE soared to prominence during the Hulk Hogan years, as the stakes grew more and more extreme, wrestlers faced steroid scandals and assault allegations. The whole story is here, good, bad, and ugly, from the heights of iconic cultural moments like Wrestlemania III to the arrival of global superstars like The Rock and John Cena. We Promised You a Great Main Event is an exhaustive, fun account of the McMahon family and WWE’s unprecedented rise. Drawing on a decade of covering wrestling, Bill Hanstock synthesizes insights from historians, journalists, and industry insiders with his own deep research to produce the most up-to-date, entertaining history of WWE available. Full of amazing characters and astonishing stories from the ring to corporate boardrooms, it is a story as audacious as any WWE spectacle.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Heartbreak & Triumph Shawn Michaels, 2010-05-11 WWE Super Star Shawn Heartbreak Kid Michaels shares the stories of his decades-long wrestling career, his life, and his faith in this WWE Super Star biography. Heartbreak & Triumph introduces Michael Shawn Hickenbottom, the youngest of four children whose conservative upbringing made him quiet and reserved. But upon discovering Southwest Championship Wrestling one night, Hickenbottom realized instantly what he wanted to become. From there, Hickenbottom fully recounts his exciting and vast career history, and how he transformed into The Heartbreak Kid. Shawn shares firsthand details of the allegation that brought about HBK's classic Ladder match with Razor Ramon at WrestleMania X; the incident in Syracuse that set the stage for Shawn's unbelievable comeback victories at Royal Rumble 1996, and in the Iron Man WWE Championship match with Bret Hart at WrestleMania XII; and how his escalating backstage feud with Hart inadvertently built toward the formation of D-Generation X, as well as the first-ever Hell in a Cell contest against Undertaker. Beyond the squared circle, Michaels clears the air about his days running with The Kliq, their contributions to WWE's wildly successful Attitude era, and the consequences of their uncharacteristic Madison Square Garden Curtain Call in May 1996. And for the first time anywhere, Michaels shoots completely straight about his role in one of the biggest scandal in wrestling history, the infamous Montreal screwjob at Survivor Series 1997. While reliving the crippling back injury that forced him to retire in his prime following his WWE Championship loss at WrestleMania XIV, Michaels credits the new loves in his life—his second wife Rebecca, his children, and his newfound faith—with giving him the strength to kick his habit, recover physically, and make a jubilant return to the ring at SummerSlam 2002. Now back on top and doing what he enjoys most, the WWE Superstar regards Heartbreak & Triumph as the perfect means to review my life, and attempt to figure out how I became the person I am.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Mysteries of Wrestling Adam Kleinberg, Adam Nudelman, 2005 This hysterical and informative look at the sports entertainment industry, written by the hosts of the longest-running professional wrestling radio show in history, reveals the answers to wrestling's deepest, darkest mysteries.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Wrestlers are Like Seagulls James J. Dillon, Scott Teal, Philip Varriale, 2005
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: The Stone Cold Truth Steve Austin, Dennis Bryant, 2012-12-25 On 14 January 2003 Steve Austin was voted the best professional wrestler of the last ten years in a WWE fan poll. In addition to the WWE he has wrestled in the ECW, the WCW and WWF. He has been known as The Ring Master, Superstar Steve Austin, Stunning Steve Austin and now Stone Cold Steve Austin. He has held the tag team belt in WCW and WWF, the Million Dollar Belt and the Intercontinental Championship in WWF. He won the 1996 King of the Ring, the 1997 Royal Rumble and the Larry Flynt Freedom of Speech Slammy. Steve Austin is by far the best and most exciting wrestler today. A notoriously private man, this is the book his fans have been waiting for: his own personal story, told in full for the first time.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Hollywood Hulk Hogan Hulk Hogan, 2002-12-06 You think you know Hollywood Hulk Hogan™? Brother, you don't know squat about me. Yeah, I'm the towering red-and-yellow warrior who revolutionized the wrestling business, the larger-than-life superhero who transformed an entire country into a horde of Hulkamaniacs. I'm the guy who spit blood and breathed fire to help create an empire called World Wrestling Entertainment™. But it wasn't always like that. Once I was a fat kid named Terry Bollea watching legends like Dusty Rhodes and Superstar Billy Graham, never dreaming I'd be a professional wrestler myself one day. Run with me on the streets of Tampa, where a bass guitar became my salvation. Fight alongside me in the wrestling arenas of Japan, where opponents try to bite your fingers off to make a name for themselves. Slide into the ring with me against 700-pound Andre the Giant, who only became my best friend after he found out he couldn't beat me down. Then cruise L.A. with me and Sylvester Stallone on the heels of Rocky III. Learn why Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura hates my guts. Go head-to-head with Dennis Rodman in a hard-liquor drinking contest, and share a dressing room with Liberace. Find out what makes me cry like a baby, what makes my blood boil, what I think of Jesus Christ, and what scares the living hell out of me. Then tell me you know the man called Hollywood Hulk Hogan. Join the Babe Ruth of wrestling on a gritty, no-holds-barred odyssey from his start in the barbaric wrestling arenas of the seventies through the heartbreak of potentially career-ending surgery to the achievement of his greatest triumph yet. Along the way, lock up with the likes of Cyndi Lauper, Andy Kaufman, Dolly Parton, Mr. T, Ted Turner, George Foreman, Jay Leno, Undertaker, Triple H, The Rock...and of course, Vince McMahon, head of World Wrestling Entertainment™. They're all in here, waiting to show you what they've got. Hollywood Hulk Hogan™. It's the real deal, brother.
  who owned wcw before vince mcmahon: Biographical Dictionary of Professional Wrestling, 2d ed. Harris M. Lentz III, 2015-09-15 Though professional wrestlers are usually ignored by sportswriters and entertainment reporters alike, the popularity of these gifted athletes and showbiz pros is undeniable. Few fans are concerned with whether the wrestling is legitimate. From Ace Abbott to Buck Zumhofe, this is the second edition of the first-ever comprehensive compilation of biographical information on professional wrestlers past and present, including major promoters and managers. Each entry is listed under the wrestling name most often used, with cross references to real names and other ring names. The ring name is followed by the grappler's real name, hometown, height and weight, and birth and death dates when available. The biographical data provide the era in which the individual competed, wrestling associations, titles, tag team partners, major bouts and other highlights.