Media mogul Ted Turner, a visionary who reshaped both professional wrestling and global news, has passed away at the age of 87. While no official cause of death has been announced, Turner had revealed in 2018 that he was suffering from Lewy body dementia.
Turner’s profound influence spanned multiple industries, from founding CNN to owning the Atlanta Braves. However, his impact on professional wrestling is particularly notable, with his decisions leading to one of the sport’s most iconic eras.
As previously reported by GIVEMESPORT, Turner played a transformative role in the wrestling industry through his ownership of WCW and the creation of the iconic Monday Night Wars era.
Turner’s wrestling revolution and the Monday Night Wars
In 1988, Turner acquired Jim Crockett Promotions, a move that would fundamentally alter the landscape of professional wrestling. He swiftly rebranded the company as World Championship Wrestling (WCW), setting the stage for a direct challenge to Vince McMahon’s dominant World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE).
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Turner green-lit the recruitment of household names that had previously defined the WWF, including Hulk Hogan and ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage, signaling his intent to compete at the highest level. His most significant strategic move came with the creation of WCW Nitro. This weekly television show went head-to-head with WWF Raw, igniting the legendary “Monday Night Wars” that captivated audiences and pushed professional wrestling to unprecedented levels of popularity. WCW Nitro famously surpassed WWF Raw in the ratings for an astonishing 83 consecutive weeks, a testament to Turner’s bold vision and investment. Turner’s direct authority over WCW, however, concluded shortly before the promotion was ultimately sold to Vince McMahon in March 2001.
Trump’s mixed tribute on Truth Social
Following news of Turner’s passing, former United States President Donald Trump took to his Truth Social platform to share a message that blended praise with characteristic controversy.
Trump initially hailed Turner as “one of the greats of broadcast history,” acknowledging his significant contributions. However, the message quickly pivoted to a rant regarding CNN, the news network Turner founded and once owned. Trump claimed he had been “personally devastated” by Turner’s decision to sell CNN to Time Warner, referring to the network as “his baby.” He went on to assert that CNN’s subsequent owners had “destroyed” it by making it “woke and everything he was not all about.” Despite the criticism, Trump concluded his post with a personal note, stating, “Whenever I needed him, he was there, always willing to fight for a good cause.”
Ted Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy that shaped media, sports, and entertainment for generations.
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Sources: www.givemesport.com, www.valnetinc.com, www.valnetinc.com
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