After years of litigation and battling in court between Vince McMahon and Ted Turner, the sale of WCW, once owned by Turner, was ruled illegal, turning the world of professional wrestling/sports entertainment on its ear.
Turner has long maintained that McMahon had inside help from Time Warner and that WCW had previously been agreed to have been separated from Time Warner umbrella, as Turner had an agreement in place to purchase the majority of WCW stock to keep the company from being sold to an outsider.
Turner was involved with a group led by Eric Bischoff to obtain ownership of WCW from Time Warner when other backers suddenly withdrew their offer and partnership from Bischoff and Turner and soon after WCW was purchased by WWE Chairman, Vince McMahon.
Turner and McMahon have publicly traded barbs involving their court battle. The decision today in favor of Turner was unexpected.
An arbitrator has been working with Turner and McMahon to determine the details of this ruling. The WWE Network will remain in service. Turner has agreed to allow the network use of WCW content from 2001 and before and McMahon will compensate Turner but these terms were not disclosed.
Most important, the arbitrator thought that to allow WCW a fair chance to perform and succeed, that McMahon and Turner will hold a talent draft to determine their rosters. All titles are vacated and the companies will be referred to as WCW2k and WWE2k.
"I have been waiting for this day for a long time. Vince McMahon picked a fight with the wrong guy and he stole my company. Now, I look forward to being fully involved on and off the air in WCW and kicking McMahon's a** once and for all. That is all I have to say", said Turner as he exited the proceedings. McMahon has not commented.
Turner and McMahon Meet Privately in Hotel Suite
(Vince is shown in, Turner sits at round table, smoking)
Ted: Vince. I am back in Wrasslin business. (laughs)
Vince: I am not in the mood for jokes. Let's discuss what we really should not discuss publicly, for the sake of fan backlash.
Ted: (laughs) Since when do you care what the fans think? (laughs again)
Vince: Listen, as we discussed last week, I believe that it is imperative that we keep those guys out of this. They destroy anything they touch.
Ted: There's no recording device here Vince, no need to be so discreet. I agreed with you and I will keep my word. "The Poison" as you call them hurt WCW and I want no part of them.
Vince: I know the three of them are back together. No cheap ratings ploys, I agree not do business with those cancers. The long term damage they will cause is not worth a spike in ratings.
Ted: Agreed, Vince. (Vince coughs, Turner extends a cigarette to Vince)
Vince: I don't smoke! Is that......is that marijuana?
Ted: I never go into an important meeting without. Really clears your mind. You ought to try it. You won't be so uptight.
Vince: (gets up to leave) Turner, I am going to finish you for good this time. I didn't steal your company, but I am going to bury it once and for all.
Ted: Vince, can I get a promise from you? In one year, when you are losing in the ratings to us, come on Nitro and join the Ted Turner "Kiss My As* Club" (laughs)
Vince: You son of a b*tch. (McMahon slams the door and exits the suite)
Ted: Ok Eric, he's gone (still laughing. Eric Bischoff enters from another room on his cell phone)
Eric: Terry, its me. The meeting is over. Vince is terrified. We are going to finish him this time. Ted and I will be in touch.
Ted: Tell him I said hello.
Eric: Ted says hello. Ok, we will talk to you soon. (Ted and Eric lock eyes and smile).
Eric and Ted: 4 Life.......(laugh)