Loyal To The Game: A Tribute To Ted Turner

On May 6th, 2026, former WCW owner Ted Turner passed away at the age of 87. 

Whilst Turner was an incredible businessman (creating the likes of CNN, Cartoon Network, TNT and TBS) his contributions and love for the world of Pro Wrestling is what makes his passing so sad. 

Pro Wrestling gave his WTBS Superstation a huge boost, in the 70's and 80's, that helped Turner build his business profile and his appreciation for it turned to loyalty right to the bitter end. 

His loyalty truly hit its peak when, in 1988, he created the Universal Wrestling Corporation and purchased Jim Crockett Promotions in order to not only keep Pro Wrestling on his network but to save the company and to ensure the talent still had a home. 

Shortly after the purchase the UWC was renamed after JCP's flagship show 'World Championship Wrestling' and the industry changed forever. 

Without Turner we would have never of had the rebirth of Hulkamania, in 1994, and 'Monday Nitro', in 1995, which were truly game changing moments for the business. 

Up until the sale of WCW, in 2001, Turner's love, and loyalty, for Pro Wrestling was like nothing else and we can only imagine how difficult the sale to WWF/E must have been to him as he no longer held the power he once had due to the AOL-Time Warner merger. 

His Pro Wrestling legacy still lives on, in some form, through AEW's television shows on TNT and TBS (two channels created by Turner). 

To the rest of the world Ted Turner was a billionaire media mogul but to us Wrestling fans Ted was, and will always be, one of us. 

Rest In Peace Ted and thank you for everything!!!