Ted Turner, the man who funded WCW for several years and the American media mogul who founded CNN and TBS, has been diagnosed with Lewy Body Dementia.
Turner purchased Jim Crockett Promotions in 1988 and then renamed it to World Championship Wrestling, giving Vince McMahon a very good run for his money in the mid 90’s, launching WCW Nitro to kickstart the Monday Night war and the most exciting era in pro wrestling history. Turner’s “blank check” to then-WCW President Eric Bischoff resulted in WCW raiding the WWE roster at the time, bringing in individuals such as Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Bret Hart, and many others.
After TBS merged with Time Warner and Time Warner was purchased by AOL, his role in the company he founded was greatly diminished and had no more power. Eventually AOL Time Warner sold WCW to one of Turner’s biggest rivals – Vince McMahon – effectively ending the competition.
An interview with the 79-year-old Ted Turner will air tomorrow on CBS Sunday Morning with Ted Koppel where he will discuss his diagnosis.
