Post by chaz on Dec 30, 2007 17:10:34 GMT -5
January 14 2001;
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP WRESTLING SOLD
It was announced today that AOL Time Warner has finalised the sale of all copyrights, trademarks and assets of World Championship Wrestling to former WCW President and Executive Producer, Eric Bischoff, who joined up with American based venture capital group Fusient Media Ventures. Time Warner Programming Executive Brad Siegel revealed that Bischoff and his group of investors had indeed signed a deal to take control of World Championship Wrestling. It's believed the total cost of the takeover is worth around $67million. A press conference is expected to be held later today by Mr. Bischoff and the two figure heads of Fusient Media, Brian Bedol and Steve Greenberg.
JANUARY 14 2001;
PRESS CONFERENCE, SALE OF WCW
-WCW.com
A press conference today took place outside of the CNN Center, where Eric Bischoff, Brian Bedol and Steve Greenberg of Fusient Media Ventures, Time Warner Programming Executive Brad Siegel and several World Championship Wrestling stars were available for questioning and discussion from several news sources and reporters on the recent sale of the WCW company.
Brad Siegel began by re-confirming the sale of WCW and the details. He mentioned that Bischoff and Fusient Media Ventures had bought the company for around $67million. Siegel was asked whether AOL Time Warner thought this was the right decision for the survival of WCW. Siegel replied that, although reported otherwise, Turner Broadcasting always had great success and high admiration for what WCW did for them. However, under the AOL Time Warner merger, WCW did not represent what they were looking to promote on air, and so it's his belief that the sale of WCW was in it's best interest.
Eric Bischoff comes up to the podium next. He thanks every fan for their support for WCW over the years and promises that their continued support will not go unnoticed. Bischoff claims his intention is to bring WCW back to what it was, to turn a profit and to be 'the best damn live entertainment show on television'. A reporter asks if he aspires to compete with Vince McMahon's World Wrestling Federation one more time. Bischoff answers with the obvious 'yes'. He says it's always a priority to be number one, and to do that you have to engage in battle with your competitors.
Brian Bedol and Steve Greenberg were asked a series of questions on their involvement in the company's future. They said that they'll provide substantial financial and promotional support through their experience and through various contacts. Along with Bischoff, together they share over 50 years experience in the entertainment industry. Together, they'll create a dominate brand for television audiences pleasure.
Ric Flair was asked how, as a long-serving employee of World Championship Wrestling, it makes him feel knowing WCW is safe for the long run. Flair answered saying that there's no better place then being in a WCW ring in front of millions of fans worldwide. He says it's an honor to still be here.
Hulk Hogan then steps up to a huge reception. He says that he can't wait until WCW becomes what it was again, so that he and guys like Ric Flair can do what they do best and that's entertain the fans. Hogan claims to have every confidence in Eric Bischoff and Fusient Media Ventures to make WCW huge again.
Eric Bischoff returns to the podium. He says that under his leadership in the 90's, WCW followed a strict guideline on how to create their shows and how to make a successful product. With his SARSA policy (story, anticipation, reality, surprise, action), WCW will become the number one product. The elements you saw innovated on Monday Nitro in 1995 will carry on to this day, as they do everywhere else in the wrestling industry.
Eric Bischoff announced that it was his intention to close down the current WCW company in one month's time. Reasons stated for this were that the current company carries alot of baggage, alot of it not needed to start a fresh. Bischoff said that WCW will be off air for a while, until the company is back to satisfactory position to begin business again.
As the press conference drew to it's conclusion, Bischoff was asked about WCW television. He said that he, Bedol and Greenberg have been working on a deal with a certain network to air World Championship Wrestling. He also mentioned that the live event program was done with WCW for now, and revealed a possible deal for a venue to host WCW programming. Bischoff thanked everyone for coming, and told them to check the WCW website for future updates.
As of March 18 2002
[Face, Heel, Tweener,
Bam Bam Bigelow
Billy Kidman
Brian Adams
Bryan Clarke
Buff Bagwell
Chris Candido
Curt Hennig
Diamond Dallas Page
Eric Bischoff
Goldberg
The Great Muta
Hollywood Hulk Hogan
Jeff Jarrett
Jerry Lynn
Kevin Nash
Kimberly Page
Lance Storm
Lex Luger
Lieutenant Loco
Mick Foley
Mike Awesome
Miss Hancock
Psychosis
Rena Mero
Rey Mysterio Jnr.
"The Nature Boy" Ric Flair
Rick Steiner
Rowdy Roddy Piper
Sabu
Scott Hall
Scott Hudson
Scott Steiner
Sean O'Haire
"Sugar" Shane Helms
Shawn Stasiak
Steve Corino
Sting
Tony Schiavone
Torrie Wilson
Ultimo Dragon
--
THE BLACK HEAVEN FANTASY;
The Great Muta
Kaz Hayashi
Yang
THE FILTHY ANIMALS;
Rey Mysterio Jnr.
Billy Kidman
Konnan
NEW WORLD ORDER;
Hollywood Hogan
Jeff Jarrett
Scott Steiner
Rena Mero
Sting
--
POWERPLANT;
Ace Steel
AJ Styles
Alex Wright
Bob Sapp
Brian Armstrong
C.W Anderson
Cash
Chris Harris
David Flair
Evan Karagias
Frank Shamrock
Jamie Knoble
Lenny Lane
Lodi
Kid Romeo
Mr. Aguila
Primetime
Reno
Ron Killings
Shannon Moore
The Wall
--
WCW WORLD CHAMPION: VACANT
WCW UNITED STATES CHAMPION: Buff Bagwell (Won 17/2/2002)
WCW CRUISERWEIGHT CHAMPION: "Sugar" Shane Helms (Won 17/2/2002)
WCW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS: The Filthy Animals [Rey Mysterio Jnr. & Billy Kidman] (Won 17/2/2002)
--
--
Jan. 2003 Sin
Feb. 2003 Superbrawl
Mar. 17th Greed
Apr. 21st The Big Bang
May 19th Slamboree
Jun. 16th The Great American Bash
Jul. 14th Bash at the Beach
Aug. 18th Road Wild
Sep. 22nd Fall Brawl
Oct. 20th Halloween Havoc
Nov. 17th Redemption
Dec. 15th Starrcade
Sounds good. I love the fact that it's in the Hard Rock Cafe! 
