Ted Turner, Iconic Wrestling Mogul and CNN Founder, Dies at 87
BREAKING: Former WCW owner Ted Turner passes away
Sportskeeda
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Ted Turner, the influential founder of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and CNN, has died at 87. He passed away on May 6 at his home near Tallahassee, Florida, following a brief hospitalization for pneumonia. Turner's legacy includes transforming the wrestling industry and pioneering 24-hour news broadcasting.
- 01Ted Turner passed away at the age of 87 on May 6, 2025.
- 02He was hospitalized for pneumonia prior to his death.
- 03Turner founded CNN, the first 24-hour cable news network, in 1980.
- 04He transformed the wrestling landscape by founding WCW and signing major talents.
- 05Turner's leadership led to the famous Monday Night Wars against WWE.
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Ted Turner, the influential media mogul who founded World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and CNN, passed away at the age of 87 on May 6, 2025, at his home near Tallahassee, Florida. He had been hospitalized earlier for pneumonia but had recovered at a rehabilitation facility. Turner, born in Cincinnati, was diagnosed with Lewy body dementia in September 2018. His legacy in the sports entertainment industry is monumental; he revolutionized wrestling by acquiring Jim Crockett Promotions in 1988, rebranding it as WCW, and signing major stars like Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage. This led to the iconic Monday Night Wars, where WCW competed directly with WWE's Monday Night RAW, dominating the ratings for 83 weeks. Turner's impact on both wrestling and media is profound, having changed the landscape of professional wrestling and established CNN as a pioneering news network.
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