Media mogul and former WCW owner Ted Turner has reportedly passed away at the age of 87, according to CNN. Turner was widely regarded as one of the most influential figures in television history and played a major role in the growth of professional wrestling through World Championship Wrestling during the 1990s.
Following the news, WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair shared a heartfelt tribute to Turner on Twitter/X, reflecting on both his business legacy and his contributions to the wrestling industry.
“So sorry to hear about the passing of the great Ted Turner. He was the man who created cable before cable was cool. He founded CNN, and look at what it has become today. He wasn’t afraid to take risks and rolled the dice on big ideas.
He also won the America’s Cup in sailing. His office reportedly looked like a Hall of Fame, including a picture of him and Khrushchev. On top of all of that, he created so many opportunities for wrestlers because of his love for wrestling.
Rest in peace, my friend. Thank you for the memorable personal times that we spent together.”
Turner’s influence on the wrestling business cannot be overstated, as his backing of WCW helped fuel the legendary Monday Night Wars era against WWE throughout the late 1990s. Under Turner’s ownership, WCW became home to many of wrestling’s biggest stars and produced one of the hottest periods in industry history.
Beyond wrestling, Turner was known globally for founding CNN and revolutionizing cable television, while also building a legacy across sports, media, and philanthropy.
So Sorry To Hear About The Passing Of The Great Ted Turner! The Man That Created Cable Before Cable Was Cool! He Created CNN And Look At It Now! He Rolled The Dice And Wasn’t Afraid Of Taking Risks. He Won The America’s Cup For Sailing! His Office Looked Like The Hall Of Fame… pic.twitter.com/wttiSQEdWC
— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) May 6, 2026
