Eric Bischoff: Ted Turner “changed my life,” reflected on his impact to WCW and media

Following news of Ted Turner’s death at 87, Eric Bischoff told The Ariel Helwani Show that Turner was a visionary who “changed my life” and opened doors for countless people through Turner Broadcasting. Bischoff said Turner’s entrepreneurial approach allowed projects like WCW and Real American Freestyle to exist, likening Turner’s influence on media to that of a pioneering tech titan and crediting him with providing career-defining opportunities for thousands of employees.

Bischoff recalled Turner as down-to-earth—driving a Ford Escort and engaging with staff—and “absolutely hands-off” with wrestling creative, though he closely tracked weekly ratings and celebrated when WCW bested WWE. He argued wrestling, The Andy Griffith Show and Atlanta Braves games were the pillars that built Turner’s Superstation, called Turner a fighter who even enjoyed WWE’s “Billionaire Ted” parodies, and urged that Turner be remembered as one of the great media moguls of his time following a years-long battle with Lewy body dementia.

Originally reported by Wrestling Observer: https://www.f4wonline.com/news/wwe/eric-bischoff-remembers-ted-turner-he-changed-my-life/.