Pro Wrestling World Reacts to Ted Turner’s Passing

Ted Turner’s passing is being felt across the wrestling industry — and now, some of the biggest names connected to his legacy are speaking out.

After news broke that Ted Turner died at 87, tributes quickly began pouring in from figures who either worked directly under him or were impacted by what he built through World Championship Wrestling and Turner Broadcasting. Ric Flair took to Twitter and shared a lengthy message reflecting on Turner’s influence, both in and out of wrestling, and the opportunities he created.

“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… On Top Of All Of That, He Created So Many Opportunities For So Many Wrestlers Because Of His Love For Wrestling. Rest In Peace My Friend! Thank You For The Memorable Personal Times That We Spent Together.”

Eric Bischoff kept his message short but direct, acknowledging the impact Turner had on his career and the business: “RIP Ted. And thank you for everything.” William Regal showed the personal side of Turner’s influence, explaining how his time in WCW helped support his family and life in the United States.

“I’m sad to hear of the passing of Ted Turner. Ted bought me to the US and payed me and allowed me to feed my family for 6 years. Ted also took care of mine and my families green cards. Rest well.”

Mark Madden pointed to Turner’s larger role beyond wrestling while still acknowledging his connection to the industry.

“RIP Ted Turner. Legit communications pioneer. Friend to pro wrestling. I cashed a few of his checks. Sad to see him go.”

Sean Mooney focused directly on Turner’s lasting influence within wrestling: “RIP Ted Turner. Your influence on the world of wrestling will never be forgotten.” And Frankie Kazarian summed it up from a modern perspective, pointing out just how different wrestling would look today without Turner’s involvement.

“RIP Ted Turner. Simply put, aside from everything else he did in his life… professional wrestling today looks A LOT different without him. Godspeed.”

These reactions show just how far Turner’s reach extended. From giving wrestlers national exposure to creating a true competitor to WWE, his decisions shaped careers, companies, and the entire direction of the industry.

Bottom line, Ted Turner wasn’t just a media figure tied to wrestling — he was one of the reasons it grew into what it is today, and the response from across the industry shows just how deeply that impact is still felt.

Do you think modern wrestling would even exist in its current form without Ted Turner’s influence? Drop your thoughts and let us know.