The Inside Story of the Wrestling World’s Biggest Acquisition

In a recent video on his YouTube channel, Bruce Prichard, a prominent figure in the wrestling industry, delved deep into the details surrounding Vince McMahon’s purchase of WCW. The acquisition, which took place on March 22nd, was initially announced on the Torch website. The Wall Street Journal covered the story the very next day, highlighting the magnitude of the deal.

Prichard shared that the executives and attorneys worked tirelessly into the early hours of the morning to finalize a short-form agreement. While initial speculations suggested the deal was worth between 10 to 15 million dollars, recent figures indicate it could have been as low as 2 to 4 million.

Bruce revealed, “I found out it was a real thing probably that Tuesday or Wednesday before it happened.” He added that the initial interest from WWE was whether WCW could remain on TNT. The established time slot and network presence made the brand appealing. However, when that possibility dwindled, the focus shifted to acquiring the WCW library.

Interestingly, Stu Snyder, the WWF CEO at the time, played a pivotal role in the acquisition. Having previously worked for TBS and Cartoon Network, Snyder was approached by TBS executives for advice on the sale. Prichard amusingly recalled Vince McMahon’s reaction to the deal, “God damn pal!”

The video provides a fascinating insight into one of the most significant moments in professional wrestling history, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes negotiations and decisions that shaped the industry’s landscape.