Guy Evans (83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff): "If you look at the agreement that was entered into, you'll see that there is an additional elemen..."

Source: 83 Weeks with Eric Bischoff — Episode 419: 25th Anniversary Of The Last Nitro

Duration: 2h 19m

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WCW sale price

If you look at the agreement that was entered into, you'll see that there is an additional element pertaining to an advertising commitment for $20.6 million over the period of three years. So the total financial outlay here on the part of the WWF is actually a figure in the region of $25 million.

WCW accounting practices

WCW was categorized within that corporation in a box of a bunch of entities that were literally labeled as 'other.' It was categorized with things like CNN, the CNN Airport Network, the Atlanta Braves. What that meant was that you could liberally move around revenues and expenses within that category.

WCW financial viability

Jerry Jarrett was publicly on record saying when he looked at the finances, he was able to strike $85 million of that [loss] and put it aside. He remarked to somebody that he could take over, not increase income, and make $20 million the first year.

Final Nitro broadcast

Keith Mitchell was in a one-man race to prevent them from putting a commercial for WrestleMania on the air because it had been made clear to him that the last 30 seconds of Nitro's time slot was going to be devoted to a WrestleMania commercial. He tried valiantly, but they beat him to the punch.

WCW financial history

I suspected certain things were going on, but I could never really prove it. It wasn't until long after I ended reading Guy's book that all of a sudden those pieces that I knew were there, but I could never quite identify them and connect them in a tangible way, were revealed to me.

Turner Broadcasting accounting

There were companies within Turner that were literally designated as zero-based companies. Their role in the corporation was that by the end of a particular period of time, all of the expenses associated with those companies had to go somewhere else.

Final Nitro backstage

Scott Lansing remembered Shane McMahon being there hours before showtime. He said Shane was visibly jubilant about being there and basically did a circle around the ring and put his arms up in the air, enjoying the fact that this was happening.

WCW financial reporting

Dave Meltzer's reporting of a $62.5 million loss is obviously not real. We've learned through Guy's efforts, his research, and his analysis that we're getting a good look now for the first time. The rest of it has been Dirt Sheet Dave and his network talking about things they have no understanding of.

WCW buyout failure

For me, when I got the phone call from Brian Bedol that the deal was dead, I was on a beach in Hawaii with my kids. That's when it died to me. That was the last five minutes of programming. That was my relationship with WCW.

WWE Hall of Fame

I've been invited to induct Dennis Rodman into the Hall of Fame, but I've got a conflict with Real American Freestyle. As much as I'd love to be able to be a part of it, I just can't make it happen.