Ted Turner speaks at UNICEF's Evening for Children First to Honor Ted Turner on March 30, 2016 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo : Getty Images/Ben Rose)
The WWE has had no real competitor in the wrestling business ever since WCW folded back in 2001. However, the latest rumors imply that Ted Turner might be challenging the WWE once again, this time using Lucha Underground.
According to Anthony DiMoro of Forbes, Turner Broadcasting is going back into the wrestling and sports entertainment industry after signing a deal with Lucha Underground. Even though the deal is just for LU being broadcasted in Germany, it means that Turner is testing the waters.
"Lucha Underground captivates the audience, not just with spectacular matches, but above all with an exciting story that is told throughout the season," Turner's programming director of entertainment in Central and Eastern Europe, Marion Rathman, said in a press release.
Back in the 1990s, Turner and WCW gave Vince McMahon and the WWE a hard time since many people were watching Monday Nitro rather than Monday Night Raw. Turner hired Eric Bischoff to run the promotion and he showered money to attract many WWE superstars, per The Inquisitr.
The Monday Night Wars started when WCW signed away Kevin Nash and Scott Hall. It basically led to the formation of the New World Order or nWo. Hulk Hogan, who was known as a huge babyface, turned heel and shifted the powers to WCW.
However, Turner and WCW were eventually defeated by McMahon and the WWE because of the rise of the Attitude Era with superstars like Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H and The Undertaker. WCW shot themselves in the foot due to bad booking and over the top characters.
WWE bought out WCW in 2001 with Shane McMahon announcing it to the world in a memorable episode of Monday Night Raw. Nevertheless, the WWE has been ruling the industry for 15 years now but without competition, the product has gone stale, especially this year.
The deal between Turner and Lucha Underground might not be a big deal but it means the WWE knows that a competition might be brewing again. LU has been a breath of fresh air for many wrestling fans and it currently do well for the El Rey Network.
Lucha Underground will start airing in Germany on December 10 and it will be shown every Saturday. Some of the LU stars include Pentagon Dark, Sexy Star, Chavo Guerrero and Rey Mysterio. Check out the video below to see the top moments of LU Season 1.
