Side note, I will be using the EWR game for this, so there will be match ratings and such, and I will be going against TNA and WWE.
Backstory: It was a story that was unfolding before everyones eyes, something that couldn't be denied, yet with all the evidence of an industry on the rocks and a promotion on the downfall a blind eye was cast upon the inevitable truth... the WWE was beginning to fall. Vince McMahon would hear nothing of it, he put as much of a positive spin on the declining ratings and falling popularity as he could, perhaps not so much as to reassure his employees that everything would be okay so much as to reassure himself that he had nothing to worry about. It can not be denied that Vince and the WWE did all they could to try and recapture the magic that wrestling had once grasped, but ultimately the product had become stale and viewers wanted something different.
They say a successful man makes the most of his opportunities, and when one arises he jumps on it and takes advantage of the chance that falls upon his lap. An old nemesis would prove this statement true, as Ted Turner would emerge from his absense in the wrestling world to rekindle his feud with Vince McMahon. Turner had been following the slow demise of the WWE, with much happiness and satisfaction mind you, and all it took was one phone call to get the ball rolling on a plan to finally once and for all destroy the very company and man that put Turner out of business. Eric Bischoff would be the man to lead this revolt and murder of the WWE, as he and Turner hatched a scheme to begin a new wrestling promotion and steal talent away from the two power houses of the wrestling world in TNA and WWE.
It wouldn't be easy, it would be a long road to success, and there was a good chance that everything could fall apart once again as WWE's ratings had undeniably slipped they were still the premiere wrestling promotion in the industry. Turner and Bischoff's confidence would be shaken at first, as a few inquiries into superstars thoughts about joining them were quickly shot down, but with resiliance and effort they would soon see their wrestling promotion become a reality and no longer just a dream. It started with TNA, as though they could offer less time for veteran superstars on the road they couldn't match the money that Turner could offer. Kurt Angle, Sting, and Samoa Joe were the first casualties in Turner's strike against his foes, as all three men decided to jump ship and hitch their wagons to this new promotion. Jarrett tried to shove the loyalty card in the faces of his talent, telling them to stay in a secure promotion where they wouldn't have to worry of failure and remember all that he gave them, but despite his efforts he was losing and losing badly.
Next would come a shocking theft of the WWE, no one could have imagined that the superstars of the WWE would defect to an unknown force that had such a chance of failing. But, it happened, for whatever reason it happened. Perhaps they had grown tired of the same old thing with Vince, perhaps they were done with the political talks that went on backstage, whatever the reason was the WWE lost some of it's premiere talent to Turner. Edge, Christian, Evan Bourne, Shelton Benjamin, and Chris Jericho all defected to Turner's new promotion. A blow that shot echoes through the wrestling world, a wound that left Vince McMahon in chaos and anger. The pieces were falling into place, the dream was becoming reality, Ted Turner's promotion Elite Wrestling Entertainment was now a player in the wrestling world.
Timeline of Events:
February 2009
- WWE's ratings continue to fall, PPV sales take a dive.- Ted Turner makes inquiries into starting a promotion, finds out how much he would have to invest, how much interest he could garner.
- Ted Turner contacts Eric Bischoff, the two men agree to move ahead with the new promotion.
- Rumblings circle throughout the wrestling industry of Turner and Bischoff, it is shrugged off by most as something that isn't going to happen.
March 2009
- Ted Turner announces the name of his wrestling promotion, Elite Wrestling Entertainment.- Nervousness fills the wrestling industry, as both Vince and Jarrett begin to realize Turner and Bischoff could be a threat.
- News reaches Jarrett of his superstars in TNA getting contacted by Turner, he has a meeting with his roster.
- After being turned down numerous times from TNA talent, Turner and Bischoff meet and rethink their approach.
April 2009
- Ted Turner announces deal with TNT to air three shows a week, as the ball gets rolling on his new promotion.- Numerous TNA talent sign on with EWE including Kurt Angle, Sting, and Samoa Joe.
- Vince McMahon holds staff meeting, the WWE staff discuss the recent raid by Turner of the TNA.
May 2009
- The EWE's raiding of talent reaches the footsteps of the WWE, as they contact multiple wrestlers under Vince's employ.- Vince tries to issue a law suit against Turner for speaking to contracted employees, but lack of proof hinders the suit.
- Edge, Christian, Chris Jericho, Shelton Benjamin and Evan Bourne all defect from WWE and sign on with Turner and EWE.
- Bischoff and Turner begin to search the indy circuit for talent to fill out the roster, and announce the first event to be held in June.
Ted Turner is an excellent predator. Thats what he does when he competeshe tries to kill the other guy. Thats OK. Thats one way of competing, but Ive never subscribed to it. Ive always believed that if youre going to be better than the other person, then thats what you should do. You should concentrate on all the positive values to make your product better, not try to kill the other guy.
-Vince McMahon, 2002
