alternatehistory.com

In 2001 the WWE bought out what was WCW. Allthough the WWE made attempts to make it look as if WCW was a seperate entity, it was not.

Before the sale to WWE, Eric Bischoff and Fussient media ventures were in talks to buy WCW. When the plug was pulled on Wrestling on Turner network, the WCW had no tv deal, and thus Fussient had no interest in the WCW any longer.

What if Bischoff found a new network? What if Bischoff and Fussient then go ahead with the purchase? This new OTL is my attempt to answer those questions.

This is my first time line, so please be easy on this noob. Many, many thanks to Hashasheen. This would not have been possible without his help.

WCW A NEW ERA.

March 2001. WCW is reportedly sold to Fussient Media Ventures with Eric Bischoff.

March 26th, 2001. Final Monday Nitro broadcast on Turner. Billed as "Night of Champions".

May 1st, 2001. Fussient Media Ventures announces deal with the FX network. WCW will be shown on Wenesday nights in a 2 hour prime time slot. Eric Bischoff will head day to day operations of WCW. Show will begin in June.

May 15th, 2001. Excerpt from Pro Wrestling Insider magazine's interview with Eric Bischoff.
PWI: How many of the WCW regulars will we see on this new show?
EB: We were able to sign many of the guys. Some of the guys had some big money deals with AOL and chose to sit on their contracts, but hey that's their choice. We've got an exciting new direction, and one hell of a show planned. Some guys are going to be upset not being a part of it.
PWI: Can you name names? Will we see for instance Goldberg?
EB: Look, I'm excited where WCW is headed on FX. I'm excited, my partners are excited, and the guys are excited. Do we really want to talk about who's not going to be on the show? Let's talk about who is.
PWI: Allright, who is? I'm sure fans still would like to know about Goldberg though.
EB: Yeah, I get that. Allright, sorry fans, no Goldberg. Hey we've got DDP, and Booker T lined up. Alot of the cruiserweights are coming back. We're even working on a few names that fans will know, that weren't part of the old WCW..............................

May 24th, 2001. FX begin to air commercials about the new WCW. Fans will recognize Buff Bagwell, Rey Mysterio, and Diamond Dallas Page in this new commercial. Page has the only line in the commercial, "Hey FX, are you ready to ..........feel.....the..........BANG"! Giving his traditional Diamond hand gesture.
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