Wandering it's the evening of Monday September 11th, one thousand nine hundred and ninety five and across America wrestling fans are on tenterhooks. Last week. W C w Monday Nitro exploded on the tv screens in Power Slam W W F when it announced on live television at one of its biggest stars, Lex Luger had defected to WCW. Now it's round two, but this time WCW Nitro, doesn't have the airwaves to itself tonight. It goes head to head WWF's Monday night Raw for the first time Showtime approaches, WWF boss, Vince Mcmann in and his top aides gather around the TV and WWF's headquarters in Stamford Connecticut after This week's upset there

keeping an eye on the competition, but big man's not worried MAX addition of raw is strong and he still doesn't believe that Nitro is a threat to raw to next episode of Raw was taped two weeks ago and includes a spectacular clash between the mountainous, psycho, Sid and ponytail. Pretty boys Shawn Michaels Michaels is the bright star of WWF's new generation of wrestlers and acrobatic perfo shimmies around the ring like a male stripper. But what make man doesn't know is WCW Boss, Eric Bischoff is about to torpedo, rose, main event. Chuck knows wrestling fans will spend the next hour channel hopping between Nitro and raw, so he's going to give them a reason to drop the remote and stay

with WCW show what the United States heavyweight champion command. Who is Pheidias part here in WCW singer? It's seventeen minutes into WCW, Nitro and Rest Bk Wall Street is waiting in the ring for his opponents. Sting of face painted br lower with a surfers body in a bleached flat top hair do, as he makes his way into the ring. Bitch op delivers a spoiler bomb on WWF's main event. Rather remote control check out the competition, so Father Mister three weeks old, Shawn, Michaels people, big band with a super kick is good here in a greenbelt with in along the YMCA Stare right here, bit flies they clearly after him, yeah Bischoff's just revealed who won www dot, Appsbigmatch big match

ensuring a whole lot of viewers won't be switching over to watch raw later Mcmane. And his team are left reeling that Each day the tv ratings arrive, the man winces as he realises. He was naive to think that WCW is not a threat. All wins the night. With two point: four million viewers Nitro skimmed less than two hundred thousand viewers make man victory was a foregone conclusion, but now he knows this fight is for real the enemies fighting dirty here, business wars we make shows that we hope entertain you, but we'd love it. If you learn something too, opening myself up to learning more about the world is one of the reasons that I listen to my favorite podcasts, and it also why I love reading the economist. The economist is a weekly magazine that off

inside an opinion on international and US news politics, business finance, science, technology, arts and the environment. It helps read. It's like you and me make a little more sense of what's going on in the world around us, and it's been doing that for over one one hundred and seventy years. I started reading the economy twenty five years ago, when I noticed it had a sense of humor and a breath of subject matter in depth of coverage, the no one else had, and no one else has today. Where else can you find in one place smart thoroughly, researched and compellingly written stories about, say why Russia is ambivalent about climate change, how the late Ric Ocasek took Nuwave, we mainstream and a law banning extramarital sex yeah. You may not have heard not that last one unless you've been reading the economist look, the economist is the smart Guide to the force is changing our world and right now you can get a free copy for your free print copy. The economist just text business wars, all one word too,

nine nine zero zero zero again, that's a free print copy of the economist and all you have to do is text business wars. All one word: two: nine, nine, zero, zero, zero. I'm wondering I'm David Brown and this is business wars, Last episode, Vince Dense battle to nurse the WWF back to financial health WCW, owner TED Turner declared all out war now

WCW is determined to end W W S long reign as tv's wrestling champ. Monday Nitro. This is episode. Four new world order, it's November 19th, one thousand nine hundred and ninety five and fourteen cousin baying wrestling fans are in the US air Arena in Landover Maryland there here, if, you annual survivor series show which is also being broadcast across the nation as a twenty five dollars pay per view. As the fans cheer on the action up in the VIP booth, Michael Workman's on a charm offensive word his w vp of distribution and he's entertaining a group of tv executives from Canada. His mission is to reassure them that WWF W his family friendly,

A lot of the fights are just wacky fun, with crazy over the top characters. That kids, like W Wcw luring away older fans with edgier action. The WWF has to walk a fine line to keep both audiences can in tv stations, have been talking about. Only broadcasting violent shows after nine pm, if that W W Wwf, when they can kiss can't Preteen viewers and the ad dollars they generate goodbye, Portland's already checked the script for tonight show good clean fights just what he needs to sell WWF to Canadians. But what he's not been told is that WWF boss, Vince Mcmahon, has made a last minute change. The Canadians watch as it tall wrestler with a greezy main of black hair enters the ring, or he gives the executives the lowdown on the action.

That's Kevin NASH, his ring name is Diesel fighting Bret Hart tonight the He is not at the mention of WWF's biggest star Bret, Hart Hearts, canadian in back home, he's a national hero moments later heartbound into the ring, dressed in a bright pink leotard. NASH quickly dominate he sends heart crashing onto the mat. Part tries to get up but NASH maps hard on his lower back ha rides in agony around the mat before tumbling out of the ring, but NASH isn't letting up. He climbs over the ropes grabs, a metal chair and advances toward heart, as the canadian TV executives Wentz in the VIP booth NASH thrashes part with the chair portman- gives them an awkward grin.

Of course this is a paper view and the paper views are edge here. We don't put this sort of thing and free tv shows after the show, Wortman hunts Mcmane down backstage. What was that out there? How was I supposed to explain that to the Canadiens Mcmane drapes his arm across Workman, shoulder the guy she's got carried away, you won't but again not promise, but this was not just unchecked exuberance. Faced with the threat from WCW Mcmahons making change to counter WCW's edgier image he's adding some grit to W Wwf's formula he's. Also streamlining is roster Mcmane what's to cast WCW as the retirement look for aging has bins and w W F as the place with the best new wrestling talent among first to go is Deborah Micheli.

The WWF women's champion. She immediately phones, WCW boss, Eric Bischoff. I was hoping you might have a place for me. Bishop is about to say he will think about it when he has a brain wave. Now, how I don't remember you losing the women's belt, you still got it yeah good you're in and bring the belt with. You listen, I'm not so sure about the belt. You come with the belt or you don't come at all your choice in December, one thousand nine hundred and ninety five and turns up on WCW Nitro belt in hand. She spurns, the old persona, make gave an and w her WWF title belt. Trash can wrestlers are appalled by the stunt to them, treat

Championship Belt, like that is a sacrilege, but for the viewers at home. It's another water cooler moment that evening, Nitro Nitro narrowly beats W raw in the ratings. For the third week in a row, it's new year's day, one thousand nine hundred and ninety six and a headquarters in Stamford Connecticut it's got new orders for Ross Production team on the attack, we're doing a series of comedy sketches during raw called billionaire TED every week. Get a highlight how w just a bunch of WWF rejects. One of the production team looks doubtful. Why are we telling all our viewers there's another wrestling show they can watch man isn't budging great, I think, the funniest skit we've ever done. I can see it. Ted Turner in a cheap bass suit in

holding using a walker, macho man reborn as Nacho Man, the following Monday hours of raw meat, TED, Turner's, doppelganger billionaire TED in the schedule. It is team bat around ideas for WCW's new slogan. How about this is where the good old boys play Just the old boys play. All in brother? Why did I just tell you guys? This is no time I'm gonna start telling the truth. Yes, not man. Let's lie how about this is with big boys. Please, I like that as just dishonest enough to work. What if all story about the catch, only convinces Bischoff that he's got done. Do you w on the ropes? he always assumed that WCW was destined to be the Pepsi COLA wrestling all

Is the runner up never the champion, but now now, Nitro is matching raw in the ratings and ticket sale. For WCW live? Events have grown from hundreds to several thousand a show once bitch. Also, only goal was to make WCW profitable, but now that the it's going his way he's out to crush WWF, but to do that he needs a solid lead in the tv ratings. Bischoff leaves. Television is the path to victory. If he on tv, then revenues from advertisers paper who buys live, shows an merchandising will follow what he needs. Is a story arc that keep people hooked on Nitro, like the one recently saw in Japan, the country

Top two wrestling companies collaborated on a joint storyline where their wrestlers went to war with each other to establish who was the greatest, the fans loved it but Bischoff knows Mcmane would know. Evergreen Lighted, WCW versus WWF crossover. So when shop. Here's the wrestler, Scott Hall is fed up with the constant tours and backbiting within the WWF. He sees an opportunity. Call- is one of the brightest stars of WWF. New generation and eighty seven pound wrestler with a five o'clock shadow in a curl dangling down his forehead with Hall Bischoff, could create the impression that WWF is invading you Ucw

February, 20th, one thousand nine hundred and ninety six and in Huntington Wv Hall and his close how Kevin NASH, or in the showers cleaning up WWF Tv, taping hall leans over and let's NASH in on his plan, where am I contract ends in two months. I'm outta here, I'm WCW Nash is shocked hall. This is closest buddy in the WWF. How much they giving you 750k a year guaranteed and get this I'll do no more than one hundred and twenty shows a year. Nah his jaw drops W do WF wrestlers only get paid when they perform to earn that much money in the WWF. He'd need to be it's biggest star and do at least three hundred shows a year hauled smiles at his friend, you know

You should come with me. Eight days later, NASH resigns from the WWF after securing his own lucrative deal with Turner's crew in Atlanta, with Hall and NASH heading for the exit. Mcmahons Furia Turner boils over by MID March Mcmahons using his billionaire TED sketches to issue a call to uh term. Should WWF fans one sketch, urges viewers call on the Federal Trade Commission to block Turner Broadcasting's proposed merger with Time Warner the following day. Big man is someone to the Manhattan headquarters. The USA network, the cable network that broadcasts raw in the W W F chief enters the conference room? U s a c e okay couple of its is at the head of the table. Wearing a red business suit around table are her senior executives.

She narrows her eyes at the Dimple Chin Wrestling mogul Vince billionaire TED Finished, hang on, hang on there. This is my show and it's my network. It's finished Turner Broadcasting controls fifteen percent of the cable stations serving USA. I will not jeopardize that access for your childish spat. I will wash my hands of you in an instant. Is that clear, Mcmane Nod he can't risk losing his prime time slot on USA couple of its isn't done yet, though, from now on you will send us raw scripts in advance. Mcmane opens his mouth to object, but kaplowitz slaps him down really

you want to argue with me on this. Maybe you forgotten that your shows ratings are in the pits Mcmane, slowly shuts his mouth, it's memorial day, one thousand nine hundred and ninety six and Eric Bishop is driving through the streets of Macon. Ga he's had with Macon Coliseum, where tonight's edition of Nitro is being filmed and he's got but hall in the passenger seat as he drives Bischoff talks hall through his interest. I want you to interrupt Steve, Dahl's fight with the waller. You enter the ring demand a MIKE and start spouting off all nuts. I want angry tell the crowd how WCW C w you and now you come to get revenge. Okay, say you're, bringing a friend but do not mention your name or NASH's. I want people to think you're, still Razor, Ramon and NASH is still diesel. I

to be unsure whether you're still with the WWF Hall nods again. But where is this angle going you and will be the outsiders, a rebel faction that wants to take over WCW three hours later call invades the ring chewing a toothpick shock ripples through the crowd, The mainstream media largely ignores developments in the wrestling world, so most of the audience still think he's with the WWF as the crowd boos. Calls smears into the camera and It was a warning to Bishop in the WCW. I got a challenge for him for billionaire TED for the, not so man and for anybody else in WCW.

You want to go to war, you going to war. Two weeks later NASH joins Hall at WCW. They turn up on Nitro and push around Bischoff on air, like a couple of schoolyard bullies to further sell themselves as renegade wrestlers in bathing. The WCW. The question about who they work for remains unanswered. The outsiders invasion is a ratings winner by MID June night, got a clear lead over raw, the buzz. Only bills further, when it's revealed that a third man will join the outsiders at WCW's. Next pay per view in July with his rating slipping Vince Mcmahon knows he needs to stop this storyline

there's only one way he can do that they will be in the ring he's going. Call W. This is worse, is brought to you by net. If you don't know your numbers, you don't know your business, but the problem a lot of growing businesses Have the keeps them from knowing their numbers is a hodgepodge of business systems. You know one system for accounting, another for sales. Another for inventory is just a big inefficient mess that hurts the bottom line. Will Netsuite by Oracle is here to solve, as problems for you once and for all. It's a business management software that handles every aspect of your business in an easy to use cloud platform. Giving you the visibility and control you need to grow. That's why Netsuite is the world number one cloud business system,

save time money and unneeded headaches with Netsuite right now, they're off valuable insights with a free guide, called seven key strategies to grow your profits and you can find it and that's: sweet dot com, slash wars, that net sweet dot com, slash wars, to download your free guide, seven key strategies to grow your profits, net, sweet dot, com, slash wars, it's June. Twenty nineteen Six and W W F in WCW's. Legal teams are in the? U S: District Court in Hartford, Connecticut, a judge, Peter Dorsey, listens. Wwf attorney Jim Mcdevitt presses for ten prairie injunction to stop WCW from using Scott Hall and Kevin NASH Wrestling fans.

Excitement about the WCW's outsiders storyline is reaching fever pitch the C. W is planning to unveil the third member of its rebel faction on July Seventh, during its bash at the beach pay per view, but it make debit. Can This injunction. He will insist, Lady De Rail WCW's big moment. Your honor WCW is Stoke and confusion among wrestling fans. Mister Hall and NASH are acting and dressing like the characters they played at WWF. We own those characters. Fans associate those characters with the WWF. Wcw knows this backs why they haven't given either wrestler a new identity, but Judge Dorsey doesn't share WWF's sense of urgency. Now. I want to hear this case in full before I decide whether to grant an injunction

we shall meet again in MID July quarter, Gerd www, dot, apps hail Mary attempt to scuttle the outsiders storyline his failed by that I in the cases heard double CW will have revealed the third man it's July. Seventh, one thousand nine hundred and ninety six and WCW bash at the beach is on at the Ocean center in Daytona Beach FL. The May event is already underway, a showdown between the outsiders and W Cw wrestlers Lex Luger Sting and macho man, but everyone is wondering who will be the outsiders third man and includes Hall and NASH, the CW boss, Eric Bischoff's, been keeping the circle so tight that even we don't know who's joining them suddenly, there's a day

service target is therefore comma. Chair Hogan is in the filet you damn right in downtown LOS. Ideally I don't collect. Are you talking about Poseidon say? Are you talking about the cheers, as Hogan strides towards the rain? They believe the hucksters come to dish out some tough justice to Hall and NASH, so when even climbs into the rain hall, Fleas, Hogan, stares at NASH and Hall for a moment, then turns around and delivered his famous leg drop on to MACHO man's prone body. What, if they don't call NASH and Hogan quickly, did late WCW's defenders, the crowd responds by flinging paper cups and other trash at them. As the audience theory grows, Hogan explain: that's why he betrayed WCW. Well, most first thing you gotta realize mother.

This right here is not future of wrestling. Call this the new world order of rustling brother, the crowd, jeers Bischoff smiles in wrestling, there's two kinds of characters: good guys known as baby faces and villains who were dubbed heels. Until this moment, Hogan's been the ultimate baby face all say your prayers and eat your vitamins, but is transformation into a heel caught everyone by surprise. Now the outsiders are the new world order. The end: do you a wrestle promotion within a wrestling promotion and it's a ratings knockout? It's early August, one thousand nine hundred and ninety and ROS production team gathers in a conference room in WWF headquarters

who is glum night rose been beating raw in the ratings four weeks. Vince Mcmann wants solutions. We need fresh ideas. Give me something a team where points out with everyone, but Mcmane thinks is the obvious move. We need to play stone, cold, Steve, Austin, Austin used to be uh profile, wrestler called the ringmaster, but he's now he invented himself as stone Cold, a beard puzzling anti hero with a killer stare. The fans fell for Austin back in June when he told Bible, quoting wrestler Jake Roberts that Austin three sixteen says I just whipped your ass another team member backs the idea of pushing Austin, yeah Austin three hundred and sixteen to catch phrase. Already bans are wearing t shirts, they're, making signs. We just gotta put him over make manuevers heybeli

boobs in the traditional good versus evil divide between baby faces and heels, Austin blurring the boundaries, but you know he's not a baby face. We your baby, face the team forgives Manda puzzle. Look why the fans love him, and this is the anti of nine inch nails on MTV Natural born killers, filling movie theaters come on just looking Nwo is going over WCW Austin's. Perfect man takes a deep breath: okay. Well, let's make him a star on the next episode of violent home invasion, shocks, WWF fans, Turner's executives, put Bischoff in a headlock and the Nwo invades Iowa

from wonder this is business wars and we hope you enjoy this episode. I you to subscribe on Apple podcasts, Google, podcast, Spotify, Stitcher Iheartradio, or where Are you listen to podcasts? will find a link on the episode notes if you tap or swipe over the cover, art you'll see some offers from our sponsors, and we hope you will support our show by supporting them. It would be to rip if you could give us a five star rating. If you like what you heard you know forget, your friends have subscribed to there's another way. You can support us by answering a short survey at one three dot com, slash survey and, while you're at it don't forget to tell us what business war stories you'd like to hear something. We should note about the conversations you've been hearing in this episode. We can't know exactly what was said, but this dialogue is based on our best research. I'm your host David Brown, Tristen Donovan, wrote this story. Karen Lowe is our senior producer, Donna hi. Ms,

did this story. Our editor and producer is Jenny. Lauer Beckley, sound design by Bay Area, sound our executive producer is Marshall Louis created by our non Lopez or wondering.