WCW 2k1: The Buyout

Levinux · August 27, 2019

http://tew.levinuxgaming.com/2001/Logo/WCW.png

I've seen the writing on the wall for a while. Everything started changing in late 1998, when Vince Russo began having more power in WCW. I saw things going down, as did many others who fled to the WWF before push came to shove. It was in early 2000 that I began thinking of a way to save this sinking ship; my passion. Every avenue lead to a dead end. Recently, I've been working with Fusient Media Ventures to try and purchase WCW from AOL Time Warner. Jamie Kellner isn't one for patience, and we've already had about 3 offers turned down. It wasn't until recently that I discovered that things were more dire than I thought.

http://tew.levinuxgaming.com/2001/People/Eric%20Bischoff%202k1.jpghttp://tew.levinuxgaming.com/2001/People/Hulk%20Hogan%202K.jpg

Bischoff: Terry, how are you?

Hogan: Well Eric, I'm doing alright, all things considered.

Bischoff: I know. We had a great idea. Fortunately, Russo isn't around.

Hogan: From what I've been hearing, no one over there will be around much longer, Brother.

Bischoff: I'm doing what I can, but these AOL Time Warner executives have no experience with this type of product. I've come to them with everything I can think of, and they've turned everything down.

Hogan: Well, Brother, not to add to it, but I'm hearing from up north that Vince has sent feelers to AOL Time Warner and it doesn't look good.

Bischoff: I knew Vince would get his grimy hands involved. I'm out of ideas, Terry.

Hogan: Keep at it, Eric. You'll come up with something.

Bischoff: Thanks, Terry.

Vince is at it already! He can't resist himself. He's trying to buy WCW out from under me. But what does Vince have that I'm not offering? AOL Time Warner won't have any involvement in WCW after it's sale, so it can't be that. I need to make some calls..

Leohunter · August 27, 2019

Hell Yes! I'm Hyped For The Diary!

Dave E Mac · August 27, 2019

I’m on board for this journey!

Bigelow Cartwheel · August 27, 2019

On board.

DGenerationMC · August 27, 2019

Oooh.

neslo024 · August 28, 2019

Been really getting into real world mods lately so definitely excited to see where you go with this.

Juce · August 28, 2019

This is going to inspire me to jump into a retro game again. I can feel it!

EBEZA · August 28, 2019

Curious to see how you run this!

Theheel · August 28, 2019

Count me in, I’m always down for a good WCW story

Levinux · August 28, 2019

2 Days Later...

http://tew.levinuxgaming.com/2001/People/Eric%20Bischoff%202k1.jpg

I've had several conversations with Fusient Media Ventures and my contacts there, and we're going to approach things from a different avenue. What does Vince have that I don't have? Money. If I can find a way to get the support I need for TV and PPV, and still have the funds to satisfy what AOL is looking for, I think I may have a shot. With this in mind, I've managed to strike a PPV deal with Adelphia in the US. Their reach isn't as far as Time Warner, but it's 1 platform. I also have calls out to a broadcaster in Canada and Mexico and I'm expecting to hear back from them this week.

I've also been considering these contracts. This roster is overloaded, with many being paid way too much. I am the root cause of that, I know, but now that Turner is pulling the plug, it's doing more damage than good. If I can find a way to hit the reset button, and make it make sense to AOL Time Warner...

Levinux · August 29, 2019

4 Days Later

http://tew.levinuxgaming.com/2001/People/Eric%20Bischoff%202k1.jpghttp://tew.levinuxgaming.com/2001/People/USA%20Exec.jpg

Bischoff: Hello?

McCumber: Mr. Bischoff, this is Chris McCumber, President of Entertainment with USA Network.

I just spilled my coffee.

Bischoff: Mr. McCumber, so good to hear from you.

McCumber: As you know, your situation is not a good one, but I think I have an option where USA Network can help you.

Bischoff: That's great! We have...

McCumber: I don't mean to interrupt, Mr. Bischoff, but allow me to finish. You see, when the WWF pulled their flagship show off USA and went to TNN this past fall, it hurt our entertainment offerings. I have been searching for a replacement; not necessarily wrestling, but a replacement none-the-less. So, I want to offer one option to you, and one option only Mr. Bischoff. We will provide you with five hours of TV programming every week, to cover WCW's 3 TV shows. This contract will allow us to offer you a prime time time slot on Monday and Thursday, and an evening slot on Saturday. This contract will also allow USA Network to move your time slot if we feel you are not meeting our expectations. Lastly, this is not a long-term deal. If you can manage to acquire WCW, your contract for each show will be 1 year. At the end of that year, we can choose to move on if we find your programming to not be up to our standard.

Bischoff: Mr. McCumber, this is fantastic. Thank you, sir, thank you. I hope to get back with you within the next week or two.

It was a reach, contacting USA Network. Quite honestly, I didn't expect them to get back to me. It's a leap of faith like this that will keep WCW in business. Now, I have to get back to Jamie Kellner with AOL/Time Warner, and I have just the idea that may put me in play...

Bigelow Cartwheel · August 29, 2019

This is shaping up nicely.

Also I read McCumber as Cucumber. It's been that sort of day.

Levinux · August 29, 2019

This is shaping up nicely.

Also I read McCumber as Cucumber. It's been that sort of day.

I mistyped his name multiple times when typing it out, so you're not alone.

DHK1989 · August 29, 2019

Wonder if Hogan will play any part in helping Bischoff purchase WCW.

EBEZA · August 30, 2019

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Bigelow Cartwheel" data-cite="Bigelow Cartwheel" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46944" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This is shaping up nicely. Also I read McCumber as Cucumber. It's been that sort of day.</div></blockquote> I read McCucumber, so... <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Levinux · August 30, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;">1 Week Later

Over the course of the last week, I've been able to talk to multiple TV networks and PPV providers, all willing to go out on a limb for WCW and my vision for the future. Now that I have the TV and PPV broadcasters, I can turn my focus to purchasing WCW. I am about to sit down with Jamie Kellner again from AOL Time Warner. He didn't sound too enthused, so this may be my last chance.

http://tew.levinuxgaming.com/2001/People/Eric%20Bischoff%202k1.jpg

Bischoff: Mr. Kellner, thank you for seeing me again.

Kellner: Eric, thank you for stopping by. Out of respect for what you have done with this company, and for our TV programming over the last 10 years, I am going to be honest with you.

Bischoff: I'd prefer it.

Kellner: Vince McMahon has reached out to us, and he has provided an offer to purchased World Championship Wrestling.

Bischoff: Mr. McMahon has reached out, I have heard. What is he offering?

Kellner: I can't go into that, Eric. You know that. What I can say is, that it satisfies what we're looking for. We have yet to reach out to Mr. McMahon to accept his offer, but we are expecting to do that this afternoon.

I'm sweating like crazy.

Bischoff: There has to be something I can do, Jamie. I have been on the phone with different networks and broadcasters to try to get something in place for this purchase. It can't just end this way.

Kellner: I just don't see it going any other way. Mr. McMahon's offer will cover all contracts at his choosing. The deal will take a few months to finalize, but once it's done, it will lead to the end of World Championship Wrestling on an AOL Time Warner station.

Think, think, think. How can I get back into this discussion?

Bischoff: What if I could offer you a deal that would take place immediately?

There is a long pause. I hate long pauses, so I opened my mouth again...

Bischoff: And, I'll legally take over the AOL Time Warner contracts of the few talents contracted with you directly.

Kellner: All of the AOL direct contracts?

Bischoff: All of them. We can work into the agreement that I will take them over, removing you from being legally responsible for satisfying them.

He' staring off into his computer screen with his hand on his chin. The wheels are turning.

Kellner: That is a huge reason to consider your offer. What about your end? There has to be more to it.

I didn't expect this, but he's right. I'm taking all the risk here, but bailing them out of potentially satisfying the contracts of a few guys, costing them a few million dollars.

Bischoff: I want to pay WCW's debt, take those contracts off of your hands, and remove WCW programming immediately. Give me a fresh start. Time Warner owes me some slack.

He's delaying in response again. Maybe I should speak up...

Kellner: Okay, Eric. I think we have a deal. I'll have everything written up. Let's meet up here say...Wednesday?

Bischoff: Jamie, any day for you my friend! You won't regret this!

Kellner: Well Eric, I won't be involved after you sign, so there will be nothing to regret, at least on my end.

We shake hands and I leave. I do my best to walk through the office and out to the parking garage to my car as calmly as possible. I'm nervous and anxious. Holy shit, what did I just do?! I need to make a call...

Bischoff (on his cell phone): Hey...WCW is back on TV! Listen, we have a lot of work to do, so here is what has to happen next...</div>

EBEZA · August 30, 2019

That's a good way to have all the tied-up guys available right from the start!

Bigelow Cartwheel · August 30, 2019

Has Bischoff just signed his own death warrant??

Levinux · August 30, 2019

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="EBEZA" data-cite="EBEZA" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46944" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>That's a good way to have all the tied-up guys available right from the start!</div></blockquote> Exactly. Not only does this make sense in a "How can Bischoff top Vince's offer?" but it also makes sense from a story perspective. <blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Bigelow Cartwheel" data-cite="Bigelow Cartwheel" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46944" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Has Bischoff just signed his own death warrant??</div></blockquote> Eric has created many of his own death warrants over the years. What's one more? <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Bigelow Cartwheel · August 30, 2019

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Levinux" data-cite="Levinux" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46944" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Eric has created many of his own death warrants over the years. What's one more? <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote> Very true.

Levinux · August 31, 2019

<div style="text-align:center;">Next Wednesday

The contract drafted up by Jamie is exactly what we discussed. He's included details of the AOL Time Warner contracts; dear God they are three, maybe 4 times the amount they should be, and guaranteed money. What was I....well I wasn't. Let's be honest. We were the number one show and it was war. It's still war. The AOL Time Warner contracts include:

Bill Goldberg

Scott Steiner

Kevin Nash

Ric Flair

Sting

Dallas Page

Lex Luger

Buff Bagwell

Rey Mysterio, Jr

Most of these guys are the most well-known wrestlers in the world. Without them, I'd be starting from nothing, so picking up their contracts is one of the only ways this works. As for everyone else, AOL Time Warner will inform everyone of a 30-day notice upon this deal being finalized. This is going to be about 75 workers chasing me down wanting to know what their future holds. I don't have time for sitting here wondering what will happen next, because a step two doesn't happen until I've signed this contract. It's official. I now have to get in touch with the networks. We have 5 days to get our asses in gear for Monday Nitro, and I don't plan on being late.</div>

Game Info:

* WCW's starting money was altered to $0, to reflect the Buyout story told.

* Due to Bischoff's success in purchasing WCW, I increased starting prestige and momentum by 10%. I also reduced negative relationships with Bischoff for any active WCW worker by 1 level, since Bischoff essentially "saved them". There was no one with a hatred level in WCW, though I did reduce a few Dislikes to Simmering Tensions, and a few Simmering Tensions to no relationship at all.

* While I will begin January 2001 the way WCW did, fresh off Starrcade 2000, I aim to quickly resolve all storylines and begin with my own ideas after WCW Sin. Going in a different direction right out of the gate feels too much like a "reset", which is not what I want.

* Holy crap, everyone's contract expires in 28 days. This will be fun. I've also lowered Bischoff's negotiation skill to 2, to show some sort of resemblance to the overpaying culture in WCW.

* The AOL/Time Warner contracts picked up were altered to end January 2002. I also used what the game said those workers were worth per month, and tripled it, since these contracts in real life were gigantic.

Jaysin · August 31, 2019

You’re going to be in the negative for quite awhile

DHK1989 · August 31, 2019

Hogan to the rescue? <img alt="

" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

Leohunter · September 1, 2019

Damn, starting out in a crisis. Looking forward how management works up!

Theheel · September 1, 2019

What has Uncle Eric done? Those contracts, this is madness and speaking of Madness where’s the Macho Man?

Honestly the end of WCW was so regrettable that I’ve put most of it out of my mind.

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WCW 2k1: The Buyout

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