WCW Thunder

{{See also|WCW Thunder debut episode}}

The popularity of World Championship Wrestling (WCW)'s primary show, WCW Monday Nitro on TNT, led Ted Turner to create a new show, which would eventually be named Thunder, that would air Thursdays on TBS.{{cite book|title=Controversy Creates Cash|last=Bischoff|first=Eric|author-link=Eric Bischoff|pages=[https://archive.org/details/controversycreat00bisc/page/255 255–256]|publisher=Pocket Books|year=2006|isbn=978-1-4165-2729-9|url=https://archive.org/details/controversycreat00bisc/page/255}} According to the Wrestling Observer, WCW originally named the program Thursday Thunder, but dropped "Thursday" from the title to distinguish it from a similarly named program on ESPN and to provide TBS more programming flexibility if they were to move the broadcast to a different day of the week.{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=The new Thursday TBS show is going to be called 'Thunder,'... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=November 24, 1997 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/nov-24-1997-wrestling-observer-newsletter-montreal-screwjob-part-2 |access-date=May 2, 2020}}{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=The plan as things stand at press time is... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=December 8, 1997 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/dec-8-1997-wrestling-observer-newsletter-nwo-nitro-plans-never-panned |access-date=May 2, 2020}}{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=The Thursday TV show will definitely... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=December 15, 1997 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/dec-15-1997-wrestling-observer-newsletter-birth-mr-mcmahon-attitude |access-date=May 2, 2020}}

WCW executive vice-president Eric Bischoff was originally reluctant to produce another two-hour weekly television show for a variety of reasons. First, Time Warner Entertainment (WCW's parent company) was under a hiring freeze which prevented Bischoff from bringing in additional production people to run the show.Bischoff, p. 255 Second, he felt WCW did not have enough talent to produce another show, and risked overexposing them and making storylines less significant. Third, according to Bischoff, TBS refused to pay the cost of producing Thunder which was between $12 million and $15 million per year.Bischoff, p. 257

Bischoff eventually decided that he could make the new show work and help pay for it by expanding revenue from increased house show business.Bischoff, p. 258 Bischoff was also given permission to sign Bret Hart, specifically as a high-profile talent to perform on Thunder.Bischoff, pp. 261, 271 WCW Thunder originally debuted as a live weekly show, but the schedule was changed by Bischoff in August 1998 due to complaints by wrestlers over travel demands. Tapings were expanded to four hours, with the first two hours being broadcast live, and the last two hours taped to air the following week.{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=Eric Bischoff had a meeting with the wrestlers... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=June 15, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/june-15-1998-wrestling-observer-newsletter-full-jyd-bio-wcw-files |access-date=May 2, 2020}}

WCW Thunder debuted on January 8, 1998 and drew a 4.02 Nielsen rating.{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=There is more jockeying for position... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=January 19, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/jan-19-1998-wrestling-observer-newsletter-18th-annual-newsletter |access-date=May 1, 2020}} The first match to take place in Thunder featured Chris Adams against Randy Savage with Miss Elizabeth. Adams pinned Savage after a chairshot from Lex Luger. The match decision was reversed by WCW Commissioner/Chairman of Executive Committee J. J. Dillon.

WCW Thunder debuted for viewers in England on October 3, 1998 on broadcast cable network TNT Europe.{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=WCW Thunder will start on TNT Europe... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=September 24, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/wrestling-observer-newsletter-september-14-1998-jim-duggan-diagnosed |access-date=May 2, 2020}}

In 1998, WCW Thunder consistently had one of the highest Nielsen ratings on cable, at one time rivaling the audience size of a Thursday night NFL broadcast on ESPN.{{cite web |title=Basic Cable Programs Ranked by Household for the Week of 4/20-4/26 by Nielsen Media Research |url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/cable/980420cable.html |website=Zap2it |access-date=May 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011201173812/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/cable/980420cable.html |archive-date=December 1, 2001}}{{cite web |title=Basic Cable Programs Ranked by Household for the Week of 9/14/98 - 9/20/98 by Nielsen Media Research |url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/cable/980914cable.html |website=Zap2it |access-date=May 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011124134733/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/cable/980914cable.html |archive-date=November 24, 2001}}{{cite web |title=Basic Cable Programs Ranked by Household for the Week of 9/21/98 - 9/27/98 by Nielsen Media Research |url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/cable/980921cable.html |website=Zap2it |access-date=May 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011124135829/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/cable/980921cable.html |archive-date=November 24, 2001}}{{cite web |title=Top 20 Basic Cable Programs Ranked for the |url=http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/cable/981130cable.html |website=Zap2it |access-date=May 2, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20011124135858/http://tv.zap2it.com/news/ratings/cable/981130cable.html |archive-date=November 24, 2001}} The Wrestling Observer reported the December 3, 1998 WCW Thunder show had a 3.7 rating head-to-head against the NFL game, which drew a 4.5 rating.{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=The 12/14 Sports Illustrated noted... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=December 21, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/dec-21-1998-observer-newsletter-montreal-part-2-entire-vincebret |access-date=May 2, 2020}} WCW Thunder's success in 1998 included ticket sales, as a number of live events sold out and grossed gates over $100,000.{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=Thunder on 1/22 in Huntsville, AL drew a sellout... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=February 2, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/feb-2-1998-wrestling-observer-newsletter-more-tysonaustin-angle-wcwnwo |access-date=May 2, 2020}}{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=Thunder on 3/5 in Columbus, OH drew a sellout... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=March 16, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/march-16-1998-wrestling-observer-newsletter-wcw-turmoil-talentnew |access-date=May 2, 2020}}{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=Thunder on 5/21 in Cleveland drew a sellout... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=June 1, 1999 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/june-1-1998-wrestling-observer-newsletter-observer-awards-preview-tons |access-date=May 2, 2020}}{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=8/3 Denver (WCW Thunder - 7,697 sellout) |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=August 10, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/august-10-1998-wrestling-observer-newsletter-96877 |access-date=May 2, 2020}}{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=Thunder on 9/24 in Norfolk drew a sellout... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=October 5, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/october-5-1998-wrestling-observer-newsletter-lawler-and-jim-carrey |access-date=May 2, 2020}}{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=Thunder on 11/19 in Fort Wayne, IN drew a sellout... |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=November 30, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/november-30-1998-wrestling-observer-newsletter-3-top-stars-potentially |access-date=May 2, 2020}} The WCW Thunder at the Fargodome in Fargo, North Dakota on April 16, 1998 drew 15,362 people and grossed $274,393 in ticket sales, which were both records highs for that market.{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=Thunder on 4/16 at the Fargo Dome destroyed every record |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=April 27, 1998 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/april-27-1998-wrestling-observer-newsletter-flairwcw-issues-continue |access-date=May 2, 2020}}

WCW Thunder switched from Thursday evenings to Wednesday evenings on January 12, 2000. Since WWF SmackDown! debuted on UPN (a broadcast television network) on August 26, 1999 in the same time slot as Thunder, WCW had been losing to the WWF in the ratings on Thursdays.

On October 9, 2000, WCW moved the Thunder tapings to Monday nights, the same night as Nitro. After the live Nitro broadcast ended, the Thunder taping would commence. This practice continued until March 19, 2001, when Thunder taped its last episode. Bryan Alvarez and R. D. Reynolds wrote in their book, The Death of WCW, the reasoning behind the tapings was attendance at Thunder events had dropped considerably over the previous twenty-one months.Reynolds, R.D.; Alvarez, Bryan. "The Death of WCW", ECW Press 2004.

Towards the end of the show's run, WCW Thunder was the anchor of a TBS programming block known as iWatch Wednesdays (later renamed Enhanced TBS), which was tied to the website TBS Interactive. After installing a web browser plugin, users had access to forums, games and contests related to the TBS programs, including Thunder.{{cite news |title=iWatch Wednesday gives you a chance to win! |url=http://alt.superstation.com/iWatchWednesday/ |access-date=2 May 2020 |work=TBS |publisher=Turner Broadcasting |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20001110072700/http://alt.superstation.com/iWatchWednesday/ |archive-date=November 10, 2000}}

In an attempt to save WCW, Bischoff attempted to purchase WCW with Fusient Media Ventures. However, although Bischoff's offer had been accepted, recently appointed Turner Broadcasting executive Jamie Kellner announced shortly after his arrival that Thunder and all WCW programming was immediately canceled on TBS and TNT. Bischoff's group then withdrew their offer, as it was contingent on keeping WCW programming on some outlet. WCW's trademarks and certain assets (such as its video library and the contracts of 24 wrestlers), though not WCW itself (which continued to exist as a Time Warner-owned subsidiary under the name Universal Wrestling Corporation), were bought by the WWF, its long-time competitor.{{cite news|first=Don|last=Callis| title=Deal leaves wrestlers out in cold|url=http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWCWSale/cyrus_01mar25-sun.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120720005418/http://slam.canoe.ca/SlamWrestlingWCWSale/cyrus_01mar25-sun.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=July 20, 2012|publisher=Slam! Sports|date=2001-03-25}}{{Cite web |url=http://corp.sos.state.ga.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?762297 |title=Business Entity |access-date=2014-06-26 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703190322/http://corp.sos.state.ga.us/corp/soskb/Corp.asp?762297 |archive-date=2013-07-03 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web|url=https://caselaw.findlaw.com/ga-court-of-appeals/1204668.html|title=FindLaw's Court of Appeals of Georgia case and opinions.|website=Findlaw|access-date=2017-11-19}}

Thunder was the antepenultimate WCW broadcast before the final episode of WCW WorldWide on March 31, 2001. WCW Thunder was the final wrestling broadcast to air on TBS until AEW Dynamite moved to TBS on January 5, 2022.

Veteran industry journalist Wade Keller said that the introduction of Thunder could be called "the beginning of the end" for the now-defunct WCW, adding that the program's debut "is probably as good of a turning point as you could pick out".{{cite episode|title=Ask the Editor|series=Wade Keller Hotline|author=Wade Keller|station=Pro Wrestling Torch|date=August 24, 2017|minutes=21}}

Wrestling Observer subscribers voted WCW Thunder the worst weekly television show in 1999 and 2000.{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title=Worst Television Show |journal=Wrestling Observer |date=January 17, 2000 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/january-17-2000-wrestling-observer-newsletter-death-gary-albright |access-date=May 1, 2020}}{{cite journal |editor1-last=Meltzer |editor1-first=Dave |title='Category B' Awards |journal=Wrestling Observer Newsletter |date=November 26, 2001 |url=https://members.f4wonline.com/wrestling-observer-newsletter/november-26-2001-observer-newsletter-survivor-series-reviewed-more |access-date=May 1, 2020}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|251469}}
• {{cite web |title=WCW Thunder on TBS |url=http://www.superstation.com/sports/thunder/ |website=Superstation.com |publisher=Turner Broadcasting System |access-date=2 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20010208101541/http://www.superstation.com/sports/thunder/ |archive-date=8 February 2001}}
• [http://www.411mania.com/wrestling/columns/106775/The-Importance-Of…-06.19.09:-Thunder.htm The Importance Of… 06.19.09: Thunder]

{{WCW programs}}

{{TBSNetwork Shows}}

{{Professional wrestling in the United States}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wcw Thunder}}

Thunder

Category:1990s American sports television series

Category:TBS (American TV channel) original programming

Category:1998 American television series debuts

Category:2001 American television series endings

Category:Wrestling Observer Newsletter award winners

Category:2000s American sports television series