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.
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...