Broadcasting mogul and former World Championship Wrestling (WCW) owner, Ted Turner, has passed away at the age of 87.
Turner’s broader legacy includes founding CNN and also owning the Atlanta Braves. However, his impact on professional wrestling, through his ownership of WCW, is still felt today.
Having acquired Jim Crockett Promotions in 1988, Turner rebranded it to the more recognisable World Championship Wrestling name in order to widen the company’s appeal.
Ted Turner’s Impact on Professional Wrestling
After a rocky first few years, Ted decided to spend big in a last-ditch effort to turn the promotion’s fortunes around. As part of that process, he green-lit WCW signing household names such as Hulk Hogan and ‘Macho Man’ Randy Savage. He also signed off on the creation of WCW Nitro, a decision that saw the company go head-to-head with Vince McMahon’s WWF (now WWE).
As part of what was dubbed the Monday Night Wars, WCW Nitro beat WWF Raw in the ratings for 83 consecutive weeks. The rivalry pushed professional wrestling to new levels of popularity and shaped the industry into what it is today.
Turner’s authority over WCW ended shortly before the then-struggling promotion was sold to Vince McMahon in March 2001, but his impact on professional wrestling should not be underestimated.
The legendary entrepreneur revealed in 2018 that he was suffering with Lewy body dementia, a progressive brain disorder. No official cause of death has yet been announced.
Donald Trump’s Bizarre Message After Ted Turner Passes Away
Among those to take to social media following Turner’s passing was United States President Donald Trump. Although he would eventually pay tribute to Turner as “one of the greats of broadcast history”, Trump first went on a bizarre rant regarding the news outlet Turner once owned, CNN.
Trump claimed he had been “personally devastated” by Turner’s decision to sell the cable network to Time Warner because the owners had taken “his baby” and destroyed it by making it “woke and everything he was not all about.”
As much as Trump has his issues with CNN, Turner’s passing was hardly the most appropriate time for him to raise them. The President did, at least close the message – posted on his Truth Social platform – by writing:
“Whenever I needed him, he was there, always willing to fight for a good cause.”
Turner is survived by his five children, 14 grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren.
Paul Scholes claimed England have no chance of winning the 2026 World Cup without three players.
England are among the favourites to go all the way in North America for this summer’s World Cup. Thomas Tuchel and Harry Kane are tasked with leading England’s charge as the Three Lions are aiming to win their first World Cup since 1966.
They face old Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L, having qualified for the World Cup in dominant fashion, winning each of their eight qualifiers.
Tuchel announced his 26-man squad last week, naming the likes of Morgan Rogers and Jude Bellingham. Rogers has emerged as a key player under Tuchel, having excelled in the No.10 position in the World Cup qualifiers.
The Aston Villa star, who helped his side win the Europa League and secure a top-four finish in the Premier League, has been tipped to start at the World Cup ahead of the Real Madrid man.
But Scholes has backed Bellingham and believes he should be in the starting XI when England open their campaign on June 17.
That’s judging by his comments in October after Bellingham was left out of the England squad for their game against Latvia last year. Scholes also couldn’t believe Phil Foden and Jack Grealish weren’t in Tuchel’s squad last October, with both players failing to make the German boss’ World Cup squad.
“I was a little bit surprised. Those three players, they have to be in his squad and they will be in his squad for the World Cup,” Scholes said on The Overlap.
“If you look at the squad now, you would say they have virtually no chance of winning the World Cup. Even with those three players, it’s still a big ask, but it gives you more of a chance of winning the cup.
“Jude Bellingham has missed a little bit of football, but he’s fit now so I would have brought him back in. Thomas Tuchel hasn’t got many games left now until the World Cup actually starts. It’s only the November break and then the March one and then we’re there so we need to get these players playing.”
A lot has happened since October, with Bellingham the only one of the three to make England’s World Cup squad.
Jude Bellingham
Jude Bellingham
After missing England’s 5-0 victory over Latvia, Bellingham returned to the fold as a substitute against Serbia before returning to the starting XI in their 2-0 win over Albania.
The 22-year-old went on to make 40 appearances across all competitions for Real, who endured an underwhelming 2025/26 campaign after failing to win a single piece of silverware.
He has scored eight goals this season and made Tuchel’s squad, but whether he starts remains one of the big talking points about the team.
Jack Grealish
Grealish almost forced his way back into the England reckoning following his performances for Everton after joining the club on loan from Manchester City this season.
Despite his stellar outings for Everton, he was omitted from Tuchel’s squad in October, which included a friendly against Wales and a World Cup qualifier versus Latvia.
But his chances of making Tuchel’s World Cup squad were dashed after he suffered a season-ending injury in January. He suffered a foot injury that required surgery, ruling him out of this summer’s tournament.
Phil Foden
Foden was in Tuchel’s party for England’s friendlies against Uruguay and Japan in March, playing in both games, and featured in their World Cup qualifying campaign.
However, the 26-year-old was overlooked for the World Cup after suffering a dip in form at Manchester City, where he fell out of favour under Pep Guardiola.
He played a bit part role in the business end of the season, with Tuchel opting to leave him at home. Foden was one of the biggest names to be left out of England’s World Cup squad.
The ex-Manchester City and Chelsea star was pulled over by police after colliding with motorway barriers. Sterling, currently a Feyenoord player, was travelling on the M3 when he was pulled over by the police.
Police Release a Statement Over Raheem Sterling Arrest
Sterling was taken in on suspicion of drug-driving after receiving a report of his car hitting the barriers. According to the police statement, the footballer was also arrested for dangerous driving and possession of Class C drugs, while failing to provide a sample. The Hampshire Police said:
“Just before 9am on Thursday, we received reports of that a Lamborghini was in collision with barriers on the M3 southbound, close to the Minley Interchange.
“The driver, a 31-year-old man from Berkshire, has been arrested on suspicion of driving a vehicle whilst unfit through drugs, driving dangerously, possession of Class C drug and failing to provide a specimen. He has been bailed while our enquiries continue.”
Tottenham Hotspur have been dealt a major blow in the transfer market after it emerged that one star Roberto De Zerbi wants to keep has already agreed terms with another club.
Spurs avoided relegation on the final day of the season thanks to a 1-0 win over Everton, and are now looking to strengthen their squad ahead of the World Cup to ensure that scenario isn’t repeated next season.
De Zerbi has already green-lit deals for Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, who will join on free transfers from Liverpool and Bournemouth respectively once their contracts expire, but he now looks set to lose a key member of the squad that helped them earn survival.
Palhinha Reaches Agreement With Sporting CP
According to Portuguese outlet A Bola, Spurs loanee Joao Palhinha has already reached an agreement with former club Sporting CP about a return to his homeland this summer.
The holding midfielder, who scored vital goals against Wolves and Everton in the battle for survival, spent the season on loan from Bayern Munich, and the Lilywhites hold the option to make the move permanent, with De Zerbi previously admitting that he wanted to keep the Portugal international at the club, having described him as ‘one of the best’.
It’s understood that Palhinha is also open to staying at the north London club, but with Spurs unsure about triggering the clause, it has allowed Sporting to enter the race to take the 30-year-old back to Lisbon, and they have now agreed personal terms with him.
Sporting haven’t closed a deal though, as they still need to negotiate a fee with Bayern Munich. It’s reported that Sporting would prefer to strike a deal for a loan with an option to buy, and negotiations are ongoing with the Bundesliga giants about whether that is possible.
Spurs Plans Take Massive Hit
While Palhinha isn’t the most exciting signing around, he proved his worth at the back end of the season with his performances on the pitch and his leadership qualities.
He managed to change the mind of De Zerbi and became a key player. So for De Zerbi to enter the new season without him, having openly admitted that he wants him to stay at the club would be a major blow to the team, but also to their plans for the summer window.
In what is likely to be a hugely busy transfer market anyway, Spurs have lots of areas to address, and they won’t have been planning on replacing him, which makes their task that little bit more difficult ahead of a hugely important season.
