It’s been 23 years since WWE (then WWF) purchased World Championship Wrestling (WCW), effectively killing its competition.
Yet more than two decades later, the now-defunct pro wrestling promotion remains fodder for fans who still have fond memories of the company and its place in the “Monday Night Wars.”
So much so that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is helping co-produce a four-part miniseries for Vice TV focused on WCW’s demise. Produced by Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions and the creators of Vice TV’s Dark Side of the Ring series, Who Killed WCW? will premiere on June 4 and chronicle how the former promotion went from WWF’s biggest competitor to out of business in the matter of just a few years.
According to Deadline, the series will “explore the complex factors that led to the promotion’s downfall, including management challenges, creative decisions, and the intense competition during the infamous Monday Night Wars.” It will also feature interviews with former WCW wrestlers, executives and insiders that will “shed light never seen before on the personal stories and struggles of those who lived through the rise and fall of WCW.”
Based on a trailer, Johnson — who held the WCW championship in WWE following the company’s purchase — is among those who were interviewed for the series. Other interviewees include Booker T., Madusa, Eric Bischoff, Diamond Dallas Page, Vince Russo, Goldberg, Bret Hart and Kevin Nash.
"Who Killed WCW?" from our @SevenBucksProd & the Co-Creators of @Darksideofring comes a 4-part series about the meteoric rise and spectacular fall of the cultural phenomenon that was World Championship Wrestling.
Premiering June 4, 10P ET on VICE TV. pic.twitter.com/qIRJLYAQLC
— VICE TV (@VICETV) April 30, 2024
For Vice TV, Who Killed WCW? marks its latest foray into pro wrestling content. In addition to Dark Side of the Ring, which is currently in its fifth season, the cable television channel also aired Tales From The Territories, which was also a joint project between Johnson’s Seven Bucks Productions and the Dark Side of the Ring crew.
Considering that Dark Side of the Ring hasn’t always been kind to WWE as it explores professional wrestling’s controversial history, it’s notable that Johnson, who is now a board member of WWE’s parent company, is continuing to collaborate with the series’ creators. It also appears to have given Vice TV access to WWE-affiliated talents who haven’t typically been featured in DSOR for one reason or another.
About Ben Axelrod
Ben Axelrod is a veteran of the sports media landscape, having most recently worked for NBC's Cleveland affiliate, WKYC. Prior to his time in Cleveland, he covered Ohio State football and the Big Ten for outlets including Cox Media Group, Bleacher Report, Scout and Rivals.