In 1984, Ted Turner was one of Vince McMahon's television partners but was quickly considered an enemy after Turner booted WWF off the TBS network when Vince failed to honor their agreement of providing studio produced, A-level content. This began the war that escalated in 1988 when Ted Turner purchased Jim Crockett Promotions and re-branded it World Championship Wrestling (WCW). From then on, the two were in direct competition but with McMahon having had the head start, he retained the top position in the wrestling world until the mid 90s. Once Vince began losing top level superstars that he created to Turner, McMahon used every opportunity to vilify Turner and position himself as the David to Turner's Goliath. When Vince successfully signed talents away from other promotions just a decade prior, he stated it was fair competition and not done to hurt his competitors' business. When the shoe was on the other foot and it was Vince losing the talent, he cited unfair business practices and claimed Turner was "raiding" his talent pool. Though it was Turner's financial backing that allowed WCW to sign away former WWF stars, it was the work of WCW's Executive Vice President that helped turned around WCW's fortunes. Vince likes to claim the "war" was with Turner, due to the bigger publicity involved with naming the well-known billionaire an opponent, but it was really a much younger man with whom the war was waged.