10 Things You Didn't Know About Beyond The Mat

2. WCW Was Supposed To Be Involved

Ted Turner Tbs
TBS

Things could've been very different had Ted Turner signed off on WCW involvement.

Blaustein wanted to put Turner's company in the thick of it and split attention three ways between the WWF, WCW and the independent scene. He told Indie Wire in mid-2000 (a particularly pleasing interview 'cause it came hot on the heels of the film's release) that Ted turned down the invite.

When 'Beyond The Mat' came out, someone at WCW watched it and thought, 'Aw sh*t'. It didn't take long for Barry to get a phone call from one of Turner's lieutenants, and they told him that the promotion regretted declining the deal. They adored the realism and reality TV-style stories Blaustein's work contained.

It's actually slightly surprising that WCW didn't hear of McMahon's bid for control and counter it. They were seeking anything that'd trump Vince's WWF at the time, and giving fans unparalleled access behind the curtain would've been a neat idea.

Or not. WCW was a total mess by early-1999.

Advertisement
Contributor

Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.