Chicago Sun-Times: Turner mulls return to wrestling with interest in XWF

Less than one year after selling World Championship Wrestling to Vince McMahon and the WWF, Ted Turner is looking to return to the wrestling business and has set his sights on the XWF.

Word is Turner wants to buy 51 percent of the XWF and try to get a network deal, making it a legitimate competitor to the WWF.

Already featuring Nasty Boy Brian Knobbs, Vampiro and Jimmy Hart, the group would become attractive to talent worldwide seeking nationwide TV coverage and can't penetrate the roster of the WWF. In addition, names such as Sting, Goldberg, and Shane Douglas, wrestlers who are currently sitting out, are under contract to AOL Time Warner, and could be thrown in the mix right away. Big stars, national TV and big money are the exact recipe for a successful wrestling organization.

On a related note, the FX network is looking to add wrestling to its schedule, and might wait to see what happens with the Turner deal.

Neither of these developments would worry the WWF much at this point, but would give fans, who a year ago had three federations to follow on TV, a welcomed alternative.

AROUND THE RING: Scott Steiner has passed a physical with the WWF and could be signing a contract in the coming weeks. Steiner reportedly is in much better shape than many thought and could become a big part of the WWF's plans in 2002. ... The WWF and DirecTV have come to terms on a new deal to return the WWF Pay Per View events to DirecTV. An announcement is expected this week. ... Arnold Schwarzenegger said at a news conference for his new movie Collateral Damage" that he wants Chyna to have a role in the upcoming Terminator 3" movie. No casting decisions for the third Terminator" film have been announced but shooting for the film is expected to start on April 15. ... Acclaim is working on a sequel to the Legends of Wrestling" game for PlayStation 2. ... The WWF will be featured for a second time on The Weakest Link" on NBC. This time, the game show will feature Steve Austin, Debra, D-Von Dudley, Edge, Terri Runnels, Jerry Lawler, Bubba Ray Dudley and Kane. ... There is a rumor brewing that the WWF is negotiating with Macho Man Randy Savage about a return.

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