Former WCW Executive Vice President Jim Herd, one of the most controversial figures in the promotion’s history, has died at 87.
Conrad Thompson announced Jim Herd’s passing in a column for Uncrowned, revealing that the former wrestling executive died in October 2026. No further details surrounding his death have been disclosed.
Herd served as WCW’s executive vice president from 1988 until his departure in January 1992, overseeing the promotion in its early years under Turner Broadcasting after Turner bought Jim Crockett Promotions.
Before entering professional wrestling, Herd had an extensive business background, including working as a television station manager and overseeing regional operations for Pizza Hut. During his time with WCW, Herd helped secure major sponsorship agreements and expand the company’s merchandising operations, including action figures and trading cards. However, his tenure is perhaps best remembered for his turbulent relationship with Ric Flair, which ultimately resulted in one of the most infamous departures in wrestling history.
Jim Herd’s Controversial WCW Tenure And Ric Flair Fallout
Jim Herd frequently clashed with Ric Flair over creative decisions and contractual matters, including a reported proposal to repackage the former World Champion as “Spartacus.” Their disagreements culminated in Flair’s dismissal from WCW in 1991 while he was still the reigning World Heavyweight Champion.
Flair subsequently joined the WWF, where he appeared with the championship belt and proclaimed himself the “Real World Champion.” He eventually returned to WCW in 1993, following Herd’s departure.
Herd also faced criticism for several unconventional character concepts introduced during his leadership, including Oz and The Ding Dongs. Despite the controversy surrounding his creative decisions, Thompson highlighted several positive developments from Herd’s time in charge.
These included the arrival of major wrestling personalities such as Vader, The Great Muta, Scott Steiner and Terry Funk, alongside the celebrated 1989 rivalry between Flair and Ricky Steamboat. Sting also captured his first World Heavyweight Championship during Herd’s tenure, defeating Flair at The Great American Bash in 1990.
After leaving WCW in 1992, Herd largely distanced himself from professional wrestling and later worked in the casino industry. He occasionally revisited his wrestling career through interviews, including a 2020 conversation with Thompson, during which he reflected on his experiences running WCW.
Although his leadership remains a subject of debate among wrestling fans and historians, Jim Herd played a significant role in shaping WCW during its formative years under Turner Broadcasting, ahead of the promotion’s eventual success in the Monday Night Wars.
