Mick Foley interview / Russo question
 

Brian Fritz: Vince Russo (the creative director in TNA Wrestling) obviously has his share of critics that are out there. When a situation like this happens or anything when it comes to creative decisions. Do you ever talk to him and say maybe it would be better to do it a different way or we need to slow something down with you explaining why or is that something you try not to get too involved in?

Mick Foley: No, I think Vince Russo is always open to suggestions and I can say this because I didn't criticize him in my book after he was gone. So I'm not being hypocritical when I say I always thought he was a great idea man. I think for a few years he probably missed the restraint that Vince – the other Vince – put on him. I think even Vince Russo would probably agree that him being world champion was possibly not the best idea in the world. But he's a very creative guy. He loves to write. He loves to make characters and I think people who, you know the people who chant "fire Russo" really have no idea how large of a contribution he made to the wrestling product that they sometimes seem to like. I'm talking about the wrestling product overall as in this generation of wrestling. I think he was one of the key guys right up there with the top on-air talents.

I'm sure his ideas are probably best with Vince McMahon as his filter, but if I were Foley, I wouldn't bad mouth the guy that booked me as a World Champion either lol.

Oh hell no! Vince McMahon sucks a filtering even his coffee.

Not to badmouth what he has done for the wrestling business, but I feel he's a one trick pony.

I am sure Michael Cole will agree with you!

LOL Mcmahon as a filter we're talking about a man who thinks cheech and chong are still relevant to his audience.

I like his personality from his recent blogs, who cares what everyone says. I know some he has booked some horrible things, and some really good things as well. I don't however have a list nor have I ever seen one that lists all of his angle in WWE, WCW, or TNA. I do know that he has come up with some of the best stuff in the last 15 or so years.

This.

Russo does have good ideas and he has used them. Obviously some are working/have worked if he has held a job writing for a nationally televised show.

I think not having a filter (especially one like McMahon), is allowing him to really push his ideas. As we have seen/are seeing, some are better than others.

Vince (Mcmahon) is stuck in the past. I don't see how someones thats 64 years old can hope to connect with what the younger audience wants.

You get excited every time someone says he doesn't hate Russo?

Lesser and lesser expectations.