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King K Cool
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Vince Russo answers 101 questions, complete with his vast amount of typos and little notes to himself that he forgot to remove.
Quote:
[Vince personal "Thank you" goes here...something along the lines of "Thank you for signing up for this exclusive email list. I promise you won't regret it. And now...here is my personal gift to you, 100% free.]
Vince Russo Reveals
Everything!
The Top 101 Questions, Complaints & Attacks About Me
THE CLASSICS
1. What on earth were you thinking when you put the title on David Arquette!?
[Response here] WCW needed attention fast at the time because WWE was killing them in the ratings. It was an all-out publicity stunt that worked. Next day we were on the cover of USA Today, shortly after that David was talking about it on all the late night talk shows. We even were able to get Courtney Cox, Kevin Cosner and kurt Russell do a pre-tape for us with the beltFREE OF CHARGE. You can read more about it on the website.
2. The only reason you did anything good in WWE was because Vince McMahon was your filter.
[Response here]A myth. While all the shows were bounced off Vince for final approval, Vince never changed what Ed and I wrote. He just tweaked some things within the segment. If Vince is the filter, than how do you explain where ratings are today, compared to when Ed and I were writing the show? Andthe ratings have been in the 3-range since 2002.
3. You have no respect for the business!
[Response here]If I had no respect for it, would I have put 20 years in it? Really a foolish question.
4. You killed WCW!
[Response here]Yup, the 9 months that I was actively working there. What a great accomplishment, to take down Ted Turner in nine months all by my lonesome. Very proud of that. Another foolish, uneduacated remark made over the years. WCW closing shop was strictly a business decision that came from the top. Executives who jusy didnt want to be in the wrestling business. Had nothing to do with what was being written on TV. That notion alone is a joke.
5. Fire Russo! [Clap. Clap. Clap clap clap.]
[Response here]Cant wait to use that on a t-shirt. MONEY!!! First time that chant started it was with an electrified cage match that was ALEADY BOOKED by the creative team prior to me joining them. In other wordsI had nothing to do with it.
6. What is your obsession with on a pole matches??? Judy Bagwell on a Pole Match!?
[Response here]There is no obsession. Never did pole matches more than I did cage matches, or anything else. Another foolish, unsubstancial myth created over the years.
JIM CORNETTE
7. Why does Jim Cornette hate you so much?
[Response here]Ask Jim Cornette, Im sure hell be happy to tell you. I would think it all goes back to when he, Vince and I worked together, and Vince eventually chose me over Jim, making it a two-man creative team. That would be my guess.
8. Have you and Jim EVER gotten along?
[Response here) I thought we did when we first started working together. But again---you have to ask him.
9. What are YOUR true feelings on Jim as a person?
[Response here]I have no personal issues with him. Different strokes for different folks.I do know that Jim is VERY passionate about what he doesand I understand that.
10. What do you think of Jim Cornettes career and his mind for the business?
[Response here]He has a great mind for the business, but, the business changes on a daily basis.
BASH AT THE BEACH 2000
11. First and foremost, how much of Beach 00 was a shoot?
[Response here]Only part that was a shoot, was that I never let Jeff Jarrett know that it was a work.
12. Hulk Hogan ended up suing you for defamation? How did all of that end up?
[Response here]Got thrown out of 2 courts then died.
13. Take us through the rest of your night, from the second you walked through the curtain after shooting on Hogan, until you left the building. What was the backstage feeling like?
[Response here]It was business as usual for me, because it was all a work, like everything in wrestling is a work. So, theres really nothing to talk about. It was really just another day at the office for me.
DAVID ARQUETTE
14. Who actually came up with the idea for David Arquette to win the World Title?
[Response here]Tony Schivone. You can read all about it on the website.
15. What was the backstage reaction by most wrestlers/staff after David Arquette won the World Title?
[Response here]Everybody thought it was great. Not one complaintto me any way. All the boys liked David.
16. Explain the pros & cons of David Arquette winning the title.
[Response here]Prosgreat publicity from USA Today, to Davis talking about it on late night talk shows, to Courtney, Kevin Cosner and Kurt Russell doing a pre-tape for usfor no chargewith the WCW World Title. Conshaving to hear people for the past 20 years who still dont understand the business side of it.
BRET HART
17. Could you respond to this Bret Hart quote from 2009 (courtesy of Ministry of Slam radio show): I think they should take Vince Russo and hang him by the neck somewhere in the back of the parking lot.
[Response here]Had many conversations with Bret at WCW, never said anything like this to me. If Bret did indeed say itthan I dont understand it. I think the world of Bret Hart. Keep in mind, many things have been said about me behind my backnever to my faceso its hard for me to really understand the reasoning behind it.
18. Why book a legitimately injured Bret Hart in a hardcore match with Terry Funk (this is right after Bret was kicked in the head by Goldberg)?
[Response here]I would never book anybody in a match that was hurtif I was aware of it. Cant remember back that far, but Im sure Breat hadnt spoke up about his injury yet.
19. What were your original plans with Bret Hart coming into WCW?
[Response herePut him high on the pedastal that he deserved to be on.
20. You once stated that you had a ton of respect for Bret Hart. Has that changed, professionally or personally, since hearing all of the negative stuff he's said about you?
[Response here]Not one bit.
OWEN HART/PIPER SHOOT
21. Did you know Roddy Piper was going to cut the promo in TNA and say what he said?
[Response here]I had no idea. I didnt even know he was at the building.
22. Was it scripted for you to come out there?
[Response here]Not at all. Nobody knew I was coming outincluding me. It was just a knee-jerk reaction on my part because I wanted Roddy to just stop talking.
23. How do you respond to Roddy Piper (and Jim Cornette) saying you caused Owen Harts death?
[Response here]Thats just sad. Really, really sad. Nobody wants to know the factshere they are: the PPV was already writtenthere was NOTHING written in the format about Owen descending from the top of the arena. As I was at my desk finalizing the show, I received a called from Steve Taylor, who was head of building operations for the WWE at the time. Steve had been with the company since day 1. Steve told me that he had received a call from the company that descended Sting for WCW. He said that they were coming to the PPV, and they wanted to know if there was anything they could do, to show us how they work. As Steve spoke, I went up and down the format and saw Owens name. It ran through my head that it might be cool for Owen and his character to have a super hero entrance, and be descended from the top of the arena. So I suggested that to SteveSteve said OK and called the company back. THATS HOW the situation went down. It was NEVER written into the show until I received that call from Steve. Nobody thought twice about it at the time. Owen NEVER even hinted that he had any issues with anything. As a matter of fact, I saw him that day after rehearsal. He said everything went fine, and he was just wondering if he could make his entrance first before the Godfathers. I told him no problemand thats what we did. I loved Owen hartLOVED HIM. have never worked with anyone else like him IN MY LIFE. For Piper and Cornette to make those comments is just DEMENTED and SICK. How anybody can even be capable of making those kind of statements is beyond me. But yetI worked with Roddy after that at TNA, and he NEVER, NEVER said anything to my face. And, for the recordneither did Jim.
WCW WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
24. Why did you book yourself to win the WCW World Championship?
[Response here]Just another week of TV. Was never a big deal to me, especially knowing I was going to relinquish it 3 days later.
25. Do you still have a WCW title belt hanging up in your office?
[Response here]I never had the belt in my possession after that TV was over.
26. Why did you book yourself as an on-screen character in WCW so much?
[Response here]Authority figure heads just seem to play big roles in the storyline. I hated being on TVtrust me.
27. Ric Flair doesnt have kind words for you either when talking about his time working with you in WCW. What was your experience working with The Nature Boy?
[Response here]I loved every second of it. Again, while we worked together Ric never said ANYTHING negative about anything. It was HIS IDEA for me to shave his head. I gave his son, David, the most exposure he ever had in his career. We put his younger son Reed on TV. What more did Ric want? Againnothing was ever said to me to my face by Riceven when we worked together later at TNA.
28. Um, were you going to be revealed as the father of Stacy Keiblers baby?
[Response here]No.
29. What was the plan for Keiblers pregnancy and why was it scrapped without a reveal?
[Response here]It was supposed to be Rick. It was scrapped because I left.
30. Why on earth would you put a popular Booker T back in The Misfits as GI Bro!? Thank GOD it didnt last that long!
[Response here]Booker brought the gimmick to my attention. He used to do it when he first started. Againwith 52 weeks of TV a yearyou try new things.
31. Did you read the Death of WCW book? If so, what did you think about it?
[Response here]Why on Gods green earth would I read that?
32. You completely devalued Ric Flairs infamous Figure 4 Leg Lock by staying in the hold longer than you ever should have during your cage match with him.
[Response here]YupI was in the figure fourand at the same time I was in charge of releasing the lever that would allow the new blood to shower him. I was in it so long because the tech was suppose to drop and blood and he waited FOREVER. was that my fault? Come on.
33. Did you lose your job as Head of Creative because you made Tank Abbott the World Champion?
[Response here]I never lost my job as Head of CreativeI had a contract. I decided to go home because I was sick and tired of certain peopleJJ Dillon and Kevin Sullivanpoliticing behind my back to gain power in the company. As far as I was concernedif they wanted it that bad they could have it!
34. What were you thinking having Ric Flair buried in a desert, only to return to TV three months later to begin his feud with Terry Funk?
[Response here]I wish I could remember everything form 15 years back, but I cant any more. But, I wasnt the one who brought him back. They brought him back after I left.
35. Its been said that your stint as head booker in WCW saw the PPV revenue cut in half within three months.
[Response here]I have no idea. I never knew what the PPV numbers were. Before I were to believe thatId like to see the numbers. AGAINI booked WCW for NINE MONTHS.
36. Its been stated that you publicly claimed your booking of WCW wasnt going to plan because Ted Turner prevented him from using angles calling women wrestlers fat. Is this true?
[Response here]That was one example. And it wasnt a woman wrestler. Its hysterical how these things just take on a life of their own over the years. Funny.
37. Why did you book Jeff Jarrett to the top of WCW for so long?
Because he was a great wrestler, could talk, get heat, and he was dependable.
38. Why did you book yourself as an on-screen character in WCW, and into programs with legends like Ric Flair?
[Response here]Because Im an egomaniac who loves myself. You people have to stop it already. Again 52 WEEKS OF TVthat is A LOT of CONTENT!
39. How would you explain the death of WCW? What caused it in your mind, how bad was it in the end, etc.?
RACISM
40. Youre a racist!
[Response Here]Wont even dignify that with a response.
41. Why did you hold Pope down in TNA? He was supposed to win the title at Lockdown and you threatened to leak insider information if they did it!
[Response here]Are you nuts? Ask D-Angelo himself about our relationship.
42. Defend your comments made to Ben Miller regarding Japanese wrestlers never being able to get over in America. This interview is where the Vince Russo is a racist stuff began! Your quote: You will never ever, ever, ever, ever see the Japanese wrestler or the Mexican wrestler over in American mainstream wrestling.
[Response here]Ive answered this ONE MILLION TIMES. I said that it was difficult to get Japanese/Mexican wrestlers over because their was a language barrier, which made it difficult for the American fans to relate to them. Add to that the fact that most wear maskes, so its hard for them to get story across through facials. Thats what I said. How many foreign language speaking actors do you see on US Network television speaking their home languageSAME THING.
CHRISTIANITY
43. You only turned to Christianity because it worked for Shawn Michaels!
[Your Response]Sickening.
44. Was there a certain moment, event or experience that made you convert to Christianity?
Yes. God came and got me when I hir rock bottom. I wasnt searching, or looking, for anything at the timeit just happened. Becoming a Christian changed me for the inside out. It literally saved my life at the time.
45. What is the difference between the Vince Russo of old and the new Vince Russo?
Even though I am human, with everything I say, and everything I doI want it to be a refection of God. I want people to see God through me because I believe that is ALL our jobs here on earth. Sometimes it gets tough to watch every P and Q, but I do my best. In the pastI just always said what was on my mindregardless. I never thought twicw about it.
46. What happened to your Ring of Glory promotion?
[Your Response]The two shows that I put on, were by far the two greatest experiences I have had in the wrestling businessnothing else comes even close, no WrestleManianothing. If it were up to me I would have never stopped doing them. After the second show, I just didnt have the money needed to do a third.
TNA WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
47. What on earth happened to the Samoe Joe kidnapping angle!?
Tell me and well both know. Unfortunately for my criticsnot my idea. I was just as perplexed as you. Still am.
48. Dont you think you took Abyss character about a million times too far? (Shot his dad in the back three times, sent to prison, tried to made human by Sting, faced him in a casket match where the casket actually ROSE FROM THE RING which prompted many Fire Russo chants), he was unmasked, masked again, faced Judas Messias, could talk, got a girlfriend). K-I-S-S!
Just for the record, I wasnt head of creative at that time. I just pitched ideas like everybody else. Some of those ideas were mine, some werent. For whatever reason, people just want to believe that every idea came from mewhen the fact is I was working with otherswhether it be Jeff Jarrett, Dutch Mantell, or Eric Bischoff at TNA. The only time I can honestly say I was responsible for EVERYTHING creative was my WWE runwhen it was Ed and I and we were ALWAYS on the same page, my firt 3 months at WCWbefore I was told I was now working with Eric Bischoff, and about 8 weeks at TNA between Jeff Jarrett leaving, and Eric Bischoff coming in. I was 100% responsible during those timesbut, that was it. For the record, I take FULL CREDIT for the casket rising from the ring. It was just something new to try. Again52 shows per yearNOT even including PPV.
49. Was it your idea to book yourself as an on-air camera so much in TNA?
No. Jeff Jarrett was in charge at creative at the timenot me. It was his companynot mine.
50. Did you leave because you couldnt work with Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan?
No, there were many issues that Im not at liberty to go into.
51. Did Kevin Nash refuse to put over the X-Division wrestlers?
No. Kevin was great with the X-Division wrestlers from what I saw. But, a lot of that was booked before I ever came back to TNA.
52. Why have a MMA-style match with AJ Styles and Frank Trigg, only for it to end in DQ?
Ask Christian Cage.
RANDOM HATERS
53. Kevin Kelly said you spoiled the well in TNA. Whats his beef with you?
How was the well spoiled when after Jeff Jarrett left, and I was given more creative power, the ratings/audience hit an all-time high at TNA. And, dont get me wrongMatt Conway who was working with me was a huge part of that. At one time we had over 2 million viewers. So, exactly what well Kevin is talking about I dont know.
54. Mark Madden buries you constantly in his editorials on WrestleZone.com. What was your experience working with him in WCW and why does he bury you so much?
We had a great relationship. I think Mark talks to SHOCK people. Again, if he does indeed have a beef with me, hes never said anything to my face. just from behind his computer where I guess anything goes.
55. JBL said you never liked him and Barry Windham when they were tagging together in WWE during your time there. He also said that you criticized his commentary because of his southern accent? Your response?
[Response here]I told them that I didnt like the gimmick because I thought it may have been too regional. It was my job to be honest with the talent concerning my thoughts and opinions. If talent couldnt handle my honestyI apologize.
56. Mike Johnson and Dave Scherer of PWInsider.com do not like you, it appears? Why?
Maybe its because I had an interview set up with Mike after I left TNA. Then prior to the interview I had a conversation with Mike where he already seemed to know all the answers to the questions before even speaking to me. I told Mike that if he already had the answersthen there was no need in him interviewing me. So I canceled the interview. Dave? Dave is just another guy who writes whatever he wants to write about me without ever confronting me. Thats the power of the computer age . . . i guess.
57. Lance Storm said a couple of years ago that he was going to boycott TNA if you were not fired from TNA Creative (while you were still under contract). Is there anything personal between you and Storm that youre aware of?
Not that Im aware of. Maybe he didnt like that I put all the World Titles on him when I was writing for WCW.
58. Remember Leilani Kai? Yeah
me neither. BUT
she clearly doesnt like you (HERES WHY]. Your response?
I swear, this is the Gods honest truth-maybe Im going senile, but I dont remember ever even working with LeiLani KaiI swear to you.
59. You apparently stated in a recent shoot that a lot of the Fire Russo! chants in TNA were directed toward angles you had nothing to do with. You even mentioned that some of them were Dutch Mantels ideas. Dutch said in a recent shoot that your claims were bullsh*t, and that you should own up to your bad mistakes. Your response?
Whoever said that I said they were Dutchs ideasthats about as BS as it gets. I would never put the heat on somebody else when it came to who came up with what, but, on the other hand, its hard to go down for the entire team when you are left to take the brunt of everything. The ELECTRIFIED CAGE was NOT my idea. It was already booked when I went back to TNA Creative. I will never point the finger at anuone concerning whose idea it was. I told you that the rising casket was mine, and the Al Snow/Boss Man fiasco was mineIF it was mineI have no problrm owning it. Joe in the van was not mine. The right thing to happen is for others to come forward, but if they chose not tothats on them.
WWE - WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?
60. You wrote for Mae Young to give birth to a hand!? One of the WORST ideas ever!
I was not even a part of WWE when that happened. I was long gone from the company. Must have been Vince filtering Vince.
61. Do you regret doing PMS? Even Terri Runnels said she HATED the angle and that it was cheap and ineffective.
I dont even know what youre talking about. I dont recall anything about that. Terry and I had a great relationship God, I hope she hasnt jumped on the lets blame Vince Russo for everything bandwagon!
62. What is your memory of The Montreal Screwjob and what did you or didnt you know about the plans before the match? What is your take on the whole situation, meaning: which side are you on?
The story is just too long to go into. Its a whole chapter in one of my books. To this day, I think Vince did the right thing because at the end of the day, he was trying to protect his company. Its not that Vince didnt trust Bret, he didnt trust Eric Bischoff who had just signed Bret to a contract. I suggested the finish that you saw to Vince, only after Vince had exhausted every other possible scenerio to Bretthat he turned down. A few days after the incident, I called Breat and tried to explain the situation to him. But again, despite our history, I stand behind Vince on that one.
63. Val Venis castration, super-soaker ejaculation heck, the whole Val Venis character.
When I had to come up with a gimmick for Sean, he reminded me of a porn star. That simple.
64. How do you defend the incest angles you were rumored to be a part of - Stephanie & Vince, Ryan & Ken Shamrock, etc.?
Again, dont know what youre talking about. Im pretty sure I wasnt involved in any of that.
PAUL HEYMAN AND ECW
65. The Attitude Era was a blatant ripoff of ECW!
Yeah, I hear that alot. I knew of ECW, and had maybe seen a handful of shows. No offense, but what they were doing at the time had no impact on me whatsover during the birth of the Attitude Era. Heres a great story of how the attitude Era actually started. It was Vinces birthdayI had to get him something. What do you buy a millionaire? So, I bought him a T-Shirt that said, Keep your ATTITUDE to yourselfI have enough of my own. That was literally weeks before the Attitude Era was born.
66. What did you think about the ECW product?
Of what I say, I loved that everybody on that roster seemed to give 100% all the time. I never saw anybody phone it in at ECWnever. That says quite a lot. I admired and respect Paul Heyman, even though I really didnt know him at the time, because he was able to get all those guys to give him everything they hadevery night. To methats amazing.
67. What was your experience working with Paul Heyman?
Really never had the opportunity to work with him in a creative environment. Weve had a few phone calls, her, and therebut thats about it. I was really trying to get Paul to come into TNA at one point, but that just didnt pan out. Unfortunate.
68. What is your reaction when you read/hear Heyman receive so much praise and being called a creative genius?
I think early on that Paul did a very smart thing by working with the IWC. I never did that, and maybe it was a mistake. But, its not that I didnt do it because I didnt care about them, it was more that I was just so focused on writing a show 52 weeks out of the year. Paul was smart to get the PR, I was just really concentrating on doing my job. It wasnt my concern to get good publicity for the WWE. Other people were paid to do that.
THE DIRT SHEETS
69. How much of an influence have the dirt sheets had on your career?
ZERO on my writing. I also wrote what the fans dictated. If it was working, we went with it based on the ratings, if it wasntwe killed it. Personally? Its been a horrible ride, horrible. I have never been around anything so negative in my lifeand Ive worked with some negative people trust me. There is just an overall feeling of bitterness, and I really dont understand that-you have to ask them. In my opinion, they should embrace the business if they truly love itnot bury it to get themselves over. Thats just my opinion.
70. What impact do you think the dirt sheets have had on the wrestling business as a whole?
They completely changed the business SINGLE HANDEDLY. They took it from kayefabe, to everybody knowing everything. Because of thatwe had to change our philosophy because now===everybody knew everything.
71, Do you RESPECT the dirt sheets as a whole? Why or why not?
Very few members. Why? Its real simple. out of all the BS said about me over the past 20 years, I can count maybe 1, or 2 instances where I was actually contacted for a response. They wrote whatever they wanted to write because there was no accountability. Just like they said a few weeks ago that I was under contract with TNA. Even with all the rumors concerning my status of lateNOBODYhas picked up the phone to ask ME. How can you respect that?
72. Do you read the dirt sheets? If so, any favorites?
Honestly? When Im bored Ill pop on. I like wrestlezone because to me, it is just the easiest to raed. Im a visual guy as you can see by my website. I like pictures.
VINCE MCMAHON
73. What was the real Vince McMahon like?
WOWnot too many people know. When you get past all the layers, and theres a level of trust, you see a Vince that very few see. A guy that never grew up, and was still a kid at heart in many aspects. That wasnt a good thingit was a great thing. I loved those times I got to spend with the unguarded Vince. I actually miss them.
74. What was it like writing television with Vince at his house?
Believe it, or notit was fun and quite enjoyable. The atmospher, for me any way, was very relaxing. Never really felt much pressure. Maybe because back then everybody was on the same page.
75. Have you ever seen Vince vulnerable?
Very few timesvery few. Vince is an extremely strongemotionallyhuman being. Nothing scares him, he backs down from nothing. I can tell you that the days after Owen passed werent good for Vince. But, they werent good for anybody.
GIVE US MORE, VINCE!
76. Did anyone know you were thinking about leaving WWE for WCW?
Only one personJack Lanza. Jack was my mentor when I started at TV for the WWE. He taught me so much and I loved him for it. The night I was meeting with WCW, I called Jack and let him know because I thought it was the right thing to do. Jack supported my decision 100%, and that took a huge load of my shoulders. He never tried to talk me out of it. After I did live, I tried to call Jack againbut he never responded back to me. Thats the wrestling business, and thats why its just so damn sad at times. I miss Jack LanzaI miss him alot.
77. Do you ever regret leaving WWE for WCW?
Tough question. I have to go back to WHY I left. I was literally on the verge of a nervous breakdown at that point. Vince had added Smackdown without even talking to Ed and I about it, and the pressure, stress and work load just became to much to handle. You have to remember there werent 20 people writing TV back thenthere was TWOEd Ferrara and myself. It was just too much.
78. Have you encountered a wrestler showing up at tapings or an event under the influence of drugs or some other altering substance? If so, how did you handle it?
You know, having never been on any type of drug, or drugs, I never like to accuse anybody because I never really had any experiences with them myselfso you just dont know. Usually, if there was a concern, I would ask one of the boys to talk to that individual and let me know. They were always honest with me when it came to that.
79. Do you have any pet peeves when it comes to pro wrestling?
YESnaking referees look STUPID. I think that is ridiculous in 2014. There is NO EXCUSE for itZERO. I also hate when storylines, angles, characters, arent followed theough with. Another huge pet peeve of mine is when characters dont stay true to THEMSELVESmeaning atht will do things that in retrospect their characters would never do. DRIVES ME CRAZY!!!
80. Jerry Jarrett isnt your biggest fan, as evident in his book. What are your feelings toward Jerry and his beef toward you?
I just think that Jerry may have been a bit jelaous because of my realtionship with Jeff at the time. Jeff and Jerry never really got along like a father and son, and there I was right in the middlethe friend. I have no issues with Jerry at all, I know that he doesnt care for me, but theres not much I can do about that.
81. Were you ever intimidated by any wrestlers you worked with? If so, who?
This is weirdyes. The only person that I ALWAYS felt a bit intimadted by was Kevin Nash. Ive never said that to anybody beforeincluding Kevin. The truth isI could never put my finger on it. Kevin and i always got along, never had an argument, but for some reason he just intimidate me. Maybe it was that combo anf just being an phyical opposing forcewhile being extremly intelligent at the same time.
82. Were you ever physically threatened by any wrestlers?
Yes. Shawn threatened me once by saying, I know I can take you, which was his funny way of threatening me, and Goldberg made me feel uneasy once. Thats about it, and thats ridiculous on all our parts because at the end of the day its just businessnothing is personal.
83. What would you be doing if you never got into the wrestling business?
WOW! Thats a great question. Ten years ago I would have gone into the ministry. I even took some classes at Denver Seminary, but before that? I have no idea. Pretty sure that it would have involved entertainment/writing though.
84. How would you sum up your WCW experience in hindsight?
Just a bad situation. You have to understand, at WWE, I was 100% protected by Vince. I was his golden goose and NOBODY screwed with me because they were afraid of him. That allowed me to concentrate 100% on the writing of the show. the minute I walked into the WCW locker roomI had a HUGE bullseye on my chest. Various people were looking to take me downESPECIALLYbecause I believed in pushing the younger talent at the time. Because of that I always had to have eyes in the back of my headthat took away from me writing the best product that I could.
85. What are your thoughts on Eric Bischoff and what was it like working with him in WCW and TNA?
This is a tough question. The funny thing is that deep down inside I like Eric Bischoff, I do, and I think both Eric and I really tried hard to get alongI mean really tried. I can even remember that when I first started working with Eric, he got me, and my family front row passes to an Elton John concert at the Phillips Arena through his partnet Jason Hervey. Ill never forget that. Butat the end of the day we are just so differentI mean, completely different. And, on two occassions I guess you can say we were forced to work together, when it wasnt organic. We had to work at it every day. BUTI admire the h*** out of him. What hes done in his careerI envy. I have nothing bad to say about Ericnothing.
86. How would you compare your personal experiences working with, an the differences between both, Vince McMahon vs Dixie Carter?
You cant compare the two. I mean, who had Vinces experience when it comes to wrestlingnobody alive. BUT, on the other side of that coinwho has Dixie Carters heart? I know Vince doesnt. Dixie cared about me, as a person, more than anybody else ever did in the business. That meant everything to me, and that made me want to give her everything I hadevery day I worked with her. Just two completely different human beings.
87. What is something that wrestlers, wrestling fans, and the like would find VERY surprising to know about Vince Russo, professionally and/or personally?
Two thingsprofessionallyIve always taken my jobas a JOB. Nothing more, nothing less. I treated my position to the best of my capabilities 100% of the time. Personally? Im a hugeover the topRihanna mark
REGRETS
IVE MADE A FEW
88. Do you regret anything youve ever done in the pro wrestling business? If so, what?
I regret not standing up for myself more. I regret keeping my mouth shut and taking every barb and criticism that was thrown my way. I regret allowing myself to be the whipping boy for everything. But as I said earlieron many occassions I have chosen to eat ****, because there was/is a higher power that I have to answer to.
89. Are there ANY creative decisions you made that youre willing to admit were simply bad? If so, which ones stand out?
I think Ive already stated a fewrising casket with Abyss/Sting, dog kennel match BossMan ?Al Snow. Those two come to mind. Im telling you, I wrote so many shows that they just came and went so fastI really dont remember much.
90. If you knew then the backlash you would constantly receive for putting the title on Arquette, would you honestly still have done it?
Yes. To this very day I think it was a good idea. Sorry.
91. Even further, if you knew then what you know now, would you have ever gotten into the wrestling business at all?
No, I wouldnt have. There has been more heartache than joyby far. Its a dirt business, with a lot of dirty players. Much of it was not fun for me, but, it was a job and how I made a living.
92. On the opposite side of the regret coin, what are the things youve done in the pro wrestling business that you are most proud of?
Yes, that along with Ed Ferrara, we were responsible for writing television shows that brought the greatest ratings ever recordedto professional wrestling. And, like Joe DiMaggios 56 game hitting streakI dont think that will ever be broken. If somebody comes along thats betterIll be the first one in line to shake his hand. Arrogant? Maybe. True? Absolutely.
YOUR LEGACY
93. Do you care about your legacy and what people think about your career?
No, but I care about what people think about ME. Being a Christian that is important to me because I want to lead by example.
94. What do you want to be remembered for when people think of Vince Russo?
A guy who worked harder than everybody else, and neverNEVER gave less than 110%. A guy who wasnt afraid to take chances, because it was never in me to play it safe. And, thats what you see a lot with todays producttheyre playing it safe. I dont believe youre ever going to grow your business if you take that route.
95. Do you think your legacy or the way people sum up your career will ultimately be a positive one years from now, or do you fear a handful of things (ex: Arquette) will always overshadow the good things you contributed?
You know, I really hate to say thisbut, Im proud to say that while he was alive, I was a friend of the Warriors. The truth is, that many of the people who put him over NOWwouldnt even give him the time of day when I was working with himthat is the truthsorry. Now, in his passing, he was the greatest guy that ever lived! So yeah-I guess I will be too. Sad.
96. Ifs pretty safe to say that in the history of the pro wrestling business, you are easily in the Top 10 maybe even Top 5 Most Hated individuals in the industry. How does that make you feel and how would you respond to that?
people hate me because they hated my character on TV. When I was on WCW, everybody bought into that brash New Yawker being who I really was. THAT is when the heat started. There was no heat on me when I was in the WWE, even though the critics were ripping the product when we were doing 6′s. My name was very rarely mentioned. But, once I went public on TVthat all changed. I literally had to tell people who would stop me in the mall when I was with my familyand cut a promo on me-that it was FAKE, and that I really wasnt that guy. To this day, many people still believe that Im that guy. Well, Im not that guyand I never was.
97. Do you consider yourself a victim of false accusations, misinformed people, personal agendas against you, ect., and do you ever say to yourself, This just isnt fair?
The answer s YES. But, what really is far in life? Id be lying if I said that it didnt hurt at times. I gave everything I had to the wrestling businessEVERYTHINGand in some instances I paid dearly for it. To this very day, Ill never forgive myself for missing my son Wills first home run. That has stayed with me to this day and he is 27 years-old now. The time I spebt away from my wife, Amy, while she was actually raising 3 kids on her own, becausr her famioly lived a thousand miles a way. She married me, and came with me to New York, leaving everything behind, and in a way I abanoned her. I hate myself for that. And honestlyI olook at it and what did I get in return? Ive dealt with depressionfor 2 decades because of the wrestling businesssoyou have to ask yourself why? But the answer to that question is the people who are reading THIS. The people who supported me from day one, and never left becausr they got it. That is the payoff I have today, and without them . . . I just dont know.
YOUR FUTURE
98. What the HECK is this Pyro and Ballyhoo shenanigans, bro!?
Its my passion. truly writing about the THINGS I want to write about. Saying everything I want to say without pulling any punches. Just having the complete freedom to finally be ME. I think thats all Ive strived for, for all these years. Just doing what makes ME happy, without anybody else telling me what makes THEM happy. Throughout my career, I was ALWAYS catering to somebodythe fans, the brass, the NetworkPyro and Ballyhoo gives me the complete freedom to just be me.
99. What do you see in your future as far as pro wrestling is concerned?
I dont know. I dont think about it. I love what Im doing now perhaps more than anything else Ive ever done. But, Im open. If somebody approaches me, and RESPECTS me for what Ive accomplished in this business, and I can help them in anywaywho knows? First and foremost Ive been a lifelong fan of this businessI want to see it thrive again, I really do, so if anybody thinks I can help them with that-Id listen to what they had to say.
100. Where do you want to be in life 10 years from now?
Enjoying grand kids. Enjoying my wife. Letting go of all Ive been consumed with my whole life. Having nothing on my mindNOTHING. Just complete peace.
AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST
101. What will it read on your tombstone?
ARQUETTE KILLED RUSSO. I just popped myself HUGE!!!
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05-14-2014, 02:17 AM
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