Vince Russo Replies to Fans!

Reader Marty Hotts has done a bang-up job of collating all the questions that Vince Russo has answered on his Facebook page:

Some of the questions answered so far:

Lucas Wayne Swanger: In your opinion, what’s the ONE storyline that changed professional wrestling forever? The Montreal Screwjob? Hogan as the 3rd man? Or is there more than one?

Vince Russo: The Montreal screwjob wasn’t a storyline–it was REAL. I’d have to say definitely the “Third Man”. You have to give Hogan and Bischoff credit for that.

Al Engels: When are you going to get me a job at the greatest wrestling organization in the world? LOL

Vince Russo: Al–you can have my job after they take me away in a strait jacket.

Mohammed Maaz Mohiuddin: Will Sean Waltman and Scott Hall continue to feature on Impact in the upcoming weeks/months? If yes, then how prominent will their roles be? Or has not much been planned for them at the moment?

Vince Russo: That all depends on Scott and Sean.

Chris C: Have you noticed that every major successful angle in the history of professional wrestling has mirrored an occurring cultural or social trend? Do you think that approach might be the key to developing something new in TNA?

Vince Russo: It might be, Chris–but you also need the right players. It doesn’t matter how good a story is–if you don’t have the right people in the right parts.

Nigel Dapper Cawich: Vince will ur new book give us insight on ur visit to wwe in [2002].

Vince Russo: Yes it will, Nigel–I tell the whole story in detail

Gary Palmer: Just want to say thank you for years of great writing and just wondered if you will be coming over to England later this month withthe tna tour as I have meet n greet tickets for Manchester and I would be fantastic to meet you. Thanks again gary

Vince Russo: No, Gary–always working on the next show.

Ryan Cox: who is beta tna or wwe

Vince Russo: If we had the resources that the WWE does–we would. In time . . . in time.

Harry Barnett: Vince if there was 5 guys from WWE/ROH or any company (major or indy) you could get Hulk/Dixie to bring in to TNA, who would they be?

Vince Russo: Never saw a ROH show–don’t know their talent. Randy Orton, Randy Orton, Randy Orton, Randy Orton and Randy Orton.

Joshua Alba: Are they getting rid of the 6-sided ring?

Vince Russo: It looks that way.

Josh Wile: What is going to happenwith Jeff Hardy now that he’s been indited on drug charges stemming from his September arrest?

Vince Russo: Not really sure–it’s really none of my business. He was great to work with though.

Karl Walker: How do you feel about bret the hitman hart, and what did you think about his book???

Vince Russo: Love, Bret, Karl–love him. Didn’t get the chance to read his book though.

Charles Kohl: hey vince i am writitng a Fantasty Wrestling show WCW Smackdown got any ideas on my WCW invasion Storyline?

Vince Russo: Wish I had the time–am swamped with IMPACT these days. But, good luck!!!

Michael Klippert: How will things be different this time? Right now TNA seems a lot like WCW of old. Don’t get me wrong i am a huge WCW fan. But we know how that ended. What are the plans so to speak about making it different this time. Seems like the only difference is Dixie Carter at the moment. Monday’s show was great by the way. Although i am a little worries that we might see “the wolfpac” back again. Purely from my vantage point Hall and Waltman have no business in ring. Thanks Vince

Vince Russo: I don’t think it seems like WCW at all. Wrestling, is wrestling–there is only really one way to do it. AJ, Joe, Daniels, Morgan, Hernandez, Brit Invasion, Pope, Machine Guns–were any of those guys from WCW?

Michael Klippert: Point well taken Vince. yes there is new and great talent in TNA right now, i did not mean to imply there wasn’t. TNA actually has some of the best talent around. But with Sting, Stiener, Jarret, Hogan, Nash, Booker, the Dudleys, yourself, then announce team for the most part. The list goes on and on. I know i don’t speak only for myself here. We as fans want TNA to continue to succeed and beat WWE. Just hoping it doesn’t go over like the last time.
Thank you also for the work you have done in the past and continue to do, and for the facebook answers.

Vince Russo: Michael–wrestling, is wrestling–whether it’s WCW, WWE, or TNA. Not many ways to do it differently. It’s like boxing–you can have many different federations–but it’s still boxing.

Ryan DiBiase: Vince–what exactly is Matt Conway`s role on your creative team? Also, where did you find him at? thanks, -=Ryan

Vince Russo: Junior member–Ed and I are teaching him the ropes–life long wrestling fan–young, hard working, understands the business and can put up with me. Matt is the future of TNA.

Jim Sirigos: Okay Vince here’s my .02 cents, thanks for reading and LISTENING. When are we gonna see more wrestling on the show and LESS BAD ACTING!? When are the young guys gonna get their chance to shine? Why can’t the old guard put them over with the fans instead of protecting their selfish best interests? Can’t the LEGENDS belt be used for the old guard and the TNA belt for the youth?

Vince Russo: Jim–the younger guys have had the spotlight since July–I know because that’s more, or less when I replaced Jeff. Just look at who your champions are–Eric Young, AJ, British Invasion. The younger guys have definitely been given the spotlight.
And wrestling, or acting–that’s just an opinion. Everybody wants something different–the key is to try and please as many peoiple as possible.

Ryan Cox: wat do u mean by ‘just fans’ [on the Facebook fan page]

Vince Russo: You’re in the right [place. You can ask a question here.

Debbie Croft: hey vince how dose it feel to bee working with bishoff and hogan again?

Vince Russo: Challenging–but rewarding. It makes me better.

Mohammed Maaz Mohiuddin: I’ve read conflicting reports on several websites about that Jeff Jarrett/Hogan segment from the Jan 4 Impact. Some sites say that everything went right, but some sites say that Jeff Jarrett was actually supposed to be a little more cocky in his delivery but he ended up playing to the fans’ cheers, and that caused Hogan to be booed. Which story is right here?

Vince Russo: Let’s just say–didn’t go as “scripted”.

John Heath: Someone you work with told me you are the best writer in the history of the business. Who do you think is the 2nd best? And do you consider yourself a booker?

Vince Russo: I hate the word “booker”–HATE IT!!! There is a big difference between a writer and a “booker”. I’m a writer. Fast Eddie Ferrara is every bit the writer I am—and a lot smarter!!!

Phillis Man: Hey there vince, could you tell me what a typical day at the TNA workplace is like?

Vince Russo: It’s really just a job like any other job–there’s a boss–there are responsibilities–and you just do the best you can do.

Shawn McDougall: With all the added talent will there be a thursday & monday show? (separate “brands” except for champions). X-division tag titles will be nice.

Vince Russo: That has been discussed. Much of it depends on Spike.

Corey Davis: When you initially joined WCW (October’ish 1999?) who were some of the guys you saw a lot of potential in?

Vince Russo: All those guys on the 2nd tier at the time–Rey, Eddie, Dean, Benoit–all those guys had great, great talent.

Brian Slaughter: Do you have any regrets about the Attitude Era now that you’ve found Christ? Do any of the storylines you’ve written in the past go further than you would go today, and is TNA going in a more adult-oriented “Attitude Era” direction as opposed to WWE’s PG rating in the coming Monday Night War?

Vince Russo: Not at all–it was those experiences that led to Christ finding me. I would certainly not do a lot of those things today. As far as TNA’s style–we are on in prime time, with a prime time audience–we need to put out a product that that audience will be interested in.

Joshua Ingram: Mr. Russo man, love your work. Always have. I was drawn even more to you when I found out you got saved. I did too, at about the same time you did. Cant wait to meet you in Heaven. Anyways, heres my question. TNA founder is born-again, right? World Champion is born-again. Head writer is born-again. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE use your stage to glorify Christ. You have an opportunity to reach millions. If they reject it and turn away, thats beyond your control. Thats why its called faith. Have you tried to implement the Gospel into TNA?

Vince Russo: Joshua–I do every, single day I go to work. Glorifying God is always on my mind in everything I do. Remember–wrestling is good vs. evil and good always wins!

Shabbir Patel: dear vince, how do i get those greys out of my beard? haha j/k. i cant believe this, you are giving us an open platform to ask questions and i have blanked out. ok here’s a generic question: what is your favourite wrestling storyline of all time? what is the best storyline you have ever written in your opinion?

Vince Russo: Rock joining the Corporation–I LOVE the greys in my beard!!!

Adrian Green: what was the story behind [Mr Wrestling III] anyone know?

Vince Russo: Adrian, I wasn’t a big fan of the Mr. Wrestling III angle–that one was not my idea. Just did was I was told to do like a good soldier. Not every idea came, or comes from me–that one didn’t. Peace, Vince.