Vince Russo On Jim Cornette, Pole Matches, David Arquette and Why He Hates Wrestling Now

[@ChrisVanVliet]

Thanks for checking out this interview with Vince Russo, bro! To get 15% off go to mudwtr.com/cvv to support the show and use the code CVV

[@hassanelachkar7636]

Brother Chris another knock outta the park home run with this interview again with Vince Russo love listening to Russo every Monday night after Monday night raw for raw reviews I can’t wait to debut my podcast next month can’t wait to be in the world of podcast right now I’m just recovering from my colon cancer surgery unfortunately still in hospital for that my plan is to go home the day of or the day before July 21 on my birthday

[@victory7763]

@@hassanelachkar7636 Vince Russo was actually highly agreeable here. I expected to hear nonsense, but I actually found nothing he said to be crazy

[@garyhen2028]

Chris, my man! You get Russo, but not jc once? Come on bro. Lol

[@flyersluver4eva]

Vince trying to tell this guy wrestling is fake and he looks at him with a turned head. Dude wrestling is fakkeeeee. It’s a tv show. SMH who the the f is the guy doing the interview ?

[@TimLoyalToWifeHaterFreeZoneA]

Love It ChrisVanVliet Bro

[@MattWiggyWiggins]

I now suddenly wanna see a "Bro on a Pole" match.

[@V1LL1N]

BRO! Totally. Add Riddle tho

[@GrumpyBearRawr]

Featuring Hulk Hogan brother!

[@sarjeshkhadgi2841]

Get Jim Cornette on the show man it would be a fun interview dude knows his history

[@buckdog2005]

Only if he gets asked about how he talks about Japanese women wrestlers.

[@takezoman]

​@@cultureshock5000lmao, such a dumbfuck. Shida doesn't look like a child and he still says racist af remarks. You guys sniff glue

[@Greenbeans0987]

Nope to controversial he’s not 8 plus

[@Apethantos]

Now, listen to me... what if he gets Cornette, AND Russo on the same show. THAT would be a fun interview.

[@buckdog2005]

@@cultureshock5000 he’s a bigot

[@killwalker]

That opening story about the scores his Dad left for him, was touching AF.

[@eamonnmaccionnaith5761]

It was. What a lovely father/son moment.

[@aaronouttercooch2267]

@@eamonnmaccionnaith5761FATHER SON?!

[@eamonnmaccionnaith5761]

@@aaronouttercooch2267 What?

[@tlbryant4697]

That's how dad's are supposed to be when my son's in school and has to go to bed early I act like I never watched wrestling the night before so we enjoy it together

[@marcbasil]

@@eamonnmaccionnaith5761FATHER/SON!?!?!?

[@alexwheaton6723]

Great interview! If you take a drink every time russo says bro, youll be drunk 5 minutes in lol

[@trustnoone3007]

How many bros did he use in the interview? Lmao Can someone please do a BRO count 🤣 and let us know how much of it was used, please! Give us an estimate. Edit: "78 minutes. 9.4 bros a minute. There will be 733 bros used in this interview. One bro every 6.3 seconds." I'm done and applaud that commentator 😂👍.

[@jackmstephens]

Holy shit ... You weren't joking.

[@bobbycecere]

cool bro, I'm sure no one's heard that attempt at a joke for the past 15 years

[@Fallout7295]

bro i know bro like bro i drank so much bro i passed out bro from drinking way to much bro. take a shot every time i said bro here 🤣

[@AMotherFucker2]

or the hosts name LMAO.

[@egb11lom7]

"My entire career was a collaboration" and people are still gonna say Russo takes credit for the The Rock and Stone Cold

[@theserver4]

Ppl hear and believe what they want. That will never change.

[@RFNY315]

@@vpofrentemspoons2278lol That often comes to mind to me as well. And I don’t even think santino was threatening him. He just wanted to talk it out. For all the shit cornette talks, get can’t be on the receiving end for anything.

[@kevinlee9929]

Yup. That's the narrative that people have created and ran with.

[@adamirishconundrum851]

He took credit for the Screwjob. Russo is a chicken shit moron that wouldn't face Cornette in a duel he is a rat he went to the police.

[@JohnnyOla511]

I love Russo and thank him for the cherished memories I have but he's right wrestling is dead and will never be what it once was. WWF had a restaurant in Manhattan for Christ sake.

[@uc95nu51]

78 minutes. 9.4 bro's a minute. There will be 733 bros in this interview. One bro every 6.3 Seconds

[@trustnoone3007]

Lmfaoooooo!!! I just asked a question about it and thanks man! Well done 🤣🙌 .

[@22dominicanking]

Bro

[@AMotherFucker2]

lmao.

[@haskell420]

actually he said bro, around 293 times. Yes. I counted lol

[@uc95nu51]

@haskell420 there are 440 other hidden bros. Just gotta know when to listen. Bro

[@AbsAli02]

Chris is now the “original bro”.

[@VenomHernandez]

Bro, it's so amazing to have Vince Russo back on the channel bro, it's always good to hear his perspectives bro

[@monkeeeman666]

Bro...

[@fluffhead7046]

You poor thing

[@NoirAngel921]

Alright. You got Vince Russo on your show, now get Jim Cornette on your show!

[@MMastaM]

F Jim Cornette!

[@richardhoffman527]

Wow Dave Meltzer and Vince Russo in a matter of a week pretty much arent we spoiled. Thanks CVV

[@JMAC____]

Why…

[@sobo5476]

Why, so we can listen to the same outdated shit he pumps out on his podcast every week. Or listen to what works in Wrestling - 40 to 50 years ago, and Cornette is so deluded that he still thinks it works today.

[@Inequities]

@@JMAC____why what lol

[@johnharvelhines9803]

Vince Russo is easily the most overhated man in wrestling history. A lot of fans don’t even know why they hate him, that’s just the online consensus for some reason. He’s a good guy and did a lot of great things for wrestling

[@CLuvTravels]

They only hate him because Cornette hates him and Jim has a lot of followers so it's way easier to just agree with the popular opinion then make up your own mind

[@turtz0]

Have you ever watched russo booked wrestling for a long period of time?

[@drstrange4625]

@@CLuvTravelsNo people hate him cause a lot of people spoke out and people realise what a moron he is. Congrats on being ignorant though. Perhaps go back to school. 🤷‍♀️

[@kevinkelly1529]

Vince Russo is actually making sense throughout most of this interview. Thanks for the years of entertainment.

[@fkoff5150]

BRO? BRO! BRO BRO😘😘

[@thejongshow8821]

I don’t care what people say about Russo or what he did to the wrestling business. Thanks to him and many others they made my wrestling awesome when I was a kid in the 90s. I also think he’s a good dude when it comes down to it

[@MrDust1981]

Even if people think he was the worst writer ever(which is neither here nor there), he didn't kill WCW or TNA, that was poor ownership/executives. Ted Turner should've pulled bischoff from his duties as soon as he became an onscreen character. No way he could be objective as an executive and a character. Which is why he allowed Hogan/Nash to run the booking into the gutter in 1998/99.

[@johnharvelhines9803]

If anything, Russo killed WCW by making Raw the best wrestling show there’s ever been when he was head writer in 98 and 99

[@TruK941]

Ironically Russo and Cornette is a magical balance. Russo goes too Jerry Springer on his own. Cornette books solid wrestling without enough energy

[@kidwaryodproduction]

Bring Russo, Kevin Dunn, John Laurinaitis & Ed Ferrara near Jim and his energy would boost 100000x times.

[@avb6100]

The funniest thing is both ultimately arrive at the same conclusion - wrestling in 2023 mostly sucks

[@kidwaryodproduction]

@@avb6100 It can't be helped that nowadays we have a tons of entertainment to watch not only a wrestling. Even KZbinr feud was more fun to watch than Wrestling 😆

[@vb2806]

I watch Corny's vids regularly and I agree with many things and disagree with many things but the one thing I can say is he is very entertaining and can bury almost everyone on the mic.

[@emanuelfer456]

Working together they are the best booking team if they realized their differences and set the middle bar

[@GillBoldberg]

I wasn’t a fan of the crash tv era but I have to agree with Russo. There haven’t been any larger than life characters and creative storylines in years. That’s what is missing from pro wrestling.

[@TheVileOne]

Utter nonsense. Roman Reigns.

[@thejongshow8821]

@@TheVileOnethe exception proves the rule. Back then mid card up was must see tv now it’s pretty much just the bloodline and LA Knight

[@TheVileOne]

@@thejongshow8821 Becky Lynch. Seth Rollins. Shinsuke Nakamura. Gunther. Heck, the freaking Miz, to name a few.

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍

[@Hikinggamer23]

​@@TheVileOnelol them compared to the rock stone cold kurt angle undertaker triple h batista the hardy boys booker t edge and christian dudley boys rvd shane mchman kane dx shawn michaels isnt even close

[@anthonyp6823]

Russo is the most normal guy that ever been in the wrestling business lol

[@marcbasil]

LOL he’s a complete Iunatic with a double digit IQ

[@johnharvelhines9803]

That’s probably true 😂 He’s just a normal guy who’s a granddad and collects vinyls

[@terranceburrs5832]

I love me some Vince Russo. He is my favorite person to listen to about wrestling.

[@Hey_its_nathan89]

that says a lot about you

[@terranceburrs5832]

@@Hey_its_nathan89 which is what?

[@foreverred105]

​@@Hey_its_nathan89Cry more soft lad.

[@BingChilllinggg]

@@Hey_its_nathan89 I can almost confirm from your comment that you're a smark

[@MBCR101]

One of the realest, most misunderstood and genuine people in wrestling. I am a big Corny fan but I was a huge Russo fan long before that. People fail to realise he is just a big TV fan, he loves entertainment and understands it, if he didn't he never would have got the jobs he had. 100% no BS and wholesome

[@markv1274]

Pfffft. Total garbage. When asked why he doesn't like wrestling anymore: VR: "It's not the same, it's not wrestling!" 9:53 (That, by the way, is what people said about VR's brand of "Crash TV" and why they stopped watching wrestling when VR booked it.) When asked what has changed: VR: "Wrestling matches, bro, don't draw a casual fan." 10:55 So, he says it's not wrestling anymore, then moans about the presence of _wrestling_ matches on a _wrestling_ show. You can't have it both ways. VR is delusional is he think that there is any correlation between what he booked in the 1990s and how wrestling looked back in the days of Bruno Sammartino ('60s and '70s).

[@TheGouthamCity]

@@markv1274 he only thinks wrestling as a reality tv with a script that uses wrestling to end a feud, cant fathom the fact that current fans want wrestling in a wrestling show and shits on aew for the same reason. WWE still does similar to what he wants but then he shits on Bloodline which is probably the biggest pay off for people who was there from the beginning. he is so out of touch from what people want nowadays that he doesnt realise his time in the industry is over coz he never embraced the changed. this guy is truly like an old man yelling at cloud

[@kevinlee9929]

@@TheGouthamCity He's not out of touch at all. He's spot on.

[@alanchamberlain9902]

Everything he says about WWE makes sense, no wonder WWE is so bad and clueless nowadays 0 storylines.

[@MBCR101]

@@heydudedolfan13 100% agree with this. I will always stand by saying WCW was at its finest in 1997 too, a really brilliant year for wrestling. I don't think it's wrong to say that WCW was feeding off of Russo & McMahons work in 97 and spinning it into their own style which gave them their successful run.

[@Y2JLionHeart]

48:51 He's absolutely correct. The story and characters is what made that era so popular and the matches even better. Even a bad match was tolerable because you were getting payoff for the story and characters. It's not a real competition, so no matter how great the workers are, it's not going to interest anyone but wrestling marks. The average viewer doesn't care "who the best" is in a fixed competition.

[@flyersluver4eva]

But the guy interviewing Vince is a mark so he will never get it

[@WolfcastleX]

to add to your point, people just have to ask themselves, do they remember a match or a storyline? I can barely remember any attitude era matches or even endings but I do remember characters and storylines they did. Yes some matches are memorable but it's because of the story they told not because they went 23 minutes flipflopping

[@Y2JLionHeart]

@@WolfcastleX Accurate. I will say that the modern fans probably can remember the matches and sequences and such, bc that's what they're interested in. They want the anime style matches and that's fine. It just won't appeal to more people. The Attitude Era legit made wrestling cool/mainstream.

[@alanchamberlain9902]

As a big fan of years WWE years ago, everything Russo says is 100 percent on the money, Vince McMahon is well too old and other people pushed him to the Attitude Era, it wasn't all McMahon's idea. Triple H is stuck in the wrestling bubble and only caters to the indie marks who just care about matches.

[@gr3atmoustachio47]

@@WolfcastleXIt goes both ways. Anyone remember the actual storyline to Taker vs Shawn? Flair vs Steamboat? No but you remember the matches. In a perfect world both aspects would be balanced.

[@UP_THE_CHELS]

Can't wait for jim to review this

[@NCO1426]

I was thinking the same

[@szczesciejestkoloruczarneg749]

Cult of Cornette is always present

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

Someone has to tell you how to think haha

[@MrRevolutionNine]

Jim's obsession is unhealthy

[@StoneCold316Texas]

@@MyChannel-ol1zzwhat?

[@victory7763]

I actually came out of this agreeing with 75% of what Vince Russo said

[@Cobane823]

95% for me

[@victory7763]

@Cobane823 Glad to hear. He honestly didn't say anything unreasonable or scandalous.

[@Cobane823]

@@victory7763 yea I think the “we hate Russo “ is internet propaganda like he said …this guy is literally responsible for the best and most watched era in the history of wrestling but gets none of the credit 🤦🏾….upside down world 🤣😭

[@Cobane823]

@@victory7763 let’s just say I can relate lmao 🤦🏾🤦🏾🤦🏾🤦🏾

[@ScotteM]

Same and im surprised

[@monkeyboy5595]

Dammit, I’m a massive AEW mark but I’ve been watching pro wrestling for 25years and Russo is right. They cater too much to hardcore wrestling fans.

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍

[@lucag.lisickza425]

wow you have so courage to admit to watch aew and not get annoyed like happen also with wwe programming

[@TheChadTI]

Vince always seems nice.

[@Chad-xh8zs]

Bro

[@djgracio]

Time to count how many "Bro" are in this video. 🤣 Thx for the upload Chris.

[@Mert_Yanik]

Take a shot everytime bro is said

[@thekornreeper]

@@Mert_Yaniki would die lol

[@djgracio]

*dying on alcohol poisoning*

[@bencromwell707]

Lol 😂😂😂

[@AlexA-zj9kz]

Hey Chris, you just gained a new fan. Between this interview and the Will Sasso interview, you have done a great job. I love the questions you ask. It's obvious you're a wrestling fan, and you don't pump up the tires of the guests. You ask hard-hitting questions and don't shy away from a topic. Great job! Unlike a certain other "journalist" whom is biased in his questioning, you may know him from BT Sport....

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍👍

[@mrbransformer4184]

Wow thanks for this interview Chris. Really humanized Russo. I feel like he did try to save WCW, he just had to fight with the execs.

[@Kylethejobber]

I really don't think Vince is a bad guy

[@herbythechef7624]

Hes not he just has strong opinions that some people dont agree with

[@MrSpeed-lt8gr]

I love Corny. And I love Vince. I think it’s okay to like both people.

[@Inequities]

Well, I thought I may be the only person on earth this way, but I am fans of both Vince Russo and Jim Cornette. I love both of their podcasts and interviews. I also understand that like all human beings, they are not perfect. They’ve made lots of mistakes along the way, like God knows I have. I do wish Russo wouldn’t slag off pro wrestling today as much and as hard as he does. Yes, wrestling is not in any kind of golden age, but in 2022, when Vince McMahon had to step away, we saw that wrestling can ABSOLUTELY get back to the amazing watch that it can be. And in 2023, I feel like AEW absolutely is setting the foundation- and the results are starting to show- to get back to that level of enjoyment. With Cornette, I wish he would ease up on the Elite. Even the most casual fan is well aware of Jim’s hatred towards Kenny and the Bucks. Now, I also don’t really love the Elite and Mox, but in no way, shape, or form do I hate them, or even not have a ton of respect for them. It’s completely okay to dislike anything in life, but to use veiled homophobic insults like calling Omega “Twinkletoes” is the most toxic, 20th century crap you can do. Still, I listen to Cornette and the great Brian Last all the time. When Jim isn’t being over the top nasty, he’s THE most knowledgeable, and can be EXTREMELY funny guy out there. And when Vince isn’t tearing apart wrestling fans today (and here’s the truth- the amount of overlap there is with us who loved watching Russo’s stuff back then, and the people still watching today, is pretty enormous), he absolutely knows what the issues are with today’s product, and has some great ideas.

[@jthek2000]

Would it be better or worse to have twinkletoes?

[@fluffhead7046]

Used to be, but couldn't stand how much Russo contradicts himself

[@90sDude.]

Same here

[@nineteeneightynine432]

Man i miss tna back from 04 to 09 it was better than wwe to me loved the tag teams they had.

[@sarg2k]

I have complicated feelings about Russo. His impact on wrestling is undeniable, but everything he says always has a counter argument from someone that worked with him at the time. I do always enjoy how balanced Chris is with his interviews.

[@Inequities]

Well, I may be the only person on earth this way, but I am fans of both Vince Russo and Jim Cornette. I love both of their podcasts and interviews. I also understand that like all human beings, they are not perfect. They’ve made lots of mistakes along the way, like God knows I have. I do wish Russo wouldn’t slag off pro wrestling today as much and as hard as he does. Yes, wrestling is not in any kind of golden age, but in 2022, when Vince McMahon had to step away, we saw that wrestling can ABSOLUTELY get back to the amazing watch that it can be. And in 2023, I feel like AEW absolutely is setting the foundation- and the results are starting to show- to get back to that level of enjoyment. With Cornette, I wish he would ease up on the Elite. Even the most casual fan is well aware of Jim’s hatred towards Kenny and the Bucks. Now, I also don’t really love the Elite and Mox, but in no way, shape, or form do I hate them, or even not have a ton of respect for them. It’s completely okay to dislike anything in life, but to use veiled homophobic insults like calling Omega “Twinkletoes” is the most toxic, 20th century crap you can do. Still, I listen to Cornette and the great Brian Last all the time. When Jim isn’t being over the top nasty, he’s THE most knowledgeable, and can be EXTREMELY funny guy out there. And when Vince isn’t tearing apart wrestling fans today (and here’s the truth- the amount of overlap there is with us who loved watching Russo’s stuff back then, and the people still watching today, is pretty enormous), he absolutely knows what the issues are with today’s product, and has some great ideas.

[@egb11lom7]

Any examples from this interview? I don't mean to be a jerk but its something I notice with comment about russo, always statement, never an example

[@Inequities]

@@egb11lom7 I hear you. He doesn’t go into specific examples in this interview, but in his podcast on Sportskeedia with EC3 and Chris Featherstone, he often does. He had an interesting idea on Lacey Evans recently that I thought could work, and can’t remember off the top of my head exactly what he said he’d do, but talking about different ways to cause conflict besides within factions that isn’t just “they’re on the verge of breaking up”

[@egb11lom7]

@@Inequities yeah I gotcha man but even that is still just a vague statement. "Watch the the sportskenda show" but what on that show, what example, what topic? I only say this because I have a theory that russos reputation (in the IWC) is not really reality. Also lacy Evans really should be a star. They really just don't know what to do with her

[@ec5018]

he had no impact he was lucky mcmahon even used his ideas but what happen after he left oh yeah buisness was still bigger than ever

[@jesterr7133]

This is the one thing I will give Russo credit for. He was a master at finding a way to use every single person on the roster and give them something to do.

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍

[@litodat233]

Yup that's the only thing I liked about his ways I liked it was more storyline driven and everyone had a storyline other then that he was crap

[@BearofTexas]

And we all know that Jim Cornette is going to be talking about this on his podcast.

[@lbo87]

Podcast? you mean reaction channel

[@BearofTexas]

@@lbo87 True!

[@MrRevolutionNine]

Cornette's obsession is unhealthy at this point. Should get some help.

[@kenny7209]

@@MrRevolutionNine like Corny but he definitely needs to let go his bs pettiness with Vince Russo

[@BearofTexas]

@@kenny7209 Agreed.

[@marvellis6762]

1996-2006 wrestlings greatest decade

[@Robbiesroadcrew]

Russo and Cornette actually agree on today's wrestling!😮

[@solomonaharris1807]

No 💩

[@jacknero9937]

Don't tell that Corny..... He might get a stroke

[@xKillZone99]

Corny lives in the past and gets so bitter and angry like a 5 year old girl when anyone gets over in the business without using old school tactics from the 70's and 80's

[@christophermarriott1681]

😂 Both are just mad because wrestling has moved on without them and can't handle the fact that nobody wants to hire them.

[@FrankAndrews]

@@christophermarriott1681 AEW should sign them both for commentary

[@brianr797]

Russo seems to take the high road on Cornett 👍

[@SwagAli]

Vince is absolutely correct on a lot of the things he's saying here.

[@miifed]

Hot take... Vince Russo isn't a bad dude, I don't get all the hate.

[@sugars3179]

OK The CAC didn’t want anything to do with Russo, not Cornette. Corney was told he would receive $35 k for him and Russo each and Cornette said no. Cornette does it to cost Russo money not make money. SPIKE RELEASED a statement that they did not want Russo as writer in TNA.When Dixie accidentally let the public know and not even a month later was yanked from Spike, Brad Shwartz who is was head of Pop TV publically stated that Russo not only begged for work as consultant and he was denied that he wrote another e-mail stating that TNA is horrible and if he worked there it would be better not realizing he e-mailed a person who has no idea about pro wrestling accept for that it is just added content would yank it off the air and would cost them work. He did do it with Destination America and DA did release a statement that Russo did the same. These are facts, undisputed and can not be argued by anyone else. Check his youtube channel, he along with Stevie Richards and that idiot Bin Hamin admitted all three of them contacted Fox when Smackdown went on their network, only thing was that Fox didn’t even give them five seconds of attention.

[@bb-gc2tx]

vince is from same town as me on long island hes about 13 years older than me. his video store will the thrill video was the video store i went to as a kid i remember vince being really cool guy. its funny when he started going on tv in wcw i remember watching and being like i know this guy from somewhere i couldnt place it

[@reignorshine59]

BRO I live there too

[@bb-gc2tx]

@@reignorshine59 you went to sachem?

[@reignorshine59]

@@bb-gc2tx yes I did haha graduated 2013

[@bb-gc2tx]

@@reignorshine59 lol i graduated long before that lol vinces video store was in shopping center that is has the shop rite now and boston market in parking lot on portion road if you know where that is

[@lestatlunar]

The more i hear vince russos side, the more i agree with him.

[@CactusChris]

This is an episode I still go back and listen to. Great stuff. PLEASE get Cornette.

[@TheUltimateVoid]

"Because it would kill his gimmick" Russo explained Cornette in one sentence lol

[@TOFTS77]

In WCWs history they had 14 "On A Pole" Gimmick Matches. Vince Russo said "Give Me Dates Bro". Well here you go. Out of 14 total Only 2 Can't be attributed to Vince Russo. The First was years before he was in the wrestling business. The next 13 All occurred after Russo joined WCW with 1 falling during April 2000 a period Russo claims he was sitting at home. I posted all the matches here. Vince asked for 10 well here are 12. 11/1/1999 Nitro - Key on a Pole Match Eddie Guerrero Vs Perry Saturn 11/8/1999 Nitro - Pinata on a Pole Match - Silver King, El Dandy, Psychosis, Juventud Guerrera, and Villano V - *Debut of Tank Abbot* 11/22/1999 Nitro - Flag on a Pole Match - Lance Storm vs *Redacted* Wrestler 12/19/1999 Starcade - Crowbar on a Pole Match - David Flair Vs DDP 1/12/2000 Nitro - Champagne on a Pole Match - Kanyon Vs Bam Bam Bigalow 2/20/2000 Superbrawl - Leather Jacket on a Pole Match - Tank Abbot Vs Big Al 7/31/2000 Nitro - Viagra on a Pole Match - Billy Kidman Vs Shane Douglas 8/07/2000 Nitro - Lead Pipe on a Pole Match - Scott Steiner Vs Sting 8/16/2000 New Blood Rising PPV - Judy Bagwell on a Pole Match - Buff Bagwell Vs Kanyon 9/11/2000 Nitro - Stickball on a Pole Match - Reno Vs Big Vito 10/2/2000 Nitro - 49 Gold Rush Match (4 Lockboxes on Poles) - Booker T Vs Jeff Jarret 1/03/2001 Thunder - Chair on a Pole Match - Meng Vs Crowbar So Russo caught lying again. He should just accept that as a writer he loves the Pole.

[@markv1274]

I'm impressed by your research. I remember either watching or hearing about most of those. The boxes match had a picture of Scott Hall inside one of the boxes. Another box had a coal miner's glove. Anyone who thinks VR was any good was clearly not watching Nitro in those days. As a booker, he was the shits.

[@TheGouthamCity]

This guy is so delusional. I can understand not liking the product and even the storylines not being put priority when booking wrestling now but he cannot deny this is probably the healthiest wrestling has been ever. Good competitions and promotions that people may or may not watch but most importantly WRESTLERS are the priority and they have job security. Just because it was how it was does not mean it is the right thing to do now.

[@TOFTS77]

@@markv1274 I am a "give a devil his due" type. As I listened and Russo said give me the dates, I figured I would have a look. I was honestly curious. A bit later in the interview he says the issue with Bookers is that they book things entertaining to them. Ironically he fails to mention this is what he did. He even admits it when he says he finds a pole match more entertaining then anything booked by Tony Kahn. In his own words "I wrote a TV show". He never took wrestling seriously and that was always the issue Cornette had with him. Vince Russo gets hate because he won't drop the bullshit. He booked one of the worst runs in the history of the wrestling business and helped expedite the decline of a company. WCW may of died anyway but the numbers show except for the initial what's gonna happen now phase he didn't do anything positive. Hell WWE posted better ratings after he was gone.

[@TOFTS77]

@@TheGouthamCity His comment about Story coming before the match really shows he learned nothing in all his time. Wrestling isn't a sitcom. He isn't all wrong in that you have to get the audience to care about the characters but he is putting the wrong priority on story versus match. Book the money match and build the story to get there. In AEW for example Jack Perry vs Hook. Perry attacks Hook, cuts promos, runs from Hook evading confrontation till Hook offers a title match in attempt to get revenge. Its basic and simple and some want to see Perry sleeze his way out of this mess and others want to see Hook murder him. Simple but it works. In Russos world they would of released footage of Perry cucking Tazz and sleeping with Hooks mom. Then Vignettes of Perry with Hooks mom who is leaving Tazz so Perry will be Hooks new step dad. This would of culminated into a Marriage license on a pole match. If Hook wins he can tear it up and Perry is no longer his step dad. If Perry wins the marriage is final and Hook is grounded and needs to give his title to Perry.

[@luciog526]

Exactly

[@americanchampion111]

Russo is so right. Wrestling isn’t the same and never will be. Russo is also the goat storyline writer. That’s why he gained so many haters along the way, jealousy.

[@jackhinderliter1985]

I always liked vince Russo

[@ElmoKnowsWhereYouLive5150]

"This is my last wrestling interview, bro." - Vince Russo to Sean Oliver in 2010 🤔😐

[@daysgonesequel]

The reason "we" don't watch wrestling anymore is because it's like finding out how a magician does his tricks; once you find out you're no longer impressed and don't care to see the tricks done anymore. Social media has pulled too much of the veil back and has shown us way too much of how things are, and that's just one example.

[@thehankmiller]

Excellent interview as always. Thank you Chris for bringing Vince on the show!

[@joemckim1183]

Here's a recap of Russo's dialogue in this interview: "Bro" "Bro" "Come on Bro" "Bro" "Bro Bro" "Bro"

[@mspacely6521]

"Cornette Hates the entire east coast" Has 2 podcasts co hosted by a guy from long Island. 🤔

[@mikebottomlesspitdunham2954]

Axehandle on a Pole, Curt Hennig vs David Flair NWA TNA in 2003 just before Curt passed.

[@ljavwa3459]

The only way we click anything with Russo is if the title mentions Jim Cornette. CVV knows.

[@mikeydoc11]

“I NEVER booked a ‘on a pole’ match bro, find me 10… maybe I did 3… ok that was mine, I forgot that” 😂😂

[@Michiganfan105]

"No, no, maybe it is more than three."

[@pk2508]

Surprisingly the only part where I thought Russo was bullshitting.

[@calebshortt8144]

Vince Russo sounds like a cool ass dude

[@patriksodin9349]

This interview was great 👍

[@sjdhgydhfyrn1023]

Russo was responsible for the most popular era of televised professional wrestling in history, bro! And if you're not down with that, we got two words for ya! SUCK IT!

[@ajsimms8457]

I've loved Vince since I was 13 years old...I'm 44 now. I began listening to him on WGBB1240AM when he did his call in radio show VVWOW. Always down to earth...that's why. Hey Vish...where's the MATRAT been?

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍💕

[@scoonboon]

I’ve always liked Russo. He’s not some cancer of the business and really needs more credit. Should be a hall of famer. Played a big part in the biggest era of the business. Yes he wrote some awful stuff too.. but so did Vince McMahon etc.

[@kneeltojesus8600]

For some mysterious reason, I don’t want to say “bro” anymore.

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

“It’s still real to me dammit” - jimbo cultists

[@TheSubZero187]

I love the part where he says he doesn’t like the focus on better matches nowadays versus a good storyline. Then he says “it shouldn’t even be called wrestling anymore”. This explains a lot about the short matches back then and all the run ins and things getting interrupted a lot.

[@gavinharvey7634]

Imagine taking a shot every time he said bro you would be to drunk 😂

[@Dr.Meth666]

You'd be dead 100x

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

Very excited for this interview, I am fan of both Vince Russo and Jim Cornette.

[@K1NGM4K3R]

13:18 Vince is right. The only promo package that’s worth watching during PPV usually is the main event. Back in the past, all the promo packages were telling an intricate story of sorts.

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍👍👍

[@davexxx316]

CVV, as a big Vince Russo fan thank you for bringing back the Boss Russo for another great interview

[@danielsims916]

But if he doesn’t like it then stop watching even if he is paid to . Work at Walmart or something

[@davexxx316]

@@danielsims916 nice 😁😂

[@PB-km7sg]

Finally someone says it. Russo is right. Say what you want, but they wrote better TV. They created Characters. And every character mattered, no matter where on the card. And yes, some didn't work out, but overall what they did was they created so many characters, that we actually had a interesting title picture and roster, we could see them evolve, grow, and even if some ideas were stupid, it was still entertaining and this is missing so much both in WWE as well as in AEW. And out of these characters extraordinary talent grew bigger, one big example is Edge. Man, I wished they brought in real writers and let them work like Russo and Ed did.

[@victory7763]

Yes!!! Too much generic cookie cutter characters and stories, especially in WWE, but AEW too

[@thetruej7872]

I agree with that

[@jamescooper3324]

Lmao well it wasn’t all good but they did more so it was better? Retarded logic

[@geneanthony3421]

They do have real writers. They hire writers who graduated from Harvard, it's just that McMahon is the final word and he just does what he wants in the end anyway. Their turnover rate for writers is high as well.

[@victory7763]

@geneanthony3421 That's not what he meant. They do indeed have writers, but ultimately like you said it's about what Vince wants, what HHH wants, what HHH's friends want (Rollins), and there's a few more in the pecking order before it actually comes down to the writers

[@calebmcclain4101]

Great interview! Side note: I’m a huge fan of Cornette, so this isn’t a dig at him by any means, disclaimer. Yet, it’s hard to listen to Russo and not believe he’s a good dude. Set aside your beliefs about his wrestling ideology. Russo seems like a genuinely good dude, and I think Cornette kind of gives him a bad rap. ‘Ducks’

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍👍

[@jaybob3143]

Russo is wrestling royalty.

[@eric-.]

yeah, a royal p.o.s. 😂

[@andrewmachado6988]

Russo gets a lot of hate but I always enjoy his interviews. Seems like a really nice guy. Never understood all the hate he gets from people.

[@_UnDiagnosed_]

Vince says bro so much, that if ANYONE took a shot each time he said "bro" within the first 5 minutes of this video, they'd be drunk as a skunk and possibly not alive. This also applies to him saying "honestly and I'll be honest with ya." 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@Rockleelives777]

Thanks so much for the great interview Chris!

[@PWCritic]

33:17 "They seem like Vince Russo ideas" 😂😂😂 Great job once again Chris, this and The Meltzer interview habe been great

[@johnrodriguez3626]

I would rather watch 2000 wcw rather then current WWE product on how bland the product is

[@christerry1611]

Title should just say "Old bro yelling at clouds while little kid pretends to laugh and fake being interested"

[@thehater6189]

Russo actually gets it and cornette doesn't lol

[@dylancloud97]

What a stupid ass take lol

[@tigernorm713]

I like Vince Russo . Its ironic that Bitchoff says he cant stand to listen to Vr talk when in fact hes a hell of a lot more entertaining and better to listen to than Eric. Imo

[@geneticfreak246]

Aces & Eights was awesome. That was 2013. TNA was better than WWE from 2007-2010. In 2011 WWE recovered with the return of The Rock and Punk pipe bomb. TNA had two more good years. Then in 2014 I gave up on wrestling.

[@jesterr7133]

I love it. Shitstain said he had no problems admitting his mistakes. Chris asks him what those mistakes were, and he immediately changed the subject and didn't answer the question. lmfao

[@bicepsboy167]

Okey Jim with the burner account 😂

[@attackonmemory]

He did answer the question. He cited the Kennel From Hell match and Stairway to Heaven match.

[@MrKilligan]

Dude this whole interview is him not taking accountability for anything negative. “Why do people hate you?” “I think they hate New Yorkers. They hate people who tell the truth. And we tell the truth.” Everything negative about him, he considers “folklore”. Spoken like a true egomaniac.

[@marcbasil]

@@MrKilliganuhhh you realize that pro rasslin is FAKE? Right? It’s all a huge Iie, you mark. No one cares, nor have they cared about these Ioser j0ck nobodies in real life. It’s entertainment. Watch the show, turn off the tv & go live life.

[@Rschr101]

Nothing better to do with your time huh

[@Berserkerbear1982]

Chris what a wonderful Interview. I like Vince. He explained everything. Hugs from Germany ❤

[@Inequities]

Well, I may be the only person on earth this way, but I am fans of both Vince Russo and Jim Cornette. I love both of their podcasts and interviews. I also understand that like all human beings, they are not perfect. They’ve made lots of mistakes along the way, like God knows I have. I do wish Russo wouldn’t slag off pro wrestling today as much and as hard as he does. Yes, wrestling is not in any kind of golden age, but in 2022, when Vince McMahon had to step away, we saw that wrestling can ABSOLUTELY get back to the amazing watch that it can be. And in 2023, I feel like AEW absolutely is setting the foundation- and the results are starting to show- to get back to that level of enjoyment. With Cornette, I wish he would ease up on the Elite. Even the most casual fan is well aware of Jim’s hatred towards Kenny and the Bucks. Now, I also don’t really love the Elite and Mox, but in no way, shape, or form do I hate them, or even not have a ton of respect for them. It’s completely okay to dislike anything in life, but to use veiled homophobic insults like calling Omega “Twinkletoes” is the most toxic, 20th century crap you can do. Still, I listen to Cornette and the great Brian Last all the time. When Jim isn’t being over the top nasty, he’s THE most knowledgeable, and can be EXTREMELY funny guy out there. And when Vince isn’t tearing apart wrestling fans today (and here’s the truth- the amount of overlap there is with us who loved watching Russo’s stuff back then, and the people still watching today, is pretty enormous), he absolutely knows what the issues are with today’s product, and has some great ideas.

[@TheGouthamCity]

Jim Cornette is truly a cult. If he would not take shots on the people he dislikes he would probably be well respected by all wrestling fans. Too bad he has to do it for his niche audience and spreads hate. like this guy was in a feud with santino marella like cmon man

[@Inequities]

hahaha exactly. Santino one of the nicest guys in the business. And I couldn’t agree with you more, if he put his efforts into going easy on the hate and more into uniting fans, we may not be in this divisive environment that we are now. And the thing is, he is very capable of doing that if he put his mind to it. because he is one of the staunchest anti-gun advocates (especially assault weapons), and he has no bones about saying so and demanding the cult of Cornette agree. And you would think that would be career suicide- telling people who are hating people not to support guns and the NRA, but that wasn’t the case. I think a lot of it is just generalization- people assume that all Cornette listeners are homophobic, anti-AEW, anti-Kenny Omega, etc, when that actually isn’t the case. It’s okay to not agree with people on everything, and I actually wish Jim was more like that because he’d realize that just because he and Russo disagree on stuff isn’t reason to devote their life to going after them.

[@Kalel2.0]

As much as i dont like Russo one bit your interviews are fantastic Chris

[@bencromwell707]

I Agree

[@JMAC____]

You don’t like him because someone convinced you not too… weird comment

[@terranceburrs5832]

Why, what did he do to you? I'm sure you don't even know him.

[@drstrange4625]

@@JMAC____people don’t like him because loads of people spoke out and exposed him. People who are far more credible than him. So go cry in the corner.

[@JMAC____]

@@drstrange4625 how am I crying for giving one simple comment 😂😂you people are literally insane. Who are the people who are “far” more credible? nice job giving an explanation would be nice if you elaborated instead of such a blanket statement that literally means nothing.. you’re the one that’s emotional here.

[@REVAMPEDWRESTLING2K]

Bro, Russo is a legend!

[@demat1628]

By far this is one of the most engaging interviews on here! His TV style of writing reflects on his persona.

[@aaronr8062]

Drinking game every time Russo says "Bro" take a shot.... Dead

[@essj3334]

I've always been a Russo fan people just developed hate for him after watching Cornette hating on him videos.

[@alexrowdyrodrigues9716]

You have to do Jim Cornette and if he will allow you to do it in Castle Cornette amongst his collection it's a MUST

[@hayesc0]

He's right about wrestling not being interesting anymore.

[@AmandaRogersarock1988]

Chris just out here getting the best out of guys like Vince Russo and Dave Meltzer. I also agree with Vince regarding Booker T. Loved when Booker T was champion! Totally disagree about Mike Awesome. Even if he doesn't care about the matches, ALL of the gimmicks Mike Awesome had weren't entertaining at this time. If he just came in being a tough guy who gives Awesome Bombs to everyone and gives no fucks. Like I get he wanted characters, but he totally tanked a few guy's careers. Really enjoying the banter here, though!

[@markv1274]

See my rant elsewhere regarding Booker T. VR tried to bury Booker in the beginning. Watch Sonny Onoo tell the truth about Booker T's WCW World Heavyweight title run. Russo turned Booker T into Booker, then G.I. Bro, then stuck him with WCW's version of the J.O.B. Squad, Misfits in Action. Only when Turner was threatened with an ethnic discrimination lawsuit did G.I. Bro magically return to being Booker T. The WCW World heavyweight Championship was given to Booker T shortly thereafter.

[@Kshep84]

He is 1000 percent correct on the bloodline story. The bar is so low that now that BL is seen as the greatest thing ever.

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍

[@samer9277]

chris good job gonna enjoy listening/watching this interview. i listen to both jim and vince's podcast and i love both bros and *cornette cough* love you too cvv keep it up

[@bwar05]

I don’t think I’ve ever heard someone say “bro” so many times. Near the end it actually made me consider just ending the interview early lol

[@benjkb]

Very excited for this interview. Still unbelievable you don't have 1 million subscribers , minimum. Thank you for the content

[@NealRoss1]

If you drank every time he said bro you'd end up dead 😂

[@lewrss]

A man denied his industry. RESPECT

[@KingGamer321]

Everything russo said about wrestling today is so on point and true. He literally listed the problems, and gave the answers.

[@KylePrime_1986]

I actually agree with him regarding the Bloodline story. It's good stuff but the audience has not had a good storyline in years

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍👍

[@JoshuaTraffanstedt]

Why does everyone feel the need to say "there was no internet" or "we had no cellphones." Yes, we know. Most of us were there too. Everyone knows that cellphones are a pretty modern thing. Jesus Christ man.

[@thedevilsdoorway8281]

“The problem with wrestling is that there is too much wrestling”. What a serious person 😂😂

[@Stowerslemalu]

That's actually true that's why normal people stopped watching.

[@jjalkman1999]

Without a storyline and characters it's just a bunch of fake fighters doing acrobatics.

[@nailed4umusicgroup]

I enjoyed this interview and I believe him and agree with what he said throughout this video

[@Elixir111]

Take a shot every time Vince says “bro”

[@hbk4ever2]

I hate that he gets such a bad rap and people have this vitriolic hate towards him as a human; he’s a kind, peaceful, down to earth family man. That being said - while some of the things he says have merit to a certain extent - he is largely completely out of touch with the wrestling business, both then and now. He refuses to acknowledge any other idea or train of thought other than his own holds any weight. And the fact he so adamantly takes credit and insists that himself and the writers are what made the attitude era iconic is asinine. When it comes down to it, it is 5% writers/creative and 95% the wrestlers/talent that get things over and make the moments what they are. If you’re someone that is honest about that era of wrestling or someone that goes back and watches that era without rose tinted glasses or without being blinded by nostalgia - you’ll see that 90% of those shows are dogshit (even the ones with the most memorable moments) and it’s in fact the performers making something out of nothing. Last thing Is he has such a disconnect with the wrestlers and their mindsets and perspectives. You know who loves going out and having incredible matches and putting on a show in their match for the crowd? The wrestlers! All in all, good guy who undoubtedly gave plenty of good things to the business (and deserves his flowers for that!) but he also set it back far more than he’s willing to admit, and that same business passed him by long before he realizes

[@Jungletraveler00_12]

I'd like to hear Jim Cornette's reaction to 27:00 😅

[@bomberdomme7308]

"Jim Cornette hates New Yorkers, He hates the entire east cost" he and brian will have an outburst why he does podcast with a guy from long island for so many years... bro russo is an idiot.