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

Vince Russo (@THEVinceRusso) is a professional wrestling writer, booker and bestselling author. He joins Chris Van Vliet to talk about why he hates watching wrestling now, some of the biggest misconceptions people have about him, the storyline he was most proud of booking during the WWF Attitude Era, why he would book David Arquette to win the WCW Heavyweight Championship again, why he decided to make himself the WCW Champion, how the booking in TNA differed from WWE and WCW, his thought on wrestling ratings and much more!
👉 To get 15% off go to mudwtr.com/cvv to support the show and use the code CVV15
00:00 Intro
00:26 Thoughts on being portrayed as a villain
01:50 Why is he a SF Giants fan?
03:46 What do people get wrong about him?
07:27 Why doesn’t he like wrestling anymore?
14:02 What he did right during the WWF Attitude Era
15:46 Memories of The Rock joining The Corporation
15:38 What was he proud of from WCW?
19:45 Fans upset about David Arquette and himself winning the WCW title
21:25 Booking Booker T as WCW Champion
24:45 Mike Awesome’s run In WCW as That 70s Guy
27:00 His thoughts on Jim Cornette’s hating him
30:25 Is he surprised Impact Wrestling still exists?
32:45 Memories of the electrified Steel Cage in TNA
34:45 Was the Dog Kennel From Hell a mistake?
36:08 What were his favorite TNA storylines
38:15 How did TNA change when Hogan/Bischoff showed up
40:15 His vast respect for Kurt Angle
43:45 Why is he known for pole matches?
46:00 Who say BRO the most?
48:23 What needs to change in pro wrestling?
51:13 Making characters matter in the WWF Attitude Era
53:15 How would he book CM Punk in AEW?
60:08 WWE celebrity involvement impacting the product
58:05 Texting Vince McMahon in 2022
1:00:30 Why he doesn’t want to come back to wrestling
1:06:12 Nick Khan’s success at making deals for WWE
1:07:40 What he thinks AEW is doing wrong
1:15:14 3 Things Vince Russo is grateful for
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#wwe #vincerusso #wrestling

[@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

[@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

[@MattWiggyWiggins]

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

[@V1LL1N]

BRO! Totally. Add Riddle tho

[@GrumpyBearRawr]

Featuring Hulk Hogan brother!

[@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 🤣

[@duckz3099]

or the hosts name LMAO.

[@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!?!?!?

[@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.

[@Reallife315]

@@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.

[@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

[@Twinkletoes22987]

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

[@haskell420]

293 bro's in 78 MINS! Another great interview by Chris! If you took the "over" of Russo saying, "bro" more than 300x in this 1:18:25 interview, YOU LOST! He said bro approx 293x! He started out of the gate w 10 in 2 minutes. Then had impressive stretches of 24x in 5 mins, another 44x in 10 mins, & in the final 13mins he said bro 55x! - (+/- 3 room for error).........So as brought up, they talked about how DDP also says "bro" a ton....If Chris has DDP on, the "bro counter" will start up again!

[@xanderthagreat8460]

imagine how many times a day he says it

[@Leba.Anatniuq]

​@xanderthagreat8460 imagine being the weirdo that counted all of Russos "bros"

[@westley5735]

@@Leba.Anatniuqyou seem real fun🎉

[@rokki1972]

Stuttering mot*******er, BRO. Liked big tittie blondes instead of wrestling. Best was what hid did for Marc Mero...

[@biggil0327]

@@westley5735 I swear you can do a drinking game with how many times he said Bro... we would be drunk 3 minutes into this interview lol

[@AbsAli02]

Chris is now the “original bro”.

[@kevinkelly1529]

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

[@fkoff5150]

BRO? BRO! BRO BRO😘😘

[@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

[@duckz3099]

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

[@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

[@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

[@davidvale3260]

I love old school TNA. Love how Chris gives the company credit when deserved 👏

[@4cuttime]

Same here!!!

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍💕

[@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

[@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

[@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

[@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.

[@terranceburrs5832]

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

[@shadesofblack89]

that says a lot about you

[@terranceburrs5832]

@@shadesofblack89 which is what?

[@foreverred105]

​@@shadesofblack89Cry more soft lad.

[@BingChilllinggg]

@@shadesofblack89 I can almost confirm from your comment that you're a smark

[@cblanton]

This would make a hell of a drinking game. Take a drink every time Russo says 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 😂😂😂

[@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]

👍

[@joystickjourneyman]

​@@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

[@alanchamberlain9902]

Everything Vince says makes sense after he left you could see the changes. Vince was lucky he still had guys like Taker, Rock, Austin Shawn, HHH etc who could carry things and he was blessed with that gen of Brock, Cena, Orton and Batista, but notice when all the guys I named went part time and retired things just got worse and worse. Wrestling will never be as mainstream as it was cause like Russo said, Vince, HHH etc are stuck in the wrestling bubble they aren't real writers. Vince was gonna comeback in 2002 until he found out Steph was made head writer and was trying to tell Russo what to do which is insane, for McMahon to put his daughter in that position. Russo is so underrated everything his says is normally spot on.

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍👍

[@litodat233]

Yeah it actually got better after he left

[@truthtransistorradio6716]

​@@litodat233Not according to the ratings.

[@johnharvelhines9803]

For only 2 years arguably. No era after the attitude era has been better in overall quality

[@truthtransistorradio6716]

One thing I thought WWE should have been doing is have their own movie company. Create movies for the characters that have nothing to do with wrestling. This is a way to reach the mainstream audience and get more talent over with the masses. Could you imagine a movie with the Wyatt Family? A comedy about team Hell No in anger management? The Bloodline? If you get movie writers to create these things, people like Daniel Bryan, Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper (rip), Roman Reigns, Jey Uso, Sammy Zayne, etc Could be just as big as John Cena or Batista. Maybe Dwayne Johnson will start doing this moving forward. Cody could be in a movie that Could get him over to outsiders. Like CM Punk was told he would be in a movie, but then they decided in the last minute to let Randy Orton do it. He already had mainstream appeal. That could have helped CM Punk more at the time.

[@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

[@mairsh]

Great, interesting interview as always with Chris. Very enjoyable. The two things I always think of Russo and are reminded of in this interview are: I remember every single character from the attitude era. They were all stars from first to last on the card. The whole show was always very entertaining. He achieved what was asked of him there. Old schoolers (Cornette included) frequently use the terms "he was a draw" and "the business is about making money". Russo made almost everyone a draw (even sub mid carders) and made everyone a windfall of cash. The outcome justified the means by the old standards. Russo was the ideal employee for McMahon. He did exactly what he was asked to do and much more. Bro.

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

👍👍👍👍

[@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.

[@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?

[@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

[@gime1945]

What he did for Booker T was one of the reasons why I can't hate on him. He did what he thought would get views, but while doing so, tried to spread the spotlight to underappreciated wrestlers. In my opinion, what really led to WCW's downfall was giving Hogan creative control. It was okay for a while, but he was way past his run as being the top guy. So much talent was overlooked for the sake of keeping Hogan and friends on top. Guys like Benoit, Guerrero, Jericho, Booker T, etc. All could have been included into so much more developing stories, etc. But once most of them moved to WWF/WWE, it was over. No one wants to watch Hogan win the championship against the same guys for the 50th time.

[@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]

👍👍

[@TheChadTI]

Vince always seems nice.

[@Chad-xh8zs]

Bro

[@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.

[@allgood2473655273]

Great interview. I didn’t realize how funny Vince is. “I watched the first year 1/2 of AEW. That was the biggest waste of my time” 😂❤

[@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

[@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

[@nineteeneightynine432]

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

[@williammunny1844]

Like Kevin Nash said, Vince Russo is the most misunderstood person that’s ever been in pro wrestling. The way he’s been treated by the gatekeepers and sycophants in the wrestling industry is an absolute shame. It’s no wonder he hates wrestling the way he does. Jim Cornette and his minions in the IWC have buried and harassed him for 15 years. WWE has completely erased him from their history. Russo was the writer for TWO companies, during their highest ratings success. WWE was on the verge of bankruptcy when he started writing for them, and their TV shows were unwatchable. He was the one who advocated to put a microphone at Steve Austin’s disposal. He wrote and produced the majority of The Rock’s ascension in popularity. He helped make wrestling fun to watch again. I started watching wrestling when Sting got kicked outta the horseman, and grew up a GIANT WCW fan, who grew up in a WCW town. Other than Hogan turning babyface, the spring & summer of 99 was hard to watch. Vince Russo made Nitro SO much more entertaining. The change in storylines, the change in production, the change in characters… everything. That’s when I became a “Vince Russo guy” lol. I thought his WCW runs were great. Funny, outlandish, character driven, with a dash of ECW-level violence… Ive always held him in high regard for breathing life back into WCW, and making the show edgy and watchable again. Then I was a big fan of his work in TNA. And other than Cornette, Bischoff, Hogan, and maybe a couple others, everyone he ever worked with enjoyed doing it. Jim Cornette and Meltzer made it “cool” to hate on him as a person, and their mindless zombies follow every command of theirs. I could go on and on about the unfairness & unwarranted shade that’s been thrown at Russo over the years. But it seems like old school fans are finally starting to appreciate his massive contributions to the wrestling business. I’ve watched a ton of Russo’s interviews, and Chris knocked this out of the park. Excellent interview! 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👍🏾👍🏾👍🏾

[@louisn1368]

I agree with you on everything you said I’m just curious when you said the spring summer of 1999 was hard to watch what company are you referring to? For me wwf became abit stale after Summerslam 1999 and wcw became stale after june 1998 that for me though as good as wwf was in 2000 it just wasn’t as entertaining as mid to late 1997 to mid to late 1999

[@zakkmiller8242]

Hates wrestling but dedicates most of his time to watching and talking about wrestling. LMAO dont drink his kool aid!

[@williammunny1844]

@@louisn1368 I was referring to WCW. Like you said, they got stale. Russo made it fun to watch again.

[@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

[@thehankmiller]

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

[@Kylethejobber]

I really don't think Vince is a bad guy

[@blrolz3544]

Russo is 100% right when he says alot of people forget that wrestling isnt real. Its hilarious to see guys in their 40's to 60's speak about Russo with such vitriol, its like dude, its just fucking wrestling.

[@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.

[@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

[@SwagAli]

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

[@PiCheZvara]

It's amazing how he doesnt realize how ignorant he is coming off with the talk about why he doesnt like wrestling - it's not because it's not wrestling anymore, but it's because it's more about wrestling again than during his Attitude era when shorter matches and Crash TV presentation were trendy. I mean he really doesnt get that it's that era that was the weird anomaly in wrestling and not this one? Doesnt he get that if he tried this presentation now, he would get bored with it in two weeks because this thing was cool 20 years ago for a short time period? Really I get why Cornette hates him, he just has no idea what he is talking about .

[@Rockleelives777]

Thanks so much for the great interview Chris!

[@CactusChris]

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

[@mattleee]

"The bar has been so freaking lowered, that when you do have a storyline, and it's the only one they have, it's the greatest thing you've ever seen" Vince Russo

[@Voysh2Voysh69]

CVV, we need to start a GoFundMe to get Russo, Cornette, and Bischoff all on the show at the same time. 4 boxes on the screen, all from their own homes, just yelling & cussing each other out while CVV sits front row and witnesses the wrestling podcast history taking place in front of him. Lmao

[@Inequities]

That would be beyond insane

[@EE-md2lr]

The only way that would work is if Cornette and Bischoff didn't know if Russo would be a part of the show. Both have repeatedly reiterated that there isn't enough money to bribe either of them to go into a podcast or talk show with Vince Russo. So if they were given a heads-up that Russo would be there, they would more likely tell the host to go fuck themselves.

[@jasoninflagstaff]

​@@EE-md2lramazing right? Russo's saying all this crap about being open to do things with SEVERAL people who have made it clear for more than a decade that they want nothing to do with him. But he's the bigger man a generation after the fact 😂

[@sonderday4115]

Was hoping for a "bro" counter this episode

[@sublime90]

or how he says "wrest a ling"

[@BuckyBarnesATL]

Yo Chris! A fan from Cleveland back on your channel 19 days and I’m very happy for you brother. Hopefully I can actually meet you one day. Have a good one and I love everything you do!

[@italianmiltyfriedman6264]

yikes

[@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.

[@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

[@lucaslawless]

Bro, I've been waiting for this one bro!

[@theeXodusof730]

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

[@MyChannel-ol1zz]

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

[@mavfan20186]

Vinne Rue: "Cornette hates New Yorkers, he hates the entire East coast" Meanwhile one of Cornette's closest friends and his own Co-Host is from Long Island. Solid take there Vince.

[@Disneymagic24]

you could ask bruce prichard that as well and he would say the saame thing that jim hated the city and the northeast

[@dingusuhum]

lol did you really just "but he has a black friend" this?

[@Inequities]

Isn’t Cornette from very near the east coast??

[@knection1986]

@@Inequities ppl tend to pretend that Kentucky is midwest for some reason.

[@knection1986]

@@dingusuhum your anecdote is funny but Vince is making a point that is terribly off the mark.

[@PWCritic]

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

[@reesewester202]

Here because you were on Kristian Harloffs channel! Thanks for the interview, bro!

[@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]

👍💕

[@user-vp8mu5fj7o]

Would love to see a podcast where Jim and Vince just go at it😂

[@Rschr101]

Cornette will never face him

[@Ranuyasha]

Vince is right. Character work and storytelling is important. More important than the wrestling itself.

[@markv1274]

Not so. Many promotions have excelled by highlighting the wrestling. Many fans stopped watching when VR booked the WWF and WCW.

[@brianr797]

Russo seems to take the high road on Cornett 👍

[@RomaroBrandon]

Drinking game, take a shot every time Vince Russo says bro.

[@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

[@gavinharvey7634]

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

[@Dr.Meth666]

You'd be dead 100x

[@litodat233]

I feel like the thing missing in wrestling it’s storylines it’s too many 15 min matches and not enough storylines that’s what I loved about the attitude eras the storylines the cliff hangers man what a time to be alive

[@majinvegeta7777]

storylines & character depth. now a days its all about what you can do in ring

[@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.

[@jefezstory2955]

NEED TO HAVE RUSSO BACK ON AGAIN

[@Johnnyversetti6969]

@chris. Dude, you would own a money factory if you could get Jim Cornette and Vince Russo on a weekly show covering wrestling. Almost like a first take. I know Russo says he isn’t a wrestling fan anymore but here’s the thing. I think when there’s blood in the water he will attack. I would love to see this.

[@AnthonyRaspberry]

I dig this

[@RegginaldRiglet]

Listen bro

[@jims.6393]

Cornette will NEVER do it.

[@Berserker_2024]

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

[@DevittPhotography]

Great convo.

[@miketee4276]

The one guy in wrestling that was cancelled, before cancel culture

[@markv1274]

VR invented cancel culture. If you were Mexican or Japanese, he didn't want you. Only pushed Booker T when WCW was threatened with a lawsuit. Before that, repackaged him as Booker (minus the T), then G.I. Bro. The moron who thought that Japanese and Korean were the same language. Fuck him.

[@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]

👍👍👍

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

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

[@SeanzViewEnt]

Incredible interview bro

[@ljavwa3459]

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

[@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 😁😂

[@mikelopez2024]

Vince Russo is an awesome interview

[@yousufseedat7736]

Bro this was a good interview

[@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.

[@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.

[@prasan7561]

Amazing interview, Chris. Your counter questioning was fantastic

[@guidingluminescencebyshez]

[@spjunkies]

Great interview, bro.

[@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]

👍👍

[@MikeGodetteMusic]

Anyone else just click and immediately look for the Jim Cornette timestamp?

[@timhenderson5284]

Thanks for this💯💯

[@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. 🤔

[@benjkb]

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

[@thebigbear4696]

While Russo was on the writing team in WWF there were 3 pole matches. After he went to WCW until they closed there were 10 (hard to know how many Russo was involved in booking since he was in and out a few times). During his time employed by TNA there were 9. But again due to revolving doors and shifting roles we can’t pin down how many were Russo. Source: Ryan Byers at 411Wrestling.

[@ckraynor1214]

I think Vince Russo as a person, is a cool guy. Would I want him writing for my company SOLO, probably not.

[@jesterr7133]

I love how Russo immediately starts talking about wrestling being fake the second he is asked to take responsibility for any mistake he has made. His narcissistic personality type allows him to take credit for other people's success while blaming his failures on others. That title win ruined David Arquette's life and career, and nearly got him killed. He has been through hell over the years because of Russo. Mike Awesome was a star. If Russo has pushed him in a sensible way, maybe he would be alive today. The fact that wrestling is "fake" makes Russo more culpable for those mistakes.

[@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.

[@Rroy20]

Awesome Interview

[@FernandoGarcia-rl6gj]

This interview was awesome

[@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.

[@mouhsinebenmbarek1978]

He is so right about everything. They cant tell stories, bar so low every decent story seems the best ever, even the matches dont tell stories anymore. Everything we loved about wrestling isnt existing anymore

[@zakkmiller8242]

If you could get Cornette and Russo together for a sit down, you could sell it on PPV.

[@Rschr101]

Cornette is terrified to face Russo