Wrestling Isn’t The Same Anymore - Vince Russo

Former WWE and WCW writer Vince Russo says wrestling isn't the same anymore
#wwe #aew #impactwrestling #vincerusso

[@CVVCLIPS]

Full interview with Vince Russo: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoCqg4impdGIhq8

[@TimLoyalToWifeHaterFreeZoneA]

Love It CVVCLIPS Bro

[@MrWhateverfits]

I just came back to wrestling after not watch since the early 2000's. I grew up with the Attitude Era and now when I watch all I can see is just the fakeness and miss timed moves.

[@thomaskolodziej9994]

The attitude era was the best I can't stand new s***

[@Kazpper88]

HE AIN'T WRONG

[@Kazpper88]

HE AIN'T WRONG

[@silkygt.v.6797]

Jim Cornett’s blood pressure has entered the chat

[@Noobie2k7]

I mean Cornette would probably agree with this in private, publicly he'd obviously still disagree on principle. Cornette also hates modern wrestling for the same reasons. I do love Cornette but he's never ran a wrestling company that drew any money, Russo has twice. His WWF and first TNA runs were both successful.

[@jamesf791]

​@@Noobie2k7Russo ran a wrestling company? Running and writing a few bullet points are not the same thing, bro

[@fuckiopussigetti453]

@@Noobie2k7 Russo Killed Owen

[@thatboybear]

@@Noobie2k7Russo ran WCW and TNA into the ground, and the only reason WWE survived his tenure with the book is the dual advantages of having two of the hottest stars in the history of the business on the same payroll at the same time and a boss that controlled his product. Russo is the Dame Dash of wrestling: you say you made this company? Make another one.

[@jasoninflagstaff]

​@@thatboybearRusso never had "the book" in the wwf. He was A writer among a bunch of writers and everything had to go through McMahon. So much of Russo's garbage never left the committee meetings & you've seen since what happens when Russo's nonsense doesn't have a filter.

[@Nero78901]

Vince russo just summed up a huge issue within the indie scene and AEW

[@souradeepbanerjee4374]

That thing about casual fans is very very true. I used to watch wrestling matches frequently but then lost track for a while post-COVID. But the only thing that made me come back to WWE was the Bloodline storyline. And as a casual fan at that point of time, I only watched the promos and segments, which I still do to an extent when I just want to know where the story is going. If the story is interesting, you would get higher numbers, regardless of the output. Everyone knows the results are "booked", so at the end of the day the Winner is pre-determined. But the story, that's what's appealing

[@bodins]

Funny, the wrestling focus has meant WWE making huge profits, a secondary company starting up and a London event close to being the biggest event ever

[@TheWorstAmy-LegacyAccount]

His justification for his rant is that the main event starts at 10:30? Bro. BR-OOOOOOOOOO. Literally every other match on the show is less than eight minutes to make way for pointless backstage angles and interviews. We COULD have a match that goes ten minutes, OR, we could just show Sami Zayn sitting on an equipment box backstage smiling as Jey Uso walks past him for the fifth week in a row. SUCH COMPELLING TELEVISION, BRO!

[@Abdulaziz-vz6op]

hes absolutely 100% right

[@mangamango5569]

I imagine you wanted to say a thing or two considering how many modern wrestlers you talk to and like. But you kept it professional and let your guest speak his mind. 👍

[@delextaghap7645]

Im not a fan of vince russo but he has a point i feel like its all about the flashy moves and the athleticism not the story

[@jasonsgandurra7054]

Some things that Vince says I'm not sure about. But this i totally agree with Vince on. He's right they changed the sentimentals of the game. Every week it's the same old thing and same old matches.while I do like the wrestling I don't like the 3 hour raw with the same old thing every week

[@resurrectthewitch]

My guy doesn’t like modern wrestling because there’s more wrestling. 😂 He has a point about a lack of storylines but damn, matches are overall way better these days.

[@sentelnbalivebolton7399]

He 💯 % right

[@vibezforall99]

how chris survived a whole interview with VR is insane!

[@herecomesdatrain]

He's a professional

[@yourfavoriteentertainment]

VR speaks the truth. Watch AEW Collision. The only real story is, "I'm better than you! Let's wrestle!" Wrestling is different than it used to be.

[@buttereggs35555]

​@@yourfavoriteentertainmentfacts

[@brahmabull5018]

@@yourfavoriteentertainmentDude you couldn’t be more fucking wrong 😂 Thank god you don’t run a wrestling promotion lol!!

[@malekat8539]

​@brahmabull5018 then explain why he's wrong if you would mind...

[@lb7144]

Anybody and I mean anybody can sit and watch Booker T & Stone Cold shopping at the grocery store together. 😂

[@thedecipher346]

Anybody can actually sit and watch the attitude era in general

[@cakeisbetterthanpie9169]

But not anyone who loves wrestling loves every single thing about wrestling.

[@GracefulEloquence]

@@thedecipher346 Yeah, I guess if you are into rape, gore, and lynching, the attitude era was palatable to a wider audience and not just edgy teens.

[@TheDON914]

FACTS😂😭💀

[@TheDON914]

​@cakeisbetterthanpie9169 True

[@grandpaabundy6145]

Unpopular opinion: Whether you like him or not, he does have a point. Only those who’ve watched pro wrestling for 25+ plus years will understand where he’s coming from… especially from a business standpoint. The casual fan is what REALLY generates revenue.

[@Shockkings0714]

Than why are both companies, WWE and AEW making outstanding revenue right now?

[@grandpaabundy6145]

The casual fan

[@Shockkings0714]

@@grandpaabundy6145 But didn’t he just critique modern wrestling for not being able to draw in casual fans because of their approach of wrestling?

[@jeremykurtz83]

WWE 2nd Quarter of 2023 Revenue was up 25%. Viewership of Smackdown and Raw increased 26% and 19% in the 18-49 demo. Live events revenue increased 51% over the prior year. You, Russo, and the casual fan can all please go away.

[@neilsun2521]

He's absolutely right. (No one talks about today's "characters" like they did in the '90s when everyone watched it.)

[@MitchellBoomin]

He is right there. Characters and story dont matter anymore, people wanna skip right to the big match with no meaning behind it.

[@fuckiopussigetti453]

so? ill skip to whatever match he wrote the storyline for. fuck his writing.

[@Zack_410]

In AEW yeah 😊

[@MattyPrograms]

This guy never liked wrestling.

[@thesegafan4472]

No one likes wrestling today .

[@quas3728]

@@thesegafan4472 yea only smarks stick to wrestling just to cheer loud to guys like kevin owens.

[@endlessfiregaming3863]

​@@thesegafan4472lmfao who are u kidding . I like wrestling more now then i ever did back in the day .

[@kevinlee9929]

​@@endlessfiregaming3863That would put you in the minority

[@endlessfiregaming3863]

@kevinlee9929 yep tell that to the 70,000 people who bought tickets to all in , or maybe the sold out to the rafters scotia bank arena for forbidden door that I was at .

[@bricemckeel255]

Vince Russo did a fantastic job showing how little he knows or cares about this industry in under a minute. Wow.

[@_Snafu_]

Right. I mean had the highest ratings everywhere he went, but, yeah. Clueless he is, right. Wink 😉

[@yelhsanosnhoj6602]

He is 100% right. The fundamentals of wrestling have been drastically altered thanks to King Karen, CM Punk, and his legion of Karens who hang on to his every word like it’s the truth. And since that’s just about every adult nowadays who watches wrestling there’s been a major shift in the product. There isn’t any character because people want to see “real wrestling” matches whatever the hell that is. They love a gimmick and think that is character and it’s not and so now everyone on the roster feels exactly the same despite what they call themselves and how goofy they dress. WWE needs to attract new fans to keep it afloat but the new roster can’t do that, they only attract preexisting wrestling fans. And that isn’t much especially compared to the numbers WWE used to do. Roman had the ability to but the jealous fans didn’t want to see him prosper and so he can’t. Y’all blame Vince when y’all can’t see it’s the wrestlers themselves that just don’t have it because you are tripping off their Indy work. Hate it if you want but what Russo said is 100% true.

[@Appalachianasshole41]

Modern wwe is hot garbage. I have watched from 1982 until about 10 to 15 years ago. It is absolutely not the same and everything russo said is true. Character doesnt matter stoey doesnt matter. All the wrestlers look practically identical like they have 2 to 4 molds and all wrestlers must fit into one of those molds. No real stars anymore nobody that can be a ring general and create a match unscripted on the fly, all promos entirely scripted and rehearsed. No emotion no love no hate no nothing just a boring snooze fest that old fans hate and turned away from. This modern era cant hold a candle ro oldschool eras any of them. Even the cartoon like over the top 80s early 90s wwf was better when we had guys like coco beware and those other ridiculous gimmicks it was still better.

[@louisn1368]

Wtf are you on about Vince Russo is spot on ever since 2007 wwe has gone downhill even in the ruthless aggression era there was a wrestling matches that went on for far too long and in if it wasn’t for weapons,blood and swerves people would have hated the ruthless aggression era same way they hated the pg era,reality era and all the era’s since

[@Appalachianasshole41]

@@louisn1368 honestly for me having started watching in 1982 every era from middle of ruthless aggression on is just the same shit era, it's all the same and nothing differentiates them for me. Long matches aren't a problem when the story and heart is there. I sat ringside for hhh vs hbk hell in a cell, it was something like 48 1/2 minutes and was awesome. Flair used to do hour long matches with steamboat and made the match up as it happened based on the audience. Just a completely different and watered down product at this point.

[@RunninRebelBen]

I’m embarrassed for admitting as much, but I can’t handle the zooms and the shaky cam. That’s what chases me away.

[@myth1cal37]

Better reason to not like wrestling than VRs reasoning

[@gladiator1342]

And the terrible acting

[@Briansgate]

screw those zooms and shaky cams

[@neilsun2521]

The zooms are cringe, it's like they're admitting the match ain't exciting enough by itself.

[@renel8964]

Thank you! The moment I saw the 1st zoom I went "I'm done"

[@jameslane9267]

The problem is that today WWE doesn’t rely on the casual fan for revenue. They get the money from Saudi shows, advertisers, KZbin, soon to be Netflix, Peacock, and plenty of other outside business ventures that is generating cash flow for the company. Back in the 1990’s they were forced to get the eyes of casual fans for it to be a success.

[@Rogue1sme]

NO NO NO “Bro” you changed the fundamentals of the game when you turned a cherished sport into YOUR game. Cease to exist soon please for all of us.

[@hendrifai4223]

Before vince russo you really think what hulk hogan andrea the giant macho man ultimate warrior roddy pipper ect ect you really think what they were doing could be considerd a sport??? And also what kind of sport is scripted and has its outcome predetermined?

[@frost_k2j862]

I have to admit Russo is, for once, right on this one. A lot of matches feel random and purposeless nowadays. In the Attitude Era, even the most meaningless match had a solid story behind it.

[@stashallemagne4488]

ehhhhhh i wouldnt agree with this

[@Noobie2k7]

I mean in rhe Attitude Era almost no matches ever ended clean. The matches were just used as a means to keep the story going to the next PPV which back then is where the big money was. Now wrestling shows are written and booked for TV, not for the PPV's.

[@fuckiopussigetti453]

@@Noobie2k7 you talking about the AA matches never ending clean but forwarding the story is true, almost every single fuckin main event during that time was Austin- Taker, Austin-H, Austin- Rock, Rock-H, Rock-Taker in some shape or form and it always ended in a wild schmoz or the show ended with some post segment with some top guys getting ambushed

[@spheremode3271]

I like parts of the Attitude Era, but a lot of those storylines weren't solid, they were mostly low-brow trash like choppy choppy ur pp. The stories at the top were mostly quite intriguing, but the midcard storylines sucked. I'd rather have the midcard not have too much story than have it be filled with trashy garbage.

[@zacharyradford5552]

So right that why the other two promotions he worked for and had unfiltered creative control died out.

[@CommerceAudio]

Shut up Vince Russo. You single handedly almost ruined wrestling.

[@shaqyardie8105]

He's right though, there's a reason the ratings are at an all time low.

[@CommerceAudio]

@@shaqyardie8105 I agree with you, but because you did not almost ruined wrestling, and then turn around and complain about the decline. Lol

[@shaqyardie8105]

@@CommerceAudio He's entitled to his opinion regardless of what you think he did or didn't do as far as contribution to wrestling go. How did Russo almost ruin wrestling? TNA was dogshit after Russo left, the show didn't automatically get better once he left.

[@kevinlee9929]

​@@CommerceAudioHow did he ruin wrestling when he was the creative force behind the Attitude Era?

[@CommerceAudio]

@@shaqyardie8105 kzbin.info/www/bejne/aomtYWV9i5WZbck this is a good video or I may recommend Jim Cornett discussing it.

[@celtic69]

So you don’t like wrestling, you basically just like reality TV

[@Dougdimmadingleling]

BINGO

[@anthonyanderson9303]

Wrestling is reality tv

[@celtic69]

@@anthonyanderson9303 no, it isn’t

[@yourfavoriteentertainment]

Wrestling is supposed to be a testosterone driven soap opera with characters and stories. Fake fight after fake fight gets boring and dull.

[@jactrich]

That’s what wresting is to a tee my man. I loved it growing up especially through the 90s but we all knew we were watching an R rated live soap opera. Who’s the most famous wrestlers? Rock,Stone Cold ect. Are they the best technical actual wrestlers? Not a chance Why are they the most famous wrestlers when there is much better wrestlers? Because pro wrestling is a soap opera.

[@john9908]

He ain't lying. The bloodline and judgment day would have been like a one month storyline during attitude era.

[@fuckiopussigetti453]

before Vince needs to push his newesr totally funny gimmick, Beaver Cleavage

[@EdgyContents]

And than he would move onto spmething as good so that people wouldnt get bored

[@fuckiopussigetti453]

@@EdgyContents depends on "as good" when you got mr beaver cleaverge or general hugh g rection or the fat chick thriller aka that 70s guy

[@100thprimate]

The bloodline is corny vince russo bs that killed wrestling. Look at golbergs whos next, it was super simple and worked for months because the jackknife was billed as some nuclear weapon. Then everyone started doing it every 30 seconds under russo so it didn’t mean anything so he came up with bizarre stories and now those dont work and there’s nothing so they have 3 hour shows of filler

[@uberhaxorzskelletor]

​@@100thprimateBooking someone like that only works for so long if you're not a good worker and Goldberg had a lot to be desired. He's pretty much the WCW ultimate warrior because he's not really a good enough worker if they don't book him perfectly

[@lightninlarry8936]

Dude clearly hasn’t been watching the bloodline

[@thetribalist6923]

Funny enough Id say the bloodline story proves his point. Characters and story are a big draw and that angle is proof.

[@anthonyanderson9303]

​@@thetribalist6923exactly its not from the matches. Roman barely wrestles.

[@anthonyrivera2306]

​@@thetribalist6923And funny enough, he's stated that he doesn't like the Bloodline angle, which baffles me.

[@geno1399]

I haven't, WWE lost me when the streak ended, TNA lost me when they hired VR

[@yourfavoriteentertainment]

No. He only watches Raw.

[@S0ulEaTeR1012]

The story really matters so hes right on that account.

[@drehgonden1103]

But they have story's and storylines , they just don't have his Jerry springer level of storylines bc its inappropriate these days. Ppl dont remember the attitude era day to day. The top guys aren't who vince wrote for he wrote for the underneath and not all of it was great alot of it didn't make sense.

[@sohell1992]

Go look at the storylines he creates before saying he's right.

[@S0ulEaTeR1012]

@sohell1992 just because his are shit doesn't mean the sentiment is.

[@drehgonden1103]

@@S0ulEaTeR1012 no I mean we can agree on the sentiment but the person saying it makes it disingenuous, because wwe does storylines they just don’t do the inappropriate ones he likes bc it would get them kicked off tv and or get the wrong negative reactions like they were getting in the early 2000s . Now a days WWE has a pretty good rep with everyone , so the idea that wwe should go back to the attitude era is silly bc it screams back in my day men were men and jazz was all the rage not any of this rock and roll nonsense.

[@bhhdty2272]

@@sohell1992his stories are ofc trash but he’s still 100% correct, that’s why the bloodline draws 10x more money & viewers than any other promotion or tv show.

[@teyvang3953]

For me, this is true. I just stopped watching wrestling like maybe 7 or 8 years ago. No more really good stories or good characters.

[@neilsun2521]

I stopped in the early '00s. WWF was only awesome when Russo was writing it.

[@mangamango5569]

A lot of things have changed in that time. Do you check in periodically or watch clips? Or did you just quit cold turkey and don’t know what’s happening right now.

[@Lou_Mavs]

Did anyone notify Russo that Crash TV sucked? Ask Bart Gunn, Dr. Death, Owen Hart, and countless others how good of a concept Crash TV was.

[@mistert4533]

Storylines were always more interesting to me than the matches themselves.

[@robinali6903]

Which is why I agree with him.

[@DeezNuts-]

Yes but the matches are part of the story, getting the balance right is important. When russo was running the show, it was terrible because their was no balance it was all about characters and gimmicks and the storylines were inconsistent and the matches were too fast and inconclusive.

[@LoganHunter82]

There should be a nice balance between matches and promos. If you concentrate too much on one or the other, it becomes boring. Look at WWE at the beginning of '2010's. Hardly any matches, promos went on like 20-30 minutes, matches were always the same etc...That's why I also find this modern NWA very boring. Not enough promos and storytelling

[@zacharyradford5552]

Wrestling is the fucking story line.

[@mistert4533]

@@zacharyradford5552 no it's not. Stone cold getting hit by a car is a storyline. Randy Orton attacking the McMahon family is a storyline. Kurt Angle kissing Stephanie is a storyline etc. What are you even talking about. Clown. If you don't know something about a subject, then don't contribute

[@UndisputedFigureCollector97]

"Wrestling matches don't draw fans" It's a wrestling company do you hear yourself

[@smithsfan425]

It’s a “sports entertainment” company, which they love emphasizing all the time.

[@baseupp12]

storylines have always been the main draw of wrestling boom periods, it wasn't the matches Hogan or Rock or Austin that made them megastars it was the character work and the memorable storylines they are apart of yes wrestling does help to build a storyline but it is only one part of the whole.

[@yourfavoriteentertainment]

Yes. And all the greats say the same damn thing. Wrestling has never drawn a dime. The stories and characters are what hook people.

[@deathmauler181]

Jesus christ what he's saying is that without engaging stories nobody cares, the casual fans who aren't IWC wackos do not care

[@malekat8539]

Did you call wwe a wrestling company? My brother in christ, are you 13 years old?

[@brandenarnett7162]

"The matches have finishes instead of run in DQs every single match, its terrible!" Shut up vince

[@goodtim3s394]

I agree it isn’t the same, it doesn’t have Russo’s nonsensical bullsht riddled throughout it.

[@jasonmartinez3902]

Thank goodness for Vince Russo, Jim cornette and Eric Bishoff! Tribalism is sick! & Neve at any point did Fans cheer for a rich fan who has did poorly.. if he did well. There would be casuals & zero tribalism

[@thegoatfromiowa8948]

Honestly for me, matches are what drew me to wrestling. Many medias do storytelling but the wrestling aspect of wrestling is what makes it special. Wrestlers like AJ Styles and Seth Rollins got me in to wrestling because of their in ring work. Edit: Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy the storytelling aspect of wrestling, but I think the match at the end of the day is the main attraction.

[@quas3728]

The problem is fans. If you want "wrestling". why don't they choose promotions like NJPW or PWG instead of WWE? they stay in WWE and hijack the show. this is the result. are they happy now!?

[@djsav688]

Damn you must be 16

[@carlosr6462]

so you watch movies because of the action and explosions but not for the story? the story will always be the main attraction, 2 vanilla guys fake fighting and doing the same flips that everybody is doing do not draw casuals nor the pro wrestling fans that used to watch the product religiously 20 years ago

[@TheDawracik1]

I agree dude. People are hostile towards this opinion for some reason. I guess they just don't want to admit they aren't fans of the actual wrestling 🤔

[@James-616]

@@carlosr6462 Exactly what I was thinking, it’s why I have no interest in anything to do with The Elite, every single match is the same and not in a good way for me

[@nicholasjones1209]

He’s absolutely right I hate him but he’s right

[@ZiggyGamma]

Honestly... He has a point wrestling appeals to many different people for many different reasons. For me when a match hits the 20 minute mark I'm looking at my watch like can we go now

[@Dougdimmadingleling]

It just means you aren't actually invested in what you're "watching", never do something just to do it, it means your time is better spent elsewhere. Ironman matches are some of the best matches and span 30-60 minutes lol.

[@jackhughes7637]

​@@DougdimmadinglelingWell fuck... They should make him invested. He's clearly a wrestling fan and enjoys watching it. I'm sure he would be more willing to watch a 30 minute match if the characters involved made him feel like it's must watch.

[@deathmauler181]

@@Dougdimmadingleling it is literally their job to get people invested

[@malekat8539]

​@@DougdimmadinglelingNo, it just means that the match had no substance to go for that long. Iron man matches (especially the Bret hart vs Shawn Michael's match) had substance between the wrestlers.

[@boutdatstrenuouslife9747]

You just have the attention span of a hamster

[@Bohdisattva3.7]

One hundred percent correct Vince

[@awill909]

Facts!!!😊

[@platinumjoseph]

The only person from the business itself that calls it fake lmao

[@yourfavoriteentertainment]

There are plenty of others.

[@TheKestevon]

Your king CM Punk also called it fake

[@robinali6903]

I mean I agree with him. There is no character or story anymore. Now it’s just wrestling. You need all three. Which is why the attitude era is the best.

[@sohell1992]

Never forget that Vince Russo once wrote a story where Goldberg "refused to follow the script" and the announcers blatantly ON AIR said that Goldberg was supposed to go down and now they have to improvise. This man is a disgrace to wrestling and has done everything in his power to destroy it.

[@plshelpmeawkdough]

That's sounds way more entertaining than 30+ minutes of flips and super kicks lmaoo

[@bizmonkey007]

Yeah, Russo blatantly crapped on kayfabe and destroyed any remaining credibility of the WCW (at least what was left of it at the time). The WWE had outrageous storylines at the time but they were presented as real with respect to kayfabe.

[@plshelpmeawkdough]

@@bizmonkey007 they literally had moments where they were completely out of character doing promos, Taker came out in normal clothes and a bandana 2 years before the American badass was even born

[@Vicvenom2]

@@bizmonkey007 did you not watch wrestling in the 90s? You’re making it like Russo was the first person ever to break a Kayfabe . Vince McMahon did it after the steroid trial and told the athletic commissions that it was fake because he didn’t wanna pay the fees anymore . The WWF was breaking Kayfabe way before Russo ever became writer . I think you need to dust up on your history

[@bizmonkey007]

@@Vicvenom2 The way Russo did it was different. For example he would have Schiavonne directly mention Kayfabe when things happened with lines like “is this a work?” or “this isn’t part of the script!”Maybe some other writer was responsible for lines like that, but to have a wrestling announcer directly reference kayfabe so blatantly is something you never really saw or heard in the WWF or even ECW from what I remember. Sure, the WWF and ECW had gritty storylines that blurred the lines of work vs shoot, but the way Russo did it was very on the nose.

[@joshuabailey2746]

Nowadays wrestling's like watching the cruiserweight division take over

[@supportpatriarchyordietrying]

the formular is simple: do "Crash TV" on the weekly shows to draw the masses, do 5 star matches on PPV for the diehard fans.

[@Dock76]

He's only half right. Yes, personalities and stories draw the casual fan, but those stories are building to something. Something integral to professional wrestling. THE MATCH!! The idea that casual fans don't care about the matches is idiotic. They care about matches of consequence. You can't just throw a cold match out there and expect record gates. But you do need matches, and since you're expecting people to pay money for these matches, they should be pretty fucking good.

[@Disneymagic24]

idk many of your favorite matches probably arent that great and he is saying people care more about the moves and spots in the match then the entire match itself

[@Dock76]

@@Disneymagic24 You've no clue what my favourite matches are. I'm not defending the barren wasteland that's modern wrestling. I'm saying you need quality stories plus good matches. He also said wrestling matches. He didn't say moves.

[@quas3728]

The Match is not the DRAW. you say "Idiotic" but you know what? this is entertainment. you blame casual fan for not liking match for what? do you think liking match makes person a smarter? Batista and Big Show were not technical wrestler. this is the problem of IWC (Internet Wrestling Community). I'm not blaming people who prefer match over story. the problem is IWC love to hijack the WWE show. why don't they stick to PWG or something who only focus on the match?

[@Dock76]

@@quas3728 The match between Hogan and Andre wasn't the draw? Austin/Rock wasn't a draw? The storylines are important. I conceded that. I said the storylines are building to a match. No matter how you slice it, that's true. The fans buy the ppv to see the big featured matches. I didn't blame casual fans for anything. Try reading next time, moron.

[@kevinlee9929]

Most casual fans don't care about the matches. Which is why many diehards complain about the Attitude Era not having great In Ring matches. But it did record numbers.

[@marvin3872]

I think it’s 50/50. A good story line draws fans in, and a great match keeps them watching. As a kid I def tuned in every week to see the storylines I was following progress. And than watching great matches like CM Punk vs John Morrison was great.

[@JamalService2000]

This is easily the smartest and most reasonable comment I’ve ever read in this thread.

[@K1LLSW1TCH9]

Thank you. Somebody said it.

[@sarkissamuel]

The main event starts at 1030, and each guy takes 8 min to walk to the ring. Boring as f.

[@Yifeng-rn4ov]

"Wrestling matches don't draw the fans" So his gonna matches like Seth Rollins vs Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns vs Brock Lesnar (Summerslam) and Sami Zayn vs Kevin Owens?

[@liamhopkinson3062]

If you're super invested in a story and characters, the wrestling doesn't have to be amazing to make it an entertaining match. If you're not invested, the match could be Incredible from a technical standpoint but it won't mean anything and will not entertain you as much as a lesser match with a great story. Vince russo did lots wrong but it doesn't mean hes wrong on this occasion.

[@neilsun2521]

What did he do that was "lots wrong"? And who cares considering he did all the best bits? (Yknow, Austin & McMahon D-X;..)

[@plshelpmeawkdough]

​​@@neilsun2521WCW was a miss for sure, but I cant imagine not having an ego and doing whatever I want like Russo when he literally made WWE the biggest thing it's ever been with his style of writing.

[@yy-hj4br]

What he's really trying to say is BRO WRESTLING ISNT ABOUT WRESTLING, BRO IT'S ABOUT THE CAUSAL FAN. IT'S A SWERVE, BRO

[@shaqyardie8105]

It is about the casual fans though. Dieheard fans will watch no matter what, you want to keep the casuals watching and potentially turn them into diehards.

[@yy-hj4br]

@@shaqyardie8105 I don't watch/play/read something I enjoy and go "I like it, but i don't think a casual fan would, so maybe I shouldn't." I didn't get into challenging media because i had a Russo type character dumb them down for me. Russo took it too far even if you believe him, which you shouldn't because the man overstates how much he did for the Fed, destroyed WCW and stunted TNA. Also tastes change. If Russo is right and the crash tv crap worked in the 90's it will not work with today's tastes. Russo is a fossil as much as any territories promoter, that is if you believe his hype.

[@shaqyardie8105]

@@yy-hj4br I don't either, I like what I like, but he has a point. Russo storylines can be whacky at times, but they are memorable. Raw has been mostly boring and forgettable for the past 15 years. Storylines and characters are more important than some flippy spotfest.

[@deathmauler181]

Tell me you have no idea how a business works if it cant grab a chunk of people who are not into it religiously and only keep the diehards the numbers go nowhere.

[@yy-hj4br]

@@deathmauler181 yeah but judging something you like based purely on how a hypothetical casual fan would like it is stupid. Great, you got the casual fan. If Russo was right all along, his casual fans stopped watching and tuned out because the product was flat crash tv nonsense.

[@quas3728]

This is definitely hot take but Vince Russo is right. Wrestling is not same because I.W.C. invaded the show and took over the crowd. in 2000s, there are a lot of family fans cheered loud to superstars like Cena and HBK. now, there are only grown I.W.C. who cheer loud to guys like Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. what's the difference between current WWE and ROH / TNA in 00s?

[@neilsun2521]

Russo usually is right. He wrote the best period in wrestling history with WWF from 97-99.

[@JungleCatRico]

ROH and TNA in the 2000s were better. Both had stacked rosters.

[@jasonmartinez3902]

This is 100% accurate - I have about 11 close friends from when we were in college.. I'm the last one to Still be watching Aew and WWE. Ironically we All had Monday night about 6 hours a week ( wcw had replay) Or we recorded raw( we never ever ever felt that we NEEDED to choose a wrestling Flag! Impact wrestling started with the match lengths.. Dixie Carter would call out Vince McMahon trying to get Over by doing so. We as young kids NEVER said let's watch college wrestling....ever! But those of us who like baseball, football, Basketball. We Will watch college. The late 70s & 8os what captivated most fans was drama.. if there's no drama for stunts it has no value!!! When Cody v Brock had no story it Took away from The final product.. As we would watch.. we have no idea 💡 what the sequence of moves are at bash at the beach ⛱️..but we remember Scott Hall and Kevin Knash and hulk Hogan forming the nwo.. nobody wanted to see Hulk Hogan v Ricky Steamboat. But Hogan v mach0 was the Big story. Anyway we watched Both and when Aew was starting they had Cody as a great wing man and pr Guy for TONY Kahn, signed Bryan, Adam Cole and CM PUNK. He brought in Shaq and introduced US to Jade Cargill.. They were All pumped.. But once Cody left.. Bryan Danielson did ok Adam Cole injured & PUNK wound up being fired.. All but me was Left ( They stay somewhat interested in WWE and now it got so Bad hearing These guys trash Aew and I couldn't understand why.. Until about 2 weeks ago.. They All told me at least DIXIE went through a table! LOL 😅.. I was not feeling well And stopped at you Tube.. almost every podcast who had covered wrestling.. if they talk WWE, Impact Wrestling.. or even UFC ( And UFC is real but Dana White is mostly known when you say UFC.. usually wrestling promotion do not focus on the owners especially if they look soft. And Dana White makes sense bc it's Hard to have one face. However besides Vince McMahon. AND he was a character in the stories and it's a mixed bag of stories with every promotion. Having to see Over 50 vids and it completely gives wrestling a really bad look when they're known for CM Punk firing Punk, not thinking with attendance & making similar mistakes and rifts with sloppy shop decisions and injuries and potential signings.. I absolutely understand what 11 w/5 just casually watch & none stuck with Aew.. Luchaunderground, Black and Gold.. Those shows gave multiple stories.. Aew is Tony Khan & I stopped watching 2 weeks ago & there's now some creativity going on very little.. But with 5hours a week and I'll give it 5 months let's see if it's lightening in a bottle with edge, Sammy Cal, Mercedes Monet and The Man in the mask.. with MJF Adam Cole and Tony storm doing well!! RIGHT now.. impact has good things cooking 🍳.. but I'll see These 5 fresh stories. As I did with ( Cody, Bryan, Cole, punk Shaq and Jade cargil.. it went no where.. back to TONY KAHN in every single News item with Aew News.. if it's not his face it's his answers and protection of what he does.. so after wrestle dream let's hope it can attract.. Vince Russo is mostly correct with WWE and totally correct with Aew.. Fans want to be entertained!!!

[@Tibbles97]

If Russo doesn’t like wrestling, then that means it’s being done right.

[@MeekMillisbendingoverrn]

Clearly not cause it’s damn near unwatchable today lol and the numbers show it

[@Shockkings0714]

@@MeekMillisbendingoverrnNumbers show they’re making money

[@ronantimehd5790]

@@MeekMillisbendingoverrnbro, now is the worst time to mention the numbers as a factor to why wrestling is “dying” 😂

[@Joker-no1fz]

@@Shockkings0714 off selling seats and merch mostly. not off watching shows at home.

[@Shockkings0714]

No one watches tv anymore. This goes for all sports, sports ent, and tv shows. Look at the ratings for everything. Nielsen ratings are an archaic form of measurement of the popularity about wrestling. Look at the social media views, ppv gates, and attendance records. @@Joker-no1fz

[@RahimbroRB7129]

Bloodline: hahaha Roman: you must some kind of a dumbass Jimmy: yeah uce Roman:wtf Jimmy: oh sh- hey jey where you at

[@user-nr3ey3do5i]

Bloodline are overrated af the judgment day are way more superior

[@tralyrics-d2x]

@@user-nr3ey3do5i😂😂😂 ok

[@silentpilot833]

Here we go 💀

[@mrhayes538]

❤😂😂😂 yes sir

[@anthonypuk5190]

1000% this man knows the truth! I am with him all the way here.

[@TimmyJamesDafunnyMan]

I wish you two a happy life together

[@kelbosskii9769]

He aint wrong u mark

[@J0hnnyTheKid]

Vince is right. Nowadays people only watch for the big ppv 😂 I don't know..Wrestling is underwhelming nowadays. Seth rollin is a hipster, roman is pretty cool. Kenny omega is on another level. Aj styles is still pretty good. Wrestling is missing good storytelling for sure and today wrestlers mic skill are so bad 😂 MJF is alright. The rating speak for itself 😂 no excuses because sports still draws high rating. Wrestling in genral just need to take a step back. Be more creative, have better gammicks, try to stick to a storyline that make sense. Oh and have better bookings. Nobody enjoy that 50/50 win-lose booking.

[@कृतार्थयादव]

It's insane 😂 how confidently & clear-mindedly he's saying that there are characters & stories today...and then we have the all-timer Bloodline saga,which has all been built & running on great represtation & presentation of the characters & excellent storyline,same with the Judgement Day & many more other such great storylines in across the promotions like WWE & AEW & other promotions!He was talking as if he'd not watched the wrestling since destroying & finishing the WCW! You can understand,by this small clip,itself,why Russo is not taken seriously by 99% of the wrestling fans!

[@ArlisMJ1]

Russo has a point to a degree… The Bloodline Story proves his point With that said… we need a little bit of both. Characters & Storylines should be important.. but the matches within the storylines along with those Characters have to matter just as much

[@Vft612]

Matches are way better now

[@JungleCatRico]

@@Vft612 Depends on the matches and companies that do them.

[@Noobie2k7]

I mean the Attitude Era when people wrestling was at its hottest almost no matches ended clean on TV. Because the matches don't matter.

[@makhubelamadiba8727]

​@@Noobie2k7 that's because storytelling wise you could get away with a lot more back then, the wwe had to adapt I personally feel like people should stop comparing

[@cyrex6519]

I miss the attitude era.

[@neilsun2521]

97-99 when Russo was writing Raw will never be equalled, for sheer entertainment. Today's stuff is bland as hell.

[@JackTheripper911]

​@nellsun2521 lol thats why when he joined WCW they went out of business in 3 years 😂😂

[@Guufrmdawicc]

I definitely feel where he comin from

[@zacharyradford5552]

WCW did now it doesn’t feel anything.

[@RyanRumbles434]

When Russo speaks, that's time you'll never get back. 😂

[@yelhsanosnhoj6602]

He’s 10000% right. I have Peacock and have been watching episodes from 2002 and I must say there is a MAJOR difference in star power. The entire roster felt like stars now we just see Indy favorites and have to treat them like legit competition because the Indy fans are the only wrestling fans really left. Their Indy darlings like CM Punk can’t draw in viewership he only attracts the same viewers. That is why Vince and HHH didn’t think much of him. He was a darling to the Indy fans sure but he can’t pull in the big numbers and outselling Cena in merch one year doesn’t make him a superstar or credible whatsoever yet people pretend like these things matter. There is not longevity in CM Punk or any of these Indy guys. At least not in WWE spaces they are much better suited for the Independents and there’s nothing wrong with that…

[@theboombody]

Yeah, but even John Cena has to have a good match in the ring every now and then. Wrestling has to have matches in order to be wrestling.

[@neilsun2521]

Yup. I stopped watching early '00. It was already losing its edge after the peak of the attitude era.

[@briancardona8762]

He’s got a point. The characters and storylines (besides the bloodline story) today aren’t what they used to be but the actual matches are better.

[@neilsun2521]

It's become a gymnastics show.

[@kingbaybo919]

Facts I only watch when they bring back the legends

[@paulwoodford1984]

I agree with vince. I can’t watch wrestling anymore. it’s so lame. no selling, no realism and all flippy stuntmen . it’s for little kiddies now. i want pro wrestling

[@1980Triumph]

Not a fan of his but he is absolutely right here. His version of what he describes is bad but the overall idea is correct.

[@jaidenrivera1652]

Who remembers when 3 finishers was the ultimate game over. Like when taker gave Kane 3 finishers and he kicked out at 4 so taker won the match. It made Kane look like a monster. Nowadays if you don’t take 10 finishers in a match it’s not over yet

[@conorbarnett6379]

Idk every top draw main event heel that drops the title at WM for the last couple years has been hit wit three straight, Brock in 2019 vs Seth 3 Stomps, Brock in 2020 vs Drew 3 Claymores & Reigns at 24 3 Cross-Rhodes… so if anything it’s more like that first Kane Undertaker match then ever minus the Mankind HIAC match 98 limp kick at the 3 & 1/2 count which definitely works as a something to use sparingly for a all out war and maybe if he’s returning this year as a face by default they coulda had Roman like limply move the arm at the 3 especially if my maths right and the end game is Roman vs Solo in a Chief Match

[@conorbarnett6379]

And I’ll give the Gunther Zayne match any day as an example of your point, beyond Rocky Balboa overkill that the character never displayed before or prob will again he basically channeled Hulk Hogan and it was just like if he had kicked outta just 2 finishers in 5 minutes and nobody addressed how bizarre it was

[@Herbert_Rudolf]

@@conorbarnett6379 I have zero problem with WM Main event matches or guys like Brock lesnar kicking out of multiple finishes or needing multiple to be beat. The problem is these lower matches like a random raw match people hit their finishers 5 times or the first match at WM rollins and mcintyre hit their finish first second and then hit their finishers 10 times in the same fking match. And in Aew its a million times worse EVERYBODY hits a trillion moves and finsihes

[@SimonJones265]

Exactly how i feel about wrestling. 1993-2010 i was hooked but its just not the same now.

[@davidlindsay3233]

We’re all trying to find who did this

[@FIGHTINGGAMER]

Nothing to do with characters and story Um what about the bloodline and other storied I know there is some just can't name them off because I stopped watching wrestling not because of not being the same but because of covid at the time and stopped watching and new characters came in and there stories and I missed half of them but I loved WWE most from 2014 to 2018 then I got less interested in it I still watch it but it's not as good for me as it was in 2014 probably because I remember watching it with my family and I was young and after Vince started letting people go or changing there stories or gimmick and Dean ambrose or Jon moxley leaving WWE because of Vince I miss Dean ambrose lunatic fringe

[@B90-y6n]

It’s 2 syllables. Wrest-ling… and shitstain always says it like “Ress-a-ling”. And this guys a writer?!?!

[@saintrogies]

He’s not wrong….

[@nukaorange2985]

I agree everything did change we need story and characters

[@drehgonden1103]

Except they do have story's and characters they just aren't attitude era bc they can't the attitude era was wild and trashy problematic and inappropriate. Wwe made money but they also made ALOT of enemies. Sometimes u have to grow up and say Okey it's not my time. But to say they aren't making story's or have characters isn't true. In alot of was wwe today has better written characters than when Russo was writing. Everything in the attitude era was on the nose . Now things are more indept one character tends to lead to another and have call backs to the past. He hates cody especially bc cody is austin or rock no shit if cody did Try he would accuse him of being a pale imitation. They have who works for the ppl of today. This mf is old telling young ppl that what they like or who they like shouldn't work. It's working tho.

[@nukaorange2985]

I feel it I grew up in that Era i pay attention to character like la knight top dolla and all of that but for moments the product of their story wasnt hitting right some of story were predictable a story doesn't matter if trashy or messy and shit it about how grow to the story like cody is he tell story so as Roman you pay attention cause you want to know were it going were it leaning towards and how it ends idc what Russo like and dislike I like story with character develope while evolving into the character that we proud to have and see great examples miz triple h undertaker Kane r truth wade Dolph I can go more

[@MeekMillisbendingoverrn]

@@drehgonden1103why does WWE enemies matter to you? Wtf you don’t work for the company you mark….as a fan you’re supposed to watch the product and it ends there nothing else

[@drehgonden1103]

@@MeekMillisbendingoverrn ur the one being a fucking mark, I’m referring to the political or social networks that were going against them. Lastly don’t tell me what I can or can’t think about I can appreciate the entertainment as well as analyze the business instead of frowning my face and saying things aren’t like what they used to be.

[@JayceGee-qy4rl]

People.hate on VR but it's true just matches without story are great to watch yes entertaining yes but you just don't buy In the same

[@devinharp4321]

How Russo survived having brain damage all these years is beyond me

[@ZenkaiSage]

He’s right. The fundamentals of a viagra on a poll match!!

[@brandonyouth5241]

Exactly! He of all people actually knows what draws the crowd. Who could've forgot The Last Rites match 16 years ago. Critically acclaimed match.

[@keefteezak6739]

I'd rather watch Undertaker vs a jobber from '93 than today's WWE

[@NicePodcastLive]

Russo has been on fire lately. He's 100% correct

[@AnarquiaCookbook]

This interview proved how right Jim Cornette has been about Russo all these years lmao

[@stashallemagne4488]

Jim Cornette and Vince Russo two more wrestling nerds lingering on the internet xD

[@JackTheripper911]

​@@stashallemagne4488as a posed to all the other wrestling nerds online? The same nerds that cry over everything now? Lol.

[@tommymdladlana8255]

He ruined a wrestling company by trying to appeal to casuals and turned off the core, you always take care of the core

[@JamalService2000]

I’d argue with you but...ahh you’re not wrong...

[@stashallemagne4488]

vince russo in wcw that gives you cake and thats nice but then decides to take away the cake after one bite. of course there are other factors like THESE PYTHONS.

[@neilsun2521]

He helped WWF beat WCW in the Monday Night Wars. His attitude era from 97-99 really did 'ruin' WCW. Sorry for your loss, bro.

[@Wrestlin685]

Well said

[@Zero-420]

long story short no one will give him a job, and rightfully so

[@justineis5712]

absolutely 100٪؜ right 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@db-jk8dl]

Wre-sa-ling

[@Randytrevorson]

I CAN’T BELIEVE THEY’RE NOT STRUCTURING WRESTLING MATCHES TO APPEAL TO NON WRESTLING FANS! IT’S NOT THE SAME!

[@zarstar1576]

Vinny Mac Vinny rus messed it up .watch aew all elite wrestling

[@patrickkerns2609]

Wrestling is a clown show now I can’t stomach watching it anymore

[@bigcountry9486]

He is 1000% right and if you don’t agree you do not think for yourself.

[@SOLIDSNAKE.]

Wrestling sucks today FACTS

[@vsupreme9386]

Russo with a good point actually.

[@icekingjn8195]

FActs...Truth...Vince understood this

[@RacCkhn]

I bet he wants more on a pole matches

[@MrX-su2ow]

Yes I agree this is not a wrestling go 80s Or 90s first name is WWF and now WWE W. WORLD W. WRESTLING F. FIGHT And now W. WORLD W. WRESTLING E. ENTERTAINMENT What the shit

[@GillBoldberg]

I’m not a big VR fan but he is right. There are very little storylines and characters people care about or hook people week to week. People forget that 6-8 million people used to watch wrestling every Monday. Superstars were so over they were pop culture icons. There is no comparison to what it is today.

[@bicker31]

Vince Russo's era was trash

[@Zoro-go1mc]

Smarks ruined WWE

[@gozhamahya7385]

Thats why I like LA Knight , they brought that back with him

[@SonRob01]

The matches should tell the story

[@hosepipe]

The Colorado shirt 😂

[@DaChoach]

"It's not the same" So?