During a recent appearance on Bolin Alley podcast, Former WWE, TNA and WCW writer Vince Russo spoke openly about his time working for TNA and controversial company president, Dixie Carter.
Over the years “Fire Russo” became a chant synonymous with TNA’s crappy booking, but Russo told host Kenny Bolin that during his near-decade stint with TNA, he only served as head booker for 2 months.
“I was at TNA for the good part of 10 years and there was about 2 months where as Mr Bolin would say I had the book. Other than that I will not claim 100% responsibility, simply because I did not have 100% responsibility,” Russo said. “If I had it, I would claim it and have no issue with it. When I first started, Jeff [Jarrett] was in charge of creative and my job was to bring Jeff as many ideas and as many storylines as I could, that was my job but at the end of the day Jeff decided what was on TV and what wasn’t on TV. Jeff was the boss, it was me, Jeff and Dutch Mantell. Then Jeff was sent home because of the Kurt Angle incident and there was about a 2 month there where I was literally in charge of writing the TV.
While talking about Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff’s stint with TNA, Russo bluntly stated that lying is simply part of Dixie Carter’s persona.
“Matt Conway was helping me but shortly after [Jarrett’s departure], Dixie brought in Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan and of course, she lied to me from the offset because Dixie lies very much, that’s part of her persona,” Russo said. “She told me the only creative input that Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan were going to have was as it pertained to Hulk’s character and literally within a week, there was Eric Bischoff sitting in on creative meetings acting like he was the boss, Hulk Hogan acting like he was the boss by the time we got to TV, so that was a period where I was definitely not in control of either.”
His time with TNA wasn’t all negative. Russo said his first year with TNA was probably his most enjoyable time in the wrestling business because he felt that he would have the opportunity to evolve the concepts he helped create during the Attitude Era. However, by the time TNA reached a deal with Fox Sports, it became clear he wouldn’t have the creative freedom he wanted and things went downhill from there.
You can listen to the full podcast here.
