Vince Russo
Real name: Vince Russo
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 220 lbs.
Date of birth: January 24, 1961
From: New York
Audio: Russo interviewed on the Gerweck Report Hotline
Biography
– Russo was hired by Vince McMahon to be head creative writer, and was instrumental in developing new characters and successful WWF story lines.
– In October of 1999, WCW, looking for a new direction in the organization, hired Russo to head up the creative department.
– Russo and fellow writer Ed Ferrara, who followed Russo from the WWF to WCW, became the “the powers that be.”
– Having lost faith in Russo’s booking, then WCW Vice President Bill Busch replaced him with Kevin Sullivan as head booker in January 2000.
– In late March 2000, Russo was again given creative booking control along with the returning Eric Bischoff.
– On the April 10, 2000 edition of “Nitro” in Denver, CO, Russo himself brought a group of young wrestlers to the ring, and dubbed them the “New Blood.”
– In addition, Russo declared all WCW titles vacant, and that new champions would be determined in time.
– On June 12, 2000, Russo aided David Flair’s cause in “retiring” Ric Flair. Afterwards, Ric’s head was shaved.
– At the 2000 Bash at the Beach, Russo delivered what is believed to be a “worked shoot” promo on the ego of Hulk Hogan.
– On September 25, 2000, Russo became WCW World Heavyweight champion, but vacated the title the following week.
– Following his departure from WCW, Russo worked behind the scenes with Andrew McManus’ World Wrestling All-Stars.
– Russo excepted a creative position with WWE in June 2002, but resigned days later to work for Jerry Jarrett’s NWA TNA.
– In later 2002, Russo formed Sports Entertainment Xtreme in NWA TNA.
– On January 15, 2003, Russo, Christopher Daniels, Low Ki, and Elix Skipper defeated Jeff Jarrett, Road Warrior Hawk, Road Warrior Animal, and Dusty Rhodes.
– On the March 5, 2003 NWA TNA, Russo announced that was retiring from the business.
– Russo was named director of authority on February 18, 2004.
– Russo left TNA following the November 7, 2004 PPV Victory Road. Russo was replaced by Dusty Rhodes as DOA.
– In September 2006, Russo was brought back to TNA to be apart of the creative team.
– In February 2012, Russo and TNA parted ways.
– Russo returned to TNA in a consultancy role in October 2013
– Russo left TNA once again in July 2014
– In December 2017, Russo was hired by Aro Lucha in a consultancy role, but would be out of the company by the following April