Should Russo Be The Head Booker

[Upgrayedd]

You shouldn't talk about things that you know nothing about. Russo was not the father of the attitude era. That is your McMahon bias talking. Go do your homework and you will see that it was two certain wrestlers that turned Russo and McMahon onto the idea of becoming a lot more edgy and adult friendly. There was no one person who is the father.


As far as Russo goes, if TNA wants to live a long life they would stay away from making him head booker. He's not bad as part of a committee but as head guy he has proven time and time again he's not good. Start new with some fresh minds instead of recycling the same old crap over and over again.

Unlike others I don't blame Russo for the downfall of WCW. That started to unravel when the AOL/TimeWarner merger took place. WCW was already falling fast when he arrived

That wrestlers turning Russo and McMahon onto cutting edge storylines is ridiculous. Russo went up to McMahon personally and told him the product sucks and that he (Russo) is more than capable of just being the eidtor of WWF magazine.

It's ridiculous how a lot of internet smarks refuse to give Russo credit for anything and instead just point out "David Arquette". The fact is when he was writing for the WWF they had the most success. Yes, he had talent to work with but honestly there's no way you can tell me that if Jim Cornette had been there as the head writer/booker for the WWF that there would have been a "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and The Rock and a DX. Cornette is a good talker but WAY too tradional. McMahon didn't have a clue either. Look at what the WWF was putting on in '95 and '96 and then look at the product they put on with Russo writing from '97-'99. That's all you need to see that Russo had a huge part with the Attitude Era.

The David Arquette argument gets very annoying. Look at WCW's point of view back then. The ratings were going downhill, the WWF was the talk of the wrestling business back then and they needed some crazy ideas to get people talking again. Arquette just happened to be promoting a movie in which WCW was heavily involved in and they decided to try it. Besides, you act as if Vince Russo is the only one to use celebrities in wrestling or even have celebrities beat wrestlers (K-Fed pinning Cena). It's BS.

Everyone talks about the same stale product the WWE is putting on right now (especially RAW) and yet here's a guy who always wants to try new things and people still bitch.

 

[clifffside]

I like Russo, but neither he nor anyone else is going to turn TNA into a giant just by writing good shows.

Let's be honest people, we've all seen how TNA does when there is a focus on the X-Division and in-ring action and young talent (Scott D'Amore). We've seen TNA when it's book in an old-school manner (Jerry Jarrett, Dutch Mantel). We've seen TNA when the focus is shifted to entertainment and the ball is given to the older veterans (Jeff Jarrett, Vince Russo).

There have been progress in the company's growth, but none are huge steps. That's because TNA doesn't utilize a huge marketing campaign to get the word out about their company. Just look at their main TV show. It's been in the same sound studio down in Orlando for 5 years now. They need to bring that live tv experience all across the country.

They don't draw huge crowds simply for the fact they don't even advertise. They need to take initiative and promote the brand. They have a very talented roster and a central theme (the MEM/Originals conflict). Now they need to go out all across the country and spread the word about TNA.

 

[mrarmageddon]

I think we are about to see a surge in TNA's popularity for the following reasons :

1) Russo as head booker - best booker in the sport, apparantly pitching ideas that would usually be stopped by Jarrett. Glad to hear it as Russo knows how to grab peoples attention and develop both funny and intriguing characters.

2) Deal with American Original - Great news for TNA, gonna get them film deals and appearances on tv shows for interviews etc. Also behind their recent appearance at comic-con.

3) Deal with Playboy - WWE dropped the ball here, huge readership and therefore more interview advertising for TNA.

4) Mick Foley's new book - A New York times bestselling author is about to release a book with a TNA logo on the front of it about his time in the company.

5) Lashley MMA/Wrestling - Gives TNA some credibility, monster star in WWE and now he's doing what no one done before by juggling wrestling and MMA. If he wins an MMA title and TNA one at some point it'll give TNA's belt all the more credibility.

Really great news for creative side in the first case and last 4 are great publicity.