Guest JMA Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Let's look at a hypothetical question. Imagine, if you will, that Russo was given Stephanie's job tomorrow. What changes do you think he would make to World Wrestling? Russo thrived on controversy, so we'd probably see some angles and gimmicks which reflected that. Here are some things I could see Russo doing: Jamie Noble as a redneck rapist (ala "Deliverance"). Perhaps he and Bradshaw would team up. Rico would return to his stylist roots and have a "Rico Eye for the Wrestling Guy" segment. In it, he would give make-overs to his fellow wrestlers. RVD would make even more pot references. Only this time, Booker T would be involved as well. Their lockeroom would always have smoke coming out of it. In a shocking SWERVE~!; Kane would have sex with his dead, zombie brother. Necrophillia, rape, incest, and homosexuallity all in one! Smell the ratings! Speaking of incest, Shane and Stephanie would finally consumate their relationship. This would lead to a heated blood-feud with Vince over who "daddy's little girl" REALLY belonged to. What angles and gimmicks do YOU think Russo would use? Also, on a more serious note, how do you think he would change the PPV and television line-up? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tino Standard 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 As bad as the Stephanie-led booking regime can be, I don't even want to think about Russo. He had a few nice things going for him, but his negatives FAAAAAR outweigh his positives. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lil' Bitch 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Rico would return to his stylist roots and have a "Rico Eye for the Wrestling Guy" segment. In it, he would give make-overs to his fellow wrestlers. That would be so awesome. RVD would make even more pot references. Only this time, Booker T would be involved as well. Their lockeroom would always have smoke coming out of it. LOL *imagines Jay (with Silent Bob) and Busta Rhymes sharing a joint now What angles and gimmicks do YOU think Russo would use? Also, on a more serious note, how do you think he would change the PPV and television line-up? I'd like to see a rehash of an angle to similar to the New Blood / Millionaire's Club feud. I'd imagine he would use the CWs correctly as well and help hire some A+ plus stars and use them on SD rather than Velocity. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Rico would return to his stylist roots and have a "Rico Eye for the Wrestling Guy" segment. In it, he would give make-overs to his fellow wrestlers. It could work now if Gerwetz or whoever does the comedy writing had a clue. imagines Jay (with Silent Bob) and Busta Rhymes sharing a joint now Imagines Booker T as Lil Jon and would only say "YEAH" "WHAT" "KRUNK" RVD: DUDE Booker: YEAH RVD: DUDE Booker: YEAH Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Rico would return to his stylist roots and have a "Rico Eye for the Wrestling Guy" segment. In it, he would give make-overs to his fellow wrestlers. That would be so awesome. I'm actually surprised they haven't done it yet. The vignettes alone would be worth it. Rico: "So, Buh Buh, how do you feel about leg waxing and sun-tan beds?" Buh Buh: "..." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 As much as I hated Russo's WCW/TNA stuff, I still don't think his WWE stuff was REALLY that bad. He's gone now, and someone is still booking Mae Young skits, so I don't shift 100% blame to him for that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChick 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 RVD would make even more pot references. Only this time, Booker T would be involved as well. Their lockeroom would always have smoke coming out of it. Colour me shocked that they don't do this right now. Seriously, I always thought by now, they would have almost gone all out with the pot image. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Jobber of the Week 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Colour me shocked that they don't do this right now. Seriously, I always thought by now, they would have almost gone all out with the pot image. Not the image they want to promote, especially with so much sponsorship from anti-drug advertising. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted February 27, 2004 RVD would make even more pot references. Only this time, Booker T would be involved as well. Their lockeroom would always have smoke coming out of it. Colour me shocked that they don't do this right now. Seriously, I always thought by now, they would have almost gone all out with the pot image. For some reason, Vince seems to be anti-drugs and smoking now. I'm not sure when it started exactly, but WWE has had "Truth" and "Free Vibe" as sponsors for a while now. Vince is also friends with Rob Reiner. Edit: JotW beat me to it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CanadianChick 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Yeah, I can see that. But I guess cutesy references, like Cena's at RR are alright though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cawthon777 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Despite Russo being over the top from a storyline perspective, I think we can safely say that if he was in Steph's position then Benoit wouldn't be booked so weak. From the moment Russo showed up in WCW, Benoit (who had just lost the TV title to RICK STEINER of all people) did a complete 180 turn - not only being moved to top world title contender status but beating a host of top guys clean (including Scott Hall) with the Crossface. Say what you will about his run in WCW but he did a lot for the talent that Bischoff largely ignored or simply didn't know how to use - Eddie, Kidman, Benoit, Bret, etc. Another era like that would really be refreshing right about now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haVoc 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Another question for you guys. With the FCC going crazy right now, how quick would WWE programming be pulled from the air waves with Russo in charge? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Youth N Asia 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 I think Russo would take up a good chunk of the tv time for himself...then keep leaving and making "suprise" returns like he does now Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest nikowwf Report post Posted February 27, 2004 If russo seriously had all power, the wrestling content would be horrible because he doesnt build feuds based on work AT ALL - and he doesnt care if the matches are meaningful because of the quality of the match, or the finish to the match. Because of that, he could be writing Shakespeare and it still sucks, cause it doesn't go anywhere we care about, because it doesn't end in a kick-ass match in the ring. Think of his ALL TIME KICK ASS ANGLE that he was doing, the Stacey pregnancy sh*t. It didnt even look like that was ending in a match PERIOD, much less a good one. niko Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Brian Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Who's to say. The basic political structure wouldn't really change. Russo may push Benoit a little better but when push comes to shove, can he displace the old guard? And would the lacking match quality be worth it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dangerous A 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Match quality would be where I am most concerned regarding Russo. Russo favored way shorter matches so he could churn out a few extra non wrestling skits. Sure, it got middle and undercard guys more time to try to get over, but as niko pointed out, when the stories go no where, then the product looks dumb. He changed a lot of guys characters and current storylines arcs just so he could put his vision out there. Unfortunately, Russo's vision of wrestling actually has very wrestling in it. Russo's vision of wrestling is like GLOW and ECW rolled into one. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JasonX 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 What angles and gimmicks do YOU think Russo would use? Also, on a more serious note, how do you think he would change the PPV and television line-up? HHH would be made the victim of a violent act of revenge and EVERYONE would be a suspect before it turned out to be Jericho, leading to CJ and HHH breaking character and fighting each other Stacy Keibler would immeadiately be retconned into Russo's plan for her to be Ric Flair's illegitimate daughter and end up being traded back and forth between Randy Orton and Flair before Batista (jealous he isn't getting any sex) reveals with Russo that Flair's been sleeping with his daughter... Everyone will hate Trish to the point that Trish is lynched every week by every single female wrestler on the roster Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Enigma 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Another question for you guys. With the FCC going crazy right now, how quick would WWE programming be pulled from the air waves with Russo in charge? The FCC doesn't regulate basic cable, so as long as they kept the really edgy stuff to RAW and left Smackdown toned down, it wouldn't be a problem. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Insane Bump Machine 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 He would look weird with those gigantic tits on him , that's for sure. *dodges tomatoes* Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Tony149 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Honestly, I'd take Russo over Steph anytime. With Vince as his editor like before, I think it would work. Like some have already pointed out, Russo's biggest problem is prefering shorter matches. When he took over in 1997 it worked because their talent roster was shit; you only had a few guys capable of going at it (Bret, Owen, Austin, HBK, etc). At least he would stand up to the backstage shit happening now. That's one thing I respect about him, he wasn't afraid to speak his mind. I think a Russo/Heyman writing team could work provided they don't kill each other. However, given a choice between Russo, Steph and that writer from 2000 (poor guy, he did a great job and few know his name), I'd take the 2000 writer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
deancoles 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 The guy in 2000 was called Chris Kreski or something like that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Brian Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Would Vince take Russo's criticism when they're not doing well, and would he accept it when his son-in-law and daughter are against the moves? It's a different climate. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest JMA Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Another question for you guys. With the FCC going crazy right now, how quick would WWE programming be pulled from the air waves with Russo in charge? The FCC doesn't regulate basic cable, so as long as they kept the really edgy stuff to RAW and left Smackdown toned down, it wouldn't be a problem. I honestly think Smackdown should be as edgy as Raw. Smackdown's less edgy nature may be one of the reasons WWE considers Raw to be the superior brand. Well, that and it isn't live. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 If Russo was in Steph's position, there would be so much ass cream involved. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest TheZsaszHorsemen Report post Posted February 27, 2004 RVD would make even more pot references. Only this time, Booker T would be involved as well. Their lockeroom would always have smoke coming out of it. Colour me shocked that they don't do this right now. Seriously, I always thought by now, they would have almost gone all out with the pot image. They're concerned about allowing kids to overtly cheer for a babyface because of his use of an illegal drug. And before anyone thinks they're clever and points out Stone Cold I'd like to say that alcohol is legal, and won't get the WWE in a shitstorm with parents groups' again. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dangerous A 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 If Russo was in Steph's position, there would be so much ass cream involved. Scary, but true. Russo's gags are mind-numbingly dumb. Steph and the gang of monkeys they have now aren't much better, but Russo is the pits. I'm sorry. I see no positive with Vince Russo. Sure, he had a good formula when Vince was editing him and toning him down, but now that Russo has had a taste of being on screen and being the head guy (WCW, TNA) I don't think he'd stand for Vince's editing anymore. His ego is too big now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Tino Standard 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 For those saying Russo wasn't THAT bad when he was writing for the WWF, I refer you to WM 15. Bad PPV by any standard, HORRIBLE by WrestleMania standard. That show nearly ruined the HIAC concept. Russo had one hot storyline that I remember- The events of the fall of 98, leading to the Survivor Series Deadly Game Tournament. Probably his finest work, but other than that, I'll pass. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RavishingRickRudo 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Scary, but true. Russo's gags are mind-numbingly dumb. Oh yeah, the gags... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Choken One Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Russo Pushed JEFF JARRETT both times...I'm afraid to know who he'd push if he came back... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dangerous A 0 Report post Posted February 27, 2004 Russo Pushed JEFF JARRETT both times...I'm afraid to know who he'd push if he came back... Billy Gunn. I just know it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
