Vince Russo, the former head writer of WWE, has made some explosive claims about the impact of his departure from the company in 1999. In a recent interview on Wrestling’s Legion of RAW, Russo revealed that his exit, along with that of his co-writer Ed Ferrara, left a significant void in the organization and affected its leader, Vince McMahon.
Russo, who was instrumental in shaping the creative direction of WWE during the Attitude Era, stated that McMahon was left reeling after his departure. During this period, WWE was experiencing unprecedented success, with TV ratings reaching record highs. The likes of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker, Triple H, and Mankind were at the forefront of the company’s success, with WWE ultimately emerging victorious in the Monday Night Wars against rival promotion WCW.
Russo claims that McMahon’s reaction to his departure was to implement significant changes to the company’s writing team. McMahon, according to Russo, developed trust issues and decided to employ an entire team of writers, rather than relying on a single individual or duo. This move, Russo suggests, was a deliberate attempt to prevent any one writer from wielding the same level of influence that he and Ferrara had enjoyed during their tenure.
Russo’s comments offer a fascinating insight into the inner workings of WWE during this period. His assertion that McMahon’s actions were motivated by a desire to avoid creating another powerful writer suggests that the WWE boss was deeply affected by Russo’s departure. Furthermore, Russo’s claims that WWE has effectively erased McMahon’s legacy and insulted him with its new-era promos, raises questions about the current state of the company and McMahon’s role within it.
As the WWE terrain continues to evolve under new management, it will be interesting to see how McMahon’s legacy is ultimately perceived. Will he be able to reclaim his position as a respected leader in professional wrestling, or will his legacy continue to be diminished? Only time will tell.