Russo: Yes, there's no question. Basically I told Vince we're doing wrestling in 1980s and we need to take out product and mirror society. The product needed to be brought up to speed. The same thing would happen today by bringing the product into the year 2014. The problem is they're going backwards and only drawing wrestling fans. Somehow, they bring the product up to speed then go back 20 years. Only the wrestling fans are watching. It won't happen with a creative team of 45 people. There needs to be one vision, coming from a couple of people that are seeing it every week. The more creative hands in it, the less that will watch it. All successful shows have one or two brains behind it. People run out of time trying to getting approvals from Stephanie [McMahon], Triple H, and Vince. That's why we get six-man matches that last 15 minutes.
When I got stuck in a wrestling angle, I always stopped and went back to logic. What would happen if this happened? You can come up with all the excuses, but the difference is clear. It's never going to improve with all these chefs. If you want, let Triple H write everything.
Wrestling INC: When did you come up with the idea for your site PyroandBallyhoo.com?
Russo: I wanted to do this for so long, but knew nothing about starting a website. It was important to be able to upload content on a daily basis. I hooked up with the right people who could walk me through the process. I write everything, chose the pictures, layout the stories, and upload everything online. As far as content, I'm not waiting on anybody else and that's what was important. Now I can build this website the way I want it.
Wrestling INC: What's the response been so far to the website?
Russo: It's been great because it's not about wrestling. I'm doing entertainment because I'm a fan of TV, movies, gossip, and pop culture. I love that stuff and to be able to put my own spin on it is rewarding compared to writing wrestling 52 weeks out of the year. There is some wrestling content, but it's not limited to that. I wake up every morning, see what's going on in the world of entertainment, and then make a decision on what to write. That's how I run the site.
Wrestling INC: What are your plans about the site's future?
Russo: I don't know. I'm just growing it. I use Facebook now and Twitter @pyroballyhoo. I want this to be fun by talking about topics and getting people involved. It's very light hearted and not about global problems—that's not me. I try to make people laugh and if it's a source people use to be entertained, that's all I ever wanted to do in the first place.
Wrestling INC: The website looks great and I appreciate all the time you devoted to us. Do you have any final words for the readers of our site?
Russo: The website PyroandBallyhoo.com is important to me. It's my love. There are a lot of things I always wanted to talk about and never had the forum, so I'm happy to have it now. I'm supportive of people who checkout the site and not take anything more away from it than what it simply is. The site is to entertain, laugh, take things lightly, and to put a smile on your face—even if it's only for 10 minutes.
Click here for the first part of the interview, where Russo discussed getting his start with WWE, moving from working with WWF Magazine to the creative team, if he followed ECW, the Attitude Era, his favorite angles during the Attitude Era, scripted promos and more.
The second part of the interview is at this link, where Russo discussed why he left WWE and Vince McMahon's reaction, working with WCW, which WCW talent he wanted to push, how top talent reacted to his WCW signing, backstage differences in WWE and WCW, the Bash at the Beach 2000 incident with Hulk Hogan, WWE buying WCW and more.
You can follow Russo on Twitter @PyroAndBallyhoo, and visit his website at PyroAndBallyhoo.com.
Read more at http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0609/576842/vince-russo-talks-tna/#Uop74xF85qKjxYLt.99
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