Wrestling INC: Did that change your presence on wrestling storylines from older ones compared to more recent ones?
Russo: It changed the way I wrote and how I would pitch ideas. They are less edgy, but this is about entertaining people who might be in a bad place in their lives. Part of me cleaned my act and smoothed out the rough edges, but I knew this was still about entertaining the people.
Wrestling INC: What made you decide to rejoin TNA in 2006?
Russo: Jeff's wife Jill was dying and I was close to them. She was battling cancer and he had three small kids. The core of it was to help a friend. Taking anything off of Jeff's plate was what I wanted to do.
Wrestling INC: How was that first meeting when Hulk Hogan signed with TNA? Had you seen each other since WCW?
Russo: Not at all. Eric pulled it together and handled the situation. We met in a hotel room and said everything we needed to say. I think their perception that night is different than mine. When Eric laid out a story, I kind of understood it so at the end of the day it was lack of communication and both parties seeing it differently. I think that's because of a lack of time to put something together, so it's understandable. Hulk's attitude was let's put that behind us and move forward and my attitude was the same. It was successful not having to carry that baggage.
Wrestling INC: It seemed like Paul Heyman was close to signing with TNA while you were there. What's your take?
Russo: I don't know if he was close. I called Paul to bring him into TNA and we had a couple of conversations that were hours long. I was under the impression Paul wanted to come in and have things 100% his way, but that's not how TNA works. I turned it over to Dixie [Carter] and was out of the loop. I didn't care how I was going to be working with Paul or who had what title. I thought Paul Heyman could make TNA a better product and that's why I made the original contact.
Wrestling INC: How was Dixie Carter as a boss? How does she compare to a Vince McMahon?
Russo: You'll never be able to compare the two. Nobody has the knowledge and experience Vince has. Dixie has less experience, but is more of a people person. She has a big heart and cares about the people who work for her. She wants to do well, but that can be dangerous because she's working with wrestlers and wrestlers put themselves first. To this day, she is still learning the process. They're two totally different animals.
Wrestling INC: What led to your TNA departure last time?
Russo: Simply, there were too many chefs in my opinion. I felt too much input hurt the product. It was going through too many levels of creative with people who have different philosophies and backgrounds. I thought it would be best for the product if I eliminated myself.
Wrestling INC: To put the rumors to rest, have you been pitching ideas to TNA recently?
Russo: There are certain things I can't talk about. I will say I don't have a contract with TNA. I'm not under contract with anybody at the time, but there are some things I'm not at liberty to talk about.
Wrestling INC: You mentioned your relationship with Jeff Jarrett. What are your thoughts on his new promotion Global Force Wrestling and what would you like to see from it?
Read more at http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0609/576842/vince-russo-talks-tna/#lZVsbDZJxQomejs3.99
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