Wrestling INC: Right after that Brad Siegel decided to stop using Hogan.
Russo: Yeah, that's what really put me in a bad spot and that's what I regret because I told Hulk when I get back to creative I will call you. When we got back to the office, Brad Siegel called me to ask what happened. I explained everything and told Brad I would call Hogan. Brad Siegel, the head of the network, said 'Vince don't call Hulk because we can't afford to put him on TV.' This is the head of the network saying don't call Hulk. Am I supposed to call Hulk after the head of the network told me not to? I should have called him. I gave him my word and probably should have said there are issues with Brad Siegel and you need to talk to him. That's what I should have done, but I did not call Hulk based off the head of the network and that's what kicked the lawsuit into gear.
Wrestling INC: Up until that point, WCW had been spending money left and right. What was happening in the company? Did you feel like they were going through financial troubles? Where they looking to sell? What are your thoughts on those times?
Russo: I knew they were paying Hulk an ungodly amount of money to appear on TV, so I didn't think anything of it. The number was so high, it's ridicules. For Brad Siegel to want to save that kind of money, there really were no red flags for me. There was a lot of money, so I didn't give it a second thought. Not having Hulk on the show will probably save them a lot of money.
Wrestling INC: Where you ever made aware that WCW could be sold or the financial status?
Russo: Nothing. It was all locker room talk and the hearsay, but there was so much of it you knew it was true. They never said anything to us publicly or gave us a heads-up. Everybody was talking about it being more than a rumor.
Wrestling INC: You suffered a concussion in a match with Goldberg around the time the sale rumors were getting started. Did you see yourself eventually coming back?
Russo: Let me back you up. I suffered the concussion in a cage match with Ric Flair at the Phillips Arena. I kept going out there and getting hit in the head. The Goldberg match was the final hit to the head. At the time, I was suffering post-concussion syndrome and WCW sent me to doctors so it's on record. I went to TV after the Goldberg thing and there was all this talk of them selling and I said 'I'm out here literally killing myself against doctors' orders and still trying to write a successful TV show.' I'm done killing myself for a company where nobody cares. They're already looking to sell the company and there's no appreciation. I went to Brad Siegel and told him I shouldn't be anywhere near a wrestling ring with post-concussion syndrome because it's way too stressful for me to write the show. I used that to completely get myself away from WCW to go home and see where the chips fall.
Wrestling INC: What was your reaction when you heard WWE purchased WCW?
Russo: I didn't even care. Wrestling was the last thing on my mind. I was probably done with wrestling when I went to WCW. I signed a two year contract and they wanted me to sign a three year contract and I said no. My idea was if I can suck this up for two more years, save some money, then once and for all I can be done with it. I was just happy to be home and away from it.
Read more at http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0604/576697/vince-russo-on-why-he-left-wwe/#sw1PviVLq5UBviwm.99
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