PUT UP OR SHUT UP
I got a bunch of e-mails in response to my column about Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara, TELL ME WHAT THEY DID. Very few people can TELL ME WHAT THEY DID.
Two things that do ring true are Mick Foley crediting Russo for input on his character, and D-Generation X being largely a Russo creation. The latter is quite believable: Many D-Generation X skits, like the invasion of WCW, have a definite Russo feel. But don’t credit R&F for Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock, and don’t credit R&F for Raw’s peak ratings. Austin and The Rock were stars. Austin and the Rock drew Raw’s peak ratings, not anybody’s booking.
If R&F can make people stars, why did they stop when they got to WCW? We counted on R&F SO MUCH when they were pilfered from WWE. Imagine the shock when everybody realized they weren’t geniuses, or even very creative. Russo relies on translating bathroom humor to wrestling, and uses his New York attitude and accent to ram it down your throat. Russo is INCREDULOUS when you disagree with him; he treats you like the stupidest person on earth.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating. R&F don’t have Turner Broadcasting Standards & Practices to blame this time. They appear to be totally in charge at TNA. If R&F are what they think they are – and what TNA so desperately needs them to be – they should have no trouble increasing Impact’s rating. Nobody expects the numbers Raw got. But better would be better.
If R&F stiff. then it was always all baloney. It will be proof positive that R&F were bit players during a WWE run made hot and profitable by star power, not booking. If you’re smart, you don’t turn stupid. You don’t forget how to be creative.
The ball is in R&F’s court. If they crap out in TNA, failure will redact success on their booking resumes. I know which way I’m betting.
