Vince Russo had some very harsh criticism for Spike TV earlier this week, during an interview with Pro Wrestling Report. The former creative writer claimed the network was a terrible business partner for TNA and Impact Wrestling, saying he’d only understand the decision to stay with Spike if they were the last remaining option for staying on television.
David Schwarz, Senior Vice President of Communications with Spike TV, released the following statement to Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com in response:
“I want to start by saying we enjoyed a great relationship, a very collaborative relationship with Dixie Carter and her team over the years. We took TNA from a late night spot on Saturday nights, doing 500,000 viewers, to a two-hour time slot that did two million viewers over time. Spike went out of its way, not in just adhering to its contract, but above and beyond the contract. We paid Hulk Hogan, we paid Eric Bischoff, with our money. We financed many shows. We financed U.K. shows. We helped promote. We gave TNA a prime time slot of Thursdays from 9-11 p.m. I think his comments are way off base. Clearly, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He’s somebody who thinks more of himself than really exists. Vince Russo never meant anything to Spike TV. He had nothing to do with negotiations. Nobody cares about Vince Russo at Spike TV. Nobody cares or knows who he is. We have a great relationship with TNA. We went above and beyond for them, as they did for us. Dixie helped promote our shows. What Vince Russo is saying is complete nonsense.”
Check out “Russo’s Road Stories”, our brand new Wrestlezone exclusive column featuring Vince Russo. In the premiere column, Vince shares his personal experience working with celebrities in pro wrestling, from “Iron” Mike Tyson, to Little Richard and Pam Anderson.
