TNA Removes Vince Russo As Head Writer, Appoints New Name

ProWrestling.net is reporting that TNA Wrestling has removed Vince Russo as the head creative team writer, and has replaced him with former WWE name Bruce Prichard. Russo is still with TNA, however, as he is considered the senior writer of TV, and continues to write the shows along with Matt Conway.

Prichard, who is also involved in Talent Relations in TNA, has been rumored for the past several months to be taking over Russo's role, and the move became official this week.

The move has not gone without criticism though, as it's being said there is concern in the back with Prichard being given this much power so early on in his run with TNA, especially since he was known for playing political games during his run in WWE.

Backstage issues involving Hulk Hogan and Vince Russo at Hardcore Justice

There was a major argument between Hulk Hogan and TNA head writer Vince Russo at the Hardcore Justice pay-per-view last Sunday regarding the finish of the Kurt Angle vs. Sting main event. Hogan was frustrated enough that he was telling people that Russo doesn't know anything because he's never been a wrestler.

Hogan and Russo made up at the Impact Wrestling taping on Monday. However, there has been noticeable tension among some of the power players in the company at the three days of Impact Wrestling tapings that followed...More?

source: prowrestling.net

This Day in Wrestling History

Happy Birthday to Kevin Nash.
July 9, 1959

The Crusher defeated Verne Gagne for the AWA Heavyweight title.
July 9, 1963

Happy Birthday to Marc Mero.
July 9, 1965

Fabulous Moolah defeated Velvet McIntyre for the WWF(E) Women's title.
July 9, 1986

The infamous Vince Russo/Hulk Hogan shoot took place at WCW's Bash at the Beach PPV. This marked Hulk Hogan's last WCW appearance.
July 9, 2000

Rumor Mill - Hulk Hogan Blames Vince Russo for Quality of Impact

According to a report by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, while making an appearance at the E3 convention to promote his new video game, Hulk Hogan was overheard blaming the quality of Impact Wrestling on Vince Russo when people or regular fans would say to him how bad the show was.

This Day in Wrestling History

Happy Birthday to Paul Bearer aka Percy Pringle
April 10, 1955

Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo return to WCW and declare all WCW titles vacant.
April 10, 2000

Jeff Hardy defeated Triple H for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
April 10, 2001

This Day in Wrestling History

Vince Russo is fired from his job as WCW's head writer due to the lack of ratings and backstage heat he had with management
January 13, 2000

TNA/Samoa Joe Issues

According to prowrestling.net, Samoa Joe blew up backstage after his time limit draw with Jeff Hardy, which aired on last weeks iMPACT!. Joe headed backstage and yelled at Vince Russo in front of Dixie Carter...More?

It is being reported that Samoa Joe has been suspended.

Update on Vince Russo and His Role With TNA

Vince Russo has stated that he is burned out on the creative side and is going to take a break from the writing process. Russo will be taking a break from the creative team, and move to Nashville, reports the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Russo no longer wants to be the head writer, but will still have input in the creative process.

source: wrestleview.com

Jim Cornette Threatens Vince Russo; TNA Attorneys Put Him On Notice

Rumor Mill - Backstage TNA Reaction to the 3/8 iMPACT! Rating

The backstage reaction to the low 1.0 rating that the 3/8 edition of Impact brought in was met with a certain amount of panic amongst the higher ups in the company.

Before the rating came in, everyone in management, including Dixie Carter, Eric Bischoff, Hulk Hogan, Vince Russo, Ed Ferrara and Mike Tenay were walking around as if this was 1997 all over again, and the wars were in full effect. But when the rating finally came in, everyone was dejected, and virtually stunned. Dixie tried her best to put on a game face, but she was clearly reeling from the news.

Additionally, Mick Foley was trying to sell it to the talent as a great effort that will get noticed, but the crew all knew there's very little positive that could come out of this rating.

Plus, there is enormous second guessing running through the locker room on the desperate message it sends to use Jeff Hardy. Although Jeff is very popular with all the talent, a lot of people are worried that if Jeff is convicted on even one federal felony drug charge, then TNA will have some major damage control to do. Being so far behind in ratings, no measurable increase in PPV buys yet, and house shows doing ok but not in middle sized arenas yet, there is a lot of concern that Dixie talks a great game but doesn't have what it takes to compete with Vince McMahon.

source: wrestlezone.com

This Day in Wrestling History

Vince Russo is fired from his job as WCW's head writer due to the lack of ratings and backstage heat he had with management
January 13, 2000

Vince Russo: "I Want Randy Orton"

The controversial booker revealed he has no desire to see the likes of Triple H, Undertaker, John Cena and Shawn Michaels in Dixie Carter's promotion.

And when asked who he would like to see move to TNA, Russo said emphatically: "Randy Orton, Randy Orton, Randy Orton, Randy Orton and Randy Orton."...More?

source: the sun

Bret Hart Shoots on Vince Russo & Eric Bischoff

"I think they should take Vince Russo and hang him by the neck somewhere in the back of the parking lot," said Hart, who worked with Russo in WWE and WCW. "Vince Russo knows about as much about wrestling as Eric Bischoff does. Neither one of them knows s--- about anything. I find it really bizarre that Vince McMahon or the lady in TNA [Dixie Carter] would hire such imbeciles to call all the shots.

"I don't have any personal grudge against Vince Russo, but I just know watching the shows that all his shows look the same. TNA has turned into sort of another version of WCW when I was with Russo there. I think the best wrestling always needs to pretend to be real, and Vince Russo's wrestling is so pathetically far-fetched and phony that I think he does a disservice to his wrestlers and the business."

source: baltimore sun

TNA Wrestlers Frustrated with Creative

Frankie Kazarian (a/k/a Suicide) asked for his release at the last round of TNA television because he's been frustrated with his creative direction. TNA management initially agreed to grant him the release, but A.J. Styles and Christopher Daniels worked to soothe over the situation, so the release was never finalized.

A short time later, an upset Vince Russo approached A.J. Styles. Russo was upset because he had heard that Styles told Dixie Carter that he thought it would be a good idea if there were a wrestler on the creative team. Russo blew up and then Styles returned fire about being booked as a weak champion.

Although it appeared that Styles and Russo had cooled off following their backstage blowup, the word is that there were still some hard feelings over the weekend. Styles, Daniels, and Kazarian have expressed frustration to friends, and the bulk of their issues seem to be with Russo.

source: prowrestling.net

Rumor Mill - AJ Styles & Samoa Joe Frustrated with TNA Booking

TNA Champion A.J. Styles let loose on creative team leader Vince Russo over booking matters. Styles was frustrated over "what he argued was dismal booking of him early in his run as champion," Wade Keller of pwtorch.com reported. Styles feels he's been made to look like a weak champion by Russo.

In related news, pwtorch.com also reports that Samoa Joe blew up at TNA management "for what he felt was a blow-off of a commitment to utilize a friend's business for catering at the pay-per-view over the weekend."...More?

You're Not the WWE: How TNA Can Improve in 2009

1) Stop trying to be WWE. There is only one WWE, and it’s owned by Vince McMahon. Trying to be WWE is what got WCW in trouble during the Monday Night Wars; WCW tried to be their competition in order to get their viewers back when they fell behind in the ratings.

2) Stop signing WWE refugees. Remember how shocking and surprising it was to see a cult favorite such as Christian or a huge star like Kurt Angle show up on TNA Impact? These days, it seems that TNA will sign anyone who was once in WWE, even though most of them end up doing nothing.

3) Reestablish the relationship that was once had with Ring of Honor. TNA stopped its relationship with Ring of Honor because, once ROH obtained a Pay-Per-View deal, it didn’t want its talent appearing on another wrestling company’s broadcast.

4) Advertise the product. The reason the WWE is so well known globally is because it advertised like crazy in the '80s and '90s. International tours and promotional appearances all over television, magazines, toy isles and video games ensured everyone knew what the WWE was.

5) Fire Vince Russo.

Click here to read the full article at bleacherreport.com