Vince Russo Talks Montreal Screwjob: Coming Up With The Finish, Undertaker's Reaction, Owen's Call

Vince Russo was the latest guest on Steve Austin's "The Steve Austin Show," and one of the topics they discussed in length was the Montreal Screwjob, which happened at WWE Survivor Series 1997 involving Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels. Listen to it here.

The former WWE writer spoke about his thoughts on the issue, and shed some light on what went down that fateful week.

Russo said they discussed numerous endings with Hart before the main event contest, and after they couldn't find an alternative, Vince McMahon pulled Russo aside, and told him he was going to call Hart since he needed Russo to be a third party on the telephone.

The controversial character proclaimed his love for Hart, but did confirm he was on the phone and said Hart refused everything, including trying to work in Jim Neidhart to help with the finish.

Russo then said he told McMahon to let Michaels put Hart in his own move, The Sharpshooter, and call for the bell. Russo stated it was late at night on the Thursday before, and they simply couldn't find any alternatives.

"Vince didn't say a word," confessed Russo.

The next day, Russo didn't hear anything from McMahon, and he didn't even talk to him at the pay-per-view. Russo had no idea what was going to happen, while he watched the match next to The Undertaker.

"All of a sudden I'm watching, and I see that finish go down," Russo said. "Taker was going to kill somebody. If he had known, I would not be here today."

Russo explained that Owen Hart was still on the roster, and that less than a week later, the younger Hart brother called him crying.

"Vince, you have to talk to Bret," Owen told him. "Bret says if I stay with the WWE, he's going to disown me as a brother…he (doesn't) want anything to do with me. Please, you've got to talk to him."

On the other side of the phone, Russo told Owen he should be calling McMahon about his issue, but Owen stated that he couldn't get a hold of him. Russo also said McMahon would have fired him for talking to Bret. Russo then stated less than a week after that, he called Bret on the phone.

Russo said he wanted to kill everybody, and told Bret at the end of the day, McMahon was looking to protect his entire company. He told Bret it had nothing to do with McMahon not trusting Bret, but more so Eric Bischoff.

He didn't want the WCW boss to parade his WWE title on his program, much like Bischoff did with Madusa when she joined WCW and put the WWE Women's Championship in the trash.

Russo then told Bret he stood behind Vince for what he did, despite Hart probably wanting to rip his head off when he heard that statement.

Russo said Vince simply had no choice.

Austin then said it was shocking for him to see at the time, and that Bret was still a close friend to this day, not to mention one of his favorite guys to work with. Austin also stated he agreed with the decision, as far as protecting the business and the company Vince McMahon Sr. had started. He was on board with the decision, but said he was in complete shock and that everyone was completely confused.

What We Talk About When We Talk About Kayfabe

Rumor Mill - Vince McMahon Reportedly Orders Huge Budget Cuts for WWE

The Wrestling Observer reports that Vince McMahon has ordered major budget cuts across the board in WWE, even more than the cuts that have already taken place. The amount McMahon is said to be looking to cut is in the eight figure range.

The cuts are meant to offset the losses involved in starting the WWE Network and offsetting the amounts involved in the new TV deal because the company promised a larger number prior to finalizing their current deal.

Kevin Nash Talks About The Kliq, Triple H In DX, Hulk Hogan's Heel Turn, John Cena

Kevin Nash recently spoke with The Miami Herald to promote Florida Supercon. Below are a few highlights:

Hulk Hogan's nWo heel turn and heels today:
"[Hulk] was watching the show, and he saw the momentum really shifting. He saw Scott and I as heel personas were perceived as being cool. He thought if there was a time to switch, it was now, because he could see the momentum going with Scott and I. So when he jumped, it was a shock, but it was a tsunami that pushed the thing for almost three years. It’s so hard. You look at John Cena. He plays the guy in the white cowboy hat,” Nash said. “Our society has gone with the anti-heroes probably since Brandon Lee in ‘The Crow.’ Times have changed. It’s no longer waving the flag as much as it was. There’s a lot of disgruntled people in society. When you look at the demographic, you ask, ‘Where’s the money at?’ Well, the money’s in this kind of tweener guy -- a bad guy with a cool persona. One thing about Hulk. If he smells dollar signs. it doesn’t take him long to make a decision. He saw the way it was going and made the decision."

The nWo and DX in WCW and WWE:
"They both had members of the Kliq. DX is what really made Triple H. He was playing the blue blood, and then Triple H went away from that persona and kind of took over DX, and that’s when Paul Levesque got to be himself. That’s when I think he really took off because he’s got an incredible sense of humor, a really fun loving guy. They kind of took our [nWo] formula. They [DX] were younger guys, and they made it a little hipper. Anytime WWE produces anything it’s going to be produced better.

Renee Young Gets Promoted To WWE Superstars, Triple H Comments

WWE's website announced today that Renee Young has officially joined the WWE Superstars commentary team, beginning with today's new episode. She will be working the show with Tom Phillips. This makes Renee WWE's first full time announcer in more than a decade. Renee commented to WWE.com:

"I feel there is definitely a certain amount of pressure, not only as a performer and broadcaster but representing women who may not even know this is something that they want to do. I can show other women that if you're not a Diva and you still want to be involved in WWE, there's so much you can do. It's definitely really cool to be in the position to create a bit of a niche for myself and other women."

Triple H also commented on the promotion:

"It has nothing to do with her being a female or not, it has to do with her being the right person for the job. She's got a great voice that cuts through the clutter. She is very knowledgeable about WWE, about its history, about the talent and she is really willing to step up and do her homework."

5 Keys to the WWE's Hugely Successful Social Media Strategy

Stephanie McMahon, the Chief Brand Officer of World Wrestling Entertainment, is a fourth-generation wrestling promoter. Her great-grandfather, Roderick James McMahon, booked boxing and wrestling matches at New York's Madison Square Garden and started Capitol Wrestling Corporation in 1952. Her grandfather Vince McMahon Sr. took his father's company over in 1954. Stephanie's father Vince McMahon bought the family regional grappling business in 1982, built it into the global entertainment company that took in over $500 million in revenue last year, and remains its chairman and CEO.

Today, the WWE airs its weekly live events in 150 countries and reaches 650 million homes worldwide, and has a total of 360 million social media followers across its wrestlers' and its own Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. WWE trends worldwide every week on Twitter, and, says Stephanie McMahon, the company's followers have increased 120 percent in the last 12 months.

You don't have to be an analytics expert to know that means WWE's content is constantly going viral. USA Today's top trending article earlier this week, currently clocking in at 38,000 shares and rising, was a GIF of WWE wrestler Dean Ambrose superplexing Seth Rollins off a ladder during Sunday's pay-per-view event "Money In The Bank."

"WWE's mission is all about putting smiles on people's faces," McMahon says. "There's so much power in making someone smile and to share those smiles across social media is one of my goals."...More?

source: inc.com

Backstage Reaction to WWE Releasing & Reinstating Emma, Possible Reasons Why She Was Reinstated

According to F4WOnline.com, the release of Diva Emma from WWE today surprised many in the company, especially since other talents have committed offenses deemed much worse than Emma's and they did not lose their jobs.

As far as the decision to bring Emma back on the same day she was fired, it's being said the past legal troubles of Cameron and Jack Swagger were brought up, and it was noted neither of those talents were fired.

There was also plenty of negative fan reaction to the release of Emma, which is another factor that might have lead WWE to reconsider releasing the Australian native.

New WWE YouTube Show Coming Soon

WWE will be premiering a new YouTube show called WWE Insider on July 7th, next Monday. Apparently Alicia Fox will be hosting. WWE wrote on Twitter:

"Superstar & Diva dirty laundry? @AliciaFoxy reveals their secrets on #WWEInsider, premiering July 7 on @WWEonYouTube!"

Chris Jericho Reveals How His WWE Return Happened, How He Stayed Hidden In Hartford, More

Chris Jericho spoke about his return to WWE on RAW this week during his latest Talk Is Jericho podcast, which also features Vinnie Paul from Hellyeah.

Jericho said Fozzy is his priority but when there's time, when he ideas work out and everything else works out, he returns to WWE. Jericho said he's always in talks with WWE but wanted a purpose for this return. He talked with WWE earlier this year and late last year about wrestling Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX but obviously that didn't work out. Jericho was also interested in working with Bray Wyatt but he was feuding with John Cena.

Jericho said he got a call a month ago and one of WWE's writers wanted to speak with him. Fozzy was planning to work a tour this summer but they didn't get on it, so he had free time. WWE mentioned working with Bray Wyatt again and Jericho was into it. He said three weeks went by and he didn't hear back from them. Jericho supplied WWE with dates he was free and finally got the call to return on Friday, just a few days before RAW.

Jericho flew into Boston on Monday to keep it a secret. He drove to Hartford and arrived around 5:30pm to the arena. He waited until fans outside of the arena left before driving down to enter the building. Jericho sat in a production bus for over 4 hours, meeting with agent Dean Malenko to go over ideas for the angle. Malenko took some of Jericho's ideas back to Vince McMahon for approval. Jericho said he then met with The Wyatt Family and The Miz to go over some things before going to the gorilla position.

Jericho said the whole deal for his return was made in about 5 minutes with Triple H on Friday.

Police Called to WWE Headquarters Today for a Suspicious Package

The Stamford Advocate reports that police were called to WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT today after reports of an unknown white powder. Police investigated and cleared the building of any danger.

"WWE received a suspicious package at its headquarters today and contacted local law enforcement to investigate," said Tara Carraro, a WWE spokeswoman. "All WWE personnel are safe, and business is being conducted as usual."

Police did not immediately respond to the Advocate for more information on the incident.

WWE Reinstates Emma

From WWE.com:

Upon further evaluation, WWE has reinstated Tenille Dashwood (WWE Diva Emma) but will take appropriate punitive action for her violation of the law.

WWE Releases Emma Follwoing Her Arrest On Monday

From WWE.com:

"WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Diva Emma as of today, July 2, 2014. WWE wishes Emma the best in all her future endeavors."

WWE have made the decision today to release Emma after she was arrested on Monday for stealing a $21 iPod case

Yesterday, WWE released a statement stating that Emma "was responsible for her own actions". After mainstream sites such as TMZ have picked up the story.