10 False Wrestling Facts You Probably Believe

3. Vince Russo Pulled In WWE's Highest-Ever TV Rating

DX Not A Tank
WWE.com

Under the specified caveat of cable TV, yes, Vince Russo was the driving creative force at the time the WWF pulled in a gigantic 9.5 Nielsen for the RAW main event pitting Steve Austin against the Undertaker on June 28, 1999.

This is a feat hyped up incessantly by Vince Russo as proof of his genius; he, after all, oversaw the WWF at its most popular and is therefore the solution to WWE at its least popular. It's a "fact" parroted by his acolytes as proof that his vision of professional wrestling is superior to that which he does not understand, i.e. complex in-ring stories not built towards via tacked-on soapy drama.

On a strictly objective level, this is not true; the 1988 NBC Main Event special more than tripled that number, even though, yes, more homes were available to watch it.

You know who was more responsible for the success of the WWF in 1999?

Stone Cold Steve Austin.

That Russo receives disproportionate credit - nobody doubts his popular tonal and structural revolution of how TV was made - is an unfortunate byproduct of pro wrestling no longer giving a sh*t about preserving itself.

He was able to put his genius over on the shoot interview circuit relentlessly, repackaging himself as a martyr of sorts.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!