10 Funniest Backstage Revelations From Wrestling Podcasts
1. Hardcore Champion
Another of Bruce Prichard's verbatim repetitions, but the very best of the bunch. And astonishingly not one from the megalomaniac McMahon family tree.
By late-1999, WWE was in such a strong position that it was prepared to absorb the departure of its head creative force, even when said exit came as a total shock. Vince Russo's move to WCW could have been a sucker punch to another organisation, but the robust foundations Vince McMahon had in place before, during and after the New Yorker's tenure at the top ensured a steady trajectory as the company reshuffled.
Ultimately, Russo's exit had minimal immediate impact, and even less as time moved forward. 2000 would go on to represent the critical and commercial peak for the organisation as a mainstream force.
In the wake of his departure though, Bruce told the tale of an open forum of sorts with the locker room - an opportunity to suggest angles, characters or anything else they felt worthy of contribution to a white hot product.
Undeterred by the presence of Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, Mankind, Triple H to name but a few of the megastars on the books at the time, Hardcore Holly stepped forward.
"HEY I GOT AN IDEA, HOW 'BOUT YOU GIVE ME THE BELT".
Wrestling is as much about the follow-up than the payoff, of course. Holly had it covered too.
"THEN I BEAT EVERYBODY!"
After 15 years with the company, Holly was released in 2009. His storyline sadly never quite came to fruition.