10 Hidden Masterminds Behind Wrestling's Biggest Ever Stars
2. Vince Russo
It would waste words to labour on Vince Russo's flaws when a) that has been covered elsewhere before now and will be again for many years to come and b) this is a positive piece putting over architects that don't get quite enough respect for their graft.
Being that he typically doesn't much respect for anything, Russo qualifies here.
Regardless of the somewhat ridiculous credit he apportions to himself for a monied era that was down to the efforts of many, many others alongside him, 'Vinnie Ru' has a couple of sizeable Ws he can claim from the period that stand up today.
It was during a 1997 production meeting that Vince McMahon tossed Russo's Raw Magazine in front of his top team and asked why the television show wasn't half as edgy as the beloved in-house rag. When that got Russo permanently in the room, he used some of powers for some good, rank misogyny aside.
Alongside writing partner Ed Ferrara, Russo has confirmed that he'd work through the roster in reverse to ensure that even those at the bottom of the card had character, conviction and purpose. Many of those wrestlers could and did dine out on their boom period personas for the rest of their career. For that, they can in part thank the controversial Noo Yawka, bro.
And when he left...