In late-1999, Vince Russo was feeling more than a little burned out. Having worked for years as part of the WWF creative team, the writer felt he was due a little slack from time-to-time. During a meeting with Vince McMahon, Russo decided to ask for some more free time, or at least the chance to work occasionally from home. The answer he received cut him deep, and directly led to his departure from the company. Smackdown was the WWF's latest creation, and the Thursday night show would bolster their weekly television output. For fans watching at home, this was a chance to see more excellent action. For Vince Russo and his writing team, it meant a bigger workload, one they weren't being financially compensated for. That only added to his stress. In typically cold fashion, McMahon told Russo that he should 'hire a nanny' after hearing the writer's pleas about never seeing his children. Russo was outraged by the suggestion, feeling that nothing was more important to him than family, not even the almighty WWF. It was callous of McMahon to react in such a way to a long-term member of staff seeking some respite.
Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.