10 Things Everybody Gets Wrong About WCW
5. Youth Movement
Those who criticise Vince Russo without pausing to consider his positive contributions often do so in spite of the homogenisation of today's product that exists in-part because somebody like him can't get a foot in the door.
A brash ignoramus at his worst, the cocky New Yorker was a fiercely equitable writer at his best, treating every performer on the roster with the same time and respect as one another. In WWE, it made for propping up the Austin-led Attitude Era with a stream of mid-card and future main event stars. In WCW, it was crushed by longstanding politics.
2000's New Blood/Millionaires Club feud was a complete mess, but it was Russo's misguided attempt to bring those machinations to the front and push youngsters by force of will alone. Billy Kidman feuding with Hulk Hogan whilst Shane Douglas finally got his hands on long-term nemesis Ric Flair represented 'Vinny-Ru's desperation to force through a path for talent downtrodden during halcyon days for the top earners years earlier.
As The Giant and Chris Jericho sought fortunes elsewhere and Eddie Guerrero wiped Eric Bischoff's coffee from his shirt, younger talent looked on wondering when any would be considered worthy beyond opening match duties. Fatally wounded by his own incompetence and a ruthless old guard, Russo's regime was no less a noble effort