10 Things That Would Happen If Vince Russo Returned To WWE Today
9. Darren Young Is Gay
In 2013, Darren Young became the first ever active WWE main roster performer to come out as being gay. Though others such as Pat Patterson and Chris Kanyon were public about their sexuality after their time as a top level performer, Young's decision was a strengthening statement about the industry's modernised attitude to homosexuality.
Paradoxically, this was further solidified by the company's decision to not really adjust Young's position on the card by virtue of his announcement. A low card tag and singles star at the time, the 'Prime Time Player' wasn't suddenly patronisingly elevated for WWE to dine out on the active promotion of a homosexual wrestler, nor was he cynically buried for being 'different' to the prevailing norm in the business.
It reflected a broad shift in how wrestling perceives being gay in modern times, and Vince Russo was by no means the first or last to play down to rock bottom stereotypes in monetising traditionally bigoted views on the subject.
However, he'd almost definitely see value in decking Young out in gaudy colours and insisting on ultra-flamboyance to appeal to the lowest common denominator. One only needs to look back on characters he creatively presided over such as Goldust, Kwee Wee and The West Hollywood Blondes for further historical context.