10 Wrestlers Who Regretted Jumping Ship

Vince Russo’s career could be defined as a tale of two cities: the innovative halcyon days of the WWF, and the desperate attempt to recreate them in WCW.

After two years as WWE’s head writer, helping the company achieve unprecedented financial and creative heights, Russo felt burnt out and unappreciated. McMahon added SmackDown to the schedule with no reprieve for his staff. So Russo took his talents (and assistant) to Atlanta to take the helm of the titanic he helped sink.

Unfortunately for the industry, Russo proved more fatal inside the operation than opposed to it. He became an overbearing onscreen character, even winning the WCW World Heavyweight Championship. Entertaining WWE gimmicks like Road Dogg and Chyna were replicated to a lesser degree with Buzzkill and Asya. The illusion of pro wrestling was shattered as performers “went off script” and participated in “shoot fights.” And of course, David Arquette won the World Title.

Although he was hired by WWE and TNA after WCW went out of business, Russo’s supposed genius had been exposed.