Vince Russo is perhaps the most polarizing person on this list. Some love him for his role in saving the WWE and creating the Attitude Era, some despise him for his controversial booking and disjointed storylines that may have led to the collapse of WCW. Either way, Russo stirs up strong emotions in fans. Many people don't realize Russo (as head writer) helped usher in the Attitude Era. Mick Foley's trifecta of characters (some darker than others), Austin vs. McMahon, Degeneration X, Val Venis, and even the Godfather were all under Russo's watch. The WWE shed it's polite, family friendly skin, and became a promotion geared toward rowdy teenagers and adults who understood the industry. But what worked for Russo in WWE didn't in WCW. He left WWE in late 1999, and went to work for WCW to try and recreate the magic. But perhaps the biggest mistake he made was in the pacing of the product. Russo was known for erratic booking, controversial storylines, and surprising heel/face turns. This worked in WWE because they were both desperate for change, and that change was parceled out in correct amounts to rising stars. It didn't work in WCW. He had a run in TNA from 2002 to 2012, and now rumors suggest he may even be back in a consulting role. Whether this leads to anything permanent is anyone's guess, but given the current status, he may only be putting himself in position to take over another sinking ship. What's clear is whether you love Russo or hate him, there are plenty of reasons for both.
