Vincent James "Vince" Russo (born January 24, 1961-died November 9, 2014) is an American writer and author, known for his work in the professional wrestling industry. He is notable for his tenure with the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA). He occasionally made appearances as an on-screen authority figure and is a one-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion.
"Worked shoots," meaning completely planned and scripted events that, due to the language or actions of the people involved, are made to seem more "real" than other segments.
My name in Vince Russo and I am the ant-Christ of professional wrestling.
2
This highest rated segment I ever did in WWF was "This is Your Life:" Rock, when Mick did it. I'll never forget the next day: I was the anti-Christ, it was the worst show they ever saw, Russo's killing wrestling, etc. The segment did an 8.4: eight-and-a-half million people watched that show! Do you know what that did for the wrestling business in general? These people should have been kissing my feet because now 8 million people were looking at wrestling. To me, that's all that mattered. But you have these little cliques of internet people and all they care about is themselves and "what I like" and "what I don't like." Well you know what? It's not about you, it's not about me, it's about the masses. And when 8 million people are watching your show, it doesn't get any better than that.
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Fact
1
Acts as a creative advisor for NWA-TNA, and is the on-screen director of authority [March 2004]
2
Head writer for NWA-TNA and leader of heel faction Sports Entertainment Xtreme (or S.E.X.) [January 2003]
3
Training to become a pastor [May 2004]
4
Fired from NWA-TNA [January 2004]
5
Has returned to NWA-TNA only a few weeks after being released. He is now also a born again Christian. [January 2004]
6
Published author.
7
In 2002, he was rehired by the WWE as a storyline consultant. He was let go about a month later due to incompatibility.
8
Formed a faction in NWA-TNA called S.E.X. (Sports Entertainment Xtreme) with the Harris Twins & BG James.
9
Currently working for NWA-TNA as a writer and on-screen talent.
10
His WCW theme song, composed by WCW composer James Hart, is based on the Black Sabbath song, "Iron Man". His TNA theme song, "F.U. System", composed by TNA composer Dale Oliver, is based on the System Of A Down song, "Toxicity".
11
Former WCW Heavyweight Champion (won on Sept. 25, 2000)
12
Leader of the New Blood.
13
Former writer for the World Wrestling Federation, defected to World Championship Wrestling in 1999.
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bucket Full of Chicken Necks
TV Series 110 episodes, 2014 - 2017 original story - 1 episode, 2015
The Swerve
2014-2016
TV Series 139 episodes
Lions, Tigers, Bears and Dirt
TV Series created by - 85 episodes, 2015 - 2016 written by - 81 episodes, 2015 - 2016
RAW: What It Was Good For
TV Series 52 episodes, 2015 - 2016 written by - 11 episodes, 2016
Anything But Freakin' Rasslin'
2015-2016
TV Series 47 episodes
Vixens Who Rule
2015-2016
TV Series 61 episodes
The Business of the Business
2016
TV Series documentary created by - 8 episodes
Mark and Mark
2015-2016
TV Series 6 episodes
The Beauty and the Beast Show
TV Series created by - 11 episodes, 2016 written by - 10 episodes, 2016
Destiny Unbound
2016
TV Series written by - 1 episode
Shoot 2 Thrill
2015
TV Series 19 episodes
TNA Impact! Wrestling
TV Series 225 episodes, 2004 - 2014 writer - 1 episode, 2006
NWA: Total Nonstop Action
TV Series 41 episodes, 2002 - 2004 writer - 3 episodes, 2002
WCW Halloween Havoc
2000
TV Special
WCW Monday Nitro
1999-2000
TV Series 40 episodes
WCW Thunder
1999-2000
TV Series 32 episodes
Fall Brawl
2000
TV Movie
World Championship Wrestling: New Blood Rising
2000
TV Special
WCW Bash at the Beach
2000
TV Movie
WCW The Great American Bash
2000
TV Movie
WCW Slamboree
2000
TV Special
WCW Spring Stampede
2000
TV Movie
WCW Starrcade
1999
TV Movie
WCW Mayhem
1999
TV Movie
WCW Halloween Havoc
1999
TV Movie
WWE Sunday Night Heat
1998-1999
TV Series 59 episodes
WWE Smackdown!
1999
TV Series 7 episodes
WWE Raw
1996-1999
TV Series 122 episodes
WWF Unforgiven
1999
TV Special
Summerslam
1999
TV Special
Fully Loaded
1999
TV Movie
King of the Ring
1999
TV Special
WWF Over the Edge
1999
TV Special
WWF Backlash
1999
TV Special
WrestleMania XV
1999
TV Special
WWF St. Valentine's Day Massacre
1999
TV Special
WWF Royal Rumble: No Chance in Hell
1999
TV Special
WWF Rock Bottom: In Your House
1998
TV Special
Survivor Series
1998
TV Special
WWF Judgment Day
1998
Video
WWF Break Down
1998
TV Special
Summerslam
1998
TV Special
Fully Loaded
1998
TV Movie
King of the Ring
1998
TV Special
WWF Over the Edge
1998
TV Special
WWF Unforgiven
1998
TV Special
WrestleMania XIV
1998
TV Special
Royal Rumble
1998
TV Special
WWF in Your House: D-Generation-X
1997
TV Special
Survivor Series
1997
TV Special
WWF in Your House: Badd Blood
1997
TV Special
WWF in Your House: Ground Zero
1997
TV Special
Summerslam
1997
TV Special
WWF in Your House 16: Canadian Stampede
1997
TV Special
King of the Ring
1997
TV Special
WWF in Your House: A Cold Day in Hell
1997
TV Special
WWF WrestleFest '97
1997
TV Special
WrestleMania 13
1997
TV Special
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bucket Full of Chicken Necks
2014-2017
TV Series executive producer - 111 episodes
The Swerve
2014-2016
TV Series executive producer - 139 episodes
Lions, Tigers, Bears and Dirt
2015-2016
TV Series executive producer - 85 episodes
RAW: What It Was Good For
2015-2016
TV Series executive producer - 64 episodes
Anything But Freakin' Rasslin'
2015-2016
TV Series executive producer - 48 episodes
Vixens Who Rule
2015-2016
TV Series executive producer - 61 episodes
The Business of the Business
2016
TV Series documentary executive producer - 8 episodes
Mark and Mark
2015-2016
TV Series executive producer - 7 episodes
The Drive
2016
TV Series executive producer - 5 episodes
The Beauty and the Beast Show
2016
TV Series executive producer - 11 episodes
The Russo Rebuttal
2016
TV Series executive producer - 1 episode
Destiny Unbound
2015-2016
TV Series executive producer - 16 episodes
The Andre Corbeil Show
2015
TV Series executive producer - 2 episodes
Shoot 2 Thrill
2015
TV Series executive producer - 19 episodes
WCW Halloween Havoc
2000
TV Special producer
WCW The Great American Bash
2000
TV Movie executive producer
WCW Uncensored
2000
TV Movie executive producer
WCW Monday Nitro
1995
TV Series producer
WWE Raw
1993
TV Series producer - 1997-1999
Director
Title
Year
Status
Character
Lions, Tigers, Bears and Dirt
2015-2016
TV Series 81 episodes
Vixens Who Rule
2015-2016
TV Series 61 episodes
The Business of the Business
2016
TV Series documentary 8 episodes
Mark and Mark
2015-2016
TV Series 6 episodes
The Beauty and the Beast Show
2016
TV Series 10 episodes
Shoot 2 Thrill
2015
TV Series 19 episodes
Bucket Full of Chicken Necks
TV Series 110 episodes, 2014 - 2017 series director - 1 episode, 2015
The Swerve
2014-2016
TV Series 139 episodes
RAW: What It Was Good For
2015-2016
TV Series 64 episodes
Anything But Freakin' Rasslin'
2015-2016
TV Series 47 episodes
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Mark and Mark
2015-2016
TV Series
Mark #1
Santa's Slay
2005
Patron in Strip Club (uncredited)
TNA Impact! Wrestling
2004
TV Series
Vince Russo
NWA: Total Nonstop Action
2002-2003
TV Series
Vince Russo / Mr. Wrestling III
WCW Monday Nitro
2000
TV Series
Vince Russo
WCW Thunder
2000
TV Series
Vince Russo
Fall Brawl
2000
TV Movie
Vince Russo
WCW The Great American Bash
2000
TV Movie
Vince Russo
WCW Spring Stampede
2000
TV Movie
Vince Russo
WCW Starrcade
1999
TV Movie
Powers That Be
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Bucket Full of Chicken Necks
2014-2017
TV Series
Himself / Himself - Host
The Swerve
2014-2016
TV Series
Himself - Host
RAW: What It Was Good For
2015-2016
TV Series
Himself - Host
Anything But Freakin' Rasslin'
2015-2016
TV Series
Himself - Host
Lions, Tigers, Bears and Dirt
2015-2016
TV Series
Himself - Host / Batman
Vixens Who Rule
2015-2016
TV Series
Himself - Host
The Business of the Business
2016
TV Series documentary
Himself
The Beauty and the Beast Show
2016
TV Series
Himself - Host
The Russo Rebuttal
2016
TV Series
Himself
Destiny Unbound
2015-2016
TV Series
Himself
Shoot 2 Thrill
2015
TV Series
Himself - Host
LeagueOne: In the Spotlight!
2014
TV Series
Himself
The Monday Night War: WWE vs. WCW
2014
TV Series documentary
Himself
The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment