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I remember back in the mid 90’s–before Eric and WCW started killing us–the mentality of the WWF was simply–"Whatever we put out there–good, or bad–the fans are not only going to eat it–THEY’RE GOING TO LIKE IT!!!!" That’s what brought about the era of Freddy Joe Floyd, the Goon, TL Hooper, The Mastadon, and of course–fake Razor and fake Diesel. That was Vince’s attitude because there WAS NO competition–that’s where Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan came in–the rest was history.
Vince McMahon is at that same place again. There was no effort on Monday night–because in his mind–there is no competition. Man–how can yoiu be a "genius" and not learn from mistakes of the past. Now, I know there are probably many of you out there saying, "Vinnie Ru–why do you want to wake a sleeping giant?"The truth–he may be sleeping–but I don’t really think he’s a giant any more–maybe 6’7", or 6′ 8", but not a giant. The truth–I don’t think the creative team over there has, or ever did have, the creativity and the spauldings that a younger Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff ever did. The truth–I’m almost a 49 year-old man right now–and they STILL don’t have the passion that I do. Look at the WWE history there since Ed and I left–where are the great angles? Where are the "Bret screwed Bret", stories? Where are the ones where DX pull up to the enemy’s camp driving a missle launcher, or the one where the Rock joined the corporation? WHERE ARE THEY? Now don’t get me wrong, Triple H putting a midget on a skateboard and rolling him around backstage may be entyertaing to some–but I have to say–it fails in comparision to Stone Cold Austin vs. Mr. McMahon.
Now, have guys gotten over themselves over there–yes they have–John Cena is a tremendous talent–Randy Orton may be the best I’ve ever seen–but where’s the meat and potatoes–the stories. Now, you can say whatever you want about me–love me, or hate me, but you watch any TNA show and there are stories going on for everybody. Stories that build "character"–the same stories that built the D-Lo Browns, and the Mark Henrys, and the Kanes and the Val Venuses. EFFORT goes into everything we do–EVERYTHING. Our challenge has been that we have so many young , inexperienced guys to get over at once–but that just takes time–we WILL get then over. But we’re trying–we’re trying for you the fans.
Which brings me to Monday night. On record here I will say that I have NEVER workd on a show any harder then that one you witnessed on Monday night. That show was being crafted for 6 weeks–every, single day of the week. We never stopped–NEVER. We tweaked, and tweaked, and tweaked until we couldn’t even tweak anymore. We ran young Matt Conway, the junior creator of our staff–into the ground–he will never be the same again. Ed took time away from his elderly parents, who need him more then anything now–and I took time away from the thing I love most–my family. We didn’t come up one, single day for air–not one. Eric called me on Christma day–not to exchange pleasentries–but to work–and he did the same New Year’s day. IT NEVER STOPPED!!!
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