http://www.prowrestling.net/artman/publish/TNA/article10023359.shtml Normally I wouldn't buy anything that Wrestlezone reports but the fact that reputable sources are linking to it, and the fact that Lagana is backstage tonight and Russo isn't and Lagana has also had a few cryptic tweets today. If this change is taking place it's the best news for TNA in years in years. The product has already been improving and will only get better with Lagana being added to the booking committee.
Originally posted by Meltzer on WednesdayBesides, there's another big story coming in a few more days so maybe you'll be happier about that one.
haha Dave you cad.
boy I don't really like David Lagana, but obv better than Russo. #IWantPlacebos
Originally posted by MeltzerI believe Lagana is writing the TV tomorrow. Hard to get a lot this close to the PPV, but this has been inevitable from the day Lagana left ROH. Just a question as to when Russo would quit. The found the guy who can actually script a show but Dixie would never fire Russo.
Looks like Meltzer is independently reporting the same:
Vince Russo is out as TNA head writer. This news broke today although it went down several days ago. We'll have more imminently in an audio update. David Lagana is reported to be taking his place.
I don't know that I can actually believe this, just because Russo's been 'out' of TNA a few times prior only to still quietly end up with an influence on the product and. To that end: didn't Bruce Pritchard already replace him as director of creative, on top of the many other people said to be overseeing him? does "out at head writer" means he's still on a committee?
The other thing is - there was a time a few years ago where changing Russo out for someone else would've been a big chance in the direction of TNA. And they did make that change, they put Bischoff & Hogan in charge of Russo. Russo -> Lagana will have some effect, but they're not the ones at the wheel.
Cubsfan- yes Pritchard took over as head of creative but Russo was still writing the shows. TNA has really put out a good product when Russo wasn't around like '03-04 when Mantell booked and '05-06 when D'Amore booked.
To play Devil's Advocate, Russo also was sole booker for the period when Cornette and Mantel left and Hogan came in, and it was some of the best stuff TNA has done.
Also, Dixie is the main problem with TNA. She's a clueless money mark who knows nothing about the industry. Like someone else said, even if Russo is gone, Hogan and Bischoff are still there. Not to mention older guys like Sting, Angle, and Jarrett who likely have considerable pull.
Originally posted by ScottyflamingoTo play Devil's Advocate, Russo also was sole booker for the period when Cornette and Mantel left and Hogan came in, and it was some of the best stuff TNA has done.
Also, Dixie is the main problem with TNA. She's a clueless money mark who knows nothing about the industry. Like someone else said, even if Russo is gone, Hogan and Bischoff are still there. Not to mention older guys like Sting, Angle, and Jarrett who likely have considerable pull.
The booking for a few months at late in '09 was good for the most part, but that's the only time Russo's put out a good product since the late 90's. I thought the Eric Young push was pretty terrible. I don't think Angle or Sting are thee problem now Hogan and Bischoff on the other hand clearly are.
Considering that Ring Ka King has been instantly successful and an overall better product than Impact, I see this as good news. With the stepped up product under Pritchard already, TNA has the chance to really do something right. I just hope Bischoff & Jarrett let them do things with minimal interference. but I do know that as much as Lagana preaches wanting wrestling, his mindset is that star power is the answer. So in some ways I forsee a continued reliance on workers who are already "names" over bringing up lesser known Indy talent. Lagana's strong point is crafting storylines, leaving the wrestlers to have the depth of character to play the role.
PWInsider (adf.ly) says Lagana is not replacing Russo in TNA creative, that he's just "helping out". Although they're unsure about the actual status of Russo.
(edited by John Orquiola on 12.2.12 1522) @BackoftheHead
Originally posted by MeltzerLagana is only a producer. Don't get carried away.
This is not a change in creative direction. Eric & Prichard are in charge. Russo's power lessened when Prichard was put in charge. You can tell by less nonsense on TV and less stuff crammed into the show.
Nothing in recent weeks led to the change. It was happening for months.
Originally posted by John Orquiola PWInsider (adf.ly) says Lagana is not replacing Russo in TNA creative, that he's just "helping out". Although they're unsure about the actual status of Russo.
Originally posted by ScottyflamingoTo play Devil's Advocate, Russo also was sole booker for the period when Cornette and Mantel left and Hogan came in, and it was some of the best stuff TNA has done.
Also, Dixie is the main problem with TNA. She's a clueless money mark who knows nothing about the industry. Like someone else said, even if Russo is gone, Hogan and Bischoff are still there. Not to mention older guys like Sting, Angle, and Jarrett who likely have considerable pull.
The booking for a few months at late in '09 was good for the most part, but that's the only time Russo's put out a good product since the late 90's. I thought the Eric Young push was pretty terrible. I don't think Angle or Sting are thee problem now Hogan and Bischoff on the other hand clearly are.
(edited by graves9 on 12.2.12 1814)
A lot of it is the number of people who have sway in TNA booking. You got Russo, Bisch, Hogan, Dixie all with some degree of management and booking pull. Then you've got Jarrett, Sting and Angle that likely have influence. I've never read anything bad that Angle and Sting have done (hell, Angle got pissed that they screwed up the rub he gave to Lethal). However even bookers that aren't necessarily bad can hurt if you have too many cooks.
Originally posted by ScottyflamingoTo play Devil's Advocate, Russo also was sole booker for the period when Cornette and Mantel left and Hogan came in, and it was some of the best stuff TNA has done.
Also, Dixie is the main problem with TNA. She's a clueless money mark who knows nothing about the industry. Like someone else said, even if Russo is gone, Hogan and Bischoff are still there. Not to mention older guys like Sting, Angle, and Jarrett who likely have considerable pull.
The booking for a few months at late in '09 was good for the most part, but that's the only time Russo's put out a good product since the late 90's. I thought the Eric Young push was pretty terrible. I don't think Angle or Sting are thee problem now Hogan and Bischoff on the other hand clearly are.
(edited by graves9 on 12.2.12 1814)
A lot of it is the number of people who have sway in TNA booking. You got Russo, Bisch, Hogan, Dixie all with some degree of management and booking pull. Then you've got Jarrett, Sting and Angle that likely have influence. I've never read anything bad that Angle and Sting have done (hell, Angle got pissed that they screwed up the rub he gave to Lethal). However even bookers that aren't necessarily bad can hurt if you have too many cooks.
I agree with the too many cooks statement. As far as Russo he got more power in the WWE after his success in '97-98 and there was a ton of stupid story lines in '99 and that lead to the worst Rumble match ever and a mostly shitty Wrestlemania. I don't think I need to go over what he did in Wcw of how he fubar'd Joe's career in TNA.
Now Bischoff just needs to sign Russo as a TNA wrestling personality, and we can have the WCW 2000 New Blood vs. Millionaire's Club stuff all over again.
This is great news though. I might have to start watching TNA again...not counting this PPV tonight which I am going to see. Of course that is mostly because a friend is getting the show, not because Russo is getting phased all the way out.
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Russo leaving is something that should have happened long ago, but if this means Bischoff & Hogan are getting more involved in the creative process, this may just be a step sideways. Reading parts of the results of tonight's PPV (a Garett Bischoff 12 minute semi main event singles match and the cliche TNA overbooked main event finish in particular) didn't inspire much confidence from me. I'm just hoping this means there will be no more shows with 10 minutes of Eric Young "comedy" and less Abyss pushes.
Originally posted by ScottyflamingoHogan and Bischoff are worse than Russo. Russo at least TRIED to give younger talent a shot.
Like Sting? Eric Watts? Glen fucking Gilberti? Foley? Jarrett? Hall? DDP? Nash? Seriously he destroyed Joe's career and really screwed over Daniels once he returned in late '06 after Daniels had a great run in '05-06. Yeah he gave Styles the title but he booked him horribly. Pritchard at least has pushed guys like Roode and Storm to th main event. Not defending Hogan or Bischoff but there's no way to defend Russo imo.
TNA is not going to change. We might get treated to a few more quality matches and some more deserving pushes, but it will continue to be the same rudderless ship it's always been. They need to get over their WWE envy and just do their own thing. That seems to be when the product is at it's best.
Originally posted by BigDaddyLocoThey need to get over their WWE envy and just do their own thing. That seems to be when the product is at it's best.
Agreed. Stop trying to out-WWE the WWE and come up with your own niche/style. I just dont think they're patient enough to do it for any length of time.
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