Vince Russo will be writing a new series every week, exclusively on WrestleZone.com, entitled “Russo’s Road Stories”. With 23 years in the wrestling business, Russo has seen and heard a lot of things that have never been told before…until now. Visit Vince Russo’s new website at this link, and follow him on Twitter at @PyroBallyhoo. Also, be sure to use the hashtag #RussoRoadStories when tweeting about this new exclusive column.
RUSSO’S ROAD STORIES: WHEN CELEBRITIES ENTER THE “SQUARED CIRCLE”
Throughout the years, the use of “Hollywood Superstars” has helped add to the glitz and glamour of the pageantry known as sports-entertainment/professional wrestling. As a matter of fact, dating all the way back to the first WrestleMania on March 31, 1985, it was that touch of Tinsel Town that made the extravaganza stand out as a wrestling event to the likes that we had never seen before.
Today, things aren’t much different. Pro wrestling still relies on “outside” entertainment to try and garner any mainstream press they can get. (See: WWE’s original invitation to Michael Sam, or Jerry Springer’s actual appearance on RAW tonight.)
Over the years I’ve had both the honor and privilege of working with many celebrities who came in and out of my world as I served as a writer for the better part of 20 years. This column is dedicated to some of my fondest memories as they occurred when celebrities entered the squared circle!
Jennie Garth
My first memory in dealing with celebrities who crossed over into our world for whatever reasons – whether it be the publicity, payday, or their love of the sport — occurred many years ago at WrestleMania X when we were “graced” with the presence of Jennie Garth.
Garth was one of the hottest young starts on television at the time due to her show 90210, which was the current talk of Hollywood. I can clearly remember how Jennie was so disgusted by being in the presence of wrestlers that she refused to leave her locker room for the entire evening, until it was time for Burt Reynolds to walk her down to the ring. Even Burt, an avid wrestling fan, was upset by the stuck-up starlet’s actions and made it be known to everyone.
Little Richard
Another clear memory I had of WrestleMania X was witnessing first-hand Vince McMahon getting down in the ring with Little Richard as he prepared for his moment in the spotlight. Vince was the ultimate mark for the legends of music, and made no bones about it when they dared to enter our world.
Pamela Anderson
The following year at WrestleMania XI, as editor of the WWF Magazine, I actually had the opportunity to be in a room ALONE with the stunning Pamela Anderson, who was more or less still under the radar at that time. I can clearly remember interviewing Pam and not even being able to look her in the eyes because her RAW beauty (at the time) was just intoxicating AND mesmerizing!
Pete Rose
I worked with baseball legend Pete Rose at WrestleMania XIV and XV, and the one aspect that was so entertaining when working with “Charlie Hustle” was the fact that whatever you wanted him to do had a price but was negotiable. It was the equivalent of working with a used-car salesman, and I know that we’ve all experienced that joy in our lives.
A few off-the-wall celebrity tidbits:
Aaron Neville was the biggest Bret Hart mark I had ever seen and would have done anything for the “Hit Man”.
At the Survivor Series in 1994, EVERY SINGLE ONE of the boys wanted to get laid out by Chuck Norris.
Sean Waltman called it the highlight of his career when he had the opportunity to sing with his idols and rock star legends, Motley Crew, on an episode of Monday Night RAW. I remember Sean coming up to me after the show, and he couldn’t be thankful enough.
We barely got the late and great Hank “The Angry” Dwarf of “Howard Stern Show” fame from the green room to the arena, because he had somehow managed to get himself BOMBED out of his mind during the day.
Jeff Jarrett’s antics brought much entertainment backstage. Then-internet icon Cindy Margolis was almost in tears because she was scared to death of Double J putting her in a Figure-Four. We had to practice endlessly in the back.
Ben Stiller, who had just released “Mystery Men”, dropped by to take yet another Figure-Four from Jeff. When it was time to rehearse during the day, I couldn’t find Ben, only to learn later that he was somewhere behind a trailer smoking the wacky-tabacky with Road Dog and X-Pac.
This one may be one of my all time favorites: Jeff Jarrett was so afraid that Howard Stern’s “Beetlejuice” wasn’t going to sell his guitar shot right, that let’s just say – Ol’ Double J made SURE he did. Don’t know if I ever saw anyone hit so hard in my life!
Last But Not Least…Mike Tyson
Perhaps the greatest use of a celebrity in wrestling of ALL-TIME was Mike Tyson at WrestleMania XIV. If you remember, there was a window of opportunity for Vince to use “Iron Mike” because he was suspended from boxing, and “The Boss” jumped all over it.
As far as I was concerned, that whole storyline between Tyson and Austin OFFICIALLY kickstarted what we all now refer to as “The Attitude Era”.
Here’s what you probably don’t know though: At the time, Vince had assigned his son Shane to stay with Tyson 24/7. There was no doubt in my mind that Vince was looking to do bigger and better things with the ear-biting champion. In fact, I truly believe Vince McMahon wanted to manage Tyson’s career!
#RussoRoadStories Every Thursday
I’ll be following up this article on Thursday this week, which will be the normal day for my new weekly series, “Russo’s Road Stories”, right here on WrestleZone.com. Because of this double-column week, I’m going to continue with the “celebrity” theme for my second column, and share with you perhaps the most controversial way a celebrity was used in the business. Plus, a SHOCKING celebrity story that I guarantee you have never heard before!
Thanks again to WrestleZone for allowing me the opportunity, and thanks to those of you who decide to read my work each week.
Want to see me write a backstage/road story about YOUR favorite superstar? WWE/F, WCW, TNA – if I worked with them and you’d like like some stories, let me know on Twitter by using the hashtag #RussoRoadStories.
Until Thursday, thanks for reading.
Peace,
Vince Russo
