Former TNA consultant Vince Russo had some negative things to stay about the partnership between TNA and Spike TV during an appearance on “The Pro Wrestling Report” show recently. Russo described Spike TV as a “horrible partner” and was not pleased with how the network advertised Impact Wrestling.
David Schwarz, Senior Vice President of Communications for Spike TV, issued a response first made public by Dave Meltzer. Schwarz confirmed he did indeed make the comments to Mike Johnson earlier on Tuesday.
“I want to start by saying we enjoyed a great relationship, a very collaborative relationship with Dixie Carter and her team over the years. We took TNA from a late night spot on Saturday nights, doing 500,000 viewers, to a two-hour time slot that did two million viewers over time. Spike went out of its way, not in just adhering to its contract, but above and beyond the contract. We paid Hulk Hogan, we paid Eric Bischoff, with our money. We financed many shows. We financed U.K. shows. We helped promote. We gave TNA a prime time slot of Thursdays from 9-11 p.m. I think his comments are way off base. Clearly, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about. He’s somebody who thinks more of himself than really exists. Vince Russo never meant anything to Spike TV. He had nothing to do with negotiations. Nobody cares about Vince Russo at Spike TV. Nobody cares or knows who he is. We have a great relationship with TNA. We went above and beyond for them, as they did for us. Dixie helped promote our shows. What Vince Russo is saying is complete nonsense.”
When confirming the quote to Mike Johnson, Schwarz also added: “Russo means less to Spike than gum that gets stuck on the bottom of a sneaker. What network would want to work with a guy who trashes other networks?”
Source: The Wrestling Observer/Figure Four Online, PWInsider.com