The following is an article that was in the September 1999 issue of WWF RAW Magazine
and written by Vince Russo. COMMENTARY BY VINCE RUSSO
DISCLAIMER: THE VIEWS AND OPINIONS EXPRESSED IN THIS COLUMN ARE SOLELY THOSE OF VINCE RUSSO, AND NOT NECESSARILY SHARED BY THOSE REPRESENTING THE WORLD WRESTUNG FEDERATION AND TlTAN SPORTS.
Every day of my life has been a learning experience. I think in order to grow as a human being you need to learn something new every single day. And it doesn't have to be HUGE - and it really doesn't matter where it comes from. Whether it be one of your peers at work, your wife, your kidz or a Seinfeld rerun - "Knowledge is growth."
"Regardless of what some people may think, or say, I have been blessed with the opportunity of working with Vince McMahon over the past five-plus years. Talk about a "Fountain of Information." This guy has lived... and learned... his entire life. Not only is he my boss... but he's the best damn teacher I've ever had. Every day is a lesson with Vince, and every day you come away a better person for it. The majority of his philosophies are rock solid. HOWEVER - there is one that I just can't incorporate into my everyday life.
"Vince, don't take things personally."
That's what he always tells me. "Don't take business personally." Well, hell, on paper that sounds great - very logical. But to a stubborn Italian who was born in West Hempstead, Long Island - IT'S IMPOSSIBLE. Yeah, I've attempted to sell myself on that theory a few times - but I just ain't buyin' it!!! I do take things personally. Why? Because I'm a human being with feelings!
As you read on, please remember the disclaimer at the beginning of this "EDITORIAL" - the views expressed are MINE!!! Nobody told me to write them - they're all coming from my p.o.'d little head.
I take the Rena Mero (Sable) situation VERY PERSONALLY. I'm going to apologize to Titan Sports' attorney Ed Kaufman right here and now. I don't know what I can - or can't say - but personally, I don't really care. If some lawyer somewhere down in Florida wants to sue me for telling the truth - then so be it.
I guess it was probably about three years ago that I first met Rena Mero. I had spoken with Marc Mero a few times prior, but I had never met the Mrs. And I'll tell you - I'll never forget the first time I did. In my opinion, she was beautiful. Not hot - not sexy - not smokin' - just a beautiful lady. There was something about her eyes. I couldn't even look into them because I would just become mesmerized. And not only did she have the looks of an angel - but she had the personality to back it up.
So, we all know the story. Marc went down with a knee injury, and Sable stole the spotlight. Not intentionally, not maliciously - she just commanded it. Her beauty, along with the way she carried herself, just won the fans over. The World Wrestling Federation presented her with the opportunity - and Sable became a star. But let's not kid ourselves. Nothing against Rena - but the fans made a star of Sable because of her "blessed physical attributes." It wasn't her promos. It wasn't the story lines. It was her stunning looks.
With the popularity of Sable growing - it was time for the character to grow. Actually, it was my idea for Sable to become the World Wrestling Federation Women's Champion. The theory behind it being - Public Relations. Those stunning looks would open up the flood gates to the media. She could be more P.R. than anything else. So - it was me who presented the idea to Rena - with Mare on the other end of the phone. Rena popped for the idea and said, "I only hope that I don't let the company down and that I can live up to the company's expectations."
Thus - the string of evening gown matches began. Will I deny that T&A sells? I'd be an idiot if I did. BUT - the reason for the evening gown matches was to protect Rena. They were "cat fights" - not "wrestling matches." Right now - in any ring in America - I can have a convincing catfight! And Rena NEVER had a problem with this. Just like she didn't have a problem parading around half-naked at the Slammys. We didn't go shopping for her - SHE picked out the outfit. Just like she didn't have a problem parading around naked at a Pay-Per-View. Remember the painted-on handprints? Rena's idea. As a matter of fact, Marc personally invited me to be the first one in the women's locker room to give my approval. If I knew then what I know now, I would have sued his ass for sexual harassment and $110 million!!! I mean, I couldn't believe my ears when I heard Rena say on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that she was having a problem getting her clothes ripped off in the ring because children were in the crowd. BUT - she had no problem parading around the ring NAKED with children in the crowd! You figure.
So, anyway, up next - Playboy. This is when it all came down. After Rena did Playboy, she soon started a "World Tour." Playboy's P.R. people got her booked on various talk shows, such as Roseanne and Donny & Marie. Now, in Rena and Marc's mind - Sable was a "legitimate" star. Again - THIS IS ALL MY OPINION, WHICH I BELIEVE I AM ENTITLED TO UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT. Anyway - yeah - she was now a "legitimate" star. You go on Donny & Marie - you hit the big time - no question about it. Anyway - this was the turning point. How do I know? Because now when I called Rena at home to discuss her upcoming story line for the week - I wasn't allowed to talk to her. No - I had to talk to Marc - who would talk to Rena - who would say, "Yes or no" - tell Mare - who would then call me back and tell me yes or no. See - that's how you deal with "stars." And how did the "boys" react? Forget it! You see, once Sable became a "legitimate" star - Rena and Mare pretty much kept to themselves. As far as the "boys" were concerned, it was because they thought they were better than everybody else. I'll let you decide on that one.
So, now - things really started to get out of hand. There was talk about Rena wanting out of her contract - but it was still up in the air. She was scheduled to work a Pay-Per-View in England - which never happened. And this is where her nudity story comes in. In England, nudity is viewed much differently than it is here. The Brits are freer - no big deal. YES - Vince did ask Rena if she would mind getting her top pulled off, exposing her bare breasts. YES - Rena did mind. So, NO - Rena didn't do it. And YES - that was fine with Vince. Now, folks - we're in the entertainment business. Did Stanley Kubrick ask Nicole Kidman to get naked for Eyes Wide Shut? In my opinion - Vince did nothing wrong. He asked her - she said no - no big deal.
Which leads me to her "lesbian" story line. Let me tell you what that was about because I wrote it. Sable was to have been stalked by a "crazed female fan" who was going to turn out to be her sister. In laying out the concept to Rena, I told her that in the early stages of the story line some may mistakingly construe this as "lesbianism." I mean, let's face it - when you mix two attractive women with the imagination of a male wrestling fan, that may happen!!! But again - that wouldn't be the case - and that wasn't where we were going because in actuality, we would all find - they were sisters!!!
Anyway - we eventually decided to get the Women's Title from her just in an effort to shake up the story line concerning the women. So, again - I - ME - called Rena a week beforehand and told Marc - remember, at this point I wasn't allowed to talk to Rena - she was a "legitimate" star - that we wanted to put the belt on Debra. ONE WEEK BEFORE. Next thing I'm hearing - they're spewing some nonsense that we took the belt off her because she didn't want to get her clothes ripped off. That's simply not true. I take that personally.
So, anyway - now Rena makes it official. She does want out of her contract and Vince says, "No problem," BUT - she's got one. She's coming out in Playboy - a publication that no children sneak a peak at, I can assure you - and Rena Mero doesn't sell - Sable does. So, she wants the name "Sable." Being a businessman, Vince says, "No - we created Sable - Sable is a property of Titan Sports."
Next thing I know, there it is on the front page of the Connecticut Post - Rena Mero sues the World Wrestling Federation for $110 million.
Yeah - I take all this personally. I take it personally when, on the heels of Owen Hart's death... according to Rena, we used "intimidation tactics" to get her to do certain things. I take that personally. That is the lowest route that anybody can go. That is pure B.S. I know it - she knows it.
I take it personally that Rena shows up in the front row at Nitro a week after labeling the entire industry the hole of the world. My question? How much did they pay her, because that's what it's all about - not doing much and getting rich quick.
Rena, Marc - I take all this personally. For three years I put so much time and effort into both of you. I cared about you. I tried to help you as much as I could - and this is the gratitude you show - I TAKE THAT PERSONALLY. I am proud to work for Vince McMahon and the World Wrestling Federation, and I am sick and tired of people looking to make a name for themselves at Vince's expense. Because that's what it's all about. If not - then how the hell does somebody come up with a figure of $110 million?!!!
You want to get rich quick - then play Powerball. But, if you want to line your pockets by attacking people like me - I TAKE THAT PERSONALLY!!!
Later. BACK TO SABLE HOME PAGE |
