Vince Russo has shared new backstage details about AJ Styles’ early rise in TNA and why his momentum suddenly changed direction.
Speaking on Talk Is Jericho, the former TNA writer explained how creative plans evolved, how Jeff Jarrett’s role affected the roster, and how Dixie Carter’s decisions — including bringing in Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff — reshaped the company.
Russo said that while Jeff Jarrett and Dixie Carter were running TNA, he was the one leading the creative side.
“Jeff and Dixie were the bosses… but I was really the creative guy writing the show.”
He explained that Jarrett’s long run as champion in the early years kept several homegrown talents from moving up the card.
“Jeff puts the title on himself. And in the early years, Jeff was primarily the champion. And in doing that, he was keeping a lot of guys back… that’s not a Jeff Jarrett thing. That’s a wrestler‑in‑management thing.”
Russo said Jarrett believed he was the best person to represent the company.
“Jeff’s thinking, ‘This is my company. Nobody is going to represent it better than I can. Nobody’s going to go out there in that ring and have the match that I have.’ Nobody.”
Vince Russo AJ Styles TNA push
Russo said things changed after the Jeff Jarrett, Kurt Angle and Karen Angle storyline. According to him, Dixie Carter gave him full creative control for the first time, and that’s when he finally pushed the younger generation.
AJ Styles became world champion, and talents like Samoa Joe, Motor City Machine Guns and Bobby Roode began moving into bigger roles.
“I put the title on AJ Styles. And that’s when we were really starting to go with Samoa Joe, Motor City Machine Guns, Bobby Roode, that whole young crop.”
However, Russo said that momentum didn’t last. He claimed Dixie Carter had already begun talking with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff behind his back.
“This was going on for maybe two or three months. And without my knowledge, Dixie’s talking to Eric and Hulk.”
Once Hogan and Bischoff arrived, Russo said the creative direction immediately shifted away from the homegrown talent he was trying to elevate.
“As soon as she brought Eric and Hulk in, it went right back to, ‘Let’s bring in the Nasty Boys.’ There was really a two‑, three‑month window where I had the opportunity to do that, and then it was over.”
Russo’s comments paint a picture of a company caught between two visions — one focused on building new stars, and another centered on established names from wrestling’s past.
Vince Russo Reveals Why AJ Styles’ Early TNA Push Shifted and How Hogan & Bischoff Changed Everything
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