Karrion Kross has garnered significant fan support recently despite his negative character portrayal on WWE RAW. Vince Russo, a former head writer for WWE during the late 1990s, shared his views on how the 39-year-old’s connection with fans remains strong even without creative backing.
On June 28, Karrion Kross suffered a loss against Sami Zayn at the Night of Champions event, marking his first premium live event singles match since 2022. Shortly after, on the July 7 episode of RAW, Kross attacked Zayn with a steel pipe, continuing his villainous storyline.
Vince Russo Highlights Kross’s Fan Support Without Creative Assistance
In a recent appearance on Sportskeeda’s The Wrestling Outlaws podcast, alongside host Dr. Chris Featherstone and former WWE star EC3, Russo expressed admiration for Kross’s rise in popularity. Russo emphasized that despite the creative team providing minimal support, Kross has successfully built a strong fan base.
“They are giving Karrion Kross nothing,” Russo said. “Zero, bro. Nothing. And he is going out there and getting himself over, so I don’t wanna hear it, bro. Yes, creative has to assist you, but a real bonafide star is going to get themselves over.” —Vince Russo
Comparing Karrion Kross and Shane Helms’s Career Paths
Vince Russo also drew parallels between Karrion Kross and Shane Helms. In 1999, Russo was a writer for WCW when Helms joined the 3 Count faction alongside Evan Karagias and Shannon Moore. Later, Helms transitioned to WWE and became known as The Hurricane.
Russo acknowledged that, unlike Kross, Helms’s success heavily depended on creative direction and writer support to gain recognition in wrestling:
“What if I never did anything with Shane Helms? Bro, they would have just hired you in the WWE? They wouldn’t have even known who you were, bro.” —Vince Russo
Significance of Kross’s Success Amid Creative Struggles
Karrion Kross’s ability to connect with WWE fans despite limited creative aid highlights his resilience and charisma. Vince Russo’s praise underlines the rare talent that can transcend storytelling obstacles to captivate audiences on their own merit. This dynamic poses questions about WWE’s creative decisions and the potential for Kross to further elevate his standing among wrestling fans.
As WWE continues to develop storylines, Kross’s growing fan support may encourage the creative team to better utilize his capabilities in future events, potentially changing his role to match the enthusiasm of his audience.
