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WCW signed the Harris Brothers after stints in WWE and ECW with the belief they had the right gimmick to get them over. Vince Russo loved the twins Ron and Don enough to make them instant hires when he gained power. Creative Control was the gimmick given to them with a bigger role than expected for the duo.
The hope from Russo was that his reshaping the roster would add excitement for his ideas to gain some momentum. Creative Control summed up why he failed so badly with things falling apart from the first step and never rebounding. The all-time bad gimmick and execution warrants a deeper look at what caused such disappointment.
Vince Russo Made Creative Control Part Of His Act In WCW
The Harris Brothers worked with Vince Russo in WWE during their time in the Disciples of Apocalypse faction led by Crush. Russo apparently liked the duo enough to make them an early signing in his tenure running WCW. The first step of Russo’s plan to fix WCW was to hire names he had good rapport with. Jeff Jarrett and Dustin Rhodes both left WWE for bigger pushes thanks to Russo’s presence.
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Ron and Don Harris fit that same mold when having Russo not only reach out to them but offer a strong push as well. The previous years of the Harris Twins trying to find a role in wrestling saw them always falling short. Both WWE stints as part of the Disciples of Apocalypse and the previously named Blu Brothers in the New Generation Era, when they had longer hair, ended without much of an impact.
ECW tried pushing them as well to lackluster results as an afterthought on the roster. WCW was giving them a blueprint to success that was never there before. Russo wanted the Harris Brothers to be part of his entourage when playing an authority figure. The entire company being reshaped with Russo gaining power saw opportunities opening up for newcomers like Ron and Don.
Creative Control Was A Ridiculous WCW Gimmick
WCW completely changed the names of the Harris Brothers both collectively and individually. Vince Russo first appeared on WCW TV as an unseen figure with the camera never being on him while speaking. The term “Powers That Be” was used to describe Russo when his voice was heard talking to other wrestlers or making decisions as the boss.
Creative Control was the name used for the Harris Twins as the enforcers of Russo wearing suits at all times, including when they wrestled. The first names of Ron and Don were even changed to Patrick and Gerald. Russo came up with those names as a way to mock Vince McMahon’s close confidants in WWE of Pat Patterson and Gerald Brisco. A name change based on a rib almost always led to failure in the bigger picture.
The push of Creative Control saw them winning the WCW Tag Team Championship and helping out names that were supported by Russo. Jarrett won multiple matches thanks to Creative Control getting involved on Russo’s behalf. The goal of Ron and Don was to make sure whatever Russo wanted would happen. WCW pushed them as henchmen of the mysterious heel boss, but fans didn’t take to it.
Creative Control Flopped In Their Final Big Chance In WCW
Vince Russo believed in the Harris Brothers enough to make them WCW Tag Team Champions three different times. Creative Control was a failing gimmick from the start since their identities only existed in relation to Russo’s character. WCW did try to change up when having them join the New World Order 2000 faction, but it was to back up Jarrett again. Ron and Don never gained any real momentum to become superstars.
Storylines involving the likes of Sid Vicious, Terry Funk, and various tag teams all missed the mark. The Harris Brothers were neither known for strong matches nor cutting impressive promos. WCW couldn’t find a way to get them over and ensure their success, despite Russo’s game plan. Horrible stories like Sid losing the WCW Championship for pinning the wrong twin just made fans to want them gone.
Ron and Don never had a greater chance to get over in wrestling after the WCW failure. TNA tried pushing them with the same lackluster results. WWE never even considered hiring the Harris Brothers after their two failed runs. Controversy followed them when they wore Nazi SS shirts on TNA PPV and had the tattoos to get them blackballed. WCW was the final chance to truly break out for Ron and Don, but they failed badly as Creative Control.
