Jun 11th 2024 10:54am

Sign Up / Sign In|Help

 

Talking With Jim Cornette: Now With Ring Of Honor

Talking With Jim Cornette: Now With Ring Of Honor

Posted: Oct 10th 2009 By: CMBurnham

Jim Cornette is swapping shame for honor.

The legendary manager has quit his TNA Wrestling front-office role to become the executive television producer for Ring of Honor, a smaller company trying to carve a mainstream niche on the HD-NET channel.

"I'm not just trumpeting my latest job, but Ring of Honor is always one of the companies I've loved and pulled for," Cornette said in a recent telephone interview. "They do a better job with what they have than anybody else. They're a wrestling company run by wrestling people. They're not trying to beat (World Wrestling Entertainment). They just want to carve their own niche.

"At TNA, I was basically tired of working for a big company and watch it get smaller. I wanted to go to a smaller company and help it get bigger."

Considered one of wrestling's sharpest minds, Cornette joined TNA in 2006 as on-air figurehead commissioner and backstage member of the creative team. He helped coordinate TNA's camera work for "Impact" telecasts (9 p.m. EDT Thursdays, Spike TV) and offer story-line input.

Cornette said he enjoyed "pulling in a lot of money working with a lot of people I've known for 20 or 30 years." Cornette, though, also admits to being "embarrassed" working for TNA because of the company's direction under lead writer Vince Russo.

Cornette also had problems in the late 1990s coexisting in WWE with Russo, whose unconventional matchmaking style isn't everyone's cup of tea. Russo's booking heavily contributed to the demise of World Championship Wrestling in 2001 and leads to occasional crowd chants of "Fire Russo!" during TNA pay-per-view shows.

"It was sad, disappointing and depressing to watch," Cornette said. "We didn't have as many pay-per-view buys as we should and nobody was getting over (i.e., becoming popular with the fans). He's the only booker I've ever seen who gets people under."

Russo recently climbed the TNA political ladder when executive/wrestler Jeff Jarrett was stripped of his backstage power by company President Dixie Carter. Cornette was released after telling Carter he couldn't fully support Russo's creative vision. Cornette is more of a traditionalist who places a greater emphasis on in-ring action and cohesive, sensible story lines. Cornette also is terrible at biting his tongue, which has led to backstage problems in other companies he's worked for.

"The matches are made meaningless so Russo can see his comedic lines and dramatic scripting spring to life," Cornette said. "There's a bunch of great athletes, but they're not very good actors. They're even worse comedians."
Ironically, Cornette is heading to a promotion whose young performers need a shot of charisma to complement their innovative in-ring styles. Although he won't be Ring of Honor's lead matchmaker, Cornette will try to impart his wisdom in character and story-line development culled from 34 years of experience in all aspects of the business.

ROH, which landed its first weekly television show earlier this year on HD-NET (8 p.m. Mondays), also can use Cornette's savvy in TV production. Cornette booked shows for his now-defunct Smoky Mountain Wrestling territory that helped groom such current stars as Chris Jericho and Glenn "Kane" Jacobs.
"I don't want to reinvent the wheel in Ring of Honor or change the style (of wrestling)," said Cornette, who had previously worked some dates as an ROH performer before joining TNA. "The only thing I'm going to try and do is see what else we can do in addition to what the Ring of Honor fan base likes to see. That will maybe bring in some other fans who want to see a little something different."
Cornette's days managing wrestlers onscreen are over but not forgotten. Cornette and his acclaimed Midnight Express tag teams were recently voted into the Wrestling Observer Hall of Fame, which is considered the most prestigious career honor of its type in the grappling industry. Earlier this year, Cornette published a 25th-anniversary scrapbook chronicling the Express' accomplishments as one of the 1980s top duos.

"The book didn't talk anyone into voting for us, but it may have reminded people how good we were," said Cornette, 48. "We had longevity on top, great match quality and drawing power."

Cornette recently assembled a two-set DVD with rare match footage and interviews with the Midnight Express, which consisted of Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey and Stan Lane in different incarnations. For more information on the scrapbook and DVD, visit www.jimcornette.com. For more information on Ring of Honor, visit www.rohwrestling.com.

 

Tags: Jim Cornette, TNA, WWE, WCW, Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey

Printable version Email to a friend

Supplemental Information

Latest News

1
The Scoop

The Scoop

NEWS The Rejuvstem Clinic in Mexico posted on Instagram this week that it has been treating WWE Superstars MVP, Big E, and Shotzi at their brand new clin... Read More

All Columns

1

Spotlight in History

  • 1984 Chris Adams became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 2009 Sage became the SWCW Art of War Champion
  • 2011 Jake O'Brien def. Robbie Awesome for the MERC Patriot Champion
  • 2011 The Ring Intruders (Jon Cross & Fuel) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 2011 Jake O'Brien became the SRPW Patriot Champion
  • 2011 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 2011 Tim Storm def. Michael Faith for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 2022 Pastor Brent & Andrew Fenix def. The Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
  • 2022 Connor Smith def. Romeo Reese for the WAH Spotlight Champion
  • 2022 Umbra def. Koko for the WAH Living Hope Champion
  • 2022 Dan Webber def. Paul Puertorico for the WAH Heavyweight Champion

Week of Sun 06-09 to Sat: 06-15

  • 06-09 1959 The Golden Giant became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-09 1966 Johnny Valentine def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-09 1980 The Fabulous Freebirds (Terry Gordy & Buddy Roberts) def. Junkyard Dog & Buck Robley for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Champion
  • 06-09 1989 Jeff Jarrett & Mil Mascaras def. Super Zodiac & Cactus Jack for the WCCW World Tag Team Champion
  • 06-09 2017 The Rising (Matt Durden & Riker) def. Team Dean Machine (Christopher Dean & Jerry Dean) for the BPPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 06-09 2023 Koko became the CPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-09 2023 The Regime (Derek James & Logan Knight & Merc & Skylar Slice/Sgt. Slice) def. The Roll Modelz (Malik Mayfield & Olivier Vegos) for the CPW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-09 2023 Mr. Nasty def. Mascara Purpura for the CPW 918 Champion
  • 06-09 2023 Red James def. Mr. Nasty for the CPW 918 Champion
  • 06-10 1979 Bruiser Brody def. Mark Lewin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-10 1985 Tim Brooks def. Scott Casey for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-10 2006 Dexter Hardaway became the AACW Mid-American Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-10 2023 MLP became the XDWF New GenX Champion
  • 06-11 1984 Chris Adams became the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-11 2009 Sage became the SWCW Art of War Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien def. Robbie Awesome for the MERC Patriot Champion
  • 06-11 2011 The Ring Intruders (Jon Cross & Fuel) became the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-11 2011 Jake O'Brien became the SRPW Patriot Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Kareem Sadat def. Rick Russo for the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-11 2011 Tim Storm def. Michael Faith for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-11 2022 Pastor Brent & Andrew Fenix def. The Rejecs LM (Elijah Sparks & Dr. Corvus) for the WAH Tag Team Champions
  • 06-11 2022 Connor Smith def. Romeo Reese for the WAH Spotlight Champion
  • 06-11 2022 Umbra def. Koko for the WAH Living Hope Champion
  • 06-11 2022 Dan Webber def. Paul Puertorico for the WAH Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-12 1982 The Spoiler def. Frank Dusek for the WCCW Television Champion
  • 06-12 2009 El Latino became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Light Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-12 2021 Brawler Morrison def. Blade [2nd] for the UWO Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 1960 Tony Borne def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-13 1969 Chuck Karbo became the TSW North American Champion
  • 06-13 1978 Karl Krupp became the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Champion
  • 06-13 1998 The Bad Boys (Splash Jackson & Bull Schmitt) def. The Texas Outlaws (Dan Wilder & Bernard Funk) for the OPW Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 06-13 2008 Brent Albright def. Slam Shady for the NWA-OK Oklahoma Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2008 High Society (Al Farat & Thomas Trump) became the NWA-OK Oklahoma Tag Team Champion
  • 06-13 2008 Josh Michaels became the ACW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2009 The Canadian Red Devil became the ComPro Showtime Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Seth Angel & Adrian Dell def. Nemesis (Bobby Starr & Damien Morte) for the ComPro Tag Team Champions
  • 06-13 2015 Killista def. Paul Puertorico for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Rolling Thunder def. Michael Duplanti for the NAW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Paige Turner def. Erica for the IZW Queens Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Michael Wolf def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-13 2015 Jake O'Brien def. Michael Wolf for the ComPro Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 1970 Fritz Von Erich def. Boris Malenko for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 1982 Fritz Von Erich def. King Kong Bundy for the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2004 Team Shenanigans (Tyler Bateman & Kenny Campbell) def. Li'l Joe & Al Farat for the ACW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-14 2008 Kenny Campbell became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 06-14 2008 Nathan Sensation & Striker def. The New Age Syndicate (Shawn Sanders & Scott Sanders) for the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-14 2008 Anarchy [2nd] def. The Enforcer for the SECW Tri-State Champion
  • 06-14 2008 Dane Griffin def. Mo'Body Gillespie for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 06-14 2009 El Super Colibri became the TAP Adrenaline Champion
  • 06-14 2009 Reckless def. The Canadian Red Devil for the TAP Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2009 Shane Morbid def. Jon Cross for the TAP Oklahoma Heritage Champion
  • 06-14 2013 Clint Cox became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-14 2014 The Rising (Justin Riker & Abel) def. Psycho Sawyer & Diamond for the SRPW Tag Team Champions
  • 06-14 2014 Omega X (Brett Stopp & X-Static) def. The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) for the UWE Tag Team Champions
  • 06-15 1982 King Kong Bundy became the WCCW American Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2003 Tyler Bateman def. Jef Tiger for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-15 2003 John O'Malley def. Tyler Bateman for the ACW Hardcore Champion
  • 06-15 2008 El Culo Intruso def. Dane Griffin for the 3DW Violent Division Champion
  • 06-15 2018 Sam Stackhouse def. Abyss for the BCW Buzzsaw Champion
  • 06-15 2019 Double D became the WFC Heavyweight Champion
  • 06-15 2019 Prince Mahalli def. Damon Windsor for the WCR Revolutionary Champion
06-11
  • Magnum T. A. Jun 11th Today!
  • J. D. Richards Jun 11th Today!
  • Mathmagician Jun 11th Today!
  • King Parsons Jun 11th Today!
  • Baby Blimp Jun 12th
  • Lady Sensacion Jun 12th
  • Zac Royal Jun 12th
  • Stan Pulaski Jun 12th
  • Steven Dane Jun 12th
  • D'Licious Jun 12th
  • Deuce Rodriguez Jun 12th
  • Rolling Thunder Jun 12th
  • Dustin Heritage Jun 13th
  • Bill Ash Jun 13th
  • Mikey D Jun 13th
  • John Pfanz Jun 13th
  • Chandler Hopkins Jun 13th
  • Geronimo Jun 13th
  • Neo Genesis Jun 13th
  • Buzz Sawyer Jun 14th
  • Jaxon Stone Jun 15th
  • Trey the Bae Jun 15th
  • Lilith Grimm Jun 15th
  • Sean Ryan Jun 15th
  • Brad Armstrong Jun 15th
  • Paul Linam Jun 15th
  • Jef Tiger Jun 16th
  • Shawn Matthews III Jun 16th
  • Paul Jones Jun 16th
  • Brock Landers Jun 16th
  • Ultimate Warrior Jun 16th
  • Ted Arcidi Jun 16th
  • Chuck Hinds Jun 16th
  • Ray Martinez Jun 17th
  • Mario Galento Jun 17th
  • Talos Jun 17th
  • Rob Justice Jun 17th
  • Andy Dalton Jun 18th
  • Bad Boy Jun 18th
  • Bruiser Brody Jun 18th
  • Sashimi Deluxe Jun 18th
  • Johnny Angel Jun 18th
  • Abe Jacobs Jun 18th
  • Cam the CODA Jun 18th
  • Mike Two Jun 19th
  • Wahoo McDaniel Jun 19th
  • Canadian Red Devil Jun 19th
  • Miguel Padilla Jun 19th
  • Top Dollar Bill Jun 19th
  • Kodi Ocean Jun 19th
  • Billy the Kid Jun 19th
  • Professor Ito Jun 20th
  • Jon Cross Jun 20th
  • Koko B. Ware Jun 20th
  • David Kyzer Jun 20th
  • Jeff the Ref Jun 21st
  • Rick Russo Jun 21st
  • Super Star Jun 21st
  • Milton Winkelman Jun 21st
  • Athena Jun 23rd
  • Juan Sebastian Jun 24th
  • Gabe Wilder Jun 24th
  • Don Kent Jun 24th

More Look Back In History

Card Results

1