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McGinnis: A Conversation With Jim Cornette

McGinnis: A Conversation With Jim Cornette

Posted: Oct 31st 2009 By: CMBurnham

Jim Cornette on the health care debate: ?It?s ridiculous! I wish Obama would just say, ?I?m the president, I?m the ****ing boss.? I like everything he says he wants to do, he?s just not getting enough of it done because (Republicans) won?t get out of the ****ing way. We should all have health care. For the income tax that I?ve paid over the past 20 years to the United States of America, when I?ve got a backache, they should come to my house and **** me!?

Jim Cornette on the rise of mixed martial arts and its effect on professional wrestling: ?What they?re doing is, they?re doing our business better than we are. Unique or colorful or athletic personalities that are kind of badass being manipulated into situations where they fight each other and they sell tickets to it. That?s professional wrestling. The difference, of course, is that they?re ?real,? but that?s like number five down on the list of why they?re so popular?P.T. Barnum said, ?If you want to draw a crowd, start a fight.??

Jim Cornette on organized religion: ?It has always been started or founded based on some guy either going out in a forest, or on a desert, or up a mountain, talking to God, having a conversation with him, and then coming back down and telling everybody else what he said?And nobody bothers to question this??

It?s said that the best ?gimmicks? in wrestling are never that far from the characters of the actual people who perform them. And legendary wrestling manager Jim Cornette certainly did not have to stretch to become an outspoken, brash, opinionated and incredibly entertaining individual. Cornette is an interviewer?s dream; tremendously intelligent, interesting, a great storyteller and funny as heck to boot.

Nowadays, Cornette is a very busy man. Between the launch of his website, jimcornette.com, the simultaneous release of a book chronicling his history with hall-of-fame tag team the Midnight Express, his departure from TNA Wrestling and subsequent return to indie group Ring of Honor, a lot is on the plate of the man fondly referred to as the ?Louisville Slugger.? But you get the sense he wouldn?t have it any other way.

?I?m as busy as a one-legged man in a butt-kicking contest,? Cornette said in a phone interview, inspiring the first of many laughs.

In recent years, the Midnight Express, who Jim first managed back in 1984, has seen a major rise in prominence among wrestling fans, even those who had never seen the team work originally. What do you think has inspired this, I asked?

?Actually, it started about five years ago this past month, when we first started getting back together for the first time and started doing the reunion shows. Then it just kind of grew on itself. Also, I think Dave Meltzer said at one point, people turn around and it?s been like 20 years later and nobody better has come along, so they?ve gotten a whole new level of respect amongst people,? Cornette said. ?It just reminded everybody of how good Eaton and Lane and Condrey were.?

A big part of the Midnight nostalgia has been fueled by Cornette?s own book, The Midnight Express and Jim Cornette 25th Anniversary Scrapbook. A rarity in a business that never keeps records, the book features an incredibly comprehensive list of all the team?s matches during its history, as well as photos and other rarities. Cornette said the writing process was different than anything he?s ever tackled before.

?A lot of the writing was really transcribing, because so much of the text of the book is results and notes about the shows and our touring schedule and gates and information on the arena events,? Cornette said. ?The individual chapters on different subjects, like heat (wrestling vernacular for drawing a reaction from the crowd) and how it?s changed, and some of the lawsuits and riots and funny road stories, those were the fun chapters to write.?

Yes, lawsuits and riots. No one said playing a vehemently hated wrestling manager would be easy. The book details many of the exciting and scary facets of being a part of the wrestling business at that time, from the thrill of drawing a big crowd to the fear of being shot in the eye by a Drano-filled squirt gun. Despite such, um, complications, Cornette speaks of his days with the Express with great warmth.

And he isn?t done taking wrestling fans on a trip down memory lane. The site also offers a DVD of rare Midnight Express matches. And a new book is in the works, compiled of vintage photographs Cornette took at a young age when he first got involved in the business.

?I was at ringside for the Jerry Lawler/Andy Kaufman match. I took Hulk Hogan?s rookie pictures. Terry Funk, Abdullah the Butcher, world title matches at the Omni,? Cornette recalled. ?I?ve got all those pictures from all the years that I shot photos for the magazines and the programs. And over the holidays, I?m going to comb through this giant mound of classic wrestling photos I?ve got and do a classic wrestling photos book.

?I really think there?s a market for the fans who don?t get to see the good old stuff, or who haven?t gotten the opportunity to see it because they?re newer fans?There?s a market out there, and I think the fans enjoy it.?

In addition, Cornette is also on the road working for Ring of Honor, an independent promotion seen nationally on HDNet, and is audibly excited at the chance to work with the company?s up-and-coming talents.

?Ring of Honor, they have young guys that work their *** off. They have enthusiastic crowds, they?re really into the talent,? Cornette said. ?It?s just a great atmosphere. And if I can help with the television in any way?I?ve been doing wrestling on television in one form or another for 25 years. And they?ve just started. So if I can help them in any way, that?s my goal and that?s what I?m looking forward to doing.?

I asked one last question before we finished: How is it one of the greatest managers and talkers ever in wrestling history is not employed by WWE, but a marginal wrestler like Santino Marella still has a job?

Cornette laughed, then answered, ?Because Santino Marella wants one, and Jim Cornette don?t.?

 

Tags: Jim Cornette, TNA, Midnight Express, Bobby Eaton, Dennis Condrey, Jerry Lawler, Abdullah the Butcher, WWE

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  • 1959 Danny McShain def. The Zebra Kid for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1960 Danny Hodge def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 1981 Bob Roop def. Super Destroyer for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 1985 Butch Reed def. Dutch Mantell for the MSW Television Title
  • 2012 Cody Jones def. Les Mayne for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 2016 Nathan Estrada def. Adrian Dell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 2016 Steven Cruze def. Seth Angel for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 2017 Future Hall of Famers/Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Damien Morte & Jermaine Johnson) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 2017 Ryan Davidson def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
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  • 2023 Tyler Midas def. The Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

Week of Sun 07-19 to Sat: 07-25

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  • 07-19 1968 Jack Dalton [1st] & Jim Dalton became the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 1971 Thunderbolt Patterson & Toru Tanaka def. Johnny Valentine & Wahoo McDaniel for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-19 1982 Bill Irwin def. Brian Adias for the WCCW Television Title
  • 07-19 2008 Dane Griffin def. Les Mayne for the 3DW Texoma Title
  • 07-19 2013 Big Daddy Moore became the BPPW Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Shawn Sanders became the ASP Inter-County Champion
  • 07-19 2019 Xavior def. Paul Puertorico for the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title
  • 07-19 2019 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & Mascara La Parka) became the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Father Padge became the MajCW Heavyweight Champion
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  • 07-19 2024 Hell's Kitchen (The Canadian Red Devil & The Lunchador) became the MajCW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-19 2024 Lunchador became the MajCW 24/7 On Call Champion
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  • 07-20 1961 Waldo Von Erich def. Tony Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-20 1979 Gino Hernandez & El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario & El Halcon for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 1986 Eddie Gilbert & Sting def. The Fantastics (Tommy Rogers & Bobby Fulton) for the UWF Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2008 The Forsaken (Michael Faith & Halo) def. Limited Edition (Les Mayne & Dane Griffin) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-20 2013 Drake Gallows became the IZW Impact Division Champion
  • 07-20 2013 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-20 2014 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) became the WFC Tag Team Champions
  • 07-20 2018 Double D def. Colby Black for the MSWA eXpress Title
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  • 07-21 1947 Buddy Rogers def. Dale Levin for the NWA Midwest World Title
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  • 07-21 2012 The Mercenary became the UWE United States Champion
  • 07-21 2012 L. J. McDaniels became the SWCW Womens Champion
  • 07-21 2012 Sam Stackhouse def. Jake O'Brien for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2012 Angel Blue def. Venus for the IZW Queens Title
  • 07-21 2018 Drake Gallows def. Alex Royal for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-21 2018 Alex Royal def. Drake Gallows for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1959 Danny McShain def. The Zebra Kid for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1960 Danny Hodge def. Angelo Savoldi for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-22 1981 Bob Roop def. Super Destroyer for the MSW Louisiana Title
  • 07-22 1985 Butch Reed def. Dutch Mantell for the MSW Television Title
  • 07-22 2012 Cody Jones def. Les Mayne for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
  • 07-22 2016 Nathan Estrada def. Adrian Dell for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2016 Steven Cruze def. Seth Angel for the ComPro Showtime Title
  • 07-22 2017 Future Hall of Famers/Impact, Inc. (Johnny Z & Damien Morte & Jermaine Johnson) became the IZW Tag Team Champions
  • 07-22 2017 Ryan Davidson def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Oklahoma X Division Title
  • 07-22 2017 Aaron Anders def. Brian Breaker for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
  • 07-22 2017 Wesley Crane def. Skyler Fayden for the UWE United States Title
  • 07-22 2023 Tyler Midas def. The Lunchador for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title
  • 07-23 1967 Karl Kox def. Waldo Von Erich for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-23 1979 Kerry Von Erich & Bruiser Brody became the WCCW Texas Tag Team Champions
  • 07-23 2004 Rocco Valentino def. Justin Lee for the TPW Oklahoma Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2005 Tyler Bateman def. John O'Malley for the MSWA Tri-State Title
  • 07-23 2011 John E. Stone def. Kevin James Sanchez for the SWCW Heavyweight Title
  • 07-23 2011 Double D def. Michael Barry for the IZW Impact Division Title
  • 07-23 2011 Teila & El Hoto Loco def. Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2011 Chris Von Luhr & Jason Noal def. Teila & El Hoto Loco for the ACW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-23 2021 Ky-Ote def. Dane Griffin for the TexPro Oklahoma Title
  • 07-24 1983 Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan def. Ted DiBiase & Mr. Olympia for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2005 Brandon Groom & American Anarchy became the NWA-U Oklahoma Tag Team Champions
  • 07-24 2010 The Hardcore Connection (Maniac Mike & Shane Sanchez) def. X-Rated (Bobby Star & Kevin James Sanchez) for the SWCW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2010 Kareem Sadat became the SWCW Hardcore Champion
  • 07-24 2010 Brandon Walker def. Jonathan Cross for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2010 Jonathan Cross def. Brandon Walker for the UWE Heavyweight Title
  • 07-24 2019 Antonio Vega def. Shawn Sanders for the ASP Inter-County Title
  • 07-24 2020 Derek James def. Alex Royal for the BPW Oklahoma Title
  • 07-24 2020 Size Matters (Sam Stackhouse & Mike Starr) def. Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) for the BPW Oklahoma Tag Team Titles
  • 07-24 2020 Ethan Cole def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Lion Heart Title
  • 07-24 2022 Sam Stackhouse became the WCR Heavyweight Champion
  • 07-25 1957 Duke Keomuka def. Bull Curry for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1962 Hiro Matsuda & Don Kent def. Alberto Torres & Ramon Torres for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1966 Tony Borne def. Louie Tillet for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
  • 07-25 1977 Captain USA def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1980 Ken Mantell became the MSW Louisiana Champion
  • 07-25 1981 Eddie Gilbert & Ricky Morton def. Ed Wiskowski & Mike George for the TSW Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 1983 Jimmy Garvin def. Kevin Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
  • 07-25 1988 The Simpson Brothers (Steve Simpson & Shaun Simpson) def. John Tatum & Jack Victory for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2009 Team SuperBad (El Super Colibri & Justin Lee) def. Crazy Beautiful (Brett Taylor & Michael York) for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2015 La Famiglia (Luke Grayson & Thomas Knight) def. Seth Angel & Adrian Dell for the ComPro Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Real Dirty Brawlers (Brawler Morrison & Thrash) def. Tommy Dean for the WFC Tag Team Titles
  • 07-25 2020 Jon Cross def. Luke Langley for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2020 Tim Rockwell def. Jon Cross for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
  • 07-25 2021 Thrash def. Luke Savage for the ASP Mid-American Title
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