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Jim Cornette Interview

Posted: Nov 21st 2013 By: CMBurnham

Jim Cornette recently spoke with Steve and the Scum on WGD Weekly, talking about the launch of his new website, many of his current activities outside of the ring, his early days in the wrestling business and much more. The interview with WGD Weekly can be heard in its entirety here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G1Su7MwNj0

Highlights of the show include Cornette discussing:

His reasoning for ?staying away? from wrestling: ??I?m staying away from wrestling, because people in wrestling these days make me crazy??

His new website and what fans can expect from it: ??I want to tell all the folks, jimcornette.com, we are?revamping the site?I?ve actually been working on a lot of non-wrestling projects? there is gonna be a lot of wrestling, but there is gonna be a lot of pop culture and non-wrestling content. I have a podcast in the works?I?m gonna have no shortage of things to plug?the more I try to retire the busier I get, I?m not sure how that works?I spent so much time over the past few years obsessing over my Ring of Honor project and didn?t update it as I should?there is a bunch of new material ready to go up?"

His introduction to the performance side of wrestling as a manager: ??A lady named Christine Jarrett, who was Jerry Jarrett?s mother?Jeff Jarrett?s grandmother?she saw this little fourteen year old kid running around buying everything that was available on the souvenir stand and asking a lot of questions. She ended up giving me little chores and tasks and errands to do, then saw my pictures?that was my entre for about seven years from the time I was about fourteen until I was almost twenty-one. I was the part time ring announcer, full time photographer, and all around gopher, and then one day Jerry Jarrett asked the fateful question, ?You?ve been around here so long, everybody knows you, do you want to be a manager?? That was how it got started.?

The ?Mama? Cornette persona: ??Jerry Jarrett was very adamant that everything they did in their booking should have a root in fact, it should be something that people could believe?as my photo empire grew my mom started being one of the people who would sell the pictures at the merchandise stand every week?I was so young I didn?t have a driver?s license and if I was going to get to the events, my mother had to drive me?so she was always around and the people recognized her?she was actually very popular?when I first started managing, she had to stay home because that was part of the deal?for all the town?s that she used to go to up at the northern end of the territory, I used to have more heat because people would say, ?Your mother is so nice. She has got to be ashamed of you and what you?re doing. Jerry Jarrett wanted to update the old ?Playboy? Gary Hart gimmick?the people wouldn?t believe the playboy part for me,
but they would believe that I was this clueless, rich, putz whose mother bought my way into everything I wanted to do?it was a great way to introduce me?to this day, Mama Cornette remains the most famous, the most talked about wrestling personality that never actually worked a show, appeared on a television taping, or even had her picture printed in a program?but everybody remembers Mama Cornette.?

The origin of carrying the Tennis Racket: ??the one thing I had always heard was how dangerous the crowds were down there, the Cajuns in Louisiana, and the cowboys in Oklahoma and Texas, and the rednecks in Mississippi, and if anything the stories were understated. Everybody told me ?Cornette, they are gonna kill you,? ?so right when we started with Mid-South wrestling?I had a rare day off and took my girlfriend to a movie, it was November of 1983, a time when all the teen movies?were going on?in this movie, the rich kid always carried a badminton racket in every scene. Wrestling managers had done umbrellas and canes and books and briefcases, but nobody had ever carried a tennis racket. I figured this could have a dual purpose, not only can we use this in the ring, but also I can get some reach on these fans that are going to be trying to physically attack me?I presented it to Bill Watts, I said, I?m a rich kid, shouldn?t I carry a
tennis racket around like I just came back from the country club, and he said, ?sure.? He gave it the blessing and that?s how it got started??

In addition to these items, Jim also discusses the his recently released book, ?Rags, Papers, and Pins,? the history of Memphis wrestling younger years as a wrestling fan, becoming a photographer prior to his days as a manager, working as a manager for Dick Murdoch, Crusher Bloomfield (One Man Gang), ?Exotic? Adrian Street and others, the formation of the Midnight Express, a talent swap between Jerry Jarrett in Memphis and Bill Watts in Mid-South that brought him to Louisiana, how he was paired with the Midnight Express, his thoughts on his seven year run managing the Midnights, and so much more. This interview was the first of two that will be featured on WGD Weekly with Steve and the Scum, with the second part of the interview scheduled to take place in the upcoming weeks.

WGD Weekly with Steve and the Scum presents new material every Sunday, where they sit down with a different figure from the ?glory days? of wrestling. All of the past shows, as well as their new ones when they debut are available at WGD Weekly?s Facebook page that can be viewed here https://www.facebook.com/WGDWeekly. All of their shows are also available on their YouTube channel and iTunes.

Supplemental Information

Spotlight in History

1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles

Week of Sun 09-06 to Sat: 09-12

09-06 2008 The New York Express (Thomas Knight & Jeff Knight) def. The Untouchables (J. D. Rebel & The Enforcer) for the SECW Tag Team Titles
09-06 2008 Martin Justice became the SECW Cruiserweight Champion
09-06 2014 Spanish Wolf (Nathan Estrada & Michael Wolf) def. The New York Express (Jeff Knight & Thomas Knight) for the OECW Tag Team Titles
09-06 2025 Butcher def. Riker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
09-06 2025 Iron Mountain (Duke Blanchard & Jack Davenport) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
09-06 2025 Phil Shark def. Franco D’Angelo for the TexPro Texas Title
09-07 1979 Mark Lewin def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-07 1980 Terry Gibbs became the TSW Tri-State Champion
09-07 1981 Frank Hill & Eric Embry def. Joel Deaton & David Deaton for the TSW Tag Team Titles
09-07 2004 Kenzo Suzuki & Rene Dupree def. Paul London & Billy Kidman for the WWE Smackdown World Tag Team Titles
09-07 2012 Brandon Walker def. Tim Rockwell for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-07 2014 Robert Lee def. Striker for the WFC Hometown Heroes Title
09-07 2018 Nikki Knight def. Erica for the MSWA Ladies Title
09-07 2019 Brian Dixon def. Tommy Dean for the BPW Oklahoma Title
09-07 2019 Luke Langley def. Brandon Groom for the BPW Lion Heart Title
09-07 2019 James Southard def. Lake Hefner for the ASP Inter-County Title
09-07 2024 The Subject (Cade Fite & Derek James) def. Toxic Masculinity (Johnny Lightning & Johnny Dynamite) for the WFC Tag Team Titles
09-07 2024 Wrangler Rhett def. Alex Royal for the WFC Prime Title
09-08 1947 Leroy McGuirk def. Buddy Rogers for the NWA Midwest World Title
09-08 1958 Danny McShain def. Mad Man Martin for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-08 1974 El Gran Markus def. Jose Lothario for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-08 1978 Rocky Johnson def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-08 2006 The Patriots (Bad Boy & Glen Steel) def. Aaron Neil & Alexander Lucas (Subbing for Se7en) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-08 2007 Al Farat became the MSWA Mid-South Heavyweight Champion
09-08 2013 Robert Lee became the WFC Hometown Heroes Champion
09-08 2017 The Cursed (Blade [2nd] & Kuda) def. The Cub Scouts (Brock Landers & Grizzly Gates) for the MSWA Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-08 2018 Anarchy [2nd] def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
09-08 2018 Garrett Murphy def. Big Smooth for the NAW Heavyweight Title
09-09 1970 Waldo Von Erich def. Jack Curtis for the TSW Mississippi Title
09-09 1980 The Grappler def. Ted DiBiase for the MSW North American Heavyweight Title
09-09 2002 Papa Voodoo def. HIMM for the ACW Hardcore Title
09-09 2002 HIMM def. Papa Voodoo for the ACW Hardcore Title
09-09 2011 Michael Barry def. Dustin Heritage for the MWA MAX-Division Title
09-09 2016 One Man Sam def. Brock Landers for the MSWA Mid-South Cruiserweight Title
09-09 2017 Ray Martinez def. Brandon Groom for the BPPW Oklahoma Title
09-09 2017 Tristan Thorne became the ASP 5-Star Champion
09-09 2017 Michael Wolf def. Aaron Anders for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-09 2017 Michael Duplanti def. Garrett Murphy for the NAW Lightweight Title
09-09 2023 Johnny Lightning became the WFC Prime Champion
09-09 2023 Tino Valentino def. Derek James for the UWO Heavyweight Title
09-09 2023 Manico became the NAW Openweight Champion
09-09 2023 Manico def. Ryan Reed for the NAW Heavyweight Title
09-09 2023 Martin Justice def. Thomas Knight for the XDWF New GenX Title
09-09 2023 Thomas Knight def. Martin Justice for the XDWF New GenX Title
09-10 1968 The Spoiler & Gary Hart def. Fritz Von Erich & Grizzly Smith for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-10 1971 Ramon Torres def. Roger Kirby for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
09-10 1978 David Von Erich def. Bruiser Brody for the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title
09-10 1979 Oki Shikina & Sugar Bear Harris became the TSW United States Tag Team Champions
09-10 2011 Drake Gallows became the BYEW Entertainment Champion
09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Ray Martinez for the SRPW Heavyweight Title
09-10 2016 Psycho Sawyer def. Spyder for the SRPW United States Title
09-10 2021 Legend Has It (Thrash & Killbane) def. Two Man Sam (Sam Stackhouse & Samuel Savage) for the CPW Tag Team Titles
09-10 2022 Team Boner (Drake Gallows & MLP) def. Psychotic Messengers (Maniac Mike & Malachi) for the AIWF Tag Team Titles
09-10 2022 MLP def. Duncan Kincaid for the RDW Iron Man Title
09-10 2022 Nashoba def. Al Farat for the MajCW 24/7 On Call Title
09-11 1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
09-11 1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
09-11 1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
09-11 1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-11 1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
09-11 1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
09-11 1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
09-11 2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
09-11 2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
09-11 2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-11 2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
09-11 2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
09-11 2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
09-11 2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
09-11 2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles
09-12 1982 King Kong Bundy & Bill Irwin def. The Von Erichs (Kerry Von Erich & Kevin Von Erich) for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
09-12 1983 Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart def. Magnum T. A. & Jim Duggan for the MSW Mid-South Tag Team Titles
09-12 1988 The Samoan SWAT Team (Samu & Fatu) def. John Tatum & Jimmy Jack Funk for the WCCW Texas Tag Team Titles
09-12 2004 Chris Matthews def. Brandon Bishop for the ACW Heavyweight Title
09-12 2009 Bobby Starr def. Kevin James Sanchez for the BYEW Entertainment Title
09-12 2010 Xavior def. Kevin Morgan for the MSWA Oklahoma Title
09-12 2015 Double D def. Aaron Neil for the IZW Impact Division Title
09-12 2015 Erica def. Paige Turner for the IZW Queens Title
09-12 2015 Brad Michaels def. Johnny Z for the IZW Heavyweight Title
09-12 2015 Richie Adams def. Jake O'Brien for the ComPro Heavyweight Title
09-12 2015 Shawn Hernandez became the DI2IW Intercontinenal Champion
09-12 2015 What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) def. Impact, Inc. (Damon Windsor & Johnny Z) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-12 2015 The K. C. Wolves (Graham Bell & Luke Langley) def. What Wrestling Should Be (Jermaine Johnson & Jordan Jacobs) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
09-12 2025 Floyd Maystorm def. Clover Botello for the WAH Hunger Dojo Title

09-11

Summer Thunder Sep 11th Today!
Vic Nichols Sep 11th Today!
Bash Sep 12th
Adrian Dell Sep 12th
N'Zane Lee Happy Sep 12th
Danni Bee Sep 12th
Bob Kenaston Sep 12th
Montego Seeka Sep 12th
Bounty Hunter Sep 12th
Animal Sep 12th
American Anarchy Sep 12th
K. P. Moore Sep 13th
Poder Oriental Sep 13th
Bobby Starr Sep 13th
Danny Little Bear Sep 13th
Angelina Love Sep 13th
Bernie D Sep 14th
Lunatic Lennie Sep 14th
Eddie LeVaughn Sep 14th
Kelsie Mae Sep 14th
Waddy Young Sep 14th
L. C. Green Sep 15th
Korvin Sage Sep 15th
Spoiler 2000 Sep 15th
Daniel King Sep 15th
Haru Sonada Sep 16th
Colton Kinnamon Sep 17th
Jake Swayze Sep 17th
Dick Brower Sep 17th
Rex Mori Sep 17th
Jim Cornette Sep 17th
Bill Irwin Sep 17th
Titan Yin Sep 18th
Angel Reed Sep 18th
Cisco Grimaldi Sep 18th
Billy Robinson Sep 18th
Mr. Nabors Sep 18th
Adam Asher Sep 19th
Jerry Brisco Sep 19th
Yoshiaki Yatsu Sep 19th
Joey Stixx Sep 20th
Chuck Singer Sep 20th
Greg Valentine Sep 20th
Bishop Simon Sep 20th
Pepper Martin Sep 20th
Randy Rhodes Sep 20th
Ethan Page Sep 20th
Boz Sep 20th
Justin Lee Sep 20th
Connor Jones Sep 21st
Ricky Morton Sep 21st
Jack Brisco Sep 21st
Satine Sep 22nd
Mike Chacoma Sep 22nd
Red River Brawler Sep 22nd
Doug Somers Sep 22nd
Harley D Sep 22nd
Rocco Valentino Sep 23rd
O'Malley Sep 23rd
Cole Crittenden Sep 23rd
Clayton Bloodstone Sep 24th
John J. Bishop Sep 24th
Connor Crunk Sep 24th
Jason Bruce Sep 24th
Kai Fayden Sep 24th
Len Rossi Sep 24th
Joe Jones Sep 24th

1957 El Medico def. Duke Keomuka for the WCCW Texas Brass Knuckles Title
1958 Angelo Savoldi def. Dory Funk for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title
1963 The Bolos (The Great Bolo [1st] & The Mighty Bolo) def. Bill Watts & Jerry Kozak for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1967 The Von Erichs (Fritz Von Erich & Waldo Von Erich) def. Brute Bernard & Mike Paidousis for the WCCW American Tag Team Titles
1967 Danny Hodge & Skandar Akbar def. Chati Yokouchi & Togo Shikuma for the TSW United States Tag Team Titles
1968 Danny Little Bear & Kit Fox def. Jack Dalton [1st] & Frank Dalton for the TSW Louisiana Tag Team Titles
1978 Bruiser Brody def. Fritz Von Erich for the WCCW American Heavyweight Title
2010 Ryan Reed became the NCW Heavyweight Champion
2010 The Unknown & Yoshi became the NCW Tag Team Champions
2010 Aerial Assault (Ky-ote Joe & Eric Rose) def. The Future Hall of Famers (Dane Griffin & Shane Rawls) for the IZW Tag Team Titles
2010 Team Shake It (Josh Evans & Martin Casaus) def. The D-Stinguished (Elias Castaneda & Arik Angel) for the ACW Tag Team Titles
2021 Warren Powers def. Drake Gallows for the EPW All-American Title
2021 Drake Gallows def. Warren Powers for the EPW Internet Television Title
2021 Revan became the RDW Iron Man Champion
2021 Most Wanted (Dan Webber & Reese & T-Arsenal) def. The Rejecs LM (Dr. Corvus & Elijah Sparks) for the WAH Tag Team Titles

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