Source: Scripps News
By ALEX MARVEZ
Thanks to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Jim Cornette is no longer embarrassed to say he works in the grappling game.
One of the industry’s top managers and matchmakers since the mid-1980s, Cornette said he feels rejuvenated after he stopped working for World Wrestling Entertainment and joined TNA last month as its figurehead commissioner.
“These are guys who want to present wrestling and are not ashamed of the word,” said Cornette, referring to WWE billing itself as “sports entertainment.”
“Last year when I was recognized in public, I would tell people I was retired because I was ashamed to be involved with what is perceived as pro wrestling these days. I think TNA is only going to gain in popularity just because of the fact it’s an alternative to the dog-and-pony show being presented (by WWE).”
Cornette began working for WWE in various capacities in 1993 but had grown increasingly frustrated with the company’s management and on-air product while heading the Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental territory. Cornette said he was particularly dismayed by lowbrow storylines and owner Vince McMahon turning WWE into a “vanity promotion” for his family.
That aggravation boiled over last summer when Cornette slapped an OVW trainee backstage for not properly following directions and botching an on-air storyline involving Marty “Boogeyman” Wright. WWE subsequently dismissed Cornette as OVW’s matchmaker but he continues to draw a paycheck as co-owner of the Louisville, Ky.-based promotion even though he is working for TNA (11 p.m. Thursdays and Saturdays, Spike TV).
“It’s a tossup on whether WWE is going to insult your intelligence, religion or sexual preference,” Cornette said. “It’s become a joke and a farce.”
Cornette, 44, is best known to wrestling fans as the fast-talking, tennis racquet-swinging manager of such charges as the Midnight Express, Mike “Mantaur” Hallick and the late Rodney “Yokozuna” Anoai. Cornette, though, also helped develop stars like John Cena, Chris Jericho, Glenn “Kane” Jacobs and Dave Batista while heading OVW and Smoky Mountain Wrestling in the 1990s.
Even though he isn’t matchmaking in TNA, Cornette said he plans to contribute behind the scenes by offering storyline ideas and suggestions about potential talent acquisitions.
“I’ve had experience in management and TV and hope to be able to lend some of that to TNA and maybe persuade some wrestlers to come in this direction because of the influence I’ve had on their careers in the past,” Cornette said. “I’m not looking to be a superstar. That’s why I’m positioned as the face of TNA. I want to facilitate things for the younger talent and make it easier for them.”
Cornette will appear on Sunday’s Victory Road pay-per-view show, which is headlined by Sting vs. Christian Cage vs. Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner. For more information, visit www.tnawrestling.com.
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Although Ultimate Fighting Championships President Dana White said last month that a deal with HBO was imminent, a network spokesman said there is “nothing happening” in that regard. Still, don’t be surprised if the promotion lands another television outlet after the success of last Saturday’s UFC 61 pay-per-view show in Las Vegas. Although the card itself was lackluster _ with the quick referee stoppage in Tito Ortiz’s victory over Ken Shamrock especially disappointing _ UFC reportedly drew a live gate of $3.5 million and a projected 500,000 pay-per-view orders. UFC programming also is drawing strong television ratings on Spike TV.
Questions and answers:
Q: Where is Tony Schiavone? – Jeff Foster, Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
A: The lead announcer for World Championship Wrestling until its demise in 2001, Schiavone (real name Noah Schiavone) is no longer involved in the grappling industry. Schiavone now works as a sports radio co-host on WGGA-AM in Gainesville, Ga.
