Cornette answers Marella’s challenge
TNA personality Jim Cornette has declined the challenge made by Santino Marella during an interview with me last week to wrestle him in a cage match.
Marella, who did the interview in character, was responding to a question about the incident a few years ago between him and Cornette in Ohio Valley Wrestling. Marella, a student in OVW at the time, was slapped by Cornette, who was the booker, for laughing in the audience during an angle with The Boogeyman that wasn’t supposed to be funny. Cornette was fired because of the incident.
Cornette answered Marella’s challenge on wrestlinginc.com.
“I appreciate the offer, but I would rather wait and have this match with someone who can actually draw money,” Cornette said. “I am long past the point in my career where I need to work with JOB guys!
“Isn't it funny that when I slapped him in the face 17 times in Louisville, Ky., he was not too eager to fight then. But now safely hidden away in Canada at an AA meeting somewhere in Toronto, protected by Jaques and Pierre, he suddenly wants a fight, But I am happy that I was able to make the kid a name in the wrestling business since it doesn't look like he is going to do it for himself! Thanks … but NO thanks.
In talking with me about Cornette last week, Marella said:
“Jim Cornette is a loser. Jim Cornette is an insecure person. And controversy creates cash, so maybe one day, Jim Cornette, I’m going to wrap that cheap tennis racquet around you neck. I’d like to have a cage match with Jim Cornette. I’ll put that out on the Worldwide Web right now.
“This loser took advantage of a situation because he knew I would not hit him back because I was a student. He freaked out and he slapped me several times. I did nothing because I think to myself: ‘I am not American citizen. I don’t have green card. If I punch this guy, shatter his face the way my punches can actually do, then I’m going to be kicked out of the country.’ You can’t just show up somewhere and start breaking skulls, Kevin. It doesn’t work like that. But now that I’m in a position to challenge him to a cage match, I make an official challenge to Jim Cornette for the first time, right now, right here.”
Thanks to blog reader Rob for alerting me that Cornette had responded.
Comments
Thanks for posting an update! I was just thinking about that situation this morning after I heard Santino Marella on the Adam Carolla morning show (they were hyping his Friday Night Smackdown! match with pseudo-celeb Cousin Sal).
Personally I am surprised someone in Jim Cornette's position would actually make the time to respond. In a way, I find Cornette's effort in responding to discredit the message in that response. Hmmm, maybe Santino's interview was less kayfabe than it sounded.
For those interested, you can hear Santino's appearance on Adam's show online at http://adam.freefm.com/index.php (I love his comment about German humor).
Posted by: Kay | June 5, 2008 6:48 PM
Ok, maybe I'm a little slow; but who was Cornette referring to when he said "Jaques and Pierre"?
RESPONSE FROM KEVIN ECK: WWE tag team from the 1990s known as The Quebecers
Posted by: John | June 5, 2008 11:38 PM
I hope the Cornette reply was in character as well.
Posted by: Dhananjay Mhatre | June 6, 2008 3:48 AM
I agree with both of them, they're both jerks. Santino isn't funny, can't draw, and has no place on any show but Heat. As for Cornette, slapping a student is unexcusable and I think his remarks about AA and Canada are out of place. This guy's mentality is so 20th century.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 6, 2008 5:28 AM
These responses only prove what Jim Cornette used to say in NWA/WCW back in the '80s: "The fans may be stupid but they're not dumb." LOL. I always loved that line.
Posted by: Beautiful Barbie | June 6, 2008 3:25 PM