Looking at Jim Cornette’s release from TNA
I always found it amazing that Jim Cornette and Vince Russo – polar opposites when it comes to booking philosophy – were able to co-exist in TNA. According to a report by The U.K. Sun, TNA was no longer big enough for the both of them, and that’s what led to the company releasing Cornette.
When pwinsider.com broke the news today that TNA had released both Cornette and B.G. James, who was working as a producer, the belief was that it was due to their ties with Jeff Jarrett, who reportedly has fallen out of favor with TNA president Dixie Carter after news of his relationship with Karen Angle became public knowledge. Jarrett allies Dutch Mantel and Savio Vega had been released a couple months ago.
However, The U.K. Sun, quoting a “senior industry source,” said that it was a heated argument over a booking issue between Cornette and Russo in a production meeting that prompted TNA to fire Cornette, who was not part of the creative team but was working in the production truck and also helping out the younger talent with their promos and matches.
The source described the incident as Cornette causing a scene and acting unprofessionally, while Russo remained calm. If that is an accurate portrayal of what happened, I suppose TNA really had no choice but to let Cornette go. It’s a shame, because I think Cornette has a great mind for the business and also has value as an on-air talent.
This wouldn’t be the first time that Cornette came out on the short end over creative differences with Russo. In the 1990s, Cornette and Russo butted heads while working together on the writing team in WWE. In an interview that I did with Russo for WCW Magazine in 2000, he said that he told Vince McMahon at one point that either he or Cornette had to go, and McMahon chose to endorse him.
After his release today, Cornette, in a statement on his Facebook page for Cornette’s Collectibles, wrote: “Thanks everyone for your kind words but, we are REALLY OK about all of this. Gives us more time to make QUALITY products for Cornette’s Collectibles and devote our time to wrestling we actually enjoy being a part of.”
Comments
If I had to choose between Jim Cornette and Vince Russo, it would be an easy decision. Cornette would stay, and Russo would be bounced out of wrestling on his ear. Look at Russo's track record in WCW. Absolutely horrible and one of the reasons WCW crashed and burned.
Cornette tells it like it is, and I have respect for that. Russo, on the other hand, really has no idea what he is doing without Vince McMahon editing his ideas.
Posted by: The Grappler | September 16, 2009 10:36 PM
I hope Cornette slapped him on the way out the door like he did to Santino.
What is it about Russo anyway? Would you hire a guy who booked the #1 wreslting company in the world into the ground. I know WCW was fighting other problems at the time but bad booking was at the top of the list. Holding young talent down, keeping the same six guys at the top of the card for years on end, storylines that went nowhere.(sound familiar) I just don't see why anybody with any kind of wrestling sense would want that guy running the show.
I'm so mad about this that I'm not even upset at the right thing. I should be upset that Cornette got fired, instead I'm mad that they kept Russo.
Posted by: Andre the Midget | September 16, 2009 10:52 PM
I am brimming with anticipation for Corny's first anti-TNA rant.
RESPONSE FROM KE: ME, too.
Posted by: Elevation | September 16, 2009 11:06 PM
Put him in charge of booking Raw. Judging by the Hornswoggle-Chavo feud, they need some assistance.
Posted by: Christopher | September 16, 2009 11:11 PM
Cornette's a great mind, but as you said, they really didn't have much of a choice if this story is legit. Just as WWE didn't have much of a choice when they released him from OVW... the guy's got a big temper. It works for him, it's what he's famous for, but issues like this seem to pop up from time to time.
Posted by: Razor | September 17, 2009 1:07 AM
I always thought it was a matter of time. The guy's a booker but TNA was not using him as a booker. That was a clear sign that they were not appreciative of his talents.
Posted by: Din | September 17, 2009 3:23 AM
I have fond memories of hating Jim Cornette, the Midnight Express, and his tennis racket back in the old NWA days. He was an amazing heel, and his ability to get heat for himself and his stable was simply unparalleled. I hope he resurfaces in the business soon. As for Russo, I have burned in my memory his profanity-laced diatribe about Hogan (and later Goldberg) when he fired him. Ugh.
Posted by: jon in bradenton, florida | September 17, 2009 5:47 AM
Its sad to see Jim Cornette leave TNA. As the article says, he has a great mind for the business. I have no idea why Dixie Carter is so high on Vince Russo. Since leaving the old WWF he has lost his edge as a wrestling writer. If TNA want to seriously compete with WWE, they will have to replace Russo. Id suggest Paul Heyman....
Hopefully Cornette remains in the wrestling business in some capacity. he would be a great loss.
Posted by: Ben | September 17, 2009 6:39 AM
Kev, Cornette would make a great GM or Manager for a stable of wrestlers in the WWE.
Posted by: Jeff | September 17, 2009 8:52 AM
The source described the incident as Cornette causing a scene and acting unprofessionally, while Russo remained calm.
Vintage Cornette. He's never been able to control his temper. I love the guy but he's never come to terms with the fact that pro wrestling has changed and while this kind of behavior might have been the norm back in the 70's and 80's it just won't be tolerated any more. It's a shame because he's burnt his bridges with both WWE and TNA so where does he go now? Does ROH maybe try to use him in some way?
Posted by: e. nonee moose | September 17, 2009 8:54 AM
Kevin - With Vince's penchant to bring back old stars, do you think we will see BG James "Road Dogg" back with the new and improved DX?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't think so.
Posted by: chasravens52 | September 17, 2009 9:50 AM
Kev,
Do you see Cornette returning to WWE? Why/Why not?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I don't see it for a number of reasons. One reason is that Cornette refuses to get on an airplane, and he could make that work in TNA, but not WWE. Second, he left the company on bad terms and I do not think he has any desire to work for Vince McMahon again. But most of all, Cornette would be as frustrated with WWE's product (especially Raw) as he was with what Russo was writing because it goes against his vision of what wrestling is.
Posted by: B.Vic | September 17, 2009 9:59 AM
Eck, JJ doesn't own TNA anymore?
RESPONSE FROM KE: TNA is owned by the Carter family, Jarrett is still a minority owner.
Posted by: Dave | September 17, 2009 11:20 AM
Being that Jim Cornette used to work for ROH, as part of the Prophecy, do you think it's possible that they might bring him back (even though The Prophecy is done with), and do you think it's a good idea?
At the moment, I don't think he'd work in a managerial role - they've already got somebody with a similar (though different) version of Cornette's managerial gimmick - Larry Sweeney. I could see Cornette in an "Authority" role, but I don't recall if they currently have somebody in that role already (I'm not caught up on their HDNet broadcasts).
Posted by: Alexander Case | September 17, 2009 12:41 PM
Eric Young and his push was the supposed booking disagreement. Agree or Disagree with that?
RESPONSE FROM KE: I like the Eric Young push, so I disagree with Cornette on that one.
Posted by: Hello Ring Posts | September 17, 2009 1:52 PM
not so fussed about this... they wernt really using him anyway so it wont make much difference..
the guy sounds like his own worst enemy though.. sure there are some things that his opinion is spot on about but there are others that are just archaic.. plus he has to be the number 1 b---- in all of wrestling but he seems to be pretty happy selling his cornette collectables or living off midnight express memories rather than actually improve the things he is [complaining] about..
Posted by: ultimate_krang | September 17, 2009 2:21 PM
this is a long shot, but i wouldn't be surprised if the newest member of the maint event mafia is vince russo. i wouldn't put it past him to get back on camera and join the mafia cause he's a former champ
Posted by: paul meade | September 17, 2009 3:45 PM
Cornette was complaining about pusing Eric Young and the World Elite. HELLO JIM! YOU HAVE TO PUSH THE YOUTH!
Russo is in favor of pushing the youth. Cornette wasnt.
Posted by: Joel | September 17, 2009 4:29 PM
Let's just hope that this is true and Cornette did act foolishly, not that Cornette snapped because Russo was ready to put the "X" on what has truly been the new uprising of NA and it's young stars. If in the next week or so Hernandez,Styles,Eric Young, Matt Morgan, Daniels et al start getting buried for Steiner,Hall, taz(yes little t),and the Women's Division then we will know that Cornette was fired fighting the good fight. There is no way I would ever pick a Russo over a Cornette but if Russo is truly going to stick to the current building course that TNA has shown in recent weeks then knowing Jim he may have let things get a bit personal, perhaps he felt Russo was taking all the credit for his ideas, or perhaps he just let his personal feelings overrun what should have been his professional one's. Time will tell, let's hope destroying another company isn't the effect of this latest power play be it from Russo or Cornette. It's not like you could fit either of their ego's inside the old Omni, the only building that could accommodate those ego's is probably one of those Olympic venues the Chinese built for the last game and that may be a stretch. Let's see how this plays out, this could quite possibly just be one veteran that could not separate the personal from the professional(not that I blame him) and as Dusty would say "biznessssss is biznesss", just hope for the best. Remember I have been more than outspoken about the current course that TNA has been taking with it's young talent no one hopes this won't impact that (get it impact) than me.
Posted by: MickFowl | September 17, 2009 7:40 PM
"The source described the incident as Cornette causing a scene and acting unprofessionally, while Russo remained calm"
No reason to can someone. Ive heard of newspaper owners cussing out their staff in public and still keeping their jobs.
No idea why Russo is a Golden Boy. What he brings to the table is dime a dozen. He failed WCW, he is failing TNA. I rarely watch now. Its not just because I am old school, but most of their storylines insult my intelligence. I enjoy the ladies...at my age, its the wrestling skill :(.... but I understand that is Scott D'Amore's booking, the one guy I always said reminds me of a younger Cornette.
Why? Because the women of TNA bring out the basic good v evil to a 21st Century audience.
Cornette understood that. I hope D'Amore doesn't lose that touch.
The best to Jim Cornette. I hope he hasnt burned too many bridges behind him.
With KE's permission, I offer this youtube clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79XB5PzMe74
RESPONSE FROM KE: Classic clip!
Posted by: Bring back the WWWF | September 17, 2009 9:34 PM
Cornette is the guy who booked (or had a large part in booking) the CZW vs. ROH feud. I'd love to see him book (or help Adam Pearce book) ROH. That may be what he's implying with the "wrestling we actually enjoy being a part of" tag line.
Posted by: Joe | September 18, 2009 7:50 AM