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- Posts:
- 12,855
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- Member
- #51
- Joined:
- February 7, 2006
- All Time Favorite Wrestler(s):
- Great Muta HBK Steamboat Vader
- Favorite Active Wrestler(s):
- Angle Daniels Punk Joe Beer Money Doug Williams
- STATUS:
- AJ Styles to Madison: SHUT UP HOOKER!
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- PWI
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The conference opened with TNA's Ross Forman discussing this past week's TNA Impact ratings. They then plugged the lineup for the Victory Road PPV this weekend, then introduced the "New Face of TNA Management."
Cornette said that he's been around wrestling for years and it hurts him to see what the business has become. He says that WWE is the top company right now because of tenure and it's at the point where it's the a vanity promotion where the children and anyone who "kisses the proper butt cheek" gets to play while other talents are held back. Cornette said last summer he was ready to throw it all in and would tell people who recognized him that he was retired.
Cornette said working for Ring of Honor and doing the Midnight Express reunions reenergized him. he said that TNA is an alternative to the "dog and pony show" and it's just a matter of people knowing that there's still a wrestling company that exists today nationally. He said that he was impressed by how hard Sting is still wanting to work and that there are so many talents that are making their names in TNA. Cornette said that every dog has it's day and "ours is around the corner."
When asked if he'd be bringing in his own wrestlers to TNA, Cornette said that he wants to get the landscape down and there is a lot going on in the company. He said that there are a lot of talents trying to get into TNA because they want to go to a company where they aren't told who to be or what to say, but can try and become stars and let the fans decide. Cornette said that while you can't book anyone and have 200 people on the roster, the cream always rises to the top. Cornette hinted that there are current acquisitions in progress as well.
When asked if his history with other TNA stars made a factor in him coming to TNA, Cornette said the main factor was deciding how much he wanted to get involved in the company because he's not as young as he used to be. He said that he's had a lot talents that he's had a hand in developing in the last 25 years and if he can do anything to help TNA, he's willing to do it.
When asked about his responsibilities beyond his on-air role, Cornette joked that he doesn't play well with others and doesn't like working with committees. Cornette said that on camera, he's going to be the liaison between TNA Management, the wrestlers, and the fans. Cornette said that he's going to give his opinions about what the company decides and what he said on TV is true - he wants to see good talents that can draw money, have good matches, and good ratings - and he's going to try and do everything he can to help TNA showcase those people.
The MTV Wrestling Society X project was brought up. Cornette said that he doesn't know much about it, but speaking for himself, he doesn't think there should be any cross-promotion between TNA continues to cement its TV audience and PPV audience. He joked that he can "baffle his way" through the question, but doesn't know much else.
Cornette was asked about the "It's Still Real To Me Fan" that was overcome with emotion during a fan Q & A at South Carolina last November. Cornette said that the fan in question is actually a really intelligent person, which is why everyone got disinterested in him, because the talk shows thought he was someone that was the opposite of what he was. Cornette said that the fan, David Wells, is a great guy and Cornette understands how he feels because sometime wrestling makes him want to cry.
The new ECW was brought up. Cornette said that if they wanted to run small buildings, they picked the right company to take there. He said that "You can't polish a turd" and WWE is finding that out now.
Cornette was asked to compare OVW and TNA. He said that they are different entities because OVW was started by Danny Davis in Louisville, Kentucky. Cornette said that he saw that they had a great training school and their students were working locally for Davis. Cornette said that when he decided to move out of the Northeast and go home, he suggested that WWE create a developmental territory to groom talent. Cornette said that everything was successful until Jim Ross stepped down at Executive Vice President of Talent Relations. He said that OVW was the only successful developmental company for WWE, WWE was the 800 lbs. gorilla that was forcing their wishes on OVW in terms of how the company should be run. Cornette said that the problems with how talents have been used by "Junior McMahon" and the "Talent Relations guy that used to ride a skateboard" were fine with him when it was only WWE that was being run into the ground, but when it caused problems in OVW, especially when he is the face of the company, they have a problem. Cornette said that TNA isn't designed to be a training ground, but a place for talents to excel at everything they can. Cornette said he's worked for every major company in the last several decades and wrestling is wrestling - athletes with entertaining personalities in conflicts. He said that fans don't want special effects and bad comedy.
Cornette was asked to tell the story about slapping a student in OVW, which led to his WWE departure. Cornette said that there was a "moron" who had been in the school for a few weeks sitting where students were. They did a deal where the Boogeyman scared everyone but the student instead stood there and acted tough and because it was on TV, it made the company looked bad. Cornette questioned him and he said that no one told him he should. Cornette said that no one told him that Cornette was going to slap him, and did. He then explained to the guy that he might be able to kick Cornette's ass, but Boogeyman as big as he was, should have scared him logically. He said that Johnny Ace used that as an excuse to fire him from WWE, adding that Ace is a "liar, has no honor, and has never drawn a dime in his career." Cornette said that they then realized they couldn't fire him from his own company so they are working under something of an agreement that they don't run OVW into the ground.
Cornette being a new persona to so many wrestling fans was brought up. He said that he's always going to do whatever he is going to do in a given situation. He said that he's in TNA because he respects it and at this stage of his career, he's not looking to be the star that sells PPVs and tickets, but instead facilitate the young, hungry talent. He said that if he can lend his credibility, he'll be the grease on the wheel.
When asked about the role of the manager today, Cornette said that he does miss it because of who he got to work with every night when he worked with the Midnight Express. He said that there were a few characters that were forced on him, like Mantaur, and then it's not so much fun. Cornette said that there is a place for managers in wrestling, but not a lot of them are featured. He noted Jim Mitchell. He said that all it takes is the right performer in the right role at the right time.
When asked what OVW talents he was most proud of, Cornette said that it's like picking your favorite child and you don't want to do that. He put over John Cena for having the whole package and a legitimate, genuine human being. He says that when Cena comes back to Louisville he still remembers the fans by their first name and deserves to make millions.
He said that the one OVW talent who deserved to do better but didn't was Matt Morgan. Cornette said that it's a shame that he's a big seven foot worker that can cut great promos, but WWE uses him as a stuttering idiot and then releases him. He said that he's happy Morgan is making money in Japan and hinted that he'd like to get TNA to pick him up. The Heart Throbs were mentioned. Cornette said they were instantly over but their wrestling wasn't ready for the major roster. He said that against OVW's advice, they were brought up, had everything that was special about their act taken away, it didn't work and they were discarded. Cornette said that their story is similar to a lot of guys. Cornette said that there's tons of talent out there today, but if you don't use them to the best of their ability, there's no chance for them to show it.
Cornette joked that wrestling is a strange business, joking that the one company he's not welcome on television for is one that he's part owner with.
Cornette discussed not liking to fly, saying that when he had to do so for wrestling full-time, he did what he had to do but between 9/11 and his own dislike for airports, he'd rather drive 7 days to make one shot.
Cornette was asked what advice he would give to someone who didn't want to be an in-ring talent but wanted a job backstage as a booker or writer. Cornette said that the booker term is outdated and discussed the evolution of the term. Cornette brought up Vince Russo for paving the way for writers who thought they were the true stars of wrestling. Cornette said you can't have good wrestling without great wrestlers and good matchmaking, saying that neither side can overcome a bad opposite. Cornette said that you don't have to be a wrestler but you have to be a wrestling fan and understand what fans want to see. He said that you also need to know what it's like to perform, so you understand things from both points of view.
A column written by Lance Storm was brought up. Cornette said that Storm and Chris Jericho worked their first American matches for Cornette's SMW. He said they have slight differences, but there's no such thing as old school and new school. He said there's only good wrestling and bad wrestling. Cornette said that wrestling was better overall in the 1980s because it was focused more on athletics, but that's not to mean that there's no good wrestling today.
When asked about the differences in TNA and WWE, Cornette said that WWE has deluded themselves into thinking they aren't really wrestling and have employees that believe that. Cornette said that he was in a conference call with Shane McMahon, Vince McMahon, and several others where Shane asked what they should call their talents. Cornette said they should be wrestlers, but the reaction was that "we aren't wrestling." Cornette said that they are wearing wrestling boots and wrestling tights wrestling in a wrestling ring, "so what should we call it? Ballet?" Cornette said that WWE's damage to TNA is not presenting a better product, but unfortunately, because of their long tenure and live coverage, that's what everyone assumes professional wrestling is today and tunes it off. Cornette said that WWE prevents other companies from growing because WWE has eroded the credibility of wrestling overall.
The competition of the old NWA and WWF was brought up, including running the Clash of the Champions up against Wrestlemania IV. Cornette said that was one of the great things of that era, was that fans had so many choices of what they could want.
When asked what talents reminded him of the old talents he loved working with. Cornette said that, pointing out he has been on a self-imposed exile for some time before coming to TNA, AJ Styles & Christopher Daniels vs. America's Most Wanted was one of the best tag team matches he's seen in a long time. He praised AMW for being a great tag team and staying together. Cornette said that the problem is that someone could be put together and split up by the promotions today while yesterday the tag teams traveled from company to company together.
Rob Conway, Doug Basham, Nick Dinsmore, and Danny Basham were brought up by Jim Cornette as talents that were the backbone of Ohio Valley Wrestling when Cornette arrived to OVW. Cornette said that they were amazing talents that could talk and wrestler and Cornette pushed for years asking why they aren't used and being called up and when they were finally brought up, they were all mis-cast and used terribly. He said that WWE does that but then they spend all the time and energy on the Divas and substandard talents that are related or friends with someone, so they are pushed.
Cornette was asked if Ric Flair is embarrassing himself or just doing what he needs to do to collect a paycheck in 2006. Cornette said that he can't say either. He said that Flair was the man for years, and isn't what he used to be, so he's better then 60% of the men instead of 100% now. He said that Flair is a teflon man to the fans and the fans overlook the age and the fact that he's past his physical peak. Cornette said that he truly believes that if Flair couldn't be in the ring, he'd be miserable and would wrestle when he's 80 if he's able.
When asked about the throat issues he had a few years back, Cornette said that he had bad acid reflux and had been yelling and screaming and stressing while running OVW and commentating their TV show. Cornette said that all the years of yelling and performing wasn't helpful either. He said that since he's not putting his voice through the stress that he was at that point, it's not as bad as it used to be.
When the idea of starting another promotion from scratch is brought up, Cornette said that you have to immerse your life into it and he doesn't have the energy. He said that the production values you need today are off the charts and he couldn't get over the production and atmosphere of the TNA Impact Zone, especially during PPVs. He said that it's a young man's business and wants to go out like Sid Barrett of Pink Floyd, who lived his life as a recluse tending to his garden while living off his royalties.
Cornette was asked if he had any desire to travel to Great Britain for 1PW or Ring of Honor. Cornette said that his girlfriend and ROH have both asked him to go. Cornette said that he doesn't rule out ever going over there, but he's booked for the rest of the year. He said that he'd like to see Europe, perhaps with a nice cruise there and a nice cruise back.
The criticism of Jeff Jarrett's primary role and power in TNA was brought up. Cornette said that Jarrett's grandmother Christine Jarrett helped Cornette break into the business and he's known Jeff since he was 14 years old. He said that everything he said on Impact was true. Cornette said that Jeff has all the talent in the world as a wrestler but is using his position and stature to keep control of the NWA title and shoving himself down the throats of the fans. Cornette was semi-working, semi-shooting here, pushing the current storyline more then actually burying Jarrett on a personal level.
Adult material in wrestling was discussed. Cornette said that it's not really adult programming, but really childish stuff that turns off a percentage of the audience. Cornette said that there should be sizzle and ga-ga in wrestling, but it has to revolve around wrestling, not piss off the audience that wants to watch wrestling. he said that if you want to watch porn, porn can be found easily. He said that as he got into discussions with TNA, he watched the shows and didn't see anything that insulted his intelligence. He said that when he was working with WWE and OVW, fans would stop him to talk about WWE and he had to downplay OVW's affiliation.
Cornette said that as long as he has the forum, he wants to mention the Boogeyman's Worm eating. He said that Boogey is an appropriate name for him and he doesn't want to be around the day Boogey is fired. Cornette said that he hopes the day never comes where he needs a job so bad he needs to eat worms.
Comments made by Mark Madden were brought up. Cornette said that he heard Madden had a heart attack and was shocked Madden had a heart. Cornette said that at one point they were friends and Madden spent a week with him in Smoky Mountain Wrestling with Cornette driving him around. Cornette said that when Madden finally got a job in wrestling, he did the WCW Hotline and began lying about Cornette bouncing checks on people and other lies. Cornette said that when he confronted madden on the phone, Madden wouldn't speak to him and put his mother on the phone. Cornette said that one day he'll see Madden and they are going to fight because the last time they were in the same place was a benefit for the late Brian Hildebrand and when Cornette found out Madden was going to be there, he offered to pull out of the show not feeling he would control himself. When Madden found out, Cornette claimed that Madden stated he would sue if he was hit and would have his lawyers attach the gate, which was going to Hildebrand, who was deathly ill with cancer. Cornette said that Madden lied about him on a 900 line to get over with Eric Bischoff and didn't care if it was real or not can, "can kiss my fat white a**."
The Team Canada wrestlers were discussed. Cornette said that they are all tremendous talents but that the Canada concept was holding them back by not getting the chance to be individuals. He said that they now have their chance to stand on their own and teased that he knows he'll have problems with Scott D'Amore down the line.
Cornette promoted the hair vs. hair match between Larry Zbyszko and Raven this weekend, putting over the storyline.
When asked about Eric Bischoff working for WWE, Cornette said that his experiences with the company is that if you try to hurt WWE or sue them, like Eric Bischoff, Ultimate Warrior, Sable, and everyone else, they will bring you back and pay you more money but if you are loyal and work hard, like Jim Ross, eventually you'll be humiliated and crapped on.
Jim Cornette said that Vince Russo was a moron that was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. Cornette said that Russo bankrupted a company (WCW) and just today talked to one former WWE star that quit wrestling after being written to do horrible things by Russo. He said that Russo actually thinks he's saved wrestling but he's a moron.
On Paul Heyman, Cornette said Heyman is a good performer and mind, but he lies to people. He said that Heyman doublecrossed friends of his and then lied about, and Cornette doesn't want to do business with people he can't trust. He said that Heyman has tons of talent but is as crooked as a country road. He joked that Heyman was the Devil's son.
When asked if he would do commentary for WWE if they wanted to release Smoky Mountain Wrestling, Cornette joked that it would never happen, so he said yes. He said that it's a shame that WWE owns all these classic wrestling matches and chooses not to promote them. He said that it's not the TV department's fault because he has no problem with any of them except for Kevin Dunn, who Cornette called an "idiot" but they've been indoctrinated to believe that WWE's product was the best and everything else was just where people got their starts. He noted that what WWE has nationally for an audience for WWE 24/7, that same number watches OVW TV every week in Louisville.
Cornette was asked what it would take to bring Bryan Danielson to TNA. Cornette said that he loves Danielson's work but while TNA wants to promote the best wrestling they can, they don't want to bring in guys just to have them or the existing talents become the invisible men that someone like the Bashams are in WWE. He said you can't stockpile wrestlers just so no one else can have them, which happened a lot in WCW. Cornette said if you give TNA time, they are going to show you a lot of talent and lot of talent that hasn't been showcased nationally, but it can't all happen at the same time.
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