Opinion

Cook: Cornette’s Making Wrestling Punditry Great Again!

As opinionated and controversial as my favorite writers over the years have been, few in the history of the business can say they’ve had the same amount of success with their opinions & commentary as Jim Cornette.

Published

6 years ago

August 24, 2019

Steve Cook

Last week, we talked about some of my favorite IWC Writers From Back in the Day. One thing that most of them had in common was an ability to generate controversy. They really knew how to push peoples’ buttons and keep them coming back week after week to read what they had to say.

I must admit to some level of bias here. As a Kentuckian without much athletic ability but with an unexplained love of pro wrestling, I can identify a little bit with Cornette. He’s been able to take his passion much further than I have, and I have to admit it’s because he’s a much harder worker. Much smarter, too.

Cornette figured out early on where this whole Internet thing was going. He was one of the first to do shoot interviews, and since he was a wrestling obsessive that kept track of everything he ever did, his interviews were more entertaining than most done at the time. Most wrestlers had a hard time remembering their own stuff, let alone other things going on at the same time. Others had selective memory and mysteriously forgot things. Whether Cornette was telling the gospel truth or not, his stories were consistent.

They were also entertaining…especially when he didn’t like somebody involved. Does the story involve Vince Russo? Jim Herd? Paul Heyman? Hardcore wrestling? Jim’s got plenty of vitriol worked up for any of those topics at any given time, and its always pretty funny stuff. Cornette figured this out too. He knew people loved to hear him get worked up over something. There would more money in being the Cranky Old Man of Wrestling than the Well Gee Golly Everybody’s So Awesome Guy.

And let’s be honest, Cornette plays the Cranky Old Man role so well because it’s him with the volume turned up.

When podcasting replaced shoot interviews as the Internet’s favorite form of entertainment, you knew it wouldn’t be long before Jim Cornette had a podcast. He started out with the old favorites, but eventually worked his way to some new targets. Cornette’s ROH run gave him some material involving the likes of Kevin Owens, Sami Zayn, Colt Cabana & the Young Bucks. Not to mention the idiot office guy. Once Jim got on social media and people figured out if they sent him silly clips he’d go off on tirades about them, the floodgates opened.

The best thing to happen to Cornette’s podcast, by a pretty wide margin, is the emergence of All Elite Wrestling. Not only is it presenting more wrestling for podcast hosts to talk about, but in Cornette’s case, it features a lot of the people that he despises. Kenny? Bucks? Joey Janela? It’s a gold mine for ol’ Jimmy, and he keeps watching the shows so he can complain about them and then people can complain about him. It’s pretty good business.

Of course, he’s got plenty of other things going on too. The business with Sami Callihan, which we found out was a work until it wasn’t. There’s always something going on with Russo. I think he & Kenny Bolin had a falling out, though to be honest I’m never sure whether Bolin’s working or shooting with us.

Then there’s Jordynne Grace.

I am 100% for calling wrestling a “performance art” rather than a “sport”. The insistence upon calling it a sport is really holding wrestling back in my opinion. Discuss with me.

— Trisha Parker (@JordynneGrace) March 17, 2018

Somebody linked Jimmy to this tweet, and our boy got worked up for a couple of reasons. First off, he was irked by her “shoot name” appearing in her profile, which is something of a trend amongst wrestlers now.

I have no problem with wrestlers using their real names on Twitter. Sure, it would definitely have been frowned upon by Bill Watts, but it’s a necessity of the times we live in now.

Back in the old days, wrestlers took their gimmick from territory to territory and nobody thought anything of it. The character of Kamala the Ugandan Giant was created in Memphis. James Harris performed as Kamala in Mid-South, World Class, the WWF, WCW and plenty of other places during his career. Did Jerry Lawler & Jerry Jarrett raise a stink about it? No, they let Harris do his thing and make some money. That’s one example, I can name hundreds more from the 1980s & prior.

Now? If a major promotion creates anything for you, you can’t use it anywhere else without jumping through various legal hoops. We’ve seen WWE keep people from using their stuff, and even places like Impact Wrestling try to keep their intellectual property out of the hands of lowly wrestlers. Lexi Kaufman likely has no desire to leave WWE, but if she did, she wouldn’t be allowed to use the name “Alexa Bliss” anywhere else of importance. It behooves her to get her real name out there in case she moves on to other ventures. I don’t fault any other wrestler for doing the same here in 2019.

But then there’s the business where the idea of wrestling being a pseudo-sport gets cast aside for…

“Performance Art”

I gotta side with the oldsters on this one. Performance Art goes into the bin of lame shit that people shouldn’t be saying with a straight face along with “sports entertainment” & “WWE Universe”. (A little secret: I use the “WWE Universe” term a lot in my writing. I’m rolling my eyes every time I use it. Not sure if it comes across that way or not, but trust me, I am.)

You guys & gals are pro wrestlers. Nothing wrong with it. Why hide from it? Hell, Roman Reigns was throwing out the term “Performance Fighter” the other day. Roman, I expected better of you. You know darn well that Afa & Sika would have beaten the ass of anybody calling what they did a performance. I know you have to be the corporate spokesperson since Seth Rollins failed that test with flying colors, but tread lightly on this front.

I go about 50/50 with Cornette takes these days.

Here’s some of my thoughts on Cornette’s greatest hits: I don’t like Joey Ryan flipping people with his dick. Chuck Taylor’s invisible grenade worked in the CHIKARA environment, probably wouldn’t anywhere else. I haven’t seen a lot of David Starr’s work, but I liked his promo on Sinclair Broadcasting. I always thought Sami Callihan was a touch overrated. The Young Bucks superkicking a kid sounded lame, as did Kenny Omega wrestling an eight year old & a blowup doll, but enough time’s passed for me to judge them based off of other stuff. Vince Russo had a few good ideas and a million bad ones. I liked Joey Janela until he got into a really lame fight with Enzo Amore.

Finally, I think Jordynne Grace is pretty cute in a “she would pick me up and toss me over the top rope” kind of way. Cornette disagrees, which is fine. If there’s one thing several years of making lists of attractive women proved to me, its that the subject engenders a ton of disagreement, hatred, and just complete nonsense from Internet commenters.

It’s not the fact that ol’ JC doesn’t like Jordynne’s look that bugs me. Like it or not, wrestling is a cosmetic business, and people are going to comment on how the wrestlers look & how it affects their believability or drawing power or whatever. It’s the term he used that..well…

Now, now, that's "butterface" to you…..

— Jim Cornette (@TheJimCornette) August 19, 2019

“Butterface”

Really?

That’s the best that Corny can come up with? A joke that I thought was funny the first time I heard it, when I was about twelve years old? It ceased being funny after that, then it became one of those words that triggers me after reading it way too many times back when I used to read 411 comments. I mean, when you’re dipping into that pool to get some smack talk, you’re pretty much bankrupt of ideas.

His justification later on was that he was going back to his promos about Sunshine in World Class, which were over a decade before Grace was born. He also quoted an Andy Kaufman promo in a later tweet to another wrestling reporter, which I guess was also supposed to be hilarious.

Cornette sure was proud of that line though. He thought it was the height of hilarity. You could hear the pride oozing out of his voice as he talked about his vicious takedown of that cosplay wrestler. His Cult of Cornette followers sure loved it too. They do seem to fall in line with whatever comes out of his mouth.

Seems to be a trend these days, doesn’t it?

I can’t help but think of another guy that was something of a celebrity during the 1980s. His popularity ebbed & flowed over the years, but he found out that he could get attention by expressing outrageous opinions. Even better, people would fall in line with his crazy statements and look up to him as something of a role model. It didn’t matter how silly he got, people would just keep on defending him no matter what! Women were certainly an easy target for his diatribes, as were certain minorities. And all those takedowns? The most epic of all time, no doubt about it. Every one was solid gold, Jerry.

He could call people names & act like a complete jackass, and it wouldn’t matter to his followers because by god that’s how things used to be back in the day, when America was great instead of the weak, pussified place it is now. People who complain don’t get it. And boy, do their followers get mad at you whenever you dare say something mean about their leader.

For somebody that despises Donald Trump, Jim Cornette sure uses a lot of the same playbook.

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Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Money In The Bank

Extra, extra read all about it… Chairshot Staff picks are in!!!

Published

2 weeks ago

June 6, 2025

PC Tunney

Sing it with me… money money money money moneeeeeeeeeyeeeeee… everybody’s got a price! MONEY IN THE BANK is here!!! How money will our staff picks be?!?

AJ – Roxanne Perez
Andrew – Stephanie Vaquer – *Bubba Sparxxx Impression* I don’t tell stories, I let them tell theyself.
Dave – Guilia – A stacked field but I just like her here.
DJ – Naomi
DPP – Roxanne Perez
Jason – Alexa Bliss
Patrick – Roxanne Perez
Rey – Naomi – If Naomi loses, we riot!
Rob – Naomi
Greg – Alexa Bliss – Bliss has had huge reactions since returning and is moving a ton of merch. While I can see them wanting to build Roxanne Perez, Giulia, or Stephanie Vaquer, I think Alexa Bliss.

Tunney’s Take: Rhea Ripley – I’ll make my case short and sweet… Mami in the Bank! You can’t leave that money on the table.

Chairshot Pick – Tie – Naomi 3 & Roxanne Perez 3 (Alexa Bliss 2, Giulia 1, Rhea Ripley 1, Stephanie Vaquer 1)

AJ – LA Knight
Andrew – El Grande Americano – Feels correct given his push and the fact he’s over.
Dave – Seth Rollins – Got to push that new faction.
DJ – LA Knight
DPP – El Grande Americano
Jason – LA Knight
Patrick – Solo Sikoa
Rey – LA Knight – Looks like another push, and he does have history with Cena.
Rob – Solo Sikoa
Greg – Seth Rollins – This company is extremely high in the El Grande Americano gimmick, but this match comes down to Seth Rollins or LA Knight. Given the Rollins storyline, it’s his briefcase to win.

Tunney’s Take: El Grande Americano – Picture this: Chad Gable wins the AAA Mega Championship and El Grande Americano wins MITB! WHAT A SATURDAY in LA!!!

Chairshot Pick – LA Knight 4 (El Grande Americano 3, Seth Rollins 2, Solo Sikoa 2)

AJ – Becky Lynch – Sadly
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I still don’t care about Lyra.
Dave – Lyra Valkyria – Starting to warm up to her and Becky has a lot to do with that.
DJ – Lyra Valkyria
DPP – Becky Lynch
Jason – Becky Lynch
Patrick – Lyra Valkyria
Rey – Becky Lynch – Put some fire on the Irish Beef.
Rob – Becky Lynch
Greg – Becky Lynch – I don’t think you do a rematch here just to have Becky lose again. Unless Bayley shows up to help Lyra.

Tunney’s Take: Becky Lynch – A big part of me feels that winning this title checks off a major box for Becks in her HOF career.

Chairshot Pick – Becky Lynch 8-3

AJ – Cena & Paul
Andrew – Rhodes & Uso – Easy way for Cena to lose without eating the pinfall.
Dave – Rhodes & Uso – Get the QB back on the winning track.
DJ – Rhodes & Uso
DPP – Rhodes & Uso
Jason – Cena & Paul
Patrick – Cena & Paul
Rey – Rhodes & Uso – Heels usually lose these kinds of matches. Logan takes the pin.
Rob – Cena & Paul
Greg – Rhodes & Uso – I hope Jey isn’t an afterthought here like Cody was last fall when he was paired up with Roman. I think Cody pins Cena to set up Cody-Cena 2 at SummerSlam.

Tunney’s Take: Cena & Paul – I don’t think Cena is involved in another loss until he loses the WWE Championship. I also think Logan Paul is NOT done trying to capture Jey Uso’s World Heavyweight Championship. …Travis Scott in the house?

Chairshot Pick – 6-5 Rhodes & Uso

In closing I want to thank everyone on the panel for participating with their picks! You can follow each prognosticator/podcaster on X @ the handles below. We all enjoy Pro Wrestling so remember three things… be respectful of others, comparison is the thief of joy and HAVE FUN!

AJ – @PhenomenalAJB
Andrew – @IWCWarChief
Dave – @AttitudeAgg
DJ – @TheMindlessPod
DPP – @itsmeDPP
Jason – @JediFett
Patrick – @WrestlngRealist
Rey – @itsreycash
Rob – @rbonne1
Greg – @gregdemarco44
PC – @PCTunney
TheChairshot.com – @ChairshotMedia

prowrestlingtees.com/TheChairshot – a PLETHORA of GREAT designs…MAKES A GREAT GIFT!

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Classic POD is WAR

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About Chairshot Radio Network

MONDAY - Bandwagon Nerds (entertainment & popular culture)

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CHAIRSHOT RADIO NETWORK PODCAST SPECIALS

Attitude Of Aggression Podcast & The Big Five Project (chronologically exploring WWE's PPV/PLE history)

TheChairshot.com PRESENTS...IMMEDIATE POST WWE PLE REACTIONS w/ DJ(Mindless), Tunney(DWI) & Friends

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Classic POD is WAR

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Let us know what you think on social media @ChairshotMedia and always remember to use the hashtag #UseYourHead!

Opinion

Chairshot Staff Picks: Backlash St. Louis

Chairshot Staff picks!!!

Published

1 month ago

May 9, 2025

PC Tunney

May is upon us and with that, so is Backlash from St. Louis! What does the first PLE after WrestleMania have in store for the WWE Universe? Let’s see if the Chairshot Staff can properly interpret the crystal ball of rasslin’ future.

AJ – Pat MacAfee – Gunther has to start losing control and who better than an announcer.
Andrew – Pat MacAfee – Goldberg getting involved does seem correct here.
Dave – Gunther – He’s not losing to a broadcaster.
DJ – Gunther – Pat is sent to the shadow realm until football season is over.
DPP – Gunther – Post match beat down leads to Pat time off.
Jason – Gunther – One massive spot and or bump from Pat.
Patrick – Gunther
Rey – Gunther – RIP MacAfee, t’was a good life.
Rob – Gunther
Greg – Pat MacAfee – Why? Goooooldbeeerrrrrgggggg!

Tunney’s Take: Gunther – Seems like the right pick here. Pat may be getting some time off and Gunther needs more heat.

Chairshot Pick – GUNTHER 8-3

AJ – Lyra Valkyria – Becky’s hopefully putting her over, still mad about Dakota.
Andrew – Becky Lynch – I have no real interest in Lyra currently.
Dave – Becky Lynch – Lyra is boring AF!
DJ – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley interferes.
DPP – Becky Lynch – Becky cheats and steals the title.
Jason – Lyra Valkyria – Bayley costs Becks.
Patrick – Becky Lynch
Rey – Becky Lynch – Story needs to jump up a bit, Becky Charlotte’s Lyra.
Rob – Lyra Valkyria
Greg – Becky Lynch – It’s been fun, Lyra. (It kinda hasn’t)

Tunney’s Take: Lyra Valkyria – Bayley’s interference should set up some type of program with Becky as we head towards Summer(Slam).

Chairshot Pick – BECKY LYNCH 6-5

AJ – Jacob Fatu – Great way to put him over w/ two former WHCs and LA Knight.
Andrew – Jacob Fatu – He’s Jacob Fatu!
Dave – Jacob Fatu – Too soon to pull the belt off him.
DJ – Jacob Fatu – Priest and LA can’t decide who’s is bigger.
DPP – Jacob Fatu – Your hardcore match, tables and chairs involved.
Jason – Jacob Fatu – The Champ retains due to or in spite of Solo.
Patrick – Jacob Fatu
Rey – Jacob Fatu – All gas. No brakes. Ain’t losing.
Rob – Jacob Fatu
Greg – Jacob Fatu – Someone from The Samoan Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Jacob Fatu – Uncle Mo is on Fatu’s side and other than Knight, I don’t see Drew or Priest holding the US title in the current circumstances of this title’s landscape.

Chairshot Pick – JACOB FATU 11-0

AJ – Dominic Mysterio – Judgement Day shenanigans just leading up to Finn turning on Dom later.
Andrew – Penta – Dom’s fine having a short reign, could also work for pushing AAA.
Dave – Dominic Mysterio – He’s probably more over than Penta.
DJ – Dominic Mysterio – Dirty Dom takes home the gold and the girl.
DPP – Dominic Mysterio – Big Head helps Dom pull out the win.
Jason – Dominic Mysterio – By hook and crook.
Patrick – Dominic Mysterio
Rey – Dominic Mysterio – Latino Heat keeps burning. Finn gets closer to the edge.
Rob – Dominic Mysterio
Greg – Dominic Mysterio – Someone from The Guerrero Dynasty ain’t winning a title just to drop it.

Tunney’s Take: Dominic Mysterio – That belt looks good with the king of chicken tendys. I can see Penta and Rey reforming as a tag team sooner than later.

Chairshot Pick – DOMINIC MYSTERIO 10-1

AJ – John Cena – Why? Cena wins, lol.
Andrew – John Cena – Shenanigans ensue so it’s not a clean win.
Dave – John Cena – The last time is now.
DJ – John Cena – Randy hears voices telling him he needs an Attitude Adjustment.
DPP – John Cena – Cena tries to cheat but the ref doesn’t call for a DQ.
Jason – John Cena – Nefarious means, Randy not ready for Evil John Cena.
Patrick – John Cena
Rey – John Cena – Cena just counting down the dates. Should be fun though.
Rob – John Cena
Greg – John Cena – You know they want Cody to be the hero in the end.

Tunney’s Take: Randy Orton – Once upon a time Randy got himself intentionally disqualified and it cost John. Saturday, history repeats itself with a 180-degree twist. Cena retains via Orton DQ victory. This time, Travis Scott’s appearance takes care of that task.

Chairshot Pick – JOHN CENA 10-1