Jim Cornette

**James Mark "Jim" Cornette** (born September 17, 1961) is an American author and podcaster who has previously worked in the professional wrestling industry as an agent, booker, color commentator, manager, promoter, trainer, and occasional professional wrestler.

During his career, he has worked for the Continental Wrestling Association, Mid-South Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation (now called WWE), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Ring of Honor. From 1991 to 1995, he was the owner and head booker of Smoky Mountain Wrestling, and from 1999 to 2005, was the co-owner, head booker, and head trainer of Ohio Valley Wrestling. During the later years of his career, Cornette focused primarily on backstage positions and transitioned away from his role as an on-screen manager.

In 2017, Cornette retired from managing. During a transitional period prior to the retirement, he worked as an on-screen "authority figure" character in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Ring of Honor, promotions where he also held backstage positions. Cornette has also had an extensive commentary career, most recently serving as a color commentator for Major League Wrestling, What Culture Pro Wrestling, and the National Wrestling Alliance. Cornette is noted for his long-standing real-life feud with fellow professional wrestling booker Vince Russo; in June 2017, Russo filed a restraining order (EPO) against Cornette for stalking. The Cornette vs. Russo feud has been featured on two episodes of Viceland's *Dark Side of the Ring* series.

Cornette, an atheist and democratic socialist, has made appearances on *The Young Turks* documenting his criticisms of religious and right-wing causes.

## In wrestling

* **Wrestlers managed**
	+ Adam Pearce
	+ Adrian Street
	+ Barry Windham
	+ Big Bubba Rogers
	+ The British Bulldog
	+ Bruiser Bedlam
	+ Buddy Landel
	+ Carl Fergie
	+ Christopher Daniels
	+ Crusher Broomfield
	+ Dan Severn
	+ Dick Murdoch
	+ Dutch Mantel
	+ Hercules Hernandez
	+ Jeff Jarrett
	+ Mantaur
	+ Mark Henry
	+ Matt Morgan
	+ Norman Fredrick Charles III
	+ Owen Hart
	+ Mr. Puerto Rico
	+ Rick Link
	+ Ron Powers
	+ Salvatore Sincere
	+ Sherri Martel
	+ Steve Bradley
	+ Vader
	+ Yokozuna
* **Tag teams managed**
	+ The Briscoe Brothers
	+ Crush and Yokozuna
	+ The Dynamic Dudes
	+ The Dynamic Duo
	+ The Fabulous Ones
	+ The Fantastics
	+ The Galaxians
	+ The Harris Brothers
	+ The Headhunters
	+ The Heavenly Bodies
	+ Jeff Collette & Stan Lane
	+ Jeff Jarrett & Barry Windham
	+ The Midnight Express
	+ The New Midnight Express
	+ Owen Hart & the British Bulldog
	+ Owen Hart & Yokozuna
	+ The Rock 'n' Roll Express
* **Nicknames**
	+ "Corny"
	+ "The Louisville Lip"
	+ "The Louisville Loudmouth"
	+ "The Louisville Slugger"
	+ "Prince of Polyester"
* **Entrance themes**
	+ **World Class Championship Wrestling**
		- "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina and the Waves
	+ **World Championship Wrestling**
		- "Midnight Express Theme" by Mark Hallman
	+ **Smokey Mountain Wrestling**
		- "Time" by Pink Floyd
	+ **World Wrestling Federation**
		- "High Energy" by Jimmy Hart & JJ Maguire
		- "Mastodon" by Jim Johnston
		- "Guitar Bash" by David Fields
		- "Redneck Rumble" by Robert L. Miller & Sonny Tan
	+ **Ohio Valley Wrestling**
		- "Chase" by Giorgio Moroder
	+ **Total Nonstop Action Wrestling**
		- "Director of Authority" by Dale Oliver
		- "Gavel" by Dale Oliver
	+ **Ring of Honor**
		- "Chase" by Giorgio Moroder
		- "No More Mr. Nice Guy" by Alive Cooper
		- "Bad Blood" by Cadence Blaze & Michael Ash
		- "Rush" by Kidd Russell Feat. Jaswel Race

## Awards and accomplishments

* ***The Baltimore Sun***
	+ Non-Wrestler of the Year (2007)
* **Cauliflower Alley Club**
	+ Other honoree (1997)
* **Iconic Heroes Wrestling Excellence**
	+ Southern Wrestling Hall of Fame (2015)
* **National Wrestling Alliance**
	+ NWA Hall of Fame (Class of 2005)
* **New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame**
	+ Class of 2015
* ***Pro Wrestling Illustrated***
	+ Manager of the Year (1985, 1993, 1995)
* **Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame and Museum**
	+ Class of 2012
* **World Wrestling Federation**
	+ Slammy Award
		- Best Dressed (1994)
		- Blue Light Special for Worst Dresser (1996)
* ***Wrestling Observer Newsletter***
	+ Manager of the Year (1984–1990, 1992–1996)
	+ Best on Interviews (1985–1988, 1993)
	+ Best Booker (1993, 2001, 2003)
	+ Best Non-Wrestler (2006)
	+ Best Pro Wrestling Book (2009) – Midnight Express 25th Anniversary Scrapbook
	+ Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame
		- Class of 1996