I get asked a lot: “Why do you like Jim Cornette?” And the answer is complicated, heartfelt, and kind of funny.
First of all, let’s get something straight: there’s Jim Cornette the character — the loudmouth, arrogant, tennis racket-swinging heel — and then there’s Jim Cornette the man. A lot of people confuse the two, especially when dragging up old promos or podcast soundbites without context.
Jim has spent decades protecting wrestling’s history, honoring kayfabe, mentoring talent, and being loyal to the fans who love the old-school spirit. He’s passionate, fiery, and sure — he says wild things sometimes — but he means what he says and backs it up with actual wrestling knowledge.
Back in the '80s and '90s, people in Louisville would come up to his mom and ask “What happened to Jimmy? He used to be so sweet!” And she’d go: “Oh, he’s still sweet… but he tends to say dumb things.”
That is Jim Cornette in a nutshell — a guy who went full chaos mode in front of the camera, but still loves his people, protects what he cares about, and takes no crap from anyone.
He stood up for Owen. He publicly wept on Dark Side of the Ring talking about Owen’s death. He defends people he loves with ferocity, and that makes me love him more. His voice, his passion, and his encyclopedic memory of wrestling lore? *Chef’s kiss.*
He may not be everyone’s cup of tea… but he’s my cup of tea, and I’ll die on that hill swinging a tennis racket of truth.