As previously reported, TNA has released Jim Cornette. Here is a statement he posted on the Cornette’s Collectibles Facebook page…
“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 apart of.” (h/t to Mike Johnson at PWInsider.com)
While much Internet speculation has been that Cornette was fired due to his relationship with Jeff Jarrett – the TNA part-owner who’s been on the outs with management since his apparent relationship with Karen Angle was revealed – The UK Sun is saying it actually resulted from a fight with head of creative Vince Russo.
The Sun reports that, according to its source, “Everyone was in a production meeting with Russo running down the show, but Cornette went nuts screaming ‘why are we pushing Eric Young?’ Russo reacted calmly and said it wasn’t a big deal, but Cornette wouldn’t let it go and … after the meeting broke, Cornette was walking around complaining to everyone who would listen. When even production people went up to TNA bosses and said Cornette has been acting unprofessionally — and this was just his latest refusal to be a pro — they decided to terminate his contract. This wasn’t politics or anything to do with Jeff. It was purely a decision prompted by the same behaviour that got Jim fired in WWE.” (Read more here.)
Cornette was removed from his position as head booker of OVW back when it was a WWE developmental territory, shortly after an incident widely reported online, with the worker now known as Santino Marella in July 2005. Cornette had been suspended by WWE for slapping Marella backstage for not taking a Boogeyman gimmick seriously.
Kevin Eck at the TNA firing on his BaltimoreSun.com blog.
