Jim Cornette is a big fan of Shelton Benjamin.
On September 21st, Benjamin was released by WWE alongside stars such as Mustafa Ali and Dolph Ziggler. The star had re-signed with WWE in 2017 after a spell on the independent scene which saw him compete in ROH, NJPW, and Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Benjamin had previously been signed to WWE from 2000 to 2010. During his time in developmental, the amateur wrestling standout starred alongside Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Randy Orton, and Batista. Benjamin was an instant hit on the main roster teaming with Charlie Haas, and his whole career has been littered with stunning athletic feats.
Speaking on The Jim Cornette Experience, the legendary manager gave his thoughts on Benjamin and his skills in the ring. Cornette said that while he’s unsure whether AEW will make a move for the star, he’s better in-ring than much of the roster.
“He can still not only outwork more than half on the WWE roster, but a significant portion in AEW that are a lot younger because he’s a genetic marvel and a physical freak. And they were using him or attempted, almost used him remember a couple of years ago, and then they backed off on it. And he’s better than the level that he’s been presented at.
But by the same token, because he’s been presented as an intermittent flunky and beaten and quick fashion and not focused on for so long. His image does, I would think, need some rehab with the fans. Now he can be Shelton Benjamin because that’s his name. And now he can do all of his sh*t because when he was working for us at Ring of Honor, he did all of his shit. And we never had a problem.
The question is, you’ve got to get somebody with a fresh presentation of how Shelton ought to be presented and talked about and maybe put him with a manager because the one drawback has been his promo ability, which doesn’t stink in terms of today’s bar, but he’s not a 10-minute orator for today’s in-ring set pieces.
But you know, accentuate his talents, his athleticism, his experience. And he’s real. Again, that’s the AEW thing. They just see him as that guy that WWE didn’t want. But he’s better than almost the entire roster.”
Jim Cornette Heaps Praise On Dolph Ziggler
During the podcast, Cornette also praised Dolph Ziggler, commenting that he’s one of the best in-ring performers in the world, even if WWE did seemingly give up on him. The veteran said that while he could see Ziggler heading to AEW for another big payday, he’s been so successful in the past that he likely won’t need to wrestle again.
By a similar token, Matt Hardy said he could see both Ziggler and Benjamin as well as Mustafa Ali joining AEW.
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