Jim Cornette

Jim Cornette 2023: Biography, Net Worth, Family, Income

Jim Cornette, born on September 17th, 1961 in Louisville, Kentucky, is a former professional wrestling manager, booker, promoter, and commentator who has worked for NWA, WCW, TNA, ROH, and WWE. He currently hosts several podcasts where he provides his unique take on today’s wrestling product.

Cornette began his pro wrestling journey at the age of 14 working as a photographer, ring announcer, and timekeeper in the Memphis territory. His first managerial duties came in 1982 under the name James E. Cornette. He managed Sherri Martel, Dutch Mantell, One Man Gang, and Exotic Adrian Street during this time.

The following year, Cornette headed to Bill Watts’ Mid-South territory to manage a new team called The Midnight Express. He began carrying a tennis racket with him at all times, which became his signature trademark. After winning the Tag Team Championships the duo and Cornette began a long-running and career-defining rivalry with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express.

In 1985 The Midnight Express complete with Cornette’s loud mouth and trusty tennis racket went to Jim Crockett Promotions and quickly became one of the promotion’s most-hated acts. In 1986, Cornette suffered a severe injury during an infamous spot at Starrcade where he fell from a 20-foot scaffold and blew out his knee.

In 1989, Cornette joined Jim Ross at the commentary desk as the new colour commentator for the promotions’ nationally syndicated NWA television show, and on the Saturday night TBS broadcasts. That same year, he joined the booking team as the promotion became known as WCW, however, due to a tumultuous relationship with WCW head Jim Herd, he quit the company after Halloween Havoc 1990.

The following year, Cornette formed the Knoxville, Tennessee-based promotion Smokey Mountain Wrestling. The promotion operated a traditional approach to wrestling with clear babyface vs heel matches and angles. During its four years of existence, the promotion worked with WCW, NWA, and WWE.

These working relationships saw Cornette accompany the Heavenly Bodies to WCW for a feud with the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express over the SMW Tag Team Championships while also appearing in WWE as the manager of then-WWF Champion Yokozuna. Following the closure of SMW, Cornette joined WWE full-time as a colour commentator and on-screen performer, where he created Camp Cornette – a group consisting of Yokozuna, Mantaur, Vader, Owen Hart, and The British Bulldog.

He was also a part of the booking committee but after repeated confrontations with Vince Russo and Kevin Dunn, he was removed from the position in 1997. The following year, he lead the NWA invasion managing a stable including Jeff Jarrett, Barry Windham, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, Dan Severn, and a new version of The Midnight Express.

In 1999, he became head booker and part-owner of WWE’s then-developmental territory, Ohio Valley Wrestling. There he was instrumental in helping John Cena, Dave Bautista, Randy Orton, and Brock Lesnar hone their craft before becoming major players.

After his release from WWE in 2005 following several incidents and heated confrontations with wrestlers, he headed to TNA where he performed as the promotion’s on-screen authority figure titled the Management Director. He was released from TNA in 2009 following disagreements with the creative direction headed by Vince Russo.

Cornette then joined Ring of Honor as the new Executive Producer for their television show where he stayed until 2012 before taking a break from professional wrestling. He returned in 2017 when he inducted the Rock ‘n’ Roll into the WWE Hall of Fame.

In 2018, he joined the re-launch of NWA as a colour commentator, however, controversial comments forced his removal from the promotion. He then joined MLW before announcing his official retirement from commentary in 2019.

Net Worth

Jim Cornette has an estimated net worth of $5 million.

Family

Income

It is reported that Jim Cornette’s income from his YouTube channel is $800,000 per year.

Record

According to Cagematch.net Jim Cornette has competed in 238 matches. Of those matches, 36 were wins, 196 were losses and 6 were draws.

Foundation and Charity

In 2017, Cornette used his real-life rivalry with Vince Russo to raise thousands of dollars for Special Education Needs by selling signed copies of the Protection Order, Russo filed against Cornette.