Review: “Wrestling From A to Z: Jim Cornette”

The list of people I could listen to for six straight hours is brief: George Carlin, Bill Hicks, Paul Heyman, Amanda Hickson.

Apparently, with the purchase of RF Video’s “Wrestling From A to Z”, I’ve added one more name to the list—Jim Cornette.

The “Louisville Lip” has become public enemy No. 1 since chastising Lucha Underground as “the most heinous horse shit that I’ve ever seen in my life” and “another nail in the coffin of wrestling to be taken seriously as a sport or anything that’s not completely predetermined.”

After a 30-year career in which Cornette has worked for WWE, TNA, ROH, OVW, SMW, and the NWA, the legendary manager/commentator/booker has retreated to his Kentucky home, still offending fans with his tweets and podcast.

But he also appears in various DVDs, guest booking and territory reminiscing for Kayfabe Commentaries and opening his vault to RF Video.

Inside that vault? The “most outstanding massive mound of mat memorabilia.”

Global newspaper clippings from the past 30 years. Autographed books, posters, programs, photos, magazines, albums, even manuscripts of legends’ autobiographies. A cardboard boomerang from the Fabulous Kangaroos!

A true historian, Cornette would spend his payoffs at flea markets and fan fests, collecting wrasslin’ relics. With his tenure and accessibility to a who’s who of stars, he managed to obtain unbelievable treasures like “Cowboy” Bob Orton’s cast and Michael Cole’s goatee (kidding.)

For the first time, fans are welcomed into Castle Cornette for the greatest show and tell ever.

But that’s not all—spliced throughout the tour are interviews with Dairy Queen’s least favorite customer as Corny is asked about everybody that came before him, everybody while he was there, the buildings, and the legacies of Memphis, Mid-South and Jim Crockett Promotions.

It’s a brilliant concept and the perfect choice to launch the series. However, I wish RF Video had made the DVD more user-friendly. It plays like a movie instead of chapters and sections so if you want to hear about working with Ric Flair, you have to fast-forward through hours and hours.

Also, I was disappointed that Cornette didn’t discuss his SMW, WWE, TNA, OVW and ROH days. Sure, it would have become an anthology rather than a two-disc, but after feasting on Smoky Mountain via the WWE Network, plenty of fans would be interested in behind-the-scenes tales of Dirty White Boy and Chris Candido. Obviously, the historical content and nature of the DVD lends itself to 1980s and earlier discussion, but there is a lot left on the table.

The most fascinating part of the interview is when Cornette explains why pro wrestling has become less popular since the death of the territories. Each promoter knew how to cater to his audience, and each audience was different. Fans in Texas lusted over the Death Match while Minnesota folks enjoyed chain wrestling. The Carolinas showcased tag teams and the Northeast focused on dominant heroes with ethnic appeal.

Because WWE destroyed the territories and generates a homogenous product, not every section of the country gets its fill. Basically, variety is the spice of life.

Which certainly juxtaposes his feelings on Lucha Underground, right? Even if he’s not a fan of the cinematic effects and acrobatic style, you’d think that he would understand there’s an audience of wrestling fans who do.

As always, Corny keeps us guessing.

“Wrestling From A to Z: Jim Cornette” is a mandatory viewing for “students of the game” and old school fans who miss hearing about Jackie Fargo, Bill Dundee and Butch Reed.

Available at www.rfvideo.com.