Biography
James Mark "Jim" Cornette is an American author and podcaster who has previously been involved in the professional wrestling industry as an agent, booker, color commentator, manager, promoter, trainer, and occasional wrestler. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest managers in wrestling history, known for his exceptional microphone skills.
Throughout his career, Cornette worked with the Continental Wrestling Association, Mid-South Wrestling, World Class Championship Wrestling, Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling, the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (now Impact Wrestling), and Ring of Honor. Between 1991 and 1995, he owned and was the head booker of Smoky Mountain Wrestling, and from 1999 to 2005, he served as co-owner, head booker, and head trainer of Ohio Valley Wrestling. In his later years, Cornette shifted focus to backstage roles, moving away from his on-screen manager position.
Cornette retired from managing in 2017. Before retiring, he appeared as an on-screen "authority figure" in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and Ring of Honor, where he also held backstage roles. He has had a lengthy commentary career, most recently working as a color commentator for Major League Wrestling, What Culture Pro Wrestling, and the National Wrestling Alliance. Cornette is inducted into the NWA, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Memphis, and Professional Wrestling Hall of Fames. He is also known for his long-standing real-life feud with fellow wrestling booker Vince Russo; in June 2017, Russo obtained a restraining order against Cornette for stalking. Their feud was featured in two episodes of Viceland's Dark Side of the Ring series.
