Billy Corgan loves wrestling (here he is with Mexican wrestlers at a 2010 MTV World Stages event). That’s an understatement, as many wrestling fans realize. I don’t know much about the sport, but some of my friends keep me up to date on the industry. Billy dislikes a lot of things, and he’ll let you know it. When he likes something (CATS), he’ll let you know that too. There are few things that Billy loves more than watching two guys thrash about in a ring, and he can philosophize endlessly on the subject. Like a rat in a cage, holding a cat and watching wrestling. Now Billy has accepted a full-time job as a TNA wrestling producer. He’ll write scripts and dream up storylines too:
Corgan will develop characters and create story lines for TNA’s flagship program IMPACT WRESTLING, broadcast Fridays at 9 p.m. EST/8 CST on Destination America, as well as other TNA programming.
“I’ve known Billy for years and have always been blown away by his musical artistry, as well as his knowledge and understanding of professional wrestling,” TNA President Dixie Carter said in a release. “He has always impressed me with his creativity and passion for our business. Billy is truly gifted and understands the emotion tied to the psychology of connecting with an audience. The more we talked, the more I realized his perspective has the potential to make a huge impact on our brand.”
Corgan said in a release: “Saying I’m humbled and honored by this opportunity to be part of TNA, a world-class wrestling organization, is an understatement and a dream come true. What’s great is the entire TNA organization stands in full support of my music life with the Smashing Pumpkins. In return, I’m fully committed to using my 30 years of entertainment experience, along with my deep-rooted passion for pro wrestling, to take on the thrilling challenge of creatively contributing to IMPACT WRESTLING, finding and developing new talent, and working eye-to-eye with the best-of-the-best. For as cultures currently evolve at great speed, so must pro wrestling meet and supersede such expectations to thrive.”
[From Miami Herald]
The announcement continues to pour the Corgan praise from a heavy ladle, describing him as “a powerhouse” and “an ardent historian of professional wrestling and a true visionary” with “pioneering perspectives.” The sport of pro wrestling is nothing if not enthusiastic.
I think this is a fine outlet for Billy, and he’s very passionate about wrestling. I also like how upfront pro wrestling is when they admit that most of what happens in the ring is staged. Sure, it’s a little odd that these guys dress up and costumes and “beat each other up,” but this is show business, baby. Pro wrestling is no more bizarre than a superhero movie. So what does this do to Billy’s music career?
Photos courtesy of Getty & WENN
What music career?
Exactly. His music career won’t suffer because of this.
I really hope he incorporates cats into the routines
“An ardent historian of professional wrestling”…
I’m laughing so hard right now, I can’t even snark.
ETA: I just wiki’d and I stand corrected. Apparently, pro wrestling does have a very, um, rich history.
I’m laughing with you, but I also know next to nothing about wrestling, so I have no basis for snarking. Just that: 1) I met Hulk Hogan several times when I was a kid, he was friends with my uncle, and Hulk is a bona fide creep; and 2) Corgan is a jackass, so this job seems like it might be a good fit.
*back to LMAO with mimif and the crew…*
Yeah that’s all I know about pro wrestling, Hulk Hogan (you met the creep!), Andre the Giant and…oh and that movie Mickey Rourke was in. Then I wiki’d and pro wrestling originated in 19th century Europe! Ugh, thanks Billy Corgan, now I’m a historian too.
Yeah, there’s actually *is* a rich history to it, rooted in the carnival. Different countries and even different regions have different styles, and the business has evolved a lot over the years. It’s not all what you see on tv. I think it’s fascinating and ridiculous and admirable and… well, mostly fascinating.
You know what I notice in these pictures? Billy Corgan has a gut! That is fine. What makes me angry is that he is allowed to look like he does while every female musician is scrutinized to hell and back for that including their careers taking a hit.
Everybody is talking about Mariac Carey (which is not as bad as it could be because it includes her being…that outrageous delusional mess that is Mariah Carey) but nobody is mocking him over these pictures.
In this case I think people aren’t mocking his appearance because a) he’s never really been all about his appearance, or at least not in the way Mariah has been and b) there’s just so much more to mock about him than his “gut.”
That said, I just heard he may be at a charity event I’m part of and my 14 year old musician son is aflutter at the possibility of meeting him. As someone who recently discovered the Smashing Pumpkins, he still sees him as a musical genius.
That’s cool that there are teenagers out there who listen to the Smashing Pumpkins. I’ve never been a fan of Billy Corgan’s or the Smashing Pumpkins (although I liked a few of their songs) but hearing the songs now makes me nostalgic and reminds me of being young in the 1990’s. Good times.
Bedhead-I know that this post did not get much of a response, but please don’t stop posting on Gen X celebs of yesteryear. I like the trip down memory lane:)
Given his sense of self-importance and the amount of delusional drama in his head, it sounds like a good outlet for him.
I follow wrestling, but when I read this news yesterday even I was scratching my head. Apparently, though, Corgan is already the cofounder of a regional wresting promotion in Chicago: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Resistance_Pro_Wrestling
Good luck to him. TNA seems to be a sinking ship, but maybe he’s just the guy to turn it around…?