Billy Corgan Gets Back Into Wrestling, Joins TNA as Senior Producer
Billy Corgan is back in wrestling. It was announced Monday the Smashing Pumpkins co-founder and only remaining original member is teaming up with TNA Wrestling as Senior Producer, Creative and Talent…
Billy Corgan is getting back in the ring. It was announced Monday the Smashing Pumpkins co-founder and only remaining original member is teaming up with TNA Wrestling as senior producer, creative and talent development.
Corgan’s new role is effective immediately and under it he will develop characters and story lines for the league’s flagship Impact Wrestling program, as well as other TNA programming.
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“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,” Corgan in a press statement.
The news follows word Corgan’s announcement last fall that he had severed ties with the Resistance Pro Wrestling organization he co-founded in 2011.
“What’s great is the entire TNA organization stands in full support of my music life with the Smashing Pumpkins,” Corgan’s statement continued. “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.”
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For the past few years, Corgan has promoted his love of wrestling, saying it goes hand in hand with music. In a 2012 Businessweek interview, he said the two shared a “larger than life” quality that he found mutually attractive, ever since he was a little kid. He has also chastised the music world as “boring,” saying that wrestling still gives a feeling that “anything can happen.”
“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,” said TNA President Dixie Carter in a statement. “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.”
TNA Wrestling’s roster includes well known veterans such as Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy and Gail Kim, as well as a newer names, including Ethan Carter III, Bram and Rockstar Spud.
TNA executive vice president of television and talent John Gaburick said Corgan was recently invited to join a TNA creative summit, during which his “pioneering perspectives and collaborative approach made it quickly evident we needed to bring him on as a permanent member of our team.”
Impact Wrestling airs Friday nights at 9 p.m. EST on Destination America.