Jim Cornette on His Appearance In ECW

From Episode 145 of Jim Cornette's Drive Thru
Artwork by Travis Heckel!
Send in your question for the Drive-Thru to: [e-mail]
Follow Jim and Brian on Twitter: @TheJimCornette @GreatBrianLast
Join Jim Cornette's College Of Wrestling Knowledge on Patreon to access the archives & more! / cornette
Visit Jim's official site at www.JimCornette.com for merch, live dates, commentaries and more!
You can listen to Brian each week on the 6:05 Superpodcast at 605pod.com.

[@wloffblizz]

"I'm sitting at home, as I usually am when these problems start" sounds like the opening to a 1940s detective novel.

[@ghw1985]

Gwen with her judging glance that pierces my soul, '' Dammit woman'' - I huffed as I lit my cigarette.. CALL CORNETTE

[@blackout8777]

😂😂😂

[@PJErvin]

Noir, perhaps.

[@emperorpalpatine1228]

Drakkar Noir.

[@HyperActive7]

You forgot the whiskey and the bland smoke filled lighting.

[@bigdre2002]

I was at that show. We all went batshit crazy for Lawler. Then Cornette? Oh my goodness we was hysterical. That night was the greatest.

[@craigyoung4156]

Man that was an awesome show. Loved the WWE ECW angle at the time

[@kenrickkahn]

I remember I was shocked like *"What the hell?"* I remember Hall and Nash has just left so I'm thinking all these guys are Outlaws invading each other wrestling shows.. That's when the number of fans started to run in the ring cause some fans thought (Every body else is doing it, let me see can I do it) but that didn't work out well.. LOL!

[@kenrickkahn]

@@craigyoung4156 WWF and ECW angle..

[@craigyoung4156]

@@kenrickkahn Forgot it was WWF at the time. And it should still be WWF

[@stevetrump8823]

You're a liar.i was at that show and didn't see you there.

[@rossmcbride9863]

Jim is probably one of the greatest story tellers, his memory is astonishing

[@FreneticZetetic]

No drugs no booze just pure passion and anger!

[@Dr170]

@@FreneticZetetic HATE is a hell of a motivator, and easy on the economy at that.

[@Diaz23]

@@FreneticZetetic just Sprite lol

[@TheHarlemShow01]

Definitely Good At Story Telling

[@jessicaweinshenker1659]

Ross, you're absolutely right. You can listen to Jim tell these stories for an hour, and when it ends you are still craving more.

[@RichMitch]

"I'll tell it briefly again" 19 minutes later

[@dennisnagel258]

I love it.

[@JMG_86]

*small cough*

[@speranza9415]

If he didn't go for an hour then it was briefly

[@jamirimaj6880]

@@speranza9415 20 minutes of one single topic is like a squash match to Corny lol

[@FreneticZetetic]

“Holes in the wall big enough to throw a cat through.” 10/10.

[@saddad6601]

I always like when Cornette pretends he doesn’t want to tell the same story over and over.

[@mattroxursoul]

It is better than the drunken family member who is going to tell you the same story again and act like they have not done so 30 times already :)

[@Clubber-Slang]

I always like when someone can post a complete sentence without having to edit it.

[@vicrattlehead5051]

​@@Clubber-Slangif you pay attention to something as insignificant as that you have other issues

[@Clubber-Slang]

@@vicrattlehead5051 nope, just something I like, if you have a problem with that, you have other issues.

[@vicrattlehead5051]

@@Clubber-Slang you clearly have a problem with that 😂 it's like the teachers who bitch about eraser marks on a paper

[@kylecarson5723]

Jim's obviously liying everyone knows Paul E is the most honest...ok i couldn't finnish typing that without laughing

[@horrorfan4-life689]

Lying

[@BigAce3000]

LMFAO 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@Timmyk5150]

😂😂😂👏👏👏👏

[@jonathan.s993]

?????

[@gregp103]

norwegian swedes

[@marccoralluzzo]

Jimmy has an encyclopedic memory. This is exactly how I remember it all went down. And of course Paul E. had absolutely no intention of honoring the deal. His guys could have made a lot of extra money working for us (would have made up for some of his bounced checks to them lol), but his ego prevented that from ever coming to fruition.

[@CraigSmithII]

It's called editic memory. I have that type of memory myself

[@JP-xr3mu]

LOL...Marc, were you lurking? Thanks for coming!

[@craigdavis5818]

Wow Marc. Hey!!

[@jerry85g7]

@@CraigSmithII Photographic memory...I have one as well.

[@sullyb23511]

@@CraigSmithII Lucky you. Wish I did.

[@mathbowler2782]

I heard this story from Jim before, and I still enjoyed hearing it again.

[@thegent8916]

I've been to Morton's in Philadelphia a few times Jim. A free ride, Morton's, and 750 dollars for a few minutes work is a score my friend.

[@leeswea_dagoat4961]

"Holes in the wall big enough to throw a cat thru!" 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@HuntertheWraithDragon]

Qq

[@TheSwerveShow]

😆

[@2011nphelps]

Cornette is a master word Smith 😂

[@alfie859]

Its like a camp fire for all of us

[@cadesky6029]

The Rendell Puppets best way to describe it

[@dwaynegreene152]

I could listen to Uncle Jim talk abt the stories all day 👍

[@cookie49ers]

Rendell get the smores out and start roasting

[@ADrockstar22]

Good analogy. I like that. Jim bestowing knowledge

[@sugartbube]

💯💯💯

[@brucebigg919]

One of my favorite Corny stories. Anything with Heyman is great.

[@2011nphelps]

Yeah, I know Heyman has done some shady stuff and some don't like him, but the man is seriously entertaining and a master with a mic. Also like corny said, he was a great booker

[@the78wildcat]

I remember watching this when it aired. Jerry and Corny left the ECW arena as if someone was about to ram a heat seeking missle up their.... It was such a memorable moment

[@myquest666420]

Heat seeking missile… that’s a good way to describe Cornette that night.

[@Stable_Genius]

Dreamer's scream after the nard shot was disturbing as hell. I thought he was just selling the hell out of it, until I watched it twice. Poor SOB.

[@MrJjburgess11]

I remember watching this the first time it aired. You could tell immediately by the way Tommy screamed. That the nut shot was legit. I never heard a man wrestler scream like that .

[@UFCWWE69]

Lol I just watched that over again and I think lawler hit the wrong leg. Hope he at least got a free drink at the bar out of it

[@kwmusic4560]

I was at the ECW Arena for all but a handful of shows between 95 and the end, but unfortunately this is one that I missed. I stayed home to watch Tyson\Holyfield 2, which ended up being just as crazy.

[@tobiasfarragut292]

Then like a week later they had Francine Bite Funks ears and it was kind of visceral seeing his blood on her mouth and just silently seeing her attack him like she was whispering the next spot to him only for Styles to say before cutting themselves off for legal purposes “Francine bit funks!…..”

[@Jozzybear]

“I’ll tell it briefly again” 17 minutes left in the video

[@ChrisC11291980]

I'm with Jim. I can't really afford Morton's Steakhouse but I'd have taken it if it were free too.

[@domingosanchez9662]

Imagine Cornette being on good terms with ECW and being a manager in their most edgy days

[@SuperDevolution]

I wouldn't feel too bad about the steak. If half of the stories about Heyman are true, he figured a way out of paying that bill too.

[@BadOpticon]

Fantastic illustration, even without the ponytail you can recognize that Heyman scowl immediately

[@chuckmendez8446]

I recognized him by the unpaid bills in his hand

[@kshinokevin]

I would have added the gray (Motorola brick (cell) phone, to the Paul E. Dangerously picture...

[@thekingofkingsrp]

I never heard this story before. I found the footage and gonna watch it soon as this is done.

[@BenBrislawn]

I am surprised Paul E. paid Cornette 750 when it was know he didn't pay his talent in ECW when it was on its legs. Heyman is a great motivator, but he lies a lot. He told guys like Dreamer ECW was gonna stay afloat but then he showed up on Raw and didn't tell anybody.

[@takerdust]

ECW was around 3-4 years after Cornette showed up. They were doing ok business with their ticket sales.

[@BenBrislawn]

@@takerdust I meant Heyman showed up on Raw without telling anyone in 2001. Some of the ECW wrestlers were hung out to dry because Heyman told them he would make ECW stay afloat when the company was actually bankrupt.

[@MrFoxxx47]

Dreamer should've given Lawler a receipt for that nut shot.

[@dominicomegon4714]

Oh he did.

[@sammmm87]

remember the scream he made it's kinda sickening hearing now it was legit😵

[@ennbee2051]

Sounds like a good caper. Where can I see this 'nut shot' as you so, eloquently put it?

[@joekurr6030]

you're on youtube just search Lawler ecw

[@trentaccid2177]

I REMEMBER WATCHING JERRY HIT TOMMY AND FROM WORKING FIR THE SPECTRUM FOR YEARS KNEW WHEN SOMETHING GOES WRONG AND WHEN I SAW JERRY HIT TOMMY IN THE BALLS, TOMMY DID NOT GO DOWN LIKE KAYFABE AND I THOUGHT OH SHIT HE GOT HIM FOR REAL. THE WHOLE NIGHT WAS A CLASSIC.

[@BrandonMobley614]

Imagine a camping trip somewhere at a lake in Kentucky with Corny, good food, a couple of drinks. Just imagine the stories that would flow when the floodgates were opened.

[@timf7413]

In all honestly, I'd take a free dinner at Morton's any day.

[@BishopM1]

I know the story but saw the title and immediately grinned. This is gonna be a good one.

[@thehorrorhound6575]

$750 is more than I make in a week and Jim didn’t have to be there more than 10 minutes. And adjusted for inflation $750 in 1997 is $1,434.82. That’s good f’n money right there. Paul couldn’t pay his wrestlers but he could pay the equivalent of damn near $1,500 to get Jim for one night at the drop of a hat? That’s so messed up lol.

[@MickeySheath]

They did do a ECW vs. USWA feud in 1997. RVD, Tommy Dreamer and others faced Jerry Lawler and others at the Mid-South Coliseum

[@johndoe-fq7ez]

“Eat like we were going to the chair” haha never heard that one before

[@bryanelam7431]

I know everyone knows this but I still gotta say it. Cornette really does completely love, respect, and will do anything for his friends in the wrestling business. I have complete respect for him regarding that!

[@ghostface216]

Such a great story, Paul E. gives Jim everything except the ONE THING that he wanted and that would have cost the least.

[@KwaIified]

I was there that night and many others ECW is 1 of those legendary movements that I was lucky to live thru during age 16-21

[@azapro911]

Cornette and Heyman are basically brothers that don't get along.

[@ameliastencil6058]

I could listen to Cornette's stories all day

[@MilMaska]

"I turned around. Envisioned where Paul E. might be. Am im like F you" - Jim Cornette

[@chadk890]

Corny has always been over in Philly since the Midnight Express days,especially when they beat Tully and Arn for the NWA tag belts.

[@acesandoval4467]

ECW Hardcore T.V. edition 7/8/1997. Bad ass segment, a must see for those who haven't seen it. Sabu, Sandman, RVD, Tommy Dreamer, Beulah, Bill Alfonso, Jerry Lawler and the golden centerpiece and heat magnet....Corny all in one ring!!! That scream from Dreamer hurt my nuts just hearing, darn that shot looked painful. Love the Corny tennis racket shots at the end, the intensity in his face!!! Kenny Bolin could be the next Tommy Dreamer!;)

[@doak7042]

Went back and watched the clip. That nut shot looked like it hurt so bad. The scream dreamer let out was real pain

[@clarity2115]

Tommys scream when Lawler obliterates his nuts 😆

[@adrianandras7464]

I went back and watched it. That nut shot on Dreamer was brutal. I’ve never heard a man make that sound before.

[@LyonzDen]

Travis's artwork makes me laugh every time

[@cesarbardales6968]

Thats why you got the dinner the ride and the 750 cuz Paul E knew he wasnt gonna keep his word

[@bbiscuit3000]

I have that moment on DVD. I was so surprised to find out it was on video. I have an ECW vs USWA 2 disc set that has it on there. Jim looked like he had too much fun with the fans hating him

[@henrygvidonas9573]

Jim still referred to the ECW Arena exclusively as the "ECW Toilet" when I first heard the story from him. He called Heyman something more "choice" then, too.

[@horrorfan4-life689]

Jim took some Philly ring rats home in that limo lol.

[@Faroukassault]

He likes his girls loose

[@crissaxx7562]

@@Faroukassault loose & big

[@horrorfan4-life689]

@@Faroukassault lol...the things they done with that tennis racket! 🕴🎾🙇‍♀️😳🙈🙉🙊😂😂😂😂

[@kenrickkahn]

You know he did! Sh_t, you would have too.. LOL!!!!

[@rhysdyer9066]

Has anyone got a link to Jims ECW appearance? Really want to watch that.

[@RataStuey]

@@chiknsmack BA ha ha. Oh my god, Tommy Dreamer gets properly whacked in the balls.

[@acidfruitloops]

@@chiknsmack If you told me that was '87 and not '97 I'd believe you lol

[@sammmm87]

@@acidfruitloops lol they always had the worst quality video and shittiest venues, couldn't stand it as a kid but think it looks cool now haha

[@trentaccid2177]

CORNETTE INVADES ECW IS THE LINK

[@jerry85g7]

@@acidfruitloops 97 was a great year in pro wrestling.

[@ryandavis4448]

When I first starting listening to this show, I thought Brian Lass was bubba ray Dudley, lol. Sounds JUST LIKE HIM!!

[@Njbear7453]

Met bubba in a 7-11 in jersey late one night and he’s a nice guy.

[@CK2008able]

Me too hahaha

[@Burger-urger]

Brian Lass 😆🤘

[@breno7950]

Thought he was Matt Stryker first time I heard him

[@horrorfan4-life689]

Not even close to Bubba

[@billsiebert2758]

Jim I absolutely love all this old school true wrestling behind the scenes stuff it's fucking great!

[@emperortrevornorton3119]

I even though owning 2 different VHS's of this at one point often forget about Jim appearance in ECW

[@JWS1985]

This is a Top 5 JC story. No question

[@Tim85-y2q]

Dinner at Morton's Steakhouse alone seems like a pretty good payoff to me. A good steak and an old fashioned (or two) is an easy way to make me very happy.

[@kraw3026]

"Do whatever it takes to get it in the ring" - Vince Mcmahon Sr

[@ericgilbert56]

I love this story..... TELL US AGAIN JIM!!!

[@wiscounter]

Eugene Chee The graphic is hilarious! LOL Does anyone know if the Cornette clip is still available on KZbin? I might have seen it years ago on an RF Video tape about the War between ECW and USWA. I remember Lawler.

[@maxfrost5016]

First ECW TV I ever saw was by chance after flying cross country all day to LI in late night, late '95 . Show in process, first match Raven went over Tommy Dreamer "clean"! (a cheese grater was used). What was unheard of at that time, was a heel who wasn't cowardly, lucky beyond disbelief, or steeped in HA HA Funny. Then an Alfonzo, Taz promo where Fonzy talks of dropping $20 bills around NYC on parking and massage parlor tips. ECW for a time restored my faith in wrestling. Never cared much for Heyman as a performer, other than an occasional ECW peptalk to the troops. As a booker/producer for a time- '94-late summer '96- he was incredible. Ultra lo-tech as TV wrestling should be. There was the occasional hardcore match (the Bad Breed were barely visible on TV at that time thankfully) other than to get Alfonzo over as a crooked State Commission rep). If you're going to have hardcore matches at least use the best- Sabu, Funk, Cactus Jack, Sandman.

[@NateTheGreat1684]

Let’s see, a free round trip in a limo, free dinner at Morton’s and $750 for a less than 10 minute appearance. Sounds like Corny came out ahead there

[@RaytheMagician]

And the supreme irony is, he didn't ask for any of it!!!

[@anthonydeadman]

With the amount of abuse Dreamer's balls had went through over the years, it's a miracle he managed to have children.

[@phillyjosh8184]

Im from philly and he aint lying the location of the ecw arena was horrible lol but it was awesome

[@MediaM5]

i kind of remember what jim is speaking of. coroluzzo was a great guy. i can remember only maybe devon storm being used in ecw after the talks perhaps. candido yes but he was with heyman. but yea, maybe just devon storm. after candido, and maybe jim can vouche for it, ace darling was his "top guy" so to speak and nova before ecw, a guy named mr motion and a cpl others he wanted to showcase. there was also his son, rick ratchet, who was like a flair like guy, had a robe and all else. i only know due to those where iron mike sharpe school trainees out of bricktown new jersey and i was there with them. a lot of this stemed after the douglas throwing of the ecw title down from the tournament for the nwa title. think there was also supposed to be a nwa vs ecw feud. but ecw as we know it now was born.

[@michaelm4950]

Used to see ecw sometimes tho I wasnt a big fan but I remember lawler and his extremely crappy wrestling comments and i also remember cornys appearance and was genuinely shocked to see him

[@smartphonerick]

is there any video of that appearance anywhere, i remember seeing it and had it on vhs at one time but i dont have that anymore since i moved on to digital and bluray

[@GraveMemories]

Im guessing its on wwe network

[@Trill_4_Life]

The Rise and Fall ECW DVD- June 24th 2020

[@ghostface216]

@@Trill_4_Life It is also on one of the old ECW dvds before the WWE wrapped them up.

[@dannielparker5281]

Yes. Cornette appeared during the Dreamer vs Lawler feud. So summer of 97. Hardcore TV.

[@chiknsmack]

www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/gc8o58/jerry_lawler_and_jim_cornette_invade_the_ecw/

[@cheebwhackah7970]

Just watched that cane shot to Dreamer's nuts... I felt it.... Oh, I felt it.

[@MeNoSpeakJibberish]

Iv been dying to hear about this from Jim. Tommys ruptured testicle has to be one of the worst wrestling injuries ever, the pain he was in must of been unimaginable. That scream from Dreamer would make any man cringe like hell 😨

[@DONCHUTV]

I had somewhere a promo of Corny making fun of Dreamer and his nuts..

[@bigdre2002]

I was at that show. The scream that man let out...you knew he was legit hurt.

[@MeNoSpeakJibberish]

@@bigdre2002 Im surprised if it still doesnt haunt your dreams. Tommy is known to be a tough guy but yeah thats game over for any man

[@holidaystyles7952]

''Holes in the wall big enough to throw a Cat thru'' Jim such a funny legend

[@jackmcgregor4025]

I remember hearing this story worth hearing it again

[@arnabmukhopadhyay7078]

What if it was one of those rare cases where Paulie was actually going to honor his agreement but after seeing how much money these two cost him at Morton's, reconsidered.

[@kurtking8046]

He'd be paying jim more than $400 for the appearance.

[@batmansavage9121]

That shot to dreamers nuts omg that was funny¡!!¡!!!, The way he scream lol

[@josephnicolino8529]

After what he said on dark side of the Ring yes it is funny now.

[@spaceghost9201]

Heyman.. the King of Swerves. I love it!!

[@tricatmeows]

Wait, when did JC appear in ECW? I've seen a lot of ECW footage and don't remember seeing this

[@DONCHUTV]

1997..I believe in June

[@noahlsmith2488]

Yeah, 1997.

[@smoke135]

One of the favorite Jim stories

[@daedaethomas47]

3======}~~😉

[@ChuuchooChooseMe]

Jim and brian, keep up the great work!!!👍

[@erik7586]

the video of dreamer gettong hit in the nuts is harrowing 😂

[@exploringwithrio]

I just re watched cornette on ecw , and he hit dreamers nuts so hard he screamed 😆

[@georgedolman444]

Jerry lawler hit him

[@Timmyk5150]

Funny part is, I'm wondering how much of what he paid Jim (limo, dinner, payoff all of it) out of his parent's money!! 😂😂😂😂

[@EricNHarris]

Great point.

[@josephcarvalho7713]

That money could’ve went to the talent smh

[@guardianofchaosBD]

I rewatched the video, good stuff, crazy building, Corny can get hardcore for sure

[@donkiddick966]

What a great guy corny is if this is true (I wouldn't doubt it is). He does a huge favor for Chris even though he's not enthused to, he didn't charge Paul and all the payment he wanted was to mend the relationship between Paul and Dennis to help Dennis out.

[@ReinEngel]

Cornette laid in about 372 racket shots on Dreamer after his injury.

[@cccCCCccc123ccc]

And stiff ones

[@cheeto4789]

Couldn't find the video in question on KZbin, but if you look it up there should be a reddit post that has the video.

[@JKLYDE]

I heard the steak dinner and limo and ATM withdrawal of $750 were all on Sunny’s credit card 😂😂

[@fergalstackstreams]

No, she and Candido wouldn't have had any money for drugs if they were paying Heyman's expenses.

[@AaronLesterMedia]

One of the greatest moments in Pro Wrestling history...

[@jamiewalsh9184]

When lawlor hit Tommy in the balls Dreamer fucking screamed like he got shot lmao not surprised he had to go to hospital

[@chwenhoou]

Hearing this story, no wonder ECW had money troubles.

[@theorignalgrayson]

that and sadly paul heyman at the time was a bad gambler and use to go gamble the whole gate away from the show at a casino in Atlantic City. From one account one of the ppv from the last years or days they were in business made 125k and paul heyman gambled it all away at a casino that night and did have the money for the talent the next day

[@chwenhoou]

@@theorignalgrayson Note to self: If I hire Paul Heyman, do NOT let him handle the financial side of the business.

[@horrorfan4-life689]

@@chwenhoou but definitely let him book!

[@chada75]

@@theorignalgrayson Damn. 🙁

[@ICHIBAN-cz8ih]

Paul still owes people money today

[@tonymatrisin4328]

Corny and The King were great in ECW

[@vanyadolly]

Paul's entrance music should be Smooth Criminal 😂

[@alkiline9199]

Damn I just learned Tammy had a scholarship to Miami but followed candido to smoky mountain and instead of going to Tennessee cornette got her managing. Looking at her life now. It's incredibly sad that happened

[@tbone3289]

This ECW episode is on the Network. July 1, 1997 episode.

[@nileharding3137]

Tommy dreamer is a man's man for taking that kendo stick shot

[@michaelangelokapirig6151]

The art is just legendary

[@chrisgrissom3610]

Just watched the clip... It's absolutely insane

[@MrPrince416]

Jim and Paul are the greatest frenemy duo in wrestling

[@JP-xr3mu]

I still wait daily for these...LOL!

[@coryjacobs3253]

Tommy’s poor balls

[@datemasamune2904]

I can't seem to find any footage of Cornette invading ECW. I could see one of Lawler, but not Cornette.

[@PaulieAFantoneJays19]

I actually had no idea Corny did this @ all! 😂😂

[@BenBrislawn]

I think it was at Wrestlepalooza 1997 when Lawler debuted. RVD was doing his Mr. Monday Night thing and they beat up Tommy Dreamer and Sandman. I don't remember what Cornette exactly did, but he did hit someone with his racket.

[@calikid05]

It’s not on YT I be been looking for years... I found a clip of it on Twitter recently posted by Dreamer

[@lookitskazzy]

@@BenBrislawn No, the Lawler debut was at a show before Cornette showed up. The Lawler debut is on KZbin and doesn't have Cornette in it.

[@BigAce3000]

It's on the WWE NETWORK,

[@gator19f39]

I think paul and corny should make wresstling again PLZ

[@austinminnick2764]

Not King w the random nut shot

[@Sh0ckmaster]

For a minute I thought he said "Ricky Morton's steak house".

[@kamfisher1714]

Jerry Lawler promo about ecw is the perfect description of what it was

[@protectyourneck3042]

How does he remember a steak house he went to in 2007. I cant remember the steak house i went to for my sisters birthday last year