I'm assuming that most people have seen the story that has been making the rounds on the Internet about Jim Cornette writing in an e-mail to TNA director of talent relations Terry Taylor that he "wants Vince Russo to die" and would "willingly go to jail if I ever see him in person again." Cornette also wrote that he has dreams about murdering Russo and that if he "could figure out a way to murder him without going to prison, I would consider it the greatest accomplishment of my life."
A law firm representing TNA responded with a legal letter to Cornette that said his statements "constitute terroristic threats" and that it has notified "all applicable Federal and State law enforcement agencies."
This has to be one of the most bizarre wrestling stories I have ever heard, and that's saying something.
Cornette, who worked as an on-air talent in TNA until being let go last September, and Russo, the lead writer for the company, have a long history of not seeing eye to eye that goes back to the 1990s when they were on the booking team in WWE. Both are polarizing figures with strong personalities, but that's where the similarities end. They could not be on further ends of the spectrum when it comes to their respective visions of what pro wrestling should be. The fact that they were able to co-exist in TNA for as long as they did was astounding to me.
The outspoken Cornette has been a vocal critic of TNA and Russo since he left the company. Much like his promos during his days as a manager, Cornette's public comments about Russo have been vitriolic and over the top, although his e-mail certainly took things to another level.
Rather than speculate about Cornette's intentions regarding Russo, I will let his words speak for themselves. Cornette has posted his e-mail to Taylor as well as the legal letter that he received on his Web site. To read them, click here. Be forewarned that there is strong language in Cornette's e-mail.