Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan has officially joined the TNA Wrestling as the new senior producer of creative and talent development. This is a developing story and we’ll have more information posted on the main page shortly.
Here is TNA’s official press release, featuring quotes from Corgan and Dixie Carter:
TNA Entertainment today announced Billy Corgan, founder of the Smashing Pumpkins and creative icon, is joining TNA Wrestling as Senior Producer, Creative and Talent Development, effective immediately. In this position, Corgan will develop characters and create story lines for TNA’s flagship program IMPACT WRESTLING, broadcast Friday nights at 9/8c 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,” said TNA President Dixie Carter. “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.”
“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,” said Corgan. “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.”
Corgan joins a gifted group of creative writers led by TNA Executive Vice President of Television and Talent John Gaburick. In addition to partnering with his creative colleagues in writing compelling and emotionally engaging story lines for TNA programming, Corgan will attend TNA television tapings where he will serve as a senior producer, working with TNA’s roster of world-class athletes including veterans such as TNA World Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy and Gail Kim, as well as a fresh crop of Superstars led by Ethan Carter III, Bram, Rockstar Spud and more.
“As an iconic songwriter and performance artist, Billy stands as a true powerhouse,” said Gaburick. “I also find him to be an ardent historian of professional wrestling and a true visionary. We knew Billy would bring a great viewpoint when we offered, and he graciously accepted, to attend a recent creative summit. During those meetings, Billy’s pioneering perspectives and collaborative approach made it quickly evident we needed to bring him on as a permanent member of our team.”
TNA programming, which features unparalleled professional wrestling entertainment through its innovative high-flying X-Division, the best women’s division on the planet in the TNA Knockouts, and incomparable Tag Team action, is seen by millions of viewers each week in more than 120 countries around the world.
# # #
About Billy Corgan
Grammy award-winning and multi-platinum artist Billy Corgan is a celebrated creator, illustrious lyricist, distinguished musician and founder of the revered Smashing Pumpkins, who has written and released more than 300 songs, sold more than 31 million albums and later this year will co-headline ‘The End Times’ tour alongside Marilyn Manson, as recently announced on The Howard Stern Show. ‘Monument to An Elegy,’ the Smashing Pumpkins current studio album features ‘Drum + Fife,’ a stirring single calling attention to the issues of war trauma facing America’s servicemen and women, performances of which were featured on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon and ABC’s Good Morning America. Corgan has also been featured on VH1’s Rock Icon, a music biography series profiling the most legendary artists in the history of rock music. A wrestling aficionado, in April 2015, Corgan announced a partnership with TNA Wrestling where he serves as a Senior Producer for creative and talent development. For more information, follow Billy on twitter @Billy and visit www.smashingpumpkinsnexus.com
