Billy Corgan considers himself a creative person, and as such, he is proud to say his vision of pro wrestling differs from industry stalwarts.
Chris Van Vliet had a chance to sit down with NWA's Billy Corgan, who discusses the current direction of the NWA.
Criticized for not spending more money when he first took over as owner, Corgan says that throwing money at professional wrestling will not make it go anywhere. Instead, he believes that the key to success is patience and putting together the right team of people to execute your vision. That final vision remains to be seen, as Corgan tells Chris that NWA is only now reaching their entry point. He also adds that his idea of what professional wrestling can be is very different than most and that people are underestimating what they are going to do moving forward.
When asked why he would buy a 70+-year-old brand and keep its name, the Smashing Pumpkins frontman noted that they need to address their history while balancing it against the realities of 2020. It'd be a mistake not to leverage the legacy of those that came before, but deciding what differentiates them from every other promotion is the priority.
"I grew up in an era of promos and great personalities. Great guys on the mic and managers like Bobby Heenan, and of course, Jim Cornette. That's the world that I grew up in, and I still believe in that world 100%, so I’m trying to bring that world forward into the 21st Century, and I think we can do it,” said Corgan.
Corgan also tells Chris that he is not the biggest fan of wrestling that, by in large, is driven by what happens in the ring. Rather, he hopes to strike a balance between the new 5-star style and telling good stories, all while tying it into the historical root of the NWA. That is what he believes will be the blueprint for their success.
To those who critique the throwback feel of Powerrr, Corgan says that this is simply them corraling everyone's attention so that you'll listen to what they have to say down the road.
Powerrr airs Tuesdays on the NWA's YouTube channel and Facebook page at 6:05 pm ET.
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