Billy Corgan says Tyrus brings the heat.
Tyrus is a divisive figure in the wrestling world, as the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion often appears on Fox News. NWA President Billy Corgan has stated that the heat on the champion is political. He has also expressed that it's up to the fans to separate the talent from the person.
Speaking with the New York Post, Corgan made it clear that he's not concerned about Tyrus' work with Fox News. He stated that if politics getting brought into the realm of wrestling changes a fan's willingness to watch, he's not catering to that kind of customer. Corgan emphasized that Tyrus brings old-school heat, and if fans aren't going to watch him, they're not a wrestling fan.
"I think if people bring those things into the realm of wrestling, and it changes their willingness to watch, that’s not a customer that I am catering to. I grew up in a time of old-school heat. Old-school heat was the Polish guy told the German guy, using World War II references, that he was gonna beat him up. Very politically incorrect. When Tyrus walks through the door, he brings the heat, and if you’re not gonna watch him, then you’re not a wrestling fan. I’m not booking a charity. I’m booking a professional wrestling company. There are people that have a problem with the New York Post. If that was going to deny you opportunities in the world to appear on a show, or write for another magazine, that’s not a world that I want to live in. I believe that dissenting voices should have a seat at the table and let the American public decide which is more important on any particular argument. I don’t believe in canceling out a voice because you’re not comfortable with their perspective, and that’s somehow supposed to translate into professional wrestling," Corgan said.
The NWA President also made it clear that he's going to book the NWA the way he sees fit, rather than letting fans book the product. He noted that fans booking the Star Wars franchise caused problems, and he's going to live by the sword and die by the sword with the NWA.
“We’ve seen where ‘Star Wars’ let the fans book the franchise, and it’s caused a bunch of problems. I’ve said openly that the fans are not going to book the NWA. There’s an old saying — live by the sword, die by the sword — I’ve been in the public life for 30 years. I’ve had everybody and their mother tell me how to make my music. I’ve flown against the grain for 30 years. It’s worked out fine. I’m going to book the NWA the way I want to book it. That’s it," Corgan said.
Tyrus previously compared Billy Corgan to Dixie Carter and Vince McMahon. Click here to see what he had to say.
In a recent interview, Trevor Murdoch discussed his work in NWA. Check out his comments here.
NWA will return to pay-per-view with the two-night NWA Crockett Cup event on June 3 and 4. Check out the cards here and here.
