With the future of Smashing Pumpkins looking “kind of murky”, Billy Corgan appears to be carving out a new profession for himself. Putting his “deep-rooted passion for pro wrestling” and three decades in the entertainment industry to good use, the frontman has been appointed senior producer of creative and talent development for TNA Wrestling.
“Saying I’m humbled and honoured by this opportunity to be part of TNA, a world-class wrestling organisation, is an understatement and a dream come true,” Corgan said. “The entire TNA organisation stands in full support of my music life with the Smashing Pumpkins.”
Corgan’s new role includes developing characters and creating storylines, as well as “finding and developing new talent, and working eye-to-eye with the best of the best.” He added: “As cultures currently evolve at great speed, so must pro wrestling meet and supersede such expectations to thrive.”
Corgan will immediately take up his new role for the company’s flagship programme Impact Wrestling, which airs in the US on Friday nights on Destination America, as well as other TNA programming.
In an interview with Variety, the musician said he hoped to help the format progress. “There is a tremendous opportunity to go into really fresh, new directions. There are ways to explore those themes in ways that are productive, create new stars and show that value-based ‘babyfaces’, no matter what their background, no matter where they come from, can draw new audiences and inspire people in new ways.”
Corgan has long admired wrestling. He founded a wrestling league in Chicago in 2011 and in 2008 wrote the song G.L.O.W. – an acronym for Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling and the name of a 1980s television show.
How Corgan’s new career will affect his role in Smashing Pumpkins is yet to be seen: the band are scheduled to go on a joint US tour this summer with Marilyn Manson.
