In the wake of Smashing Pumpkins winding down, frontman Billy Corgan is all set to take an official position with TNA Wrestling, bringing his passion for pro wrestling to the six-sided wrestling ring.
Billy Corgan, who is best known as the lead singer and guitarist of Smashing Pumpkins, recently hinted the demise of the popular alternative rock band.
If the band is really winding down, Corgan had already found a new line of work: Senior Producer, Creative and Talent Development for TNA Wrestling, according to RollingStone.
In his new role, the frontman will develop characters and create story lines for TNA's program Impact Wrestling, along with other programs on the network.
In a release Corgan said, "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."
Corgan further noted that the entire TNA organization stands in full support of his music life with the Smashing Pumpkins. Corgan said he is fully committed to using his 30 years of entertainment experience, along with his deep-rooted passion for pro wrestling, to take on the challenge of creatively contributing to Impact Wrestling, finding and developing new talent, and working eye-to-eye with the best of the best., EntertainmentWeekly noted.
In an interview with Variety, Corgan said he aspires to move away from the traditional, age-old good guys vs. bad guys plot line and come up with something new as far as professional wrestling storytelling is concerned. He even said he wants to include characters who explore race and transgender issues.
Corgan noted that there is a huge opportunity to go into new directions. There are ways to explore those themes in productive ways, create new stars and also show that value-based "babyfaces," irrespective of their backgrounds can not only draw new audiences but also inspire people in a new ways.
In an interview, TNA's president Dixie Carter explained that it's important that Corgan's thinking stands out in a crowded field that is mainly dominated by the WWE, and is filled with overseas competitors, such as Japan's New Japan Pro Wrestling and Mexico's AAA Championship.
Carter added that Billy can really help TNA with giving its existing characters and stories a greater depth.
TNA's move comes in the wake of WWE's efforts to bring a wider crowd to its antics. WWE launched a new campaign with NBCUniversal which shows WWE programs on its USA cable outlet that plays up the heroic and charitable works by wrestlers such as John Cena.
Corgan has been open about his wrestling fandom for years. He got into the sport by following competitors such as Verne Gagne and Dick the Bruiser. Corgan even ran a small wrestling promotion around Chicago, Variety noted.
Some of Corgan's creative work will begin to show up in TNA programming in early May, Dixie Carter confirmed.
