Sports

Billy Corgan has a new full-time job writing wrestling storylines

by Mark Teo

Billy William Corgan has spent most of his life writing songs for the Smashing Pumpkins, so after a quarter-century in music, it’s natural that he’d want to try something else. So, yesterday, he announced that he has a new full-time job—yes, meaning that the Pumpkins are taking a back seat—in another industry: Namely, pro wrestling.

Corgan announced that he’ll be joining the creative team behind TNA Wrestling—also known as Impact Wrestling—and with the organization, he’ll be developing characters and storylines. For Corgan diehards, this shouldn’t come as a surprise: The Chicagoan is a long-time wresting fanatic, and even started his own company, Resistance Wrestling, in 2010.

With TNA, he’ll join their ranks as a senior producer. Here’s what he said in a statement.

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. 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.

In an interview with Variety (which originally listed John Cena as Tony Cena), Corgan says that he hopes to use wrestling to explore to greater issues—he expects the exploration of race and gender to touch his work. The TNA roster includes names such as one-time Olympian Kurt Angle and troubled ex-WWE star Jeff Hardy on its roster.

We’re rooting for you, Billy. Because how could we not? Dude’s the ultimate face.