WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins recently addressed the polarizing figures of Jim Cornette and Vince Russo during an appearance on the Mohr Stories podcast hosted by Jay Mohr. The segment was played and analyzed on the first 2026 episode of The Jim Cornette Experience, where Cornette offered his rebuttal to Rollins’ mixed assessment of his character.
During the interview, Mohr presented Rollins with a choice between the “tennis racket guy” (Cornette) and the “Vince writer guy” (Russo). Rollins initially expressed a strong disdain for both individuals.
“I hate them both. I think they’re both jackasses,” Rollins stated in the clip played on the show. Despite this negative introduction, Rollins elaborated on why he would ultimately choose Cornette if forced to pick between the two wrestling personalities.
“If I had to pick one, it’d be Cornette,” Rollins admitted. “I mean, I kind of want to hang out with Cornette a little more. Cornette was mine. No, he was fine. He’s super entertaining. I mean, the guy, I mean, he can still cut a promo.”
Rollins attributed Cornette’s controversial reputation to the current media landscape, suggesting that the veteran manager has adapted his style to fit modern consumption habits. “He just, he’s a victim of the hot take culture where, like, he has to say the craziest thing that come to his brain,” Rollins explained to Mohr. “And he that’s how he makes his money on his podcast.”
Jim Cornette responded to the audio with his characteristic humor, interpreting Rollins’ comments as a veiled endorsement. Cornette argued that the negative qualifiers used by Rollins were necessary to maintain domestic harmony with his wife, WWE Superstar Becky Lynch. Cornette has previously been critical of Lynch, specifically regarding her decision to take time away from wrestling for pregnancy during the height of her popularity, a stance he believes still causes friction.
“He said what he had to say to placate Becky, who’s still wounded, I’m sure, about what I had said about their spawn,” Cornette remarked after listening to the clip. “He’s obviously trying to keep everything nice and placid at home, but should Becky really be that mad at me for what I said? I didn’t say anything personal about him otherwise.”
Cornette viewed the interview as a victory, noting that while Rollins called him a “jackass,” he still conceded that Cornette was “fine” and “entertaining,” a compliment not extended to Vince Russo.
“See a clear endorsement, a clear endorsement for me right there,” Cornette said. “I do agree with him. Russo is not entertaining, and I am. So, see, we found common ground again.”
To further illustrate his point, Cornette performed a satirical impression of what he believes Rollins was internally thinking during the interview. Speaking in a mock internal monologue for Rollins, Cornette said, “I hate him, but if I think about it, I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for him. I gotta say nice things if I really think about it… How can I say this without making my wife mad, but at the same time stick somewhat to the truth?”
The segment highlighted the complex relationship between Cornette and modern wrestling stars. While Rollins dismissed Cornette as an “idiot” in the same breath as Russo, his acknowledgment of Cornette’s promo ability and entertainment value provided enough material for Cornette to claim a moral victory.
“You imagine if she wasn’t around and she wasn’t mad at me, he’d be effusive with praise for me,” Cornette joked. “I love Seth. What a talent he is. He’s, he’s tremendous. And yes, he’s, he’s correct. I was and continue to be very entertaining.”
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Jim Cornette and Brian Last with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
