In the realm of headlines we didn't expect to be writing today, this one is right up there with any of them.
Billy Corgan, lead singer and guitarist of the occasionally quite brilliant rock band Smashing Pumpkins, has always confessed to having a love of professional wrestling but it would seem that he has taken that to the next level after being named as the president Impact Ventues, the parent company behind the second largest pro wrestling organisation in the world - TNA Wrestling.
Corgan has previously worked with TNA in a talent development role but his influence will now be considerably increased.
What will this new role involve? Corgan will head up the day-to-day operations of the company, taking over from current president Dixie Carter who has taken up a new role as chairperson. Given that Carter was a regular fixture on TNA programming, you can expect to see the unmistakable bald figure of Corgan appearing regular of TNA programming going forward.
In a statement, Corgan seemed thrilled with his new role:
I believe in this company, its passionate fans, the talented roster and the dedicated staff and crew. I am committed to this great opportunity and will use all of my resources and connections to drive the success of this company. This year we have made significant strides in establishing a strong foundation for our future and will be aggressive in continuing to evolve and grow the Impact brands.
Corgan looks like he will be a busy man in the year ahead, after reports that a new tour featuring the original line-up of the Smashing Pumpkins, whose albums Siamese Dream and Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadnessare considered classics in the 90's rock genre.
This won't be the first time that Corgan has dabbled in the world of professional wrestling, and he even appeared on an ECW broadcast many moons ago (so many moons ago, in fact, that the below clip appears to have been filmed on a potato...)
Speaking to Rolling Stone, Corgan maintained that he always saw himself moving full time into professional wrestling at some point, even when Smashing Pumpkins were one of the most successful touring bands in the world. That success, he says, prepared him for his eventual role in the world of spandex.
In the early years of the Smashing Pumpkins, I saw that I was going to be treated as an outsider. So rather than play along, which is what you're supposed to do, I decided to play heel, in wrestling parlance, and have fun with it. I think I represent the true American value, which is the independent spirit…if that makes me a heel in modern America, I'm fine to be a heel. I'd rather be that heel than the babyface who goes along to get along.
