Jim Cornette Unveils Groundbreaking Research to Revolutionize Televised Wrestling, Taking Inspiration from 1931 to Revolutionize Fight Promotion and Presentation

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Televised Wrestling’s History Rewritten: Broadcasts Dated Back to 1931

August 23, 2024

A recent investigation has dramatically altered the accepted timeline of televised professional wrestling. Historians have uncovered evidence indicating that wrestling appeared on television screens a full 15 years earlier than previously thought, pushing its origins back to 1931.

Early Assumptions Challenged

For decades, the generally accepted narrative placed the beginning of televised wrestling in the post-World War II era, specifically around 1946 or 1947. These dates were based on documented broadcasts originating from Los Angeles and St. Louis.However,new research suggests a much earlier start.

Unearthing the 1939 NBC Broadcasts

The breakthrough came with the examination of archived materials from the Jack Pfeffer collection, combined with findings from an internal NBC magazine titled “transmitter.” A Febuary 1940 issue of “Transmitter” detailed NBC’s television programming schedule from the previous year. The magazine documented 668 individual programs aired between April 30, 1939, and January 1, 1940.

Among these programs were live broadcasts of sporting events, including Brooklyn Dodgers baseball games, six-day bicycle races, and boxing matches. Considerably, the schedule also listed “the weekly boxing and wrestling matches from the Ridgewood Grove arena,” confirming regular wrestling broadcasts in the New York area during that period.

A Limited, Pioneering audience

these initial broadcasts reached a remarkably small audience.As of January 1, 1940, approximately 2,000 home television receivers were in use, primarily belonging to RCA executives, engineers involved in television growth, and a handful of affluent individuals. The potential viewing audience, estimated at between 8,000 and 10,000, was based on an average of four to five viewers per television set.

The 1931 Revelation

However, the most remarkable discovery stemmed from research submitted by a listener, revealing a television listing in the August 27, 1931, edition of the New York Evening Post. The listing announced an upcoming experimental wrestling match broadcast by W2XAB. The 15-minute program aired at 10:00 PM on September 17, 1931, marking what may be the vrey first televised wrestling event.

Technical Hurdles of Early Television

These early broadcasts faced formidable technical challenges. Wrestlers were confined to a miniature ring to remain within the camera’s limited field of view, and matches were filmed in dimly lit studios to accommodate the projector technology. Even the wrestlers’ physical attributes influenced the broadcasts.

Broadcasters encountered difficulties when featuring blonde wrestlers, requiring adjustments to lighting or background colors to ensure visibility. The nascent technology demanded careful consideration of every visual element.

A Unique Programming Lineup

The September 17, 1931, programming lineup provides a glimpse into the experimental nature of early television.The evening’s entertainment included a contralto singer, a dramatic sketch titled “Shadows of the Night,” and a presentation titled “How to Finger the Violin with Vincent Saucy.” The wrestling match was presented as just one component of a diverse series of short experimental segments.

The Importance of the Findings

These discoveries fundamentally reshape the understanding of televised wrestling history, extending its roots back to the early 1930s. This demonstrates that wrestling was recognized even in the earliest days of television as a compelling form of content to showcase the potential of this new medium. The ongoing effort to identify the wrestlers who participated in that historic 1931 broadcast continues.

Year	Location	Broadcaster	Estimated Audience
1931	New York	W2XAB	Few hundred
1939	New York	NBC	8,000 – 10,000
1946-1947	Los Angeles/St. Louis	Various	Growing rapidly

Did You Know? Early television broadcasts often used a mechanical scanning system that produced a very low-resolution picture, requiring viewers to adjust knobs to fine-tune the image.

Pro Tip: Explore online archives of old newspapers and magazines to uncover hidden past gems like these!

The Evolution of Wrestling on Television

From these humble beginnings, televised wrestling evolved into a global phenomenon. The industry saw significant growth in the 1950s and 60s with the rise of regional promotions and charismatic personalities. The World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) emerged as a dominant force in the 1980s, followed by the challenge from World Championship Wrestling (WCW) in the 1990s. Today, companies like All Elite Wrestling (AEW) continue to innovate and push the boundaries of the sport. The value of televised sports rights continues to climb. In 2023,the NFL secured media rights deals valued at over $100 billion,according to Forbes,demonstrating the enduring appeal of live sports content.

Frequently Asked Questions about Early Televised Wrestling

• What was the biggest challenge in televising wrestling in the 1930s? The primary challenge was the limited technology, including low-resolution cameras, small viewing screens, and the need for specific lighting conditions.
• How did these early broadcasts differ from modern wrestling broadcasts? Early broadcasts were experimental and had a very small audience. Modern broadcasts utilize high-definition cameras, elaborate staging, and reach millions of viewers worldwide.
• Who were some of the early pioneers of televised wrestling? Unfortunately, the specific wrestlers featured in the 1931 and 1939 broadcasts remain unidentified, but researchers are actively investigating.
• Why is it significant to understand the history of wrestling on television? Understanding the history provides context for the evolution of the sport and its cultural impact.
• What impact did early television have on the popularity of wrestling? Early television exposure helped introduce wrestling to a wider audience, laying the foundation for its future growth.

What are your thoughts on this discovery? Share your opinions in the comments below!

How can the principles of limited exposure, as seen in the 1931 model, be realistically applied too modern wrestling television to increase event attendance and perceived value?

The Cornette Doctrine: A Return to Wrestling’s Roots

Jim Cornette, the veteran wrestling manager and promoter, has recently detailed extensive research aimed at revitalizing televised professional wrestling. His core argument? Modern wrestling presentation has strayed too far from the principles that made it compelling in its earlier days, specifically drawing parallels to the presentation of boxing and wrestling in 1931. Cornette’s findings, shared through his podcast and various interviews, aren’t about changing the wrestling itself, but fundamentally altering how it’s presented to a television audience. This is a deep dive into the “Cornette Doctrine” and its potential impact on the future of sports entertainment.

The 1931 Model: A Blueprint for Engagement

Cornette’s research centers around the promotional techniques used for boxing and wrestling in 1931. this era,pre-dating widespread television,relied heavily on newspapers,radio,and live event promotion. Key elements he’s identified include:

Building Stars Through Narrative: Promoters focused intensely on crafting compelling backstories and rivalries. The characters were paramount, and the in-ring action served to further those narratives. Think of Jack Dempsey and his carefully cultivated image.

Limited Exposure, Maximum Impact: Matches weren’t televised weekly. They were events. Scarcity created demand. A championship match was a significant happening, not just another show on the card.

Emphasis on Legitimacy (Realism): While acknowledging the performative nature of wrestling,promoters actively fostered a sense of realism. This involved minimizing overt displays of “spot calling” and emphasizing the athleticism and toughness of the performers.

Strong Regional Territories: Wrestling thrived on localized promotion, building strong fan bases within specific geographic areas. This fostered a sense of community and loyalty.

Applying the 1931 Principles to Modern Wrestling

Cornette argues that modern wrestling suffers from overexposure, a lack of compelling character work, and an over-reliance on spectacular, but often meaningless, in-ring maneuvers. Here’s how he proposes to apply the 1931 model:

Reducing Television Frequency

this is perhaps Cornette’s most controversial suggestion. He advocates for considerably reducing the number of weekly televised wrestling shows.

Fewer Shows, Higher Stakes: Rather of multiple hours of wrestling every week, focus on fewer, longer-form programs that prioritize storytelling and character advancement.

Pay-Per-View as True Events: Re-establish pay-per-view (or streaming equivalents) as major events, not just predictable extensions of weekly television.

Strategic Use of Social Media: Utilize social media to build anticipation for events, not to simply fill airtime with endless content.

Revitalizing Character Work & Storytelling

Cornette believes that compelling characters are the foundation of accomplished wrestling.

Detailed Backstories: Invest time in developing rich, believable backstories for each performer.

Clear Motivations: Ensure that every character has clear, understandable motivations for their actions.

Authentic Promos: Encourage performers to deliver promos that are genuine and emotionally resonant, rather than relying on scripted lines.

Minimize Gimmicks: While gimmicks can be effective, they should serve the character, not define it.

Restoring a Sense of Realism

This doesn’t mean abandoning the athletic spectacle of modern wrestling, but rather presenting it in a more believable context.

Reduce “Spot Calling” Visibility: Minimize overt displays of pre-planned moves.

Emphasize Selling: Encourage performers to “sell” their opponents’ moves convincingly, making the action appear more impactful.

Focus on Psychological Warfare: Incorporate more psychological elements into matches, emphasizing the mental battle between competitors.

Case Study: The NWA in the 1980s

Cornette frequently cites the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) during the 1980s as an example of successful wrestling presentation. Under the leadership of promoters like Dusty Rhodes and Jim Crockett Jr.,the NWA:

Built Stars Like Ric Flair: Flair’s character was meticulously crafted,and his matches were presented as high-stakes battles for championship glory.

Utilized Regional Television: The NWA utilized a network of regional television affiliates to build a strong fan base across the southeastern United States.

Emphasized Storytelling: The NWA’s storylines were complex and engaging, frequently enough spanning months or even years.

This era demonstrates the power of focused promotion, compelling characters, and a sense of realism.

Benefits of the Cornette Doctrine

Implementing these changes could yield significant benefits for the wrestling industry:

Increased Fan Engagement: By prioritizing storytelling and character development, wrestling can attract a wider audience and foster deeper fan engagement.

* Higher Event Attendance: Reducing television frequency and