Jim Cornette Joins MLW As Announcer, Producer

Major League Wrestling added a familiar face to its on-screen product on Saturday night at their "Intimidation Games" event in Chicago. The event opened with the

to the live crowd as color commentator, though his duties do not end there.

reports that Cornette is on board full-time with MLW as both an announcer and as a road agent. The veteran performer and promoter will be working next month's tapings in New York City.

Interestingly, Cornette's joining of MLW comes shortly after the exit of Bruce Prichard, a longtime friend of Cornette's that had worked as a senior producer for MLW prior to rejoining WWE full time last week.

Cornette's 40-plus year involvement with professional wrestling dates back to his teenage years, working as a photographer, ring announcer, and assistant in his home region of Louisville, KY.

In the decades since, the outspoken Cornette has become world-renowned primarily as a manager, but also in administrative and creative capacities for various companies (including WWE, WCW, TNA, Ring of Honor, and Ohio Valley Wrestling). From 1991 to 1995, Cornette owned and operated Smoky Mountain Wrestling out of Knoxville, TN.