Rick Cornell
Encyclopedia
Richard "Rick" Cornell is an American
former professional wrestler
. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling
under the ring name
Reno, where he was a one time Hardcore Champion
.
's Power Plant wrestling school
in 1999, Cornell made his WCW television debut On the October 26 edition of WorldWide
under his real name in a losing effort to Kid Romeo
.
Cornell continued wrestling on WorldWide until he made his official debut as Reno, on the August 9, 2000 edition of Thunder
where he was defeated by Billy Kidman via Disqualification.
The following week on August 16 edition of Thunder, Reno helped form the Natural Born Thrillers
with Chuck Palumbo
, Shawn Stasiak
, Sean O'Haire
, Mark Jindrak
and Mike Sanders
by attacking the Filthy Animals
. Upon joining the Thrillers, Reno's character was expanded to a shootfighting
martial artist
who fought in Las Vegas
's "underground fighting leagues" complete with a queue ponytail
, all of which was based on his legitimate training as a kickboxer
.
The Thrillers soon became the new enforcers for Vince Russo
and Eric Bischoff
by replacing their original enforcers, the Filthy Animals
. Soon afterwards, the Thrillers and the Animals began feuding
with each other. The tension between the two teams quickly grew as the Thrillers attacked their former trainer, Paul Orndorff
, who was subsequently saved by the Animals. At Fall Brawl, the Thrillers and the Animals faced off in an elimination match. The Thrillers eliminated all but two members of the Animals, with the match ending in a no-contest after Orndoff legitimately injured himself after botching
his signature piledriver. The following night on Nitro
, the Thrillers wrestled against the two survivors from their elimination match, Rey Misterio Jr. and Tygress, but lost.
After this, the Thrillers began chasing the World Tag Team Championship
while Reno took a more reserved role. On October 2, 2000, Reno began pursuing the Hardcore Championship
, losing to Sgt. AWOL
in a tournament final for the belt. Fellow Thriller member Mike Sanders
, who was WCW's Commissioner at the time, reversed the decision, however, and gave the win and the title to Reno instead. He then defeated AWOL at Halloween Havoc to retain the title.
On November 8, Reno lost the belt to Crowbar. He soon began a brief feud with both Crowbar and former Hardcore Champion Big Vito
, with all three men competing for the title at Mayhem. At the event, Crowbar pinned Reno after hitting him with a chair to retain the title.
Reno then began feuding solely with Vito, which was intensified when it was revealed that Reno was, in storyline
, dating Vito's sister. It was also revealed that Reno and Vito were, in storyline, brothers. Both men subsequently became allies on the December 4 edition of Nitro when Vito saved Reno from being attacked by KroniK
. They formed a tag team
soon after, but the team came to an end quickly at Starrcade when Reno turned on Vito during their match with KroniK
. He then revealed that he was the one who paid off KroniK to attack him in the previous weeks. Their feud culminated at Sin
, which saw Reno pin Vito.
Reno continued his alliance with Mike Sanders and working with the Natural Born Thrillers until the group's dissolution in February 2001, after Johnny The Bull reformed the Mamalukes with Big Vito and members Shawn Stasiak
and Mark Jindrak
began feuding with Sean O'Haire
and Chuck Palumbo
over the World Tag Team Title.
Reno wrestled his last match in WCW on the March 14, 2001 edition of Thunder, where he was defeated by former Natural Born Thrillers partner Shawn Stasiak. In late March 2001, the World Wrestling Federation bought out WCW. Cornell's contract was among those acquired in the buyout.
, defeating Mike Sanders
despite both wrestling as members of the Alliance. From there, he was sent to the Heartland Wrestling Association
for more training, where he was a member of Team WCW along with Sanders, Johnny The Bull, Mark Jindrak, Jason Jett
, Lash LaRoux, Shannon Moore
, Evan Karagias
, Kwee Wee
, Elix Skipper
and Jamie Knoble.
He was later released on December 5, 2001 from his developmental contract along with Kwee-Wee, Lash LeRoux, Russ McCullough, Kid Romeo, Jimmy Yang, Elix Skipper and Essa Rios.
Upon being released, Cornell began wrestling for Australia
's World Wrestling All-Stars
under his Reno ring name again, where he competed against a number of fellow WCW alumni. He remained with the promotion until its closure in 2003, and subsequently retired from wrestling soon after.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former professional wrestler
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
under the ring name
Ring name
A ring name is a stage name used by a professional wrestler, martial artist, or boxer. While some ring names may have a fictitious first name and surname, others may simply be a nickname, such as The Undertaker.-Wrestling:...
Reno, where he was a one time Hardcore Champion
WCW Hardcore Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Hardcore Championship was a title in World Championship Wrestling. The title was defended in Hardcore matches, in which there were few rules and restrictions and weapons were allowed. Eventually, the rules were changed so that matches began in the backstage area...
.
Before wrestling
Prior to professional wrestling, Cornell was an undefeated kickboxer and was also an amateur wrestler all throughout high school.World Championship Wrestling (1999–2001)
After completing his training at World Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling
World Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
's Power Plant wrestling school
WCW Power Plant
The WCW Power Plant was a professional wrestling school located in Atlanta, Georgia and owned and operated by World Championship Wrestling. The Power Plant, which was developed from a school operated by Jody Hamilton, was in operation throughout the 1990s...
in 1999, Cornell made his WCW television debut On the October 26 edition of WorldWide
WCW WorldWide
WCW WorldWide was a syndicated TV show produced by World Championship Wrestling.-Wide World Wrestling:The show began in 1975 , a syndicated one-hour program produced by Charlotte, North Carolina-based Jim Crockett Promotions...
under his real name in a losing effort to Kid Romeo
Sam Loman
Sam Loman is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in World Championship Wrestling in 2001 under the ring name Kid Romeo, where he was one half of the first ever Cruiserweight Tag Team Champions alongside Elix Skipper.-Debut and departure:After a briefly working...
.
Cornell continued wrestling on WorldWide until he made his official debut as Reno, on the August 9, 2000 edition of Thunder
WCW Thunder
WCW Thunder was a professional wrestling show produced by World Championship Wrestling which aired on TBS from January 8, 1998 to March 21, 2001...
where he was defeated by Billy Kidman via Disqualification.
The following week on August 16 edition of Thunder, Reno helped form the Natural Born Thrillers
Natural Born Thrillers
The Natural Born Thrillers was a professional wrestling stable in World Championship Wrestling in 2000. The name is a play on the 1994 film Natural Born Killers.-History:...
with Chuck Palumbo
Chuck Palumbo
Charles "Chuck" Palumbo is an American professional wrestler, currently working for Nu-Wrestling Evolution . Palumbo is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment...
, Shawn Stasiak
Shawn Stasiak
Dr. Shawn Emile Stipich, DC, is an American chiropractor and former professional wrestler. He is best known under the ring name Shawn Stasiak and for his stints with World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment, where he is a fifteen time Hardcore Champion, and World Championship Wrestling, where he...
, Sean O'Haire
Sean O'Haire
Sean Christopher Haire is an American mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Sean O'Haire.-World Championship Wrestling:...
, Mark Jindrak
Mark Jindrak
Mark Robert Jindrak is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
and Mike Sanders
Mike Sanders (wrestler)
For the former National Basketball Association player, see Mike Sanders .Michael Edwin Neil Sanders is an American stand-up comedian and former professional wrestler...
by attacking the Filthy Animals
Filthy Animals
The Filthy Animals was a professional wrestling faction in World Championship Wrestling from 1999 until 2001.-Concept:The Filthy Animals was a group conceived after Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara were hired by WCW. The plan for the stable was to be WCW's version of the World Wrestling Federation's...
. Upon joining the Thrillers, Reno's character was expanded to a shootfighting
Shootfighting
Shootfighting is a combat sport and martial art, with competitions governed by the International Shootfighting Association . Shootfighting incorporates techniques from a multitude of traditional martial arts, the most principle of these being Muay Thai and Catch Wrestling.Shootfighting was...
martial artist
Martial arts
Martial arts are extensive systems of codified practices and traditions of combat, practiced for a variety of reasons, including self-defense, competition, physical health and fitness, as well as mental and spiritual development....
who fought in Las Vegas
Las Vegas metropolitan area
The Las Vegas Valley is the heart of the Las Vegas-Paradise, NV MSA also known as the Las Vegas–Paradise–Henderson MSA which includes all of Clark County, Nevada, and is a metropolitan area in the southern part of the U.S. state of Nevada. The Valley is defined by the Las Vegas Valley landform, a ...
's "underground fighting leagues" complete with a queue ponytail
Queue (hairstyle)
The queue or cue is a hairstyle in which the hair is worn long and gathered up into a ponytail. It was worn traditionally by certain Native American groups and the Manchu of Manchuria.-Manchu Queue:...
, all of which was based on his legitimate training as a kickboxer
Kickboxing
Kickboxing refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing....
.
The Thrillers soon became the new enforcers for Vince Russo
Vince Russo
Vincent James "Vince" Russo is an American creative writer and author, well known for his work in the professional wrestling industry. He is notable for his tenure with World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
and Eric Bischoff
Eric Bischoff
Eric Aaron Bischoff is an American entrepreneur, and professional wrestling booker and on-screen personality currently signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling...
by replacing their original enforcers, the Filthy Animals
Filthy Animals
The Filthy Animals was a professional wrestling faction in World Championship Wrestling from 1999 until 2001.-Concept:The Filthy Animals was a group conceived after Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara were hired by WCW. The plan for the stable was to be WCW's version of the World Wrestling Federation's...
. Soon afterwards, the Thrillers and the Animals began feuding
Feud (professional wrestling)
A professional wrestling feud is a staged rivalry between multiple wrestlers or alliances of wrestlers. They are integrated into ongoing storylines, particularly in events which are televised...
with each other. The tension between the two teams quickly grew as the Thrillers attacked their former trainer, Paul Orndorff
Paul Orndorff
Paul Parlette Orndorff, Jr. is a retired American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with the World Wrestling Federation and World Championship Wrestling as "Mr. Wonderful" Paul Orndorff...
, who was subsequently saved by the Animals. At Fall Brawl, the Thrillers and the Animals faced off in an elimination match. The Thrillers eliminated all but two members of the Animals, with the match ending in a no-contest after Orndoff legitimately injured himself after botching
Botch (professional wrestling)
To botch in professional wrestling means to attempt a scripted move that does not come out as it was originally planned due to a mistake, miscalculation, or a slip-up. Most botches are harmless but embarrassing, such as a wrestler simply flubbing a line or missing a cue, or falling before his...
his signature piledriver. The following night on Nitro
WCW Monday Nitro
WCW Monday Nitro was a weekly professional wrestling telecast produced by World Championship Wrestling, created by Ted Turner and Eric Bischoff. The show aired Monday nights on TNT, going head-to-head with the World Wrestling Federation's Monday Night Raw from September 4, 1995 to March 26, 2001...
, the Thrillers wrestled against the two survivors from their elimination match, Rey Misterio Jr. and Tygress, but lost.
After this, the Thrillers began chasing the World Tag Team Championship
WCW World Tag Team Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Tag Team Championship was a professional wrestling world tag team championship in World Championship Wrestling...
while Reno took a more reserved role. On October 2, 2000, Reno began pursuing the Hardcore Championship
WCW Hardcore Championship
The World Championship Wrestling Hardcore Championship was a title in World Championship Wrestling. The title was defended in Hardcore matches, in which there were few rules and restrictions and weapons were allowed. Eventually, the rules were changed so that matches began in the backstage area...
, losing to Sgt. AWOL
Jerry Tuite
Jerry Tuite was an American professional wrestler best known by his ring names, The Wall in World Championship Wrestling and Malice while performing for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.-Career:...
in a tournament final for the belt. Fellow Thriller member Mike Sanders
Mike Sanders (wrestler)
For the former National Basketball Association player, see Mike Sanders .Michael Edwin Neil Sanders is an American stand-up comedian and former professional wrestler...
, who was WCW's Commissioner at the time, reversed the decision, however, and gave the win and the title to Reno instead. He then defeated AWOL at Halloween Havoc to retain the title.
On November 8, Reno lost the belt to Crowbar. He soon began a brief feud with both Crowbar and former Hardcore Champion Big Vito
Vito LoGrasso
Vito Joseph LoGrasso is an American professional wrestler, of Italian origin, best known for his work in World Championship Wrestling as Big Vito and more recently World Wrestling Entertainment and working for their "developmental territories" Ohio Valley Wrestling and Deep South Wrestling as...
, with all three men competing for the title at Mayhem. At the event, Crowbar pinned Reno after hitting him with a chair to retain the title.
Reno then began feuding solely with Vito, which was intensified when it was revealed that Reno was, in storyline
Kayfabe
In professional wrestling, kayfabe is the portrayal of events within the industry as "real" or "true". Specifically, the portrayal of professional wrestling, in particular the competition and rivalries between participants, as being genuine or not of a worked nature...
, dating Vito's sister. It was also revealed that Reno and Vito were, in storyline, brothers. Both men subsequently became allies on the December 4 edition of Nitro when Vito saved Reno from being attacked by KroniK
KroniK
KroniK was an American professional wrestling tag team composed of Brian Adams and Bryan Clark. Their name was based on the word "chronic", a slang term for marijuana.-World Championship Wrestling :...
. They formed a tag team
Tag team
Tag team professional wrestling is a variation in which matches are contested between teams of multiple wrestlers. A tag team may comprise two wrestlers who normally wrestle in singles competition, but more commonly are made of established teams who wrestle regularly as a unit and have a team name...
soon after, but the team came to an end quickly at Starrcade when Reno turned on Vito during their match with KroniK
KroniK
KroniK was an American professional wrestling tag team composed of Brian Adams and Bryan Clark. Their name was based on the word "chronic", a slang term for marijuana.-World Championship Wrestling :...
. He then revealed that he was the one who paid off KroniK to attack him in the previous weeks. Their feud culminated at Sin
WCW Sin
Sin was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Championship Wrestling that replaced WCW's January PPV event, Souled Out. Sin was the third to last WCW PPV before the company was bought by the World Wrestling Federation...
, which saw Reno pin Vito.
Reno continued his alliance with Mike Sanders and working with the Natural Born Thrillers until the group's dissolution in February 2001, after Johnny The Bull reformed the Mamalukes with Big Vito and members Shawn Stasiak
Shawn Stasiak
Dr. Shawn Emile Stipich, DC, is an American chiropractor and former professional wrestler. He is best known under the ring name Shawn Stasiak and for his stints with World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment, where he is a fifteen time Hardcore Champion, and World Championship Wrestling, where he...
and Mark Jindrak
Mark Jindrak
Mark Robert Jindrak is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
began feuding with Sean O'Haire
Sean O'Haire
Sean Christopher Haire is an American mixed martial artist and former professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Sean O'Haire.-World Championship Wrestling:...
and Chuck Palumbo
Chuck Palumbo
Charles "Chuck" Palumbo is an American professional wrestler, currently working for Nu-Wrestling Evolution . Palumbo is best known for his time in World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Federation / Entertainment...
over the World Tag Team Title.
Reno wrestled his last match in WCW on the March 14, 2001 edition of Thunder, where he was defeated by former Natural Born Thrillers partner Shawn Stasiak. In late March 2001, the World Wrestling Federation bought out WCW. Cornell's contract was among those acquired in the buyout.
World Wrestling Federation (2001)
Cornell was signed to a developmental deal with the World Wrestling Federation after wrestling a dark match before the August 6 episode of Raw Is WarWWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
, defeating Mike Sanders
Mike Sanders (wrestler)
For the former National Basketball Association player, see Mike Sanders .Michael Edwin Neil Sanders is an American stand-up comedian and former professional wrestler...
despite both wrestling as members of the Alliance. From there, he was sent to the Heartland Wrestling Association
Heartland Wrestling Association
The Heartland Wrestling Association is a Midwestern independent professional wrestling promotion based in Cincinnati, Ohio. A former developmental territory for both World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation during the 1990s, it was listed as one of the top independent...
for more training, where he was a member of Team WCW along with Sanders, Johnny The Bull, Mark Jindrak, Jason Jett
Jason Broyles
Jason Broyles is an American former professional wrestler. He is best known for his stint in Extreme Championship Wrestling under the ring name EZ Money...
, Lash LaRoux, Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore
Shannon Moore is an American professional wrestler, who is signed to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling . He is best known for his work with World Championship Wrestling between 1999 and 2001 and with World Wrestling Entertainment for several years in the 2000s.Moore befriended Matt and Jeff Hardy...
, Evan Karagias
Evan Karagias
Evan Karagias is an American professional wrestler and actor. he is a 3 time WSL World Heavyweight Champion-Biography:Karagias's father's family are of Greek origin...
, Kwee Wee
Alan Funk
Alan Eric Funk is an American professional wrestler, who has previously worked in promotions such as World Championship Wrestling and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, often with comedic personas...
, Elix Skipper
Elix Skipper
Elix Skipper is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling, where he was a one-time Cruiserweight Champion and a one-time Cruiserweight Tag Team Champion, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is a four-time NWA World Tag Team...
and Jamie Knoble.
He was later released on December 5, 2001 from his developmental contract along with Kwee-Wee, Lash LeRoux, Russ McCullough, Kid Romeo, Jimmy Yang, Elix Skipper and Essa Rios.
Retirement (2002–2003)
Cornell made his final HWA appearance on December 19, 2001 with Mike Sanders. He attacked Matt Dellinger in the ring until HWA Commissioner Patrick Black arrived and "suspended" Reno indefinitely. Johnny the Bull came out and laid out Reno with a chain. Mike Sanders then told the crowd that Johnny the Bull was Reno's replacement.Upon being released, Cornell began wrestling for Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
's World Wrestling All-Stars
World Wrestling All-Stars
The World Wrestling All-Stars was a professional wrestling promotion founded by Australian concert promoter Andrew McManus in 2001. The promotion was operated by McManus' International Touring Company. WWA was one of several promotions to come into existence shortly after the closings of Extreme...
under his Reno ring name again, where he competed against a number of fellow WCW alumni. He remained with the promotion until its closure in 2003, and subsequently retired from wrestling soon after.
In wrestling
- Finishing moves
- Roll of the Dice (Rolling cutter, with theatrics)
- Signature moves
- Armbar
- Back elbow
- Fireman's carry takeover
- Fisherman buster
- Knee drop, sometimes from the second or top rope
- Multiple kick variations
- DropDropkickA dropkick is an attacking maneuver in professional wrestling. It is defined as an attack where the wrestler jumps up and kicks the opponent with the soles of both feet; this sees the wrestler twist as he or she jumps so that when the feet connect with the opponent one foot is raised higher than...
- Legsweep
- Shoot
- Spinning wheel
- Drop
- Multiple suplexSuplexA suplex is an offensive move used in professional sport wrestling . The move consists of one wrestler picking up his or her opponent off the ground and then using a large portion of his or her own body weight to drive the opponent down on the mat. Nearly all suplexes have the attacker going down...
variations- Belly to belly super
- Exploder
- Snap
- Powerslam
- Sidewalk slam
- Sunset flip
Championships and accomplishments
- World Championship WrestlingWorld Championship WrestlingWorld Championship Wrestling, Inc. was an American professional wrestling promotion which existed from 1988 to 2001. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, it began as a regional promotion affiliated with the National Wrestling Alliance , named Jim Crockett Promotions until November 1988, when Ted Turner and...
- WCW Hardcore ChampionshipWCW Hardcore ChampionshipThe World Championship Wrestling Hardcore Championship was a title in World Championship Wrestling. The title was defended in Hardcore matches, in which there were few rules and restrictions and weapons were allowed. Eventually, the rules were changed so that matches began in the backstage area...
(1 time)
- WCW Hardcore Championship