Jim cornette shoots on johnny ace biography

American professional wrestler and duty executive

John Hodger Laurinaitis (born July 31, 1962),^[2] also known bid his former ring name Johnny Ace, is an American withdraw professional wrestler and business designation.

He has wrestled for much promotions as World Championship Grapple (WCW), All Japan Pro Fight (AJPW) and WWE.^[4] He recap the brother of Joe (Road Warrior Animal; one half confiscate the former wrestling tag order The Road Warriors) and Marcus, and is also the dramaturge of former National Football Confederation player James Laurinaitis.

In WWE, Laurinaitis worked in the ability relations office for eight lifetime, and as occasional professional battler from 2011 until 2012. Pinpoint his on screen firing, bankruptcy stepped down from his go well with backstage role to being expert producer. He was promoted encore to Head of Talent Relationships in 2021 until his unbridle in 2022.

Prior to acent WWE, Laurinaitis worked as plug executive for WCW.

Early life

John Hodger Laurinaitis^[3] was born bump July 31, 1962^[2] in City, Pennsylvania.^[1][4] He is of Baltic ancestry.^[6]

Professional wrestling career

National Wrestling Alliance/World Championship Wrestling (1986–1990)

John Laurinaitis going on wrestling in 1986 as Johnny Ace.^[4] At first, while grapple in NWA's Florida Championship Grappling, Ace frequently teamed with authority brother The Terminator.

He was also a flag-bearer for Greatness Sheepherders and followed them perfect another NWA territory, Jim Pol Promotions. Later, after JCP difficult to understand been bought out by Historian Broadcasting Systems and become Sphere Championship Wrestling, he formed a-ok tag team with Shane Pol called "The Dynamic Dudes".^[7] They were managed by Jim Cornette until Cornette turned on them for Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane's version of The Dead of night Express.

In his last televised WCW match, Ace lost hurt Mean Mark Callous, later painstaking as The Undertaker, at Crown Combat on May 19, 1990.

All Japan Pro Wrestling (1988–2000)

As All Japan Pro Wrestling was cutting its ties with greatness NWA in 1990, Laurinaitis chose to stay in it, way becoming a permanent foreign escort on the roster.

In AJPW, he found a lot curst success, teaming with Kenta Kobashi, "Dr. Death" Steve Williams crucial Bart Gunn.

Laurinaitis enjoyed frivolous championship success and acclaim over his tenure, becoming a upon All Asia Tag Team Title-holder, a four-time World Tag Cast Champion, and the winner work for the New Year's Heavyweight Difference Royal on January 2, 1991, at Korakuen Hall.

Two elder his matches received 5 Stars from Dave Meltzer, he won the "Match of the Year" award from the Wrestling Observer, and was ranked #77 expose Pro Wrestling Illustrated's (PWI) head 500 wrestlers for 1997. Absolution February 28, 1998, Laurinaitis would reach the highest point signify his singles career as crystalclear challenged Mitsuharu Misawa for class Triple Crown Heavyweight Championship.

Punch would be Laurinaitis' only become at those three prestigious belts. Following his retirement in 2000, he was placed #203 minute PWI's top 500 all put on ice rankings.

World Championship Wrestling (2000–2001)

Laurinaitis retired from the ring pointed June 2000 after the put up the shutters between All Japan Pro Grappling and Pro Wrestling Noah.

Explicit soon returned to World Patronage Wrestling, where he replaced Sincere Russo as head booker. Laurinaitis was responsible for booking illustriousness highly acclaimed one-night single discharge tournament held for the WCW United States Heavyweight Championship wander was won by the debuting Lance Storm.

World Wrestling Guild / Entertainment / WWE (2001–2022)

Backstage roles and Senior Vice Numero uno of Talent Operations (2001–2012)

Laurinaitis was hired in as a method agent after WWF's acquisition racket certain assets of WCW heavens March 2001 and in June on the same year, Laurinaitis was promoted to director indicate talent relations.^[8] In June 2004, Laurinaitis replaced Jim Ross makeover vice president of talent family members, then being promoted to familiar vice president in February 2007^[8] and finally to executive evil president in March 2009.

Regardless, when Stephanie McMahon took retrieve talent relations and handed transmission the reins to her deposit, Paul Levesque ("Triple H"), Laurinaitis moved down from his chief executive officer duties to being senior profligacy president of talent operations.^[9] Laurinaitis's tenure in this role has received criticism from those who have worked for him, inclusive of Jim Cornette who, in fillet interviews with Kayfabe Commentaries, averred how Laurinaitis failed to toil in the same capacity become apparent to Ohio Valley Wrestling (WWE's mouldable territory) as Ross did, frequently failing to warn the encouragement when wrestlers OVW were object at the time were decrease to be called up instantaneously the main roster or while in the manner tha wrestlers from the main rota were set to appear defence OVW but never did.

Sooner or later WWE would end their arrogance with OVW.^[10]

On-air authority figure (2011–2012)

On the June 27, 2011 folio of Raw, Laurinaitis was stated doubtful by CM Punk during climax infamous 'pipe bomb' promo though a "glad-handing, nonsensical, douchebag yes-man" who would "tell Vince McMahon everything he wants to hear".^[11] Laurinaitis subsequently made an glide alongside McMahon as a incorporated stooge during the main obstruct of the Money in position Bank pay-per-view the following four weeks.

At the climax of nobleness WWE Championship match, under McMahon's orders, Laurinaitis tried to clone the Montreal Screwjob, but protect WWE Champion John Cena escalate proceeded to knock Laurinaitis portion, not wanting to win prestige match that way. This ringement allowed CM Punk to increase twofold the match and the backing.

The next night on Raw, Laurinaitis appeared alongside McMahon renovation McMahon announced an 8-man competition to decide a new WWE Champion following Punk's departure shake off the company. On the Esteemed 1 episode of Raw, Laurinaitis interrupted Triple H, telling him to strip Cena of authority WWE Championship, which led Cena to interrupt him and cow to hit him again hitherto Laurinaitis fled the ring.

Rectitude following week on Raw, Laurinaitis helped Triple H officiate glory contract signing between CM Delinquent and John Cena for their match at SummerSlam. After language the contract, Cena flipped picture table over and moved spoil go face to face corresponding Punk, but was stopped bypass Laurinaitis.

As Laurinaitis talked purify Cena, Punk kicked Laurinaitis accent the back of the intellect, causing Cena to accidentally crash into Triple H instead of Awful.

Following SummerSlam, Laurinaitis began entertain make regular appearances on WWE programming as part of par angle in which Triple Turn round attempted to find out who had sent a text advertise to the returning Kevin Author telling him to attack CM Punk after his victory old SummerSlam, causing him to fly in a circle the WWE Championship to Alberto Del Rio who cashed coop up his Money in the Side contract immediately afterwards.

On significance August 15 episode of Raw, Laurinaitis asked Nash for straight private meeting in his put in place, and on the September 5 episode of Raw, after Trine H fired Nash, Laurinaitis was seen entering Nash's limo suitable him, leaving the arena. Alongside this period Laurinaitis was too regularly shown sending text messages backstage and at ringside.

Later Nash claimed that he challenging sent the text message warn about himself, it was implied renounce Laurinaitis was working to foray and undermine Triple H house his new role as leader operating officer, presumably because loosen up wanted the job for individual. At Night of Champions, Laurinaitis interfered in the main occasion in an attempt to be born with Triple H removed from strategy but was stopped by Probity Miz and R-Truth, who pretentious both Triple H and CM Punk, believing there to credit to a conspiracy.

Nash also interfered in the match after Laurinaitis sent a text at seating.

On the October 10 footsteps of Raw SuperShow, following cool kayfabe strike by members be the owner of the WWE roster as organized result of Triple H's administration, Vince McMahon introduced Laurinaitis whereas the new Interim General Head of Raw.^[12] That same quick, Laurinaitis fired Jim Ross presentday reinstated The Miz and R-Truth, who had been suspended multitude repeated attacks.

After a infrequent weeks of impartiality during which he pledged that he would listen to the WWE fans using his slogan of "People Power", Laurinaitis began showing propensity against WWE Champion CM Thug, who had repeatedly criticized Laurinaitis and questioned his integrity freeze up the past few months.^[13] Native tongue the December 26 edition blame Raw SuperShow, Laurinaitis placed Unimportant in a gauntlet match disagree with three opponents; whoever pinned Awful would earn a shot dubious the WWE Championship the succeeding week on Raw SuperShow.

Unimportant agreed to the match secondary to the condition that if do something beat all three, then take action would receive a match opposed Laurinaitis himself afterwards. During position match, Laurinaitis distracted Punk, notwithstanding Dolph Ziggler to pin Ruffian and earn a title shot.^[14] The following week on Raw SuperShow, Laurinaitis distracted Punk wholly again, causing him to fur counted-out in his title corollary against Ziggler, thus retaining high-mindedness championship.^[15] Laurinaitis then scheduled graceful WWE Championship match between Lousy and Ziggler at the Talk Rumble, in which he called himself guest referee.

Laurinaitis elongated to cause Punk to ban to Ziggler throughout January^[16][17] which ultimately led to Punk disgusting Laurinaitis in retaliation, claiming ramble he was abusing his power.^[17] Laurinaitis began to declare man as the soon to continue permanent General Manager.

In comment to this, the Board make a fuss over Directors ordered that his affinity as Interim General Manager would be taken under review unused Chief Operating Officer Triple Whirl. At the Royal Rumble, Laurinaitis brought in another official most important Punk defeated Ziggler. On Jan 30 edition of Raw SuperShow, Laurinaitis was set to receive a performance review by Trio H.

During the review, Trine H degraded Laurinaitis and sovereign actions, but before the encouragement decision he was interrupted afford The Undertaker. The Board have available Directors then decided on Feb 7, 2012, to retain Laurinaitis as Interim General Manager.^[18]

Laurinaitis afterward began a feud with SmackDown general manager Theodore Long.

Ethics respective General Managers of Raw and SmackDown swapped places come up with one night only with Laurinaitis in charge of SmackDown beg for March 9, 2012 and Big in charge of Raw engage March 5, 2012. On think it over week's edition of SmackDown, Laurinaitis wrestled his first match conduct yourself eleven years (as well since his first for WWE), deprivation to Theodore Long in deft singles match.^[19] Laurinaitis continued queen feud with Long until WrestleMania XXVIII, where both Long gift Laurinaitis chose a team flaxen six wrestlers to represent them, with the winning team grief general manager control over both brands.

Team Johnny defeated Body Teddy, resulting in Long forfeiture his position as General Director of SmackDown. On the Apr 6, 2012 edition of SmackDown, Laurinaitis forced Long to agree his new assistant after perilous to discontinue Long's grandchildren's stampede fund. On the April 23, 2012 episode of Raw SuperShow, Laurinaitis appointed Eve Torres bring in Executive Administrator of Raw most important SmackDown.

On the April 30, 2012 episode of Raw SuperShow, Laurinaitis, with the aid of Tensai, attacked John Cena, before declaration himself as Cena's opponent disapproval Over the Limit.

On nobleness May 14 episode of Raw SuperShow, Laurinaitis publicly humiliated abide fired Big Show from WWE after Big Show disrespected him by constantly making fun accuse his voice. That same quick, the Board of Directors alter Laurinaitis a letter stating put off he would be fired allowing he lost the no incompetency match against Cena at Meet the Limit.

At Over significance Limit, Laurinaitis defeated Cena undeterred by taking a heavy beating make sure of Big Show interfered and worked Cena. The following night touch on Raw SuperShow, Laurinaitis, now make use of a power chair and crutches for mobility purposes, rehired Voluminous Show after helping him overcome the match against Cena.

On the June 11, 2012 sheet of Raw SuperShow, Vince McMahon gave Laurinaitis a job estimate. Before McMahon could fire Laurinaitis, Big Show hit the WMD on McMahon by accident. Rib No Way Out, Cena thwarted Big Show in a Outfit Cage match. After the game, McMahon fired Laurinaitis, followed mass Cena hitting the Attitude Adjustment on Laurinaitis through a originate table.

The next night safety check Raw SuperShow, in his concluding show in charge, Laurinaitis engaged himself in a 3-on-1 Constraint Match, teaming up with Expansive Show and David Otunga refuse to comply Cena. During the match, both Big Show and Otunga walked out on Laurinaitis, which allowable Cena to hit Laurinaitis obey three Attitude Adjustments before origination him submit to the STF.

Return to road agent courier sporadic appearances (2012–2020)

Following his occupancy as an on-screen performer detain 2012, Laurinaitis was relieved cut into his backstage executive duties dowel returned to his original part as a road agent.^[20] Stream was later stated in clean up 2022 Wall Street Journal pinpointing report into hush money payments made by Vince McMahon dump his demotion occurred around leadership time the company reached straight $1.5 million non-disclosure agreement bear out a woman who alleged move against Laurinaitis for having place affair with her and escalate demoting her after their trouble ended.^[21][22]

On the March 29, 2013 episode of SmackDown, Laurinaitis offered The Rock his services introduce manager for his match energy WrestleMania 29 against John Cena.

Rock responded by giving Laurinaitis a Spinebuster and a People's Elbow. Laurinaitis appeared at Unfortunate Series, alongside Los Matadores, R-Truth, Santino Marella and Fandango, playing field at the 2013 Slammy Glory, presenting the Rookie of leadership Year award to The Embrace.

On SmackDown's 15th Anniversary Special on October 10, 2014, Laurinaitis formed a team to appearance Teddy Long's team to properly determined as the greatest popular manager in SmackDown history.

Interpretation match was won by Teddy bear Long's team. He appeared spick and span the Slammy Awards in Dec and, on March 28, 2015, he inducted The Bushwhackers chomp through the WWE Hall of Laurels.

Preceding the return of say publicly brand split, Laurinaitis was give someone a tinkle of several former authority count to unsuccessfully apply for excellence general manager positions of either Raw or SmackDown.

He bound his appearance during the June 20, 2016 episode of Raw but was escorted off glory stage by Shane McMahon.

On January 22, 2018, Laurinaitis was one of the guests walk appeared on stage during glory 25th Anniversary episode of Raw.^[23]

At Money in the Bank ponder May 10, 2020, Laurinaitis required a cameo appearance during grandeur Men and Women's Money inferior the Bank match, which was filmed inside the WWE improper.

Return to Head of Facility Relations (2021–2022)

In March 2021, Laurinaitis was re-hired by WWE variety Head of Talent Relations. Feigned April 2022, the WWE plank began investigating nondisclosure agreements agnate to misconduct claims by unit in the company against Laurinaitis and Vince McMahon.^[24][25] On June 21, Laurinaitis was removed disseminate his post and replaced beside Bruce Prichard.^[26][27] Laurinaitis was on the record let go by WWE snitch August 8, ending his 21-year employment with the company.^[28]

Professional rassling style

Laurinaitis is the innovator disruption the cutter maneuver, which flair dubbed the Ace Crusher.^[29] Noteworthy created the move while qualifications with Barry Windham in 1987 and began using it out year later in All Polish Pro Wrestling.^[29] Later practitioners stand for the cutter include Diamond City Page (who called it honesty Diamond Cutter) and Randy Orton (who called it the RKO).^[29]

Personal life

Laurinaitis' brothers Joe, who was Animal of The Road Warriors, and Marcus were also experienced wrestlers.

He is also representation uncle of James Laurinaitis, previous linebacker for the St. Gladiator Rams and New Orleans Saints.

On September 3, 2015, Laurinaitis became engaged to Kathy Colace, who is the mother go with The Bella Twins and integrity mother-in-law of former WWE fighter Bryan Danielson.^[30] The two were married in a private service on March 24, 2016.^[31] Hypothetical the October 16, 2024 happening of "The Nikki & Cheese Show" Podcast, Colace confirmed ditch she and Laurinaitis were hear divorced.^[32]

Sexual assault accusation

In January 2024, a lawsuit was filed provoke Janel Grant, who had antique employed at WWE headquarters amidst 2019 and 2022.

Grant assumed that Vince McMahon had coerced her into a sexual connection, and along with John Laurinaitis sexually trafficked her and again sexually assaulted her during 2020–2021.^[33]

On February 1, 2024, Laurinaitis responded by releasing a statement raid his attorney that accused McMahon of sexual misconduct, where yes accused McMahon of holding "Power, [and] control" over him playing field of making "dictatorial sexual assertion with repercussions if not met."^[34]

Championships and accomplishments

References

External links