“Funny don’t make money” is a professional wrestling adage that has been cited in print since at least 2009. The adage means that fans watch professional wrestling for the action, not to make fun of the action. Many people, however, disagree with this adage and point out that funny does, indeed, make money.
 
American professional wrestling commentator Jim Cornette has been credited with “funny don’t make money.”
 
   
Wikipedia: Jim Cornette
James Mark “Jim” Cornette (born September 17, 1961) is an American professional wrestling manager, commentator, promoter, and booker.
 
As a manager and creative writer, he has worked for Jim Crockett Promotions, World Championship Wrestling and the World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (now WWE), and from 1991 to 1995, was the owner of Smoky Mountain Wrestling. He has also worked as an on-screen character in an authoritative role; as “Commissioner” of Ring of Honor (in a previous stint with the company) and “Management Director” (and off-screen road agent) for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling.
     
Counting the Lights
A Raw Diet: Raw Is DVR speed 5
September 15, 2009 doe138
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However, I am not a Hollywood writer. And I am too much of a wrestling fan to have any chance there. I believe title belts are the most important thing to build around. I believe in person issues and bloody violence. And I know that funny don’t make money.
 
Twitter
Dwayne&Whitley’s Son
‏@GailKimGroupie
Ha Ha Ha @ScrapDaddyAP tells Colt Cabanna that Funny Don’t Make Money. #wwe #tna #roh #nwahollywood
9:51 PM - 19 Nov 2010
 
Fight Hub TV
Mauro Ranallo talks Cain Velasquez vs. Frank Mir, Josh Barnett vs. Daniel Cormier and women’s MMA
APRIL 4, 2012 11:18 AM
by Will Gray
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FHTV: You still follow mainstream WWE? Do you think that the solid names like The Undertaker and Triple H are viable in the scene it has become?
Ranallo: I think they are truly the last of what wrestling once was. The Undertaker debuted at Survivor Series in 1990 and has a career that has spanned two decades and undefeated at twenty WrestleMania appearances, that says something in itself. Jimmy Cornett said something once that was so true, “funny don’t make money” when it comes to wrestling. The true fans don’t want to watch more than half a show of talking and a storyline, get out there and impress the crowd.
 
ROH Wrestling
Re: Final Battle 2012 - Prince Nana vs. RD Evans
Postby Tree » Wed Dec 05, 2012 9:43 pm
MuayThai wrote:
Bad idea this scream of being a stupid comedy match out of the memphis book witch is the last thing I want to see ever. Stuff like this convinces me Cornett is still in charge
 
and this posts of being ill-informed.
 
Never mind the fact that that Cornette has long been opposed to comedy matches (hence his famous “funny don’t make money” line), have you ever actually seen Robert Evans wrestle?
     
Wrestling Forum
Funny don’t make Money - Recent NXT cuts youtube channel skits…
DetroitRiverPhx
05-25-2013, 02:58 AM
!!Warning NSFW!!
Trent Baretta, Briley Pierce, Derrick Bateman and Percy Watson appear in a couple of supposed to be funny vids -
   
TUP Wrestling Forum
thundarr2000 View Drop Down
Posted: 25/June/2013 at 00:14
Quote Earlier today it was reported that Colt Cabana recently received a WWE tryout, however according to PWInsider, Cabana’s tryout was anything but recent.
 
Cabana’s tryout with the company is dated back in 2012 and another one back in February of this year. After the CM Punk DVD came out, there were several within WWE who wanted to take a look at Cabana as an announcer because they liked how he came off in the DVD. Previously, Cabana had done announcing work in FCW while under a developmental deal.
 
The story that came out this morning made it sound like CM Punk had gotten him a tryout recently, however it was something WWE already had in mind of doing.
Colt as an announcer? He does have the gift for gab. But I still don’t think that Vince & his yes-men get Colt’s style of humor.
 
Colt said in an interview that the current owners of the NWA said they didn’t want him to get another run as World Heavyweight Champion because “funny don’t make money.” Think about for a second. Arguably the most famous guy competing for the 10 lbs of gold over the last 2 years, and they thought he wasn’t a draw? Ignoring the fact that he has toured the world and continues to receive offers to wrestle internationally.
 
The Wrestling Chronicle
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Who Says Funny Don’t Make Money?
Comedy in wrestling is a time honored tradition. Used to cool down an audience when the drama quota of a show hits its peak or to help bring out the natural charisma of a wrestler, comedy has been a vital part of wrestling. I’m going to take a look at some of the best wrestlers who delivered the laughs and some moments that made us remember why wrestling is so awesome.
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In closing whoever came up with the mantra, “funny don’t make money” obviously didn’t take into account names like Chris Jericho, Kurt Angle, Eddie Guerrero and The Rock. In today’s day and age sometimes we forget that wrestling, at it’s core, is supposed to be fun. Just ask The Rock, funny makes money. Lots of money.
 
Cageside Seats
Cageside Countdown: Best Stone Cold Steve Austin Moments
By The Notorious Eddie Mac  @notoriouseddie on Nov 2, 2015, 2:47p
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As the old saying goes in the wrestling business, funny don’t make money.