The Wild Story of How “Cowboy” James Storm Delayed a Grand Ole Opry Performance
During the massive All In weekend in Texas, Josh Bernstein of The Stunner spoke with "The Cowboy" James Storm for a wide-ranging conversation. The TNA original and tag team legend discussed his favorite entrance music, the wrestling icons who shaped his style, and what he listens to when he’s not at the bar.
Asked about his all-time favorite entrance theme, Storm didn't hesitate to name his own iconic track, "Longnecks & Rednecks," revealing a wild story about its music video shoot involving country music stars Montgomery Gentry.
"I would definitely have to say mine, 'Longnecks & Rednecks.' Number one because I helped write it," Storm explained. "I did a music video and had some of my friends that were in it who, Montgomery Gentry... I just remember how much fun we had that day because they brought their tour bus there and they were supposed to play at the Grand Ole Opry that night. Well, we got so drunk doing the music video that they had to postpone the Grand Ole Opry for like an hour and a half to sober up. So it's always good memories... every time I hear 'Sorry about your damn luck,' I always think of those guys."
When Bernstein asked Storm to create a "mixtape" of matches for a new fan wanting to get into wrestling, "The Cowboy" named a trio of legends who form his personal "Mount Rushmore" of in-ring education.
"It would be a lot of Mr. Perfect matches. Mr. Perfect, Jake Snake, and Bret Hart," he stated. "I always tell people, go watch Bret Hart for executing moves. Go watch Mr. Perfect in doing bumps and stuff. And go watch Jake Roberts in doing interviews. That's my little triangle there... I remember growing up with Jake Roberts, he didn't ever really talk loud. You wanted to turn the TV up to hear what he was saying and you knew that what he was saying, he was going to do. I always tell people you gotta believe your own stuff. If you don't believe it, no one else will."
While known for his beer-drinking persona, Storm admitted his true preference. "The funny thing is I'm more of a Jack Daniels drinker than anything," he confessed. "But if I gotta do beer, it usually doesn't matter as long as it's cold."
That preference for something with a harder edge extends to his workout playlist, which is a surprising departure from his country image.
"I actually listen to like a lot of Godsmack and like death metal," Storm revealed. "Everybody's like, 'Wait, you're supposed to be the country guy.' But when I'm working out, I just want to throw them weights around and you can't do it to, you know, Conway Twitty. You gotta throw some rock in there and I'm a big AC/DC fan, Mötley Crüe... and some Eazy-E. I'm a huge Eazy-E fan."
From wild nights with country music royalty to his deep respect for the legends who inspired him, James Storm proves to be every bit the authentic character fans have cheered for years. His unique blend of old school wrestling knowledge and surprising musical tastes paints a picture of a veteran who has stayed relevant by simply being himself.