Cowboy James Storm on Beer Money, WWE & TNA's Partnership, Beating Kurt Angle

‘COWBOY’ JAMES STORM is a TNA original, former World Heavyweight Champion, and one of the most decorated tag team wrestlers of his generation. In the ring, Storm has a reputation as a brilliant – and vastly underrated – worker who can bring the best out of any opponent. On the mic, he’s a modern-day outlaw, blending rugged charisma and Southern grit into promos that have captivated audiences for more than two decades.

Bursting onto the scene in 2002, Storm quickly made a name for himself as one half of America’s Most Wanted, alongside Chris Harris. The tough tandem put the division on the map, captured tag team gold six times, and became one of the most influential pairings in TNA history.

After AMW disbanded, Storm formed the legendary Beer Money Inc. with Bobby Roode. Fusing old-school rasslin’ toughness with slick modern execution, the team delivered classics night after night. Crowned TNA World Tag Team Champions on five occasions, Beer Money Inc. redefined tag team wrestling for a new generation.

Storm was a pillar of TNA, and after dominating the tag team division in the ’00s, he etched his name into singles history in 2011. ‘Cowboy’ defeated professional wrestling icon Kurt Angle to capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in emotional scenes.

A future Hall of Famer, James Storm has earned the adulation of fans and the respect of his peers. When it comes to connecting with the crowd, mastering ring psychology, and delivering the goods bell–to–bell, ‘Cowboy’ doesn’t need any damn luck – he’s one of the greatest.

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‘Cowboy’ James Storm joins Ben Veal for Episode 49 of Wrestling Life, reflecting on his legendary run in TNA, sharing behind-the-scenes stories, and looking ahead to the company’s future. Storm brings trademark honesty, humour, and heart to a candid conversation about his life in and out of the ring.

In this must-see interview, Storm opens up about:

• What life was really like as a TNA original during those early Nashville pay-per-view days

• His respect for Jeff Jarrett and the hands-on leadership that kept TNA alive

• The emotional night he defeated Kurt Angle for the TNA World Title and why his original plan was scrapped

• Working alongside the fearless Jacqueline Moore and how she saved a match when he was injured

• The worst injuries of his career and why he has no regrets

• The surreal experience of being paid to get drunk on television

• The real reason he turned down a full-time NXT contract, despite Triple H’s backing

• His take on TNA’s partnership with WWE and whether he sees a full-on buyout coming

• The wise words from a wrestling legend that inspire him to always stay in shape

• Why British wrestling fans are his favourite and what makes UK crowds so special

• Life after wrestling full-time, his second chapter in acting and real estate, while staying close to the ring

James Storm on How Jeff Jarrett Carried TNA on His Back

Life as a TNA original wasn’t all bright lights and big arenas in the early days. For ‘Cowboy’ James Storm, the Wednesday night pay-per-views at the Nashville Fairgrounds in 2002 came with real uncertainty, wondering if the doors would even be open. Through it all, one man kept the show alive: Jeff Jarrett.

“Every day that we went into the Nashville Fairgrounds back in those days, on the Wednesday night pay-per-views, like, we were afraid it was going to be shut down, you know. We were gonna get there and the door was gonna be locked. To Jeff Jarrett’s credit, he did everything he could to keep it going. Like, he was in there painting it himself – him and his grandmother fixing all this stuff. He definitely put it on his back and did what he could to keep it alive. Every single week, you know, the internet’d be like, ‘Oh, they’re only gonna last this [long],’ and you know, here we are still. TNA’s still kicking along.”

Storm’s Shocking TNA Title Win Over Kurt Angle

Kurt Angle is a WWE Hall of Famer and a generational talent. So when James Storm was chosen to dethrone him for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, it was a big deal. Storm had a full match planned – until Kurt stopped him and suggested something totally unexpected.

“Kurt was hurt, he had messed up his hamstring real bad. And I had this big match laid out. We had, I think it was like ten minutes or something like that. So Kurt allowed me to lay the match out, whatever, I was like, ‘Cool.’ And then I get back there and I start telling him, and he goes, ‘I don’t know about that.’

I was like, ‘About what?’ And he goes, ‘How about this? How about I just beat you down and you wind up just kicking me out of nowhere and beating me. Then you use the rest of the remaining time to celebrate and do whatever you wanna do.’ And I was like, ‘I’m not gonna argue with him.’ I was like, ‘If that’s what you wanna do, if you think it’s gonna work...’ He goes, ‘I guarantee you, no one’s gonna see it coming. It’s gonna be an instant surprise.’”

Cowboy on Jacqueline Moore’s Underrated TNA Run

When Jacqueline Moore aligned with James Storm in 2007, fans saw one of wrestling’s toughest women get the spotlight she deserved. Storm reflects on her timing, toughness, and a moment where she saved a match after he suffered a serious injury mid-bout.

“Jackie, to me, is what a manager should be. She’s tough, she’s fun to be around, and you never have to worry about her not being in place for her stuff, you know? Like, she was always there.

You know with some tag teams or whatever, you’re like, ‘Oh, they were off a second,’ or whatever and a second in the wrestling ring feels like five minutes. It’s really weird, but it just does.

But you never have to worry about her doing her stuff. And she’s not afraid to get heat.”

James Storm on His WWE NXT Run and Why He Walked Away

In 2015, Storm made a surprise appearance in WWE’s NXT and just as quickly, he was gone. Despite being offered a contract and receiving praise from Triple H, ‘Cowboy’ made a call that prioritised life over limelight.

“I did two shows. I’m undefeated in WWE, so that could be a good storyline, you know. I’m throwing it out there! Everyone thinks it’s because of the money and all this, whatever. Even Hunter told me, ‘Look, you won’t be here long.’ He goes, ‘Vince loves characters, and you’re a character that could work. And you’re great on the mic, so you won’t be here long at all at NXT.’ Which is fine. I wouldn’t have minded wrestling at NXT because a lot of my friends were there as well before they went to the main roster.

But it was something where they sent me the contract first and I ran through it and stuff, but when I got down there to talk to them about signing it, the dates changed, it went to a lot more dates.”

Why James Storm Loves Wrestling in the UK

He’s wrestled all over the world, but ask James Storm where his favourite fans are, and the answer’s instant: the UK. From rowdy chants to pure passion, Storm says British crowds just get it.

“I always say my favourite place to wrestle is in the UK. Just because, I mean, they still ‘get it’. You know, they show up and they don’t try to overtake shows and stuff. Like, they understand the babyface and the heel. And they ‘yay’ and ‘boo’ everybody. It just makes for a better performance for the guys in the ring.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Lee Herbert is the author of the forthcoming book Rampage — a heartfelt tribute to the glory days of the WWF’s first UK boom. Packed with moments, merch, and memories, it explores how a golden era of American wrestling turned a generation of British kids into lifelong fans. Lee’s writing is a celebration of everything that’s great about professional wrestling.

REAL TALK FROM REAL TALENT

Wrestling Life with Ben Veal shines the spotlight brightly and positively on those who shaped wrestling's past, drive its present and influence its future. Widely available, the show features honest, open and inspiring conversations with many of the sport's biggest names, including Kurt Angle, Rob Van Dam, Mick Foley, Lilian Garcia, Candice Michelle, Buff Bagwell, Doug Williams, Eric Bischoff and many more. The show is presented by award-winning journalist and content creator Ben Veal, co-author of Marc Mero's autobiography, Badd To Good: The Inspiring Story of a Wrestling Wildman.

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