By James Caldwell, Torch assistant editor

Former TNA writer Jim Cornette published today an email he recently sent to Terry Taylor, the TNA VP of Talent Relations, essentially threatening physical harm against TNA writer Vince Russo. Cornette also published a formal letter sent to him by TNA's legal representation in response to the email. TNA's law firm said they consider Cornette's email a "terroristic threat" against Russo.

In an email dated March 19, Cornette wrote to Taylor, among other things: "I will say it because I am trying to quell the burning in my heart--I hate Vince Russo. I despise Vince Russo. I want Vince Russo to die. If I could figure out a way to murder him without going to prison, I would consider it the greatest accomplishment of my life."

Cornette went on to detail how much he loathes Russo, how he went against his principles working with Russo in TNA, feeling betrayed by TNA president Dixie Carter when he was released from TNA in 2009, and his concern for the wrestlers and staff in TNA he feels are in jeopardy of losing work if TNA goes out of business because of Russo.

"As far as I'm concerned, Jeff (Jarrett) should have WAY known better than to hire that (expletive), and Dixie, as clueless as she may be about wrestling, should have been more careful in whom she entrusted her father's money, and more perceptive when it came to spotting imbeciles," Cornette said. "I don't want any of you to be harmed or affected because of their stupid decisions, but as I said, it's now my life's work to (expletive) with anything Russo has anything to do with."

In a letter dated April 9, a California law firm, "Davis Shapiro Lewit & Hayes, LLP," responded to Cornette: "Upon review of the content of said email, TNA was so concerned that they have turned the email over to this firm to take appropriate action in order to protect the safety and welfare of TNA's staff and talent."

Among the action the law firm reported to Cornette was reporting a "terroristic threat" to "applicable Federal and State law enforcement agencies." The letter also states, "any further threats to contact Vince Russo or any other TNA personnel (directly or indirectly) shall be viewed as acts in furtherance of such threats and shall be pursued and prosecuted accordingly."

The letter also stated Cornette should not disclose "confidential information" regarding his TNA release or the terms of his release as a writer and talent. Obviously, Cornette disregarded the statement, as Cornette's email that he published on his website contained discussion of "confidential information." The exact verbiage of the letter from TNA's legal representation reads:

"Accordingly, we are taking this opportunity to remind you that the Confidential Information is proprietary and is not to be revealed except as expressly permitted by TNA in writing. As a former talent of TNA, you continue to be bound by your legal obligations and duties to maintain the confidentiality of such Confidential Information in accordance with the terms of your various talent agreements. You cannot share Confidential Information with ANYONE (including current or former TNA talent) and TNA will vigorously enforce it's rights in this regard."

Link: Full text of Cornette's email and TNA's legal response.

MORE ANALYSIS: Pat McNeill and I discussed the legal issues in play during today's PWTorch Livecast in the VIP Aftershow available to Torch VIP Members.

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