While WWE honors his memory and keeps mention of past stars, that's really not the reason. Cornette is probably the biggest modern reason why anyone knows anything about these guys to regards them as great. Anyone who hasn't listened to him or got it second hand off forums of friends, etc. really doesn't know that Lawler was a top star, Flair was young once, Dusty was an influential booker and actual top guy, etc. The effect ripples a bit, as before his podcast WWE would mention someone old and get no pop, now they can name off old-timers in promos and everyone gets a pop, and just a small part of the crowd popping spreads to other people who feel like this is someone so we should cheer. HHH did the same for Flair and Race back around the 00's when many newer fans only new Flair from being in his underwear on late WCW and nobody new ever heard of Race. He spread the idea that they were greats and that rippled without people actually going back and checking out their shit.
