Recap of Jeff Jarrett on Between the Ropes

by Richard Trionfo

This week on Between the Ropes, former NWA World Champion Jeff Jarrett joined Fritz and Dickerman to talk about the status of the television deal for TNA, the recent acquisitions of new talent in the company, the No Surrender pay per view, and other issues. 

Jeff started off the interview by commenting on how he would prefer to be referred to as a three time NWA Champion instead of ‘former’ champion by the hosts.

Jeff mentioned that there are a lot of exciting things related to the company in the future.  In the next four to eight weeks, there will be a series of announcements to be made about the company.  They got into the business for the long haul.  He is the third generation in his family to be involved in the business so they are not going to rush things.  They want to align themselves with great partners.  All options have been weighed and the right time has been determined.  They have been building on the international deals.  While people talk about how Impact was on in the U.S. for about a year, they have been on television internationally longer than with Impact. 

TNA is trying to integrate ‘innovation’ into as much as it can with the company.  Shock language will not get it done because it has been done before.  They want to do things that have never been done before.  The X Division, Ultimate X, King of the Mountain matches are things that have been created in TNA.  They want to present their product a different way and have done so with the ticker and ‘Fox Box’.  TNA has used some legends as well as build their own stars like A.J. Styles, Monty Brown, and Abyss.  That is something that they strive to continue.  They want to be able to present things a different way.  They have the six sided ring.  There is a new look for the Orlando set coming for the next set of tapings.

The plans for the company are to take things to the next level for television distribution.  They would love to take the product on the road, and that is the next step.  He mentioned that there are problems with the WWE with domestic house shows and they have been around for forty years.  The U.S. live event market is soft overall so it might not be good business sense to tour at this time.  He talked about how the WWE is doing a lot of shows overseas.  There have been some promoters who have wanted to bring TNA wrestling overseas, but the cost is enormous.  There are the television costs with more than 100 people doing production.  It has to be cost effective to do it.

Everything is unpredictable when the contract time comes down.  It has happened on the talent side as well as the other business dealings.  There are certain circumstances that are unavoidable.  It would have been nice to have a deal, but once the deal is done, it will be worth it.

Jeff was asked about people TNA is looking to add to the company.  He said that all of the obvious names would be great additions based on the format and timing.  Timing is everything.  It has to be the right time, the right place, and the right persona.  There are four or five guys that TNA is in discussion with at this time.

The men who have built their names up have done so in many ways.  When things mutually benefit both parties it has to be done.  There is no right or wrong decision for both.  There is a name value with certain guys and when they reappear it will get people talking.  He thinks Kevin Nash can still make an impact with the company if he is used.

Jeff was asked about balancing things with the current roster.  It is the promotion’s job to maximize utility of the wrestlers.  The talent that has a business head on their shoulders who know that people are not being brought in to have spots taken.  There might be a glass ceiling, but if you have the ability, you are going to break through that ceiling.  It is the case everywhere when you see a young guy come in and take the job from the veteran.  The current roster can be matched against any one in the world right now. 

Jeff was asked if Matt Hardy is going to be at No Surrender.  He said that if Matt will be there, he will have some words for Matt.

Jeff was asked about how having some of the duties spread to more people and how it affects his work.  He thinks that they have done everything to stay in business.  They have exceeded everyone’s expectations.  It allows for a team to be involved with the work.  There are so many aspects that he has to deal with and now he is able to focus on more things in the company that need his dedication for the growth of TNA. 

Jeff was asked about Lance Hoyt and how the crowd in Orlando reacts to him.  He is a hidden talent with a lot of athletic ability.  The crowd has matured in Orlando during the time that TNA has been in Orlando.  You have a core group that is there all the time, and they are becoming educated.  They have seen Lance mature over time.  That is something that should make Lance and the company proud.  It was not over one angle.

The interview ended with Jeff being asked about the rumors of SpikeTV getting TNA programming.  He said that he will neither confirm nor deny any stories about TNA and a new distribution deal.  When a deal is signed, everyone will know.

Between the Ropes airs every Wednesday from 10:00 p.m. until Midnight on 740 The Team in Orlando, Florida with hosts Brian Fritz, Dickerman, and Vito DeNucci. Check out www.betweentheropes.com to listen to the live stream of the show every week. Archives of past interviews with Paul Heyman, Mike Tenay, Terry Funk, A.J. Styles, Rob Van Dam, Tully Blanchard, Mick Foley, Ric Flair, Matt Hardy, Jerry Lawler, Bobby Heenan, Steve Corino, Shane Douglas, Elix Skipper, Harley Race, Bubba Ray Dudley, and many more people in the world of professional wrestling can also be found on www.betweentheropes.com.