Browsing: Jarrett

With it now known that GUNTHER will be John Cena’s final opponent this weekend at Saturday Night’s Main Event, all that’s left is the match itself, and who could be in attendance. Since the show was announced for Washington D.C., many, including Logan Paul, have pondered whether it could mean US President Donald Trump would be there, while Cena’s ongoing friendship with disgraced former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has some wondering if he could attend.

On the latest “My World,” AEW’s Jeff Jarrett was asked about the possibilities regarding Trump and McMahon’s presence at Cena’s last match. Jarrett started with Trump, and felt confident he would be there due his past connections to wrestling, and the show being in D.C.

“I would’ve said, let’s just say, hypothetically, [the show was in] Boston, Chicago, the Garden, Los Angeles, I still would’ve said ‘Yeah, there’s probably a good, good chance that the President’s going to be there,'” Jarrett said. “Since its in D.C., and they check schedules and whatever Donald has going on and secret service, because John Cena, unless I’m missing something, he has zero attachment to D.C., other than TKO is probably getting a huge check. But I don’t think that’s it. I think, at the very top of the reason they’re in D.C., is because Trump can be there. So yes, on Trump.”

As for McMahon, Jarrett was almost just as strong in believing he’d be there, believing there was “no chance in hell” Cena wouldn’t want him around.

“I just think Vince will be there,” Jarrett said. “And I think John has been such a company man that…he is going to ask or demand [Vince] or they’re not even going down that road. Vince will be involved to the degree that Cena wants him involved. Yeah, I just…I think that’s what you’re going to see. It is the…it’s the swan song, in a lot of ways, it could be really good for the both of them.”

If you quote this article, please credit “My World” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription

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Jeff Hardy (artist Travis Beaven © PWTorch)

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

The following report originally published 20 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com…

TNA 2 Hour Impact Special
Aired November 3rd, 2005
Taped at Universal Studios Orlando, FL
Aired on Spike TV at 9:00 PM (ET/PT)
Report by Paul Madavi, PW Torch TNA Specialist

The Lowdown: TNA Comes Through with 2 Hour Special

Mike Tenay announces that tonight is a night of firsts to kick off the show. The camera pans around the Impact Zone, before a video package airs. The video package goes over some of the recent history of TNA, including footage of Hogan, Nash, Sting, and Hey Yo (Scott Hall)! Afterwards, the package focuses on the current stars of the promotion. We then begin the show with our first match of the evening.

(1) Lance Hoyt & Jeff Hardy & Sabu defeat The Diamonds in the Rough (Simon Diamond & Elix Skipper, & David Young) at 2:52. Jeff Hardy makes his way down to the ring first, during which they air a clip of his suicide dive from Bound for Glory. Hoyt comes down next, wearing his sunglasses over his skully, for some reason. Sabu makes his way down next, steel chair in hand. His right arm is wrapped up, probably from the barbed wire from earlier in the taping. The Diamonds in the Rough make their way down in unison.

6:43 into the show and the bell rings. Simon Diamond and Lance Hoyt kick off the action. Hoyt hits a side slam early. Diamond ducks a big boot attempt, and tags in Young. Hoyt tags in Hardy. While Hardy and Young wrestle, Tenay asks the TV audience to call up their wrestling friends who don’t know about TNA and have them tune in. Jeff Hardy hits a twisting dive on Young. He tags in Sabu, but Young is able to tag in Skipper. Skipper and Young hit a double face plant on Sabu. Skipper works over Sabu briefly, before Young tags back in. Sabu manages to turn a whip from Young into a mid rope moonsault. This allows him to tag in Hardy. Everything breaks down, as all six men get in the ring. During the ensuing shmoz, Jeff Hardy is able to hit his Swanton bomb on Elix Skipper for the pin.

After the match, Sabu crawls around the ring, and sells an ankle injury. At this point, Abyss runs in and hits a Black Hole Slam on Sabu. Jeff Hardy and Lance Hoyt fend off Abyss and tend to Sabu.

The Breakdown

Psychology: This was a very short match, so it featured little very little psychology. I’m not sure what the point was, other than to give the babyface heavyweights some air time, which is fine. No real story to tell, other than some back and forth action until a shmoz led to a quick pin.

Action: Quick, fast, hard hitting action from the get go was the M.O. here. With little time to develop a sequence of moves, the effort fell a little flat.

Entertainment: Not a bad match to get the crowd and TV audience warmed up. It certainly lacked anything of real interest though.

Impact Scale Rating: 4.0/10 – There wasn’t much to this match, but the wrestlers kept it moving along well enough. There were a couple of nice spots.

[Commercial Break]

Backstage, Shane Douglas interviews Jeff Jarrett. He says tonight is the biggest night of his career as Larry Zybysko has granted him a rematch with Rhino for the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Jarrett says management hates him, and he hates them. Tonight he needs to get the job done, otherwise he’s gone. However, it’s moments like this that define Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett compares certain historically famous moments to his upcoming victory. Monty Brown walks in and cuts a promo on Jarrett. He says that he is the one who deserves the title shot. However, he’ll settle for taking on the winner. He says he hopes Jarrett wins so he can take the belt from him. Both Jarrett and Brown do a decent job on the promo.

(2) Monty Brown defeats Brian Gamble at 2:17. Monty Brown makes his way to the ring, neck twitching all the while. Brian Gamble awaits him in the ring.

The bell rings at 19:59. Brown and Gamble circle each other briefly, before they lock up. Brown quickly takes control with a couple of clubbing blows. He hits a butterfly over the head suplex. He then hits his backbreaker and fall away slam. Brown whips Gamble and hits him with The Pounce. The crowd starts chanting “one more time,” and Brown obliges. He hits a second Pounce. Gamble can’t stand as Brown hits a third Pounce at the request of the crowd. This one is for the pin.

After the match, Brown drools on himself a little as the camera gets up close. Brown mugs for the camera.

Psychology: This was another straight forward Monty Brown squash match, putting over Brown as a devastating force. Nice work by Gamble who went limp after the first Pounce, forcing Brown to prop him up for the next two.

Action: Brown looked pretty good throughout the match, hitting all of his signature moves.

Entertainment: This match was made a little more entertaining that it actually was by the crowd being so into it, and Brown actually giving them what they wanted with a couple of extra finishers.

Impact Scale Rating: 5.0/10 – The interaction between Brown and the Impact Zone audience made this a better than average squash match.

A video package for Rhino airs. During the package, Tenay touts Rhino having won three matches during Bound for Glory.

[Commercial Break]

A video package for the X Division airs. The package includes much highlight footage and spits out a few of the key X Division names.

(3) A.J. Styles & Sonjay Dutt & Austin Aries defeat Christopher Daniels & Samoa Joe & Alex Shelley at 9:53. Christopher Daniels comes out first. He waits for Shelley near the chute. Samoa Joe comes out neck, towel over his shoulders. The heels then walk down to the ring in unison. Austin Aries is the first babyface out of the chute. Sonjay Dutt is next. The Playa from the Himalaya and Aries bump knuckles. Styles then comes out to the ring to the loudest cheers of the entire entrance. The faces come down to the ring together.

The bell rings at 31:54. Alex Shelley and Austin Aries start the match, and what sounds like a “ROH” chant can be heard. Shelley and Aries lock up. They chain wrestle for a while, which culminates in a dropkick from Aries. They chain wrestle again, leading to a drop toe hold for Aries. Aries then hits a twisting splash on Shelley. Aries tags in Dutt. They both hit their elbow spots, leading to Dutt picking up a two-count. Dutt works a nice springboard arm drag spot, before walking the rope for a chop drop. Aries manages to recover and hit a back suplex, allowing him to tag in Samoa Joe. Joe nails Dutt with four stiff kicks. He whips Dutt into a corner and hits a couple of running high knees. Samoa Joe is about to hit his face wash, when Daniels tags himself in a great heel move.

Dutt manages to recover from Daniel’s kicks enough to get on the second rope and hit a hurricanrana. He leaps to tag in Styles, who surges on Daniels. Styles hits a couple of arm drags and a dropkick. Samoa Joe tags himself in. Joe opens up with a kick to the knee. They work the ropes, which leads to a dropkick by Styles. He follows up with a deadlock w/ bridge. Shelley steps out to break it up, but Dutt runs in and slaps on an octopus submission hold. Daniels then comes out to break it up, but Aries attacks him. He applies a head scissors w/ leg lace, which leads to the crowd chanting “TNA.”

The ref clears out the illegal men, which leads to Austin Aries surging on all the heels as they run back in. Aries hits a suicide dive on Daniels and Shelley at ringside. However, this allows Joe to nails him with a running kick. Joe drags Aries back in the ring. He hits a chop, a kick, and a big knee drop for a two-count. Joe then follows up with a ridiculous powerslam. Joe then tags in Daniels, who signals this is the end of the match. He goes for a flying forearm, but Aries ducks, which leads to Daniels hitting Joe. Styles is tagged in. He works Joe over with a couple of flying forearms, and then finally takes him down with a top rope forearm. Styles hits an amazing facebuster on Shelley in the ring.

Thing break down as Daniels runs in and hits a backbreaker on Styles, Dutt hits a facebuster on Daniels, Joe hits a massive clothesline on Dutt, and Aries hits his crucifix bomb on Joe. Aries signals for the 450 splash, but is pushed off the top rope by Shelley. Shelley then hits a suicide dive on Aries. The crowd chants “TNA” once again. Back in the ring, A.J. Styles is left alone with Joe and Daniels. Daniels and Joe take turns missing Styles and hitting each other with their offense. Shelley runs in to break up a Styles Clash attempt on Daniels. However, A.J. just manages to hit in on Shelley for the pin

Psychology: This was an excellent tag team match that flowed very nicely from spot to spot. Despite having a lot of big spots early on, the wrestlers still managed to build to a strong, exciting finish. Samoa Joe provided an interesting stylistic variation in the match; he came off as smart and brutal. All the wrestlers gained some good heat coming out of this match. The storyline was very much back and forth, but they planted some nice seeds of dissent between Samoa Joe and Christopher Daniels in the process, to give the match a little extra spice.

Action: Austin Aries really shone in this match. His offense was crisp, exciting, daring, and dynamic. Samoa Joe was stiff and menacing with every move he made. Overall, this was an impressive, action packed match. Everyone was performing at a very high level, and they blended their styles together well.

Entertainment: This was an extremely entertaining 10 minute match. TNA really did a good job of setting up this match with the two short squashes. The crowd went nuts, and the wrestlers worked their butts off. Very simple (but well thought out) psychology combined with top notch action make this an excellent wrestling match. This match is Monday replay worthy.

Impact Scale Rating: 8.0/10 – Really, 10 minutes of wrestling doesn’t get anymore fun than this.

A video package for Jeff Jarrett airs. It sells him as a despicable heel, who considers TNA his personal playground.

[Commercial Break]

We return to Shane Douglas interviewing Rhino. Douglas described Rhino’s title ascension as courageous. Rhino’s arms look as big as my torso. Rhino says he’s proven he’s got the heart of a champion. Raven interrupts the interview, and says Rhino stole his title. Zybysko runs in with security. They haul him out, and Zybysko yells. Rhino ignores the mess, turns to the camera and gets pretty intense as he tells Jarrett to expect a Gore! Gore! Gore!

A video package airs recapping the Team 3D versus AMW feud. It’s a nice summary of the feud with all the key moments spliced together very well.

(4) Team 3D (Brother Devon & Brother Ray) defeat Team Canada (Bobby Rood & Eric Young w/ Scott D’Amore & A1) at 14:28. Our wrestling neighbors from the North make their way out first. Devon and Ray come out looking tough and ready to rumble.

The bell rings at 52:59. Devon and Eric Young start off the match. Young stomps around a little before tagging in Bobby Roode. Roode and Ray lock up, but Roode quickly ducks under. Roode and Ray work the ropes for a while, leading to a flying shoulder tackle by Devon. Devon follows with a leg drop for a two-count. Roode recovers and drives Devon into his corner, tagging in Young. Young is quickly dominated by a Devon body slam. Ray tags in and hits a series of elbow drops. Ray hits a delayed suplex. Young gets in an eye poke, and Roode runs in, but Ray handles both of them. Devon goes for “wassup” but is thrown off the ropes by Bobby Roode. The heels begin to dominate as we go to commercial

[Commercial Break]

When we return, Roode is in control of Devon. Young and Roode isolate Devon for a while with some clubbing blows and holds. Devon recovers with a powerslam after a few minutes, but the ref is distracted and does not see or hear him tag in Ray. The heels then continue to isolate Devon. Bobby Roode and Young hits a knee and elbow drop respectively. Devon eventually hits a double clothesline and tags in Ray, who surges on both heels. He tosses Roode out of the ring, and hits a side slam on Young for a two-count. He follows up with a neckbreaker. Roode runs in, but gets a Samoan drop for his trouble. Ray gets a two-count on a powerbomb, which is broken up by Roode. They hit the 3D on Bobby Roode, who rolls out of the ring. Young gets back in the ring. A1 threatens to run in with the stick, delaying the 3D. However, 3LK comes down to ringside and takes care of Team Canada. This allows Team 3D to finish off Young with a 3d for the pin.

Psychology: This match displayed some more traditional tag team psychology, with lots of surges and a strong heel isolation period. The back and forth action was well played and provided nice swings of momentum. The isolation period lasted far too long.

Action: The action was very good until an unnecessarily long and particularly boring isolation period killed all the momentum. They recovered well from the

Entertainment: This was a good match, but very formulaic. The majority of the match was well executed and fun, except for the brutally boring isolation period.

Impact Scale Rating: 5.5/10 – I hate isolation based tag team matches. If they had come up with something a little more interesting than the standard isolation spot, I would’ve given this match another point.

[Commercial Break]

(5) Petey Williams (w/ Scott D’Amore) defeats Chris Sabin and Matt Bentley (w/ Traci) at 15:15. This is an Ultimate X rematch. The winner is #1 contender. Williams makes his way down first. Chris Sabin is next, and gets some good cheers. Bentley and Traci strike their pose and come down to the ring.

The bell rings at 1:16:20. Sabin and Bentley double team Williams to start the match. They then take turns pulling each other off the turnbuckle, going for an early victory. They battle for a minute, until Williams gets back into the action. Williams gets a dropkick in the back, driving his head into the scaffolding. Sabin climbs up on Williams, but receives a superplex from Bentley. Williams then decides to stalk Traci, but it leads to Bentley whooping his ass outside of the ring. Sabin tries to use the opportunity to steal the match, but he is caught by Bentley at the top rope. Bentley then hits a top rope, spinning neckbreaker. Jeff Hardy Girl gets a close up. Wassup JHG! Sabin hits a running dropkick on Williams, after he is put in the tree of woe. Sabin repeats the spot, but cannot climb to the top turnbuckle. After a couple of out of the ring dives, all three competitors wind up trying to recover at ringside

[Commercial Break]

When we return, Williams is hanging from the suspension rope, but Sabin lands a dropkick, knocking Williams off the rope. Bentley hits a running kick on Sabin. Bentley climbs up and almost gets his hands on the X, but is caught by a Williams power bomb. The X is now hanging by only one strap. Williams climbs to the top rope, but Sabin jumps up there and hits a release overhead German suplex, which is unbelievable. Bentley then climbs up to the suspension cable. He wraps his legs around the cable to avoid being pulled down. Sabin stands underneath him, trying to figure something out. When Williams rushes, Sabin kicks him in the stomach and sets him up for a powerbomb. With Williams on Sabin’s shoulders, Bentley hits a dropkick on Williams, which in turn hits Sabin with a hurricanrana, in another amazing spot. Bentley hits a superkick on Williams. Sabin, however, then hits a Cradleshock on Bentley. Sabin then climbs up onto the suspension ropes. Williams hits an inverted atomic drop on Sabin off the ropes. Williams then hits a Canadian Destroyer. Bentley climbs the ropes, and once again cradles it as D’Amore runs in. Traci runs in and takes down D’Amore. Williams then climbs up to the ropes and he and Bentley trade mid-air kicks. Williams hits a low blow, and unhooks the carabineer to grab the X and win the match.

After the match, Williams tries to celebrate, and D’Amore yells and yells. They hug in the middle of the ring.

Psychology: Well, this was a spotfest, so psychology was not a primary concern, which is a shame, because this match really lends itself to interesting storytelling as much as it does to incredible spots. There’s so much to take advantage of that it’s a shame more thought wasn’t put into getting from spot to spot. Never the less, the finish of the match was built to relatively well, even if the low blow is a disappointing way to win the match.

Action: The action was the true shining gem of this match. The competitors delivered non stop action, much of which was mind bending.

Entertainment: This is a fun match to watch, but throughout, the missing psychological elements gnaw at viewer, not because the match is not good without them, but because it could’ve been much, much more.

Impact Scale Rating: 7.0/10 – Despite lacking psychology, the match still provides the viewer with a lot of fun, innovative wrestling on cable television.

[Commercial Break]

(6) Jeff Jarrett defeats Rhino at 12:57. This match is for the NWA Heavyweight Championship. Jeff Jarrett makes his way to the ring first, guitar in hand. Rhino rushes down to the ring as per usual. Rhino gets a good ovation and his name chanted. Jeremy Borash announces the competitors in the middle of the ring, which is a nice touch for the big match. The belt is held aloft as we break for commercial

[Commercial Break]

The bell rings at 1:46:20. The competitors lock up after a little cat and mouse. They break up and lock up again. Rhino hits a shoulder block off the ropes, but Jarrett counters with a dropkick off the ropes directly after. Jarrett hits a drop toe hold and proceeds to strut, but Rhino gets up right away and takes advantage with a press slam. Rhino sets up for an early Gore, but Jarrett bails out of the ring. Rhino follows him out, and throws him over the railing into the crowd. They brawl around the crowd for a while. A fan holds up a steel chair, and Rhino whips Jarrett’s head into it. Rhino continues to dominate Jarrett in the crowd.

Back at ringside, Rhino pulls out a table from underneath the ring. Jarrett sneak attacks Rhino and tosses him back in the ring. Rhino recovers with a back elbows and sets up for a Rhino driver. Gail Kim shows up and distracts Rhino long enough to allow Jarrett to shove Rhino off the top rope out to ringside. Jarrett then bounces Rhino off the various metal parts at ringside. Back in the, ring Jarrett dominates Rhino, and then applies a standing gut wrench. Jarrett then goes to a headlock. Rhino breaks out, and hits a mediocre fireman’s carry into a neckbreaker. Both men rest for a minute before getting up. Rhino surges on Jarrett, but Jarrett recovers with a kick to the knee.

This leads to a figure four leg lock by Jarrett. Rhino turns it over. Gail Kim goes for a leg drop, but Rhino rolls out of the way. Rhino then presses Kim, which leads to a roll up by Jarrett for a two-count. Rhino hits a spinebuster for a two-count, catching Jarrett arguing with the ref. Jarrett comes right out of the pin attempt punching. However, Rhino hits a belly to belly suplex. Rhino sets up another Gore. Jarrett side steps the Gore. Rhino then goes for a clothesline, and misses Jarrett, but hits the ref. Jarrett misses with the guitar, which leads to a Gore. However, the ref is out so no pin is counted. AMW then come to ringside, as Rhino wields the guitar. AMW manage to get to Rhino after Jarrett hits a low blow. They hit The Death Sentence on the table set up at ringside earlier in the match. This leads to Jarrett hitting The Stroke for the pin.

After the match, AMW, Jarrett, and Gail Kim celebrate in the ring. We cut to backstage footage of Team 3D cuffed to some railing, bleeding profusely. Tenay and West scream wildly as we go off air.

Psychology: This match actually featured the best story telling of the night. Lots of interference at the end of a match like this would usually be a bad thing. However, given that Rhino had a mere two week reign, it makes sense to have him screwed out of the title, so that he doesn’t look like a fluke champion – even though that’s essentially what he was. The match was well laid out and had good timing. The back and forth action was tilted to give Rhino the edge. Furthermore, they did a good job of contrasting the wrestling styles of Rhino and Jarrett.

Action: Rhino and Jarrett probably packed in as much action as they’re going to in a match. Jarrett and Rhino worked well together, showing good timing. There were a couple of sloppy moments, and a weak looking figure four, but otherwise solid.

Entertainment: While it wasn’t the best match of the evening, this was a very capable main event. If you can get past the history of these two wrestlers prior to TNA, then they should’ve come off as two strong wrestlers working hard for the heavyweight title.

Impact Scale Rating: 6.5/10 – This was a solid main event with strong story telling and good action.

Overall Breakdown

Psychology: TNA hit a home run tonight. They proved that they could produce a very fun, very watchable two hour show that had a consistent amount of action. More importantly, they were able to stick with the Impact formula of putting over their stars with quick matches, and then providing one or two longer, stronger matches. It was a well balanced show. While it could’ve used one money promo or comedy segment to help give TNA a little personality, TNA still came off as a fresh, exciting product tonight, fulfilling their most important goal for the evening.

Action: It was an action packed evening, with each and every last match focusing heavily on providing as much action as possible. The action ranged from traditional to completely innovative. TNA really showed off their brand of wrestling action tonight.

Entertainment: From start to finish, this was a very entertaining show. Even Jeff Jarrett and Rhyno were able to put together an entertaining main event. The X Division really shone tonight, and proved beyond any doubt that they are the breath of refreshment that televised wrestling needs.

Impact Scale Rating: 7.5/10 – TNA effectively managed to spread Impact out into a two hour show. It was solid through out, and should have excited any wrestling fans looking for something new and different from WWE.

(Paul Madavi writes his Impact reviews from Madison, WI where the beer is fresh, and the cheese is aged. If you’d like to respond to any of the content above, please email him and make eventful his otherwise boring existence.)

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Two of the most interconnected forces within professional wrestling history are Vince McMahon and the late Hulk Hogan. McMahon made Hogan his top star in the then-WWF throughout the 1980s and even when Hogan made the jump to WCW, the pair never truly had a falling out, with Hogan refusing to speak against McMahon during the infamous steroid trial of 1992.Â

After Hogan’s passing at the age of 71 in July 2025, McMahon made a rare public appearance to attend, and speak, at Hogan’s memorial. On an episode of his “My World” podcast, Jeff Jarrett said that McMahon spoke about how Hogan didn’t “let his foot off the gas” when it came to work and travel.

“Vince shared this at the memorial about how hard a worker Hogan was,” Jarrett said. “I had to really think that through and… I won’t call out names, but there’s people now that [work] limited dates, you know, this and that, Hogan sacrificed his hips and his knees and his family and all that kind of stuff. But, he did it. He went to work and the business paid him well for decades, but he’s the one who made the conscious decision to go to work all those shots, all those dates.”

Jarrett’s co-host, wrestling podcaster Conrad Thompson, also previously said that McMahon gave a nice speech at the memorial. The former chairman of WWE broke his social media silence, after going mostly dark following the civil lawsuit filed against him by former WWE employee Janel Grant, to comment on Hogan’s passing after it happened.

McMahon wrote on X (formerly Twitter) that Hogan was the greatest WWE star of all time. He called him a trailblazer who had “unbridled thirst for success.”

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “My World with Jeff Jarrett” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

SUMMARY of #885 cover-dated October 29, 2005: The cover story features Wade Keller’s in-depth look at TNA’s next big step to prime time and Jerry Jarrett’s distraction last week by visiting WWE headquarters… Pat McNeill looks at the top moments of Kevin Nash’s career… Wade Keller writes a feature article on how Crusher changed how he looked at pro wrestling… Wade Keller also writes about the Steve Austin-Coach debacle and the misuse of WWE Legends… Bruce Mitchell writes about WWE’s latest attempt to be a pioneer of technology… Detailed analysis of the TNA Bound for Glory PPV… Torch Talk with Jeff Hardy, part five, features his most controversial comments yet regarding the Matt Hardy-Lita-Edge situation…. Plus WWE Newswire with details on Christian’s departure, TNA Newswire, ETC. Newswire, The Top Five Stories of the Week, 1995 Backtrack, Live Event Report, and more…

–DIRECT LINK: PWTorchNewsletter #885

–LIST OF ALL 2005 BACK ISSUES

–TUTORIAL ON DISPLAYING NEWSLETTER PDFS ON IPAD OR ANDROID TABLET

FULL NEWSLETTER TEXT AND PDF VERSIONS AVAILABLE EXCLUSIVELY TO VIP MEMBERS…

NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO WITH DIGITAL PDF & TEXT NEWSLETTER ACCESS

OR SIGN UP FOR HOME POSTAL DELIVERY OF WEEKLY PAPER COPY: CLICK HERE

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Jeff Jarrett’s lengthy pro wrestling career has positioned him on the opposite end of many of the greatest names in the industry, especially during his WCW days, where he captured the WCW World Heavyweight Championship on four separate occasions. During an episode of his “My World with Jeff Jarrett” podcast, the veteran was asked who he would vote for in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter Hall of Fame for Mexican talent, and recalled how much respect he’s always had for one of his former peers.

“I think nine out of ten people would say… ‘Alright, who do you think Jeff [Jarrett] voted for?’ I think nine out of ten people would say: La Parka,” he proclaimed, before explaining how he views La Parka as a wrestler. “From a promoter’s point of view, in my opinion, what he had to overcome was… Not everybody can do that.”

Jarrett then clarified that he was talking about the original La Parka – known as L.A. Park today – who shared a locker room with him in WCW and competed against in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide. “That’s the one that went to WCW, and danced, and had his own unique charisma; did so many things that were emotionally connecting with his audience,” he expressed. “Just a freaking phenomenal talent!”

Additionally, Jarrett also added that he worked with the second La Parka – who tragically passed away in 2020 – and noted how over the character was as the second incarnation compared to the first.

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “My World with Jeff Jarrett” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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As a pro wrestling fan before a wrestling promoter, Tony Khan knows the significance of the arenas he books shows in, and often themes the show around the history of the building. Not too long ago, AEW held shows out of the fabled ECW Arena, where he gave tribute to ECW legend Taz as well as one other notable name. In an episode of his “My World with Jeff Jarrett” podcast, Jeff Jarrett explained how the tributes came to be as well as why they were significant.

“Tony did the, I would call it, the induction of Taz into the…Hardcore Hall of Fame, and so, you know, it’s my understanding that Tony was looking for ‘how do we pay tribute to the history of that arena?'” Jarrett said, adding that Blue Meanie and Jeff Jones explained to him how important the arena was to ECW. “[Tony] came up to me at the wedding and we had a quick conversation, and so I kinda got the heads up and started connecting the dots, and it all came together.”

Jarrett then praised Khan for his knowledge about wrestling and for his efforts to get names like Doug Gilbert, the younger brother of Eddie Gilbert, who booked ECW before Paul Heyman, and for giving a tribute to Eddie as well.Â

“There were so many different stories, and I got a chance to share just one of them in the tribute,” Jarrett noted, explaining how he and Eddie had a lot of history. “He was really good to me, I mean, when he came in and worked the Tennessee territory a couple times. I mean, we go so far back.”

Jeff Jarrett also recalled Sting’s touching tribute to Eddie Gilbert

AEW

Another notable name who made an appearance at the 2300 Arena was none other than “The Icon,” Sting, who also shared history with Eddie Gilbert. Looking back at Sting’s contribution to the tribute, Jeff Jarrett also praised his friend for sharing a story about Gilbert. “I knew, just as a real casual, Jim Hellwig – Ultimate Warrior – Steve Borden – Sting – came to Tennessee and they were the Blade Runners,” he noted, recalling how both men were hired by Bill Watts back in the day. “Immediately, those two guys got paired up with Eddie Gilbert. Behind the scenes, Eddie was booking, loved the business, and he tried to teach them.”

Jarrett noted that Sting’s tribute ended up bringing so much heart to the night and also praised Tony Khan for his vision for the event. “Sting said that it was the two years that he spent with Eddie Gilbert, and the next thing he knows he’s working main events,” Jarret added, recalling how Sting claimed this led to his legendary feud with Ric Flair. “And Sting, honestly and candidly said: ‘When I look on my career and look back on it, and Tony’s mindset to pay tribute’ and Sting admitted, which I thought was just incredibly vulnerable but so real, he’s like: ‘It gave me a real hard look to really think without Eddie’s tutelage and care and passion for the industry, and willing to help me, I don’t know if Sting has the career that he had…'”

‘Without Eddie Gilbert’s vision, is there an ECW?’

Eddie Gilbert’s time as the booker of ECW occurred when the promotion was still known as “Eastern Championship Wrestling,” before breaking away from the NWA and eventually being headed up by Paul Heyman. But, because of this, Jeff Jarrett believes that the legacy of ECW can’t be spoken of without Gilbert. “Eastern Championship Wrestling, the precursor to ECW, Eddie was the driver, Eddie was the visionary, Eddie was the booker,” Jarrett noted. “And so, when you think about Eddie’s position…without Eddie Gilbert’s vision, is there an ECW?”

Jarrett then pivoted back to Tony Khan, pointing out how anybody can be a fan of professional wrestling without knowing stats, but expressed how blown away he is that the AEW President understood the respect and position Gilbert had in the industry. “My hat’s off to Tony, because I’ll say: knowing the straw that stirred the drink, I just got so much respect for that. And Tony? That’s what his tribute was about, let’s pay proper respect to the guy that gave you the straw that really stirred the drink in Philadelphia,” he said. “There would not be an AEW Dynamite, Collision, for three consecutive weeks – a Ring of Honor pay-per-view – in that building had it not been for Eddie Gilbert’s vision.”

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit “My World with Jeff Jarrett” and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

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Bobby Roode (art credit Grant Gould © PWTorch)

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

The following report originally published 10 years ago this week here at PWTorch.com…

TNA Impact Wrestling TV Results
August 26, 2015
Taped in Orlando, Fla.
Report by Mike McMahon, PWTorch contributor

Impact Wrestling opens with a video package highlighting last week’s show and the events of the last several weeks, including Jeff Jarrett being in control and Drew Galloway getting attacked backstage.

In-arena: The Hardys’s music plays and Matt and Jeff Hardy make their way to the ring as Josh Mathews introduces the broadcast. Mathews says that Matt Hardy wants another shot at the TNA World Title. Also on commentary, The Pope says that Matt Hardy has made it his mission to get another shot at the TNA Title.

Jeff Hardy begins the promo by apologizing for breaking his leg in a dirt bike accident, telling the crowd, “I’ll make it up to you.”

Hardy said no one gave the Hardys a chance to succeed in pro wrestling but “the creatures” believed. Jeff said that Matt needs one more shot at Ethan Carter III. Jeff said if Matt got one more shot, there was no doubt in his mind that Matt would become the next TNA World Champion.

Matt said that was music to his ears. Matt said that it’s been over a year since Impact Wrestling welcomed him back, and the support has been overwhelming. Matt said the last time he faced ECIII, it was an extraordinary match, and it could have gone either way. He said he truly feels he’s the man to carry Impact Wrestling into the future. He told ECIII he’s coming for the World Title.

That brought out ECIII and Tyrus. They were on the ramp and ECIII had a microphone. ECIII said that in 1999, when he was just a kid, he was there live for a match that changed his life. He said it involved ladders and the Hardys. So to have the opportunity to share the ring with two legends he couldn’t be more … disappointed.

He called the Hardys the “groveler and the gimp.” ECIII said he did what he does best, and he was victorious. The fans started chanting, “Hardy! Hardy! Hardy!” and ECIII said the people wanted another match, but they’re not getting it. He went to leave, but Jeff stopped him and asked him to explain to the people why he was a “jackass.” ECIII said he was a franchise and hood ornament of the company, as well as the World Champion.

ECIII said he’s a top guy, and it’s a spot Jeff should have, but he’s a daredevil who couldn’t stick a landing. Jeff said he wasn’t cleared to wrestle, but if someone would toss him a steel chair and beat the hell out of ECIII and Tyrus.

ECIII whispered to Tyrus, then said he was a giver of opportunities, and if the people wanted Hardy to have a re-match, he’d get one right now. But he said it comes with a caveat. ECIII said if Hardy wins, he gets the World Title. But, if ECIII wins, Jeff must become his personal assistant. ECIII then left the ring.

Announce studio: Mathews and Pope wondered if Matt and Jeff would accept that challenge. Mathews said Jeff needs to bet on his brother. Mathews also said that Jeff Jarrett is here and wondered if Dixie Carter would give him total control of Impact Wrestling.

Mathews then threw to a video highlighting the feud between Eric Young and Chris Melendez.

Backstage: Eric Young said that he won’t be responsible for what happens tonight. He said Chris Melendez made a fatal mistake asking for another match, and Young said right now, he’s taking his “fake leg.”

[Commercial Break at 9:14]

[Q2] Back from the break, Jeff Jarrett is entering the arena. He said nothing is definitive yet on if Dixie would name him in charge of the show.

In-arena: Christy Hemme introduced Eric Young and Chris Melendez.

1 — ERIC YOUNG vs. CHRIS MELENDEZ — if Eric Young wins, he gets Melendez’s prosthetic leg (seriously)

Young takes control early with some clotheslines, and Young puts the boots to Melendez while he’s down, following up with elbows. In the corner, Young is now dragging Melendez’s face on the ropes and fires off right hands in the corner.

On his knees, Melendez starts to fight back, but Young cuts him off with a knee. Young applies a rear chinlock and cranks on it. Melendez lands a modified stunner out of the rear chinlock and starts to get some offense. Young rakes the eyes and takes momentum right back but misses on a charge in the corner and Melendez gets a two count on a roll-up attempt.

After some wrestling near the ropes, Young schoolboys Melendez and puts both legs on the second rope to get the pin.

WINNER: Eric Young at 3:07.

Post-match, Melendez looks defeated as Young grabs a mic and screams at the fans to shut up before demanding Melendez’s leg. Melendez took off his leg and went to hand it to Young, who backed up and told him to “come closer,” as Melendez struggled to maintain his balance. He then tossed it to Young, who said it was going on his mantle. Young’s music played as he left the arena holding Melendez’s leg high above his head like a trophy.

[Reax: That was uncomfortable. The live crowd seemed to eat it up, though, and Young had really good heat. It didn’t sound like it was manufactured in post-production, either. There were some visual shots of the crowd and they looked genuinely heated. … Wrestling can be goofy at times but it shouldn’t cross over into an area where, as an adult fan, you’d be embarrassed to have the show on while your non-fan friends are in the room. That’s what this segment was, though. Personally, if I had a non-wrestling-fan friend in the room and this came on, I’d turn it off to save the “you watch this stuff?” lecture.]

[Commercial Break at 9:26]

[Q3] Back from the break, Mathews recaps what we just saw from Eric Young and Chris Melendez.

2 — X Division champion TIGRE UNO vs. D.J. ZEMA vs. SONJAY DUTT — three-way X Division Title match

A lot of quick footwork to start the match from all three men before D.J. Z dropkicks Uno to the outside. After some chain wrestling, Sonjay lifts Zema over the top rope and he lands on Uno on the outside.

Still on the outside, Uno brings Zema back into the ring and finds himself in control. Uno hits a springboard moonsault off the second rope for a two count and then misses a springboard corkscrew, which gives Zema the opening to take control. Dutt is still on the outside.

After a superkick and a double clothesline, all three men are down. Zema and Dutt are up and Sonjay got caught by Zema attempting a springboard. Tigre Uno hits a German Suplex and then a frog splash for the win.

WINNER: Tigre Uno retains the X Division Title at 4:46.

[Reax: The crowd was really quiet for this match, despite the good athleticism. Good match for what it was. They didn’t have time to do much, but Sonjay Dutt continues to look good.]

Backstage: James Storm is with The Revolution. He said tonight, it’s all about them. They aren’t going to get the “company” hold them down because they are the face of the company.

[Commercial Break at 9:39]

Back from the break, TNA aired a highlight from earlier tonight on the promo between Matt Hardy and ECIII.

Backstage: Matt and Jeff Hardy are shown talking backstage but we can’t hear them.

3 — TNA Tag Team Champions THE WOLVES (Eddie Edwards & Davey Richards) vs. THE REVOLUTION (Manik & Abyss) — TNA Tag Team Title match

[Q4] Abyss and Richards will start this match. They lock up and Abyss shoves Richards to the mat. He gets up and tags in Edwards, who suffers the same fate. Meanwhile, Mathews said: “Bully Ray is not coming back, the law is gone,” but he obviously didn’t mention Bully Ray’s signing with WWE earlier this week since this was pre-taped.

The match continues as Edwards hits rapid chops on Manik. Manik goes to the second rope but Edwards catches him and hits a cool-looking leaping stunner. With Abyss down in the corner, the Wolves a double dropkick. Edwards lifts Manik for a powerbomb and Richards comes flying to make it a Force of Nature for the win.

WINNERS: The Wolves retained the Tag Titles.

[Commercial Break at 9:54]

Video Package: Christy Hemme recaps the Knockouts calendar photo shoot.

In-arena: The Hardys are out on the stage for Jeff Hardy to answer ECIII. Jeff said ECIII is always using money to save his problem and making the people feel numb. Jeff said he’s accepting the challenge because Matt can’t lose. That match will happen next week.

[Reax: The first Hardy-ECIII match was great and this re-match feels like one of the more anticipated TNA matches in a while.]

Video Package: The (brief) history between TNA and Global Force Wrestling is highlighted, including Jeff Jarrett running Impact the last few weeks.

[Q5] Backstage: Dixie Carter is shown on the telephone.

4 — Knockouts champion BROOKE vs. VELVET SKY — TNA Knockouts Title match

Sky leads off with a side headlock and he hits a tackle very early into the match. Sky is in control for most of the match with little intermittent periods where Brooke had more offense. Sky and Brooke then trade right hands in the middle of the ring.

Both are down and getting back to their feet at the same time. Brooke hits a kick to the midsection and tosses Sky to the outside. They brawl around the ringside area and Brooke tosses Sky back into the ring. That’s when Jade and Marti Bell hit the ring and attack Brooke before turning their attention to Sky.

WINNER: The match ended in a No Contest due to interference; Brooke retained the KO Title.

Post-match, Sky tries to fight off Jade and Marti, then Rebel ran down to the ring. It looked like she was going to help Sky, but instead she kicked Sky and beat her down. Taryn Terrell then addressed Sky and Brooke on-screen, saying the ring was her house. Velvet Sky sold being out cold in the ring while Rebel, Jade, and Marti yelled and screamed in the middle of the ring, then celebrated.

Backstage: Bobby Roode was asked why he deserves to be in the #1 contender match to the King of the Mountain Title. He said tonight he’s going to prove to everyone why he’s the “it factor.”

[Commercial Break at 10:12]

ARTICLE CONTINUED BELOW…

Check out the latest episode of the “All Elite Conversation Club” with Joel Dehnel and Gregg Kanner, part of the PWTorch Dailycast line-up: CLICK HERE to stream (or search “pwtorch†on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or any other iOS or Android app to subscribe free)

[Q6] Back from the break, Mr. Anderson was shown backstage saying that tonight four of the best are competing for a shot at the King of the Mountain Title. Anderson said he could tell everyone how he’s the best, but his actions speak louder than words.

After he finished, the camera zoomed in on Drew Galloway, who looked mad while talking on the phone. He stormed off.

5 — MR. ANDERSON vs. JAMES STORM vs. BOBBY ROODE vs. BOBBY LASHLEY — Four-way match — Winner becomes No. 1 contender for the TNA/GFW King of the Mountain Title

Lashley and Anderson are sort of teaming up to take on Storm at the start of the match. Now that he’s on the outside, Anderson and Lashley go through a quick sequence of moves, all missing, and then stopping in a stand-off.

[Commercial Break at 10:24]

Back from the break, Storm and Roode are in control, beating down Lashley and Anderson in the ring. Roode tosses Lashley to the outside as Beer Money, Inc. briefly look to the crowd, who cheer for a reunion, but then Storm and Roode immediately come to blows.

Storm goes for a cover, but Roode kicks out at two. Roode hits a flying neckbreaker off the top on Storm and goes for a pin, but Anderson breaks it up. Anderson is in there with Storm, but Lashley clotheslines him out of the ring.

Lashley hits a splash on Storm and follows that with right hands to the head. Lashley is on the top rope and goes for a superplex on Storm from the top rope, but Roode hits the ring and turns it into an electric chair powerbomb. Anderson and Roode then fight on the top rope, but Anderson misses a swanton as Roode moves out of the way.

[Q7] Storm sets his sights on Anderson, hitting a clothesline and then follows him to the outside. In the ring, Roode hammers away on Lashley. Roode gets the upper hand on Lashley in the ring, but Lashley regains control with a clothesline. Lashley then goes for a standing vertical suplex, but Roode hits a knee while hanging in the air.

Roode has Lashley on his shoulders, but Storm breaks that up. He’s thanked by a Lashley powerslam. Anderson then flies back in the ring and hits a neckbreaker on Lashley for a two count.

Anderson hits the Mic Check on Roode and goes for a cover, but Storm breaks it up. Anderson catches Storm on top and powerbombs him. Storm and Roode then work together on Anderson. Storm tries to kick Roode, but Roode blocks it and hits the Roode Bomb, which is good for the three count.

WINNER: Bobby Roode at 14:23.

[Reax: Really good match that had an electric pace to it at times. They told a good story here as well, with Roode angling for this opportunity over the last several weeks and finally earning it here. The live crowd also ate up the teased Beer Money reunion, with Storm and Roode working together in the beginning of the match.]

In-studio: Mathews and Pope announce that Brooke, Gail Kim, and Velvet Sky will all be on the cover of the Knockout calendar.

[Commercial Break at 10:36]

Back from the break, TNA replayed Hardy accepting ECIII’s condition for Matt Hardy’s TNA Title re-match next week. Mathews runs down the card for next week’s show, including the Hardy-ECIII title match.

Backstage: ECIII says he wants Hardy to be at his best. ECIII says he’ll beat him, fair and square, and then Jeff gets to be on Team ECIII.

In-arena: Dixie Carter makes her way to the ring to announce whether or not she’ll allow Jeff Jarrett to run the day-to-day operations of Impact Wrestling.

Dixie said she has learned that when someone sincerely offers their help, you listen. You don’t let stubbornness get in the way of making a good decision. Dixie said successful companies have leadership that works as a team.

Dixie said that when Jeff Jarrett came back to TNA this summer, it was great. She said she knew the opportunity was there, but she was just as shocked as everyone when it happened. She said she was the happiest person when it did. She said she owed Jeff an important decision on their future, and asked that he join her in the ring.

Out came Jeff Jarrett, who was wearing a GFW t-shirt and was not accompanied by his wife, Karen. Mathews re-iterated that Bully Ray is not returning.

Jarrett said that he appreciated Dixie’s kind words. He said the new chapter in their relationship was out of the blue. Jeff said he founded the company, but it was the days, weeks, and years that came after that which made TNA so special, and it was his home for over 10 years.

[Q8] Jarrett said he knew that Dixie needed help and he’s glad she realizes that. He said TNA and GFW working together is a win-win-win. It’s a win for TNA, for GFW, and for the wrestling fan. But with that said, the momentum is going but he believed it needs to keep growing.

Dixie said the last few weeks have exceeded her expectations. She said that when Dixie and Jeff work together, they’re unstoppable. Dixie said the show needs a leader, she was talking to her team and they were all in agreement. Drew Galloway then interrupted her from the stage. He said he had something he needed to tell her right now. The show then suddenly crashed to a break.

[Commercial Break at 10:48]

Back from the break, Drew said he wouldn’t interrupt unless it was necessary. He said the TNA-GFW relationship has been awesome. Galloway he respects Jarrett, he’s a legend, and the father of TNA.

Galloway said that Bully Ray was attacked and then he was, and up until 20 minutes ago he wouldn’t be out there until he found this out. Galloway said someone must have seen something. Then he put his criminology degree to work for the first time in his life and he found something in the security footage. He said you don’t see faces, but you see the getaway car.

Galloway said there were two attacks, two rental cars and one name on both rentals – Jeff Jarrett. Galloway said he feels like an idiot for not figuring it out. Drew said he had everything to gain. He could gain power with Drew gone and one of his guys could win the KOTM Title with Drew out of the picture.

Jarrett swore that he had nothing to do with it. Jarrett got in Galloway’s face and said if he’s lying, he’d drop him where he stands. Galloway said if it wasn’t him, who was it? Karen then emerges from backstage and says it was her. Karen said she did it for Jeff. She said she did it for their family and for GFW.

Jeff yelled at Karen that he didn’t ask her to do this, but Karen said he deserves it. She said TNA is his company and he deserves it. Karen said one spark can cause a giant inferno. Jarrett then low-blowed Galloway. GFW’s roster hit the ring and beat down Galloway as Dixie ran from the ring.

Rockstar Spud ran down to help Galloway, but he was alone and he also took a beat down. The Wolves then ran down to help out, but they were immediately swallowed up by GFW’s roster. After the beat down, all of the TNA wrestlers were left lying in the ring while the GFW roster stood tall as the show went off the air.

FINAL THOUGHTS: Much better show than last week’s, which fell flat despite the Turning Point theme. They finally paid off the GFW-TNA rivalry with what looks like an actual invasion angle. The question is whether or not it’s too late. It’s almost hard to believe that Jarrett has been back on TNA television for two months. What has he done in that time? Won the KOTM Title? Perhaps it’s because he came back in the middle of a television taping, but it feels like they wasted several weeks where the iron could have been a little hotter. They’re going to have to do a good job building up the names involved with GFW, because no one has any investment in the brand itself. The angle could work, but it needs to be more than just a wrestling company without any television exposure – aside from Impact – invading Impact.

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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)…

SUMMARY of #880 cover-dated September 24, 2005: The cover story looks at TNA’s decision to give the NWA World Title belt back to Jeff Jarrett just before the Spike TV debut… Promoter Gabe Sapolsky tells the Torch about the ROH World Title change and the departure of Mick Foley in the ROH Newswire… Pat McNeill, Bruce Mitchell, and Wade Keller each tackle the issue of WWE’s aggressive protection of their trademarks as it relates to Hardcore Homecoming with in-depth analysis, sarcasm, and historical perspective mixed in… Part one of the Jeff Hardy “Torch Talk” feature Jeff’s most in-depth discussion yet about the Lita-Edge controversy including his regrets over how he handled the situation himself, who he wants to apologize to, why he sees more than one side to the story, and details of his relationship with his brother these days, plus his hopes and dreams for TNA now that the Spike TV debut is near, and more. It’s a great follow-up on the Ultimate Insiders DVD interview with Jeff… In-depth coverage of WWE Unforgiven including columnist Roundtable Reviews… Also WWE Newswire with inside news, TNA Newswire, Top Five Stories of the Week, The Raw Big Story, The Smackdown Big Story, The OVW TV Big Story, Backtrack on Lex Luger’s surprise jump to WCW, Arena Spotlight, and more…

–DIRECT LINK: PWTorchNewsletter #880

–LIST OF ALL 2005 BACK ISSUES

–TUTORIAL ON DISPLAYING NEWSLETTER PDFS ON IPAD OR ANDROID TABLET

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