Jeff Jarrett knows people still roll their eyes at how often he held the NWA Worlds Heavyweight Title in early TNA, but he says the whole “ego trip” argument is nonsense.
While speaking on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Jarrett said people inside TNA questioned the decision at times, including Dixie Carter, Dutch Mantel, Vince Russo, Jeremy Borash, Scott D’Amore and others. His answer was always the same: he had the most money at risk, so making himself champion just for vanity would have been bad business.
“Do you really think that Jeff Jarrett, who has the most money at risk, is going to make a decision based on ego rather than dollars and cents? My money’s at stake. I’m the single largest shareholder of the promotion. I have a fiduciary responsibility to my investors.”
Jarrett said the idea that he booked himself on top purely for glory was laughable, especially because he grew up in the wrestling business and understood how the industry worked.
“It was such nonsense and the thought process that he is making himself champion for glory is laughable, especially me being a third-generation guy, and being around the business since a little kid, and it was always so laughable.”
Jarrett also made it clear he has no regrets. He pointed to TNA’s growth under his leadership, from weekly pay-per-view to Fox Sports Net, Spike TV, and eventually two hours in prime time: “None. My track record, I’ll say this: our track record speaks for itself.”
His other argument was simple: TNA was working on a tight budget, and he was the only person he knew would not walk out and sign with WWE. In his mind, that made him the safest choice to carry the title while the company built names like AJ Styles.
“They understood that the only person that I can guarantee will not walk out and go to the WWE is myself.”
Jarrett also said he preferred the classic babyface chase. WWE usually had a heroic champion on top, but Jarrett believed TNA needed a heel champion with babyfaces chasing him instead.
“Also, my philosophy in booking is the babyface chase… I wanted a heel champion where the babyfaces were chasing, namely an AJ Styles, as we were developing talent.”
So Jarrett is not apologizing for those early TNA title reigns. Fans may still debate whether he should have been champion that often, but his stance is pretty clear: he saw it as protecting the company, protecting the investors, and giving TNA a stable heel champion while the promotion was still finding its footing.
What do you think about Jeff Jarrett defending his early TNA title reigns? Was it smart business or too much self-booking? Let us know in the comments below.
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