Jeff Jarrett is looking at TNA’s rumored WWE deal and asking the obvious question: why would Anthem agree to that?
During his My World podcast, the TNA founder reacted to talk that WWE may have a “first right of refusal” clause involving TNA Wrestling. That would mean if another company ever made an offer to buy TNA, WWE could match the offer and buy the company instead.Jarrett said he does not know for sure if the clause is real, but he clearly does not understand why TNA’s parent company would put something like that on the table.
“Why would you do that? I’m asking, first right of refusal? Like what, what did Anthem get out of that? And I honestly mean that, let’s play both sides of this and have the conversation. What does Anthem get out of giving them that clause?”
That was Jarrett’s main issue. TNA working with WWE and NXT is one thing. Letting talent cross over and building buzz is good business. But giving WWE a possible inside track to buy TNA is a whole different level. Jarrett said if that clause really exists, then the situation becomes very clear.
“Oh boy. If that’s really the truth, first right of refusal? IF it’s there, then the writing is on the wall, and it’s in super glue.”
He also laid out how the whole thing could look from the outside, with TNA talent being folded into WWE and NXT storylines while both audiences get connected.
“If that’s true, boy, oh boy. ‘Hey man, let’s give them this talent, let’s give them this talent. Let’s get them on that WWE train and get the audience of TNA and WWE and NXT, and let’s marry them up. Hey, let’s even do a TNA/NXT kind of storyline battle. Okay. Yep. We’re rolling along.’”
The rumored clause has been compared to past WWE deals with European promotions, where WWE got content for its Network and also had an option connected to buying those companies. RevPro was offered that type of deal and turned it down.
Jarrett’s whole point is that Anthem needs to be getting something major in return if it really gave WWE that kind of leverage. Otherwise, he cannot see the upside. For Jarrett, the question is not just whether WWE could someday buy TNA. The bigger question is why Anthem would ever want to hand WWE that door in the first place.
What do you think Anthem would get out of giving WWE a first right of refusal clause for TNA? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
