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He is great: Jeff Jarrett taking his place in WWE Hall of Fame

Posted: Mar 24th 2018 By: Gene Guillot - The Times-Picayune

In less than two weeks, World Wrestling Entertainment will induct its newest class into its Hall of Fame at the Smoothie King Center. The most surprising name on the list for the ceremony April 6 is Jeff Jarrett, who has been in the wrestling business for more than 30 years.

When WWE bought its competition, WCW, in March 2001, Jarrett was not brought over to WWE, and owner Vince McMahon even announced the firing on air. Jarrett then formed a new wrestling company in 2002 with his father, Jerry, to fill the void in the marketplace.

NWA: Total Nonstop Action (now Impact Wrestling) didn't quite give WWE full out competition, but it carved out a place in the wrestling landscape as the second biggest company in the United States for the next decade-plus. Jarrett left the promotion in 2014 and started another one called Global Force Wrestling.

And now more than 18 years after leaving WWE for the final time, Jarrett is returning to become a member of the Hall of Fame. His resume includes six Intercontinental titles in WWE, four WCW World Heavyweight championships and six NWA Heavyweight titles.

Jarrett recently spoke with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune about his most memorable opponents, his favorite guitar shots, his good friend Owen Hart and whether or not he will sing his famous country song during his induction speech.

What was your reaction when you got the phone call to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame?

It was a Sunday morning in early January. It was all in about 60 seconds. I was shocked. It was a very surreal moment. And then pretty quickly, I had a real sense of gratitude and am very grateful and humbled. My family has been in the business for three generations. For me to get this honor, I'm just incredibly humbled about this situation.

What's your relationship with WWE?

It's been nothing but spectacular reconnecting. Really looking forward to getting to New Orleans and not just seeing faces we see on camera every week but people behind the scenes.

What's going with Global Force Wrestling and how is your health?

I'm working on some international projects as we speak. It is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best I've been in years. Feel great. And not just physically. Mentally and emotionally and spiritually as well. I'm really excited about the next chapter of my career. The international wrestling scene has so much growth opportunity - Asia, South America, Africa, Europe, all around the world.

Will you lead a rendition of "With My Baby Tonight" during your speech on April 6?

I'll just say this: Never say never. Stay tuned.

What was it like to be part of the Monday Night Wars from both sides?

What a great time to be not only in the business, but as a fan. You had wrestling four nights a week and then the monthly pay-per-views. It went to 12 a year for each organization. All the talent and the stars that were created in the 90s, it was truly a remarkable time. This was before social media. It was a real unique time where cable television dominated the landscape.

How many guitars do you think you've broken over heads in your career?

I'm not a big statistic guy, and that's certainly one that I haven't kept over the years. I do have some favorite guitar shots, and those are fun to reminisce on. The Fabulous Moolah (1999) for that time period was pretty drastic, a man hitting a 70-plus-year-old woman with a guitar. She took it like a champ. Beetlejuice (2000) of Howard Stern fame. Gary Coleman (2000), the sitcom star of the 80s.

You won the WWE tag titles with your friend Owen Hart. What are your memories of him?

Everybody has a funny story or a recounting of a rib, but the thing that I want people to never forget about is the kind of human being he was. The integrity. He was an incredible father and husband. Co-worker. Peer. He could put a smile on your face and he absolutely could go toe-to-toe with anybody in the industry. We had a kinship. We were both second-generation wrestlers. The respect I've got for that guy and just what he stood for, that's what I like people to remember and that's what I like to talk about when we talk about Owen's legacy.

What was the key to your success across 30 years and multiple companies?

I've got some longevity. Been blessed with good health. And then work ethic and showing up day in and day out. No matter what the circumstances are in our business - travel, politics, injury - you got to be in the game. And to be in the game you got to work hard and you have to know your craft. I was a stickler. I wanted to learn every nuance to my craft. And that's not just talking about in the ring. It's all facets. Production, marketing, PR. I've always looked at this business as a business.

How proud are you that TNA had success and had a hand in producing new talent?

I'm just very grateful I got the opportunity. I knew there was going to be a huge gap in the marketplace. It gave me an opportunity to be a businessman. A guy like AJ Styles, the cream always rises to the top. He gets all the credit. Bobby Roode is another one. Their talent got them to where they're at. Talent gets you to the top. Attitude keeps you there.

What are your plans for WrestleMania weekend?

I'm super excited that I get to go to WrestleMania this year with zero responsibility, other than maybe throwing on a tux and waving. I don't think I have to do much prep for that. I get to enjoy the event and watch the biggest show of the year. It's five nights, and that's the spectacle of WrestleMania and all the production that goes with it. I'm honored to be a part of it.

Do you know who your inductor will be?

Stay tuned for the announcement. I'm very excited about the guy that has been chosen.

What is your favorite match in WWE?

I had a series of matches against Shawn Michaels, a series of matches against Scott Hall and a series of tag matches where it was me and Shawn against Kevin (Nash) and Scott that I look back on very fondly. They were some of my favorites.

What is your favorite match in WCW?

I had some matches against Booker T that rank right up there with some of my all-time favorites. I got to be in a tag match with Flair and Dusty. I had singles matches against Flair and Goldberg and Diamond Dallas Page. All these guys turned out to be Hall of Famers.

What is your favorite match in TNA?

It's two people. Sting in 2006. And Kurt Angle pushed me to my limits and then some in a series of matches in 2010. It was very compelling, very hard-hitting, and every night we delivered.