Source: Slam! Wrestling
Below are highlights from a recent interview between TNA Founder Jeff Jarrett and Slam! Wrestling out of the CANOE organization in Canada. Jarrett was promoting today’s big Canadian house show.
On Future Canadian Tours:
“Canada’s still very important. It’s great any time we can cross the border. In fact, we’re actually in discussion with some promoters in western Canada to tour those provinces. We’re looking for some windows to have several shows in Canada in 2011.”
On Being Fan-Friendly:
“Well, you can use that term,” Jarrett offered, “but I say we’re not just fan friendly, but rather that we’re the most fan interactive wrestling experience, and for that matter, entertainment experience.”
“We’re signing autographs and taking pictures literally from the time the doors open. We’ll have different stars out there at the table as people come in. During intermission, we have a TNA Knockout out there taking pictures. After the show, we have a big autograph party with many different stars. We give the opportunity for everyone in the building to get into the ring and take a picture with one of the TNA stars. Throughout the night, we find the loudest, rowdiest fans and hand them a backstage pass, and they get to come back for a meet and greet during the intermission. Through radio promotions and contests, people can become a guest manager or guest announcer. We pride ourselves on being fan interactive. People sometimes ask, ‘Do you really do this at every live event?’ — and the answer is yes.”
On the Naysayers from the Internet:
“It doesn’t bother me. You have to take the good with the bad (when it comes to comments from fans). Their comments are actually a true testament to the passion of, not just TNA fans, but fans of all wrestling. That’s what makes this business so unique. That level of passion has been there always, from when all the networks carried wrestling in the ’60s to when it was on the regional networks in the ’70s and ’80s, and now on cable and the internet and pay-per-view.”
On Bound for Glory’s Importance:
“That show is like our Stanley Cup — I’ll use a hockey reference because this is for Canadian media, as opposed to saying that it’s our Super Bowl. It’s the culmination of our year’s work. But also, to look at it from a promoter’s mentality, we also look at it as the starting point for our next year. Everybody brings up their A-game. There’s so much that goes in to that night.”
On Retirement Plans:
“The passion that I have for the business, in and out of the ring, is as strong as it’s ever been. I think I have a strong gift to teach different guys different things. I re-evaluate every year, see how my body feels, see how my mind feels, and figure it out at that time. I’ll know when it’s time, but right now, I’m still happy doing it.”
