Daily DDT Interviews Global Force Wrestling Founder Jeff Jarrett

Following a storied career throughout the WWF and WCW, Jeff Jarrett made his mark on the wrestling business in a way that continued down the path that his family had trekked many times before. He started TNA in 2002 and he has now moved on to a wrestling promotion that is planning to do things a different way than the business is accustomed to. Global Force Wrestling is in it’s beginning stages, but their founder talked with Daily DDT to discuss the work that they’ve already done, their goals for the future and to look back at his own in-ring career.

What was it that originally made you want to get in the ring?

My family has been in the wrestling business since the 1940s. My grandmother did everything in the business except wrestle. She sold tickets, she promoted, really everything that you can imagine. My father followed in her footsteps and he also ventured into the in-ring aspect of things. It’s a family business.

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How did you decide to leave WWF for WCW?

During those times they were called the Monday Night Wars. I went to WCW for a year and back and it was just because there were better offers on the table contractually. 

Overall, how would you describe your experiences with Vince McMahon?

He has no fears; he’s the best marketer and promoter the business has ever seen, his track record speaks for itself. He went national after purchasing his father’s business in the 80’s and he just went about it in the best way possible. He’s a smart guy, a workaholic and even though he’ll make you work hard, too, he’ll reward you very well. I respect him as much as anyone. 

What is your all-time favorite match?

I had a series of matches against Shawn Michaels in the 90s that I’m proud of. Just three or four years ago I had a lot of great matches against Kurt Angle. Earlier in my career I had some tag matches with Jerry Lawler that were a completely different style than today. Really early in my career, I had some matches against Curt Henning that were very, very special. It would be hard to nail down just one though.

What is GFW?

It is a brand-new professional wrestling promotion. We are in the start-up mode. I founded TNA in June of 2002 and here we are 13 years later with another promotion. We’re having a lot of patience. We’re putting together talent deals, sponsorship deals and like our name says, we’re a global company. It’ll be it’s own separate promotion with it’s own talent. When the time is right and we have everything set up, we will make our announcement regarding that.

What have been some of the biggest challenges in the beginning stages of GFW?

I wouldn’t really classify them as challenges. Over my time I’ve learned that you do the right deals, not necessarily the first deals, or even the second deals. You want to make sure the deal is right. Not only do you need exposure and distribution, you need them all in one. In this day and age you need sponsors; it’s economics. There are many, many different components and you’re better off piecing it together rather than rushing to pull it off. 

What have you learned since starting up TNA?

Quite frankly, WWE has a 80-90% market share so that’s why I aligned myself with AAA, New Japan and several promotions in South Africa that are really going. I’ve aligned myself with brands on 5 continents. I want a talent exchange, you have to be different, and you have to be unique. The audience will tell you what like and that’s what we plan on giving them. 

What should fans be expecting out of New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom 9?

Very simple, it will be the very best of professional wrestling show of 2015. The stars have aligned, and the Bullet Club is back. Over in Japan, they’re not just superstars, they’re mega-stars. They have talent, charisma and the “it” factor, they can flat out wrestle. They’re on track to sell over 50,000 tickets and in the Tokyo Dome; it’ll be a spectacle. It’s one of those shows that’s a “can’t miss” event. 

Are you looking forward to getting back in the ring?

I have certainly not planned to wrestle but wehn the opportunity that came about I couldn’t refuse. That’s what I’ve done the most in my career and just being apart of the Bullet Club and the fact that my opponents are Hall of Famers, I’m just psyched for it.

What are you looking for in a performer?

You have to have a skillset that translates into 2015. You have to have a very, very high quality work; Promo skills, in-ring skills, charisma. You have to carry yourself in and out of the ring like a professional. I have a big white board of 40 different prospects on it, and some are better than others but it comes back to just being able to go in the ring, that’s what the crowd cares about.

”We’re putting together talent deals, sponsorship deals and like our name says, we’re a global company. It’ll be it’s own separate promotion with it’s own talent”

Are there any performers that are at the top of your list for GFW? 

I don’t want to tip my hat, but there are some great free agents out there. In AAA and New Japan there are several talents that are very good. It’s not hard to find out who’s on my short list. There’s so much depth in the free agents right now, guys who have been on the grand stage.

What is it that’s going to set GFW apart from other wrestling companies?

I touched on it a little bit, but we have a mindset that we’ll recognize promotions around the world. Just yesterday, we promoted ROH’s PPV on all of our social media accounts. We’re all in this industry together, the healthier each promotion is, the healthier the wrestling business will be a whole.

What advice would you have for someone that’s looking to break into the wrestling business, either in the ring or behind the scenes?

It’s very simple, learn the basics and get as many matches under your belt as you possibly can. You need to learn the craft and learn the trade. Get out there and get as much work in as you can.

Jarrett can be found on Twitter at @RealJeffJarrett or @GFWWrestling. New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom 9, where Jarrett will be in a tag team match with the Bullet Club, airs on Sunday, January 4th and can be found on multiple platforms, including the Flipps app and Pay-Per-View.