Jeff Jarrett Discusses The Pay-Per-View Model Dying Out, Plans For AAA/GFW, & More

The Squared Circle Gazette recently interviewed former WWE, WCW, and TNA wrestler Jeff Jarrett. Jarrett discussed GFW possibly bringing AAA and TripleMania to PPV, if there is resistance to a new wrestling product with the current TV landscape, and more. Below are some highlights:

Jarrett on possibly bringing AAA’s TripleMania to PPV in North America: “We have our contracts in place with the Pay-Per-View distributors…You mention TripleMania – I’m in discussions with multiple international partners to bring their products to the North American and now the global audience via the Flipps App. So yes, to answer your question, yes, we are in discussions on bringing in other international shows to Pay-Per-View other than New Japan”

Jarrett on if the current PPV model is dying: “When you try twelve a year, absolutely. And yes, everything is going online obviously. But you know, UFC…Floyd Mayweather…if you ask them if Pay-Per-View is a dying breed they would laugh at you. But you have to have that special event, if you try twelve a year then the returns are not there, especially when there’s so much programming out there. In this set of circumstances, you can’t watch New Japan on a two or three hour weekly show with the same matchups. You can only see Tanahashi and Okada (and this great card) on Pay-Per-View, and that makes it can’t miss”

On if there is resistance to a new wrestling product with the current TV landscape: “We are in multiple, multiple discussions with several networks, but the right deal has to be done. My attorneys tell me that sometimes your best deals are the ones you don’t do. A guy like me, that’s hard to absorb at times. But AXS has just picked up New Japan for a 13 week run. Lucha Underground has got a run. Brand exposure is the key. To create revenues in this business, and Vince McMahon is a genius with that – his deal is fantastic with NBC Universal, but that’s just a piece of his puzzle. He has international deals, touring business, merchandise, licensing, sponsorship, his online Network. Revenue streams are broad and deep, so TV is one component of a wrestling promotion.”

Jeff Jarrett Reacts To TNA Wrestling Lasting This Long, His Greatest Accomplishment In Wrestling

Birthdate: 07/22/1965 (age 49) Height: 6'1" Weight: 225 Ib Shawn Michaels has been signed to WWE, as an am...

The following are highlights of a new Main Event Madness Radio interview with Global Force Wrestling (GFW) founder Jeff Jarrett:

On his greatest in-ring accomplishment: "Well inside the ring, you know, it goes without saying, anybody that's ever laced up a pair of boots, anyone that's wanted to be a professional wrestler that became a professional wrestler, they want to be world champion. So, when I reached that goal, I was very, very happy. Every world title I've ever won was a proud moment, you know? The first time I won the [WWE] Intercontinental Title back in 1995, I really enjoyed that. When I look back on my career, you have different phases of your career, and I enjoyed my time and series of matches with Shawn Michaels, and just a couple years ago, my series of matches with Kurt Angle. Those are some of the highlights."

On if he thought TNA would last as long as it has when it started: "You know, I've been asked that question several different ways. When anybody starts a business, you envision it being around for a long time. Nobody starts a business and says, 'Hey I'm gonna be around for a month or two.' So, absolutely. I did everything in my power and [I'm] very pleased with my time in TNA."

Check out the complete interview at Spreaker.com.

Royal Ramblings Talks GFW with Jeff Jarrett

Global Force Wrestling is not just set to take the world by storm, it is already doing so. Fundamentally changing the approach to how wrestling works, this inspiring new brand is the brainchild of wrestling hero Jeff Jarrett who talked us through their plans. For fans that want to see GFW's debut outing, it will a joint Pay-Per-View venture with New Japan Pro Wrestling and is to be called by the legendary announcer Jim Ross. UK Fans will be able to see the show on 4 January 2015 through the FLIPPS app, so download it now to your smart phones and TVs and get this on your Christmas list to ensure you are a part of the action and see what is likely to be the most widely distributed PPV in history!

How did GFW come about and what the timeline is for rolling it out? You seem to be taking it slowly and cautiously.
Well, the wrestling business is in my blood. My family has been in the business since the 1940s. My Grandmother did everything but wrestle, she promoted the business and then my dad - he promoted as well as wrestled - so it's in my blood. In June 2002 I launched TNA wrestling and then last December it was time for me to try something new and we parted ways. So I took a couple of months and I had different ideas and different concepts and I started to piece them together and then April 7 2014 is when I officially launched the brand. Patience is not in my DNA! But I'm piecing things together and 2015 is when the rollout will really start to take shape. Obviously we've partnered with New Japan Pro Wrestling and we're executive producing the Pay-Per-View that's going to be seen on a global basis via the Flipps app and through all the traditional Pay-Per-View carriers in North America. That's the short answer of how Global Force Wrestling came about.

So as you mention, you're partnering with New Japan Pro Wrestling for "Wrestle Kingdom 9" on 4 January for GFW's first presentation. Is it a sign of how you're going to do business, working as an umbrella group for others?
The answer is we'll do both things. We'll also be a fully functioning promotion with rosters and distribution and sponsorships and international deals but like I said, I've seen others and been a part of things. If you rush a product to market when it's not ready, I'm a big believer in the first impression being a lasting impression so New Japan is the first presentation but it's the first of many to come. We're going to be making an announcement with a South African promotion very soon but we're taking our time, doing it step by step, getting the brand awareness in place. That's the big thing, when we finally step on the main stage, I want to make sure that the brand is widely exposed and it's clearly defined what we're about. These are the steps that we're taking right now.

On that point, it seems that social media is key to you. GFW has had some 4 million impressions on social media in 30 days. How is that working and have the other companies missed a trick in having fans do their marketing for them?
All of entertainment - not just professional wrestling - is going online and we live in a magnificent world where the speed of technology is instantaneous. So when we partnered with New Japan, sat down and discussed our marketing and how we were going to expose NJPW not just to North America but throughout the globe, we knew that the digital age was exactly our target market for professional wrestling fans. We're very happy with the rollout and promotion thus far and we're really looking forward to the next 2-3 weeks to bring the marketing campaign home for the January 4 show.

You're working with Doug Williams, NGW and Revolution Pro Wrestling in the UK. How did you pick them and are you open to working with other promotions?  
We're definitely open to working with other promotions and it's going to be a talent exchange. Doug is very instrumental - I've got a lot of respect for him and obviously I'm not the only one. He has an immense amount of talent himself but he can also spot talent. He is a guy that's very trustworthy and that's first and foremost and so Doug highlighted the promotions and the stars of tomorrow are in these independent promotions around the globe. We've partnered with several in Australia, one in Germany and we're going to...

VIDEOS: Austin Aries Is A Rock Star?!, Jarrett ...

-- Check out this video of TNA Superstar Austin Aries performing with an unknown band:-- Jeff Jarrett has released a new video in which he and Karen Jarrett talk about his departure. Karen mentions that she had no fears about Jeff leaving and Jeff says point blank, "Was it the toughest decision I have ever made in my life? No." You can check it out below:

Tough Enough Winner Interested In Jeff Jarrett...

Andy Leavine, who won the Tough Enough reboot, posted the following to Twitter expressing interest in Jeff Jarrett's upcoming promotion:@RealJeffJarrett if your looking for talent and there's an opportunity, where can I throw my name into the mix and EARN a spot!— Andy Leavine (@AndyLeavine301) February 14, 2014Former @WWEToughEnough champ and @WWCPR heavyweight champion. If there's anything I can send you please let me know!— Andy Leavine (@AndyLeavine301) February...