In a recent episode of his podcast, “My World,” WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett delved into the importance of maintaining the prestige of the NWA World Heavyweight Title during the mid-2000s.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the discussion:
Speaking about his tenure as the NWA World Heavyweight Champion, Jarrett said, “I had an insightful conversation with an AEW main eventer recently. He asked about my experiences, and I shared how starting a new promotion under the circumstances we had was a challenge. Considering that we were transitioning out of the Attitude Era and wrestling was facing sponsor resistance, creating a unique narrative was paramount. Instead of inventing the TNA Championships from scratch, I advocated for leveraging the NWA Title’s rich history. Though NWA was well past its prime, I believed that associating with it would lend credibility to our startup and give NWA some much-needed exposure. And so, we negotiated a licensing deal that worked well for both parties. Being a part of that legacy, defending the belt in places like New Zealand, Japan, and Puerto Rico, it was an honor.”
Addressing the treatment of Shane Douglas by WWE, Jarrett added, “I was aware that there were disagreements between him and certain people. The environment was strained for all concerned. However, I lack sufficient first-hand information to pinpoint what went awry. What is evident, however, is that attempts were made to develop various personas from the New Generation’s onset, most of which failed to resonate with the audience. Prior to being handed a character that lacked traction, Shane was already facing mounting challenges, which ultimately led to his departure.”
For a more in-depth look into Jarrett’s perspective, the full podcast episode can be seen below.