On a recent edition of his “My World” podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett discussed trying to sign Mick Foley in the early 2000s, TNA ratings in 2008, and more.
You can check out some highlights from the podcast below:
On trying to sign Mick Foley in 2004: “That was three or four years. It was such an early — 2004, look where we were. We were starting. We weren’t on Spike TV. So we didn’t, we just thought it was pretty simple. We didn’t have the budget for what Mr. Bloom was looking for. And I say, Mr. Bloom, Barry Bloom was Mick’s agent. You know, it just wasn’t in the cards. And until I did the research, I’d really almost forgotten that, that we’d even kind of had those talks. But I and Mick go back to the late 80s when he came down as Cactus Jack Manson and worked for us and they went out to Dallas. So. We had had a relationship, or he had had a relationship with me and my father for years. But, these were the serious talks and I was damn, damn glad to get him.”
On TNA having hopes of bringing in bigger names would be able to increase ratings: “I’ll say we had Sting, and we began to add others. Yes, we had hopes. I’d be sitting here lying if I didn’t tell you that. Yeah, we had hopes that so and so, that Booker, Kevin Nash, that Sting would pop a number. Okay, now we’re getting Mick. But Mick in a non-wrestling role. I mean he came in — we all had realistic expectations, including the network because they had a relation to it. But what it did do was, you know, when you’re looking at our international sales deck and our licensing. And the licensing program is much more than yes, video games and action figures and we dove right into that as well. But it’s a full-on license program. When you kind of end up having a depth of a roster of four, five, six established stars, maybe more than that. And then you have your up-and-comers and homegrown, and guys that now have two years under their belt of Spike TV, you really begin to just have more depth across the board. So that was kind of the mindset. Yes, we wanted to pop ratings, but you got to remember and I don’t — especially doing the podcast, don’t ever lose sight of this, Conrad. We were not a top ten, not even a top 20 network. Spike was 22, and 23, so a top 25 network. And on Thursday nights and a lot of times during the week we were — you know, CSI popped numbers, but that was kind of bought programming that wasn’t original. We were their highest original program week in and week out. We knew the value we had for those guys, and they were heavily invested.”
On TNA’s ratings in 2008: “This is the other thing that I thought about. We’re in October of 2008, prime time doing whatever it was, 1.2, 1.4 million viewers. But we went from a a Saturday night, the late-night time slot to a Thursday night, the late-night time slot. To a one-hour prime time, to a two-hour prime time. So when you kind of pump the brakes and look over the last 24 months, we’re doing okay ratings and they’re happy with us.”
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In the world of professional wrestling, few names are as iconic as Mick Foley. Known for his larger-than-life persona and his willingness to put his body on the line for the sake of entertainment, Foley has left an indelible mark on the industry. In a recent episode of the “My World” podcast hosted by WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett, the topic of signing Mick Foley in the early 2000s was discussed, shedding light on the behind-the-scenes negotiations and the impact Foley had on TNA’s ratings.
Jarrett revealed that TNA (Total Nonstop Action Wrestling) had attempted to sign Foley in 2004. However, due to budget constraints and Foley’s agent’s demands, the deal fell through. Despite this setback, Jarrett expressed his gratitude for eventually being able to bring Foley on board. It is worth noting that Foley had a long-standing relationship with Jarrett and his father dating back to the late 1980s when he worked for their promotion.
The conversation then shifted to TNA’s aspirations of signing bigger names to boost their ratings. Jarrett acknowledged that they had hopes of stars like Sting, Booker T, Kevin Nash, and Mick Foley attracting larger audiences. However, Foley was brought in primarily for a non-wrestling role, and realistic expectations were set for his impact on ratings. Instead, TNA focused on leveraging their roster’s depth to enhance their international sales and licensing programs. By having a mix of established stars, up-and-comers, and homegrown talent, TNA aimed to strengthen their overall product.
The discussion also touched upon TNA’s ratings in 2008. Jarrett highlighted the network’s positioning, emphasizing that TNA was not on a top-tier network but rather on Spike TV, which ranked around 22nd or 23rd. Despite this, TNA consistently delivered as the network’s highest-rated original program. Jarrett pointed out the progress TNA had made in terms of time slots, transitioning from late-night to prime time and expanding from one hour to two hours. These changes allowed TNA to reach a broader audience and achieve respectable ratings.
The podcast episode provided wrestling fans with insights into the business side of the industry and the challenges faced by promotions like TNA in their quest for success. It showcased the intricate negotiations involved in signing top talent and the strategic thinking required to grow a wrestling brand. Ultimately, the discussion highlighted the impact Mick Foley had on TNA and the value he brought to the promotion.
As fans continue to follow the latest happenings in the world of professional wrestling, podcasts like “My World” offer a unique opportunity to gain insider perspectives and learn more about the behind-the-scenes dynamics that shape the industry. Whether it’s reminiscing about past negotiations or analyzing ratings, these discussions provide a deeper understanding of the wrestling business and the individuals who have left an enduring legacy, like Mick Foley.