WWE Hall of Famer, Jeff Jarrett, shocked fans when he departed WWE for WCW in 1999. However, according to Jarrett himself, this was never his original plan.
In a recent episode of his podcast, “My World,” Jarrett clarified circumstances around his high-profile exit from WWE during its highly successful Attitude Era.
Reflecting on his departure, he confirmed,
“The last thing I wanted to do Conrad was go to WCW. I mean, it literally was, ‘No, that is not a good idea’… I’ve reached out, and I’m waiting to hear back, And they came back, and the money was much better, and guaranteed and paid house shows — all that kind of stuff. But that contract all could have gone for naught with one conversation with Jim [Ross.]”
Jarrett’s decision was primarily influenced by his perception that he would never secure the top spot in WWE. Conversely, in WCW, he went on to become a multiple-time World Champion during the organization’s last years.
His WWE contract notoriously ended before the No Mercy 1999 pay-per-view event. He was expected to lose the Intercontinental Title to Chyna.
A long-standing rumor is that Jarrett demanded Vince McMahon pay him a reported 0,000 to wrestle after the expiration of his contract and to relinquish the title.
Ironically, this move would eventually lead to Jarrett being ostracized from WWE for a long time. He was publicly fired by McMahon when the latter bought WCW in 2001.