WWE posted this new video of “Road Dogg” Brian James discussing Jeff Jarrett, who will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 34 weekend.
Road Dogg says he couldn’t be happier for Jeff as they somewhat came up together as second generation southern Superstars.
“I really had a good time with Jeff growing up,” James said. “He taught me a lot, not just about sports entertainment but being a business man and I think we forget that’s what sports entertainers are. So he taught me a lot about that. Really happy for Jeff Jarrett.”
The WWE reporter did not name TNA but asked James about working with Jarrett outside of WWE and behind-the-scenes.
“Well again and it goes back to what he taught me about being a business man. He was the first guy that I was around in this industry that treated it like a business, and treated himself like the commodity, and how to make money in that business of yourself,” James said. “He’s always been a consummate businessman, a great worker as well as far as in-ring action goes. Again, couldn’t be happy for Jeff Jarrett.”
James was also asked about Jarrett’s influence on today’s WWE Superstars and he said all you have to do is look at SmackDown to see Jeff’s influence. He pointed to how half of the guys Jarrett “brought up & brought in” have titles on SmackDown – WWE Champion AJ Styles and WWE United States Champion Bobby Roode. James also named Samoa Joe and said Jarrett has had a huge influence no the entertainers of today but will also probably influence some going forward.
James then talked about the “Be My Baby Tonight” single that was used as Jarrett’s theme song back in 1996, and how his 14 year old daughter knew all the words when she recently played the song in the car. Road Dogg noted how Jarrett’s induction has brought a tidal wave of comments on the song.
“A lot of people make fun of me for that song or whatever. I really enjoyed recording that song. I consider myself to be a little bit of a singer in the shower so it was cool to actually be in a studio and get to record that song,” James said. “The whole storyline with me and Jeff was interesting and cool at the time. It got cut short due to personal reasons but man, it’s been so cool to feel it all come back. Hopefully it’ll be a great weekend for the Hall of Fame.”
WWE shocked the wrestling world earlier this month when they confirmed TNA co-founder Jeff Jarrett for the 2018 WWE Hall of Fame class. Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated reports that Triple H is the man who made the induction possible.
It was noted that Jarrett does have some supporters in WWE. The obvious allies would be WWE Champion AJ Styles and WWE United States Champion Bobby Roode but Jarrett is also close with WWE Hall of Famers Scott Hall and Kevin Nash, who are close to Triple H.
Barrasso also pointed to another possible twist in the Jarrett story – his future with WWE. There’s no word yet on if Triple H will try to bring Jarrett on to work with the WWE NXT brand, as he has done with Jeremy Borash, another longtime TNA employee.
As noted before, Jarrett revealed in a TMZ interview that WWE called him back in January to discuss the induction. The call came shortly after Jarrett completed WWE-sponsored rehab for alcoholism.
WWE confirmed this week that former Intercontinental Champion Jeff Jarrett will be the latest inductee into the Hall of Fame. During the video package, WWE aired his achievements while competing for the company, from popularizing himself by pompously spelling his name, to eventually becoming a crew-cut, hard-nosed competitor and smashing guitars over the heads of his foes.
They also showed some of his pinnacle moments in WCW, as he was the World Heavyweight Champion four times, United States three times, and the leader of nWo 2000 in just under a year and a half with the company from 1999-2001.
Jarrett was interviewed by TMZ about WWE’s announcement, as seen in the video above. Jarrett stated that it is surreal to him, and WWE asked him back in January if he would like to go in the Hall of Fame and he did not think twice about it.
“Out of all the guys who’ve laced up their boots, there’s less that 200 of us in the Hall of Fame,” said Jarrett. “So, I’m very grateful, I’m very, very humbled, and… this is for my family. My family goes back three generations, so I’m the lucky one that got picked for my family being in the Hall of Fame.”
On the March 26, 2001 simulcast of Raw and Nitro, where Vince McMahon revealed that he bought his rival, he also publicly fired Jarrett as he was appearing on WCW Nitro. A year later, Jarrett and his father Jerry would launch TNA Wrestling.
TMZ asked Jarrett about that infamous moment. Jarrett stated, “that night in Panama city, who would’ve thunk (laughs), who would’ve thought these many years later, 17 years later or whatever it may be, that I’m standing here Monday, February the 19th and the announcement is made.”
Jarrett would then say “thank you” to WWE for their decision to induct him in the Hall of Fame, despite his ups and downs.
ALWAYS!!! His 1st & greatest Love will always be wrestling. This love will NEVER change or end. Those who have stabbed him in the back or screwed him over. Karma is knocking at ur door. The 1’s that have pulled the knife out & stiched him up God was watching and will be Blessed. https://t.co/KDMhZJpRFZ
Jeff Jarrett used to have one question for the WWE Universe during his incredible career: “Ain’t I great?”
While fans responded with boos and jeers then, today, the answer is undoubtedly affirmative. As first reported by NBCSports.com, Jarrett is the latest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018, joining Goldberg, The Dudley Boyz and Ivory. He’ll take his place in sports-entertainment history on Friday, April 6, in New Orleans during WrestleMania 34 Week.
There are rumors going around WWE that say Jeff Jarrett could be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame during WrestleMania 34 Week in New Orleans this year, according to PWInsider Elite.
No word yet on if there is any truth to the rumors but the potential induction would come after Jarrett recently wrapped a stint in WWE-sponsored rehab. The TNA co-founder is no longer affiliated with the company that he tried to go up against WWE with but he does have a controversial past with WWE.
Jarrett is a six-time WWE Intercontinental Champion, a one-time WWE Tag Team Champion and a one-time WWE European Champion. He is also a three-time WCW United States Champion and a four-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion.
WWE has confirmed headliner Bill Goldberg, The Dudley Boyz and Ivory for the 2018 Class as of this writing. Other names rumored but unconfirmed for this year include Mark Henry, the late Bam Bam Bigelow and Kid Rock for the Celebrity Wing.
The 2018 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony takes place on Friday, April 6th at 7:30pm EST from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans during WrestleMania 34 Week. It will air on the WWE Network in its entirety.
Jeff Jarrett has been seen for the first time since entering a rehab facility last month, as his wife Karen shared a photo via social media.
Karen Jarrett posted the below picture on Instagram and captioned it with heart emojis.
As we previously reported … Jeff made the decision to get help following a situation in which a promoter says he insisted on wrestling, despite most people believing he was drunk.
Rehab facilities typically make family/friends wait a few weeks after someone has entered treatment before visitation is allowed, so it’s possible this was their first time seeing him since.
All of us here at Wrestling News Blog (Trevor, John & Vanessa), would like to let Jeff Jarrett know that we are praying for him as he deals with his problems. We believe God can see him through this.