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Prologue: Gone Fishin’


On March 23rd, 2001 the world of television and entertainment were to change forever as one of the grandest wars ever waged on the small screen came to a close after a few strokes of ink. It was not until three days later that world would learn the news of such large events. On an unheard of simulcast between both shows, the announcement was made. World Championship Wrestling (WCW) had been bought by the World Wrestling Federation (WWF). All assets and contracts that were signed to WCW were handed over to its new owner. One Vincent Kennedy McMahon Jr. A short week later, the smaller fish in the ocean was later swallowed up as well by the whale known as McMahon’s sports entertainment machine. With another few strokes of a pen, Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) was no more as well. The world of professional wrestling had once again been truly shaken up yet again, and a rightful victor was crowned. McMahon’s WWF had beaten out the money backed WCW and ECW’s hardcore fanbase.

However, not everyone was happy in the world of wrestling. While most had kept their jobs wrestling and were earning their money under the WWF’s paybooks. Some of those who had burnt bridges or had done acts to have them blacklisted had not been hired. One such wrestler was the infamous Jeff Jarrett. The famous son of Nashville wrestling booker Jerry W. Jarrett Sr. Jeff Jarrett had seemingly burnt every single bridge he could have with the WWF back in 1999, when the day before No Mercy (1999) he had demanded McMahon pay him $300,000 extra to drop the title to Chyna at the pay-per-view. Had him blackballing McMahon not been egregious enough, a mere two days later Jarrett appeared on WCW television alongside his fellow friend, and former WWF head writer. One Vince Russo. While Jarrett had been crowned a multiple time world champion, it could not save the sinking ship that WCW was by early 2000. When the company was finally bought, he was one of the few contracts who was specifically not picked up.

Jarrett however, was a smart man. Not only in the sense of business, but also in the way of knowing when to strike and seize opportunities when they arose. The son of the famous booker for sure saw signs of opportunity in a post WCW and ECW landscape. With both those companies gone, all that was left was the small local to regional independent promotions. But, nowhere was there a second option to go to besides leaving the country and heading to Japan or Mexico. But for many, that could never work for them. The idea and inspiration for Jarrett came funnily enough from a fishing trip between himself, his father Jerry, and close friend Bob Ryder. Their fishing trip started out normal as can be, but their focus quickly shifted to talks about the future of the professional wrestling industry. Only one wrestling product having national and international broadcast in the world, the WWF. During the trio's talks, Bob Ryder suggested not relying on television, but instead on weekly pay-per-view shows. Ryder believing that television stations regarded wrestling as bad for business with the closing of both ECW and WCW. With an idea in place the three man began their ventures.

The Jarretts and Ryder’s first goals were to get in contact with many close friends and wrestling colleagues inside the industry. One of the biggest scores for the Jarretts and Ryder was being able to strike a deal with the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA). Whilst way past its hay days, the deal still allowed the Jarretts and Ryder access to a large talent pool of wrestlers they could now hire and work with whilst not competing with the NWA. The deal also allowed for them to use the prestigious NWA World Heavyweight Championship as the promotions flagship title. Amongst many of the calls with friends and colleagues of the business, one name came up time and time again to help the Jarretts and Ryder write their storylines. One of the most controversial wrestling figures of all time. Vince Russo. With hiring Russo, Jeff Jarrett knew the risks and was willing to take them. Whilst Jarrett knew that he was friends with Russo, he could not let his friendship with Russo get ahead of business. He saw what Russo did to WCW. He needed to be that filter to keep him on the straight and narrow [1]. With the hiring of Russo, also came the hiring of his right hand man, Ed Ferrara. Famed cruiserweight commentator and all around excellent play-by-play caller Mike Tenay, alongside Don West.Throughout the remainder of 2001 and 2002, Jeff Jarrett and Mike Tenay began striking deals with many wrestlers in the industry. With former WWF Attitude Era stars such as Ken Shamrock, Brian Christopher (formerly Grandmaster Sexay), K-Krush (formerly K-Kwik), and The Vampire Warrior (formerly Gangrel). Tenay on his end was able to make contact end up striking deals with many former WCW Cruiserweights. On May 9, 2002, Jeff and his father was able to form a limited-liability company called J. Sports and Entertainment.

Jeff Jarrett and Mike Tenay at the last minutes were able to make two valuable pickups for their fledgling company. In early 2002 they were able to court and sign Eddie Guerrero[2], after releasing and voiding contracts with other ‘unnecessary’ contracts with other wrestlers. The other large pick up for the company was another former WCW wrestler and Monday Night Wars staple, one Scott Hall. Recently released from the now name World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). With both Guerrero and Hall signed, Jarrett and his other colleagues were forced to drop Hermie Sadler and famous driver Sterling Marlin from their first show. But, were adamant in keeping Toby Keith as an act to help draw eyes. The name alone and WWE’s presentation and style of wrestling was something Jarrett could use to create his company. Whilst WWE had shifted its full focus to ‘sports entertainment’ he would make his new company focus more on wrestling, whilst still maintaining the shimmers of sports entertainment. The Jarretts and Ryder were eventually able to grab a pay-per-view deal with iNDEMAND starting on June 19th, 2002. The first show to go live under the name of National Wrestling Alliance’s Total Nonstop Action. NWA:TNA. Jarret and his company were surely set to make an impact.


NWA:TNA Roster as of June 19, 2002…
[Backstage Personnel]
  • Bob Ryder (Executive Producer)
  • Don West (Color Commentator)
  • Ed Ferrara (Co-Writer)
  • Jeff Jarrett (Co-Owner)
  • Jerry Jarrett (Co-Owner)
  • Mike Tenay (Talent Relations/Head Play by Play Commentator)
  • Ricky Steamboat (Road Agent)
  • Vince Russo (Head Writer)
[Wrestling Personnel]
  • AJ Styles
  • Bo Dupp
  • Brian Christopher
  • Buff Bagwell
  • Chris Harris
  • Christian York
  • Devon Storm
  • Eddie Guerrero
  • Gran Apolo
  • James Mitchell
  • James Storm
  • Jeff Jarrett
  • Jerry Lynn
  • Jimmy Yang
  • Joey Matthews
  • Jorge Estrada
  • Justice
  • K-Krush
  • Ken Shamrock
  • Konnan
  • Low Ki
  • Malice
  • Norman Smiley
  • Psicosis
  • Rick Steiner
  • Ricky Steamboat
  • Scott Hall
  • Sonny Siaki
  • Stan Dupp
  • Steve Corino
  • The Vampire Warrior

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[1] The biggest change in this TL is the fact that Jarrett learns (somewhat) from WCW's mistakes of Vince Russo being allowed to book however he wants. Whilst Russo has a brilliant mind for television, and drawing eyes. He throws out a hundred crap ideas, and only is able to have a handful of brilliant ones. Which is why WWF was so successful. McMahon was able to be that filter to Russo and pick and grab the good ideas. Bischoff in WCW and Jarrett and Dixie in OTL TNA could not be a filter for Jarrett.

[2] Another big change is Jarrett being able to acquire Eddie Guerrero during his short hiatus after being fired by the WWF/E. Jarrett in the OTL wanted Guerrero as they were locker room comrades in their short time together in WCW. However, in OTL Jarrett could not match price Guerrero's pay per appearance contracts without making sacrifices and could unfortunately not secure a deal.

Here to make up for both the acquisitions of Hall and Guerrero, Jarrett made cuts to the first two taped shows. So he was forced to cut people such as Bruce, Del Rios, Teo, Hollywood, and women from the battle royal.
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Next up... The first two shows in Alabama...
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