TNA Co-Founder Jerry Jarrett Makes Statement On Hulk Hogan Joining TNA
Posted by Larry Csonka on 11.02.2009
What does Jerry have to say?
- Jerry Jarrett, who was one of the original founders of TNA in 2002 but departed the company some time back, made the following comments on his Facebook regarding Hulk Hogan signing with TNA:
The hot news currently is all about Hulk Hogan and Eric Bishoff signing with TNA. I sincerely wish them well and from the one comment I read, Hulk might be able to bring a positive shift to the company. Hulk stated that he wants to help the new talent learn and appreciate the "Art of Professional Wrestling". If he is allowed to do this, the product will greatly improve and it will be positive for the business.
The "Art of Professional Wrestling" has been lost recently and I place the blame squarly on the shoulders of the promoters of the business. Wrestling talent currently is over-produced to the point that most wrestlers are reduced to trying to be actors, (which most are not) by giving scripted interviews and robotic matches. To make matters worse, the scripts are written by producers who don't have a clue what professional wrestling is all about.
In about five years the business changed and in my opinion for the worst. I discovered in 2002, when we started TNA, that the heart of the business had been removed and all that remained was the illusion of professional wrestling. I walked in the building in Huntsville, Ala. to find the ring filled with wrestlers rehearsing every move that they planned to make during their match. I watched as wrestlers sat reading and memorizing interviews. I was dumbfounded when I discovered that basic principals of the business were alien to the new wrestlers. I felt that I was talking in a foreign language. What is heat? What is a ring general? What is selling? What do you mean when you say listen to the fans?
I was told after I broke into this business that it was our duty to teach the new talent the "Art of Professional Wrestling".I was told when we began TNA that the business had changed and it was not possible to go back to that art form. I have my personal excuses for not going in that direction, but I regret not trying and this is why I truly hope Terry can do what I could not do.
The business today has truly changed. The new wrestlers are taught in "training camps", or wrestling schools. It seems to me that if you put twenty wrestlers in a school and one man teaches them all, they would tend to be somewhat clones of each other. Wrestlers should be taught the business by other wrestlers in live situations. A student who goes to a wrestling school will learn everything he is going to lean at the school in 90 days. He will never advance until he learns from veteran wrestlers in live match situations. Far too much emphases is placed on in ring work anyway. I think this is the result of wrestling websites, written by people who have never had a match, telling wrestlers that they have a 5 star match or a 2 star match. I'd guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I'd also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined.
Superstars of the wrestling business become Superstars because of their personalities and not because of their in-ring wrestling abliity. Verbal skills are much more important that physical skills when it comes to drawing money in this business. You don't develop verbal skills in a talent by writing a script and allowing the talent to read his lines. How can a writer of these interview scripts not produce clone interviews? The unique personalities of wrestlers are hidden and only the thoughts of this one writer are expressed.
The uniqueness of professional wrestling and it's great public appeal is based on the interaction of personalities of the talent. To not understand this concept is to fail. If you take a walk in your memory and remember the great stars of professional wrestling, you will find that you best remember the personality and not the matches of these stars.
So Terry, good luck in your efforts. You have a big job in front of you.
I think Jerry confuses Hulk when he says "art of professional wrestling." Hulk is referring to learning how to job to him on a regular basis.
Posted By: Michael (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 04:54 PM
Far too much emphases is placed on in ring work anyway. I think this is the result of wrestling websites, written by people who have never had a match, telling wrestlers that they have a 5 star match or a 2 star match. I'd guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I'd also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined.
Check & Mate, IWC!
Posted By: clownbot (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:00 PM
I agree with that...the business needs territories where wrestlers could learn their trade. Mid-Atlantic, Mid-South,Florida, St. Louis/Chicago and California were such hotbeds in their day, and it was because wrestlers could go from territory to territory and learn from different veterans and put on different matches and have different rivalries in all these different towns. Overexposure was not really an issue. I don't know if Hogan is the man to teach them the "art for", but he does have a wealth of knowledge to share. The only thing I disagree with is Mr. Jarrett saying that Hogan has drawn more money than anyone who has had a 5 star match. A guy named 'Stone Cold' might have something to say about that...
Posted By: mr_carpenter1982 (Registered) on November 02, 2009 at 05:06 PM
I'm of two minds about his comments. Yes he is right in that a wrestler needs to connect with the audience, and that pre-written scripts are not the way to do so. However things have also changed to the point where in-ring work has to be at least part of the wrestling package. No, a wrestler doesn't have to put out five star matches at the drop of a hat, but he must be at least reasonably competent in order to draw in the fans.
I'm also not certain if Hogan is the person to be teaching this generation how to do so. Yes, he could probably show them a thing or two about generating heat (face or heel), but Hogan has rarely shown that he cares about anybody but himself. He essentially destroyed WCW, and was only kept in check in the WWE in the 2000's by the fact he was a guest performer, and that Vince McMahon wouldn't stand for Hogan's ego. Given free run of a company, I fear for the future of TNA>
Posted By: Michael L (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:11 PM
That's all fine and good but the ONLY thing that got over in the early days of TNA was the bland, personality-less X Division.
I understand that guys need to be more unique and get back to basics in a lot of regards but this dismissal of in ring work is stupid in 2009.
Posted By: Guest#2232 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:28 PM
"I'd guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I'd also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestlers combined."
Man has a point.
Posted By: Jake Fury (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:29 PM
Far too much emphases is placed on in ring work anyway. I think this is the result of wrestling websites, written by people who have never had a match, telling wrestlers that they have a 5 star match or a 2 star match. I'd guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I'd also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined.
Amen. Workrate IS overrated. Wrestlers eventually need to create an emotional attachment with the fan and it makes the match much better. That's why Hogan-Rock is still on my personal top 5 favorite matches. When Foley beat Rock to win the belt, it wasn't a 5 star match, but it was a hell of a moment. I wish the owners of the federations would get this.
Posted By: Big Fat Fag (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:29 PM
"Verbal skills are much more important that physical skills when it comes to drawing money in this business."
Jerry Jarrett is dead right about this. Guys should of learn this lesson years ago by seeing who was in the main event and who wasn't based on there promo skills. I never did understand why someone who wants to be a wrestler didn't work on there promo skills more then there mat skills. This explains why we see so many spot monkeys in wrestling.
Posted By: Guest#9240 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:32 PM
Yeah, no-one should be able to have an opinion on anything, unless they've done it themselves, I mean I could tell you whether I enjoyed a movie or not, maybe even give it a rating out of five, but I've never made one! So, sorry!
Yeah, and Hogan drew more money than Savage, Steamboat, Flair, Austin, Michaels, HHH, Hart, Sting, Foley, Rock, Funk, Angle, Hall, Undertaker, Punk, Joe, Misawa, Kobashi, Kawada and Mutoh combined. At least it said that in his biography.
Posted By: Bruno (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:36 PM
I'd also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined.
While I agree with a lot of what he said, this is just incorrect. Hogan has not outdrawn Flair + Steamboat + Taker + HBK + Stone Cold Steve Austin + Bret Hart + Owen Hart + Razor Ramon, and that's just naming the American 5 star wrestlers. I'm pretty sure he doesn't even outdraw Taker and Austin combined.
Posted By: Empire Of Ownage (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:38 PM
Spot on.
Posted By: MasterShake (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Amen to that
Posted By: Guest#9641 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:54 PM
Loud standing applause.
Still, you're partly to blame. I mean, you named the company TNA. Come on.
Posted By: neverAcquiesce (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:58 PM
I only agree with half of what he is saying. I agree that wrestlers are TOO scripted in there interviews and it comes across as more hokey than wrestling is already. But I also get a feeling that he possibly may just be a bitter old head ass dude.
Today's fan doesn't have the "patience" to sit through 60 minutes matches with 40 minutes of it being headlocks and rear chin locks with the first 10 minutes being the heel running from the face on the outside of the ring.
Its boring. Its ironic that he says that TODAY's guys are clones of each other, but if you really look objectively at the past, the majority of those older guys were clones of each other because they really didn't do "too much" in the ring. Dusty Rhodes was a great show man, but he was fat and out of shape and tired out by the end of most matches to the point that the match looked very sloppy...the same with Harley Race etc....
Also, from a business standpoint, writing scripts for wrestlers is probably a method that the show's producers use to make sure that the networks "STANDARDS and Practices" dept don't get involved as much... it sucks, but its a thought...
Posted By: Industry (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:59 PM
This is exactly why I've not watched wrestling regularly in about 5 years. I've paid attention to it in the vain hope that maybe one day it would become a real performance art again but sadly not. If Hulk and Bischoff can transform TNA into this (which I'm sure they can), then I will gladly watch and revel in it.
Posted By: bluenoserob (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:00 PM
true true.
Posted By: Ja (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:01 PM
Holy sh*t, well said.
Posted By: Chico Whoretiz (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:06 PM
JJ is just waiting for Angle to go back to WWE. If Hogan leaves around the same time they will need him.
Posted By: T-Mac (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:17 PM
I can't say I've always agreed with Jerry Jarrett, but that is about as sound a summation of pro wrestling today that I've read. Cena is the ultimate example of scripitis. He's as charismatic as they come, and when he had freedom in his early days in WWE he was spectacular, and really connected with the fans. If you want him to draw big time dollars, you let Cena be Cena. Let's hope this is what the Hulkster teaches the TNA wrestlers. I'd love to see the next breakout star come from there. How good would that be for the industry?
Posted By: Canucklehead (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:19 PM
TESTIFY!!!
Posted By: D-Von (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:23 PM
Wow, talk about hitting the proverbial nail on the head. It's one thing to say that "the product sucks"--which Jerry does very well--but to spell out exactly what changes need to be made is sadly lacking. Hopefully, someone in TNA will take Jerry's words to heart.
I disagree with him on the part about "wrestling websites" and star rating systems. Likes and dislikes are subjective. Just because a person publishes his or opinions online should not disqualify that point of view.
Other than that quibble, I find his comments to be well said indeed. Give it ****1/4.
Posted By: Hammond Eggar (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:23 PM
I agree with a lot of what is said, except that verbal skills are the only thing that make a superstar.
I'm sure Ricky Steamboat would have something to say about that.
Posted By: JD (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:27 PM
I agree with Jarret, but i think it was a good thing he got out of TNA in some respects. For everyone that will remember him as a WCW legend and even before his constant appearance on TNA kind of ruins his legend aura. The same has happened to Sting and Roddy Piper on WWE. But everyone needs to work so nothing against him.
Posted By: Guest#8912 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:29 PM
Jerry?
ahhahahahahhaha
Posted By: Guest#3364 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:32 PM
Wow. Who is this man and why is he not running TNA?
Posted By: Amazed (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:34 PM
nothing but positive feedback from Mr. Jarrett. He sounds truly hopeful that hulk hogan will help TNA get to that next level. as a wrestling fan i am hopeful that Hulk can prove a lot of people wrong. if not then Hogan i have stuck by as a fan when some have grown tired of the act but even i cant defend you if you screw this up. Good luck
Posted By: babyboy3686 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:36 PM
yay wishful thinking
Posted By: hornswoggle fan (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:38 PM
How much of TNA promos are scripted, 100%?
Posted By: Guest#6701 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:39 PM
Amen. Wrestling is crowed control via charisma.
Posted By: hmmm (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:56 PM
What he said...
Posted By: zengoth (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 06:58 PM
Absolutely spot on !
Posted By: sky low low (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 07:00 PM
Haha, Jerry Jarrett just told off 411Mania! (basically).
Although I do disagree to a point, a fan should be allowed to rate a match however he or she wants, whether they've wrestled a match or not. Wrestlers don't wrestle matches for each other, they do it for the fans (who then pay the bills).
Posted By: Leones (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 07:18 PM
Wow.
I hope Hulk Hogan really does this. It would change the landscape of North American professional wrestling forever.
Fat chance; but god, how awesome would it be.
Posted By: Jesus On Rye (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 07:26 PM
Spot on.
Posted By: MasterShake (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 05:47 PM
Agreed
Posted By: jay (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 07:30 PM
I love it. Good call Mr. Jarrett.
Posted By: Carnivore (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 07:42 PM
Agree completely with comment #1
Jerry says "Far too much emphases is placed on in ring work anyway. I think this is the result of wrestling websites, written by people who have never had a match, telling wrestlers that they have a 5 star match or a 2 star match. I'd guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I'd also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined."
A fairly big f**k you to the so-called "Internet Wrestling Community" I think.
Posted By: Hank (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 08:09 PM
Like him or not, he's 100% right.
Posted By: Ryan (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 08:10 PM
"It seems to me that if you put twenty wrestlers in a school and one man teaches them all, they would tend to be somewhat clones of each other. Wrestlers should be taught the business by other wrestlers in live situations."
Ya know I was thinkin' the same thing.
Posted By: JBass24 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 08:19 PM
And that, my friends, is what we call class.
Posted By: ThatNickGuy (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 08:31 PM
Personalities mean nothing with bad booking and sucky gimmicks.
Posted By: Guest#3555 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Dude has got a point. From my childhood, i remember the wrestlers, but not too many of the matches.
Posted By: mfactor00 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 08:52 PM
Dude has got a point. From my childhood, i remember the wrestlers, but not too many of the matches.
Posted By: mfactor00 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 09:01 PM
I wonder how many of these comments are actually from people with a brain who people who just automatically say "word" to what anyone from over the age of 50 says.
Posted By: Guest#4992 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 09:51 PM
Well said, Mr. Jarrett. It's crap like this that makes a product boring, nonsensical, and predictable. If this were 1995, most heels and faces would switch sides, and the matches and events would be taken more seriously and less forced.
Posted By: Guest#9907 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 10:02 PM
I love how TNA is WCW 2. Piggy backed NWA to get noticed then dropped them once they were established. Became big thanks to hard work and dedication from home grown talent. Then desperately turned to Hogan who in turn will destory everything that brought TNA to the game to begin with...Hogan is a Cancer with no drawing power left. Remember 2002? How did that work out for WWE?
Posted By: Guest#5777 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 10:32 PM
I like how Jerry contradicts himself. First he says that wrestlers shouldn't be actors, then he says that too much emphasis is placed on in ring work.
Also he is delusional. When has Hogan ever helped anyone but himself, he has destroyed more promotions and careers than he has helped.
Posted By: Guest#6383 (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 10:41 PM
'While I agree with a lot of what he said, this is just incorrect. Hogan has not outdrawn Flair + Steamboat + Taker + HBK + Stone Cold Steve Austin + Bret Hart + Owen Hart + Razor Ramon, and that's just naming the American 5 star wrestlers. I'm pretty sure he doesn't even outdraw Taker and Austin combined.'
this statement was obviously brought to you by a child of the attitude era. as far as merchandise, i would tend to agree but as far as putting asses in the seats, Hogan at his peak made more money than Austin and Taker in ticket sales.
now, i could be arguing semantics here, but you have to remember that Hogan sold merch in an era when it wasn't nearly as heavily promoted as it was during Attitude, what with the whole interweb stores and such that they has now.
Posted By: Darth Mortis (Guest) on November 02, 2009 at 11:12 PM
I wonder where Jeff went wrong, he must have gotten it from his mom. Jerry seems right on the friggin money here:
"I'd also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined."
Posted By: DHX (Registered) on November 03, 2009 at 01:00 AM
Jerry Jarrett is right on here! Verbal skills are much more important than actual wrestling skills. Rick Steamboat being the only notable exception I can think of but then again, he only received a brief IC Title run in the WWF before they had him job to the Honky Tonk Man of all people. I don't think he would have drawn outside of the Mid-Atlantic region.
Posted By: Tbone3771 (Registered) on November 03, 2009 at 05:30 AM
i would better choose raven or rvd instead of hulk
Posted By: penic (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 07:02 AM
I disagree with the in-ring work statement.
In the year 2009 in-ring work means a hell of a lot more than 1989. If you can't put a good match on you're fucked. However personalities is and will always be the most important thing.
Posted By: Guest#1750 (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 07:45 AM
Far too much emphases is placed on in ring work anyway. I think this is the result of wrestling websites, written by people who have never had a match, telling wrestlers that they have a 5 star match or a 2 star match. I'd guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I'd also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined.
END OF STORY!!!
Posted By: Hulk Rules!!!!! (Guest) on November 03, 2009 at 10:11 AM
