My World with Jeff Jarrett - World Wrestling All-Stars (Not a Boat Story) [Show Notes] (Patreon)

In today’s episode of My World, Jeff this is sort of a follow-up to our second episode...Fired on National TV...where today we’re talking about how this is...NOT A BOAT STORY.

The path to opening Total Nonstop Action is our topic today and it’s been well thought before that this all started from a fishing trip.

Before we get into the fishing trip let’s talk about what happens after WCW closes. You are home being paid by Time Warner as you previously mentioned until October/November of 2001.

How much did your mind & body need a rest from working on the road for as long as you did with really not a lot of time off?

Obviously the wrestling landscape changed dramatically quickly with WCW & ECW closing within months of each other. Did you get people reaching out to you about starting a promotion and having you be part of it or was it quiet for you after WCW closed?

What was your actual contract status? Were you given permission to work anywhere while still under contract to Time Warner for any various indie promotions?

Who was your contact at Time Warner to find out if you had permission to do certain things?

What were you doing during the free time? Fishing, being a husband & dad, etc.

The first time the name Andrew McManus is mentioned regarding professional wrestling is him putting together a wrestling tour with Dennis Rodman vs. Brutus...the fucking barber...Beefcake as the main attraction in a 19,000 seat arena in Sydney, Australia in 2000. Did you hear about this tour at the time?

The tour promotes the Road Warriors, Barbarian, Paul Orndorff, Earthquake, Typhoon, Tatanka, Greg Valentine, One Man Gang, Maestro & Public Enemy. Did you talk to any of these guys after the fact about the tour?

The tour goes horribly and is cancelled midway through. Were you aware of this after the fact?

How did you hear from Andrew McManus the first time? Was there a middle man or was it a direct contact?

What’s his pitch to you?

Was his goal to be a worldwide touring company?

Did he tell you that he wanted to compete with Vince McMahon directly?

The rumor and innuendo at the time was that Vince Russo was supposed to be his booker but due to his Time Warner contract he was unable to do so and he suggested Jeremy Borash. Was Borash the “booker” for WWA?

From the Observer…

“Andrew McManus, who promoted the Rodman tour of Australia last year, is working on a deal with Vince Russo and Terry Taylor to promote a tour in October of Australia, New Zealand and Asia which would include a PPV taping”

Andrew McManus is not known in the wrestling business but is more known for the music industry. He had done tours with The Who, Huey Lewis & the News, Whitney Houston, etc.

Is this what was originally pitched to you for WWA?

Around this time lots of promotions are popping up. Main Event Championship Wrestling by John Collins of Evansville runs a free at capacity show at the ECW Arena that falls apart in literally weeks of non payment to guys. Were you worried about that with Andrew? Did you ask for anything up front to work?

When does your contract expire in terms of timing compared to the first WWA tour?

Did you talk to Russo about the prospect of working with McManus?

What was Russo’s impression of McManus? Did he see him as a “money mark?”

What was the deal you worked out with McManus to come work for WWA?

Did you ask for anything up front?

There’s some controversy as right before the tour is set to begin there are cancellations of talent. From the Observer…

“Several of the names on the WWAS tour of Australia that starts this week were cancelled at the last minute. Apparently it was a cost-cutting measure as airline tickets were much higher than anticipated due to the original airline going out of business. Several wrestlers were pulled from the tour, also because some sort of problems existed.”

Was there a worry for you at this point in terms of doing business with the WWAS?

This is your second tour of Australia after your tour with WCW just the year before. What was the more enjoyable tour?

In Perth on October 19th, you main event and lose to Road Dogg. What do you remember of that match and working again with Road Dogg?

(19.10.2001) WWA The Inception Tour - Event @ Perth Entertainment Centre in Perth, Western Australia, Australia

• Juventud Guerrera defeats Psicosis
• Konnan defeats The Vampire Warrior
• Buff Bagwell defeats Disco Inferno
• Danny Dominion & Nathan Jones defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Norman Smiley defeats Crowbar
• Jerry Lawler defeats Stevie Ray
• The Road Dogg defeats Jeff Jarrett

The next night in Adelaide you main event again and lose again to Buff Bagwell but this time Bret Hart counts the pin. What was Buff like to work with again?

(21.10.2001) WWA The Inception Tour - Event @ in Adelaide, South Australia, Australia

• Juventud Guerrera & Psicosis defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Norman Smiley defeats Crowbar
• Dog Collar: The Road Dogg defeats Konnan
• Mixed Tag Team: Adara James & Danny Dominion defeat Gangrel & Luna Vachon
• Nathan Jones defeats Disco Inferno
• Buff Bagwell defeats Jeff Jarrett

How was Bret on the tour?

The third night on the tour in Canberra saw you defeat Stevie Ray and then lose to Road Dogg to crown the first WWA World Heavyweight Champion. Was that always the plan?

(23.10.2001) WWA The Inception Tour - Event @ in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia

• Juventud Guerrera defeats Psicosis
• Konnan defeats Gangrel
• Danny Dominion & Nathan Jones defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Buff Bagwell defeats Disco Inferno
• Norman Smiley defeats Crowbar
• Jeff Jarrett defeats Stevie Ray
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Match: The Road Dogg defeats Jeff Jarrett - TITLE CHANGE !!!

In Wollongong you lose again to Road Dogg in his first title defense.

(25.10.2001) WWA The Inception Tour - Event @ in Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia

• Juventud Guerrera & Konnan defeat Norman Smiley & Psicosis
• Gangrel defeats Luna Vachon
• Buff Bagwell defeats Disco Inferno
• Crowbar defeats Danny Dominion
• Nathan Jones defeats Lenny Lane
• Jerry Lawler defeats Stevie Ray
• WWA World Heavyweight Title: The Road Dogg (c) defeats Jeff Jarrett

The first WWA pay-per-view takes place in Sydney. For some reason the title is vacated and put up in a tournament. You defeat Nathan Jones in a Guitar on a Pole Match. Tell me Vince Russo isn’t writing without telling me Vince Russo isn’t writing…

What was Nathan Jones like to work with?

In the semi-finals in a Lumberjack Strap Match you defeat Buff Bagwell to move onto the finals. In a Steel Cage Match you defeat Road Dogg to end the pay-per-view as the new WWA World Champion.

(26.10.2001) WWA The Inception - Pay Per View @ Sydney Superdome in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title / WWA World Heavyweight Title Tournament First Round Ladder Match (vakant): Juventud Guerrera defeats Psicosis (8:03) - TITLE CHANGE !!!
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Tournament First Round Dog Collar: The Road Dogg defeats Konnan (3:42)
• Hardcore: Norman Smiley defeats Devon Storm (9:51)
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Tournament First Round Battle Royal: Buff Bagwell defeats ??? and ??? and ??? and Banana In Pyjama I and Banana In Pyjama II and Devon Storm and Disco Inferno and Graham Young and Jeremy Borash and Jerry Lawler and Mark Johnson and Norman Smiley and Security Guard and Stevie Ray and Timekeeper (6:24)
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Tournament First Round Guitar On A Pole: Jeff Jarrett defeats Nathan Jones (w/Rove McManus) (4:03)
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Tournament Semi Final Three Way: The Road Dogg defeats Lenny Lane and Lodi (3:57)
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Tournament Semi Final Lumberjack With Straps: Jeff Jarrett defeats Buff Bagwell (4:05)
• Hardcore Rules: The Vampire Warrior defeats Luna Vachon (2:28)
• Dark Four Way Skin To Win: Adara James defeats Queen B and Sharon A. Wad and Violet
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Tournament Final Steel Cage Match (vakant): Jeff Jarrett defeats The Road Dogg (10:25) - TITLE CHANGE !!!

On the last night in Melbourne you defeat Road Dogg by DQ to retain the title. Was it rough to work so many matches in so many days after being off for a while?

(27.10.2001) WWA The Inception Tour - Event @ in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title: Juventud Guerrera (c) defeats Psicosis
• Tables: Crowbar defeats Danny Dominion
• Konnan defeats Gangrel
• Buff Bagwell defeats Disco Inferno
• Nathan Jones & Norman Smiley defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Jerry Lawler defeats Stevie Ray
• WWA World Heavyweight Title: Jeff Jarrett (c) defeats The Road Dogg by DQ

How organized was the tour? What did you think of everything?

What was the highlight of the tour for you? The lowlight?

Is this when it started to creep into your mind that maybe you could start your own promotion?

WWA runs an European tour the next month. In Belfast & Dublin you work both nights with Road Dogg and win.

(28.11.2001) WWA - Event @ in Dublin, Ireland

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title: Juventud Guerrera (c) defeats Psicosis
• Black Wedding: Gangrel defeats Luna Vachon
• Tables: Crowbar defeats Norman Smiley
• Brian Christopher defeats Disco Inferno
• Konnan & Nathan Jones defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Buff Bagwell defeats Stevie Ray
• WWA World Heavyweight Title: Jeff Jarrett (c) defeats The Road Dogg

(27.11.2001) WWA - Event @ in Belfast, Northern Ireland, UK

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title: Juventud Guerrera (c) defeats Psicosis
• Black Wedding: Gangrel defeats Luna Vachon
• Tables: Crowbar defeats Norman Smiley
• Brian Christopher defeats Disco Inferno
• Konnan & Nathan Jones defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Buff Bagwell defeats Stevie Ray
• WWA World Heavyweight Title: Jeff Jarrett (c) defeats The Road Dogg

They move on to Birmingham where this time you face Scott Steiner & Road Dogg in a three-way and retain. What was your relationship like with Scott at the time?

(01.12.2001) WWA - Event @ in Birmingham, England, UK

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title: Juventud Guerrera (c) defeats Psicosis
• Black Wedding: Gangrel defeats Luna Vachon
• Buff Bagwell defeats Stevie Ray
• Brian Christopher defeats Disco Inferno
• Konnan & Nathan Jones defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Tables: Crowbar defeats Norman Smiley
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Triple Threat: Jeff Jarrett (c) defeats Scott Steiner and The Road Dogg

In London & Manchester you team with Scott and lose to Road Dogg & Brian Christopher. How was it to work with Brian again after all those years ago in the USWA being the Jerry’s kids?

(05.12.2001) WWA - Event @ in Manchester, England, UK

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title: Juventud Guerrera (c) defeats Psicosis
• Buff Bagwell defeats Disco Inferno
• Manchester Rumble Battle Royal: Winner: The Road Dogg
• Konnan & Nathan Jones defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Tables: Norman Smiley defeats Crowbar
• Brian Christopher & The Road Dogg defeat Jeff Jarrett & Scott Steiner

(03.12.2001) WWA - Event @ London Arena in London, England, UK

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title: Juventud Guerrera (c) defeats Psicosis
• Buff Bagwell defeats Disco Inferno
• London Rumble Battle Royal: The Road Dogg defeats Crowbar and Gangrel and Konnan and Luna Vachon and Norman Smiley and Scott Steiner and Stevie Ray
• Nathan Jones & Norman Smiley defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Tables: Crowbar defeats Gangrel
• Brian Christopher & The Road Dogg defeat Jeff Jarrett & Scott Steiner

Off to Glasgow and you defeat Road Dogg & Steiner again in a three-way and then back to England for two more three-ways with them and you win all these matches.

(11.12.2001) WWA - Event @ in Cardiff, Wales, UK

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title: Psicosis (c) defeats Juventud Guerrera
• Black Wedding: Gangrel defeats Luna Vachon
• Buff Bagwell defeats Stevie Ray
• Brian Christopher defeats Disco Inferno
• Konnan & Nathan Jones defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Tables: Norman Smiley defeats Konnan
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Triple Threat: Jeff Jarrett (c) defeats Scott Steiner and The Road Dogg

(09.12.2001) WWA - Event @ in Newcastle, England, UK

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title: Psicosis (c) defeats Juventud Guerrera
• Black Wedding: Gangrel defeats Luna Vachon
• Buff Bagwell defeats Stevie Ray
• Brian Christopher defeats Disco Inferno
• Konnan & Nathan Jones defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Tables: Norman Smiley defeats Konnan
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Triple Threat: Jeff Jarrett (c) defeats Scott Steiner and The Road Dogg

(08.12.2001) WWA - Event @ in Glasgow, Scotland, UK

• WWA International Cruiserweight Title: Psicosis defeats Juventud Guerrera (c) - TITLE CHANGE !!!
• Black Wedding: Gangrel defeats Luna Vachon
• Buff Bagwell defeats Stevie Ray
• Brian Christopher defeats Disco Inferno
• Konnan & Nathan Jones defeat Lenny Lane & Lodi
• Tables: Norman Smiley defeats Konnan
• WWA World Heavyweight Title Triple Threat: Jeff Jarrett (c) defeats Scott Steiner and The Road Dogg

That is the end of WWAS in 2001. They’re getting ready to promote a pay-per-view taping in Las Vegas and run a show in America. Where are you at in your process of thinking of opening a promotion?

Was there something...a moment...that made you think that McManus wouldn’t be able to keep this going and you knew this was a short time thing?

When does the idea of running a promotion really start to take place in your mind?

What was your relationship like with your father at this point in time?

Did you enjoy working with Jeremy Borash creatively on the tour?

What is Bob Ryder’s role in your life at this point?

What is your initial thought process on a promotion? Is it different than the TNA concept that happened with weekly pay-per-views?

WWAS is about to air the first pay-per-view in America of the show of you winning the World Title on January 6th. Were you worried what the reception of the show would be?

He talks about in the book that Andrew McManus was not returning your calls at this point. Were you worried that WWAS wasn’t going to continue?

It’s reported at the time that Randy Savage was going to replace Jeremy Borash as the booker of WWAS. Did you hear that and what were your thoughts on it?

Your father wrote in his book, “The Story of the Development of the NWATNA” that the first time you brought up the idea of opening your own promotion up to him on January 6th of 2002. This is not the story that always has been told regarding you, Jerry & Bob Ryder on a boat. Was there a boat trip?

What went on the boat trip? Was it Bob Ryder who pitched it to you?

Did anyone ever come up to you before that asking if you would ever open up a company?

What did your father think of your business plan?

Your dad talks a lot in his book about how determined you were to start your own promotion and that he attempted to talk you out of it. Why do you think that was?

How excited were you to start this?

The WWA finally runs in the United States at the Aladdin Casino Center in Las Vegas, Nevada and it...does not go well. From the Observer…

“Which leads us to the aftermath of the WWA fiasco. Besides the quality of the non-wrestling aspects of the show, Andrew McManus came under tons of heat for a show that in various places advertised names like Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Road Dogg, Buff Bagwell and Randy Savage.”

Jeff...how does something like this happen and was it confirmation that this wasn’t for you?

“And then came the stories of guys not being paid. Terry Taylor and Larry Zbyszko weren't paid. The reason given was that since they were late additions to the show, the checks weren't ready (each was promised $1,000), although that explanation sounded dubious since Mark Madden was promised $1,000 and had a $300 check written but was able to get it changed. They were told their checks would be mailed. Others, like Lenny and Lodi, were real hot about it at the show.”

It’s falling apart at the seams here. What’s the backstage atmosphere like when all this is happening?

Was there talks of Rey Mysterio coming aboard and debuting at this show?

“The main event itself of Jeff Jarrett vs. Brian Christopher wasn't finalized until just a few hours before match time. The promotion wanted to do Jarrett vs. Scott Steiner, but neither was willing to job for the other. Jarrett did the show, but has been mad at McManus since McManus had told Jarrett he was his right hand man, but then after recruiting Savage, no longer catered to Jarrett. When Savage screwed him, he tried to go back with Jarrett but Jarrett was still upset about how things went down and there was even some question until about a week before the show if Jarrett would appear. Christopher also had gotten a legal letter from WWF (like anyone didn't see that coming) threatening the promotion if they billed him as Grandmaster Sexay.”

Is this accurate Jeff? You two couldn’t agree to a finish and you were not happy about the change in direction with Savage?

Here’s the Observer write-up from your match: “9. Jeff Jarrett pinned Brian Christopher to retain the WWA title in 13:17. Crowd wasn't hot for this, but they were reasonably into it with Jarrett having some WCW main event credibility and Christopher having the charisma coming off WWF TV. Christopher's pants fell down while he was dancing. they traded sleepers. They had a ref bump, which at least they hadn't done up to this point. Christopher did a legdrop off the top but no ref. They sent Mark Johnson out (to play face ref) and he went to count but the other ref pulled him off. Then the refs started fighting each other. That comedy is exactly what wasn't needed to get the title over, although with these two as the title match, it wasn't happening anyway. Jarrett hit Christopher with a guitar shot while the refs fought. The first ref went to count, but Johnson pulled him off. Jarrett ended up getting the pin after a low blow and the stroke on the title belt. *½”

Was Brian not ready to be in this position and this was the best that could happen? Was anyone else considered for this spot?

This pay-per-view seemed to run super long. Were you running up against the clock?

Do you still speak to McManus?

I think it’s worth mentioning McManus made the news back in 2015 when there was apparently a misunderstanding about 300 kilos of cocaine from Mexico and a few years prior to that there was a mishap with a suitcase with $702,000 in it in a Hilton hotel in Sydney. Of course any affiliation discussed in the media with him as a part of a drug syndicate are likely just rumor and innuendo. I mean what if he just had that suitcase of cash because he demanded payment from the Gund Arena box office? It happens right Jeff?