My World with Jeff Jarrett - TNA’s Monday Night Debut! [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Jeff today on My World is a special episode. It’s the first one chosen by the fans! That’s right we posted a poll to find out what the My World listeners wanted us to discuss and from their votes on social media the winner was TNA’s Monday Night Debut! A lot to get into regarding this so let’s get into it.

First things first...you said on our Hard Justice 2006 episode … in the archives … you had no intention of ever running TNA on Monday night against Raw. Can you expand on why you thought that wasn’t the best idea?

Obviously Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff coming into TNA changes everything. That’s a whole episode that we’ll get into at some point but there’s no talk, no discussion, no nothing about competing against Raw on Monday night until they come in is that correct?

Why do you think it was important for Hulk & Eric to run Monday nights against Raw?

Were they the only ones pushing for it and who was against it?

Brian Diamond of Spike flat out says in late October 2009 that the signing of Hogan & Bischoff is to strengthen Thursday nights and their current timeslot. Do you know when the first conversation with Spike is held about moving to Monday? Are you a part of it?

From the Observer: “There is talk of those close to Hogan that he’s claiming part of the deal for him coming in is that Impact will go live on Monday nights from 8-10 p.m. starting on January 4th, the first weekend after football season ends. As noted, Brian Diamond of Spike has denied this is the case, saying their goal is to build up Thursdays. Those in TNA who were aware of Hogan coming in ahead of time, were not aware of any change in television time. However, those being pitched to come in by the Hogan side, have been pitched on the idea of the recreation of the Monday Night Wars. While it has not been said, within TNA, the belief is Hogan will come in the first of the year. In theory, such a situation would be the best thing possible for the business. Jeff Jarrett, when he was running TNA, his goal was to get on Mondays from the start. The problem is that the one time Impact and Raw went head-to-head, on a Thursday in 2007 when Raw was moved by the USA Network because of the Westminster Dog Show, the TNA audience was cut in half of what it had usually done, falling from a 1.12 rating and 1.6 million viewers the week before to a 0.59 rating and 726,000 viewers. That rating had scared a lot of people off the Monday night goal.”

So right off the bat it’s said that bringing Hogan in and changing the timeslot was part of the deal. Then Meltzer says that your goal was to get on Mondays from the start which you’ve said on this podcast isn’t true. Now the past experience when Raw moved to Thursday hurt you tremendously. What’s fact or what’s fiction from your favorite writer?

Hogan and Bischoff are making moves on bringing talent in and it’s said that Hogan will debut on TNA on January 4th which is the first Monday of 2010. It’s not known if it’ll be a one-time Monday date when it’s announced in November. Those in TNA are worried or excited about this? How about you?

Was the feeling in the locker room after the Hogan deal is announced that they were in a lame duck period until he came in?

November 5th is a stand out television moment. Dixie Carter addresses the talent sitting in the stands for a meeting taped before TV that airs. From the Observer: “It opened with Dixie Carter doing a speech before the tapings with most of the talent there. She talked about making new moves, Hogan coming in (although she actually never mentioned that in specific), and that changes are going to be made and that they are swinging for the fences. She said things were going to change and you're either 100% supporting her direction and not questioning any decisions or you need to find another place to work. The speech was an edited version of a legitimate team meeting with all the talent sitting in the stands out of character listening. This was partially in response to the very mixed reaction to her making the move to bring in Hogan as well as a reaction to the talent unrest at the recent tapings, sending a message. It has been heavily speculated that it is also the beginning of Carter making herself a television character, which may explain why it aired on television. She noted that everything will be different. The least they could have done was do the real speech, then shoot a facsimile and have the wrestlers told to act excited instead of like second graders being told that recess today is being replaced by literature class. I know the idea was to give people a peak behind the curtain but I know a lot of people watching this took it the wrong way. It was pretty difficult to get into anything on the wrestling show after seeing this, because you sensed that everyone and everything is lame duck until all the changes are made, so there’s no point investing in anything right now.”

What did you think of the meeting...the airing of it...and the assumption that Dixie was about to become a regular character?

The big news comes on December 5th at the Ultimate Fighter finale with Hogan, Bischoff & Dixie Carter at the show. From the Observer: “TNA officially made the announcement on 12/5 at the Ultimate Fighter final that Hulk Hogan’s first live appearance at the Impact Zone would be a live three hour Impact from 8-11 p.m. on Jan. 4.

Hulk Hogan, Dixie Carter and Eric Bischoff were at the UFC event to push the show. Carter said she kept the news from everyone in the company. Spike TV officials asked UFC for the favor and taped the interview with them before the show started and inserted it into the show.

The original plan was going 8-10 p.m., but according to a Spike official, they believed WWE would, as a response, move its show the same night to three hours, so they decided to get the jump on that move.

It’s a one-time deal at this point, but it is an experiment. If the rating for the show is good, most likely going two hours live on Mondays would be in the cards.

Still, even though Spike and TNA officials are saying it’s a one-time thing, Hogan has been recruiting talent saying that he didn’t make his deal until Spike and TNA agreed to a two-year commitment to run Mondays and that Spike has already agreed to it.

Other things Hogan has said, besides it’s a full-time commitment, where he himself would do some wrestling matches but mainly run the show, is that they would go back to the four-sided ring.”

A lot to unpack there. Did you know ahead of time … even though Dixie said she kept it from everyone … that show was going to be on a Monday?

It makes sense to do a 3 hour show just as the Spike official said but at this point it’s unknown what the WWE is going to counter with.

What was the goal of the experiment? To see if it work on Monday’s or to see if the audience would grow?

What did you think of Hogan and Bischoff pushing so hard to move from the 6-sided ring to the 4-sided ring? Was it a move you agreed with? Did you regret that move?

What is your attitude and mindset on the company that you founded at this point in time?

What were Hulk & Eric to work with at this time?

Ever since the public announcement of Hogan is made, the creative for the TV has kind of just been floating and there was no real increase in TV ratings. Is that a worry or is the assumption once Hogan is on TV the ratings will come?

This is one of the few times UFC has helped Impact and give it a rub by featuring it on one of their shows. Do you think that’s the type of power having someone like Hulk Hogan brings to the table?

Where does this leave Vince Russo?

You’re really gone from the company for a long period of time after Slammiversary and you return in December telling Mick Foley you would return and help him combat Dixie & Hulk. How do you get back into the mold and what is your role at this point?

Well the WWE finally makes its move to combat the Monday show by announcing Bret Hart will return to the WWE for the first time (minus the Hall of Fame induction) since 1997 for the first Raw of 2010. What is the reaction inside TNA and what did you think of this move?

From the Observer on 12/28: “Kevin Kay of Spike TV said right now they are looking at doing quarterly Monday night live specials, and if they draw well, they will move Impact permanently to Monday.

Regarding the rating, TNA people are downplaying the importance of the first show rating. Even privately, TNA people are not expecting to do particularly well. Their hope is that the attention of doing the Monday special and publicity they’ve gotten will at least slightly build the Thursday number, and if they do a big number at least for the first hour, that perhaps Monday would be viable. But the company does expect Bret Hart on Jan. 4 Raw, and that the two hours opposed will be very tough to draw a good number in, even with Hogan. To me, just based on the fact the Thursday number, albeit going against NFL games hurts, hasn’t shown any real movement with the company getting the publicity of the Hogan involvement, isn’t a good sign. Still, they are buying ads on WWE programming in the top local markets based around Hogan, and in theory the first time for Hogan should lead to at least one or two weeks of curiosity.”

What was Kevin Kay like to deal with and how much support did TNA have from him?

What were the expectations in the company for the Monday rating?

It’s said that the people TNA were negotiating with to debut on the show is Rob Van Dam, Ken Kennedy, Ric Flair, Scott Hall, and Sean Waltman. But in the promotion of the show the only thing announced is Hulk Hogan appearing and Tara (Victoria) vs ODB for the Knockouts title. Is this a recipe for disaster?

One team that is signed is Nick & Matt Jackson after a tryout match. Crazy to look back at things isn’t it Jeff?

Russo & Hogan are talking publicly like they’re not on the same page and they haven’t talked but in the Observer in the run up to the show it’s said that’s a complete work and they’ve been working together since October. Why is this type of worked shoot stuff happening before it even happens? Doesn’t this just stink of WCW failure?

What was the first difference you noticed backstage with Hogan & Bischoff? Was there a different feel or change from the last time you there?

Now in an interesting note before the show on UFC programming it’s announced that Jeff Hardy would appear on the show! How is this not promoted heavily at the time?

The show opens with one of the all-time TNA moments Jeff. An 8-man x division match in the domed cage between Homicide, Kiyoshi (Akira Raijin), Jay Lethal, Consequences Creed (Xavier Woods), Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, Suicide & Amazing Red. The winner must climb out of the domed cage which sounds impossible and guess what...it is. The cage is hard to shoot through and view and then Homicide climbs up 3 minutes in and then gets stuck. 78 seconds he’s up top trying to get out and he can’t. So he falls down...hits everyone with a baton and the match is ruled a no contest. Crowd chants “this is bullshit” and it’s hard to disagree. Then out of nowhere Jeff Hardy comes from the crowd (with entrance music mind you) and crushes Homicide with a chair shot to the head.

How did anyone think this was going to be a good idea?

Meltzer reports Jeff Hardy did not sign a deal at this point. Is that accurate?

Hulk Hogan makes his first appearance in the back and it shows that he is there and then Kevin Nash talks about how Hogan mentored him. This is legit the Hulk Hogan show isn’t it?

ODB beats Tara in 3:30 to become Knockouts champion. What did you think of these two and are you surprised ODB never got a chance to go to WWE?

Ric Flair is shown and is another arrival. It’s reported in the Observer regarding his deal: “Flair signed his deal a few days before the show. His deal was for 65 appearances over one year. It is believed he was working on a guaranteed money deal, plus he would be able to book his own outside appearances, whether they be public appearances for the various companies he works for, or outside business deals. He debuted getting out of a limo, and shook the hands of several wrestlers and went to A.J. Styles dressing room.”

How was it to see Ric again as it had been since the last Nitro is that correct?

Between Flair and Hogan you have two of the biggest stars in the history of professional wrestling in the company you founded. Did you ever imagine that happening?

Mick Foley isn’t allowed in by security. Typical when new management comes in.

Kristal Lashley is out. “Kristal Lashley’s role as the wife who speaks for her husband, controls him as he’s quiet, looks down on pro wrestling and says MMA is better took shape. She said that Bobby quit.”

Bobby being in and out of the company due to MMA has to be frustrating right?

The Beautiful People play strip poker which is to lead to Sean Morley showing up later on in the show.

Scott Hall & Sean Waltman also can’t get in. There’s not a lot of wrestling on this show. Was this something you expected?

Top of the hour...which means it’s right as Raw starts and here comes Hulk Hogan for his TNA debut. “Hall and Waltman, who were banned but managed to sneak in and get ringside seats, were stealing the spotlight from Hogan. Hogan let them have a mic and they all talked about partying together. Hogan said those days are over and it’s time to grow up. They made fun of Hogan for being corporate. Nash then came out and said that this was nothing like what Hogan told him it was going to be when they talked on the phone. Bischoff came out as well. Bischoff was a great performer in every scene he was in. Hogan was Hogan. He got the expected super reaction.”

Obviously Hulk talks about how TNA is going to be #1 and all that but it seems like it’s just a buddy party here don’t you agree?

Raw opened the show with Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels so everyone is putting their big guns out at 9pm. What did you think of the Hogan debut and the promo?

Up next is the TNA Knockouts tag title match between Sarita & Taylor Wilde against Awesome Kong & Hamada. It’s important to note that when this segment started compared to when it ended 880,000 viewers had tuned out. Only 117,000 viewers switched to Raw so it’s not like people went back to Raw they just watched Hogan’s debut and then tuned out. That has to be disappointing to find out later on isn’t it?

Oh yeah Kong & Hamada get the win and the titles. What did you think of these 4 talents and how important was Kong to TNA?

Sean Morley comes by for strip poker as mentioned before. The amount of debuts and returns is staggering at this point. From a creative standpoint is this too much and overkill?

Back to Foley who still can’t get in and he’s joined by the Nasty Boys. Man Hulk brought all his friends with him to play huh?

Matt Morgan & Hernandez defeat Raven & Dr. Stevie in 30 seconds. Yup.

Pope D’Angelo is interrupted by Orlando Jordan so another debut. We transition to D’Angelo vs. Desmond Wolfe … Nigel McGuiness for those who don’t know … and Pope wins in 3 minutes clean. Is anyone getting over on this show you think?

Rhino is attacked by a mystery person and then we see you Jeff walking around!

Eric Bischoff shows his power by telling AJ Styles he’s not wrestling Kurt Angle at the pay-per-view anymore but will face him tonight in the main event. Do you think just promoting Hulk and nothing else was a mistake in the long run?

You come out for your promo. Was it scripted or just bullet pointed it? The gist of it is that the homegrown TNA talent should be spotlighted and then Hogan interrupts and points out that you drove the company into the ground until Dixie saved it. Where was this all going to go Jeff?

Samoa Joe vs. Abyss is up next in a spotlight of two bigger men and Joe gets the win in under 5 minutes. This is in theory and as we’ll talk about at the end the biggest audience for TNA ever and here’s two guys with unique looks unlike anything you’d see on WWE and it’s 5 minutes in and out. Is this just a nitpick or something you would agree with?

There’s not much in video packages. There’s no real introduction of some talent like Beer Money as to all these new eyes you would want to be spotlighted.

Bubba the Love Sponge sneaks the Nasty Boys in. Who cares? Who gives a shit Jeff? Come on!

Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore are leaving and their mobbed by fans and Jeff gives a painting away. Mobbed is probably the wrong word to use when it’s 3 teenage girls. This would be the last time we see Jeff Hardy until March 8th.

And the Nasty Boys are throwing donuts in catering. Jeff...

“Styles pinned Angle with a springboard shooting star press in 22:05 to keep the title. The match was fast paced, with them trading big moves, near falls and teased submissions. It was very good, although not as good as their match a few months back that started the program. Tomko, wearing a mask as the mystery assailant, attacked Styles early, but Angle made the save for Styles and the match kept going. The match was hurt by having Flair come out, taking the crowds attention from the ring, as well as diverting the TV audience from caring about the match. There were also commercial breaks which hurt it, the late break coming as they were trading near falls and was possibly the worst timed commercial break in a big match in years.”

Tomko...what happened to him and how did he not go anywhere? Big, great look, decent enough worker?

Kurt and AJ are just amazing in the ring together. Having Flair come out though really took the crowd out of it for him just to stand on the ramp. But it’s still a great match.

From the Observer … “The show ended with Foley trying to find Hogan, but instead ending up in his old office, that looks a lot nicer, and is now Bischoff’s office. Bischoff told him that he’s got no power in the company and if he wants to stay, he’s going to have to be a wrestler. Along with Bischoff, Foley was probably the best performer on the show, and said that he had come to grips about working for Hogan, but that years ago he vowed he would never work for Bischoff again. He then teased attacking Bischoff, noting that if he was going to be fired, at least he’d get something out of it. But Hall, Nash and Waltman all attacked Foley as Hogan then walked in the door. Hogan, dressed in the Hollywood Hulk Hogan look and using a badly done knockoff of Voodoo Chile as his theme music as opposed to “Real American,” walked in, but you don’t know if he’s happy they beat up Foley or mad.”

So we’re back to having the nWo and not knowing where Hulk stands. Jeff...what did you think of this “debut” show.

The show achieves a record for TNA in terms of ratings. It draws a 1.45 rating with 2.2 million viewers. The two hours of Raw vs. Impact show Raw with 5.5 million viewers and Impact with 2 million viewers. That has to be considered a success does it not?

It would be two more months...the March 8th episode in fact… for the move to Monday to be permanent. When are you told of the move and were you surprised about it?