Well the big news this week was the WWE Network launch. Everyone is talking about it and said everything there is to say. As a matter of fact, our own Jeff DeHaan did a great write up covering the event and analyzing it.
You can read it HERE and get the general consensus for most of the population.
Although this was a huge event, what is there left to say? I share the same sentiments as most regarding the Network (It looks awesome), so why beat a dead horse? Instead I want to discuss a rumor floating around the wrestling world that has me just as intrigued as the WWE Network. For those unaware, Jeff Jarrett, one of the founders of TNA Impact Wrestling, has left the company. But apparently he is not done with promoting.
There have been whisperings that The Chosen One himself has been in talks to start up ANOTHER pro wrestling company, this time with close friend, long-time pro wrestling fan, and country music star Toby Keith. A veteran star of pro wrestling with a great mind for the business teaming up with a music icon mark with money to burn, in order to start a new wrestling promotion? Sound familiar? Well, it should.
For those of you around in the early 1990’s, you may recall a small wrestling company that took the southern United States by storm. It was a collaboration between a veteran star of pro wrestling with a great mind for the business (Jim Cornette), and a music icon mark with money to burn (Rick Rubin). It was that collaboration that gave us Smoky Mountain Wrestling, a company that had a HUGE impact on wrestling, not just within its own territory but the wrestling world as a whole. It gave major exposure to future stars like The Thrillseekers (Lance Storm & Chris Jericho), The Gangstas, Chris Candido & Tammy Sytch, among others. It also served as an alternative to what was being offered at the time and as a result, was a major success for many years.
So why make this comparison other than the obvious parallels in management? Because I believe this partnership could be the beginning of Smoky Mountain Wrestling 2.0… And that’s something to be excited about.
Professional Wrestling, like much of entertainment these days, has become departmentalized. With the dawn of the internet, you can become a success with a niché product. Ring of Honor became the “Pure Wrestling” company and built their product on that niché. Chikara was the “Lucha Comedy” company, Combat Zone Wrestling is the “Ultra Violent” company, Japan is…. Japan. There is most certainly room for a wrestling company built on the southern style of old school ‘rasslin.
Take a look back at the emerging days of TNA even, back when Jeff Jarrett was still in charge. Although NWA:TNA presented themselves as a national pro wrestling company, there were VERY strong southern ‘rasslin overtones on that show. I know TNA’s early days have often been criticized for that kind of content but it wasn’t ALL bad. Much like Smoky Mountain Wrestling, early TNA was embracing their rising young stars and wanted to present an alternative to the WWE. They were based out of Nashville and ran shows in and around that area. It knew its audience. And there IS an audience for that style of wrestling. Need proof? One of TNA’s biggest hot beds was an area of the southern United States run by Hermie Sadler, NASCAR star. Even WWE has shown that the market for Southern style rasslin still exists with the successful Legends of Mid South collection and the plethora of WCCW and SMW content that was available in their 24/7 on demand service.
So, what direction will this Jarrett/Keith collaboration go? How should I know? I mean, right now it’s only a rumour. It may not even come to fruition but I hope it does. Jarrett obviously has both the mind and the passion to create a new, successful wrestling company. Which in the end could mean more employment for hard working wrestlers in a market always ready to welcome something entertaining. And that is never a bad thing. As for the format? I say it’s time for Jarrett and Keith to fully embrace who they are and give us THEIR wrestling show. It may feel like Deja Vu, but it IS a different era, one that has room for cowboy boots, pick up trucks, and a little ol’ fashioned ‘rasslin.
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