Jeff Jarrett highlights the unique situation that sets pro wrestling apart from other sports.
Jeff Jarrett was asked to share his thoughts on the WWE/Endeavor deal during a recent interview with Jim Varsallone of the Miami Herald. Jarrett says there’s plenty of ways you could look at the merger, but you can’t deny it highlights how valuable pro wrestling is from a live content perspective.
“Years ago, professional wrestling/sports entertainment, we dipped in and out of pop culture, and then WrestleMania continued to grow. But when you kind of look at the entire scope of the industry now, it is mainstream in every facet that you could imagine. I truly believe that 12, 24 months from now, I think you’re gonna be looking, and I say this with all due respect, but obviously I’m biased towards the professional wrestling industry, but I believe that you’re truly gonna see professional wrestling, WWE [and] AEW, go to another level because in so many ways, that merger, I believe it’s such a statement. Yes, it’s a financial statement in so many ways, evaluation and all that. Wall Street worries about that.
“But as far as the DNA of pop culture, within a seven-day period, the merger was announced, three days after that, we announced Wembley Stadium in London for a summer event. Those are really iconic moments. There hasn’t been a wrestling event in Wembley in 30 years. In business, mergers and acquisitions, that’s what my personal attorney, that’s his specialty. It’s kind of the nature of the beast. That’s exactly what business does, but when you throw the elements that you’re talking about, it’s big business, it’s obviously big money, it’s big coverage.
“When you look at the advantages, we’re talking about Stanley Cup, and they have an 82-game season. Football, however many [games], it’s all seasonal. Professional wrestling is 52 weeks a year, and you can see a Chris Jericho on Monday night and a Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson on a Wednesday night or a Friday night, whatever it is. We don’t have seasons. So the nature of our industry is like no other. UFC, they can have monthly pay-per-views, but a guy can’t fight every month. Our industry is so unique, and I think that is the staying power of truly, that’s what cuts is apart from every other form of sport and every other form of entertainment. You don’t see American Idol 52 weeks a year. Having the ability to get content that gets ratings and creates revenue 52 weeks a year, it sets us so far apart of every other media property, and that’s where I think the entire world, from a global perspective, is truly taking notice of the value of professional wrestling.”
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