Jim Cornette on The Passing Of Jerry Jarrett

From Episode 281 of the Jim Cornette's Drive Thru
Artwork by Travis Heckel!
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[@MilMaska]

"Jerry Jarret had a sign in his office that said 'Personal issues draw money'" - Jim Cornette

[@naturallawman2965]

Tell that to Tony Khan, Phil, Kenny & Adam.

[@marcbasil]

@@naturallawman2965who?

[@LuisReyes-pb4dt]

@@naturallawman2965 don't forget matt and nick.With the exception of Brooks those other guys probably don't even know who Jerry Jarrett was .He was not a character in a video game

[@influencerpodcasts]

@@marcbasil I think that was his dumbas$$ way of saying Tony Khan, CM Punk, & The Elite... He had to try to talk like he's in the business

[@marcbasil]

@@influencerpodcasts ahh, I see. He’s a skid mark. Gotchya. He’s referring to rasslers whom he’s never met & who have no idea who he is by their first names. Wow. Lmfao

[@Trill_4_Life]

RIP Mr. Jarrett. Thanks for your contributions to the wrestling world.

[@AhtoNajeebRashied]

Pretty sure he will not see this comment.

[@DaveHorgan.]

@@AhtoNajeebRashied 🤣

[@Marcthegaurdian]

​@@AhtoNajeebRashied🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@Marcthegaurdian]

​@@AhtoNajeebRashiedI will go on a limb and agree with you.

[@kingston4313]

@@Marcthegaurdian there’s a 33/3 chance that he will see it- professor S. Steiner.

[@thomass789]

My God, these history pieces by Corny are freaking incredible. A lot of historical content video producers and narrators could learn so much from how Jim and Brian do this. I absolutely love how informal, yet thorough, these are. Hats off to Jim and Brian.

[@Jimbo_Bluff]

Jim is like the curator of all that is pro wrestling.

[@thomass789]

@@Jimbo_Bluff He really is.

[@tobiasfarragut292]

These are the moments to be thankful for even if under bad pretenses b/c hearing about AEW constantly while waiting for it to bottom out eventually gets tiring even for a fan gotta hear these stories to balance out

[@williammitchell4417]

This is why stuff like Tales of the Territories smarten fans like us up.

[@marcbasil]

@@williammitchell4417marks **

[@robthames5065]

“I think two of the guys had a fake match.” - Jerry Jarrett 😂😂😂

[@jamesselig8461]

The retrospective of Jerry Jarrett's career is so good, im just enthralled by Jim's tales of old style booking

[@Carelock]

Mr. Jarrett had a good podcast for a while. I’m very happy that he got a couple books out there and some interviews before he passed. What a legendary figure. R.I.P.

[@mrg8581]

If not for Jerry Jarrett, we probably wouldn't be listening to Jim Cornette now. Rest in peace Jerry.

[@jamesdriskill5784]

Jim is just a real wrestling historian. His dissertations are just fascinating.

[@leelohaskin7941]

RIP to Jerry Jarrett, condolences to Jeff and the family

[@richardruggio212]

May you rest in Peace Mr.Jarett.Thoughts and prayers are with you as ND your family Jeff.

[@richardruggio212]

AND

[@troylowe814]

Every conversation I had with Jerry Jarrett was an education. I will always appreciated his candor and knowledge, and for those of us who weren't hoodwinked by the glitz and glamour of the WWF, Jarrett Promotions was the most consistently entertaining wrestling promotion of all time

[@IamPondo]

Memphis area wrestling was great in my childhood. Thanks Mr. Jarrett and bless your family.

[@savievere9759]

Idk what's more impressive. That Jerry Jarrett can trace his lineage of booking to a wrestler in 1896 or that Cornette knew that

[@chuckarnold4488]

Prayers for Mr. Jarrett's family and friends. Jerry Jarrett was on the card my very first time to see live wrestling in 1976 with Jackie Fargo vs Don Greene and Scorpion in Memphis for the first Lawler/Rocky Johnson match.

[@Raheed27]

I always love Jim talk about wrestling of the past its really incredible to hear. RIP Mr Jarrett

[@ASCUMBAGWh0re]

Shad.. pathetic name change that bs man

[@xinvented6414]

RIP Jerry Jarrett. Your contributions to pro wrestling will never be forgotten

[@knivemares588]

There have been a lot of deaths in the wrestling world lately. Rip to those we lost along the way. It sucks growing old.

[@sionrouge1697]

Nah. It's a blessing to get old. It's hard getting old and not being able to stay independent if I ever lose my independence I want out.

[@Sky_Blaze]

Lately? seems wrestling always has had a bunch of deaths every year

[@JohnnyPerth]

@@sionrouge1697 Indeed it is. Something that some never have a chance to experience

[@Jimbo199]

@@Sky_Blaze It has and always has but narcissists like this have to create a silly narrative that feeds their ego.

[@goodday2760]

@@Jimbo199 It's not a narrative. In 2014 and 2015 when idiots were demolishing a still halfway relevant WWE, there were huge deaths like Warrior, Rhodes and Piper. I'm not convinced that's a coincidence.

[@jakeinator722]

It's so unfortunate that the master tapes of Memphis were never saved and the issues regarding who owns it were never figured out. Jerry was a brilliant mind in running such a standard territory in Tennessee.

[@tonystracener9078]

Absolutely

[@poppy87]

I think Jerry Lawyer has been piece-mealing some tapes together by buying what he can to eventually sell to WWE.

[@MiniMugenMan]

It's sorta insane to think some random dude probably has the last remnants of old Memphis TV sitting somewhere in his closet and doesn't even know it. People used to tape wrestling on their own all the time back in the day. Until whoever that may be realizes what they're sitting on, it's all just memories.

[@manuelper]

@@poppy87 Oh awesome, more territory tapes that the WWE will hold hostage and never fully put to stream. Peacock basically put whatever the network already had.

[@maxxdahl6062]

@@manuelper Lawler only owns a fraction of it, not the entire thing from my understanding, the rest is public domain. That's how wrestling gold had a ton of memphis footage.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

Jerry was a legend of Territory wrestling, Not talked about enough in the history of wrestling

[@marcbasil]

Lolwut

[@Richardprior839]

@@marcbasil What don't you understand kid?

[@williammitchell4417]

Oh... We've talked, joked about, some of us have even impersonated, but yeah, we should respect what this man did for the business.

[@marcbasil]

@@williammitchell4417?

[@marcbasil]

@@Richardprior839not tal talked about enough..? What’re you talking about? Jarret is widely regarded as the second greatest promoter in rasslin history 🤦🏻😂

[@LuisReyes-pb4dt]

Condolences to Jeff Jarrett and his family. Jerry Jarrett was an influential and important figure in the glory days of wrestling.

[@jasonkraatz9574]

So many deaths lately it makes you wonder. Life is fragile folks. Live every moment. Smile every smile. Hold no regrets it only eats you up in the long run. Love to all of you.

[@NewNormalWorldOrder]

80 year old deaths don’t make me wonder. People under 40 seemingly dying at a higher rate that ever before does make me wonder tho.

[@jasonkraatz9574]

No I wouldn’t be surprised at an 80 year old passing either but I didn’t know he was in bad shape. Just in general lately people have been dropping like flies (especially under 40 like you said) and it makes you ask why.

[@scrappy93]

No really being 80 and more to it with the 40 and younger. 2019 in the us 60k 25 and younger died 21k were infants. Murders are up. Really no wonder.

[@rebelfighter5249]

Sudden Lee strikes again. This is what, the 3rd pillar of the industry to die in the span of a month? Many more to come, so buckle up folks.

[@myquest666420]

@@totallybored5526 lol they’re talking about the vaccine

[@Commenter007]

Rest in peace, Mr. Jerry Jarrett. He made Memphis wrestling world famous. I grew up in the Evansville area and my Grandfather would take me to the matches every Wednesday night. I watched Jerry Jarrett and Tojo Yamamoto wrestle Phil Hickerson and Dennis Condrey the very first time I went to the matches, in '76 or '77. They announced that some of the wrestlers would be signing autographs at a local Wendy's restaurant, after the matches. Jerry and Tojo were two of the wrestlers who were there. Eddy Marlin was also there. That's all that I can recall, right now. As a 6 or 7 year old, I was star struck! It was a magical time, for me! We saw some big time stars come through.

[@walliegirl2]

My grandfather was chairman of the Kentucky Athletic Association so he knew Christine Jarrett. I went to a match at the old Louisville Gardens. I guess he contacted Ms. Jarrett and she graciously took my friend and myself to meet the wrestlers. This was when pro wrestling had class. Now it just sucks.

[@spawnninjacus1472]

Jim is one of the few people on KZbin that ever talked about Jerry if ever. A lot of new school fans would've never knew that much about jerry if it wasn't for Jim.

[@pontus3142]

My World talks about him plenty!

[@spawnninjacus1472]

@@pontus3142 yes but not for over 8 years on KZbin

[@ShadowLink1986]

I could listen to Jim all day.

[@chico1680]

For those who don't know, it was cancer that took Jerry. Jerry had known about it for at least a year but, didn't want it made public apparently. RIP Mr Jarrett

[@jamesoldham9237]

I grew up watching USWA on Saturdays here in Kentucky and went to Louisville Gardens to the matches and seen all kinds of wrestlers come and go, rest in peace Jerry Jarrett.

[@cheffrey-Le-Champion]

At least he didn't take the chicken salad recipe with him

[@heyokah]

Times may change, the faces will age and fade away, but all we can do is cling tightly to the memories. In the end memories are all we will have left. Those too shall fade away unless those memories are shared with others. Thank you Mr. Cornette for sharing.

[@pleasequietdown8946]

I've hardly watched a minute of wrestling, but I've listened to Jim for hundreds of hours and it's given me such appreciation for the rich history

[@shahidnyker2900]

Are you not a wrestling fan at all?

[@pleasequietdown8946]

@@shahidnyker2900 grew up only knowing fake wwe and mocked it. Only took interest when i suddenly started watching that shoot interview series

[@biguglyskunk1248]

Same here.. I casually watched some in late 70s early 80s. Love hearing the stories and finding the videos and watching them knowing the backstories and what was going on behind the scenes. 🤟

[@d-mo733]

Oh but you will watch FAKE movies, FAKE reality shows and FAKE news but it is Wrestling that did it for ya! Just can’t understand why ppl would FAKE beat each other up?!! How stupid are ppl? REAL STUPID! Most Moronic comments ppl could make. Don’t watch tv at all if you wanna avoid FAKE stuff! Stupid idiots!

[@pleasequietdown8946]

@@d-mo733 get some ice for your butt

[@lisab1278]

They knew I was a gimmick from Day 1. I just didn't know it." - Jim Cornette What a great gimmick you are, sir.

[@joshhefner8179]

Jerry told the story on Brisco & Bradshaw's podcast in 2021 once Vince wasn't going to jail he knew he wasn't needed and he told Vince hey I'm going home and Vince thanked him and kept sending checks to his house and Jerry told Vince hey you keep sending the checks and Vince said there yours. He then got a job with WCW and called Vince again and told about him about the WCW job Vince told him to take it since that would taking money away from Turner, so Jerry at one time was getting checks from WWE and WCW.

[@BillStine]

I owe Jerry everything for giving me the chance, RIP Jerry see you on the other side.

[@henrysawyer3262]

what a great era of rasslin..the fargos..tojo..the interns..herb welch..the greens..many more as of right now i cant remember them all..rip jerry jarett

[@denniscook512]

The fued between Fargo/Jarrett vs Lawler/White is what got me hooked on rasslin during the early 70s

[@1nstantClassic]

Well you know, I just want to say Rest Peacefully JJ

[@SirVic42]

"They knew I was a gimmick from Day One - I just didn't know it."

[@steveaustin330]

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson is mourning the loss of legendary wrestling promoter Jerry Jarrett, who died on Tuesday at the age of 80. In a lengthy video posted to Instagram early Thursday morning, the Black Adam star, 50, reminisced about the man who helped launch not only his career in the ring, but also that of Johnson's father, Rocky "Soul Man" Johnson. "In the wild world of pro wrestling, the world that I love, we lost a legend this weekend," Johnson began his video, in which he told the story of Jarrett and his wrestler-son, Jeff, with whom the actor "came up together" in their then-burgeoning wrestling careers. "You were good to my dad when he was having a hard time catching a break," the star wrote alongside the video. "I'll never forget it." He added, "You were also good to me when I had $7 bucks in my pocket. I'll never forget it. Thank you for taking care of my family."

[@runawayuniverse]

The Rocks dad was a disgusting person.

[@steveaustin330]

@@runawayuniverse Thats your opinion, he always treated me good, he and dad grew up together and never had a problem.

[@Jimbo199]

Well done for copying and pasting an article, how clever and original you are.

[@alexmartin3143]

Thanks crack rock

[@joshuakessler6818]

The Rock and his act is so played out.

[@TonyRichards]

Even the best drawing year Bill Watts had in Mid South in 1984 revolved around angles from Tennessee like the birthday party angle. Jerry Jarrett's influence in the industry will never be matched. I am going to miss him personally very much.

[@williammitchell4417]

Corny and Brian could talk about the history of the business and it would NEVER get old.

[@jamigrey5554]

I grew up near Nashville and went to the fairgrounds to watch the matches multiple times. My grandpa believed it was real until he died.

[@Brando-Lee3725]

A true legend and a Revolutionay Titan of the industry of actual Pro Wrestling . Its breaks my heart seeing so many of the old guard passing away . Its inevitable obviously but still sad .

[@tamzidmohsinkhan3333]

RIP Jerry Jarrett One of the pioneers of pro wrestling

[@zo6scott]

Corney you and I are contemporaries and grew up on the same wrestling. I find I can’t watch the old stuff and feel the same way. Listening to you talk about the same events is far more enjoyable than watching the actual events. Thankfully you have left a legacy that will speak for you for decades to come. Cheers!

[@andyrockett495]

TNA, Impact, GWF, USWA.....these promotions Jerry had a hand in...and the wrestling I enjoyed...seriousness, competitive matches, no unnecessary bullshit...Wrestlers such as The Patriot, Iceman Parsons, Maniac Mike Davis, Gorgeous Gary Young, Harlem Heat...as a wrestling fan I enjoyed all these folks..

[@lb2.0.45]

His contributions to wrestling will never be forgotten truly one of the best minds in the business. RIP Jerry Jarrett!

[@MisterKidd555]

Although this comes about due to a sad occasion, I love to here Jim talk about the transition of The Pioneer Days in the South & Southwest into the birth of The Territories. Rest in peace, Mr. Jarrett. We, as fans, owe a huge debt of gratitude to you for the contributions you made to the business we love, sir.

[@rameybutler6555]

i hope jim and fuller can have a show together again to speak about jerret, armstrong, and tn wrestling

[@joehung1552]

We don't need a show with a woman beater on it with Jim.

[@vtmiller63]

I appreciate the WTCG acknowledgement! As a little Mid-South kid, I remember those call letters when Georgia Wrestling first became available in Louisiana.

[@lodi70005]

How did you watch that in Louisiana? I first saw Georgia on cable TV, which had only been available for a year in Destrehan, La.

[@AhtoNajeebRashied]

So much priceless history here. Amazing.

[@michaelhoule2134]

RIP Mr Jerrett, the supercard in heaven just got one of the best minds in the business.

[@ronnironn2986]

Fantastic segment! Thank you

[@samtipton9402]

Thank U Mr. Jarrett R.I.P.

[@chrisholden615]

RIP Good sir and thank you for your immensely huge contributions

[@josgor9061]

Aside from Vince McMahon, the best promoter and mind in the history of the business. In Tennessee I believe he was just as influential with the country music community.

[@TihetrisWeathersby]

I'll never forget Jerry's shoot interview where he said he wanted to strangle Dixie Carter because she was so clueless, It really cracked me up

[@tomwigal8856]

Jerry had a great mind for the business and I especially want to thank him for helping start a live asking program that I still watch today and watch some people may not know is that I get this Jeff Jarrett my world podcast Jerry and Jeff were on the outs for a while but thank goodness they reconciled so Jeff can remember the good things about his father rest in peace mr Jarrett

[@thomashenley1903]

I don't think we would have Jim Cornette if it wasn't for Jerry Jarrett. All the crazy stuff on wrestling today, Memphis did it first

[@rudyrusso711]

R.I.P. Jerry...Thank you for all you have done for the Sport of Pro Wrestling, the memories will always remain! 🙏

[@Ryan-il2iw]

Anyone who hasnt seen it should check out Jerry Jarrett booking wcw 2000 for Sean Oliver the man was a genius the wrestling business truly is lesser without him in it R.I.P.

[@playthesmackdown]

RIP Jerry!

[@psilociarise1648]

R.I.P Mr Jarrett

[@DateTwoRelate]

Test on Monday. Sure hope you're taking notes during Prof Cornette's lecture.

[@johnabrams7476]

The fact that Vince was gonna let Jerry run the WWWF if he had lost the steroid scandal..just shows the value of Jerry Jarret as a person. And what he has done for professional wrestling... Rest in Peace Jerry...

[@Am71919]

I'm just glad he lived a full life

[@danzane5973]

RIP Mr. Jarrett. Blessed to have Mr. Cornette to remember and give us a history lesson of the good ole days.

[@nolongerblocked6210]

After an hour & a half Cornette pays it off in the last minute by admitting it was a powder blue tux... these stories are amazing. I'm gonna have to listen twice just to make sure I didn't miss anything #RIPJerryJarrett

[@Matt-cr4vv]

The most impressive thing about a promoter like Jerry Jarrett to me is not simply how successful his promotion was for a period of time. What’s so impressive to me is that it did so well for the time it did when it was hitting the same towns every single week. The ability to get people to come to your show every week is wild to see somebody do. When WWE comes around I go sometimes but it’s largely because it is only once a year maybe. But I would never want to go every single week. So putting on shows compelling enough to get people to come every week is crazy to think about for me.

[@mattprentice5344]

WWE tickets are $100 plus dollars each. Back then you could get tickets for $6

[@pontus3142]

@@mattprentice5344 You would have to pay me to sit through a WWE show every week.

[@Matt-cr4vv]

It’s always fascinating listening to the history of the territory days. What always strikes me as interesting is that during s time when the business was strongly protected and hard to break into as a wrestler how people like Jerry got their starts. How many legends of the era started in wrestling as kids doing odd jobs that just evolved over time until they rose to influential levels? Just really wild to think about how many people were working important jobs in these territories at young ages and then became what they became. Something that could never happen in todays age. Will always be fascinating to me to think about.

[@tysontomko]

Rip Jerry and glad to hear another mention of southeastern wrestling

[@matthewhostetter8974]

RIP Jerry Jarrett, your contributions to wrestling will never be forgotten. Even if your son does try to book himself bigger than Hogan, the Rock, and Hogan combined. I think the sad part was we just saw Jerry a few months ago on Tales from the Territories, but it is nice to know his legacy still lives on and younger generations know just how important he was.

[@Voysh2Voysh69]

Jeff Jarrett’s repeatedly taken losses since joining AEW. So I don’t know how he’s BOOKING himself bigger than Hogan or Rock?

[@fredos4323]

Hogan, Rock and HOGAN combined😂🤣😭😂🤣😭😭😭😭😭brother this comment will take me to my grave early...

[@Voysh2Voysh69]

@@fredos4323 bruh must think Horace Hogan was super over 😭☠️☠️

[@tobiasfarragut292]

@@Voysh2Voysh69I think he meant more like in the TNA days or how he was pushed as leader of the Slapnuts in Dubyah Cee Dubyah

[@fredos4323]

@@Voysh2Voysh69 ☠️☠️

[@SoelGriffin]

R.I.P. Jerry Jarrett

[@LordPeaceFrog]

ATG😪R.I.P. Jerry. The "little man" who cast a GIANT shadow!!!💪

[@AFCole-uu3rv]

Jarrett belongs on any list of the most influential figures in American professional wrestling during the past 50 years

[@joshhefner8179]

On Jeff's Podcast that aired Tuesday Morning, Jeff had Conrad tell everybody that Jerry had called him 2 months ago and he told Conrad he had esophageal cancer and they talked about Jerry was going to beat it, then of course he passed away that same day.

[@alenton81]

There is NO woman (even Mama Cornette) that will have a bigger place in Corny's heart than Christine Jarrett. An enjoyable listen.

[@yogsenforfoth5948]

Jerry was a bit of a contentious man, but goddamn was he influential. The guy is unquestionably one of the most important figures in wrestling during the 20th century. Rest in peace, Mr. Jarrett.

[@George-wv5hf]

RIP Mr. Jarrett.

[@guardianofchaosBD]

R.I.P. Jerry Jarrett🙏

[@Madashell1200]

This made me so sad. RIP Jerry Jarrett.

[@rumtuckskatter]

Thank you Jim and Bryan

[@blanchfor]

RIP to the great Jerry Jarret

[@cftvnetwork]

My condolences.

[@jtown1022]

Ah man, hearing Jim say he wore a powder blue tux has me imagining him duel a young Harvey Wippleman in an orange tux with canes 😂

[@Christoffski]

RIP Jerry Jarrett

[@ebransc09]

AND NOW… I know the rest of the story

[@sethkorzenborn3456]

Been waiting very very anxiously for this one since I foud out.

[@dustyhaynes5688]

RIP Jerry.

[@sdeofficialpage]

Jerry ran the Tuesday night shows at the Louisville Gardens for years,and got Jim started in wrestling as a young teenage photographer.The rest is history.RIP to one of the greats.

[@Kingofthekop1]

RIP Jerry

[@spanky9676]

“My mother tells me you are smart to our business”. That’s where it all began. RIP

[@foxmcloud9901]

Rest in peace mr Jerry jarrett

[@BlazedApples]

Some of us may not have been old enough like myself to have lived through the days of all these prominent figures in wrestling but I'm really glad that we have Jim to give us a history lesson on things. RIP Jerry Jarrett🙏

[@danielreamer8382]

Tna/ Impact Wrestling is my absolute favorite wrestling company in the entire world and I am forever grateful to Mr. Jarrett for that

[@HyperActive7]

All the promoters our generation grew up with are now all gone which is crazy to think Vince, Dutch II, and Jeff Jarret who is still active are some of the only ones other than you still around either telling stories or adding to their illustrious careers by transitioning to higher positions within today's promotions.

[@waynethompson6667]

Fantastic history lesson. RIP Jerry Jarrett!

[@allensmith4863]

RIP Jerry, thanks for everything you did for professional wrestling

[@derrickjohnson4045]

R. I. P. To the Original SLAP Nuts... Much respect

[@irishoak7269]

Not a lot of people from the "wrestling" business still left. Sports entertainment does not count. In the coming months people are going to learn just how influential and involved Jerry Jarrett really was to professional wrestling.

[@marcbasil]

How will we “learn” something that everyone knows..?

[@TheRealDannAlexander]

Appreciate the history lessons. Always respected Jerry for his contributions, and it sounds like he may have had more class than most American Promoters combined. Best to you Brian and Jim. F!ck Vince McMahon and Russo.

[@xthevortexknightx6356]

Rest in peace to Jerry Jarrett. What massive contributions to the wrestling business. Not nearly given enough credit for what he did. These kinds of pieces also remind me of how knowledgable and full of facts Corny is about the wrestling business. One of the last pure wrestling geniuses.

[@marcbasil]

Not nearly given credit…? What?