Jeff Jarrett spoke with the Sporting News about GFW presenting NJPW’s Wrestle Kingdom 9 on January 4th. Check out the highlights:
On how GFW’s involvement in the event came about: “New Japan actually approached Global Force about this idea and how do we work together, how do we bring that product to North America in a big way. It became obvious real quick that what better way to make a splash in North America then their biggest show of the year, a show that’s on par with WrestleMania in the (Tokyo) Dome, over 40, 50,000 — they’re on track to sell over 50,000 seats. So what better event to make a splash with New Japan then that event.”
On the event’s potential: “This pay-per-view has lined up to be the the most widely distributed pay-per-view in the history of wrestling. It’s become a can’t-miss event and to say that the stars have aligned would almost be an understatement to me.”
On Jim Ross calling the show: “He’s the voice of this generation’s wrestling fans. That’s really not overstating the situation. It’s a fact. Jim has had, if you want to talk wrestling terminology, he’s been a main event player at the very, very top — not just a main event player, the main event player — for what he does in this business for over 20 years. It’s a Hogan-esque run or better when you talk about what he has accomplished in this business. I’m not understating what an impact he’s had on the promotion of this event.”
On GFW’s place in wrestling in 2014: “It’s live event programming or it can be live event programming and in today’s world that’s very important. Global Force is doing the rollout and we’re strategically looking at the distribution models because brand awareness is everything and the wrestling business is very healthy and Global Force is ready to do the rollout in 2015. Timing is everything but brand awareness is at the very top. You have to very strategically roll out. In business, the bottom line is all that really matters. So when you put the pieces together of talent, of live event shows, of sponsorships, of distribution, legal and finance go with all of that but brand awareness sits on top of all of that. First impression is a last impression so I think to roll it out strategically, you got to do it the right way. Patience is not in my DNA but thus far I’ve had some good patience and I’m taking it step by step.”
