We are sad to learn that legendary promoter Jerry Jarrett has passed away. The news first broke via Mark James’ Memphis Wrestling History Facebook group.
To say that Jarrett is one of the most influential people in the history of the wrestling business is an understatement.
Jarrett started selling wrestling programs at the age of 7 and worked his way up to helping Nick Gulas and Roy Welch sell tickets before eventually working as a referee and as a pro wrestler and eventually promoting Memphis wrestling for decades.
In the 90s, Jerry was said to have been the person to take over for Vince McMahon if McMahon would have been convicted in the steroid distribution trial in the 90s.
Jerry’s influence in the business continued into the 2000s as he and his son Jeff and Bob Ryder went on a fishing trip in 2001 and came up with the idea to launch TNA Wrestling, thus providing jobs to thousands of wrestlers and backstage crew for years to come.
We send out our deepest condolences to the Jarrett family. Jerry’s passing is a huge loss for the wrestling business.
