Jeff Jarrett delved into the persistent question of why TNA Wrestling often struggles for mainstream media attention despite producing quality shows and drawing respectable crowds, suggesting on his “My World” podcast that a lack of a clear, consistent public “face of the brand” is a key factor. Host Conrad Thompson referenced comments lamenting TNA’s lower profile compared to WWE and AEW, even when successful. Jarrett acknowledged TNA’s resilience (“I’m so damn happy… they weathered another storm… there is a Teflon stickiness to the brand”), but also pointed to its complicated history and frequent identity shifts (“the TNA LOL,” name changes, different networks) as potential baggage.
Jarrett then identified what he sees as a core issue: the absence of a singular figurehead representing the company to the public, similar to how Dana White represents UFC or Vince McMahon historically represented WWE. “If you had to tell me, who is the face of the TNA brand right now? Who is it?” Jarrett asked pointedly. After Thompson suggested current World Champion Joe Hendry, Jarrett countered, “How long has he been the face? No longer than a year… That is very, very hard.” Jarrett listed past TNA figureheads – including himself, Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff, Dixie Carter, and Billy Corgan – highlighting the lack of current equivalent. “When you kind of get into that the GM… and you don’t have that, I think… Why is that uniqueness [missing]?”
He further argued that even TNA’s top in-ring stars aren’t exclusively associated with the TNA brand in the broader public consciousness. “Do you really associate the Hardys with TNA? I don’t,” Jarrett stated as an example. He believes this absence of both a strong executive figurehead and universally recognized, TNA-exclusive top talent makes it more difficult for the promotion to establish a distinct and powerful brand identity compared to its larger competitors, thus potentially limiting its mainstream media traction despite its successes.
Jarrett provided this analysis on his My World podcast, available weekly on major podcast platforms.
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