TNA Wrestling may have signed a multi year partnership deal with WWE over more relevancy but there was a time when this promotion was the biggest rival of WWE. It came into existence back in 2002 and it has done an excellent job ever since coming into existence. The unhappy WCW fans finally got a worthy replacement.
The promotion also put over some of the biggest stars of wrestling like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. They may not have promoted many top stars but there are names that were built by this promotion who went on to become the biggest draws of wrestling. AJ Styles, who was mainly built by TNA Wrestling has been a two times WWE World Champion.
Jeff Jarrett Reveals His Concern That This TNA Star Would Potentially Move to WWE in 2004
There is another name that became a huge draw in TNA Wrestling and that was "The Monster" Abyss. He was one of the original products of the promotion and the 6'8" tall wrestler did an excellent job. Jeff Jarett who was one of the father figures of TNA, revealed his concerns that Abyss might move to WWE in 2004. Speaking onhis “My World” podcast, Jeff Jarrett revealed;
“Super concerned. And it goes on — during this time Bob Rider was, again, a man who wore a lot of hats. But Bob always had an issue when he tried to serve two masters. The easiest thing was to be good to the boys but, you know, be an office member. You can’t serve both masters, ultimately.
Jeff Jarrett continued, “Bob was very aware of everyone’s contract situations, and he let it lapse… His contract lapsed with us actually having — not even really having the ability to sit down and negotiate. So I was very concerned, irritated as hell at Bob Ryder, but wasn’t exactly sure how it was going to play out.
Jeff Jarrett is a WWE Hall of Famer
“And you have to remember that Abyss was a guy that — yeah, he was on our first show, but he went to Puerto Rico and when we came and got on board, he was figured in at the highest level from the day he returned from Puerto Rico. And man, when I tell you it’s hard for me to imagine, in a lot of ways, the success we had without Abyss.
“Because look, if the Abyss would have jumped right in right now and gone to WWE, there’s no doubt he’d still be exactly where he’s at today. Because he’s a thinking man. He thinks about it, he processes it. He doesn’t mind going back to the well, he doesn’t mind taking input. He doesn’t mind speaking up and saying, ‘No, what about this?’
“He’s a team player, coachable, teachable, smart, thinks it through, knows the difference between a big man match and a little guy match and different blends and X Division, and tag matches, and main event matches versus — everything you need in a producer-slash-agent-slash-coach, if you will." said Jeff Jarrett.
Jeff Jarrett is presently active in AEW
“But during this time, I was frustrated that we were going to lose a guy that we had put so much stock in. I don’t remember all the ins and outs. The thing that I remember the most was Bob, I don’t believe, was particularly being honest with the hand that was feeding him. And it wasn’t the first time.” concluded Jeff Jarrett.
Abyss may have been a top star of TNA Wrestling during his time but critics always compared him with WWE legend Kane that this correct and it was widely believed that this character was just a knock off of The Big Red Machine. Sometimes even called him Kane of TNA Wrestling. But Abyss actually did an excellent job and Kane vs Abyss will always remain a dream match of many wrestling fans.
H/T - eWrestlingNews
