Jerry Jarrett, one of the most influential figures in the history of professional wrestling, passed away on February 14, 2023, at the age of 80. The cause of death was not officially announced, but it was widely reported that he had been suffering from esophageal cancer for some time. Jarrett was a pioneer in the wrestling industry, who founded several successful promotions and helped launch the careers of many stars. He was also the father of WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett, who followed his footsteps in the business.
Early Life and Career
Jerry Jarrett was born on September 4, 1942, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Christine “Teeny” Jarrett, a ticket vendor and promoter for NWA Mid-America. Jerry began selling programs for the promotion at the age of seven, and later became a referee and a wrestler. He was trained by Tojo Yamamoto and Sailor Moran, and wrestled under the name Hawaiian Flash. He married Deborah Marlin in 1960, and they had four children, including Jeff.
Promoting and Booking
In 1977, Jarrett founded the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA) in Memphis, Tennessee, along with his long-term business partner Jerry “The King” Lawler. The CWA was one of the most popular and profitable territories in the country, featuring stars like Lawler, Bill Dundee, Jimmy Hart, The Fabulous Ones, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, and many others. Jarrett was known for his creative booking and storytelling, as well as his ability to draw huge crowds and ratings.
In 1989, Jarrett merged the CWA with World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) in Dallas, Texas, forming the United States Wrestling Association (USWA). The USWA continued to be a successful promotion until 1997, when Jarrett sold it to Lawler. Jarrett also worked as a consultant for World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and World Wrestling Federation (WWF) in the mid-1990s.
NWA:TNA and Beyond
In 2002, Jarrett co-founded NWA:TNA (later Impact Wrestling) in Nashville with his son Jeff. The promotion was initially a weekly pay-per-view show that featured talent from the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA), as well as new stars like AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Christopher Daniels, Bobby Roode, and more. Jarrett sold his controlling interest in NWA:TNA to Panda Energy International later that year but remained involved in the creative process until 2005.
Jarrett retired from the wrestling industry after leaving NWA:TNA but occasionally made appearances at various events and conventions. He also wrote several books about his life and career in wrestling. He was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2009.
Legacy and Tributes
Jarrett’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and respect from fans and peers alike. Many wrestlers and promoters credited him for their success and praised him for his vision and innovation. WWE issued a statement expressing its condolences to Jarrett’s family, friends, and fans. Impact Wrestling also paid tribute to Jarrett on its social media platforms.
Jarrett is survived by his wife Deborah, his children Jeff, Jennifer, Jason, and Jillian, his grandchildren Avery Grace and Kyra Marie Jarrett (Jeff’s daughters), his sister Patricia Ann Smithson (Pat), his brother-in-law Eddie Marlin (Deborah’s father), and his daughter-in-law Karen Jarrett (Jeff’s wife).
Jerry Jarrett will always be remembered as a wrestling genius who left an indelible mark on the industry he loved. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
