The Rise & Fall Of TNA | Wrestling Timelines

33. November 20, 2002 | Swerve

Vince Russo returns, appearing on the latest PPV under the guise of ‘Mr. Wrestling III’ and handing Jeff Jarrett the NWA World Heavyweight title. Alongside Russo, the cloak-and- dagger antics make a comeback. Who is booking this show exactly? The official word is that Jerry Jarrett is in charge of creative, which is difficult to take seriously when Russo’s return coincides with a lesbian angle.

Russo is a hugely controversial (and in many circles unpopular) figure, so much so that NWA:TNA feels the need to play down his involvement. This might suggest that he should not be involved in the first place, but he’s friendly with Jeff, and boasts a track record of quite incredible success in the role. The hardcore wrestling fans balks at this, but in 2002, Russo is really only three years removed from pulling in the highest Nielsen ratings in wrestling history. As dumb as it seems, NWA:TNA is only doing what actual., functional sporting franchises do all the time: opting for the most qualified short-term option, even if that option is almost certainly past-it. Sean ‘Syxx-Pac’ Waltman quits the promotion in protest. The pretence that anybody except Russo is running this thing is soon dropped. 

The promotion is subsequently built around Russo’s Sports Entertainment Xtreme stable in a philosophical war against pro wrestling. The former is always going to go over under Russo.