WWE Makes Incredible Hall Of Fame Announcement
You'll never believe who's going in...
WWE's Executive Vice President Triple H took to Twitter earlier to announce the company's latest induction into their Hall of Fame, and - get ready to pinch yourself extremely violently - it's Jeff Jarrett.
Well, March went by fast. What, it's not April 1st? Good gracious.
In his Tweet, Hunter lauded Double J, describing the second-generation promoter as having led "a decorated career, [who has] created opportunities for new talent around the world."
Meanwhile, meteorologists in Tartarus are reporting record low temperatures.
Jarrett's induction into WWE's Hall of Fame really is one of the most incredibly unlikely pieces of wrestling news to emerge in recent years, like, for example, if Vince McMahon suddenly decided to revive his failed abomination of a football league.
Oh.
What makes this such a sensational announcement? Well, the crux of the matter relates to Jarrett's exit from WWE way back in 1999. The country music star's contract was set to expire whilst he was in possession of the IC title, which gave him enormous leverage when it came to renegotiation - and he was all too aware. When he was asked to drop the strap to Chyna, Jarrett flat out refused - unless he was paid $300,000.
At No Mercy, JJ relinquished the belt. Chyna later confirmed the blackmail. From that point on, he was persona non grata within Titan Towers, a status exacerbated by being made WCW's headline act during the group's dying days. The ploy by fellow exile Vince Russo was specifically designed to smear salt, but ironically, installing Jarrett as the company's top star accelerated the promotion's downfall. Think that's called a rhinectomy.
Vince had already had the last laugh, but after WWE acquired their erstwhile rivals in 2001, he managed an extra slap to Jarrett's nuts by personally firing him on an episode of Raw . Double J was gone from the company for good - or rather, "GOONNEE."
For the best part of the next 16 years, Jarrett helmed WWE's nominal North American adversary, TNA. Knowing full-well he had no place back in New York, the prototypical Elias could go about competing with gusto. It didn't exactly work out as intended.
Jarrett's rehabilitation to the WWE fold wipes away some of the last remaining bad blood from a different era of the business. Time really does heal all wounds, apparently. What next, Hulk Hogan to induct him?
If you're planning to celebrate JJ's induction tonight, have fun - but just mind out for those low-flying pigs.