Legendary wrestling promoter Jerry Jarrett has passed away at the age of 80.
Dutch Mantell shared the news in a tweet on February 14. Bryan Alvarez discussed Jarrett’s passing on Wrestling Observer Live, and various members of the wrestling world responded in posts on social media.
Jarrett was a vital name in the wrestling scene in the Mid-South. He founded the Continental Wrestling Association in 1977, and the company merged with World Class Championship Wrestling to create the United States Wrestling Association in 1997. He also worked as a consultant for WWF and WCW over the period of a few years before he later co-founded TNA (now known as IMPACT Wrestling) with his son Jeff Jarrett in 2002. Jerry departed TNA in 2005 after he previously sold his controlling interest in the company to Panda Energy.
Jarrett also had a successful career as a wrestler; among other accolades, he held the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Championship. He was inducted into the NWA Hall of Fame in 2009.
The NWA family is saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Jerry Jarrett. A very important part of the professional wrestling business, we send our condolences to his family, friends and fans. pic.twitter.com/zMdyNkoV9G
— NWA (@nwa) February 14, 2023
WrestleZone sends its condolences to Jarrett’s family, friends, and fans.
Update: WWE posted a statement in response Jarrett’s passing on its official website:
WWE is saddened to learn that Jerry Jarrett has passed away at age 80.
The father of WWE Hall of Famer Jeff Jarrett, the elder Jarrett was a hugely influential figure in the wrestling industry. Jarrett wrestled primarily for NWA Mid-America, winning multiple Tag Team Championships before hanging up his boots to focus on booking and promoting.
Along with his partner Jerry “The King” Lawler, the two collaborated to create the Continental Wrestling Assocation (CWA), building it into a successful promotion in the Memphis area. CWA would later merge with World Class Championship Wrestling (WCCW) to form the United States Wrestling Association (USWA).
In 2002, he and his son, formed NWA: TNA, which helped launch the careers of future WWE Superstars such as AJ Styles, Xavier Woods, Bobby Roode, and more.
WWE extends its condolences to Jarrett’s family, friends and fans.
