Jeff Jarrett sees some similarities between TNA and AEW, particularly when it comes to providing opportunities for talent to establish themselves on a bigger stage.
Following WWE’s purchase of WCW in 2001, TNA eventually emerged as a major alternative in the United States. Years later, AEW entered the wrestling landscape in 2019 and has developed a roster featuring talent from around the world.
Speaking with The Sportster’s Adam Barnard, Jarrett praised the diversity of AEW’s roster and pointed to the number of wrestlers who have been able to grow their profiles through the promotion.
“Every roster, no matter how you slice and dice it, ends up kind of being different,” Jarrett said. “But one thing that I will say about the AEW roster, it’s super diverse, and there’s a lot of folks that are coming of age and that you get to witness week in, week out, that before AEW started, you might not know this guy.”
Jarrett compared that dynamic to the early days of TNA, when the company helped introduce a wider audience to names who would eventually become major stars.
“Same thing with TNA,” he continued. “Before TNA started, there was no X Division. There was no AJ Styles. You could fill in the blanks and all that kind of stuff. But the old definition of luck, preparation meets opportunity. Guys that have been prepared, they get the opportunity at a TNA or AEW or whatever it may be. Cream always rises to the top.”
While acknowledging similarities between the two promotions, Jarrett specifically highlighted the international makeup of AEW’s current roster.
“So, yeah, there are similarities there. But, man, when you look at, to me, the AEW diverse roster, the global aspect is very impressive.”
