Dwayne Johnson has paid his respects to Jerry Jarrett.
Jerry Jarrett sadly passed away on February 14th while undergoing treatment for cancer of the esophagus. Jarrett is one of the most influential figures in professional wrestling history, having pioneered a number of booking devices that are still used to this day.
After appearing as a referee and a wrestler himself, Jarrett began promoting wrestling events in Memphis with his mother in the early 1970s. By the end of the decade, he had joined forces with Buddy Fuller, and Jerry Lawler to create the Continental Wrestling Association (CWA). Jarrett remained heavily involved in the industry for decades even working as a consultant for WWE, while later in his career he founded NWA: TNA alongside his son Jeff.
The company eventually became IMPACT Wrestling.
In a video on Instagram, Dwayne Johnson credited Jarrett’s Memphis style of wrestling with helping him craft his own wrestling persona.
“Memphis wrestling in the late 70s, early 80s, had such a strong influence on my career,” Johnson said. “How I worked the microphone, how I worked in my matches, the storytelling that I would put in my matches, how I decided that I wanted to become a ring general — there was so much of Memphis wrestling that influenced my style. And that was all because of Jerry Jarrett.”
How Was Dwayne Johnson Connected To Jerry Jarrett?
During the video, Dwayne Johnson praised Jarrett for everything that he had done to help his family. The Rock recalled the promotor finding his father Rocky Johnson a job when the family was struggling financially. Johnson added that Jarrett had also had a big impact on his own career when he was just starting out wrestling in the USWA.
Inside the Ropes sends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Jerry Jarrett at this difficult time.
H/t to f4wonline