Pro wrestling star Jeff Jarrett shared insights with Fox News Digital about the distinctive guitar shots he has used during his extensive wrestling career. Known for wielding a guitar as a weapon in matches, Jarrett has delivered some of the sport’s most memorable and unusual strikes both inside and outside the ring.
Having spent about four decades in professional wrestling, Jarrett first introduced the guitar-smashing persona during his time with WWE in the early 1990s. He continued this signature move across several major promotions including World Championship Wrestling (WCW), Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), and currently All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Highlighting Some of the Most Memorable Guitar Moments
Over his long career, Jarrett has amassed countless moments involving his guitar gimmick. Reflecting on these incidents, he pointed to some of the most unusual and noteworthy opponents he faced when delivering these strikes.
“It’s hard to name one – you’re gonna put me on the spot,”
Jarrett said.
“I’ll say this, kind of the most unique ones, Fabulous Moolah, a 71-year-old woman who went up to me before I hit her and said if you don’t knock the hell out of me, I’m going to beat your a—when you get back here. She’s a tough lady. Beetlejuice of Howard Stern fame is always right up there. To this day, it gets talked about. Gary Coleman.”
Traveling Internationally to Deliver a Guitar Shot to Hulk Hogan
Jeff Jarrett revealed a story of traveling all the way to Japan for a specific guitar shot encounter involving legendary wrestler Hulk Hogan. Describing the experience, Jarrett illustrated the lengths he has gone to maintain his guitar-wielding legacy.
“But as it relates to professional wrestlers, Sting, Hulk Hogan. I flew to Japan, I can say this as part of my career, I literally flew to Japan, got off the plane, went to the arena, waited a few hours, waited for the show to be over, went to a press conference, knocked out Hulk Hogan with a guitar shot, took a shower, got on a plane and came home. I think he would have to be up there at the top of them as well,”
Jarrett explained.
Jeff Jarrett’s Role in AEW and the Evolution of Pro Wrestling
Joining AEW in 2022, Jarrett has not only competed as a wrestler but also taken on the role of director of business development. He has witnessed the transformation of professional wrestling from its origins in the mid-1980s to its current status as a multimedia entertainment powerhouse.
With pro wrestling now airing on television and streaming services almost every day of the week—including AEW’s “Dynamite” on Wednesdays and “Collision” on Saturdays—Jarrett recognizes how much the landscape has changed.
“Who would ever dreamed that professional wrestling would be on, literally, there are weeks that it’s in prime time seven nights a week,”
Jarrett told Fox News Digital.
“It’s on ESPN. It’s on HBO Max. When you really drill in, wait a minute, HBO, the home of fill in the blank of the last, you know 30 years, the highest quality program that’s created for TV. And AEW, who I’m a partner with, ‘Dynamite,’ ‘Collision’ is on HBO Max, ESPN, Netflix, we can go on and on.”
He expressed pride in being involved with professional wrestling’s current mainstream prominence and its cultural influence across other entertainment sectors.
“It really is something, from a guy from my perspective, I’m really proud to be a part of the industry because you can look at all forms of entertainment, in music … they take a page out of professional wrestling’s book all the time in the touring. I don’t have to tell you about the sports world, every football dance or celebration or the championship belts that the teams get when they win, we’re integrated into every major professional sport,”
Jarrett stated.
Professional Wrestling’s Growth into Mainstream Entertainment
Jarrett commented on the episodic and year-round nature of wrestling content, highlighting how it differs from traditional scripted television shows. The persistent demand and fan engagement have elevated the reputation of wrestling beyond earlier stigmas.
“When you kind of get into the episodic nature of our programing, the television industry has always been amazing. They’re like, ‘Wait a minute guys, you’re 52 weeks a year?’ We’re struggling to get eight episodes or 10 episodes or a season of a show and you guys don’t have a season?’ So, it is really been for a long time coming, but through the iterations, professional wrestling is up there. We’re no longer a dirty four-letter world.”
Looking Ahead: The Future Impact of Jeff Jarrett and Pro Wrestling
Jeff Jarrett’s career and current work with AEW underscore the ongoing evolution of professional wrestling as a prominent form of entertainment. The sport’s visibility on major platforms such as ESPN, HBO Max, and Netflix signifies a new era where wrestling is integrated fully into mainstream media and culture. As Jarrett continues to play a leadership role in AEW, his legacy with the Jeff Jarrett guitar shots remains a memorable part of wrestling history, symbolizing the blend of showmanship and athleticism that defines the industry today.
