Originally Written and Posted in 2006 on the NWA Cyberspace website:
Question:
I read on a bunch of news sites that NWA SW cannot use TNA talent anymore because Billy Firehawk bounced checks on Jermey Borash and Jeff Jarrett. Is this true?
- Mark Laufenberg, Pine Brook, NJ
Answer:
ERRONEOUS!!! Again, more false allegations from unreliable news sources.
Yes, there was an “incident”, but it did not end the business relationship between NWA SW and TNA. Here’s the story:
The November 2005 “Above The Law” show was built up since July to pit Jeff Jarrett vs. Chris Harris in the main event. Harris was scheduled to win the title and start a singles runs as champion for us. On TNA television, Harris had turned heel with his AMW tag partner James Storm and joined Jarrett’s faction in September. Obviously, the storylines and character relationships were not matching.
Let’s make something perfectly clear – NWA SW is completely separate entity from TNA. We were not sanctioned TNA house shows, we were never acknowledged on TNA television and we had no obligation to follow their TV storylines. There were reports from so-called “credible news sources” stating that we had heat with TNA because the stories I wrote for NWA SW did not fall in line with the product they had on television. It’s absolute nonsense!
In any case, I had a great deal of respect for TNA’s product and wanted to do “my part” in supporting their efforts. I would talk to talent ahead of time to get an idea of what direction they were headed so that no toes were stepped on. We hit a hard cross road in September when I was notified that Harris was turning heel and aligning himself with Jarrett. Our main event had been set up since July. We spent numerous shows building up to that match, and now I was being asked to scrap it. As far as I was concerned, every problem has a solution, and I would find a way to work around it. Scrapping the match was NOT an option.
Ultimately I decided that we would somehow comply with their request, but in doing so it was going to cost Harris his opportunity in being our champion. I came up with the scenario to do the old Hulk Hogan/Kevin Nash screw job, and just when the fans feel they were screwed out of a main event, we’d throw Abyss into the mix and change the title again that night. Everyone was in agreement and I was relieved!
The only thing that bothered me was that on TNA TV, Abyss was also aligned with Jarrett’s faction. So if it was ok for Abyss to win the title, why wasn’t it ok to go with the original plan and let Harris win it? At this point, I didn’t care. I had gained agreement and we were moving forward.
Because we had built up the event for so long, I had to write an in-ring promo for Jarrett that would help change the course of events and explain why the story was going into a different direction. It was set-up great and the show would be a hit setting up a series of matches for Abyss.
On the night of the show, we’re having our production meeting with the talent and Jarrett informs me that he doesn’t think the promo is a good idea. I’m great working with the input of the talent, but I always ask them to explain their concerns so that we are all on the same page. The problem was, he had no explanation, and I wasn’t good with that.
I was disappointed because for a moment I felt as if our show was being dictated by the talent. Our logic is that you are a paid worker for the show and you are paid to do what the promoter asks you to do. I’ve always had an open door policy with the talent to discuss their questions and concerns. Maybe there was something I was missing and because of his stature, I definitely wanted to be on the same page as Jarrett. I have a great deal of respect of him and if he felt differently, I wanted to understand why and learn from it. But I was given no reason. All I knew was that he didn’t want to do the promo, and to me, that was unacceptable.
I walked out of the locker room and I was FURIOUS. I walked out and had to inform everyone, while the show had already started, that the segment had been scrapped and that we’ll move on to the next match. When I informed Firehawk, he was just as upset.
Now here is something most people don’t know – Firehawk spent the evening “entertaining” a visitor from a higher ranking organization that we were considering doing business with. This individual was standing side by side with Firehawk when I informed him of the changes. When the individual overheard the dilemma, he interjected his opinion and said, “If that’s the case, I wouldn’t pay him”. I thought nothing of it at the time. To me, it was just someone else’s opinion.
The match went off exactly as written, and Abyss became the new champion. Although I was upset with what had transpired, I was relieved that Harris, Jarrett and Abyss were real professionals and gave the fans 100% in the match. I thanked each of them afterwards and apologized for any outbursts I may have had.
A month later, I sent out my Christmas morning holiday wishes via cell phone text message to family, friends and talent. Jeff responded wishing me well, and asked “where is my money?”. I had no idea what he was talking about. I immediately called Firehawk and asked him if he knew anything, but he didn’t say much. All he said was, “yeah, it’s taken care of. Don’t worry about it”.
I know Billy very well, and I have to say that it was a VERY BAD decision on his part. But, in his defense, this is not the type of man Billy was. I personally feel he was influenced by the individual he was with that night in making that decision to stop payment on the check.
Personally, that it is not how I do business. Everyone I know keeps telling me, “You’re the boss! You pay them to do a job. If they don’t do it, fuck ‘em! They don’t get paid” My outlook is that I hired them to do a job. They came out, traveled and performed for my audience. Therefore they earned their pay. As long as they work, they deserve to be paid. On the flip side of that coin, if they don’t do as they were told, then it will be the last time they get booked. That’s how I cut ties. I don’t play with people and money.
Firehawk told me several weeks later that he had stopped payment on the check. I was VERY upset and insisted that he pay his debt. The money was paid by the next show and regretfully it was the last time Jarrett worked a NWA SW show.
I was very disappointed with what occurred and feel that is cast a negative shadow on how we conducted business. It was the first time in the company’s history that something like this had occurred, and I hated being a part of it. I have since been in contact with Jarrett on several occasions and ALWAYS express my gratitude and deep respect for him, as I would never want that to blemish a business or personal friendship. It’s is all behind us, and I look forward to working with him again in the future.
On a side note, Jermey Borash’s name was associated with the incident. Let me go on record in saying that as far as I know, Jermey was never on a NWA SW payroll sheet. For those who don’t know, Borash is Jarrett’s right hand man and wherever you find Jarrett, Borash isn’t too far behind working on business. As far as I know, Borash came in on TNA’s or his own dime. He was never written into the shows and offered to do guest ring announcer spots for Jarrett’s matches. Other than that, I have to kill rumors that Borash was owed an obscene amount of money from our company.
TNA was a HUGE part of our company’s history. And I am very privileged to say that I was a part of it. It was one of the best experiences of my career. The relationships between organizations are well and healthy. But ultimately, we decided to put more effort and focus on our homegrown stars with the re-birth of the company. Will there be TNA talent on future NWA SW shows. ABSOLUTELY! Their roster is loaded with some of the most talented athletes in the world and we would be foolish to pass on an opportunity to book them. But right now, my commitment is to my local boys. I want to help them develop and grow so hopefully one day I’ll have to go through the TNA office to book them!!!
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
**********
This post is sponsored in part by Nassau County Apartments & Five Towns Homes For Sale
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Why Jeff Jarrett Parted Ways with NWA Cyberspace
Originally Written and Posted in 2006 on the NWA Cyberspace website:
Question:
I read on a bunch of news sites that NWA SW cannot use TNA talent anymore because Billy Firehawk bounced checks on Jermey Borash and Jeff Jarrett. Is this true?
- Mark Laufenberg, Pine Brook, NJ
Answer:
ERRONEOUS!!! Again, more false allegations from unreliable news sources.
Yes, there was an “incident”, but it did not end the business relationship between NWA SW and TNA. Here’s the story:
The November 2005 “Above The Law” show was built up since July to pit Jeff Jarrett vs. Chris Harris in the main event. Harris was scheduled to win the title and start a singles runs as champion for us. On TNA television, Harris had turned heel with his AMW tag partner James Storm and joined Jarrett’s faction in September. Obviously, the storylines and character relationships were not matching.
Let’s make something perfectly clear – NWA SW is completely separate entity from TNA. We were not sanctioned TNA house shows, we were never acknowledged on TNA television and we had no obligation to follow their TV storylines. There were reports from so-called “credible news sources” stating that we had heat with TNA because the stories I wrote for NWA SW did not fall in line with the product they had on television. It’s absolute nonsense!
In any case, I had a great deal of respect for TNA’s product and wanted to do “my part” in supporting their efforts. I would talk to talent ahead of time to get an idea of what direction they were headed so that no toes were stepped on. We hit a hard cross road in September when I was notified that Harris was turning heel and aligning himself with Jarrett. Our main event had been set up since July. We spent numerous shows building up to that match, and now I was being asked to scrap it. As far as I was concerned, every problem has a solution, and I would find a way to work around it. Scrapping the match was NOT an option.
Ultimately I decided that we would somehow comply with their request, but in doing so it was going to cost Harris his opportunity in being our champion. I came up with the scenario to do the old Hulk Hogan/Kevin Nash screw job, and just when the fans feel they were screwed out of a main event, we’d throw Abyss into the mix and change the title again that night. Everyone was in agreement and I was relieved!
The only thing that bothered me was that on TNA TV, Abyss was also aligned with Jarrett’s faction. So if it was ok for Abyss to win the title, why wasn’t it ok to go with the original plan and let Harris win it? At this point, I didn’t care. I had gained agreement and we were moving forward.
Because we had built up the event for so long, I had to write an in-ring promo for Jarrett that would help change the course of events and explain why the story was going into a different direction. It was set-up great and the show would be a hit setting up a series of matches for Abyss.
On the night of the show, we’re having our production meeting with the talent and Jarrett informs me that he doesn’t think the promo is a good idea. I’m great working with the input of the talent, but I always ask them to explain their concerns so that we are all on the same page. The problem was, he had no explanation, and I wasn’t good with that.
I was disappointed because for a moment I felt as if our show was being dictated by the talent. Our logic is that you are a paid worker for the show and you are paid to do what the promoter asks you to do. I’ve always had an open door policy with the talent to discuss their questions and concerns. Maybe there was something I was missing and because of his stature, I definitely wanted to be on the same page as Jarrett. I have a great deal of respect of him and if he felt differently, I wanted to understand why and learn from it. But I was given no reason. All I knew was that he didn’t want to do the promo, and to me, that was unacceptable.
I walked out of the locker room and I was FURIOUS. I walked out and had to inform everyone, while the show had already started, that the segment had been scrapped and that we’ll move on to the next match. When I informed Firehawk, he was just as upset.
Now here is something most people don’t know – Firehawk spent the evening “entertaining” a visitor from a higher ranking organization that we were considering doing business with. This individual was standing side by side with Firehawk when I informed him of the changes. When the individual overheard the dilemma, he interjected his opinion and said, “If that’s the case, I wouldn’t pay him”. I thought nothing of it at the time. To me, it was just someone else’s opinion.
The match went off exactly as written, and Abyss became the new champion. Although I was upset with what had transpired, I was relieved that Harris, Jarrett and Abyss were real professionals and gave the fans 100% in the match. I thanked each of them afterwards and apologized for any outbursts I may have had.
A month later, I sent out my Christmas morning holiday wishes via cell phone text message to family, friends and talent. Jeff responded wishing me well, and asked “where is my money?”. I had no idea what he was talking about. I immediately called Firehawk and asked him if he knew anything, but he didn’t say much. All he said was, “yeah, it’s taken care of. Don’t worry about it”.
I know Billy very well, and I have to say that it was a VERY BAD decision on his part. But, in his defense, this is not the type of man Billy was. I personally feel he was influenced by the individual he was with that night in making that decision to stop payment on the check.
Personally, that it is not how I do business. Everyone I know keeps telling me, “You’re the boss! You pay them to do a job. If they don’t do it, fuck ‘em! They don’t get paid” My outlook is that I hired them to do a job. They came out, traveled and performed for my audience. Therefore they earned their pay. As long as they work, they deserve to be paid. On the flip side of that coin, if they don’t do as they were told, then it will be the last time they get booked. That’s how I cut ties. I don’t play with people and money.
Firehawk told me several weeks later that he had stopped payment on the check. I was VERY upset and insisted that he pay his debt. The money was paid by the next show and regretfully it was the last time Jarrett worked a NWA SW show.
I was very disappointed with what occurred and feel that is cast a negative shadow on how we conducted business. It was the first time in the company’s history that something like this had occurred, and I hated being a part of it. I have since been in contact with Jarrett on several occasions and ALWAYS express my gratitude and deep respect for him, as I would never want that to blemish a business or personal friendship. It’s is all behind us, and I look forward to working with him again in the future.
On a side note, Jermey Borash’s name was associated with the incident. Let me go on record in saying that as far as I know, Jermey was never on a NWA SW payroll sheet. For those who don’t know, Borash is Jarrett’s right hand man and wherever you find Jarrett, Borash isn’t too far behind working on business. As far as I know, Borash came in on TNA’s or his own dime. He was never written into the shows and offered to do guest ring announcer spots for Jarrett’s matches. Other than that, I have to kill rumors that Borash was owed an obscene amount of money from our company.
TNA was a HUGE part of our company’s history. And I am very privileged to say that I was a part of it. It was one of the best experiences of my career. The relationships between organizations are well and healthy. But ultimately, we decided to put more effort and focus on our homegrown stars with the re-birth of the company. Will there be TNA talent on future NWA SW shows. ABSOLUTELY! Their roster is loaded with some of the most talented athletes in the world and we would be foolish to pass on an opportunity to book them. But right now, my commitment is to my local boys. I want to help them develop and grow so hopefully one day I’ll have to go through the TNA office to book them!!!
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!
**********
This post is sponsored in part by Nassau County Apartments & Five Towns Homes For Sale