The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting Global Force Wrestling’s live event ‘debut’ in Jackson, Tennessee drew 375 fans, and the second show in Knoxville, Tennessee drew 500 fans.
The second show did well in merchandise sales but is slightly disappointing considering the local publicity, headed by former University of Tennessee basketball coach Donnie Tyndall, who acted as a heel manager for the night. Another somewhat minor reason being offered is that former manager and promoter Bert Prentice had run a “Jerry Lawler 40th Anniversary” show in Jackson, and that may have taken some fans away from GFW. The Lawler show drew 1,100 fans the previous weekend, and had bigger names on their card like Lawler, The Rock ‘N’ Roll Express, Bill Dundee, Tommy Dreamer, TNA star James Storm and Sabu.
It’s being said that although Jarrett was successful in setting the tour, it doesn’t look good for the future. The combination of the shows not drawing well, talent coming in to work for lower money and general unhappiness were some of the reasons cited. The report stated talent were disappointed in paying for their travel costs, and then had to fill out W-9 forms to receive checks at a later date. Talents were told they would get paid for wrestling and could keep their merch sales money.
