Jeff Jarrett questioned what WWE gains from publicly releasing behind the scenes footage of NXT head writer Johnny Russo coaching promo work at tryouts held over SummerSlam weekend.
On My World with Jeff Jarrett, Jarrett praised Russo before questioning the decision to post the clip.
“Johnny Russo is super talented, and my first question would be, does that add to the bottom line?… I think that puts Johnny in a bad spot, I think it puts the company in a bad spot, and I think it probably puts the folks in that crowd in a spot that it is open season on criticism, and context is king. Everything he was giving right there is valuable, really valuable information, but there is a point counterpoint to everything.”
Jarrett compared the approach to singing competition shows that are built to turn unknowns into stars, then explained what the exposure costs.
“When I see Cody Rhodes walk through his entrance, I think of Triple H telling him how to do it. That is my set point, and I don’t think that’s good.”
He acknowledged the results speak for themselves. “It’s really hard to argue with stock reports… They are printing money. So on the surface, they’re kicking a– and taking names and doing everything right,” Jarrett said, while questioning what showing the process does to the emotional connection over the long run.
“It doesn’t feel like box office, but we’re talking about it.”
Transcription by Global Force Entertainment.