Jeff Jarrett recently explained the simple, functional reasoning behind TNA Wrestling’s famous two-tunnel entrance setup, stating that the unique arena design was created specifically to help the non-wrestling fans who attended the television tapings.
Speaking on his My World With Jeff Jarrett podcast, Jarrett was discussing the visual look of the TNA arena inside Universal Studios’ Soundstage 21. He was asked if the dual entrance was his own original idea, as it became a trademark of the company. Jarrett said that when meeting with set designer Greg Horn, the goal was to make the product easy to understand for the “park crowd”—tourists who were not necessarily dedicated wrestling fans.
“I looked at him, and I said, Greg, we’re gonna, we’re about to get into a park crowd. And that didn’t really resonate,” Jarrett recalled. He explained his vision for the separate entrance ramps. “I said I’d really like two separate entrances as far away as possible”. He then clarified the purpose of the dual ramps to the designer. “I said, I’d really like to have the ability to do an in ring and have a talent in the ring, and then someone on one ramp and someone on another ramp to kind of spread it up,” Jarrett noted.
The main purpose of the two tunnels was to clearly designate the babyfaces and heels for the unfamiliar fans in the audience. Jarrett stated the idea was to “precondition the crowd”. “Hey, folks coming out of this tunnel over here. Make sure you boo them coming out of this tunnel over here, make sure you cheer them to make it just a line right down the middle, to make it easier for non wrestling fans to understand and get into it and get engaged in it”.
While the setup consumed significant space in the small studio, Jarrett felt it gave the show a unique feel. “I thought that once we got the jib camera, and it was a little difficult, again, going back to square footage, you could really do the right shot to show, we’ll call it both rampage. You can’t really show both tunnels, but it gave it a real good feel”.
