Credit: ProWrestling.NET
Following the firings of TNA creative member Dutch Mantel and agent Savio Vega on Friday, there are loud rumblings that other moves are in the works. At this point, almost everyone who is considered an ally of Jeff Jarrett is on edge. More specifically, B.G. James, Jim Cornette and referee Slick Johnson are all on the bubble, but no official moves have been made. Backstage sources also expect a broadcasting shakeup at some point as well.
The firings of Mantel and Vega, and the uncertainty of his other allies’ futures, have sources within TNA feeling that Jeff Jarrett is on his way out. If Jarrett does remain with the company, they feel he wont have as much power as before when he returns.
Taz and Pat Kenny have both been mentioned as possibilities to fill the agent role left open by Savio Vega’s release. Taz and Terry Taylor handled the duties at the most recent Impact tapings.
The creative team currently consists of Vince Russo and Matt Conway. If you’ve ever wondered what kind of input Jeff Jarrett and Vince Russo have on the shows, this week and next week’s shows are the last two from the most recent set of tapings which were described as “unfiltered Russo.” Opinions on the shows vary within the company, but either way, it’s now clear what a Vince Russo-booked show without Jarrett is like.
Another twist in the story which people within the company are following, is the fact that the last two weeks of Russo-booked television without Jarrett both drew 1.3 ratings -- slightly above the company’s average. The last time the company drew two 1.3 ratings in a row was during the build up to the Lockdown PPV.