From the GFW Rumor Mill: GFW/Impact Wrestling to re-brand once again?
What’s the story?
As per PWInsider, GFW/Impact Wrestling may be set to re-brand itself once again, owing to GFW founder Jeff Jarrett stepping away from the promotion.
The name ‘Global Force Wrestling’ and the initials ‘GFW’ are to date registered to Global Force Wrestling LLC. which is owned by Jeff Jarrett.
Therefore, in light of Jarrett now leaving the company, should he not return then GFW/Impact may be disallowed to retain the company’s name as GFW.
In case you didn’t know…
The organisation now known as GFW Impact, was founded in 2002 by Jeff Jarrett, promoted as NWA: TNA and later as TNA.
Jarrett quit the promotion in its early years, with Dixie Carter taking the reins, following which Carter handed over ownership of the company to Anthem Sports & Entertainment a few months ago.
The heart of the matter
Anthem Sports & Entertainment roped in the services of Jeff Jarrett after buying the company, following which it was rebranded as from TNA/Impact Wrestling to GFW, after the merger of TNA and Jarrett’s new company (founded in 2014) GFW.
Apparently, Jarrett has planned to leave the company for now, and while it’s unclear if he will return, if the veteran wrestler and promoter chooses not to, then GFW/Impact would be forced to drop the GFW name.
What’s next?
Jeff Jarrett owns the rights to the terms ‘Global Force Wrestling’ and ‘GFW’ and is yet to issue an official statement as to whether he would permit GFW/Impact to continue using the GFW name.
Author’s take
In my opinion, Anthem should rename the company TNA -- just the way it was when the company enjoyed widespread popularity and an insane fan-following back in the day.
If Jarrett disallows them from using the GFW name, it would surely be an extremely cunning business move on his part, by using TNA to forward the GFW brand, and then withdraw from the company, leaving it in a mess.
Only in professional wrestling, folks!