Why Jeff Jarrett Left WWE In 1995, Explained
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One can't deny Jeff Jarrett's legendary name in the professional wrestling business, despite having somewhat of a divided reception throughout his in-ring career. Someone who made a name for himself in WWE, WCW, and Impact Wrestling, Jarrett's a multi-time World Champion while having one of the most impressive resumes. However, despite all of his accomplishments, Jarrett's a controversial figure in the professional wrestling industry, especially going back to when he first worked for Vince McMahon in the 1990s. And as Jeff Jarrett's past issues with WWE are well-documented, it's worth looking back at why he departed from WWE in 1995 during his first run in the company.
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The Initial Success Of Jeff Jarrett's WWE Career
The son of famous promoter Jerry Jarrett, professional wrestling was in Jeff Jarrett's blood from the start. Not long after making his professional wrestling debut in 1986, Jarrett got his big break in WWE during the early years of the company's New Generation Era. Although he appeared in the company multiple times after 1992, Jarrett debuted his "Double J" gimmick in October 1993 as an obnoxious country music singer.
A little over a year after making his WWE debut, he found championship success when he defeated Razor Ramon to win his first Intercontinental Championship at Royal Rumble 1995. He went on to win the Intercontinental Championship two more times that same year, as Jarrett began to thrive as a prominent character on WWE TV. Jeff Jarrett was also paired with former WWE superstar The Roadie, better known as Road Dogg.
Why Jeff Jarrett Left WWE In 1995?
Although Jeff Jarrett had the potential to take his WWE career to the next level, not long after winning his third Intercontinental Championship, he took many months off from WWE after dropping the belt to Shawn Michaels at In Your House 2, splitting from Roadie in the process. Jeff Jarrett's partner Roadie would go on to leave WWE until returning to the company in 1996, where he achieved stardom teaming with Billy Gunn as The New Age Outlaws during his second run.
Regarding why Jeff Jarrett departed from WWE, he has told his side of the story on the Something To Wrestle With podcast. According to him, he left WWE due to creative differences, and he also cited his opposition towards WWE breaking him and Roadie up. Although Jeff Jarrett stated that WWE could do what it wanted regarding his on-screen character, he felt it was too early to break up his pairing with Roadie as he believed they had more to offer.
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Jeff Jarrett Returns And Departs From WWE During The Attitude Era
Jeff Jarrett spent some time in the United States Wrestling Association before briefly returning to WWE in early 1996, although nothing came much of it. He later officially departed from WWE after wrestling his final PPV match during his first run, losing to Ahmed Johnson at Royal Rumble 1996. The same year he left WWE, he jumped ship to rival organization World Championship Wrestling, marking his first stint with the company before returning in 1999.
RELATED: 10 Things About Jeff Jarrett's Career That Made No SenseHowever, Jeff Jarrett would eventually make his WWE return in late 1997, establishing himself among the characters of the early years of the Attitude Era. And although Jarrett's WWE run during the Attitude Era doesn't get recognized that much, he racked up more championship wins to his resume. Until departing from the company in late 1999, he won the Intercontinental Championship three more times, making him a six-time Intercontinental Champion.
Jeff Jarrett's final days during his second WWE run became bittersweet when he once again departed from the company after wrestling his last WWE match before returning to WCW, losing the Intercontinental Championship to Chyna at No Mercy 1999. Considering the events that occurred Jeff Jarrett asking for $200,000 to wrestle at No Mercy 1999, there's a reason why he was not presented in the brightest light after departing from the company. It'd be almost two decades before Jeff Jarrett would return to WWE, this time in open arms when he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame 2018.
