Back in August, just before Tranmere Rovers embarked on their journey back in the English Football League, the Club received the well wishes from an unexpected and high-profile sports personality.
WWE Hall of Famer and former World Heavyweight and Intercontinental Champion, Jeff Jarrett, filmed a good luck message ahead of the first game of the season at Stevenage, which went viral across social media.
Since then, Jeff has kept a close eye on what has been happening at Prenton Park and is now a self-admitted supporter of the Club and one of the newest members of the Super White Army.
In an exclusive interview with the Club’s in-house Marketing and Communications department, Jeff revealed how he became a cult hero at Prenton Park and responded to a challenge from none other than Soccer AM presenter and former Premier League icon, Jimmy Bullard.
Q: Jeff, as you well know, Tranmere Rovers are referred to as the Super White Army due to our home shirt being white, how does it feel to be a cult hero within the SWA?
Jeff: It is amazing, anyone who knows me knows that I am a very passionate sports fan. The connection that I have with Tranmere came about quite organically, when I did the video back in August.
My daughters played soccer from a very young age. My eldest is 21 now, so I’ve watched the game from basic level for many years but with the explosion of soccer in our country, I’m from Nashville, we’re going to get an MLS team, we’re building a new stadium, so the sport has grown exponentially here in the States. Soccer is quite frankly part of our culture now, so the home of game, England, is obviously in a country that I have travelled to since 1992.
Everyone has a favourite Premier League team, but my favourite team is Tranmere Rovers. I was shocked when I saw that the video went viral, and it is fun being part of the Super White Army!”
Q: Talking of your relationship with Tranmere Rovers, how did it all begin?
Jeff: It started by getting to know one of the Club’s Associate Directors, Lee McAteer. Lee came to one of my wrestling shows in Sheffield. He is a business man and we have since gone into business together. He has experience in the travelling world and mine is in the wrestling business, so we are now creating travel packages for fans to go to wrestling events around the World through Lee’s brand Wrestling Travel.
We hit it off straight away and we are great friends. Little did I know, when he asked me to say a few kind words about Tranmere Rovers ahead of their return to the EFL, it would explode into this. I just can’t wait to get to a Tranmere match at Prenton Park and experience a game live. I’d love to come and watch Tranmere Rovers.
When I wear my Tranmere shirt now it always sparks a conversation. Everyone has their own team and I have introduced a lot of Americans to Tranmere Rovers which all adds to the fun!
Q: Last week, former Premier League footballer and current Soccer AM presenter Jimmy Bullard, otherwise known as The Bulldog, issued you a challenge, a wrestling match, do you accept?
Jeff: Let’s do it! Prenton Park, find a great charity partner, and make it happen!
I’ve been involved and competed against all kinds of non-wrestling celebrities and, they always find out they’ve bitten off more they can chew. I’m sure Baby Bullard will be no different!”
Just take a look at my hashtag on Social Media...it’s will happen. #GuitarShotForBullard.
Q: We currently have a TRFC Fantasy Football League and one of the team’s is named Jeff Jarrett’s Guitar. They are near the top of the league too, so you must be pleased about that?
Jeff: Ha-ha. I play Fantasy Football in the US, I have done for some time and I call myself an expert at the game.
It is a lot of fun. Fantasy leagues are so unique, and I am glad to hear Jeff Jarrett’s Guitar are doing so well.
Q: Our striker James Norwood is playing very well at the moment and has already scored 12 goals in the league this season. His nickname is ‘Lord Norwood’, but in a wrestling match between you both, who would come out the winner?
Jeff: It would all depend on whose field we would be facing each other on. If we ae playing on Rovers’ field, I may have to take it as a win for the Lord but if you get him in a wrestling ring, he has zero chance of coming away with a win.
Q: Finally, Jeff, thank you for taking the time to speak to us and the last question is, what message do you have for the Tranmere Rovers supporters?
Jeff: The highs are always never as high, and the lows aren’t always as low, it’s always an even keel. You can’t look in the rear-view mirror and you can’t look too far down the road, take it one game at a time, focus on the next game and the next win and we’ll be alright.