Professional wrestling is returning to Philadelphia in a big way. On May 27, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) will take over Temple University’s Liacouras Center for an unforgettable night of high-stakes action. With the energy of the Philly faithful and a loaded roster, we’re expecting a full house. If you haven’t secured your spot yet, make sure to grab your tickets now for what promises to be an incredible night.
I recently had the opportunity to sit down with “The Last Outlaw” himself, Jeff Jarrett. As he celebrates four decades in the industry, we discussed the evolution of the business, the Jarrett family legacy, and why Philadelphia remains the ultimate destination for professional wrestling.
You’re currently celebrating 40 years in the business, having made your in-ring debut in April 1986. Looking at the industry today versus the territory days, what is the one thing that has remained constant for you?
Jeff Jarrett: “Cultures, music, and society change, and the industry has evolved tremendously since the 1960s. But at its very core, what we do is about connecting with the audience on an emotional level. Fans want to live vicariously through these larger-than-life characters. While social media has created so many more opportunities for engagement, the foundation of this business is still creating revenue by forging that emotional bond with the people in the seats.”
This year, you’re being honored with the 2026 Lou Thesz Award, which recognizes integrity, strength, and character. How do you want the Jarrett legacy to be defined by those values?
Jeff Jarrett: “Every time I’m inducted into a Hall of Fame or receive an honor like this, I feel like I’m stepping onto that stage with my father and my grandmother. My grandmother took a second job selling wrestling tickets in 1946; she was a woman thriving in a male-dominated industry for four decades. That took incredible courage and strength. My father forged his own road, promoting shows as a high school student and eventually leaving the corporate world to follow his passion. When I think of that award, I think of the ‘Three Ps’ that encapsulate the Jarrett name: Passion, Perseverance, and Persistence.
You’ve recently said that the modern style of wrestling is a direct descendant of the early days of TNA’s X-Division. As a pioneer of that style, how does it feel to see younger AEW stars like Will Ospreay carrying that torch?
Jeff Jarrett: “A conversation I had with Will Ospreay several years ago gave me so much clarity. He told me that the X-Division he watched as a kid in the UK was exactly what he wanted to do. When we founded TNA in 2002, I wanted four separate divisions, and I knew the X-Division—which wasn’t about weight limits, but about no limits—was where the industry was headed. Even when my own father and others fought me on it, I knew people just had to watch it to absorb it. Today, that style permeates every promotion in the world.”
My academic research at Temple explores the shift from “spectacle” to “sport” in women’s wrestling—a transition you sparked with the Knockouts. How do you see the AEW women’s division continuing that evolution today?
Jeff Jarrett: “Athleticism is the key. You see it in the growth of women’s basketball and hockey; society has gravitated toward seeing women as elite competitors. When we developed the Knockouts, we made a hard pivot toward competition rather than the ‘spectacle’ styles of the past. We filled a void in the marketplace because we believed that’s what the fans wanted. I think the success of women headlining major events today validates that we were on the right side of history.”
As a sociologist at Temple University, I’m conducting scientific research on a significant portion of your career. How does it feel to see the industry being studied through that lens?
Jeff Jarrett: “I’m so happy for you and super proud of what you’re doing! Back in 1993, I told a reporter that one day you’d be able to watch wrestling seven nights a week. Now, wrestling is mainstream. Whether it’s politics, professional sports, or office talk, it’s everywhere. My grandmother used to say, ‘Who watches professional wrestling? Only the masses.’ For a sociologist from an esteemed institution like Temple to study this proves it’s a natural evolution. Wrestling is ‘good versus evil’ with shades of gray, which is just a reflection of life itself.”
Philadelphia has a legendary reputation. How does the energy of a crowd at the Liacouras Center differ from that of older venues like the Spectrum?
Jeff Jarrett: “Every town has a personality, but Philly is a ‘fight town.’ It’s blue-collar and uber-passionate. People like to joke about fans throwing snowballs at Santa, but at the core, these are people who love their Eagles, their Phillies, and their wrestling. Wrestling in the old Spectrum was a big deal for a kid from Tennessee, but the Liacouras Center has its own incredible personality. It feels like a Philly venue through and through.”
AEW has a deep history with the Liacouras Center. What makes this building feel like home for the company?
Jeff Jarrett: “It’s the people. Our tagline is ‘Where the Best Wrestle,’ and that’s more than just a slogan; it’s a mantra. We have the most diverse roster in the world, and every talent that walks through that curtain wants to have the best match of the night. There’s no such thing as ‘just’ an opening match in AEW. The Philly fans appreciate that competitive spirit and that human connection.”
You and Conrad Thompson have spent years dissecting your career on the My World podcast. Has that changed the way you approach your current AEW storylines?
Jeff Jarrett: “The podcast has given me a perspective I never expected. It’s increased my gratitude. I’ll look at the research and see a wrestler who started after me, but has already been out of the business for a decade. It reminds me how fortunate I am to still be a full-time talent 40 years in. The podcast has definitely given a ‘shot of adrenaline’ to my gratitude muscle.”
What can the Temple community and the Philly faithful expect from AEW Dynamite on May 27?
Jeff Jarrett: “AEW Dynamite is the longest-running wrestling program on these networks, carrying a lineage that goes back to the Ted Turner days. You’re going to see over two hours of incredible professional wrestling with talent from all over the world. History is made every Wednesday night, and May 27 will be no different.”