TNA founder Jeff Jarrett praises Big Issue, gives top Scot Lionheart big headache

The following article comes courtesy of the Big Issue:

Jarrett guitar's Lionheart

International wrestling superstar Jeff Jarrett left an impression on Scotland’s top grappler on Tuesday night – by smashing a guitar over his head. Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Founder Jarrett was in East Kilbride giving a ‘Gut Check’ masterclass to students at the PBW Wrestling School.

But things turned sour when 27-year-old PBW Heavyweight Champion Lionheart stepped up to the ring.

He challenged wrestling icon Jarrett, 43, to a match on TNA’s huge show at the Braehead Arena on Thursday January 27 2011.

Accepting the bout, Jarrett – whose nickname is King of the Mountain – then threw down a marker of his own.

Having earlier signed a guitar as a memento for the school, the Nashville native picked up the instrument and cracked it over Lionheart’s skull as the other students and referee Sri Harri looked on in shock.

Jarrett then remarked: “I’ve really enjoyed my visit to Scotland – a lot more than Lionheart did anyway.

“If he is the best this country has to offer then he really needs to step up his game come January 27. As I leave Scotland and head back to the glorious USA, I think I’ve made more of an impression on him than he has on me.”

Lionheart, real name Adrian McCallum, responded: “It’s a shame someone the status of Jeff felt the need to feed his ego in that way.

“What should have been a Gut Check, quickly became a reality check. And reality is, come January 27, whatever it is Jeff Jarrett expects, my advice for him is simple: Expect Different.”

Earlier Jarrett had met up with The Big Issue to exclusively reveal details of TNA’s UK tour in January.

Praising the magazine’s goal to teach homeless people the skills they need to be entrepreneurs, he posed for a picture alongside reporter Laura Kelly and the latest edition. The image went on to be Twittered around the world after being posted by his wife Karen.

Tickets for the TNA Maximum iMPACT! event at the Braehead Arena – featuring Jeff Jarrett vs Lionheart – are on sale now from www.gigsinscotland.com.

TNA superstars including Ric Flair, Rob Van Dam, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles and Mickie James will also be appearing on the show.