My World w/ Jeff Jarrett - Partying with Road Dogg [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Last year we were scheduled to discuss your old friend the Road Dogg Jesse James but I was sick and Casio stood in and you guys discussed the beginnings of your career together.

We’ll pick right up where that story left off when you returned to the WWF in 1997 as Jesse James was transforming into the Road Dogg.

What was your relationship like with him when you return in 1997?

What did you think of Dogg & Billy together and the change in attitude so to speak?

Was this the Brian James you knew?

They very quickly become tag team champions defeating LOD and gives Dogg his first major championship. You would work with them on a few house shows in December of 1997 in Tennessee & Little Rock teaming with the King. Was anything different about Dogg from the years you knew him previously?

Just 2 weeks ago we discussed the formation of you working with Tennessee Lee in 1998 and eventually adding Southern Justice to the picture. But later in 98 while you’re feuding with X-Pac you’re also feuding with all of DX is that right?

Jeff and Dogg’s first ever singles match for the WWF is on the September 14, 1998 Raw from San Jose:

From the Torch:

Jeff Jarrett pinned Road Dog (w/Bad Ass, X-Pac) at 3:05. Road Dog and Bad Ass did their mic work before the match. Before the match they showed footage of Jarrett and Road Dog together when Dog was Jarrett’s roadie. They also showed Jarrett lip syncing, “With My Baby, Tonight.” At 2:30 Southern Justice came to ringside and attacked Road Dog. Bad Ass knocked out Dennis Knight with the guitar, but back in the ring Jarrett destroyed Road Dog with the guitar and scored the pin. Good action

Were you happy to see the WWF go into the history books and bring this up?

Were you excited to work with Brian again?

Then at the Break Down PPV two weeks later in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada we had a 6-man tag:

From the Torch

8) X-Pac & The New Age Outlaws beat Jeff Jarrett & Southern Justice when Bad Ass pinned Dennis Knight at 11:18.

Jarrett’s guitar says, “Don’t P*** Me off.” It totally takes away any edge Jarrett might gain with his new gimmick by having him carry around a guitar with “piss” not spelled out. The crowd was totally into the Outlaws. It’s amazing the WWF would even tease breaking them up given how over they are with the crowds right now. X-Pac sold during the body of the match, but made a comeback at 8:30 by reversing a Jarrett sleeper. Both men ended up down and crawling to their respective corner. X-Pac crawled to the wrong corner at first, but then tagged Billy Gunn. X-Pac re-entered and gave Jarrett the Bronco Buster. Bad Ass stole the guitar from Jarrett, but the ref stopped him from using it. Jarrett took the guitar and nailed X-Pac with it. X-Pac covered his right eye. Meanwhile Gunn gave Dennis Knight the Rocker Dropper for the win. The ref and the Outlaws checked on X-Pac at ringside, who was still on his back checking on his eye. X-Pac walked to the back on his own, but was in obvious pain. (***)”

Do you agree that censoring Piss on your guitar was not a good idea?

This feud with DX, did it help you any besides get a new haircut?

With Mark Canterbury injured, the Outlaws defeated Jarrett & Dennis Knight in title matches on a couple of house show loops following the PPV before you would take on Dogg again - this time on Sunday Night Heat

Torch:

Jeff Jarrett beat Road Dog via DQ at 2:35. During Road Dog’s usual ring intro schtick, he referred to himself as the Tag Team Champion of the World and said he “represents that D and rolls on that X” unlike the Bad Ass. He then rolled out of the ring and high-fived Shane McMahon on commentary. Jim Cornette talked about Jarrett and Road Dog’s history together. Road Dog hit Jarrett with the guitar for the DQ which sent Shane (back in spaz mode) into a near orgasmic state. He hollered and cheered, and then yelled, “Swing batter-batter swing. Number seventy-one!”

What did you think of Shane on-air?

Did Dogg stiff you with the guitar shot?

Into 1999, Jarrett & Owen defeated the Outlaws on the January 11th Raw from Houston in a #1 contender’s match:

Torch:

Jeff Jarrett (w/Debra McMichael) & Owen Hart beat The New Age Outlaws at 10:33 to earn a tag team title shot. When Debra tried to distract Gunn by standing on the apron, he told her to “suck it.” Debra then got in Chyna’s face. Gunn jumped out to separate them. Road Dog got upset at Gunn. Owen rolled up Road Dog from behind for the pin.

Did you expect a long program with the Outlaws when you & Owen began teaming up?

You & Owen would face the Outlaws a lot on house shows or in a triple threat with Edge & Christian - any fun stories or memories of these matches?

On the March 7 edition of Sunday Night Heat, Road Dogg defeated Jarrett:

Torch:

Road Dog beat Jeff Jarrett (w/Debra) when the Blue Blazer interfered at 1:59. Road Dog attempted to give his intro but Jarrett attacked him, disappointing the crowd. Owen Hart came to ringside. Owen attempted to interfere but the Blazer ran out and beat up both Owen and Jarrett. After the match the Blazer unmasked, revealing himself to be D-Lo Brown.

Dogg being used as a singles wrestler here - what did you think? Were you surprised they moved him out of the tag team role?

Dogg would become Hardcore champion and then Intercontinentalntercontiental champion. What did you think of Dogg rising in the singles ranks while you & Owen were a tag team?

At Backlash 1999 from Providence:

Torch:

The New Age Outlaws beat Owen Hart & Jeff Jarrett (w/Debra) when Gunn pinned Owen at 10:32 to become no. 1 contenders for the WWF Tag Titles. Road Dogg said he didn’t want to see them, but on behalf of Gunn and the crowd, he asked Debra to show everyone “her puppies.” Gunn got all excited, but Jarrett pulled her aside and refused to let her do it. Gunn then mooned Jarrett and Owen, at which point the bell rang to start the match. At 8:40 Gunn got the hot–tag and got a near fall on Jarrett. When Gunn clotheslined Jarrett over the top rope, Road Dogg encouraged Debra to “show her puppies.” Owen attacked Road Dogg from behind. Owen applied the Sharpshooter, but Gunn gave him the Famouser from behind to break the hold and score the pin. Well executed tag match that never dragged and a couple of times caught fire. (***)

This is a hell of a match and you should go out on Peacock and check it out. Jeff what can you tell us about this…the last pay-per-view match Owen Hart would have.

Sunday Night Heat - July 18, 1999 and their final WWF match, taped in Lexington, KY:

Torch:

(1) Road Dogg beat Jeff Jarrett (w/Debra) by DQ at 1:32. During the match, the announcers did their best to stress Jarrett’s “mean streak.” Late in the match, Debra tried to distract Dogg by removing her shirt. Dogg didn’t get distracted and ended up beating up Jarrett. In the end, Dogg tried to hit Jarrett with the title belt but Jarrett pulled the ref in front of him and was disqualified.

It’s crazy to think that’s your last WWF singles match together isn’t it?

Did you see any issues with Brian in terms of demons or anything like that around this time?

Later on in the year, the Outlaws have broken up, Jeff you left the WWF for WCW after holding up Vince McMahon with a BB gun…how close were you with Dogg at this time?

What did he think of you trying to get your money?

Dogg wouldn’t be long for the company as DX is dead, he bounces around with teaming with X-Pac before he’s suspended in December of 2000 for showing up to work in no condition to perform before firing him in January 2001. Did Brian have anything in the gas tank at this point or was it an issue with getting him clean?

Dogg went with you to the final Nitro - is that right?

Was the plan to help get him a job?

Would you had hired Dogg?

You two wrestle a bunch on the WWA tours of Australia and the UK in late 2001 which we covered in our WWA episode - check it out in the archives.

In early 2002 Dogg was scheduled for World Wrestling All-Stars pay-per-view debut in America but doesn’t show. It’s reported in the Observer at the time that Dogg was arrested for a probation violation in Pensacola and under house arrest for the next 6 months. Did you hear from Brian around this time?

At this point forward, TNA has been announced. When did you think you wanted a sober, clean Road Dogg - and his first drink is a girl on motorcycles and a ton of money in cash in their pocketbooks. It’s almost not fair right?

Well it is fair to ask Jeff - why did you hire him back?

On September 18th the 13th ppv for TNA takes place and it features Road Dogg’s debut.

“Jeff Jarrett walked to the ring. He challenged “Bullet” Bob Armstrong, then dropped the mic and went backstage looking for him. He found Bob and shoved him. The masked Bullet attacked Jarrett from behind and dragged him to the ring. Bullet took over on Jarrett right away and then grabbed a mic and said, “Oh, you didn’t know?!”

He unmasked and revealed himself as Road Dogg, or as Tenay called him, Brian James (his real name). He admitted he was blown up. He looked to be in terrible shape with a huge gut. His haircut also took away a lot of his star power. James said he walked out of the WWF once with Jarrett and almost committed career suicide. He then rebuilt his career as part of DX, although he isn’t proud of everything he’s done. He said he’s gotten a haircut and had a change of heart. He said he is going to find himself a partner. He said his mother named him Brian G. James, and so now he’s B.G. James, “and the G stands for get it, got it, good.”

You almost committed career suicide…pray tell!

On September 29th you would lose to Brian by DQ in 9:07.

From the Torch

This was billed as the main event of the night. Elix interfered. Lawler came out next and held James as Jarrett charged, but James moved. James then scored a quick two count on Jarrett. Jarrett came back with a chairshot on James as the ref was talking to Lawler and Elix. James came back with a pump handle slam. Lawler and Elix attacked James again, so X-Pac and Hall ran out to make the save. Truth hit Hall, Syxx, and James with his title belt. (**3/4)

Those damn priests!

“2002 TNA website interview from Dogg about his drug issues printed in the 9/28/02 Torch:

Brian James says he was a slave to drugs in recent years. “The party, it had caught up to me and it’s always right there,” he said in an interview with the NWA-TNA website. “It’s always like a lion, just waiting to attack. It’s always there and it’s a constant battle. A daily battle. I’m a drug addict. And there’s no hiding that. I’ve been in a drug rehabilitation center for drug addicts and it was actually Christian-based and I’ve been born- again, given my life to Jesus. And I try to live every day now just like God’s watching me and do what would be pleasing to Him, actually it’s not that hard. You just kind of gotta be good and that’s not that bad. I don’t know what I was... I was actually a something and that’s just slavery, that’s bondage. And that’s no way to live life, there’s too much out there to do. And I’ve got children and I’ve got a wife, and I want to bring my children up right. So, I’m still in the wrestling game. And it’s corrupt, but I don’t have to live my life that way anymore. And I just pray that I stay sober, and I hope that everyone else prays I do, too.” He said he is back together with his wife. At one point she had a restraining order put out against him and he wasn’t allowed to see his children. “I think they hit it on the head, because I did bottom out this time. I was losing everything that I worked for, everything that I loved, and everything I had, I was losing. And it was because of drugs. The first couple of times I went for other people. I went because Vince wanted me to go or somebody else thought I had a problem. I think they’re right, you’ve gotta bottom out. And that’s what I did. I hit rock bottom--and I mean, rock bottom. And thank God I didn’t lose my wife and children, still got them and I still got my health.”

He talked about Davey Boy Smith and Brian Pillman, and got emotional as he said he is grateful for his second chance. He said he doesn’t begrudge WWE for releasing him.”

How much were you actively talking to Brian?

What role did you see him in the company?

From the Torch:

BG James and Syxx-Pac came out and hyped their six–man tag for later. He did some rhyming one-liners, then called out Ron Killings, saying Killings may be the future, but he (James) is the past and present.

He challenged him to come to the ring, at which point Jeff Jarrett walked out. He asked, “Where is the third member of Team Derelict.” He asked if he is dealing with those personal demons of his. James asked Jarrett who is he to judge. Jarrett said if Hall wasn’t around, it would be two–on–three. Elix Skipper and Brian Lawler attacked Syxx and James from behind….

(7) Syxx-Pac & B.G. James beat Jeff Jarrett & Brian Lawler (w/April). Elix Skipper interfered during the  week match. James pinned Lawler after a pumphandle slam. Afterward, heels attacked babyfaces until SAT made the save. As usual a big brawl with everyone concluded the show. (**)”

How messy were some of these main events so far at our new house?

Team Derelict - Syxx, Scott Hall & Brian…who the hell came up with that name?

“(1) Syxx-Pac & Curt Hennig & BG James beat Jeff Jarrett & Brian Lawler & Ron “The Truth” Killings at 14:25. Pretty much what you’d expect out of these six. Hennig looked out of shape, but got in his signature spots. Ditto for James. Syxx carried the match for the faces. In the end, the guy in a white sweat suit with a pointy white hat came out of the crowd and distracted Killings. Hennig then powerbombed and Hennig–plexed Killings for the win. The man in white had “Mr. Wrestling III” written on the back of his shirt. (**1/2)”

My goodness this recap!

At the 17th pay-per-view for TNA

(4) Hermie Sadler & B.G. James beat Jeff Jarrett & Bruce at 6:50. Jarrett made fun of NASCAR’s Hermie for his poor finish in his race the previous weekend. Hermie had his usual look of “blank intensity.” Bruce taunted Sadler by getting on all fours. As James and Jarrett brawled to the back, Lawler bashed James over the head with a trash can. Meanwhile, Sadler scored the pin with a roll-up. Sadler was passable. Jarrett did almost nothing. (*1/2)

Jarrett gave Bruce his Stroke afterward for losing.

I gotta be a winner Bruce. Fired!

You’d wrestle one-on-one in middle of November in 2002:

From the Torch

(8) Jeff Jarrett pinned B.G. James at 7:28 to earn an NWA Title shot. They brawled all over the arena using weapons hardcore style. The match style allowed them to avoid taking bumps, but it was solid. (**1/4)

Any memories of working with Dogg here Jeff?

“1/22/03 - PPV #29: (the TNA Raven debut match)”

You wrestle BG, Chris Daniels & Don Harris the night of Raven’s debut which we discussed in the archives. Did you know at this point BG could do creative and agent and do all the things he would do in the WWE later on?

3 Live Kru is formed. Jeff where did this idea come from?

Ron Killings, BG James & Konnan - it’s like the super odd couple is it not?

Eventually in 2004, 3LK would feud with you & the Elite Guard…we just tried anything in TNA didn’t you?

On the weekly PPV you’re on June 9th…

From the Observer:

During the show, Jarrett did three straight matches and they’ve totally gone overboard trying to create new matches. Creating a new match, like Ultimate X, is sometimes a big hit, but when you do three on the same show, it’s a guarantee none will get over. He beat Konnan in just 1:58 in a Barrio strap match which meant the first guy to strap the other guy ten times won. Now Konnan is the face, it’s his match, and he started with the strap, but Jarrett used powder and won, and then choked Konnan out with the strap.

B.G. James came next and Jarrett beat him in a trailer park match (hardcore match filled with garbage can lid shots which is so passe now). Then he fought Killings in a Ghetto Justice match, which seemed to be the exact same rules as the previous match. Killings brought a guitar out, but Jarrett got it and was about to use it when ref Andrew Thomas stopped him. Jarrett clocked Thomas with the guitar, but Killings scored a quick pin as second ref Rudy Charles ran in. So the heel went against all odds, beating two faces in their own style match in a row, and had the third

one beat and it was only because of the ref that he lost. When the wrestlers arrived and saw the board listing the matches and saw Jarrett in singles matches against all three, the reaction several of them had was about what you’d think.

Was the psychology backwards in this match?

On July 21st, but at this point I’m not sure what we can do - 3 Live Kru team with Dusty Rhodse & Larry Zybysko to take on Jeff & the Elite Guard & Ken Shamrock in a Guitar on a Pole match. Jeff what in the world are we doing?

When Billy Gunn becomes available for TNA - do you think you need to pair up Billy & Dogg again?

At Lockdown 2005 - BG steps in for Kevin Nash when he can’t wrestle to team with Sean Waltman & DDP to defeat yourself, Billy Gunn (now known as the Outlaw) and Monty Brown. Why BG here do you know?

You guys would actually wrestle against each other alot more on the indies than in TNA. Dogg would team with Nigel McGuiness, Cody Hawk & Raven to defeat you, Matt Stryker, Rory Fox & Shawn Osbourne for Les Tatcher’s HWA…

Then you’d lose to BG at Ring of Glory in Rome Georgia in December of 2005. What can you tell us about Ring of Glory?

From there BG & Kip would come together as the James Gang and then eventually VKM. We’ve covered some of VKM - but was this just trying to recapture the DX fun?

They would go to WWE headquarters, bash DX, Vince, etc. What was the end goal here?

While this is all going on Dogg would go on the radio and say that if himself & Kip had the chance they would get out of their TNA contract if they were offered a deal with the WWE. How often and how many disagreements would you have with BG when you had that employer - employee relationship?

Was Dogg hard to deal with at times?

One of Dogg’s final matches in TNA he would put over Kurt Angle. The transition of Dogg to creative was already in the process though was it not?

On September 15th, 2009 - Road Dogg would be released from TNA along with Jim Cornette. From the Observer

The release of James had been rumored ever since Dutch Mantel and Savio Vega, also agents that were close to Jeff Jarrett, were let go. Both were considered close allies of Jarrett but the feeling was with the dearth of agents and Cornette being so heavily praised for his behind-the-scenes work at television, he was thought to be sort of safe even as a Jarrett go. Not completely safe, but this came as a surprise to a lot of people whereas James was not a surprise to a lot of people. James’ work as an agent on the road had been praised a lot in recent weeks, but it was also clear he was too strongly associated with the old regime.

Were you sad to see BG get cut because of his long time relationship with you?

Do you think he was expecting it at the time?

Dogg would return to the WWE right after you got him to agree to work for Ring Ka King is that right?

Were you surprised to see him wrestle again for the WWE?

He would eventually go back to being a producer and become head writer for a period of time as well. Is that something you knew he could always do?

Was there anyone other than Road Dogg that could’ve inducted you into the Hall of Fame?

How important was Dogg to your return to the WWE in 2018?

In 2019 you would work a short program with Elias that also involved Dogg in your corner and getting to sing With my Baby Tonight. That’s a hell of a way to come full circle with you two isn’t it?

Well besides the whole job switching thing last year…

What are your favorites memories with Brian?

What are some of your worst?

Do you two stay in contact today?