November 20, 2002: Up until this point in TNA’s existence, Jeff Jarrett had kept himself busy feuding with Scott Hall, BG James and Curt Hennig.  Jarrett made sure fans knew that he was chasing the NWA World title, but he had yet to get a match for the belt.  After what many considered a failed run by Ron “The Truth” Killings as NWA champion, TNA held a short tournament to decide who would be the next challenger to face Killings for the title.  After three weeks of tournament matches, Jeff Jarrett finally became the number one contender.  Here is how he got to the finals:

October 30, 2002: Jeff Jarrett pinned Curt Hennig

November 6, 2002: Jeff Jarrett defeated Curt Hennig by Disqualification (Yes for some reason they wrestled again!)

November 13, 2002: Jeff Jarrett defeated Syxx-Pac by forfeit

November 13, 2002: Jeff Jarrett pinned BG James

As you can see, Jeff Jarrett wrestled the same guy twice, advances to the finals via a forfeit, and then defeats BG James to earn #1 Contender status and earn a shot at the NWA World title.

Something happened in the one week period from when Jarrett was named the #1 Contender and the night the match happened; Jeff Jarrett became a good guy, and Ron Killings a bad guy.  Killings’ character had slowly been turning more and more into a heel, but Jarrett had been a bad guy since the start of TNA and up to his defeat of BG James the week before.  As Jeremy Borash settled into the ring to announce the competitors and the champions music began to fill the arena, Ron Killings came out and began to rip on the fans in a rap.  This was not too big of a deal, but it immediately set the fans against “The Truth” for the rest of the match.  Jarrett’s music began to play and the fans began to cheer him; it was a bit strange for those who followed the shows week in and week out.

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