If you need to resolve a Jerry issue, apparently you get another Jerry to handle it. That’s gold, Jerry! This appears to be the case with WWE’s July pay-per-view, Great Balls of Fire. When the name was first announced, everyone was baffled by the decision, since 1.) that’s a weird name for a PPV, and 2.) it had previously been on the calendar as Bad Blood.
The event has a legitimate dream match main event, though, so we can’t be TOO upset about it.
But regardless of the reason for the naming decision (simplest explanation: it probably has something to do with WWE’s Rocket League partnership), at least WWE went the extra mile and actually licensed Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Great Balls of Fire” for the advertising campaign.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkuptd-gInQ
As it turns out, we have none other than Jerry “The King” Lawler to thank for making that licensing deal get done. Lawler explained on his latest Dinner with the King podcast how the deal went down. Or at least, how WWE managed to avoid getting sued over the name. Same thing, really.
“My personal attorney here in Memphis is Joe Barton. Good friend of mine and my attorney. I got a phone call from Joe a few weeks ago, and Joe also represents Jerry Lee Lewis. And Joe said, ‘Hey Jerry, do you happen to know who I would contact at the WWE about copyright infringement?’ I go, “What? What are you talking about?” He goes, ‘Well, we understand they are doing a pay-per-view called Great Balls of Fire and Jerry Lee has that phrase trademarked. He has ever since they recorded the song.’ So, I put him in touch with the WWE people, gave him a name. Apparently he called them and got everything worked out. Not only are they using the name, they are using Jerry Lee’s song, which is awesome.”
Way to go, Jerry! It just goes to show you, all Jerrys know how to get Jerry-related business done. As far as you’re able to prove, that’s something I’ve always said.
