Hulk Hogan Did TNA Some Good The Best Idea He Had

[Robert Roode Fan]

You know what I do not care what anyone says. Hulk Hogan busted his ass to try to make sure tna was a success. To me it was always Dixie;s fault as much as I love her, for having on so much.

I think he wanted what was best for tna, I do not think he wanted tna to end up like it did. Not the best creative mind. I will always thank hogan for turning Roode and pushing him, he did the right thing. Maybe my faviorte storyline in tna history and probably in the past 5 years of wrestling was the bobby Roode/James Strom fued and the match in Macon, Gerigoa.

So I thank hogan for that, he gave me a great storyline. I want to thank Hogan for all did for tna. Thank you hulkster.

 

[voiceofsire]

Hogan never promoted TNA like he has with WWE. He never talked about TNA outside of the company. Yeah he tried and he failed!

 

[MoRtAnDaD]

I think that hogan did some good to TNA as a marketing figure.

But make no mistake, as big as hogan is, he also needs a big plataform to support him. Thats the reason why hogan made it so big in WWE, and to a similar extend at WCW. These were (wwe still is of course) big plataforms with the resources and the fan base to make hogan shine. And hogan have the tools in production value to make the most out of it.

If you have a Ferrari but you can only use it in your backyard...its useless.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

You know what I do not care what anyone says. Hulk Hogan busted his ass to try to make sure tna was a success. To me it was always Dixie;s fault as much as I love her, for having on so much.

I think he wanted what was best for tna, I do not think he wanted tna to end up like it did. Not the best creative mind. I will always thank hogan for turning Roode and pushing him, he did the right thing. Maybe my faviorte storyline in tna history and probably in the past 5 years of wrestling was the bobby Roode/James Strom fued and the match in Macon, Gerigoa.

So I thank hogan for that, he gave me a great storyline. I want to thank Hogan for all did for tna. Thank you hulkster.

I was as optimistic as anyone coming in to the "Hogan era" of TNA in 2010, but come on... the facts speak for themselves. Hogan did not do TNA any good. If the reports are true about the level of pay they were awarding him, versus the output they got product-wise, versus the actual recordable, reality-based facts regarding viewership, ratings and the like, no, he did not "move the needle" at all. If anything, it actually dipped.

Now, whether that's his fault or Bischoff or just a stale wrestling era or what, I don't know, but I think we all understand that you're simply not going to be capable of having an objective discussion about this based on the first line in your post. When you start an argument out with "I don't care what you think", then don't expect anyone to care what you think either.

 

[TDFG]

For some reason, it just never clicked in TNA for Hogan or Bischoff, I think after the demise of WCW if it's not WWE then it's not for Hogan.

Hulk Hogan can no longer be a physical force in the ring, and that takes a lot away from Hogan, WWE won't have him on TV all the time, an ambassador role is probably best for him.

If TNA had have maybe reduced Hogan's on screen role & had him promote their product on TV, Radio etc. along with a couple of talents, then that have been a better way to make the best use of Hogan.

 

[MrJay]

I was as optimistic as anyone coming in to the "Hogan era" of TNA in 2010, but come on... the facts speak for themselves. Hogan did not do TNA any good. If the reports are true about the level of pay they were awarding him, versus the output they got product-wise, versus the actual recordable, reality-based facts regarding viewership, ratings and the like, no, he did not "move the needle" at all. If anything, it actually dipped.

Now, whether that's his fault or Bischoff or just a stale wrestling era or what, I don't know, but I think we all understand that you're simply not going to be capable of having an objective discussion about this based on the first line in your post. When you start an argument out with "I don't care what you think", then don't expect anyone to care what you think either.

I'm probably in the small minority, but I actually think TNA was a better product before Hogan and Bischoff hit the scene. Slowly but surely those two killed any enthusiasm I had for TNA.

 

[It's Damn Real!]

I'm probably in the small minority, but I actually think TNA was a better product before Hogan and Bischoff hit the scene. Slowly but surely those two killed any enthusiasm I had for TNA.

In the minority? You've gotta be new here...

You're most definitely not, dude. I'd say the vast majority of this forum, and the majority of wrestling fans in general, including most TNA fans, would agree with that sentiment.

Hell, most still haven't forgiven him and Bischoff for the removal of the six-sided ring, let alone anything else that went wrong under their watch (and we don't need a laundry list — they're all readily available with a quick Google search query of "Hogan-Bischoff TNA Failure").

And this is all supported with numerical data, like ratings and the like, that actually show that Hogan helped them hit a few small spikes early on, and then slowly but surely faded into either the realm they were already in, or worse.

 

[Alex]

Honestly I can't think of anything Hogan and Bischoff did outright that TNA wouldn't have eventually done themselves such as Beer Money breaking up (the subsequent rise of Roode). Austin Aries' title reign and Bully Ray's best work in years. These were all down to the actual wrestler's themselves. Heck the only thing I can think of that was halfway interesting was Immortal and even then that would have been better if Hogan and Bischoff weren't hogging the spotlight.

Bringing in Hogan seemed like a good idea on paper but he just wasn't worth the time, money and effort that TNA put in to bring him there.

As to the whole six sided ring vs four sided ring. Personally the six sided ring came off as to gimmicky but at the same time I see why people liked it.

 

[Cereal Killer]

Let's look at it as Hulk Hogan AND Eric Bischoff as they came as partners to the company and tried to bring in some change. Since 2010, there's been a (small yet significant) change to the backstage promos. The way in which they're presented is very innovative and most people put that on Bischoff's hard work which is still reflected in TNA today. Who brought in Bischoff? Who brought in Jeff Hardy and Mr. Anderson? Hulk Hogan did. Numbers remained stationary for the most part in 2010, but it's not as if AJ Styles and Samoa Joe did wonders for the company. I would also like to add that Hogan brought in a lot of money from selling merchandise. You always saw some people in Hogan t-shirts and he received the loudest ovation from all. That would show people went to see him and in some sense, he drew a good portion of the crowd.

As you said though, we can thank him for how far Bobby Roode and James Storm have come, even though he didn't intend to do make it happen this way. Storm was meant to turn heel and Roode was meant to remain as a face. Because Hogan didn't want Roode winning at Bound For Glory and regret it instantly, Storm was awarded the belt days after and it was Roode which became the heel. However, even if Hogan didn't change the result of the BFG main event and plans went straight forward, that would have all been thanks Russo, not Hogan.

I was as optimistic as anyone coming in to the "Hogan era" of TNA in 2010, but come on... the facts speak for themselves. Hogan did not do TNA any good. If the reports are true about the level of pay they were awarding him, versus the output they got product-wise, versus the actual recordable, reality-based facts regarding viewership, ratings and the like, no, he did not "move the needle" at all. If anything, it actually dipped.

Now, whether that's his fault or Bischoff or just a stale wrestling era or what, I don't know, but I think we all understand that you're simply not going to be capable of having an objective discussion about this based on the first line in your post. When you start an argument out with "I don't care what you think", then don't expect anyone to care what you think either.

Well, let's look at when Russo became the head writer and when Hogan made his debut. Russo came in 2006 and Hogan came in 2010. 2010 saw a significant decrease in ratings which could have been because fans found it hard to get used to the changes (which I wasn't too impressed with either) and because, well, it was their first year. There were chances of mistakes.

Here are the 2010 Impact ratings:

Spoiler

January 4, 2010 1.45
January 14, 2010 1.26
January 21, 2010 1.26
January 28, 2010 1.4
February 4, 2010 1.18
February 11, 2010 1.19
February 18, 2010 1.2
February 25, 2010 1.14
March 4, 2010 1.14
March 8, 2010 1
March 15, 2010 0.8----------------Fans give up on them.
March 22, 2010 0.86
March 29, 2010 0.62
April 5, 2010 0.9
April 12, 2010 0.8
April 19, 2010 0.95
April 26, 2010 0.5
May 3, 2010 0.78
May 13, 2010 0.94
May 20, 2010 0.96
May 27, 2010 0.96
June 3, 2010 0.87
June 10, 2010 0.99
June 17, 2010 0.99------The Immortal storyline begins.
June 24, 2010 0.99
July 1, 2010 0.99
July 8, 2010 1.14-Better ratings for the second half of the year and fans get used to the changes.

July 15, 2010 1.09
July 22, 2010 1.07
July 29, 2010 1.21
August 5, 2010 1.2
August 12, 2010 1.15
August 19, 2010 0.97
August 26, 2010 1.07
September 2, 2010 1.04
September 9, 2010 Not On
September 16, 2010 1.1
September 23, 2010 1
September 30, 2010 1.2
October 7, 2010 1.3
October 14, 2010 1.4
October 21, 2010 1.2
October 28, 2010 1.1
November 4, 2010 1.2
November 11, 2010 1.2
November 18, 2010 1
November 25, 2010 0.9
December 2, 2010 1
December 9, 2010 1.09
December 16, 2010 1.1
December 23, 2010 1.07
December 30, 2010 1.1

Here are the 2011 ones:

Spoiler

January 6, 2011 1.16
January 13, 2011 1.25
January 20, 2011 1.15
January 27, 2011 1.28
February 3, 2011 1.31
February 10, 2011 1.2
February 17, 2011 1.13
February 24, 2011 1.3
March 3, 2011 1.36-----Highest rating since Hogan's debut.
March 10, 2011 1.25
March 17, 2011 1.28
March 24, 2011 1.23
March 31, 2011 1.2
April 7, 2011 1.2
April 14, 2011 1.14
April 21, 2011 1.17
April 28, 2011 1.09
May 5, 2011 1.15
May 12, 2011 1.27
May 19, 2011 1.17
May 26, 2011 1.2
June 2, 2011 1.09
June 9, 2011 1.01
June 16, 2011 1.25
June 23, 2011 1.17
June 30, 2011 1.27
July 7, 2011 1.11
July 14, 2011 1.2
July 21, 2011 1.25
July 28, 2011 1.2
August 4, 2011 1.14
August 11, 2011 1.07
August 18, 2011 1.05
August 25, 2011 1.2
September 1, 2011 1.06
September 8, 2011 1.05
September 15, 2011 1.2
September 22, 2011 1.1
September 29, 2011 1.14
October 6, 2011 1
October 13, 2011 1.05
October 20, 2011 1.35-----One of the highest ratings ever.
October 27, 2011 1.14
November 3, 2011 1.28
November 10, 2011 1.23
November 17, 2011 1.15
November 24, 2011 0.99
December 1, 2011 1.16
December 8, 2011 1.07
December 15, 2011 1.14
December 22, 2011 1.03
December 29, 2011 1.16

2011's rating average was higher than any pre-Hogan year.

Followed by 2012:

Spoiler

January 5, 2012 1.11
January 12, 2012 1.13
January 19, 2012 1.2
January 26, 2012 1.17
February 2, 2012 1.15
February 9, 2012 1.05
February 14, 2012 -----Vince Russo leaves.
February 16, 2012 1.06
February 23, 2012 1.19
March 1, 2012 1------Lowest rating so far of 2012.
March 8, 2012 1.03
March 15, 2012 1.03
March 22, 2012 1.09
March 29, 2012 1.04
April 5, 2012 1.1
April 12, 2012 0.98-----First ever rating below 1.0 since 2010 excluding just one date from 2011.

April 19, 2012 0.97
April 26, 2012 0.99
May 3, 2012 0.98
May 10, 2012 1.1
May 17, 2012 1.08
May 24, 2012 1.01
May 31, 2012 0.9
June 7, 2012 0.99
June 14, 2012 1
June 21, 2012 0.95
June 28, 2012 0.97
July 5, 2012 0.99
July 12, 2012 0.85
July 19, 2012 0.91
July 26, 2012 1.09
August 2, 2012 1
August 9, 2012 0.89
August 16, 2012 1.06
August 23, 2012 1.15
August 30, 2012 1.07
September 6, 2012 0.94
September 13, 2012 0.97
September 20, 2012 1.01
September 27, 2012 0.99
October 4, 2012 0.84
October 11, 2012 0.86
October 18, 2012 0.99
October 25, 2012 0.97
November 1, 2012 0.95
November 8, 2012 1.02
November 15, 2012 1.07
November 22, 2012 0.77
November 29, 2012 1.01
December 6, 2012 0.98
December 13, 2012 0.93
December 20, 2012 0.99
December 27, 2012 1

Source: Sly's link in the general wrestling discussion sticky.

As you can see, Hogan's and Bischoff's arrival only had an impact on ratings the first half of 2010. Fans got used to the changes and ratings increased. Not only that, but 2011 had the highest ratings average with the combination or Russo, Bischoff and Hogan. They were never that high before which would show that Hogan had some positive impact on ratings. The year after, Russo left and that's when there was a dip in numbers. They probably would have been lower had Hogan not have been there. You can't blame that dip on Hogan. Numbers don't lie. (Read my second paragraph which also shows a combination of Russo's and Hogan's efforts). On the other hand, I haven't liked the lack of focus on the mid-card, the King of the Mountain match and most importantly, the removal of 2 corners. With that being said, the changes didn't have a large affect on the company apart from the first half of 2010. One could make the argument that two of those changes were good. After Genesis that year, fans may have been demanding the return of the six-sides but some fans thought that it looked unprofessional. Others said that the KOTM match was absurd as you weren't pulling the belt off but hanging it on. If anything, the numbers increased the year after as I've said which would show the majority were happy with the changes. The facts speak for themselves.

 

[whoopin' ass]

I don't think Hogan was as invested in TNA as he was in WCW. With WCW, he had his fallout with Vince and wanted to show that he could make another company as big as WWF. Plus he knew and worked with some people there so he wasn't going in blind. With TNA, it was a totally different deal. I think it was more for the money than anything else. Physically he couldn't do what he used to and with his back, his focus wasn't on TNA all the time. I think he was willing to help where be could but he was a little out of touch with the talent and what they were doing. He didn't realize that WWF and WCW were relatively equal when he joined WCW so just his presence was big but now WWE had 20 years on TNA and him joining TNA wasn't going to make the dent that it did with WCW.

 

[IT Factor]

As big of a Hogan fan as I used to be, I don't see any upside that Hogan brought to TNA other than a small amount of minor buzz. A few days of media promotion perhaps. But he and Bischoff got paid very well and offered the company very little so that ratio doesn't quite even out. Not by a long shot.

Hogan can't be given credit for Storm/Roode either because that was already being built creatively for quite some time. The true good that came out of Hogan/Bischoff going to TNA was the show TNA ReAction. That was an innovative take on a behind-the-scenes look on what happens after a show, even though it was done in character. I believe Jason Hervey and Bischoff contributed more overall than Hulk Hogan did. The only thing positive that came of Hogan's run was that he brought in other big names like Jeff Hardy and Mr. Anderson. Other than that, his debut in TNA did very little to help the company as a whole and he burnt through cash that Impact Wrestling now cannot use to keep big name stars like Sting, AJ Styles, and Kurt Angle. In other words, the true veterans who could've been used to put over the next generation.

 

[SpecialFNK]

I think one of Hogan's best decisions (I assume it was his) was right from the start on the night he debuted. he got rid of that piece of garbage 6 sided wrestling ring.

I think Hogan did more good for TNA than people think. didn't Dixie say that it was because of Hogan and Hogan only that TNA has been seen in certain countries?

 

[IT Factor]

I think one of Hogan's best decisions (I assume it was his) was right from the start on the night he debuted. he got rid of that piece of garbage 6 sided wrestling ring.

Seriously? The six sided ring was different and gave TNA something that set them apart as unique from WWE. How was getting rid of the six sided ring a good thing? The X-Division guys had more sides to work with and could do innovative spots working with it. Now that TNA has a normal 4 sided ring, it just looks like another WWE rip-off. All of that because Hogan couldn't fit in between the ropes of the six-sided ring!

I think Hogan did more good for TNA than people think. didn't Dixie say that it was because of Hogan and Hogan only that TNA has been seen in certain countries?

Like I said before, Hogan did offer name recognition but not much else. He inspired guys like Jeff Hardy & Mr. Anderson to sign with TNA thinking that his arrival would herald a new era for the company. But what did Hogan REALLY bring during his run to TNA? Looks like nothing aside from the amount of money he spent making bad business decisions, which could also be seen as Dixie Carter's naïve lack of skills as a business owner. Hogan's TNA run could possibly be seen as the beginning of the end for Impact Wrestling soon enough.....

 

[Weems2k]

I thought Hogan did an alright job. TNA did get some of their highest ratings during his era. People crap on him for not promoting TNA enough, but when you think about it, what's the point if Spike TV barely promotes Impact as it is.

People crap on him for being on Impact 6+ segments, but I don't recall any episodes like that. He was also in the GM role for most of his time, so of course he'll be focal point. Bringing in guys like the Nasty Boys, and Val Venus wasn't the best of moves I'll admit.

I think Hogan tried to expand TNA, and knew that if they were to ever get to that next level, they had to do more shows on the road, and branch out. Just like any other business, you have to take a chance, and like many other businesses, sometimes those chances don't always pan out. Was taking Impact on the road a failure? Perhaps, but it was a risk well worth taking. Nobody would be b**ching if all those road shows/PPV's were selling out, and Impact's ratings were up near the 2.0's.

 

[The Dragon Saga]

Here's something many people skim over. The time period between the start of Bobby Roode's TNA World Championship reign and midway through Austin Aries' World Championship reign was the best week to week product TNA had in years. Every week the show was actually good, it had interesting angles, it had some dumb shit too but the good shit outweighed the dumb shit. This was during Hogan's time in the company, so while most will look back on Hogan's tenure as all bad, it wasn't, in fact his tenure brought on the best period for TNA since 2007.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

Here's something many people skim over. The time period between the start of Bobby Roode's TNA World Championship reign and midway through Austin Aries' World Championship reign was the best week to week product TNA had in years. Every week the show was actually good, it had interesting angles, it had some dumb shit too but the good shit outweighed the dumb shit. This was during Hogan's time in the company, so while most will look back on Hogan's tenure as all bad, it wasn't, in fact his tenure brought on the best period for TNA since 2007.

Here's something you seem to skim over. You're attributing a good period in TNA entirely to Hogan without any reason. Well, Hogan was in the area, so it MUST be because of him, right?

If that period you mentioned was actually good, it's because the whole show flowed together. Was Hogan involved in all aspects of that? Was Hogan booking? Was Hogan writing? We don't know. What we do know is that he sure as hell didn't put the shows together all by himself.

Ultimately, it seems like Hogan did more bad than good. He had some fine ideas, but for the value that he was supposed to bring and the expectations he rose, he completely failed.

I'd say Bishoff is the one who contributed far more to the show than Hogan. I think both Hulk and TNA expected him to just show up and the rest will settle itself. It doesn't work like that.

Nonetheless, I love Hogan. I really enjoyed him as an on-screen personality in TNA, just as I like what he's doing in the WWE right now. He's a cool guy. I mean ... he's Hogan. Hopefully TNA learned their lesson. Moving on to bigger and better things.

 

[SpecialFNK]

Seriously? The six sided ring was different and gave TNA something that set them apart as unique from WWE. How was getting rid of the six sided ring a good thing? The X-Division guys had more sides to work with and could do innovative spots working with it. Now that TNA has a normal 4 sided ring, it just looks like another WWE rip-off. All of that because Hogan couldn't fit in between the ropes of the six-sided ring!

there are a lot of things that could be different in order to be different, but they could still be stupid. how many professional wrestling companies in history have used something other than the traditional professional wrestling 4 sided ring?
WCW used a 4 sided ring, and for a while they were ahead of WWE.
if TNA had better creative/booking/storylines they wouldn't need a ring in order to try and draw viewers.

 

[IT Factor]

there are a lot of things that could be different in order to be different, but they could still be stupid. how many professional wrestling companies in history have used something other than the traditional professional wrestling 4 sided ring?
WCW used a 4 sided ring, and for a while they were ahead of WWE.
if TNA had better creative/booking/storylines they wouldn't need a ring in order to try and draw viewers.

That's an apples and oranges comparison. WCW was a mainstay company because of the prior NWA organization. It had the talent and the money to make it as a company. While TNA had some of each[money and talent], they lack the creative vision to make the shows worth tuning in for each week like WCW did. Go back and watch the actual WCW product up until around 1999/2000. Their divisions were stacked, they had amazing talents/feuds, and their show was entertaining. None of which TNA has done right since around 2006/2007.

My earlier point was that when you looked at the six-sided ring, you automatically could see the difference between WWE and TNA. Now it simply looks like every other ring that has ever been used in professional wrestling. That ring gave TNA a unique look that in turn, gave it an identity. It established that you were watching TNA. Even people that didn't like that ring would have to concede that point....

 

[whoopin' ass]

The one thing that people don't realize is that Hogan has a great mind on how to get over as a character himself but he has a horrible mind for the business. He can promote a match between himself and anyone and get people interested but give him 2 wrestlers and ask him how to get them over and he is lost. He is a product of a certain time and is stuck there. How do you contribute to a company when everything innovative they want to do is totally opposite to what you know? I think he got them some attention when he joined but that is where he helpfulness ended. His name only has so much value and the ratings sure didn't jump for those couple years he was around so I don't see them really gaining much from his time there.