[Official] Hulk Hogan Discussion

[King Douche]

Only problem I have with Hogan coming to TNA is that he will proably wrestle in the ring and become TNA World Champion. I do not think Hogan should wrestle in the ring at all, as he is an old man and can possibly get a heart attack and die right their in the middle of the ring. Hogan should just stay backstage promoting TNA or if he is on screen, be the manager of a young superstar putting him over.

I would love to see him manage Jay Lethal, especially with Lethal's gimmick. What he could do is change Jay's gimmick from Randy Savage to Hulk Hogan. And Hogan could give Lethal pointers in the ring and outside the ring when managing him. It would be a great way for Jay to be put into main event status and Hogan to be on television.

 

[Kenny Powers]

It would be nice if Hogan and TNA can pull in close to 2.0, but 3.0 is insane. It sounds like Hogan isn't lacing up the boots unless the fans want him to. If that is the case, it sounds like he wont be in a match for a long while. He is still beat up from the Australia tour. I think Hogan will come in and build up some new stars, with bringing in some new ones to fire up the crowd. I even heard that RVD would be in the audience.

TNA are pulling out all the stops to get publicity. I just hope they keep the momentum going, even if they don't receive a huge rating.

 

[King Douche]

Yeah I think Hogan should never lace up the boots again for his own health, just sit back and relax. Do other stuff like manage wrestlers or be a commentator. Everybody knows that the TNA commentating team needs some help. Taz had lost his touch and it just as bad as Micheal Cole. Even saying Cole stuff like Vintage. Also Mike Tenay is stale as ever. If Hogan comes on the team atleast it will be better when it comes to announcing.

 

[absent]

Boy, I sure hope Hogan doesn't join the announce team. His repetitive phrases are even more worn than Lawler's.

Whilst Hogan might make a spike in TNA ratings, I have serious doubts that he alone is enough to sustain any significant increase. My feelings are that whole Hogan act/character is very very worn and week after week will deliver nothing that people weren't tired of decades ago. The reason he added to ratings in WCW (several years after his initial signing once he returned) was the heel turn, 'cos that was something that went totally against what people were expecting from the character. A heel Hogan was arguable the most unlikely thing in pro-wrestling at the time. But now that in itself is old news. If this time around he can bring something refreshing to pro-wrestling I'll be very surprised. But then maybe that's the point, people don't remember or watched so far back, so it's time to regurgitate the old stuff again.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

http://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/wi/2009/1213/469156/hulk-hogan/index.shtml

Well, according to this, Hogan's role in TNA is suppsedly going to be something along the lines of a mentor/leader of the young guys in TNA and lead them against the various older WWE/WCW guys on the TNA roster. The story also is that Dixie Carter is not going to be as involved in the storyline as originally believed and that the various WWE/WCW guys are going to be lead by Mick Foley.

So, with a few tweaks and adjustments made here and there, the whole thing sounds as though it's going to be pretty similar to the MEM vs. TNA angle that's been the main storyline in TNA this year. While it does seem to give hope to the notion that Hulk Hogan isn't going to be burying younger talent, if this is ultimately what's gonna happen, I have to say that I'm not really all that interested in this angle because TNA just finished doing one very similar.

If this is ultimately what TNA has planned, I wouldn't be surprised of Hogan does eventually turn heel and betray the younger guys and join up with the older wrestlers. Ultimately, however, Hogan is going to be the center of TNA's attention one way or another. Based upon his physical condition after the Hulkamania tour, it's highly unlikely that Hogan is going to be wrestling in the ring anytime soon. If he does choose to do so, which I have a feeling he will, it will be only a handful of times a year spread throughout the year.

On one hand, I like the possibility this has for him not coming in and burying younger talent and not being a very active wrestler. On the other, I've got little interest in another old vs. young, old guard vs. new guard type of scene in TNA.

 

[absent]

From a historical perspective I have a problem with the idea of Foley siding with the WWE/WCW guys against Hogan. Didn't Foley state in his numerous books that he himself in his early days was criticised the Flair/Hogan generation for going above and beyond in the ring? Doing more than was required to make a decent match thus making the older guys look bad? Sort of how ring-wise the "TNA originals" make the WWE cast off's look despite their position on the card.

But maybe that's the long term plan... Foley's become what he used to detest. A sort of new take on the "anti-hardcore" angle he did in the original ECW. "TNA just isn't worth it", as a way to put over the fact it is.

 

[burnout4200]

With the newer occurrences of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff signing in some capacity with TNA the question arises, can an adult grow up? In response to "The Hogan Situation" we keep hearing "He did this 10 years ago and he did that 15 years ago". Eric Bischoff and Kevin Nash were right beside him through the whole process. Did they learn from their mistakes? Hogan is already talking about taking on more of an off screen role than an on screen role. The on-screen part needs to be there initially regardless for recognition purposes. Hogan's name is guaranteed to pick up at least a handful of new viewers and they have to use the opportunity to get them addicted to the rest of the product. With Hogan expressing interest in possibly working backstage and leaving his ego out of it can he do some good for TNA? One of the big three (Hogan, Nash, and Bischoff) are smart enough to see the mistakes they made in the past. Why is everyone so hard pressed to believe it's going to happen again when Hogan struggles to lace his boots nowadays?

Can Hogan build a star? According to everyone else he sure can build himself. What if he was behind the screen and using himself only in "The McMahon Role" on screen? Can he divert this selfishness everyone speaks of and make someone else famous out of it?

I may be the only one that see's it this way but I feel that it's likely Hollywood Hulk Hogan has grown up a bit. Recently he's acted like he was seeking sympathy for his current physical condition. Isn't that the point in life where you think ahead and plan for the future? If he works backstage and creates stars that increases his chances of advancing his career without stepping into the ring. His ego could very well play into a few young, up and coming wrestlers, hands. If he makes them famous it makes himself look good. After all, grown ups can be selfish too.

 

[blair4107]

Unless Hogan's pushing his own son, no he cannot do that, or he won't at least.

I don't see where or how he's acted like he's grown up at all since the old days, hell if anything I'd say he's gotten worse. When WCW caved do you think Hogan batted an eye? No. It's all about money, and really it's not that ethically wrong. He is doing for him what any employee does, get as much as they can when they can. I hate it when people act like he's being altruistic in coming to TNA; he had NO intention of leaving WWE for TNA when it was Jarrett's company, well just enough intention to get WWE to nab him back, which he knew they would. It was only once he knew he could gain control of the company that he'd come work for TNA... or as it is in his mind, TNA works for him.

Honestly I feel that if Hogan doesn't put 100% of everything he can behind TNA he could end up breaking them, not that it would matter to him. If Hogan just shows up and half-asses it he could really hurt the overall product if not drive TNA out all together. I'm sure his acquisition wasn't cheap, you KNOW it wasn't. They are shelling out the dollars for the promise of a ratings boom, something I still don't really see happening. What does Hogan coming to TNA mean to the fans? It's still just the same old program it was before he showed up, just with Hogan now. Try TNA! Now with 100% more Hogan!

Was there a ratings boom for WWE when Hogan returned to WWE in 02? Nope.
Was there a ratings boom for WWE when Hogan went back to being vintage Hogan (not to sound like Michael Cole)? Nope.
Was there a ratings boom for WWE when Hogan reclaimed the WWE Championship in 02? Nope.
Was there a ratings boom for the new American Gladiators in 07? Yeah, at first...but was that REALLY Hogan? Or was that all about a classic American television show returning in a bleak NBC schedule?
Was there a ratings boom for CMT with Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling? Nope.

So why bank on Hogan? Is this all based on his old WWF/WCW days and Hogan Know's Best? Is it just me or does Dixie Carter just think she can always just fix everything by just hiring someone? She did the same thing, to an obvious lesser-extent, for Bobby Lashley...and what did that do? Other than just taking Lashley even further away from a real MMA career. (Yes I realize he isn't being stopped from competing, it just doesn't look very good.)

Now it is possible that Hogan's acquisition could really help TNA? Of course, there's no doubting that; but do we really have enough reason to believe it WILL happen? No, I don't think so.

 

[Dowdsy McDowds]

I'm with burnout4200 on this in the fact that a lot of people are already so certain of how Hogan will act when he gets to TNA. Now I'm by no means a huge Hogan fan or anything but I've never been a fan of people pre-judging people from their past actions and attitudes. Yes certain things should be taken into consideration, but it's almost been a decade since the whole NWO/WCW thing came to an end, and even if Hogan has not changed much, Bischoff strikes me as an individual who will have learned from his mistakes and not be afraid to say to Hogan, 'You know what, maybe this will work better?'
I think we'll need to wait a few months until after Hogan appears to see how things are going, though I have few doubts that after the first show there will be people on here ready to shoot them down or Madden doing another 'told you so' editorial. Such is the way of things sadly.

 

[TellMeWhy]

I don't see where you wrestling fans who know nothing of Hulk Hogan besides what you read of him on the net and media can judge this man. People are sitting here saying that only Hogan is capable of pushing only himself and his son to the moon which is so stupid. How well do you know Hulk Hogan the man from a personal standpoint to make such a claim? This man is coming into a company where things seems to be kind of stagnant and promises to shake up everything with his genius buddy Eric Bischoff and people bitch and moan. When Russo was coming back into TNA in 06, no one wanted to give the man a chance and swore he was going to kill the promotion, but 3 years later, he is promoted to head writer and the company is still alive. How can things go worse? Hogan's not wrestling. He's going to offer his expertise to the talent and work alongside Dixie to let the product move in a better direction. This is positive to have Hogan tell guys on ways to improve their character, something that is needed in TNA. Also Eric Bischoff coming alongside Hogan alone should make people excited but wrestling nerds seem to stuck in their ways or something of always being negative. I have faith in Hogan and Eric Bischoff of all people. If Russo hasn't "killed" TNA, I don't see why 2 people like Hogan and Bischoff who have had enormous success are going to bring this company any lower. Sky is the limit for TNA!

Let me add that also you can say what you want about Hogan no longer being a draw, but at least they're already putting TNA in the right direction and making things more exciting for the fans. January 4th is going to be a huge night. TNA is really promoting the living hell out of this thing and the show may actually crack over 2 million viewers which would be great for TNA.

 

[finneycom1]

I am with Dowds as far as pre-judging people from their past. I really hope this signing DOES help TNA become a true contender for WWE. If nothing else, force both companies to "UP" their game.

I feel if it was just Hogan calling the shots; this would be just a total waste of time on TNA's part. However, with Bischoff, and probably Nash, in his ear, they are bound to learn from the past and take things to another level. Even though I am not a big Bischoff fan, personally I think he is a snake and somewhat of a scam artist, I think he is smart enough to do the right things this time around and really make the right decisions from a business standpoint. Hopefully, get rid of the stupid six-sided ring, but that's another topic for another thread.

I wish nothing for the best for Hogan, Bishoff, and the entire TNA crew!!

 

[Ubiquitous]

Even in a thread about judging Hogan someone gets a shot in about the six sided ring... ouch.

I have a really strange feeling Hogan will go in with his intentions set on himself, but realize rather quickly that TNA is much better off with him helping out rather than it being "The Hulk Hogan and friends show!". It'll be a bit overkill at first, but I think it'll tone down rather quickly, and hopefully then, Hogan can do TNA a bit of good here and there. I want to see TNA gain ratings and continue to grow, but they have to break that glass ceiling they've seemingly been at for the past 2 years. Hopefully Hogan and Bischoff can change that.

 

[With the monies]

Now that I've read the report of what's gonna be done when hogan gets here, I can only drop my head in disqust.

If you need a summary, here's what gonna happen:

Dixie, Kurt, & Hogan: We're gonna run this company with good intentions

Jarrett & Foley: We don't like the way your running the company , so we're gonna ruin everything for the fans!

AJ Styles: WHY THE HELL DID YOU PUT THIS BELT ON ME FOR?

Okay rant over. I really hope that this only last a couple a months and then the good stuff begins. And if it doesn't, I have something better to watch.

 

[Suneeboy]

I just read an article on IGN.com where they have an interview with Hulk Hogan in preparation for January 4th. Now we have been on these boards talking about how Hogan may come in and bury guys, or Hogan is going to do this or Hogan is going to do that.

There are certain points in this Q&A where he squashes certain things we said. He says he is not going to wrestle, he does not have a contract to wrestle. He said he wants AJ Styles to be as big as Ric Flair or Hulk Hogan. He said Spike TV said if this does well they can do Monday Nights once a month, and maybe even stick to Mondays permanently. There is so much more....I don't want to spoil it all. But check out the article. I don't think this is "Official" Hulk Hogan discussion or January 4th discussion, my intention is for this to be a discussion about the talking points in the Q&A...which can start a fresh conversation since all we've done is speculate and read the rumor mills the past 2 months.

Article Here: http://tv.ign.com/articles/105/1057741p1.html

 

[TellMeWhy]

I don't know why these wrestling fans don't get their facts straight before posting recklessly on this place and all over the internet. It's never been news to me that Hogan is not going to wrestle in TNA. That Hulkamania tour was like his opening and closing tour. He's not in shape to wrestle and neither did TNA announce him as a wrestler. He was only announced as a partner so I find it funny when people sit up here and say, "Oh Hogan will squash the young guys, he'll hold back the young talent, and will hold the TNA title hostage" Like seriously, open your eyes and eyes. Read your news reports and learn what the man's role in the company will be before spewing nonsense.

I genuinely have faith in Hogan. He's basically coming in to do Jeff Jarrett's job of being the Vince McMahon of TNA and already he has super-exceeded Jeff Jarrett in that role and he hasn't even made a physical appearance in TNA. TNA on Mondays? Who else but Hogan can do that? He believes in AJ Styles, he wants more marketing for the product, better sponsors, he's going to make sure Russo does nothing stupid or he'll fire him, he wants to breath more life into the characters in TNA, he wants better storylines, he wants health benefits. These are all things we've been wanting. I don't see how people on the internet can jump to conclusions about the man as if they know him personally. What does the man have to gain from ruining TNA? He's going to make this work. His reputation will be on the line. Had it not been for Hogan, who here would be as excited as they are for January 4th right now? Hogan lands a deal with TNA and now we're looking at another possible Monday Night War! Only Hogan haters and TNA haters are the only ones who would hate this because I don't see how Hogan is negative to TNA in anyway.

 

[Prince_Thomas]

Ok... Honestly, I'm a wwe born and bread fan. Never watched nitro religously like I do raw every monday. And now I do the same with tna. I do not watch tna, they are the minor leagues. Its just not interesting to me. Yea sure they have talent, but is it enough to topple over the wwe? Hell no. I will watch the raw event on the 4th. The only reason I woll even flip to tna will be to see my boys, the outsiders, xpac, and rvd. Then I'll change back. Ok, so hogan came back but not to wwe. Major move, but what have they done except show us commercials that he will be there. Never did we get a str8 answer from the horses mouth. Maybe its suspense so we all tune in, but honestly.... Bret hart is coming back... You can't script intensity and real drama like that. The wrestling buisness was the best its ever been during the monday nite wars. Now, we get it again. That's the only reason I m happy for tna's recent shot. Sorry tna.... You got no chance in hell!!! You've got... No chance!!!!

 

[BladeRunner]

Thanks for posting this, it's an interesting read.

Yeah people think too simply. They think WCW = TNA. They think similar things are going to happen because certain things may have happened before. This is just a really simplistic way of looking at things.

This isn't taking into account that the times have changed, people have changed, everything changes.

The build up for both Hogan and Hart are being done just right. And the hype alone is making people come back to wrestling who haven't watched in years.

This is all win-win for everybody. No need for hate, no need for my favorite is better than your favorite, every single wrestling fan is winning from this. If you want WWE to succeed, to make a good product, you will want TNA to succeed.

Good info, some of those IWC rumors really needed to be squashed. People really go overboard in their misinterpretations of what's truly going on.

 

[Ambiguous Turd]

I would have to agree that this isn't news at all. Who thought that Hogan was going to be wrestling full time for TNA and why did they think that?

Hogan will wrestle probably a match or two. Sure he doesn't have a deal for that at this point, but he will as long as things progress for TNA and if he is shown to be a draw.

But I thought it was clear from the beginning that Hogan was going to be having an Authority on-screen role with the company, and that was why he was there. That's pretty much what has been communicated to all of us via the newsboards.

 

[bigbadwolf8169]

One thing that gets me, is all the Hogan bashing by the IWC. I know the guy doesnt have a track record of being the easiest guy to work with backstage, but we as fans dont pay to see what goes on backstage, we pay to see what happens from the time they come out on the entrance ramp to the time they leave the entrance ramp and everything in between. The guy has been in the wrestling world for 30 plus years. And has been one of the biggest names for those 30 years.

One thing i dont hear much about on here, is about Jeff Jarrett. For as much politicking as Hogan did for championships and angles, Jarrett was even worse. This man created a whole wrestling organization just so he could be world champ. Look at Jarrett, he never was world champion in WWE, and he didnt become world champ in WCW til the big name stars left, like Hogan, Sting, and Hart. BUT, the man is a 10 time world champ! He made himself world champ in his own organization. If that aint politicking i dont know what is. Jeff Jarrett sucks in my opinion. He has never been as good as Hogan, hell even as good as Macho.

Hogan can come in, and if he wanted to, hold the world title, it would do nothin but garner ratings for TNA. But i dont think thats what he is lookin to do. Im sure he as alterior motives, like pissing off mcmahon, or getting back at Russo, but being a world champ, and wrestling and being in the spotlight, i dont see it happening

 

[Reddannihilation]

One thing i dont hear much about on here, is about Jeff Jarrett. For as much politicking as Hogan did for championships and angles, Jarrett was even worse. This man created a whole wrestling organization just so he could be world champ. Look at Jarrett, he never was world champion in WWE, and he didnt become world champ in WCW til the big name stars left, like Hogan, Sting, and Hart. BUT, the man is a 10 time world champ! He made himself world champ in his own organization. If that aint politicking i dont know what is. Jeff Jarrett sucks in my opinion. He has never been as good as Hogan, hell even as good as Macho.

Even though it's a tad off topic I think this is a bit of a stupid claim, Jarrett has some rather good in ring skills and to be honest if he really wanted to have TNA so that he'd be the only champion He'd probably have made himself the champion far more often than he did, he probably wouldn't have played a major heel for the majority of his time in TNA either.

As for this interview, it's useful if only because it shuts the mouthes of the people who've constantly bitched that Hogan was going to destroy TNA. I've never really taken notice of the people who whinge about Hogan, but it's good to have him come out and squash the rumours about him that are constantly thrown around. Anyone with half a brain knew he wasn't going to be a full time wrestler, he knows his limits and he's learnt from the past. Hogan will help TNA garner more viewers and he'll add big name credibility to TNA. There is a far greater positive side to TNA gaining the extra exposure that comes with Hogan's name than there is a negative side, especially with Hogan doing everyone a favour and having interviews like this where he outlines his intentions.

 

[Suneeboy]

I would have to agree that this isn't news at all. Who thought that Hogan was going to be wrestling full time for TNA and why did they think that?

Hogan will wrestle probably a match or two. Sure he doesn't have a deal for that at this point, but he will as long as things progress for TNA and if he is shown to be a draw.

But I thought it was clear from the beginning that Hogan was going to be having an Authority on-screen role with the company, and that was why he was there. That's pretty much what has been communicated to all of us via the newsboards.

Yeah we all knew that, but don't you see where people jump in and say "We don't want Hogan in the ring, etc. etc." This is to end all of the nonsense that we see on the message boards around Hogan bringing in old guys and burying young guys, or only being out for himself.

Based off the article he has huge plans for TNA and wrestling in general. Eventually leading to benefits and insurance for the workers. How 'bout that?

 

[CaptainCrazy74]

Don't overlook all of his "ol cronies" coming in with him. and he did not say he would not wrestle. Don't just read what you want and call everyone else stupid for not liking your opinion. And yes you are calling them stupid in more grand terminology. I was a fan of Hogan in the 70's and 80's and could not understand why he squashed what little talent was in the WCW when he went there in the 90's. I hope he is sincere and not just working the fans. I guess we will see tomorrow. I just don't really believe he has become about everyone else in the business and less self centered ashe claims. If 30 years plus of Hogan is wrestling doesn't change to Hogan is promoting wrestlers. I hope he really is sincere as that would really be a coup in wrestling.

 

[ChicagoWay]

I just get the feeling that with all the older wrestlers coming in, i.e Scott Hall, Xpac, and whatever older wrestlers come with Hogan that they wont get the run of the house like they did in WCW. I seriously think, soon as Hogan comes into the TNA ring and Nash, Hall, Xpac join him, Hogan tells them to step aside and its time of the youth of the company to step into the limelight.

I would love to see Hogan call out AJ then once AJ gets into the ring and confronts Hogan. Hall, Nash and Xpac come out to kick AJ's ass. But Hogan helps AJ and then Samoa Joe makes his way to the ring and Nash thinks he will help them out but turn on Nash and become a face again.

 

[Hulkamaniac]

Great job, TS. Great interview, and it should assuage most everyone's fears. Hogan can't wrestle even close to a regular schedule, even if he wanted to. He'll probably wrestle a match every now and then, kind of like Vince does, but it seems likely that his primary role will be on-air personality/GM type of thing.

Re: Waltman/Hall coming in, it's been indicated that it's looked at as a short-term thing, with both guys having an opportunity to keep a job if they are reliable...this tells me that most likely, they are being brought in to tease an NWO reunion (i.e. mess with the IWC a little bit), but it ain't happening. I think WWE owns the rights to the NWO anyways.

 

[wolvdog316]

Hey, you guys want to be made idiots, be my guest. Me, however, I wasn't born yesterday.

Hogan is what he is, good or bad. He isn't changing because frankly why should he? He got to be the biggest superstar in the HISTORY of this business. He was HUGE in 2 different decades, two different companies. Now I don't like him but If I was him would I change? Probably not.

That said, he will do what he has ALWAYS done. And that's look out for #1. Hogan can be great in WWE because Vince puts the restraints on him, Vince makes the rules. The reason why Hogan can do what he does, is because he can whine and cry to multiple people in charge, and ONE of them is going to listen. Doesn't have that with WWE.

Now of course if Hogan is indeed in charge of EVERYONE, then that's just downright scary.

Besides, if Hogan gave a crap about TNA he wouldn't be wasting it showcasing a fat out of shape Hall, and a never drew a penny Xpac. If Hogan actually gave a crap about the outcome of TNA he would have already showed Foley and Nash the door. Ya know, dead weight that doesn't sell anymore.

Hogan is going to have to prove, and it's going to take a while, that he is really truly all about TNA.

Cause Hogan is Hogan. He will push AJ, he will push Joe. But only as a means to prove they can't and won't sell. When he see's that neither guy will ever become that franchise wrestler, he will pull the plug on him. And he will insert god knows who. Maybe himself. Cause Hogan needs the spotlight, he wants it, he craves it.

I hope I'm wrong, god I hope I'm wrong. Cause like 90% of fans here, I want some competition. I am tired of seeing Hornswallows, and Cena, and see WWE do nothing with Cody and Ted.

But sorry if I'm not jumping for joy at the possibility of my hopes of competition riding on a selfish prick like Hogan.