I've read some of Hogan's interviews leading up to his 'on-screen' debut with TNA, and so far, he's mostly saying all the right things, but I'll believe what he says when I actually see it.
It's been somewhat reassuring to see that the guy doesn't live in a complete bubble of self-aggrandizement and that he understands the anxiety and skepticism many TNA fans have about his intentions in TNA.
Though Hogan was not the primary reason for WCW's downfall ( I think everyone knows by now that was a group effort ), he remains tied to the failure, just as Bischoff, Russo, and any of the inmate running the asylum back then.
The fear all along with Hogan has rested on 1.) not knowing just how much power Hogan would have in TNA, and 2.) Not knowing where his TRUE intentions lie.
I agree that everyone may have jumped the gun declaring TNA's automatic demise and assuming Hogan and his cronies would overtake Impact and win all the titles and alienate the fanbase for their own glory.
It was never stated that Hogan would be even a part-time in-ring competitor, and with the exception of Scott Hall and X-Pac ( who appear to have only a short-term deal anyway), the rumors of Hogan's past associates showing up have see unfounded.
However, it's never been disputed that Hogan would have at least have a major stake in creative control, which is where problems would still arise.
Sure Hogan is saying all the right things about pushing the younger stars and updating the Impact zone, simplifying the storylines and all that.
He could be a changed man who's on somewhat of a redemption run with TNA and doesn't want to make the same mistakes that were made before.
But, he could also be astute enough to know that he might have quite a few people to win over, so saying all the right things leading into his arrival wouldn't hurt.
Whether fans of Hogan like it or not, he does have something to prove to many TNA fans, who know their pro wrestling history and don't want to see their little engine that could derailed because Hogan couldn't keep his ego in check, AGAIN.
Sure, Hogan's obviously been a massive draw over the years; but TNA isn't the WWE ( or even WCW ) at this point when it comes to resources and name-brand recognition.
TNA is in an uphill battle to establish their identity and relevance to a new mainstream audience, but if it turns into the Hulk Hogan show, there's danger of all this effort being for nothing.
I think if you read his interviews lately, but the most part, he sounds like he at least has a progressive vision for what TNA should be. And that's good.
But the biggest problem, in my opinion, is that Hogan might be under the impression that he can just walk into TNA, and with his vision and advice alone, and they're going to be sparring for ratings dominance with Vince in Co. in a year, or even less.
In general, we're in a downcycle for pro wrestling in terms of mainstream popularity, and with MMA always looming as the more hip, 'real' alternative to pro wrestling, the audience that TNA probably wants to lure with their TV-14 product ( the 18-35 males ), is going to be harder to grasp than ever.
The truth is that given how much of a head start the WWE has in the market share, and the history and lineage the WWE has to fall back on when compared to TNA, things are probably going to take longer than that for TNA than Hogan could be willing to accept.
Personally, my fear is that Hogan may come in with the right intentions and try to do all the rights things, but if things don't happen soon enough for him ( as in ratings don't increase two-fold, house show and ppv numbers don't rise dramatically, etc), he may give up and think that he has to completely take the reigns in order for things to succeed. And that may lead to his cronies showing up and Hogan thinking numbers will only go up if he has the title and so on. And then of course will lead to the depush of the young stars and me not wanting to watch Impact and so on.
Of course my hope is that Hogan and all the key players involved in WCW's untimely demise have learned their lessons and don't want to be liable for another collapse, all past grievances have been discussed and everyone knows their role now and wants to put the past behind them for the sake of TNA.
But who knows what really goes through all these people's minds?
Anyway, what I want to see the most out of Hogan and TNA is consistency with this grand ideas.
I don't want AJ or Joe to win the TNA title, but then the reign is short and essentially meaningless;
I don't want the X-division to be showcased, but only once and a while, and without storylines as a backdrop;
I don't want Kurt Angle or Mick Foley seemingly changing from heel to face, vice-versa every 3 week;
I don't want claims that 'TNA is wrestling' but the there's only 20 minutes worth of wrestling on Impact.
If there going to be a real alternative to the WWE, and they want to start now, the have to say what they mean and mean what they say; and Hogan especially needs to do this.