Sting, Hogan and Flair is Exactly What Bound For Glory Needs

[It's Damn Real!]

Yes, you read that right.

For an angle that's received as much criticism and hatred as this has, I for one honestly can't understand why (shocking, I know).

Age aside (and I'll get into why this doesn't matter later), everything about this—absolutely everything—makes sense leading into Bound For Glory.

1. These men are superstars. Not in the WWE sense of the word in that anyone who has ever wrestled for Vince or his company is a "superstar", but in that these men supersede life. They are larger than it. They are super heros. They are the pioneers of the industry who have an ability few from the modern era have to captivate their audience in every facet of their game – in the ring and out. Again, age aside for the moment, why would you not want to utilize this to tell a story that fans (note: not just internet fans) want to see?

The nostalgic history of these three men is undeniably entertaining for anyone who can appreciate both nostalgia and the matches these men made infamous all those years ago. Again, why would you not want to utilize this to tell a story that fans want to see?

2. As was illustrated by the success of Hart/McMahon at WrestleMania, if given the proper treatment and the correct amount of "censorship", the declining in ring skill of these men can be masked or throttled enough to still leave a lasting impression and produce a proper match at Bound For Glory between Sting/Hogan, just as it did tonight on iMPACT! between Sting/Flair.

Not every match needs to be a technical five-star physical bout in order to be successful, and not every performer needs to be capable of wrestling like AJ Styles, regardless of what you've read on the internet. Wrestling is about telling a story. Match "quality", as in the quality of the physical performance alone, is only a part of that, and a minor one at that (though there are a number of people who'd have you believe otherwise here). The single most important aspect is the psychology of the match-up and how well executed it is, which is determined by how well the crowd takes to the event. As was seen by the crowd reaction to Sting/Flair, I have no question that Sting/Hogan is fully capable of achieving the exact same effect, if not bettering it..​

Obviously at their age and at the level of their diminished ability, a five-star match isn't a realistic expectation, but that's not to say that a good-to-great match can't still take place if the story in place and psychological build of the match does enough to mask the obvious negatives of the physical limitations of all parities involved, which TNA is certainly on the track to achieve at the moment.

As far as I'm concerned, this is a winning scenario for the company heading into the biggest PPV of the year so long as the right guy wins and wins in the right way. The story thus far has been told exactly as it should be, so so long as the conclusion doesn't spoil the climax to this, we, as viewers and as fans, should be in for a treat of an event come October 16th. That is, of course, if you don't go into this with a handful of unruly and illogical expectations like this being the greatest match of the year, of all-time or being some kind of tactical soirée. A little perspective will go a long way in appreciating this for what it is.

I'm sure I'l get reamed for this, and I'm sure this will be riddled with criticisms and complaints about the combined age of the competitors, but I needed to get this out, because it needed to be said. Bottom line: Sting/Flair/Hogan is the reason I'll be ordering (not streaming) Bound For Glory.

 

[#hamler]

I haven't watched TNA/iMPACT Wrestling continuously in quite sometime. A lot of the wrestlers there no longer appeal to me but put any combination of Ric Flair, Hulk Hogan or Sting in the ring together and I'll order the pay-per-veiw they're performing on. I agree with you, there's a chance this match will likely suck but what people need to realize is Hogan and Sting are two of the best in ring storytellers not only in TNA but in the wrestling industry. If they can provide a good buildup as well as put on a great stroy in the ring, there's nothing wrong with them main eventing Bound for Glory.

 

[Brian in Austin]

I can think of at least 3 other matches I'd rather see, again, instead of Hogan v. Sting. There's nothing to be gained, long-term, from this match. The Flair v. Sting match was, at best, low quality. And that's being generous. You mention that the physical part is just a small part of the storytelling. If that's true, promo's and vignettes alone should up ppv buyrates. But they don't and there's a reason why! People tune in to see action, not hear a bunch of yapping. Notice how TNA has dropped their "wrestling matters" promos on tv? Know why? They figured out that in large part, right now, it doesn't. It doesn't because they have guys like Sting, Flair, and Hogan involved physically and none of them can 'wrestle' like they used to.

Bottom line. This match is going to be a bust. Hogan, at best, is going to be 25%, won't be able to do spots, and will have to be carried by Sting for the bulk of the match, much like we saw tonight. Oddly enough, Flair might actually be more physically fit than Hogan and that's a scary thought.

 

[TUFFY54]

I can't argue with your points about these men being Icons. You also make a fair point about them not needing a physically great match to make it work. I just don't really see why everyone thinks the fans want to see this three way showdown.

The background for Sting vs. Hogan is obviously based on Starrcade 97. The announcers talk about the huge matches the two have had in the past. Yes, Starrcade 97 was one of the biggest matches of all time. However, the buildup to BFG is completely different. Sting vs. Hogan at Starrcade was built around the NWO. Sting had always been the fan favorite. He was the deffintion of a babyface. When he walked out on WCW, for the first time ever, fans didn't know what Sting was going to do. We all know the story. Sting Crowed it up in the rafters for over a year, finally having his showdown with Hogan. When he faced Hogan, Hogan had been the biggest heel wrestling had ever seen for over a year and a half. He was untouchable and beat everybody that tried to stand up to him. Sting was looked at as the last hope for WCW against the unstopable NWO.

In 2011 Immortal is nothing compared to the NWO. The NWO was an army. Immortal is 5 guys give or take. Honestly, with the exception of Gunner, Steiner, and Bully Ray, you can never really tell who's in the group. On top of that, they have already been beaten. Fourtune beat them. Anderson beat them. Sting beat them. All of those individuals have gotten huge wins over Immortal. They already look weak and have infighting. In 97 nothing had really slowed the NWO down. It looks like they just threw Angle in the group to give them some credibility.

Aside from the Sting saving the company from Immortal angle, there's the Hogan aspect. In 97 Hogan was the world champion. With a few minor exceptions, nobody could stop him. He was hated. Hogan might have been the most hated wrestler in history at that point and no baby face could do anything about it. Hogan isn't even a wrestler in 2011. He's wrestled in one tag match in the last two years. Hell, he doesn't even really interfere in matches that often anymore. On top of that he's loved. Hogan gets pops every time he comes out these days. The dynamic has completely changed.

The Sting of today is nothing like he was 14 years ago. As I said, Sting was the ultimate babyface when he turned into the Crow. How many times has Sting gone from heel to face in TNA? He was a bad guy for a long time with the Main Event Mafia. Also, the crazy gimmick were he rolls around in the ring demanding Hogan isn't quite the same as the silent, deadly, Sting who just pointed his bat.

Flair isn't Flair anymore. To be the man, you have to beat the man. Flair has become a lackey. He used to arguabley be the greatest faction leader of all time. Now he fights Hogans battles for him. People are supposed to beat guys to get to Flair. Nobody should go through Flair to get to the big fish. Flair is supposed to be the big fish.

Thats my thought. I'm not gonna complain about them being too old. I'm not gonna complain about how bad the match is going to be. TNA is making this out to be the final act of a massive 15 year wrestling war. In reality, the war between these men ended a long time ago. The players are still there, but the game has completely changed.

 

[JJYanks121]

There is a major, major flaw to your argument IDR. You, and other nostalgia junkies keep saying that "these men are larger than life" "they are superstars" "they are awesome" and all that, and this era is always "they aren't that good". Problem is, these guys eventually won't be able to move or will be dead. Hell, they don't move all that well now. So when that time comes and these 80's stars aren't around, who then do we turn to as "draws"?

Oh right, promotions are supposed to build them! Well, when you have one major promotion taking guys who were big 20 years ago and promoting them OVER your young talent, of course casual viewers aren't going to buy the new generation as a big deal! This whole philosophy is what holds TNA back from truly taking the next step. Having Hogan and Sting main event is fine short term, but how are you going to be awesome long term?

Remember in 1997 when WCW was all kinds of awesome? They were putting on great main events with Hogan, Luger, Savage, even Piper, and finally Sting. After that run though, people got tired of those guys yet those same guys were paraded around for years after as the main event. Ratings and Pay Per View buys declined as this happened. TNA's ratings have been stagnant regardless of which former stars they have brought in and that's probably not going to change any time soon.

Bound for Glory can have a nostalgia match and I have no problem with it. What I do have a problem with is that match being the MAIN EVENT or even the semi main event. Let's be honest though, it IS the main event. Somewhere along the line, control of a company became more important than the title of said company so that whole 5 months of building Bobby Roode through the BFG tournament, it's second fiddle to the old guys. Thus, when you have a chance to build Roode here into a legit superstar, you aren't doing it because it's more important to try and get some buys in the short term. And that's the problem Eric Bischoff has always had. It was always "how can we win today", not "how can we be awesome for years and years and years".

So while nostalgia junkies will eat it up and regardless of match quality will love it, I find it detrimental to TNA on the whole. Until this company FULLY gets behind building superstars, and that means your main storylines involve those people, you aren't going to make any real progress. Don't believe me? When WCW fans were tiring of Hogan, Savage, Sting, Luger, etc in the main event, they switched over to the WWF who had young guys like Rock, Steve Austin, Taker (who didn't really main event until 1997), Triple H, and later Kurt Angle, Brock Lesnar, etc main eventing their shows. WWF continued to move forward and create stars which is why they are alive and WCW is dead.

Last point, the Bret/McMahon match was brought up. Well, that match sucked from a technical standpoint. It was a beatdown of Vince (which ironically should have been what happened to Hogan in 1997 at Starrcade but that's for another thread) and that's what it should have been. Still, it was like the 5th most hyped match on the card behind HBK/Taker 2, both title matches (specifically Cena/Batista in a clash of the titans) and ok it's the 4th most hyped. Still, you had MUCH bigger matches and the build for them given TV time was greater even though the Bret/Vince thing had 13 years behind it. The reason? Cena/Batista and Taker/HBK are bigger sellers despite the biggest wrestling story EVER being being Bret/Vince. The match wasn't going to be as good so it's a midcard match. Do Sting/Hogan with a better story and do it in the middle of the card and MAYBE you have something. Doing it as your main event with control of the company on the line (which is what the promos have been about for months) and it's not so good. That's all I'm saying.

 

[dansaun77]

No no no no these guys should only be in the ring to elevate younger talent. Hart vs ,cMahon was a disgraceful, match and took so much off Bret Hart's legacy.
Hogan or Flair should be putting over Robert Roode at BFG, not throwing him starit into staring at the ceiling to Angle. They destroyed Crimosns push, now they going to bury Roode. This is why TNA is the rubbish it has become. Hogan cant walk properly for christ sakes. Flair is a disgrace. Sting is a parody of himself. Joke. Dumb thread

 

[wrestlingfanusa]

i said on another thread i would like to see the hogan vs sting match be a gimmick match of sorts either that or throw flair in there for triple threat match if not that then if u want a good card then flair vs a up and comer in a feud and sting vs hogan gimmick match i dont see any reason why flair should be top of card unless he is putting someone over heres how it works to me if he puts someone over that makes them a star if they use the rub and get over the more stars they have the bigger they become the more money they make and more traveling and eventually tna can go on the road like wwe does i wouldnt mind seeing them tape impact on the road n have once in a while a ppv at the impact zone but they need to leave orlando either that or please oh god please get a building that can look good on tv that can hold up to 4000 to 6000 people i mean come on tna move to somewhere impact zone is mooching off yall lol its like if someone one the lottery and his whole family is asking for cash and friends too

 

[TheBWO]

As much as I am a fan of nostalgia (with reasoning....I don't want to go to some camp fairgrounds and see Koko B Ware against Tommy Rich just because they happen to be in town), I'm kind of iffy on the angle. I know that HBK carried Flair in his "retirement" match, and really----at that time, I was really impressed with Flair--completely impressed--because it wasn't chop, chop, low blow, gouge to the eye, etc. It was actually moves, and I know that last night Sting and Flair tried to really incorporate that in the beginning of the match. I don't think it was as bad as it was posted earlier in the week about not being able to be shown on TV because it was so god-awful. However, I don't think it should be near the end of the show, OR the PPV. Grant it, they're top tier names.....NAMES....with little ability anymore--but that's only because of the years of abuse and aging that they both have taken. I think it still needs to be on the card, just even if it means for filler, or whatever. The announcers can refer to the winner throughout the night once it's over to further the angle, but really---think about it. What is the one thing that people remember about PPV's?? USUALLY, it's the opening match, and the ending match, and if it comes down to the three way or whatever (I've lost track) of what the deal is---then let that be what takes the show into the next week. I'm assuming it's the Roode match, and if he becomes WC, then let them usher in a new phase and put Hogan/Sting in the middle of the card during taping weeks. Don't make it the focal point as much as they would like it to be.

 

[crippler]

Ok they maybe superstars by name but there is problems with it. 1st Hogan he has used up his popularity most fans want him to just go home sick of seeing the guy that thinks wrestling still is all about him. 2nd Flair can still cut a good promo nice to see but seeing the guy in the ring is horrifying at best. He needs to retie as a wrestler be a manager only or something like that if he still wants to be on tv. 3rd Sting out of the 3 the only one that can put on a good match but people are tired of him as tna champion. Its time for him to get some of the young guys that can be superstars over and lose the Joker gimmick its a bad cheap rip off of Krimson.
Finally Any matches with these 3 against each other would and is terrifying to watch thats how bad they are only Sting can still perform. Even though they are 3 of the biggest names ever, nobody wants to see them in the ring anymore as the top guys
TNA has guys they can build the company around and do well with them. If tna still wants to use them in the ring maybe 1 match per year let the young guys have there time. The 3 of them can be backstage mentoring the young stars to be better.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

From a business standpoint, I have to agree with IDR. When it comes to name value, nobody with the exception of Kurt Angle can even remotely touch Flair, Sting or Hogan. These three men are legit wrestling icons and they'll always have the value of their name and their associations with past wrestling glory. The idea of Sting vs. Hogan at BFG will probably garner TNA more ppv buys than they've generally been getting. Or, I should say, that they've reportedly been getting. Based on what I've read, TNA's ppv buys have averaged somewhere between 7 and 10,000 buys. Can't say for certain it's true as TNA doesn't release such info but it's not out of the realm of possibility. BFG is TNA's biggest ppv of the year so it's natural to want to garner as many buys as they can. The match will probably be horrendous, but it'll also probably still draw some buys based on nostalgia value alone and for the sheer novelty of seeing Hulk Hogan wrestle on ppv for the first time in a very long time.

For me as a fan, however, I have absolutely zero interest in this match. I get that these three guys are icons and that's great. At the same time, however, I'm someone that's pretty burned out on TNA's extremely frequent use of the nostalgia factor. Again, for me, the nostalgia factor has brought some extremely uninteresting guys into TNA, has resulted in some extraordinarily lackluster matches & angles and has just taken time away from really focusing on guys that could be "the future". The way I look at Sting vs. Hogan is sort of like how I look at Bret Hart. I didn't care for Bret Hart appearing on Raw this past Monday. It was a tired, cliche` attempt to generate some nostalgia by, yet again, dusting the moth balls from Bret Hart and pull him out in front of a Canadian crowd. Bret Hart cannot wrestle, yet they put him in a tag match on Raw this past Monday. It's kind of the same with Hulk Hogan. We know that Hogan's body has had it, we know about the numerous surgeries he was having this time last year on his back and we know that he simply just cannot get it done inside the ring anymore. If a wrestler isn't physically capable of delivering a competitive, entertaining wrestling match then I've no desire to see him try to wrestle just because of feelings I may have had about stuff he did 15-25 years ago.

 

[orbdizzle]

Everything IDR said is the absolute truth. It is my hope that Dixie Carter or the powers that be at Impact Wrestling avoid reading this and similar threads because aside from IDR's initial post, everything is nonsense.

Why is the WWE the top wrestling company in the world? Because they understand what a star is. And not just a star, but a superstar. How many people on these same boards always whine and complain about guys like Batista and Cena. Both are limited in the ring, especially Batista, but they also both made a hall of a lot of money for the WWE purely because of the IT factor that they both possess. Sting and Hogan, well, they both have this IT factor. Perhaps more than any other stars as well. Their feud from WCW is one of the greatest pieces of professional wrestling lore. I do not care if the match consists of nothing more than punches, kicks and eye rakes, I will order Bound for Glory (my first TNA pay-per-view).

Also, I can promise all of you that IDR and I are not alone. Far more fans will buy the event because of Hogan vs. Sting. But fine, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. Personally, I cannot wait to see wrestling history unfold before my very eyes as I watch Bound for Glory. The rest of you, well, feel free to go watch highlight videos of your new hero Bubba Ray Dudley or you can always pop in some recorded VHS videos of some good, old ROH porn. But while you do that, IDR and I will be watching the last match for two of the industry's greatest stars and the final culmination to one of the industry's greatest feuds.

 

[shooter_mcgavin]

For me as a fan, however, I have absolutely zero interest in this match. I get that these three guys are icons and that's great. At the same time, however, I'm someone that's pretty burned out on TNA's extremely frequent use of the nostalgia factor.

That's the thing though ... if you a hardcore wrestling fan is not going buy BFG because of Hogan/Flair/Sting who is going to?

The casual fan who used to be a Hogan/Sting fan from the 80's and 90's? If you were to ask someone who was a fan of Hogan and Sting in their eras and ask if they were going to shell out money to watch Hogan wrestle again, I can assume the changes for them saying yes is very minimal.

Today's modern fans? Your average 15 to 20 year old has not nostalgia attatchements to Hoga and Sting. Most werent even born yet during Hogan's peak.

 

[Brian in Austin]

So Hogan is now saying he "absolutely can't take any falls." Does anyone STILL think this match with Sting is a good idea?

 

[Raito]

Yes, you read that right.

For an angle that's received as much criticism and hatred as this has, I for one honestly can't understand why (shocking, I know).

Age aside (and I'll get into why this doesn't matter later), everything about this—absolutely everything—makes sense leading into Bound For Glory.

Morals and the law aside, why would you NOT why to force sex on every hot woman you see?

1. These men are superstars. Not in the WWE sense of the word in that anyone who has ever wrestled for Vince or his company is a "superstar", but in that these men supersede life. They are larger than it. They are super heros. They are the pioneers of the industry who have an ability few from the modern era have to captivate their audience in every facet of their game – in the ring and out. Again, age aside for the moment, why would you not want to utilize this to tell a story that fans (note: not just internet fans) want to see?​

I know right! Its like - Injury and death aside, why would you NOT want to jump off a building!

The nostalgic history of these three men is undeniably entertaining for anyone who can appreciate both nostalgia and the matches these men made infamous all those years ago. Again, why would you not want to utilize this to tell a story that fans want to see?

Need to feed yourself, support your family, pay rent and do anything that requires money - why would you NOT want to be unemployed.

(lol at fans want to see that match)

2.
Not every match needs to be a technical five-star physical bout in order to be successful, and not every performer needs to be capable of wrestling like AJ Styles, regardless of what you've read on the internet. Wrestling is about telling a story. Match "quality", as in the quality of the physical performance alone, is only a part of that, and a minor one at that (though there are a number of people who'd have you believe otherwise here). The single most important aspect is the psychology of the match-up and how well executed it is, which is determined by how well the crowd takes to the event. As was seen by the crowd reaction to Sting/Flair, I have no question that Sting/Hogan is fully capable of achieving the exact same effect, if not bettering it..

You really see things deeply, so insightful. Im inspired. Impact should be too! They should have a Owen vs Eddie vs Benoit triple threat match where the winner goes on to face Mae Young for the WWE title. The fact they are dead and that Mae Young isnt the WWE champion and that they can't have WWE title matches aside, why would you NOT want this match?

Obviously at their age and at the level of their diminished ability, a five-star match isn't a realistic expectation, but that's not to say that a good-to-great match can't still take place if the story in place and psychological build of the match does enough to mask the obvious negatives of the physical limitations of all parities involved, which TNA is certainly on the track to achieve at the moment.

Obviously gravity is pulling us towards near the centre of the earth, but thats not to say you can't float away into the sky if you just belive!

As far as I'm concerned, this is a winning scenario for the company heading into the biggest PPV of the year so long as the right guy wins and wins in the right way. The story thus far has been told exactly as it should be, so so long as the conclusion doesn't spoil the climax to this, we, as viewers and as fans, should be in for a treat of an event come October 16th. That is, of course, if you don't go into this with a handful of unruly and illogical expectations like this being the greatest match of the year, of all-time or being some kind of tactical soirée. A little perspective will go a long way in appreciating this for what it is.

Totally. When I do stuff and other people dont like it, sooo their fault yanno?

I'm sure I'l get reamed for this, and I'm sure this will be riddled with criticisms and complaints about the combined age of the competitors, but I needed to get this out, because it needed to be said. Bottom line: Sting/Flair/Hogan is the reason I'll be ordering (not streaming) Bound For Glory.

Your not rational.

You can be as polite, succinct, well spoken and calm as you like but you can't ignore heat because you like fire.

Burning aside, why would you not stand in the fire! Its so pretty!

 

[MisterRob]

IDR is clearly out of his mind. At times he can have intelligent thought but here he seems to have slipped into the same insanity that Sting did when he decided it was a good idea to take a ridiculous gimmick like the rip-off Joker.

Hogan, Sting, and Flair don’t draw ratings in TNA. Nothing DRAWS in TNA. The ratings don’t leap up when any star comes to TNA, let alone does it do that when these legends are on the screen. So if they aren’t draws then what’s the value in pushing them to the forefront? How is anything involving them building to the LONG TERM success of the product and the company right now? What young wrestlers has the Immortal angle and the Hogan/Bischoff era SPECIFICALLY made, that weren’t at those levels before?

The Immortal angle has not helped the long term success of the product, its become nothing but a way for these old legends to stay in the spotlight and overshadow everyone else, while actually doing WORSE for the younger talent in many ways.

Mr. Anderson was on fire, he had a ton of momentum and was building towards actually BEING a star that might make a difference in the company. Then suddenly all that momentum was cut off, he flip flopped all over the place, and now he’s not even close to having the momentum, being as over, or even really having any direction like he did before. AJ Styles was the FACE of the company; a world champion who had finally been given the ball and was being pushed as a top star. Suddenly he’s pushed right out of the main event, demoted to the middle of the roster, and for the longest time now he’s just been lingering about doing nothing of significance. He wasn’t even close to being relevant in the Bound for Glory series… the leader of Fortune, a former World champion, and the best in your company and he’s been tossed out of the way entirely. Jeff Hardy was given a big push, turned heel and made into the Anti-Christ… but that proved an utter failure and now he’s just a known drug addict who has no connection to Immortal it seems and is just going around trying to gain the sympathies of everyone.

Fortune’s not out to get rid of Immortal and gain the rub and momentum from finally killing the stable and getting rid of Hogan, nope. Mr. Anderson isn't out to be the man to kill Immortal and become the top star in the company by taking that spotlight. Nope. Jeff Hardy hasn't even returned to reclaim his top spot and turn on Immortal to become the face that kills Immortal and gains revenge in some silly angle where they're to blame for what he was turned into. Nope, not even that. Whose the sole hero? Sting is! That’s new. That’ll help build a future star for the company when the old guys are gone. The current World champion is Kurt Angle; that’s new. And before him it was Sting. Mr. Anderson was champion for the briefest time, but that was so forgettable and pointless a reign no one even remembers and Anderson has gained nothing from it. Absolutely nothing.

It’s fantastic that IDR is such a huge fan of nostalgia that Hogan/Sting is the REASON he’s ordering the PPV. It’s great that he seems to feel fine with the fact Hogan/Sting is being pushed as the main event of the card and its being given a greater spotlight then even the World championship match between Angle and Roode; and sorry, Hart/McMahon was a success because it DIDN'T do that. It was in the mid card, it was given the spot it needed to have, while the company still was carried by its main event TITLE matches and Undertaker/Shawn Michaels. Hogan/Sting isn't going tobe some big draw. Its not going to bring in some great PPV buy. And so all that matters is the long term success of the angle and its done absolutely nothing for TNA long term; its gotten no one of significance over as THE future star (Oh, except Bully fucking Ray!), its done nothing to guide the direction of the company in a positive way, and the payoff is poor.

Sting wins and gets rid of Hogan and Bischoff. Sting then rides off into the sunset, leaving behind the glorious landscape of a TNA roster that got absolutely nothing from an entire year or whatever of an angle and now has to find a new direction and start building again, with less STAR POWER, as you point out.


Hurray for Impact wrestling!

 

[aaronmb]

Hell, Id buy the PPV if it went like this... Have them make it a tag match..Sting and Flair vs Hogan and Vince Russo. Winner takes over TNA...Loses leaves. Barely make it a match, and have Sting and Flair do the submissions on both guys. Maybe even make Bischoff the ref. At the end, they all break character and hug with the roster coming out.

 

[itssoeasy123]

IDK, I know your a TNA mark, and you do seem rational sometimes, but are you seriously going to pay money to see Hogan vs Sting? Now, Hogan has had 8 back surgeries over the last few years, and Hogan himself said "he can't take any falls." So, basically, your looking at a match where one guy can't take a bump, and the other guy has done nothing of note since coming back except ripping off another dead actor's movie character.

By the way, how in the hell are Hogan and Sting draws? Because, even though house show attendance may have went up, ratings haven't. Fact is, anybody who goes to TNA won't benefit the company in the long term. Sting didn't boost ratings, Hogan boosted ratings for 1 week, and former "WWE megastar turned disrespectful junkie" Jeff Hardy didn't do anything for ratings. Even the self-proclaimed "rockstar" Rob Van Dam didn't increase ratings. Anderson, nope, Angle, nope, Matt Hardy, nope. How are they draws. Point is, anybody that goes to TNA loses their relevance, and it's happened with even the biggest stars. Jeff Hardy and Kurt Angle were huge stars in WWE, after they go to TNA, nothing boosted besides house show attendance. Viewership, ratings, buyrates, are still the same as they were 8 years ago.

There also nostalgia. The word that so many people use to have an excuse to live in the 90's. Let me tell you something, I couldn't give a rats ass about Hogan, or Sting, or Flair for that matter, wrestling in a ring in 2011. Flair is old and run-down, and he's a shell of his former self. Hogan can't take a bump anymore. Hell, TNA's slogan shouldn't be "Wrestling Matters", it should be "Nostalgia matters," because ever since Hogan and Bischoff came into TNA, that's what the show has been build around. The Band, Immortal (2011 version of the NWO), Fortune (2011 version of the Four Horseman) Sting vs. Flair, Sting vs. Hogan, oh, and the facepalming ECW reunion bullshit. I just hope that when Hogan and Bischoff leaves TNA, they'll go back to using their own stars as the main focus of the show, not a guy who can't take a bump, or a guy who was relevant in 1998.

Oh, and the Bret Hart vs. Vince McMahon match is being thrown around alot lately. Yes, Bret couldn't take a bump, and Vince is older than Hogan. But, the difference is it's not the center part of the show, the two Championship matches, plus HBK and Undertaker, was being build up immensely, and Bret vs. McMahon, instead of being the main feud going into Wrestlemania, was the middle part of the show. Sure, that match was atrocious (bet you we won't be hearing that about Hogan/Sting from TNA fans) but it did have a very heated storyline, the controversial "Montreal Screwjob." The fact should remain that, even though it was a clusterfuck of a match, it had to be done, to put closer to Montreal, and to move on.

Hogan vs. Sting, besides Starcade '97, really have no history together. Their just two guys who walked separate paths, clashed at one point, and them separated again. Hell, Flair and Sting have more on a history than Hogan and Sting do.

 

[The Hardcore Kid]

Here's the thing. Sting can still wrestle reasonably well and tell a story. Flair is old, but can still tell a story in the ring like almost nobody else. Hogan, on the other hand, is one back body drop away from being in a wheelchair for the rest of his life. He is going to be totally lifeless in the ring. One of your biggest arguments is the nostalgia/drawing factor, but that's literally ALL they're going on. You said a match needs more than JUST technical prowess to succeed. Well, a match needs way more than JUST nostalgia to sell. And to me, this is JUST nostalgia.

I remember watching Sting/Flair at the last Nitro in 2001 and thinking "Man, these guys are getting old..." and here we are, 10 years later. Nostalgia can't carry it alone.

 

[TheBWO]

(seems like someone is new to the game and has the ability to suck up to one of the main posters in threads, but I digress).

Not that it matters really, but IF Hogan is legitimately saying that he can no longer take a fall.....IF that is true...then one of two things will happen (actually one now that I think about it). Initially, I was going to say that if he can't take a fall, then everyone who paid money for it, --well, prepare yourself for a swerve of some kind. Not sure how, but Sting will be laid out back, or Hogan will (and then undoubtedly, break ground for another storyline as to who did the attack and then this whole current angle will fade away)---OR--Hogan will man up, and maybe not let Sting give him any back drops, etc., but will allow him basically to get beat up (a la McMahon vs. Hart....it's still possible to do without falling on your back...remember,...Hogan has those castastrophic punches that he attempts to throw at the forehead) Either way, Hogan will save face somehow because if he's hurt, then that's fine and understandable, but he's not going to actually throw the match like a punk. He still carries a name in the business, although somewhat tainted.

I think it's a decent angle, but I honestly think it's run it's course and needs to be filed away as "complete"--give Sting time off (because the joker too, has run it's course, and you can already see time coming where Sting will need time off. He's about right on schedule)

 

[iwinulose]

ok im sorry but this is stupid, i get where your coming from and maybe 20 years ago i would have agreed. in other words your reasoning on this is flawed. if hogan flair and sting were in their primes then yes this would have been great, maybe 10 or 20 years ago. but as someone who watched sting and ric flairs match it was horrifying. flair should not have been in that ring, the bumps he took made my jaw drop, it hurt to watch. sure hogan is a lil younger then flair by a few years, but who is to say that hogn vs sting isnt going to be just as bad as sting vs flair? whats gonna happen when hogan is in the hospitol getting emergancy surgery? sure maybe, just maybe he will look back and it and think wth was i thinking? sting hogan and flair are all fossils at this point, sting should be nearing the end of his career one his contract expires(if not sooner, he should have left along time ago). hogan and flair are old and shouldnt be anywhere near a ring unless watching as a fan.

 

[Brian in Austin]

The Sting/Flair match was not a good match. The Sting/Hogan match will not be a good match. So what was the point of that one last night and what is the point of Hogan v. Sting?

 

[JackRabbitt]

I completely agree that Sting v. Hogan is GOOD if not GREAT for TNA. Anything that has involved Sting since Hogan has come to TNA has validated Hogan's relevancy as a "character" and vice versa. The fact that Sting's character is so passionate about his hatred for "Hollywood" Hogan is also compelling. With over a decade past since Starrcade 97', the heat of the nWo still overshadows both of the wrestler's careers.

I was very excited when Bischoff and Hogan came to TNA and since they arrived I have had mixed emotions. I think they have done more harm than good on the whole, and I completely agree that TNA struggles to help develop their young talent into the legitimate exciting stars they have the potential to be.

I think the IWC spends a lot of time disecting the program and the politics of the business and not enough time accepting it, and enjoying it for what it is. How anybody who is a fan of wrestling and wrestling history can complain about seeing Sting, Hogan, or Ric Flair on television at this point is sacrilege. Sting has re-invented himself again, and the only failure of his joker gimic is not taking it far enough. Ric Flair, physical ability aside, is at the absolute top of his performance game. His promos are LEGENDARY now, better than ever before, and by far the best in the entire organization. Next to Flair, Hogan and Sting are still the best on the mic that TNA has to offer. PERIOD, case closed. There is no one better or even in the league of those three men on the whole damn roster when it comes to wrestling psychology and perpetuating a story line.

Sting and Hogan is the most interesting feud in the company, bar none. It is the sole reason why I tune in every week, and the only reason why I give a damn about anybody else in the company.

Starrcade 97 was never resolved. Sting/ Hogan was never resolved. nWo was never resolved. This is frustrating for a fan, and a Sting and Hogan match has the potential to bury once and for all a lot of anxiety that looms over wrestling in general, and specifically the fall of WCW and the slow rise of TNA. If I have one complaint about this potential match, its that it is happening too soon, with insufficient exploration into the "redemption" of the Hulk Hogan character, and ridding him of the evil influence of Eric Bischoff.

The crowd heat for this match will be by far the best TNA has felt in the entireity of its existence, and I hope they can use it as a platform to really take the product to the next level, top to bottom.

 

[Da Muddaship]

I've been watching since Georgia Championship Wrestling in '83, and I simply don't understand it. I have LOVED all three of these guys from the jump, but unfortunately only one of these three can legitimately go anymore (Sting). For those who say he can't, tell me you weren't marking out at the prospect of Sting vs. UT for WM27; it sets these boards on fire. Flair still has a little left, but it kills every longtime wrestling fan to see him try to prove it. He has finally, sadly, become a shadow of himself in the ring, and NOBODY WANTED TO SEE THIS. That's why everybody was so happy for him at 'Mania 24, 'cause we could remember him going out respectably and with dignity.
As for Hogan, even he freely admits his days in the ring are long gone, and why he would risk his still-ailing back for one more payday is beyond me. He has now become a caricature of a caricature of himself, and that's sad to see too. He really may not know anymore where Hulk Hogan ends and Terry Bollea begins. Once upon a time, wrestlers well past their prime used to manage the young studs and let them do the fighting for them, all the while putting them over......oops, think I just cussed at Hogan so that's CLEARLY NOT GONNA HAPPEN HERE. I know Ric's hanging around for the money, but he had that waiting for him at the end of his 'E' deal, and pride got in the way. The shame of it all is Hulk & Ric have to close out at a "major" PPV that will have about what, 800 or so in attendance and 10,000 buys? The two pillars of this business for the last 30 years shouldn't have had to crumble this way.....

 

[bradtech519]

I completely agree that Sting v. Hogan is GOOD if not GREAT for TNA. Anything that has involved Sting since Hogan has come to TNA has validated Hogan's relevancy as a "character" and vice versa. The fact that Sting's character is so passionate about his hatred for "Hollywood" Hogan is also compelling. With over a decade past since Starrcade 97', the heat of the nWo still overshadows both of the wrestler's careers.

I was very excited when Bischoff and Hogan came to TNA and since they arrived I have had mixed emotions. I think they have done more harm than good on the whole, and I completely agree that TNA struggles to help develop their young talent into the legitimate exciting stars they have the potential to be.

I think the IWC spends a lot of time disecting the program and the politics of the business and not enough time accepting it, and enjoying it for what it is. How anybody who is a fan of wrestling and wrestling history can complain about seeing Sting, Hogan, or Ric Flair on television at this point is sacrilege. Sting has re-invented himself again, and the only failure of his joker gimic is not taking it far enough. Ric Flair, physical ability aside, is at the absolute top of his performance game. His promos are LEGENDARY now, better than ever before, and by far the best in the entire organization. Next to Flair, Hogan and Sting are still the best on the mic that TNA has to offer. PERIOD, case closed. There is no one better or even in the league of those three men on the whole damn roster when it comes to wrestling psychology and perpetuating a story line.

Sting and Hogan is the most interesting feud in the company, bar none. It is the sole reason why I tune in every week, and the only reason why I give a damn about anybody else in the company.

Starrcade 97 was never resolved. Sting/ Hogan was never resolved. nWo was never resolved. This is frustrating for a fan, and a Sting and Hogan match has the potential to bury once and for all a lot of anxiety that looms over wrestling in general, and specifically the fall of WCW and the slow rise of TNA. If I have one complaint about this potential match, its that it is happening too soon, with insufficient exploration into the "redemption" of the Hulk Hogan character, and ridding him of the evil influence of Eric Bischoff.

The crowd heat for this match will be by far the best TNA has felt in the entireity of its existence, and I hope they can use it as a platform to really take the product to the next level, top to bottom.

I agree this WILL be the last time probably before both are dead they meet again in a ring. That means something to myself being born in 82, and watching Prowrestling through the 80s and 90s. I'll pay to see it. I'm not expecting Mysterio vs Milenko or a ROH match. This is about storyline/entertainment. I'm sure they'll have other matches fast paced on the card. There's room for both.

 

[Dieter_Von_Cunth]

The Sting/Flair match was not a good match. The Sting/Hogan match will not be a good match. So what was the point of that one last night and what is the point of Hogan v. Sting?

Yeah you're right. Damn that stupid TNA for paying tribute to one of the best performers to ever grace a ring. A guy who stayed loyal to their company when he could have easily joined the E and probably have been payed better. Sting wanted to wrestle Flair and Hogan as his last couple of matches as an in ring performer. Those are his wishes. Who the hell are people to say how the Stinger should go out. TNA, being an appreciative company to what Sting has brought to them and the industry as a whole, is granting his wishes. Not because they have to but because they want to. Sting wasn't going to hold up the company if he couldn't wrestle Hogan and Flair for his last few matches. It's called showing respect to people for what they have done. Was the Flair vs Sting match great? No but I found it to be very entertaining. Is the Sting vs Hogan match going to be great? Hell no but can it be entertaining? Maybe I don't know. Even if it isn't, it is about saying goodbye to the Stinger and all that he has done for the wrestling industry. This is exactly what it is about. If people don't like that. That is fine too. Don't watch TNA then.