What Does Hogan's Sex Tape Mean For TNA?

[It's Damn Real!]

It's gaining more and more press, and with the news breaking now that it was likely a ploy by his "best friend" to gain financial security by secretly video taping Hogan have sex with his wife/ex-wife and subsequently leaking/selling it, I have to ask — what does this do to Hogan, and especially with regard to TNA?

How does TNA handle the reports and the media? How does it affect Hogan personally?

Rest assured, I'm absolutely not asking in any way whatsoever for this to become a work within the company, but I do think it has legitimate weight behind it, and that could legitimately upset the balance in TNA right now, no?

Thoughts on all this?

 

[Rayne]

Eh, it's 2012. You aren't famous until you make a sex tape. Twenty years ago, consensual, vanilla sex with a member of the same race might become cause for concern within a company, but I'd bet the furthest it goes within TNA is a few snide jokes cracked off camera.

The only way this will become a big deal is if TNA makes it a big deal. Otherwise, it'll blow over in a couple of weeks.

 

[ABMorales787]

Personally, this says more about people wanting to see the sex tape than Hogan himself. And of course Bubba The "Love" Sponge, if that is his real name. I mean how pathetic of a human being do you have to be to wave off your (then) wife to your best friend so you can tape them and then market that off. That's the key to all this. Bubba pretty much videotaped Hogan but the fact remains that he gave off his (then) wife to do it.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

What Rayne said. This should have no effect on TNA and their business unless they let it. I would love to see them try to exploit it but it would probably turn out pretty lame (Bubba the Love Sponge is the leader of Aces and Eights). If anything it make Hogan more interesting and give him an opportunity to promote BFG to more ears.

At this point I am dismissing the timing of the tape to the public as coincidence so close to BFG, but who knows in this day and age.

 

[kemist]

Vanilla sex with your own partner (at the time) isn't really a big deal. While it may be embarrassing to have it made public the content is hardly shocking most of us have done worse things in our own homes.

 

[hatehabsforever]

I agree with Rayne also. TNA should do absolutely nothing regarding the recently surfaced video. If they give it no attention whatsoever, it likely is a source if personal embarrassment for Hogan for a couple of weeks, and then it disappears forever. If they call attention to it, it does more harm than good. It only becomes an issue for TNA if they choose to make it one.

 

[Dilligaf]

As if anyone wants to see Hogan naked, it was bad enough seeing him in a thong during an episode of Hogan Knows Best.

Whether TNA release him because of it, is anybodys guess

A little off topic but, wasnt TNA going to offer Chyna a contract? then "Backdoor to Chyna" releases, then when TNA found out about it they retracted the offer.

But its gotta be embrassing to see its on the internet, and from the stories off of the main WZ page, HH is not too best pleased its come out.

 

[Jerichoholic8894]

If anything, TNA will let Hogan take the time off to do whatever lawsuits he's wanting to bring upon Bubba. But other than that, sex tapes aren't really a big deal anymore.

As said by Rayne, it's only anything to TNA if they make it anything.

 

[multiverseman.com]

It means nothing unless they use it in storylines. If they did, it could mean alot. I'm still not completely sure Hogan didn't leak it himself.

If he did and they use it, it'd be great for them.

It'd be hilarious if they tried to say Aces & Eights leaked it haha

 

[kcoe24]

All it means is i have another reason to hate and make fun of him for.

If this was the WWE maybe the would make a big deal about it but TNA isn't nearly as image conscious and will just let this slid with no ramafacations on or off air.

Maybe if it was a smaller guy they would punish him but it's Hogan and it will all slide right under the table.

 

[OutsiderDX]

Yes a sex tape, how embarrassing for Hogan.

So embarrassing, he goes on national shows to talk about it.

This guy is just a disgusting self-promoter. No matter if its positive or negative, he NEEDS attention.

 

[JJYanks121]

I've had my suspicions that Hogan himself has something to do with the tape coming out now. I mean, the timing is pretty perfect isn't it?

Think about it. The tape comes out just a couple of weeks before his company's biggest show of the year. Hogan was just on Howard Stern and the Today Show to talk about it. Do you think those programs would want Hulk on just to promote Bound For Glory? I doubt it. However, to talk about a sex tape? Sure, and then once there, they have to promote what Hogan is doing outside of the video. I do believe Hogan is smart enough to realize this and while the tape "devastates" him, he probably made sure it came out now so he could at least capitalize on it.

I don't know if it will make a big difference, but because of the tape, more people are talking about Hogan and maybe a few will talk about TNA which is also mentioned in the interviews he's doing. Any publicity is good publicity and I believe that's what happened here. Will it help? Probably not much, but I could see Hogan deeming it worth a shot.

 

[HBsam31]

I agree with Rayne to. I don't see this as being to big of a deal in this day and age. Heck they may even get a few more viewers just out of wanting to see the guy in the sex tape on tv. They may even crack a few jokes about it. It's pretty sad though that a guy would give his own wife up just to market a sex tape with her and his best friend.

 

[a member of wwe universe]

The controversial sex tape brings mainstream media attention and create massive publicity. Controversial creates cash. Hogan is a popular sports entertainer in the sport entertainment industry. His star power and his 24 inch python will bring massive attention.

 

[Slash-LN]

Vanilla sex with your own partner (at the time) isn't really a big deal. While it may be embarrassing to have it made public the content is hardly shocking most of us have done worse things in our own homes.

Except it wasn't his own partner. It was Bubba's wife and at the time Hulk was still married to Linda.

So Bubba allowed his then wife to Have sex with Hogan so they could sell the tape later to make a big payday.

I'm curious as to why they waited 6 years to release the tape. Is Bubba hurting for money? Would he split the money with his now ex wife? Are there other tapes with other celebrities?

Hulk could definitely press charges since he claimed he didn't know he was being filmed.

I'm not one of the people who feels Hogan did this to get more mainstream attention on TNA. Even though I wouldn't put anything past him I just couldn't see those in charge thinking it is a very good idea.

 

[Serious Mozzarella]

It's not going to do anything negative for him. He's either going to kill the story quickly, and it won't be around long enough to impact TNA in any way, or it's going to bring his name into the national spotlight, and therefore TNA. This really is a non-issue.

 

[shattered dreams]

I've had my suspicions that Hogan himself has something to do with the tape coming out now. I mean, the timing is pretty perfect isn't it?

Think about it. The tape comes out just a couple of weeks before his company's biggest show of the year. Hogan was just on Howard Stern and the Today Show to talk about it. Do you think those programs would want Hulk on just to promote Bound For Glory? I doubt it. However, to talk about a sex tape? Sure, and then once there, they have to promote what Hogan is doing outside of the video. I do believe Hogan is smart enough to realize this and while the tape "devastates" him, he probably made sure it came out now so he could at least capitalize on it.

I don't know if it will make a big difference, but because of the tape, more people are talking about Hogan and maybe a few will talk about TNA which is also mentioned in the interviews he's doing. Any publicity is good publicity and I believe that's what happened here. Will it help? Probably not much, but I could see Hogan deeming it worth a shot.

I can see how it would be easy to jump to these conclusions but I am not sure this really adds up. First, off Hogan was on these shows before previous BFG's without a sex tape. I am not sure if this is really perfect. He goes on these shows and people spend most of the time talking about the sex tape and almost no focus on TNA except for an obligatory plug here and a joke about the name there. It is hurting the Hogan brand some and it remains to be seen if it will mean no publicity is bad publicity for TNA. I have my doubts on this really providing a boost. Second off, either Hogan is a much better actor than people give him credit for or he really does not want this out there. Just watch any of the interviews and see what I mean. In many ways I consider the timing to suggest malicious behavior towards Hogan on the part of the person that released it.

Still, the only way this has a meaningful effect on TNA is if they work it into the show which I find unlikely.

 

[kemist]

Except it wasn't his own partner. It was Bubba's wife and at the time Hulk was still married to Linda.

So Bubba allowed his then wife to Have sex with Hogan so they could sell the tape later to make a big payday.

I'm curious as to why they waited 6 years to release the tape. Is Bubba hurting for money? Would he split the money with his now ex wife? Are there other tapes with other celebrities?

Hulk could definitely press charges since he claimed he didn't know he was being filmed.

I'm not one of the people who feels Hogan did this to get more mainstream attention on TNA. Even though I wouldn't put anything past him I just couldn't see those in charge thinking it is a very good idea.

Sorry I haven't actually seen it Still seems like no one is actually bothered by it just all using it to their own advantage.

 

[JJYanks121]

I can see how it would be easy to jump to these conclusions but I am not sure this really adds up. First, off Hogan was on these shows before previous BFG's without a sex tape. I am not sure if this is really perfect. He goes on these shows and people spend most of the time talking about the sex tape and almost no focus on TNA except for an obligatory plug here and a joke about the name there. It is hurting the Hogan brand some and it remains to be seen if it will mean no publicity is bad publicity for TNA. I have my doubts on this really providing a boost. Second off, either Hogan is a much better actor than people give him credit for or he really does not want this out there. Just watch any of the interviews and see what I mean. In many ways I consider the timing to suggest malicious behavior towards Hogan on the part of the person that released it.

Still, the only way this has a meaningful effect on TNA is if they work it into the show which I find unlikely.

No, the meaningful effect has already happened. Hogan wouldn't have been on Howard Stern the week of BFG without the sex tape being released. Yes, most of the conversation is about the issue, but BFG is mentioned quite a few times at the beginning and the end of the interview. That doesn't happen without the tape. It won't e part of a storyline and that's just stupid to suggest. It already, however, has caused a media circus which can only be seen as a positive for TNA. He didn't kill anybody, didn't get DUI, didn't break the law. He banged a girl on video and it has been released. He is acting devastated and yeah, dude has been acting since the 70's, I'd hope he can sell the idea of being disappointed. Maybe he really is, but he's not stupid either. No matter how disappointed he may be that this got out, he knows he can use this to promote his personal brand and the TNA brand and he's doing that. Gotta talk about that more, but you get the plug in, stay relevant, and hope to help your company. Pretty simple really.

 

[shattered dreams]

No, the meaningful effect has already happened. Hogan wouldn't have been on Howard Stern the week of BFG without the sex tape being released. Yes, most of the conversation is about the issue, but BFG is mentioned quite a few times at the beginning and the end of the interview. That doesn't happen without the tape. It won't e part of a storyline and that's just stupid to suggest. It already, however, has caused a media circus which can only be seen as a positive for TNA. He didn't kill anybody, didn't get DUI, didn't break the law. He banged a girl on video and it has been released. He is acting devastated and yeah, dude has been acting since the 70's, I'd hope he can sell the idea of being disappointed. Maybe he really is, but he's not stupid either. No matter how disappointed he may be that this got out, he knows he can use this to promote his personal brand and the TNA brand and he's doing that. Gotta talk about that more, but you get the plug in, stay relevant, and hope to help your company. Pretty simple really.

Dude he was on Howard last October and there was no sex tape to talk about then. Hogan has plenty of access to media without a sex tape. The only thing on the entire 1 hour interview that Hogan talked about specific to TNA was how they won't change the name. Other than that it was just the plugs which mention no specifics. A big appeal of Hogan to TNA is that he does have access to these things and he can promote their product. This issue is distracting from that. He barely even is talking about wrestling, let alone TNA. He isn't even talking about what he is doing a BFG at all. If Hogan was synonymous with TNA then maybe all this publicity about Hogan would mean something, but he isn't.

 

[JJYanks121]

Dude he was on Howard last October and there was no sex tape to talk about then. Hogan has plenty of access to media without a sex tape. The only thing on the entire 1 hour interview that Hogan talked about specific to TNA was how they won't change the name. Other than that it was just the plugs which mention no specifics. A big appeal of Hogan to TNA is that he does have access to these things and he can promote their product. This issue is distracting from that. He barely even is talking about wrestling, let alone TNA. He isn't even talking about what he is doing a BFG at all. If Hogan was synonymous with TNA then maybe all this publicity about Hogan would mean something, but he isn't.

You don't get it do you. It's not about getting on shows. He's friends with Howard so he's done so before. It's about the TIMING of it. This is the week of BFG. It's perfect timing. And it's not about how much you talk about TNA. Nobody in the mainstream wants to hear about the Aces and Eights Storyline, trust me. It's about the name being mentioned on the biggest show in radio and the name of the Big PPV being mentioned multiple times on the biggest show in radio. Howard has millions of listeners. The fact that TNA is mentioned to millions of listeners the week they are trying to sell a PPV is huge. If you can't see that, I can't help you. See, publicity isn't about talking about the event for 45 minutes, it's about WHERE it is being talked about. Talk about BFG for half an hour on local radio in Witchita, Kansas and you'll maybe intrigue a few people. Talk about it for 5 seconds on Howard Stern the week of BFG, you might gain some extra buys from people that are morbidly curious.

You see, TNA and wrestling companies in general don't concern themselves with hardcore wrestling fans. Those fans will watch wrestling regardless. That's why it doesn't matter if you have Football, presidential debates, baseball, sitcoms, or whatever else on. Wrestling fans will still tune in to watch their show. What you are concerned about is the average viewer. That viewer will see these choices and has to choose to give a wrestling product a try just like any other show on TV. The difference is that this viewer must also question whether or not to see the big stuff play out on Pay Per View which they must pay for.

The beauty of it though is that you will get people to buy the biggest shows in the year not to see stories culminate. People buy Wrestlemania to see the celebrities and what they might do. Wrestling fans buy it for the wrestling but you want that additional viewership and revenue too which is why you have people like Snooki in matches at the show. Hogan himself is a celebrity but not a big one anymore. At least not before his sex tape came out. Something like that can catapult a career, just ask Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian. Hogan has a career already so why not promote that while talking about the sex tape? The time is a bit too perfect and I do believe he hopes that people's sheer morbid curiosity about how the wrestling world will handle his affairs as well as how the fans will treat him will intrigue some people to buy the show. All I'm saying is that any publicity is good publicity, especially for a company like TNA.

 

[shattered dreams]

You don't get it do you. It's not about getting on shows. He's friends with Howard so he's done so before. It's about the TIMING of it. This is the week of BFG. It's perfect timing.

It was perfect timing last year too. You are the one that keeps saying he can't do this without a sex tape. I am just pointing out that isn't remotely true.

And it's not about how much you talk about TNA. Nobody in the mainstream wants to hear about the Aces and Eights Storyline, trust me. It's about the name being mentioned on the biggest show in radio and the name of the Big PPV being mentioned multiple times on the biggest show in radio. Howard has millions of listeners. The fact that TNA is mentioned to millions of listeners the week they are trying to sell a PPV is huge. If you can't see that, I can't help you. See, publicity isn't about talking about the event for 45 minutes, it's about WHERE it is being talked about. Talk about BFG for half an hour on local radio in Witchita, Kansas and you'll maybe intrigue a few people. Talk about it for 5 seconds on Howard Stern the week of BFG, you might gain some extra buys from people that are morbidly curious.

I am not disputing that there is value in it being mentioned. What I am disputing is that he can't get it mentioned without a sex tape. I am also disputing that hearing in passing that Hogan is the GM interests people significantly. Did they even mention Sting or Hardy in this interview?

I assume we could at least agree that the whole thing is unlikely to hurt TNA. I just don't see why people are going shell out the money for the PPV just because they have a passing interest in hearing the Hogan name in the news for something unrelated. Seems like a stretch but anything is possible I guess. Ironically the only thing related to something that could happen in TNA that I remember Howard putting over was the possibility of the sex tape coming up on impact in some way. You still have to give the casuals a reason to tune in and that hasn't really been part of the pitch because of the distraction. Hogan's big pitch for the die hards was to get him into a movie, nothing about BFG. I could see the tape being a decent thing for Hogan but I am not sure I see much there for TNA.

 

[Slash-LN]

Sorry I haven't actually seen it Still seems like no one is actually bothered by it just all using it to their own advantage.

Hogan originally said he was going to take action against whoever let it out. Then when he found out it was Bubba who recorded it he said it made him sick to his stomach. I haven't heard anything about if he is going to file charges against Bubba or not. I haven't seen or heard any of the interviews he's done in the past couple of days so I don't know where he stands on that.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Sex tapes involving celebrities have become the ultimate cliche` now. If something like this had taken place 10 or 12 years ago, then it could be something that generated a MASSIVE amount of buzz and controversy. These days, it's usually seen as a desperate attempt at garnering fame and/or attention.

I always find it funny how these tapes are "leaked" and the outrage some claim over it. This whole situation with Hogan, Bubba the Love Sponge & his wife is just...well it's kinda pathetic really. Something like this will only make TNA look desperate and, let's be honest, it's not going to be riveting television. It'll come off as a desperate ploy to pop ratings by purposely trying to generate controversy on something that, for all intents and purposes, isn't all that controversial anymore.

 

[crippler]

They may lose some viewers cuz of it but not alot to even notice I don't think this will effect TNA in anyway not like they have a pg thing going. Personally I believe as soon as TNA signed Hogan he should have been a off screen guy in the back helping young guys develop the Hulk Hogan name isn't as marketable as it was in the 80's and 90's