Shining a Spotlight 10.29.09: Hogan in TNA

Posted by Michael Weyer on 10.29.2009

Examining the pros (yes, there are some) and cons of Hogan's arrival and how it can give the company the change it needs.

Once again, I was midway through my planned column when something big hit. That, of course, is the announcement that Hulk Hogan has signed with TNA and Erich Bischoff is coming with. Therefore, I'm putting my plans off for a bit to discuss the situation. I'm sure I won't be the only one but I feel like throwing in my two cents here.
　

Past readers of my columns may know of my frustration with TNA. A company with so much potential keeps making missteps that harm its growth with fans. There's the constant over reliance on past big names, the poor booking and presentation and the fact they keep operating under the mindset they're bigger than they are. At the same time, the company does have a great base of talent and I have to admit that they've seen improvement in their shows the last few weeks.

Needless to say, the arrival of Hogan has set off a major storm of talk among the IWC, the vast majority of it negative. More than one person has complained that this is the ultimate example of TNA's obsession with the past and spending millions on a guy so past his prime it's not even funny. Not to mention how this will shift the already highly political backstage scene. I recognize all that but there's also some potential, truly, for this as a good thing for TNA.
　

Cons





We might as well get the bad stuff out of the way first. The biggest worry with the signing of Hogan is that this is the ultimate example of TNA's constant choice to sign any former big-name talent they can rather than create their own stars. Only a fool would claim money had nothing to do with Hogan's decision as his divorce is taking its toll on his bank accounts. But it's more than just the money with Hogan and that's where the major problems come in.

Even for a business known for massive egos, Hogan's is on a step above most. The horror stories abound, of course, as the man just has a need for the spotlight. It's what pushed him to keep his name around with his later WCW and WWE runs even when he wasn't in the best of shape, not to mention his reality show and movies. The guy loves the limelight. Yes, that's a requirement for a wrestler but Hogan takes it to a whole other level. Anyone who's read the last few years of WCW remembers that Hogan's refusal to cede power to the younger set was a key factor in the company's downfall. The man has always had a problem passing the torch to people. Just look at the Starrcade ‘97 match where, after an entire year of buildup, the much ballyhooed, Sting/Hogan match fell apart because of Hogan's refusal to let Sting shine and get a clean win. And I don't think I need to get into the Fingerpoke of Doom.

It's not just his ego that's a problem either. When it comes to backstage politics, Hogan may well be one of the most brilliant strategists the business has ever known. He's an expert at playing bookers and bosses like a fiddle to get his own way. That only went so far in WWF because Vince is even more hard-nosed than Hogan but in WCW, his ability to get his own way led to the company's hard times. Hogan has the problem in that he's often unable to see that what's good for him isn't what's good for the company. Thing is, he truly seems to think that he's helping, oblivious to some of the damage he does. He can be frank sometimes (like on the Ultimate Warrior DVD when he acknowledges how he helped mess up the build-up to their Halloween Havoc ‘98 match with crazy stuff) but for the most part, Hogan can't let go of that need to be on top.

It was one thing when he was able to deliver in the ring but those times are long past. The guy is 56 years old and has been through a few operations. Even Flair has known to hang it all up at last. Yes, Hogan was never that great a worker to begin with but handing a big contract to a man his age makes TNA look more like a joke than ever to most mainstream fans. We all know what we're going to see: Those crazy promos, the slow matches, the "hulking up" over and over and being put over guys much younger and more talented than he is. Is this what fans really want to see from a company striving to break out and stand on its own?




If he has creative control (and that's always been his MO) then it may get worse. No one wants a replay of 1994 WCW when Hogan pushed WCW to hire a lot of his old running buddies and we had horrible stuff like Steve Austin jobbing the US title to Jim Duggan in 30 seconds. Hopefully, Hogan is smart enough to avoid giving Ed Leslie a regular job again but having him call his own shots isn't a good thing. To many WCW fanatics, the arrival of Hogan and the transformation of WCW into the exact sort of cartoonish joke they had always been the alternative to laid the seeds for the company's eventual ending. TNA doesn't have the long history or the backing of one of the richest men alive to offset such damage. Letting Hogan run roughshod can be one of the worst moves TNA has ever made.

And let's not forget the Russo stuff. The big shock about Hogan is how he's agreed to work with Russo, who he's always had harsh feelings about. In fact, when TNA was trying to get Hogan back in ‘04 (complete with Jarrett flying to Japan to smash him with a guitar), Hogan backed out because of Russo's involvement with the company. How these two egos can work together is going to be interesting to see but the clash of wills in an already tense locker room could be the straw that breaks the camel's back as far as company morale.


Pros

There are, however, some possible benefits of this move. First off is publicity. As far as the general public is concerned, Hulk Hogan is wrestling. That's simple fact. Mention pro wrestling to most anyone and Hogan is the first person to come to mind. They don't know about his political past or his habit of messing things up, they know that where Hogan goes, it's a big deal. For TNA, a company that's always been trying to get attention, this is a huge move. Yes, initial ratings aren't everything but they should see a big spike with Hogan and the first PPV numbers should see some improvement as well.

Hogan's arrival will shift up the matches for TNA. We'll see the old stuff of him with Sting and Nash no doubt. However, while it's years past the time they'd be really good, the idea of Hogan against Angle, Abyss or even Joe are fascinating to think about and fans will want to see that, out of curiosity if nothing else. There's also the boost to merchandise as Hogan will give TNA some sales as well there.

We all know Hogan's past which I mentioned above. But the man may have changed a bit. From what I hear, his autobiography mentions him going through some real rough times and his divorce and family stuff has effected him. It may be that Hogan might see this as a second chance to really help his company instead of just himself. I've heard the interesting statement from wrestlers on radio shows that Hogan has actually done more to make guys look good than most anyone in wrestling as he doesn't try to outwrestle guys and while he may win in the end, he gives his opponent a chance to shine. If he can connect that with a real ability to help guys out, he could actually give a rub to some folks.





Another factor to consider is Bischoff. Now, it's true he won't be involved with operations in TNA in terms of booking which can be both good and bad. Good, since Bischoff's over-reliance on the same style of booking helped wreck WCW's run at the top. But the man does have a sharp mind he doesn't get enough credit for. It was Bischoff who did what no one else could, which was not only stand up to McMahon but, for a time, beat him at his own game. Even in his current position, Bischoff can help as TNA really does need to have their image enhanced and Bischoff knows marketing so he can get them more TV commercials and advertising to help TNA out.

That idea of competition is the biggest benefit to Hogan's arrival. As much as they may delude themselves, TNA has never been seen as true competition to WWE. This is a company that still does 90% of their shows out of a theme park studio before a non-paying audience. Yeah, they've grabbed some guys like Angle and Booker T but those guys were already let go from WWE anyhow. Getting Nigel McGuiness was a good move but they only had the chance because he failed the WWE physical. They have the talent but just not the power to really be seen as anywhere near the juggernaut of WWE.

But Hogan gives them that ammo. The publicity he brings will boost TNA's ratings, PPV buys and more importantly, give them the mainstream attention they've lacked before. TNA has to be careful using it, finally recognize they need to build up new talent rather than rely on the same guys they've been using the last four or five years. Hogan gives them that chance, the opportunity to bring in money and thus enhance their own roster. With Hogan, they may be able to finally take some sort of fight to Vince and that can help WWE as well. After all, Vince himself has admitted he was happiest when taking the fight to Turner as it inspired WWF to the heights of the late ‘90's. Given how things are, any shot in the arm is good not just for WWE but the business itself.


Summation


The risks are high for TNA signing Hogan. It may be a replay of WCW as his ego and need for the spotlight, along with poor matches, sinks the company deeper in the minds of fans and they won't have a billionaire to bail them out. But there are also possible benefits as he gives TNA the attention they've long needed and the money to boot. Bischoff should also be a plus as the company needs someone who knows how to market the business and if he can give input to the bookers, it can help the company too. There's still problems making it work with Russo and Hogan's infamous ego can still rear its head. But if he can tone it down and really work with the company instead of using it to boost himself, Hogan's arrival can be just the thing to really boost TNA and provide the actual competition WWE has lacked so long. It's a major turning point for the company either way and we can hope it's for the better.


Next week is my planned review of a fantastic book on a past star. For this week, the spotlight is off.