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411 Roundtable Special: Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff To TNA

October 30, 2009 | Posted by Larry Csonka

INTRO:
Welcome back to another edition of the 411 Wrestling Roundtable. This time there is not a PPV, instead we are here to talk about the biggest wrestling story of the year, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff signing with TNA. The news certainly has caused a ton of discussion, and outrage among the wrestling world. Today, some of the 411 staff gets together to discuss four questions about the big deal. Let’s meet the staff and discuss the news!

THE STAFF:
Larry Csonka: The Boss…

Shawn S. Lealos: TNA PPV Preview Guy…

Len Archibald: Author of Around the World in 24 Frames…

Aaron Hubbard: ROH recapper and writes the 4R’s of ROH every week…

Daniel Wilcox: Writes the 4R’s of Impact every week…

Scott Rutherford: Been here forever…

Ryan Byers: Everyone’s favorite writer…

Mathew Sforcina: Ask 411 guru…

Andy Clark: Former Shimmy writer and all around slacker…

Andy Critchell: Former ECW Extracts… Extracter…

WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT HOGAN SIGNING WITH TNA?
Larry Csonka: The one thing that I like about Hogan to TNA has nothing to do with domestic business. Instead, the Hulk Hogan name makes the TNA product a sexier name for the company’s international growth. Sting’s name was a big thing for the company in getting international TV deals. No offense to Sting, because he did help a lot, but Hulk Hogan is THE name to many people in pro wrestling. Hogan signing with the company could be huge for international TV expansion and tours, and that is the one aspect of TNA business, which is really good, and will only get better with this. That is the one really good thing with the signing of Hogan.

Shawn S. Lealos: His name alone will bring more ratings, more attention and a bigger fan base to TNA. I don’t care what you think of Hulk Hogan, the person, but in the business I have never heard anyone get bigger pops from the live crowd than Hulk Hogan. He is big enough to turn the fans against anyone he is opposing (see: The Rock). His name will help TNA grow, initially…

Len Archibald: Ratings, baby! Hogan is STILL the biggest name in wrestling. With him comes instant credibility among “casuals” and potential PPV buyrates. He gives something Vince McMahon has not had in almost 10 years: competition. This may light a fire under McMahon’s ass and we may see something of a “War”-like atmosphere where the WWE and TNA will play a game of “anything you can do…” that may attract more than the loyal base.

Aaron Hubbard: Well, at this point in my fandom, there are very, VERY few legitimate surprises. This surprised me. Hogan certainly has more name value than anyone in the industry and if he doesn’t boost the ratings and PPV buys, nothing barring The Rock or John Cena will. I also have the smallest, tiniest bit of hope that he will put over guys like Samoa Joe and Matt Morgan. VERY small hope, but it is there.

Daniel Wilcox: If I’m TNA, I’m liking the publicity this will garner, the likely increase in ratings (although it won’t be that big), the increased number of pay-per-view buys and generally, the financial benefits of this. As a casual wrestling fan, I’m liking the fact that one of the biggest and most important people in wrestling history will once again be on TV, soaking in the cheers of rabid Hulkamaniacs. I’ve never been a Hogan fan, but each and every time he’s back on TV, arena go crazy, and that’s what I like seeing. The atmosphere in the Impact zone when this guy shows up is going to be insane. And irrespective of what people think about him not putting people over, any in TNA not named Sting or Kurt Angle will benefit just by being in the ring with this guy as their profile is raised that much more.

Scott Rutherford: Hogan still has name value and star power and casual wrestling fans will tune in to see what the fuss is about. Hogan will put viewers in front of the TV and this has always been TNA’s weak spot. He can also help take some talented performers and give them some credence. If Hogan can stow his ego he can be invaluable backstage and in the locker room. Always a poor in-ring “wrestler” but as a performer his timing of how to lay a match out is almost unmatched. Hogan is a wealth of knowledge and could be used as an effective tool to help add seasoning to a group of raw, young wrestlers who can do pretty moves in the ring but have no clue how to make a match flow. Plus we get the long awaited Russo/Hogan rematch!

Ryan Byers: Hogan and various members of his entourage are very old school in their approach to professional wrestling. If one thing bugs me about TNA, it’s the fact that they took virtually everything that worked in old school professional wrestling and threw it out the window. That would be great if their new approach to the sport worked, but, for the most part, it has not. Though they may not have been officially announced as the bookers of the promotion, you can bet that Hogan and Bischoff are going to wield a large amount of power when it comes to the creative direction, and they may the only people who have the ability to get TNA to slow down and readopt some of the practices that have kept professional wrestling alive and kicking for the last two hundred years.

Mathew Sforcina: Well, it gets Eric Bischoff back, tangentially, into Pro Wrestling. And if he’s back, then there’s a chance that he’ll be back on TV. And I love me some Eric on TV. And frankly, Hogan and/or Eric booking is miles ahead of Russo. Hogan’s not actually a terrible booker, once you get past him and his best buddies. Hogan understands wrestling, something Russo has never done. Russo understands Russo-estling. Oh, and this is it for TNA. This is the last gasp “Needed Signing” that TNA really has, outside the totally impossible Rock. It’s time to put up or shut up. Although I guess they can argue that if they just sign Goldberg they’ll be set…

Andy Clark: This is the biggest signing in TNA history. Since TNA has been in existence they have a history of hyping up big acquisitions. Starting with Raven, to Jeff Hardy, the Outsiders, Christian, Sting, Kurt Angle, to Booker T every new addition has been hailed, either by the fans or by TNA, that this addition is what will put them over the top. While there have been steady increases over the years and even some times of critical success (Angle’s initial impact was probably the biggest felt), business has never turned around for an extended period of time. While all those wrestling stars have qualities that make them special, none of them are Hulk Hogan. In the minds of many people, casual and hardcore fans alike (hell even non-fans) Hulk Hogan=pro wrestling. TNA is not going to be rolling in cash anytime soon but bringing in the biggest star in the history of the business certainly makes them much more notable than at any other point in their seven year history.

Andy Critchell: The clear answer here is that it brings instant notoriety and recognition to TNA. Hogan is still the biggest name known to casual wrestling fans and non-fans alike. He brings a household name and even a degree of legitimacy to TNA that hasn’t been there before. Sure they’ve got Angle, sure they have Nash & Sting, but Hogan is a whole other level and everyone knows it. And for whatever it’s worth, Hogan to TNA is THE top story on every single wrestling new website on the web so there will be plenty of WWE fans that will now check out TNA if for nothing else than curiosity’s sake.



WHAT DON’T YOU LIKE ABOUT HOGAN SIGNING WITH TNA?
Larry Csonka: Two words: Creative Control. Hogan had the juice to get it with WCW, he had enough to get it with WWE, and no offence to TNA, but they aren’t WWE or WCW. Hulk Hogan with creative control and the ability to bring in his friends scares me as someone who has recently been excited with the recent TNA product.

Shawn S. Lealos: I do not want him to wrestle and, if he does, only as a special appearance. Everyone is crying about the fact that Hogan will push the younger talent down the card but if he stays out of the ring as a regular competitor, it won’t hurt A.J., Joe, Daniels or anyone else. I have read his role might not even be as a wrestler, so I am holding out hope, but I know his ego might want him to climb back into the ring. I have to say I hate the idea of Hulk Hogan coming to TNA. They have finally turned the corner and are building a solid future for the company by pushing their homegrown talent. I think Hulk Hogan will disrupt that. Kurt Angle is the perfect veteran because he will always put over a deserving superstar. Hogan won’t. Keep him out of the ring.

Len Archibald: From my Fact or Fiction: I’m gonna tell you the truth: I’m a Hulk Hogan mark. I think he may be the most important figure outside of Vince McMahon to professional wrestling. Also, after Bound For Glory, I obtained a renewed interest and faith in TNA. I watched IMPACT with a sense of glee that I haven’t felt in a LONG time. Rhino’s passionate promo about “management” holding the veterans back. Angle’s admittance that he was wrong about the youngun’s of TNA – culminating in his acceptance of AJ as the MAN. Desmond Wolfe’s BEATDOWN on Angle. The seeming arrivals of Hernandez, Eric Young and the MCMG’s as legitimate threats and players on the up. Hogan coming in will undo ALL of that.

Seriously, look at it this way: Hogan comes in – if he arrives as a heel, he instantly becomes the #1 heel in the company. AJ is the #1 face. They would have to come to a head. Storyline wise, it would be RIGHT for Hogan to win the title and have AJ chase him; but that would destroy everything TNA has done in establishing AJ as the guy TNA has relied on. What if Hogan gets his way (with Russo?) and becomes the TNA Champ? Idealistically, the only man who could possibly take him down would be who? Sting. The guy who just laid down so AJ could take the claim as the best TNA has. Sigh. So many ideas. So many ways to go.

Honestly, the ONLY way Hogan in TNA is going to work is if he comes in with the intention of “making” some stars. He would have to accept being a “mid-card” act, and allow AJ, Angle, Joe, Daniels, Wolfe and the World Elite to take the majority of the spotlight. Sure, give him fanfare and a BIG story upon his arrival, but he would have to be phased into a role that is more akin to what Kevin Nash is doing. But honestly, can YOU see Hogan accepting anything BUT the main event?

Sorry for the rant, but this is hard. Hogan, you got me into pro wrestling, but seriously, dude. Your time has passed. I’m not making any markish declarations that “TNA is the future” or some crazy shit, but pro wrestling needs SOMETHING representative of “a future” and for the time being, TNA was on the path to becoming part of that. His signing has actually set the company back about 4 years.

Aaron Hubbard: I don’t care if Hogan is horrible in the ring. What I DO care about is his ego. He’ll come in here, the ratings will go up, and Hogan will say it’s all because of him (which will be justified, but it kills the morale of the roster). Hogan working for anyone bar Vince McMahon or himself is bad for the company that hires him. The man is a legend and made more money than anyone, but he is a poison that will ultimately kill TNA if he “runs wild”.

Daniel Wilcox: The fact that at some point, he will likely be wrestling. The fact that he’s going to take a hell of a lot of TV time away from some of the young guys TNA has been working on building up recently. Ha, remember that time last week when everyone was going crazy about how TNA was FINALLY going to push the young guys. It was never going to last, was it?

Scott Rutherford: The flip side of my first answer. Hogan will put people in front of the TV but TNA has to make sure Hogan doesn’t become “the man”. His ego is going to be the biggest stumbling block and the single worse thing TNA management can do is to put the title on him or make him a regular part of the main event. Hogan is going to have to get in the ring to make his run worthwhile and while I don’t think he has to job to everything that moves, he can’t be going over the top guys or doing 50/50 feuds. Does anyone remember Dusty Rhodes run in ECW? That’s what I’m talking about.

Ryan Byers: The last time Hogan did something similar to this (i.e. signing with WCW) the entire promotion changed overnight, with the Hulkster grabbing almost complete creative control and bringing his friends in to be the promotion’s stars. Though I’m hardly the biggest TNA fan on the planet, I shudder when I think of possibility of Jim Duggan beating AJ Styles in fifteen seconds, similar to what happened when the Hogan-backed Duggan met up with Steve Austin in WCW, who up until that point had been pegged as the can’t miss future leader of the company.

Mathew Sforcina: Well, for starters, that it didn’t happen 2 weeks ago and thus Cornette might have stuck around, if Russo gets the boot. Not that Cornette and Hogan get on any better but I do think there’s some small level of respect there, rather than the gnawing hatred betwix Russo and Jimmy. But it’s all the obvious stuff. The cronies. The egocentric booking. The no one above a certain weight/height in the main event. All the old problems. But hey, you never know, Hogan might totally blow his knees out tomorrow and be forced to stick to booking…

Andy Clark: Unlike many I don’t really fear Hogan burying the young talent or stinking it up in the ring. My biggest issue with Hogan’s arrival is the way they are presenting it. TNA is already hyping Hogan’s TNA debut for this Thursday on Impact. With the tapings over and done with that means the first glimpse of Hogan on TNA programming will be in a post-edited backstage segment, or possibly clips of Hogan’s press conference. The first time fans see Hulk Hogan on TNA programming should be in the middle of the ring. Most will say it should be on PPV, but I think this would be the perfect time for another live Impact special so that the most number of people will be able to see it and get some buzz going about the product.

Andy Critchell: At the end of the day, Hogan is the poster child for a wrestler that is going past his prime and living off his past in the everlasting search for one more buck. I don’t begrudge him for it, but the fact that Hogan is still a huge name seems to lead him to believe that he should be THE focus of the promotion. It’s no secret that often times it is the athlete that is the last to know that he can’t perform at a high level anymore and it is also no secret that you don’t achieve the level of stardom that Hogan has reached without a massive ego. You put those together and you have a recipe for disaster. I’m sure at the beginning Hogan will talk about putting young guys over and “doing what’s right for the business” but his personal history tells me that won’t happen. But regardless of all that the temptation with Hogan, especially for a company trying to make a name for itself, is to make him the focus of the promotion, which does none of the “homegrown” TNA, stars NO favors. Finally, it seems to me that Hogan has some kind of ax to grind with WWE, or at the very least he wants to make it appear that way what with his press conference at MSG which WWE views as it’s home arena and the more TNA mentions/infers WWE, the more people are going to think about changing the channel.



DO YOU THINK ERIC BISCHOFF CAN HELP EXPAND THE TNA PRODUCT?
Larry Csonka: I hope so. I want to provide a resounding yes, but selling wrestling is not always easy. But there have been rumors that VERSUS, G4, CMT and others are interested in working with Bischoff-Hervey productions, and the name Hulk Hogan carries weight. TNA’s deal with SpikeTV allows them to shop new shows around to other networks if Spike passes on them, so Bischoff will be trying to get TNA new shows. TNA has had interest in the past in launching new shows for the Knockouts, the X-Division, and the online Spin Cycle show. I have hope, and this COULD be great for TNA.

Shawn S. Lealos: Absolutely. Eric Bischoff single handedly built WCW into a dominant force into professional wrestling, only short years after it almost went under. Yes, he had Ted Turner’s money but he knew how to use it at the time. As long as he doesn’t have a hand in bringing in the “wrong kind of talent” (and Nash is already there) he should be a good addition to the marketing team. He is one of the best businessmen in wrestling if he doesn’t have too big a hand in the booking.

Len Archibald: There is no doubt about that. He STARTED the Monday Night War. He was a television exec that became a wrestling phenom in his own right. If he has the money and backing of his ideas, he can give more mainstream attention to TNA in 1 year than what they’ve done in five.

Aaron Hubbard: I certainly think so. Eric is a very creative and very tenacious individual who can squeeze dimes out of pennies. He also has no fear and will help promote people. And while he isn’t McMahon, perhaps Bischoff can help control the creative team’s crazier ideas so people WANT to tune in next week and tell their friends about TNA.

Daniel Wilcox: Oh yeah, definitely. Whatever role Bischoff is given, he will excel at. For my money he is one of the most intelligent minds in wrestling history, more so than Paul Heyman who everyone wants to be given the book in TNA. I was disappointed in hearing Bisch wouldn’t have an impact on the day-to-day creative aspect of TNA, but even in terms of promotion the guy has a lot to offer and any input he has will be of tremendous benefit for TNA.

Scott Rutherford: I wouldn’t be at all surprised if Bischoff is the actual “prize” signing for TNA and to get him that had to go through Hogan. For all the crap that is laid at his feet, Eric TNA would be epically retarded not to take advantage of the man that nearly crippled Vince.

Ryan Byers: No. Bischoff has connections in the television industry, there’s no doubt about that. He did a fine job of keeping Hogan’s reality show on TV for years, his project with Scott Baio was critically acclaimed, and he even got Hogan’s Celebrity Wrestling off the ground. However, no matter how connected a person is, there are some things that he just can’t get to work. Major television outlets aren’t looking to add professional wrestling programming to their lineups right now, which is a hard lesson that WWE learned when their deal with CW came due a few years ago. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bischoff manages to get a second TNA TV show on some station other than Spike, but I will be amazed if it’s a network bigger than Spike or if anybody other than current TNA fans actually tunes in to watch it.

Mathew Sforcina: Yes. Bischoff knows Wrestling, and he knows business. TNA needs someone like Bischoff to really SELL TNA in the marketplace. They need a Don West in the Boardroom, basically. And Bischoff can do that. And hell, once again, can’t be worse than Russo.

Andy Clark: Yes. Is he going to make it the new global face of wrestling? Absolutely not. But any little bit helps and Bischoff has enough contacts in the television world that TNA HAS to grow. Bischoff should probably be able to sell a second TNA show to some wayward network, increasing TNA’s overall exposure. I suppose Bischoff’s (perceived) WCW reputation may hurt him a bit in selling a wrestling product, but it would almost be too hard not to help in some capacity.

Andy Critchell: Yes, of course. If nothing else Bischoff has a great mind for business and he has been very successful producing several reality shows. Bischoff and his production company should be able to find/create/exploit synergies between TNA and Spike TV that can only raise the profile of TNA and expand the product. Sure a measure of his WCW success can be attributed to “right place, right time,” but someone had to have the vision to take advantage of the situation and Bischoff was that someone.



DO YOU WANT TO SEE BISCHOFF ON TNA TV?

Larry Csonka: I like Eric and think that he is a good promo and a good performer, but I really want to move away from the authority figure. I personally want Eric to work behind the scenes and do his magic with Jason Hervey in expanding the TNA product both domestically and internationally. Eric is a good character, but I don’t think that he would add that much to the current TV product, and that is why I don’t really need him on TV, no offense to the man intended.

Shawn S. Lealos: Sure, why not. He is a great on air character and people love to hate him. Let him come in and manage someone, kind of like what Don West is doing for Red. Bischoff is a fun character.

Len Archibald: Hells to the yes. Bischoff was one of the most polarizing characters in wrestling history. He has a tone and manner of speaking that instantly = A1 Douchebag. If he took a managerial role for any heel, they become an instant player. If he goes behind the announcer’s booth, he will be a great antagonist. If he takes up an authoritative role, he will bring hell for the faces. Either way, he’ll be entertaining as hell. I STILL wish he never left as RAW GM, as he was the one constant that made the show watchable in its dark days.

Aaron Hubbard: More than I do Hogan. Bischoff plays the sleazy, power hungry coward of an authority figure to absolute perfection. He is very easy to hate and can add a lot to the company in a similar capacity as Jim Cornette served for the last few years.

Daniel Wilcox: More so than Hulk Hogan, if I am honest. I love Bischoff and I don’t quite understand why WWE ever took him off of TV. Whether it’s as an authority figure or a manager, long term or short term, I just want to see The Bisch back on TV. I’d love to see him managing a guy like Joe, Angle or even Nash. He’s a phenomenal talent and I really hope he takes a more active role in TNA, be it on TV or with the book.

Scott Rutherford: Oh hell yeah. If only Eric had formed the MEM or helped create the World elite I may have actually watched…but that has all passed. Eric would be fantastic as the “figurehead” of the show and I would tune in to see Sleazy E back on my screen.

Ryan Byers: No. He is a great television character, but I’m so tired of “authority figures” having such a prominent role on wrestling shows that it’s not even funny. We have had enough commissioners, general managers, and owners screwing with wrestlers in storyline, and it’s time to give the concept a rest for a couple of decades.

Mathew Sforcina: Yes yes yes yes yes. Eric is one of the very few guys who can pull off the Boss character and make it work, he’s in rare company. Get me Bischoff on TV!

Andy Clark: Yes. When motivated Eric Bischoff can be a compelling, well-spoken television character. I wouldn’t really want to see him as an authority figure, but as a hype man/manager/agent I think he could do very well. The most important skill in wrestling is to be able to talk people into buying a show and Bischoff (again, when motivated) has the ability to do just that.

Andy Critchell: NO, I don’t. And it’s not because it would seem like just another TNA retread, it’s because I have never realty found him to be that compelling a figure. It’s not that he is bad, it’s just that he isn’t really needed.


So there you have it, that’s what the 411 staff thinks about the situation. But what do YOU, the 411 readers think about it? Feel free to share your thoughts on the four questions in the comment section!

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