High Road/Low Road 11.06.09: Hulk Hogan In TNA
Posted by Sat & Chad Nevett on 11.06.2009
In this week's edition of the High Road/Low Road, we discuss Hulk Hogan joining TNA. Is this a smart move on TNA's part or will it be a huge mistake? Come on in and read what we have to say about the topic.
Welcome back to the High Road/Low Road!
A brief explanation of the column: Sat takes the High Road (positive view) on angles, gimmicks, and other wrestling related "stuff" while Chad Nevett takes the Low Road (negative view).
Results for World Elite:
High Road: 79%
Low Road: 16%
Both Roads: 05%
Sat: I am surprised with the number of high roads we received. I was expecting the low roads to win this week.
Chad Nevett: I was as well... until Thursday's episode of Impact where Eric Young and the World Elite took great steps to improve their problems. Young established the Global Championship with the stipulation that it will never be defended against an American or on American soil, Homicide began chasing the X-Division title, and the British Invasion made light of their suspension. Luckily, I got to write the Low Road prior to that episode or my job would have been much more difficult.
Hulk Hogan In TNA
High Road:
I like that Hulk Hogan has become a partner of TNA because it helps to increase TNA's credibility. Hogan has always been one of those guys who has made some smart business decisions and I have to believe that he would not join TNA if he did not believe that they could not compete with the WWE.
Low Road:
Or, Hogan sees a small company that is desperate for a chance to compete with the WWE that he can come into and have one final chance at glory in an environment where people won't say no to him. Hogan has always been about Hogan, not about building other companies or pushing other wrestlers. Can TNA compete with the WWE? They haven't shown it yet with ratings on par with WWE's C- and D-shows, low PPV buyrates, and shockingly low live show turnouts, but they want to compete desperately — so much so that it's the only place where Hogan can call the shots because of his name.
High Road:
With the Internet, I am rarely shocked by some of the things that happen because we know before hand that something is going to happen. The few moments that have been shocking was Kurt Angle joining TNA and John Cena entering at number 30 at the Royal Rumble. Hulk Hogan joining TNA was one of those moments because nobody saw this coming at all.
Low Road:
The initial shock of this announcement can't be denied, but that's over now, so what does it matter? How surprising the news is has little bearing on whether or not it's good news or will result in anything of quality. Hogan and TNA kept this a secret, so good for them, but with an announcement like this, it could be the only thing they do right.
High Road:
While nothing is official with Hulk Hogan wrestling, I think that eventually he will get in the ring. I think that when he does get in the ring, he will only be wrestling sporadically. I think that this is the best course of action because Hogan is a lot older and it should give his body time to recover. Plus, if he only wrestles on pay per views, that should help TNA's pay per view buy rates because that will be the only chance to see him.
Low Road:
Does anyone actually want to see Hulk Hogan wrestle again except in that ‘watching a car wreck' sort of way? The man is beyond over-the-hill and while TNA has become a company that has veterans who are past their prime compete, none have been as broken down as Hogan. To make a match featuring him watchable, his opponent would need to be among the very best in the world, not just at wrestling but at carrying matches and making their opponent look fantastic in the process. I don't think TNA has anyone of that caliber currently. While one match with Hogan may attract an audience, it would be the only one to do so.
High Road:
There are some intriguing matches when Hulk Hogan does decide to get in the ring in TNA. Some of the matches that would definitely be interesting to see would be Hogan/Foley, Hogan/Angle, Hogan/Joe, Hogan/Styles, Hogan/Lashley and Hogan/Sting. While some of these matches have happened before, I still think that people will be interested in seeing these matches.
Low Road:
Again, Hogan is 56 and has numerous injuries that make the prospects of him wrestling cringe-inducing. Add to that that half of that list are wrestlers on the downside of their careers and it seems like a lot of fanboy dream matches that won't deliver anything except sympathy and a general feeling of dirtiness as childhood heroes embarrass themselves at one last chance for glory. In the case of the younger wrestlers, they'll either get buried by Hogan or beat up a man no longer in his prime, which is a lose/lose scenario if I ever saw one. Leave these matches to video games where reality isn't a factor.
High Road:
We keep hearing about Hulk Hogan never putting over anybody. While it is true, I think there are a few things to mention here. I think Hogan only allows himself to get pinned if he is sure that person is going to be a major star ala Goldberg. Two, I think with all the things that has happened in Hogan's life, he is going to be more willing to listen.
Low Road:
Hogan has a history of be unwilling to put other wrestlers over unless he considers them in his league, a club very few belong to. TNA is finally beginning to give its younger talent serious pushes after the dissolution of the veteran-driven Main Event Mafia, so this is exactly the wrong time for an over-the-hill egomaniac to come storming in, demanding to be the centerpiece of the company. Hogan getting involved in the action could do long-term damage to the company by stunting the growth of young wrestlers that will be what the company relies in for years after Hogan re-enters retirement.
High Road:
The Hulk Hogan signing has gotten TNA's name out in the media. Hogan has been making the rounds on most of the TV shows and while TNA is only getting a few minutes, I think it is still beneficial for them. Finally, while I am not a big twitter guy, I think it was a huge thing for TNA to be one of the trending topic on twitter. The Hulk Hogan signing has gotten TNA's name out in the media and it is bound to draw in some of the older fans to TNA.
Low Road:
Hogan's name is a draw, but is it enough of a draw to get more than a quick mention or glance from most? And, if his involvement does bring in new viewers for TNA, how long will those viewers stick around if Hogan doesn't show up? Last week's Impact was the first after the Hogan announcement and all it featured was highlights from the press conference. Part of using Hogan's name to bring in viewers is to actually deliver Hogan. As well, while TNA has been improving as of late, it's product isn't at a level that will immediately hook someone and engage them. This is the time where TNA really has to be on its game, delivering fantastic matches and solid stories, and they aren't doing that consistently enough. Who cares if you get a ratings bump for a couple of weeks if the numbers return to normal again after?
High Road:
While TNA signing Hogan is a big deal, I think that signing Eric Bischoff will also have a huge impact for TNA. Now, we don't know if he is officially going to be involved in creative, but even if he gives a little input, I think it can be beneficial for TNA. The one thing that the Eric Bischoff signing does do, is that it allows for TNA programming to get a shot at another network if Spike passes on one of their programs. We have been hearing for awhile about some of the ideas that TNA has had, so the Bischoff signing could get these ideas on the air.
Low Road:
Eric Bischoff has been the driving force behind a lot of great moments in wrestling and made a lot of money for WCW and WWE, but he's also been the driving force behind a lot of bad moments, including being one of the main contributors to the downfall of WCW. He seems to work best when he works under someone who isn't afraid to keep him on a short leash, to take the good and throw out the bad. As for his influence in television, TNA has done well for itself with Spike and Spike was a big part of the press conference on Wednesday, so how much Bischoff will be needed in that area is debatable. TNA also needs to focus on raising the quality of their existing product before branching out too much.
Simply write "High Road", "Low Road", or "Both Roads" in the comment section.
E-Mails:
These are all of the e-mails that we received this week. We do not respond to the actual e-mail, but the reply to your e-mail will be below.
Sat: The only email we received this week was for voting purposes.
Chad Nevett: Then on to the comments!
Comments:
Below are the comments for last week's columns and our responses. Every comment will not be included because it makes our lives a lot easier. The comments section was last looked at on Saturday Night Pacific Time.
Michael Writes:
High road for me, they are all talented and Eric Young has shined ever since he went from goofy lovable shmuck afraid of his own pyro to The Leader of the group and has shown a great deal of cunning. Homicide, we know how good he is in tag and singles and has displayed a more violent side since he turned on Hernandez. The British Invasion, Magnus has improved tons since he first debuted earlier in the year wearing a spiked helmet. Williams is amazing and Terry fits the bodyguard enforcer role well with how huge and strong he is. Bashir and Kiyoshi are decent in the ring as well. They have racked up some impressive wins and they are holding gold also. They managed to interact and hold their own with the MEM as well.
Sat: I think the key for me is that Eric Young has shed that goofy gimmick and taken on a more serious role.
Chad Nevett: Eric Young has improved greatly over the past few months, beginning with his feud with Jeff Jarrett. While I don't buy him as world belt material yet, he is far more credible now than he was a year ago (or even six months ago).
KanyonKreist Writes:
Both roads.
I love the Super-Friends-like cultural variety of the team, and the concept in general. This is something that hasn't quite been done since I can remember. The closest thing I can think of was the UnAmericans, and they were used purely for exploitation, unlike the Elite.
However, as well as they've been used (as far as mid-carders go), it's hard to consider some of these Elitists major threats. Aside from Eric Young and Homicide, most of the TNA audience had never heard of any of these guys a year ago. What exactly makes them "the best of the best"? And while we're on the subject of Young, as much as I respect him as a performer, I don't think he's completely escaped his goofball image. His heel work has been good, and I support his inclusion in this group, but as their figurehead? I'm just not totally on board... Too bad Christian jumped back to WWE, huh?
Also, they really need some more muscle. I just don't think a stable will be taken seriously at the top of the card if more than half of them are smaller X-Division guys. To expand to that role, they need, well, Desmond Wolfe, but also some more big guns. I wonder if they can get Takeshi Morishima...
P.S. - Welcome to the show(?), Chad. So far it looks like you're able to inject logic in all the right places... that sounded weird. But anyway, the more nerds, the better, I say.
'Til next week...
Sat: I think they probably need one more muscle guy. They have Big Rob, but they need one more guy.
Chad Nevett: Thanks for the welcome, glad you enjoyed my first contribution. I'm not sure they need to add anyone else as you don't want the faction to get so big it can't help but collapse under its own weight, but, as Sat mentioned, another big guy would give the group a more imposing presence.
Guest#6111 Writes:
High Road, absolutely. Despite the jobberific status of Kiyoshi and Bashir (could Kiyoshi be dropped and Bashir be played up as the money behind the group?), they have made an impressive impact in a short amount of time, most notably by consistently going toe to toe with the MEM. Eric Young has transformed into an excellent leader, shrewdly and confidently staying a few steps ahead of his enemies at every point. I still wouldn't buy Young as World Champ contender, but if they made an acquisition of Samoa Joe or Desmond Wolfe (and you gotta think either would be perfectly reasonable), they'd have that base covered. And crazy Homicide has been missing from TNA for years.
Valiant effort, Low Road, but you just don't have much of a leg to stand on.
Sat: I would hope Joe does not join because he would most likely overshadow Eric Young.
Chad Nevett: As much as Joe joining sounds appealing since he'd add credibility and muscle to the group, he would also become defacto leader because of his status. It would be difficult to buy him taking orders from Eric Young. Desmond Wolfe joining makes sense only in that he's British; his character up until now suggests that he wouldn't want to be part of any group, preferring to stand alone and make a name for himself solo.
BobbyC Writes:
High Road
In the "good ol' days", managers would have a stable of wrestlers. This would be a group who would still wrestle individually, sometimes as a team - but would help each other to cheat to win (as the manager directed).
Well - managers are all but gone - which is why you now have "factions" or "groups". There is still a leader, but rather than a manager, there is a wrestler, usually the top dog of the group. And most groups need a theme - and "evil foreigners" is a tried and true formula.
It's not original, but it's necessary in the development of storylines (and of underdogs) to have a heel group that wins the "numbers game" and someone for the underdog face(s) to overcome.
Sat: You had to remind me about the fact that there are no managers. I find the fact that managers are no more one of the disappointing things with wrestling these days.
Chad Nevett: I also miss managers. Thanks to the plethora of DVDs showing older matches, we can all see just how instrumental managers were in getting over young wrestlers who didn't have the mic experience to present themselves well and to impact the outcome of matches. A retired wrestler whose character has an anti-American history could have leant a lot of weight to the group, I think, making them a bigger deal right off the bat.
The Gold Standard Writes:
High Road. Young winning the Legends title and renaming it the Global title will actually give the belt a chance to be taken serious as a real title. British Invasion is great cause it adds another team to the tag division as well as contenders seeing that their champs now. Homicide could always be the x division guy and Kioyshi, Shiek and Rob Terry can be the guys who get bitched out from beat downs.
Sat: I really hope that title is renamed to the Global title, but I don't think it will stick.
Chad Nevett: I love the idea of the Global Championship, but do wonder what they have in mind to eventually take the belt off of Young if he refuses to defend it against any Americans or on American soil. They may have written themselves into a corner with that idea.
TheWho Writes:
High Road:
Who would've thought that Eric Young would amount to anything more than a comedy act? He excels at playing the dastardly leader of the World Elite. In addition, this gives Bashir, Kiyoshi, and Homicide something to do when they would probably be lost in the shuffle.
TNA could strengthen the group, of course. Continue to build up Young, the Brits, and Homicide. And either make Bashir and Kiyoshi more active in the group or drop them altogether. A cool storyline might be that Eric Young tells them they aren't pulling their weight and that one of them will be kicked out. The two can then have a mini-feud with Bashir winning and Kiyoshi packing his bags.
Sat: I think with the addition of Homicide should lead to Bashir or Kiyoshi being dropped.
Chad Nevett: As I said, Bashir and Kiyoshi have been such non-factors that dropping them would be a good idea, and would bring the group down to a more manageable size. Ideally, you don't want any members getting lost in the shuffle, which is the case for the two of them.
B.W.G. Writes:
High Road
--Parroting all the sentiments on Young. Personally, I couldn't give a shit about him or what he does in TNA, but I'm happy for the man that his character has gotten more face time in this role than he has since his days as part of Team Canada.
--Anything to improve, or at least add to, the tag division to any promotion is my top booking priority, and to that end the Brits have excelled here. Williams may have been a godsend to the other two guys...hardly anyone knocks Magnus for anything these days, and Terry has safety net to fall bakc on while he learns to actually work. Given enough time, HE can be one-half of the future tag champs if the Invasion drop and then win back the titles down the line.
--Kiyoshi may be useless here, but every faction needs a fall guy and he's there explicitly for that purpose. Unlike most, I hope he can ride out the TNA stint for as long as possible, so when he gets back to AJPW it'll seem important, he can get a decent push and finally move beyond the "lower midcard" status he been stuck in for nearly his entire career.
--The only real wrench in the group is Homicide, surprisingly, is Homicide. The fued with Hernandez is coming for sure: the real question is what does he do from there? It's not like the company will ever take him seriously enough to be a big star (as his aborted X-Division title has shown).
Sat: Honestly, I see Homicide has number two in the group in terms of singles competitors and I think this is a good thing. Though if he enters a feud with Hernandez, that will not do him any favors.
Chad Nevett: Homicide feuding with the Amazing Red over the X-Division title is the smartest move for him right now. Though, with Red now being managed by Don West, it's hard to tell who creative is going to push for the victory in that feud.
The Great Captain Smooth Writes:
High Road. It has the "a little bit of this and a little bit of that" vibe that I like. I would like to see them become of face group in the future. We've had enough of the "they aren't from around here, so let's boo them" type groups. I'd love to see them be one of those stables where anyone on the team is a tough out and if there is a big brawl, they use the proper teamwork to come out on top. In other words, they would work well together.
Sat: As one of the previous commentors mentioned, I don't think you can have everybody be a tough out.
Chad Nevett: I think that the group came together at a time when the younger TNA wrestlers were perceived as being kept down by the veterans like the Main Event Mafia, Jeff Jarrett, and Team 3D helped it overcome the boring ‘they aren't from around here, so let's boo them' aspect, but it is a very cliché idea.
JWestmoreland Writes:
High Road - If for no other reason then they are finally doing something relevant with Eric Young. I don't care if no one takes him serious yet, its better than SUPER Eric! Plus, having Kyoshi and Rob Terry in the group doesn't hurt because they are used more as backup(gang warfare) than in the ring. Though I think this group maybe would come across better as just EY, Homicide, and the British Invasion, I dont think Bashir and Kyoshi take anything away from them.
Sat: Man, I can't believe I missed that. One of my high roads could have been, "Way better than Super Eric".
Chad Nevett: As a relative newcomer to TNA, I missed ‘Super Eric,' which sounds like a good thing.
Justin Writes:
Having sent in my own 'Low Roads' last week to become the replacement, I must say that Chad did a nice job, but was not as good as I.
Low Road.
Sat: As I said last week, I had a tough time picking a winner. At the end of the day, I decided to go with my initial reactions.
Chad Nevett: I knew someone would say that, but since I didn't read anyone else's submission, I can't comment.
Scipio2009 Writes:
High Road:
-EY is emerging as a solid upper midcard, and possibly main event, threat, with his solid ringwork, promo ability, and the continued character development.
-The British Invasion vs. Beer Money Inc is set to be TNA's tag team main event feud, and a feud against one of TNA's most over draws should do tons to elevate The British Invasion even further. Also Rob Terry fits pretty well into his role as bodyguard of TBI, so things are looking up even more.
-Homicide gives the group a legit X-Division title threat, as well as a guy that's been built to be a solid upper midcard threat.
-Bashir and Kiyoshi also fit into a role for the group, of necessary "enhancement fodder", to protect other members of the group, as well as get over other talents challenging fellow group members. Both guys are solid in what they can do and are compelling enough personalities to maintain at their level, regardless of win-loss totals.
-And finally, if TNA decides that EY is more apt to stay in the upper midcard, rather than challenge the main event, TNA has a guy that they just brought in, in Desmond Wolfe, who can easily fill that role immediately. With Wolfe in the group, you also lay the foundation for EY's eventual main event test feud of Wolfe-EY, in the coming future.
Things are looking really good for World Elite.
Sat: The one thing that comes to mind is that even if Eric Young does not become a main eventer, he can be a solid mid card talent for TNA.
Chad Nevett: I could buy Desmond Wolfe joining the group in the future if he did so by replacing Young by taking the Global title off of him.
Yoshio Writes:
They really should have ponied up the cash to get Masato Yoshino fulltime after his World X Cup 2008 appearances. Yoshino looked like a true star in that super 12 man elimination match in the semi-finals of the World X Cup.
oh and although all logic and current booking goes against this, i'd have to go high road. World Elite has a lot of potential as a mid-card threat, if only they could use the NUMBERS GAME more efficiently. if using multiple guys still doesn't stop Hernandez, then what else could the group possibly do? run him over with a truck and say they did it for the rock?
Sat: Well, TNA does want Hernandez to be a top star for them, so the best way to do that is for him to always overcome the odds.
Chad Nevett: The conflicting desires of wanting to both push the World Elite and Hernandez resulted in some uneven booking that hurt both parties, I think. It still seems odd booking to me that the British Invasion couldn't collectively defeat Hernandez on more than one occasion but have one both sets of tag belts in TNA. It was a feud where neither side came out looking as strong as they should have.
Your reasons for taking the High Road, Low Road, or Both Roads and suggestions for future High Road/Low Road are welcome at satuncletrunx@gmail.com or in the comment section. Your reply will be included in next week's column.
The negatives outweight the positives here. This is not 1994 anymore. This is 2009/2010, so when Hogan does show up, what is he going to add?
Posted By: JIMMY JOHNS (Guest) on November 05, 2009 at 10:56 PM
low road but barely, i suspect the old timers showing up, and the second i see brutus beefcake my concerns will ring true...sadly.
Posted By: kinda (Guest) on November 05, 2009 at 10:57 PM
Low Road, because Hogan takes too much place in a company he has never worked for before.
Posted By: Guest#0624 (Guest) on November 05, 2009 at 11:03 PM
Both roads. This is be a good idea on the business end of things, but a bad idea for the nucleus of the roster and the future of TNA.
Posted By: dogpound7382 (Guest) on November 05, 2009 at 11:10 PM
Both Roads
What im really saying is that it is too early to have this column, because its too early to decide if this will be a good thing or a bad thing. From what has happened to this point would have to be High Road, but that could change the moment Hogan actually appears on camera(or just shows up at a taping) plus, who know, he could bail out again like he did a few years back(which I wouldn't be totally against). Hogan wrestling full-time or even on a regular basis part-time would probably be a bad idea, but a one-time match against someone like Kurt Angle would probably make Hogan look better than he has looked in the ring in 15 years though, and would cause some descent buyrates(I would think). But I really believe this could go either way, and while I fully expect you to get alot of "Low Road" comments, those people can't really have a good idea of how this will pan out.
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on November 05, 2009 at 11:12 PM
Low Road. Hogan's name could cause a few people to tune in for a while, but for what? Either you have a 56 year-old bury young talent or you have young talent beat up an old man.
I guess you could enhance a monster heel's rep by beating up Hogan like Brock Lesnar did in 02, but Hogan's not going to come in just to do that. It's doubtful that he can wrestle an entertaining match at his age and condition, even with the best opponent. Really, this is not the way to attract viewers. If anything, a few new viewers will turn up, see this spectacle, and be turned off of TNA permanently.
Posted By: HBK's Smile (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 10:51 AM
HIGH ROAD
Posted By: Bighustle (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 10:59 AM
The bottom line is, TNA needs - DESPERATELY needs - to find its own voice at some point. And they keep blowing it by chasing after (and subsequently felating) every "big name" that gives them a second glance. Remember "We are wrestling"? Yeah.....
If they hadn't already solidified their role as just a shelter for disgruntled WWE employees (*deep breath* Jeff Hardy, Rhino, Nash, Christian, Angle, Booker, Lashley, Victoria, etc), then signing Hogan certainly accomplished that. To most people (IWC-speak for "me") Impact! has been "RAW V1.1" ever since they established their 2-hour slot on Thursdays, and if they were going to "revolutionize" anything, they probably would have at least started down that path by now. Nope, they're still trying to "break through to the next level" without even having the product in place to hold whatever audience they attract. In short, they're putting the buggy before the horse. Or the horse before the buggy. However that goes.
As for "locker room morale", well, he's already been telling everyone that his press conference last week was "by far the most attention that TNA has ever gotten." And he talks as if everything in TNA's history has simply been a prologue to Hogan's arrival.
In the short term, Hogan is sure to bump the ratings. Yes, he will provide that. However, when I think long-term, I see Hogan as the anchor that pulls the TNA ship down with him as his career continues to sink.
Low road.
Posted By: KanyonKreist (Registered) on November 06, 2009 at 11:10 AM
I watch wrestling for entertainment and entertainment for wrestling to me is nostalgia. I rate matches on storytelling. Hogan V Sting wouldnt be an athletic masterpeice but the storytelling in that would make me rather watch them two go at it rather than two 3ft spotmonkeys who I have never heard of and were not around in my youth jump on their heads for 30 mins.
Posted By: Dweeg (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 11:26 AM
Low Road.
Really - I should pick both roads because I would like to take a wait and see attitude. Will he bring in his cronies, will he put over younger wrestlers, will he wrestle himself, will he win the title? He has a chance to do the right thing for the company and for the wrestlers already in place.
But really - when in the past 10-15 years has Hulk Hogan done anything other than try to promote himself at the expense of others? He sacrificed WCW to satisfied his ego. He sacrificed his family to remain in the TV spotlight. He sacrificed his marriage because of his ego.
And now - I just fear that he is going to sacrifice TNA in order to hawk his new book or new TV show.
Posted By: SpankyHamm (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Both Roads
Posted By: BPN (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 12:56 PM
Low Road.Really can't see too many positives from him signing.If he wrestles who will he put over? and also TNA wrestlers are at or most are a faster pace of wrestling than the WWE.Imagine Hogan vs. AJ haha.I hate to jump the gun cause I rather wait and see what comes of this.Besides the only feud I could see is him feuding with the World Elite since hes a Real American.
Posted By: The Gold Standard (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 02:41 PM
I think this is a LOW ROAD...if he wrestles. He has proven to be a really good draw in the past, but those days are long gone
However I do think he could be a huge benefit to the company if he were converted to a manager. We are talking about a guy who has done it all in wrestling, except being the guiding force behind some young talent(s). He could use his HUGE charisma to really push a single wrestler or even a stable. It could even be worked into a program where he REFUSES to wrestle because he knows he is done in that aspect and is there to "create the next big star"
Wrestlers in that past have come back as managers and really excelled in that role. I really see no reason why Hogan couldn't be in that same role
So, I guess I am going both roads...Low Road as a wrestler. High Road if he switches it up and does something different
Posted By: Wulf1976 (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 03:57 PM
I am entirely sick of this argument. HIGH ROAD for now.
Posted By: JF (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 05:10 PM
Both roads. Low, because he will take much of the limelight away from many of the younger stars, has a history of politics, and he is well past his prime. High, because he has the ability to connect with fans on an emotional level, the guy will pop a crowd, bring new media attention to TNA, and many casual fans might be curious to see where this will go. If handled well, it could be a big win for the company.
Posted By: The Great Capt. Smooth (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 05:14 PM
Both Roads. It all depends on what they do. If it helps to bring in ratings while showcasing who is on their roster (think of WCW when while the NWO brought in the ratings, they also had their cruiserweights division), this could be the boost they need.
However, if it simply becomes the Hulk Hogan show (which eventually did happen in WCW), then it isn't gonna help TNA at all.
Posted By: JLAJRC (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 06:20 PM
I can't believe I'm saying this but after weighing things out, I have to say High Road.
- On the business side, Hogan brings name recognition. Investors don't care about in-ring workrate; they want to make money off familiar names. The more money that's put in -- the longer TNA should survive.
- Hogan has said in interviews he wants to find the "next" Hulk Hogan. This tells me he knows fans want something new and he may have learned from the fall of WCW. Who fits the Hogan-mold? Morgan, Lashley, Hernandez, and the guy from the British Invasion.
- With musclemen presumably monopolizing the heavyweight scene, guys like Styles and Joe may be forced back into the X-division. I honestly don't mind, since we would be treated to spectacular matches again.
Yes, it's the fall of TNA Wrestling and the rise of TNA Sports Entertainment but it just might work out.
Posted By: can't believe it (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 07:37 PM
"I watch wrestling for entertainment and entertainment for wrestling to me is nostalgia. I rate matches on storytelling. Hogan V Sting wouldnt be an athletic masterpeice but the storytelling in that would make me rather watch them two go at it rather than two 3ft spotmonkeys who I have never heard of and were not around in my youth jump on their heads for 30 mins."
Ehh.. Hogan/Sting happened before you were born. The buildup was awesome but the match and result sucked. Look it up on the interweb.
Posted By: ThatGuy (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 08:00 PM
HIGH ROAD
No one is bigger than Hulk Hogan. You got Steve Austin tied up with Vince, Dwayne Johnson married to his acting career, and Goldberg not giving a shit about wrestling. Who else in this industry is as big of a name as Hulk Hogan?
Two words: No one.
Posted By: (The Real) Industry (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 10:50 PM
HIGH ROAD
No one is bigger than Hulk Hogan. You got Steve Austin tied up with Vince, Dwayne Johnson married to his acting career, and Goldberg not giving a shit about wrestling. Who else in this industry is as big of a name as Hulk Hogan?
Two words: No one.
Posted By: (The Real) Industry (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Two-Words: Ric Flair
I don't know where you are from, but in the south, Ric Flair is STILL the man. and to be the man, you have to beat the man. Wooooooooo!
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:38 AM
High Road - if he doesnt wrestle or if he does wrestle and put over the younger guys.
Low Road - Think WCW
Posted By: Space Cowboy (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 02:47 AM
I'm gonna buy Low Road on this - especially the way it was handled on this weeks Impact.
There was so much I was interested in comming out of BFG, but since the first Impact after it ( which was really good ) the booking has wondered increasingly off track & the failure to actually put up the advertised Hogan has me caring ever less about it ( same for plenty of others if the return to 1.1 ratings is any indication ).
Basically there is so much in TNA I was interested in seeing that sems now derailed because Dixie ( who really needs to stay the hell away from TV ) has delusions of grandure & seems unwilling to wait and build on what they have there in Florida and is instead intent on building a grand castle on the foundations of a town house.
Hopefully, when TNA doesn't suddenly rocket to beating Smackdown in the ratings and the Hogan Load has been well and truly blown, management may realise this and 12 or 18 months down the line we'll be back to where we were 3 weeks ago with an interesting alternative product rather than the mystical rose-tinted past they keep trying to drag us back to - because above Hogan, who the hell else is there?
Posted By: Dave^G (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 04:14 AM
LOWEST OF LOWS
Low low , low your boat
Slowly down the sea
To the very end.
RIP TNA.
Posted By: LOW ROAD (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 04:56 AM
High Road.
I think great for the business and even better for TNA
Posted By: Guest#3397 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 07:00 AM
Extremely low road, Hogan has nothing to contribute, he just wants to remain in the spotlight
Posted By: Bill (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 10:10 AM
I can already tell by the end of the month the mere mention of Hogan in TNA is going to give me the runs. Jesus.
Posted By: Guest#9004 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 10:31 AM
Low road. Hogan and his ego have a track record of taking over anything he sets his mind too. I doubt he has any knowledge or respect for TNA's history. This is just another paycheck for him.
TNA, you will be sorry for making this deal with Hogan.
Posted By: Let's save TNA (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 11:47 AM
high road
Posted By: y316 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 02:04 PM
Lowest Road Ever: Hogans a huge name and I respect the guy for the money he drew but he's proven to be an egotistical ass who's got a track record of putting whats best for him & his cronies ahead of whats best for the company plus he acts like it's still the late 80's and he should go over every match
Posted By: Guest#7129 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 03:32 PM
No one is bigger than Hulk Hogan. You got Steve Austin tied up with Vince, Dwayne Johnson married to his acting career, and Goldberg not giving a shit about wrestling. Who else in this industry is as big of a name as Hulk Hogan?
Two words: No one.
Posted By: (The Real) Industry (Guest) on November 06, 2009 at 10:50 PM
Two-Words: Ric Flair
I don't know where you are from, but in the south, Ric Flair is STILL the man. and to be the man, you have to beat the man. Wooooooooo!
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 01:38 AM
Wrong, brother. Flair might be huge in the south, but Hogan is huge everywhere. Every country in the world knows the name "Hulk Hogan". I bet you not even a majority of people in the USA have heard of Ric Flair.
Austin's star has faded rapidly since the glory days of the Attitude Era. Rock is much more famous than him now, and is the only one that gives Hogan any serious competition. And that's only because he succesfully transitioned to acting. Hogan's still more famous though.
Posted By: Guest#7463 (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 05:38 PM
I'm taking High Road on the sole basis and idea of people being innocent until proven guilty. There's a lot of things that people are worried is going to happen with Hogan in TNA, which is completely understandable. But some are condemning Hogan for things he hasn't even done yet (bringing in his friends, wrestling main events, etc).
If these things begin to happen, and there's a High Road/Low Road "Hogan Progress Report Edition", i'd vote Low Road in a heartbeat. But in an edition based purely on speculation of what MAY happen, i don't see how it's possible for anyone to vote Low Road.
I'm only looking at things that have already taken place. TNA mentions in the media, Twitter trends, the high Impact rating of this past week. Those are very positive things. To the Low Roaders: give things time to flesh out.
Posted By: Fatt Hardy (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 08:33 PM
high road
while hogan is a known control freak, his name is HUGE and he will bring in more viewers for a few weeks, and if they like the product tna just made alot more fans. also, if tna can exclusively keep his matches on ppv that is sure to be a buyrate boost. even if the hogan deal sours, tna core's fanbase will keep it at or about its 1.1ish rating so theres really nothing to lose and the world to gain
Posted By: tony danza (Guest) on November 07, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Hogan to get over always had a strong supporting cast, whether it be Andre at Wrestlemania III, Randy Savage, The Warrior, or even Piper. There was always a dream match in waiting during those days. However since we’re in the days of every marquee match being show on TV programming and a PPV every month, well, it’s just too much to rely on those circumstances any longer.
Even in WCW Hogan bombed, until Hall and Nash joined him, as they were uber cool, hot off their run in The WWF. Hogan brought the notoriety and Hall and Nash brought the coolness factor, so this regenerated his career. But the problem was that WCW had no backup plans, and ran with The New World Order until everyone was sick of it. At this time Stone Cold, the Rock, and several others from The WWE took off, thus making WCW look old and frail.
Even in Hogan’s quasi WWF/WWE runs since WCW shut down, they haven’t exactly been major plusses or successes. Granted his program with The Rock was a virtual dream match that tore down the house, but this was due to the nostalgia, not to mention The Rock who simply oozed charisma.
I guess the point that I’m trying to make is that by brining Hogan in it doesn’t boost TNA. Rather it’s what they due with him, and how they use his mainstream exposure to help better their product, and build stars. Even though the WWE has been awful for the last three or four years, they’ve always been at least decent at building new stars.
TNA, well they have Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, Hogan, Sting, all of whom are well over forty… the last time Hogan saw forty was 1940, XD! Joe was hot, but they kind of killed his heat… Daniels could be, but he seems to play second fiddle to AJ. AJ, seems, well kind of pushed down my throat although I like him, I just don’t buy him as a megastar yet. Desmond Wolf could be interesting, but you’ll need more time to develop his character.
Simply put TNA just needs to create something cool that gets fans involved. If they can do that then they’ll be fine, but just by bringing Hogan in they won’t accomplish their goal of competing with WWE.
Oh, BTW don't give into Hogan's every whim or we'll be rehashing Hogan's Bootleg Wrestling Band, er...
Posted By: Guest#7637 (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 11:34 AM
Low Road
Posted By: Casey (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 12:15 PM
It doesn't matter if Hogan signed with TNA because he needed or is desperate for money.
It's like a regular job. When you need money to make, one must jump on the 1st if not the best opportunity. That's part of life that I know nobody would pass.
Upon Hogan signing. The whole world saw the numbers move forward in TNA just like he made them skyrocket in AWA, WWE (WWF) and WCW.
So anyone who says he would destroy TNA with Eric Bischoff should really think about what they say. All these occasions or aquasitions really will hype and boost TNA because it was only a matter atime. There are rumers that Rob Van Dam may soon be joining the roster of wrestlers in TNA. That only means one thing, there will be growth within TNA soon. Ther will be more opportunity for other wrestlers to move to and not just one organization to be in.. Wich will promote competition like Dixie Carter spoke about a few times I have seen her online.
Maybe they may even travel to all or many states in America. No arena is just meant for one Wrestling Organization.
There are just so much negative fans who actually make bad remarks. Remarks should be made, but with tune downed attitude.
Good going TNA.
Posted By: Billy Jack (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 12:45 PM
I'm going to have to go with BOTH ROADS
Possible positives- Hogan stays away from the ring, focusing on booking which is his official role... TNA pumps out some quality matches and PPV cards, extends the fan-base... That and the Hogan name being a major draw in itself
Possible negatives- Hogan using his image as nothing more than a publicity stunt to give the WWE the finger, and running the company into the ground with poor booking; also, getting in the ring way more than he has any right to (which, lets face it is more than once), performs his leg drop (the ULTIMATE finisher) and breaks his hip
Posted By: OzToad (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 06:09 PM
Low Road
Wrestling has evolved from the 80's, considering speed and technique. You look at alot of the 80's best wrestlers. Piper, Steamboat, Hogan, Slaughter, Flair ect. And you look at todays best athletes (in TNA) Angle, Styles, Creed, Daniels, SAban, Shelly ect. And you compare those styles and there completely different. If Hogan decides to compete in the ring, it will not only slow the pase of every match down, but he said he is going to "run" TNA, so without a doubt hes going to bury the young tallent and maybe a couple old dudes.
Posted By: Brother (Guest) on November 08, 2009 at 07:01 PM
Low road: His history indicates that he is going to take away mic time from talent with a future, or worse - ring time (which could potentially be embarrassing in the eyes of the casual fan or mainstream media). Even if this is a new, wiser Hogan, humbled by his recent reality show history who is determined to stay behind the scenes - why waste the $$$ when you could try out innovative younger bookers/marketers without the commitment and potential downside?
Posted By: s1rude (Guest) on November 10, 2009 at 10:16 PM
