Loading ...It was the announcement that TNA hoped would shock the wrestling world to its foundation: Hulk Hogan has signed with us. Take that, Vince! While it’s far, far too early to gauge if this move will have any sort of lasting impact of any kind, I must admit that this initial wave of reactions has been underwhelming. Sure, wrestling fans were buzzing, but who else is?
When Hogan jumped to WCW in the early 1990s, it was a much bigger deal. Was this only because WCW was a bigger promotion than TNA? That point’s debatable, but here’s what isn’t: Hogan’s jump then forever altered the landscape of sports entertainment. TNA is obviously betting on the Hogan and Bischoff combination again, but the question is of course whether or not they can deliver, and make TNA a factor in the wrestling world.
So, can they?
While the initial ratings and buyrates will most certainly go up, I can’t say that I truly believe TNA has caught the proverbial lightning in a bottle. Hogan has made himself some enemies over the years, and it’s tough to say if other wrestlers will jump ship for an opportunity to help TNA out. I’m not ruling this possibility out, but with Hogan’s reputation as a “me first” kind of guy, I don’t see a lot of wrestlers going to TNA as a way to further their careers. After all, who wants to be buried by a guy who can’t even perform his own signature maneuver anymore?
That brings me to my next point, Hogan’s so far past his prime that there’s no way he can get in the ring more than once a month, and that’s being generous. His back’s shot, his knees were gone years ago, and you can’t overlook the fact that he’s pushing sixty years old at this point. Are we really supposed to believe that the likes of AJ Styles and Samoa Joe are going to lose to a guy who moves around like the geriatric that he is in the ring? It’s hard enough to watch Sting beat them, but at least Sting is still in wrestling shape. I can’t say the same for Hogan, but I guess I have to wait until I see what he does in the ring before passing further judgment.
Further expounding upon Hogan’s “me-first” attitude, I have to wonder if he’s in it to make TNA the #1 company, which cannot happen overnight. This is a guy who is really signing on in order to promote his new book, in my opinion. Keep in mind, the last time we saw him on WWE TV was at the Raw 15th anniversary, and he didn’t even wear his trademark colors in the ring. No, he had to promote “American Gladiators,” so he opted for the all black look he sported on the short-lived series. If buyrates, ratings, and book sales don’t skyrocket immediately, will he stick it out? That remains to be seen.
With all the negativity I’ve presented, I have to say that there is a possibility this could work out for everyone, and by everyone I mean the fans. The last time Vince was beaten, we got the Attitude Era. He took chances, and created new stars. Maybe this will start a bidding war between the companies for some of the independent workers, or even some of the ROH studs. If this works out for TNA like they’re hoping, we could be in line for another wrestling boom. It could happen.
That said, I’ll take off the rose-colored glasses, and admit my true reaction. When I read the news, my feeling was much like any other time I’ve seen TNA sign an ex-WWE guy (save for Angle and Christian).
You can have him, brother.
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