He's a bigger trainwreck now than he was fifteen years ago, but I don't think that'll translate into big bucks. He's an ironic joke to the twentysomethings and teens. The thirtysomethings that know him from his nWo days were sick of him back then, by and large. And fortysomethings aren't going to propel TNA into the next level on nostalgia alone. I guess my point is, this will generate interest, but I can't see it doing squat for TNA as a bona fide wrestling company.
Plus, I keep on coming back to the XWF. Where was Hogan's much-vaunted publicity skills and mainstream cred during that debacle?
Plus, I keep on coming back to the XWF. Where was Hogan's much-vaunted publicity skills and mainstream cred during that debacle?
Not sure how that was a "debacle". It didn't go anywhere because WWE came in a re-signed the heavy talent (Hogan, Perfect, Lawler).
More accurate would be pointing out Hogan's gameplan of using other promotions to get him back with WWE. That's not happening this time, Bischoff is pulling the strings - Hogan owes him
And I don't know why it comes back to "mainstream". Wrestling doesn't need it and "mainstream" treats Wrestling as a joke anyway. All it's about is translating the couple of million that watch TNA into PPV buying Customers and get out of a mindset that a 1.3 rating is any different that a 0.9 in the grand scheme of things.
If it's booked to where people PAY to see Hogan fight Angle, or Foley, or whoever, then it's a winner (like they did with HBK / Hogan)
If it's all about proving that the TNA Flagship show can beat a "C" level WWE show (and not even running Head to Head), then...well, it will just be more of the same
FLEA
Demonstrations are a drag. Besides, we're much too high
"Learn to love yourself... for it is the greatest love of all" - Jeremy Borash 11:24 AM May 13th,2009
Part of me is like "this can't be good" and that part of me realizes more people tune into see "can't be good" then "this might be good"
That probably didn't come across as concise or sane as it did in my head but suffice to say, the fact that the first story I saw about Hogan was about how close he was to committing suicide, I see the sort of fans that watch Celebrity Rehab and other stories of celebrity decline tune in and .0001 % of them decide to stick around.
Maybe it's just my life long hate of Hogan (yes, even as an 8 year old mark or however young I was, I hated him and Ultimate Warrior and loved Macho Man as far as WWF guys were concerned) but I don't see where 2009 Hogan helps TNA beyond a couple of eyeballs that aren't going to translate into PPV buys. Even people that live off VH1 shows aren't going to plop down 30 bucks to watch Hogan hobble around the ring. Then again, fuck it, maybe they will and I'm the jaded smark that has no clue what's good for business.
Cena can't be beat because he's some unholy genetic recombinate of superstars past. I mean, you might as well call him John "Realest of the Real, Sargent Rock - Cold - A - Mania" Cena.
How locked up is TNA talent? Can Vince go in and try and still Joe or Abyss if he wanted or are most the big stars really locked in with real contracts?
Also how locked in are old guys that sign on with the 'Legends' deals?
I hope this works for two reasons.
1. I always enjoy when wrestler X makes a big debut.
2. Vince always seems to work better when someone is breathing down his neck, so if TNA starts stealing some of the spotlight that's only going to be better for us.
Vince is not going to go all "Attitude Era" on this. One, its way too early to tell and second, there is Linda's campaign. The WWE has done everything in their power to tone it down to the point of absurdity with the blood, sex and language. That being said, this is TNA's perfect time to counter with a more adult orientated show or at least one that contains some blood and sex. If you think you can get the kid audience with Hogan, forget it Cena and Rey own that pot. The only thing Hogan needs to do is stand there and shoot all over Vince while putting over the young talent. If he is in charge, its only a matter of time til he is handed the belt to him while most of the young talent asks Nigel what ROH is like. I doubt that rumor is true, but if it is then the Carter family is a bunch morons.
The real win for TNA is if Eric can get the X-Division and Knockouts off the ground for Spike. I read they may even move Impact to Monday nights which is balls, but I would wait till after football is done and most shows go on winter hiatus. If they can pull that minor miracle off then maybe maybe Vince will take off the gloves. I doubt it even then. TNA probably won't have a big rating if they go Monday Nights or even this week. And if they do, Vince will find away to get Rock or Austin to guest host that night. He is not going to abandon Linda's senate run to fight a minor skirmish.
In 2003, Jeff Jarrett was forced to fire Vince Russo as booker as Hogan wouldn’t come in if Russo was in the company. This time, Hogan said that they would work together. However, if Hogan is really going to be in, as opposed to doing a few shots and bailing, then Hogan and Bischoff are going to be having an active role in the company direction. Russo would possibly do the work of writing the show, but he wouldn’t have the power over the direction that he has now.
When the stories of Hogan possibly coming in surfaced a few months back, the name Kevin Sullivan was attached as the idea he’d be in the same position as booker in name while carrying out Hogan’s marching orders. At a convention over the weekend, Sullivan appeared to be one of the few who knew what was going on here because he was telling people that things were about to happen big in a few days.
In the same story, a Spike TV exec says they do not plan to move the show to Mondays.
If train wreck is the goal, Hogan/Warrior III: The Final Battle is always available. And, the first Friends of Hogan that came to mind to me were the Nasty Boys being returned to prominence. And Jimmy Hart has to be in the mix someplace.
Originally posted by It's False The only prospect that looks slightly enticing is a possible Rikishi/Umaga tag team, but then I remember that Rikishi just won't let go of the Stinkface as a "wrestling move" and shake my head.
Rikishi was already in TNA once anyway, it didn't go so well. I'm not too worried about TNA picking washed up wrestlers from Bischoff's roster. I think they've been more selective ever since Rikishi and Test didn't work out. Some of the guys they have hired haven't been mind blowing or anything (Booker, Lashley, Stevie, Murdoch) but I don't think they're as bad as that bunch either. I don't see what people see in Lashley but the other three I think could have worked if done properly.
Plus they did pick up Morgan around the same time and added Burke and Daivari (I like him, they just don't use him). They brought in Angelina and Taylor, who in the WWE didn't even make it to TV, and now they've added Tara.
I just think TNA has been doing pretty well lately with roster decisions. They jumped on signing Nigel, they convinced Homicide to stick around when he wasn't happy, they said good riddance to Booker, they brought in Doug Williams, they even had the stones to suspend Nash from the next tapings. I guess it's possible Hogan gets one of his buddies a job but I doubt it. I think he'd be more likely to get them backstage jobs than on camera.
Originally posted by Quezzy they even had the stones to suspend Nash from the next tapings.
It seems like a lot of people are saying Nash had some ground to stand on with his outburst. Of course I haven't seen his outburst posted anywhere. Anyone know just how out of line he was?
Originally posted by Quezzy they even had the stones to suspend Nash from the next tapings.
It seems like a lot of people are saying Nash had some ground to stand on with his outburst. Of course I haven't seen his outburst posted anywhere. Anyone know just how out of line he was?
From what I've read, it wasn't so much for the outburst, but for going off script in a promo about the situation.
Originally posted by John Orquiola I'm sure that today, for the first time probably ever, Vince McMahon took some time out of his day to seriously consider what TNA is and what this means to his business.
I'd say (right or wrong) he just started marketing "The Rise and Fall of TNA" in his head.
(Phil Schneider reviews the NWA VA webcast every week. Downloadable at http://wrestlingnetwork.net/NWA_VA.html. Enjoy Mr Schneider, won't you?) What Worked Mike Vaughn v. Chris Escobar was a fine indy juniors match.