So, anyone who is the least interested in the wrestling business and that hasn't been living under a rock for the past few days, by now knows that the immortal Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff have both signed for TNA. This brings a few questions to mind for most people, who in some way probably have an emotional connection to either man. To some, Hulk Hogan is God and everything he does is entertainment gold. To others, he's a money-grabbing, spotlight-stealing, double-dealing son of a bitch with the spine of a weasel. Eric Bischoff, to some, is the genius behind the rise of WCW and the provocation of the Attitude Era, the instigator of the Monday Night wars. To others, he's the douchebag that put himself over and caused the collapse of WCW.
In a way, both ways of looking at them are correct - it's probably all (partially) true, but to what degree can we judge these men from past records, when their latest ventures into the wrestling business ended several years ago?
What will Hulk Hogan bring to TNA?
There are some among the IWC who fears that Hogan will bring nothing to TNA apart from his name, and that he will cash in his (no doubt huge) paycheck and put himself over, at the expense of everyone else. According to fairly credible sources, Hogan and Bischoff will be in charge of booking, with Hogan basically heading up the creative team. Some believe that Hogan may well use TNA to gain the TNA World title and then go on the planned Hulkamania tour with a world championship to defend and question whether this would be good for the value of the title. Others fear Hogan will sacrifice any other currently running storylines in TNA to put himself over and make himself the main focus of the show(s).
Hogan's track-record from WCW, where the inmates ran the asylum, certainly speaks against him, but at the same time, perhaps the leopard really can change its shorts. At least I am prepared to give Hogan the benefit of doubt as to whether he will screw TNA over or not. I think that the Hogan of 2009 is a more mature and business-oriented individual than the person behind NWO Hollywood Hulk. Certainly some uncomfortable changes and unfortunate events in Hogan's private life has affected him in some way; for better or for worse? Only time will tell.
As for Bischoff, there's no doubt that the man has solid experience in the wrestling business and is a daring and opinionated businessman, whose main focus is to increase the value of the product he is selling. Even if Hogan is only in it for the quick paycheck and the PR, I fail to see how Bischoff would profiteer from a run-amok Hogan.
What about Russo?
Ever since Vince Russo ordered Jeff Jarrett to lay down for Hogan at Bash at the Beach of 2000 and cussed Hogan out, there's been bad blood between Hogan and Russo, not to mention that Bischoff several times have had some fairly unkind words to say about Russo. The question is whether they can get along, or if there will be an internal power struggle for booking control (no matter what Hogan's contract may or may not say). If they can't get along, I have no doubt that Russo is the one that will be out on his ass.
Regardless, with Russo currently at the helm of the booking team, how will the balance of power shift once these two juggernaughts enter the arena?
So is this good or bad?
Only time will tell if the decision to sign on these two wrestling giants will lead to the rise or fall of TNA. Certainly, the impact (no pun intended) on the IWC and the business as a whole is monumental, garnering more wrestling-oriented, sincere discussion than has been seen for quite a while, is a very good thing. It's gotten fans excited and frothing at the mouth at the thought of a new Monday Night war and the possible birth of Attitude part deux. And excited fans are good for the business.
Whether Terry Gene Bollea and Eric Bischoff bring about another great era of wrestling, or if they cause the untimely demise of a great up-and-coming wrestling promotion, the journey there will be an interesting one.
