Cliff’s Thoughts: Hulk Hogan Signs with TNA

http://www.wrestlingnewsarena.com/2009/10/cliffs-thoughts-hulk-hogan-signs-with-tna/

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 inthe 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.

via wrestlezone.com

Hulk Hogan appeared on “The Bubba The Love Sponge Show” yesterday, and Bubba brought up the subject of Kurt Angle and his recent problems with the women in his life. Bubba then decided to call Angle, and during the conversation, Angle suggested that Hogan come to TNA and begin a feud with him. Hogan responded to the offer by saying that he could definitely make it happen, but this could be yet another maneuver on Hogan’s part to get himself back into WWE as he does very often.

WWE would obviously be the bigger stage for Hogan and the better pay day, so by making it seem like he’s entertaining the idea of signing with TNA, he might be able to lure WWE into bringing him back into the company.

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Bah. TNA can have him.

It’s Hulk Hogan’s birthday today. Do what you will with that info. I held my hand to my ear, and it sounded like no one cared…

I don’t know what’s going on here, but I don’t think I like it.

Hogan’s Not Done Ruining Shit

The following is an excerpt from an interview-article with Hulk Hogan from The Southtown Star:

Dream matches

Many fans want to know if Hogan will ever get back in the ring.

“I’m trying to figure that out. I’ve had two back surgeries in the last five months. Just the middle of my waistline up and halfway down my back, it’s so stiff that I just can’t seem to get flexible. I’m trying to work through it. I’m 55 years old. With the knee replacements and hip replacements, I’m trying to not joke or fool myself. I’m trying to get a logical assessment,” he said.

“I’m dying to do it. I’m dying to get in there. To me, it’s fun to get in there. There has to be a talented wrestler willing to slow dance with me. I could go out there and pretty much do almost everything I could do before. I couldn’t do the leg drop anymore because of my lower back. I could go out and have fun. It’s going to take more time to see if I can get steady enough to even attempt something like that.”

And just who would Hogan want to square off against if he had the chance?

“The match that everybody would love to see would be Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair,” said Hogan, who picked that as his top dream match. “Everyone would love to see me kick Vince McMahon again. Hulk Hogan-“Stone Cold” Steve Austin (is another match). Stone Cold’s bragger’s claim to fame is: ‘I never wrestled Hulk Hogan.’ I think he thinks he’s God’s gift to wrestling. It would be a tremendous match for the fans. If he can get on the same page with me and put ego out of the way, who cares who wins? It would be a match people would love to see.”

Even though Hogan isn’t in the ring anymore, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t still have the love for pro wrestling in his blood. And that is part of the reason why he is doing Hulk Hogan Fan Appreciation Day.

“I’ve only done two or three autograph signings in my whole career really. I’m trying to get back out. There’s no question of seeing the fans. There’s genuine excitement that I just love. I was telling my girlfriend (Jennifer McDaniel) that I used to walk by the ring and touch it and get goose bumps,” he said.

WWE and TNA

Hogan watches both WWE and Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling, which are considered the top two American pro wrestling companies.

“I watch both products. (TNA’s) like the little engine that could. Everybody thought they wouldn’t be around for long, and they’ve been chugging along for seven years. They gain momentum every week. They seem to be real fresh. When a lot of guys go over to that side of the fence, they seem to get a spring in their step,” he said.

“I also watch Vince’s product (WWE). Vince is the constant. He’s the standard of excellence. I just love watching his show because you never know what he is going to do. Plus, the production — you can’t even touch his production. It’s so dialed-in. It’s amazing just to see how they put the pieces together.”

Since Hogan was involved in a previous war between WWE and then-rival World Championship Wrestling, he does have an informed perspective of the war for fans between WWE and TNA.

“If you look at history, everyone says, ‘History repeats itself.’ With all of the choices in the universe of entertainment, I look at the big package and look at the big picture from 40,000 feet. I see history repeating itself. I see TNA getting strong. I see Vince McMahon being impeccable except for a few little holes in the boat,” he said.

“TNA is lacking that one momentum-shifting move, that one big name that would even the playing field, the brand (that is) just as powerful as the WWE brand. (TNA’s) lacking the big piece of the puzzle. It wouldn’t matter who did what in the past. It will be a totally even playing field. You never know.”

Check out the complete piece at blogs.southtownstar.com.

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I’ll tell you who wouldn’t want to see Hogan v Austin. ME! THAT’S WHO.

As for Hogan to TNA? Wouldn’t work. That is not the crowd for him in my view. I could be wrong, but I don’t think he’s the “one thing” that TNA needs to steal a chunk of viewership. That said, if he wants to run them into the ground so WWE can get AJ, Joe, Kurt, and others…go for it!

Mick Foley on “Squidbillies”

http://www.adultswim.com/video/?episodeID=8a250aae21bf6cf30121c04ea453005c

Mick Foley voiced a character on Sunday Night’s episode of Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim show Squidbillies. The character was a professional wrestler that beats up the father squid and then the son squid has to go on steroids to fight him.

The character looked similar to Hulk Hogan, was named Thunder Clap (like Thunderlips), and was going through a messy divorce.

It didn’t sound like Foley at first because of voice effects, but as the episode went on you could tell it was him. He sounded like Foley doing a Cactus Jack promo. He wasn’t listed in the credits, but that may be because most Adult Swim shows are non-union so members of SAG or AFTRA are either uncredited or use a pseudonym.

Foley first appears at 3 minutes into the episode. The episode is about 12 minutes long and can be viewed by following the link above.