Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff Join TNA
Details are just coming in but it has been confirmed at a press conference today that TNA has come to terms on a deal that will bring both Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff into there organization. So much for Dixie Carters youth movement....more details coming soon.
Here's official announcement:
“Hulkamania” is back! The biggest name in professional wrestling history, Hulk Hogan, is joining Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA), the fastest rising wrestling organization in the world and home to one of cable television’s highest rated shows for young men, TNA iMPACT! The announcement was made today by TNA Wrestling in conjunction with Spike TV at a press conference held in New York City.
“Hulk Hogan is one of the world’s top pop culture icons and the biggest superstar in the history of professional wrestling. We are truly excited to welcome him into the TNA family,” said Dixie Carter, President of TNA Wrestling. “Our goal is to become the world’s biggest professional wrestling company. Hulk defines professional wrestling and we look forward to partnering with him in a variety of ways as we continue to grow TNA globally.”
“I’m thrilled to be jumping back into the world of professional wrestling,” said Hogan. “My fans have been asking me to return to the business for many years on a full time basis, but the timing or the opportunity has never been right until now. TNA Wrestling is a great company with an already excellent fan base, business and broadcast partner. I firmly believe now is the time for some change at TNA as they are positioned to jump to the next level in their development and I’m here to work with Dixie to help make that a reality.”
Through Hogan’s partnership with Bischoff Hervey Entertainment Television, the deal with TNA was negotiated by longtime Hogan colleague Eric Bischoff. Additionally, BHE TV has inked a first-look deal with TNA and will be working with the organization to develop new programming extensions of the TNA brand.
“Hulk Hogan adds yet another level of star power that positions TNA iMPACT as Spike TV’s version of ‘Must-See TV’ on Thursday nights,” said Kevin Kay, president of Spike.
Hogan most recently penned an autobiography with Mark Dagostino, “My Life Outside The Ring” with St. Martin’s Press.
Still no word on how this effects Vince Russo's job but seeing as he does not have a good history with Hogan or Bischoff I wouldn't expect him to remain with the company.
*Update*
As the press conference continued it was revealed that Hogan is a "partner" with TNA(whatever that means) and Bischoff will work with the company on side project but will not have input in a weekly creative capacity. I don't know this for sure but they sure sound as if Hogan and/or Bischoff have some kind of financial interest in the company could they have purchased a portion of TNA?
*Update #2*
After the press conference Hogan did a media conference call in which he was asked about Vince Russo. Hogan responded that as long as Russo stayed in his place and didn't cross him, there would be no issues. Hogan then said that if he did, Hogan would have to "take care of it". Obviously he skirted the question by giving a kayfab answer.
Also a reminder Hogan will be in Larry King Live tonight taking about his book and this new TNA deal, that should be interesting.
-sideshowRaheem on Facebook and Twitter
This is enormous…I still can’t believe it
This is Huge, As Nick know’s and any PWB original I made this name to make fun of Hogan. But I’m not going to lie as Much As I hate him and this is Awesome!
TNA is doomed, this is like WCW all over again. Eric Bischoff had a few good ideas and after that he just ran the oldest promotion to the ground, he made Kevin Nash in charge of creativity. His media company is basically making porno and it does not require a PHD to make porno films.
And lets not get started on Hulkster, if he was worth anything Vince would of brought him back to the Fed light years ago.
Out of these two I would still keep Russo.
Step in the wrong direction for TNA, so much for pushing youth. Hulk Hogan is effectively immobile and his reputation is at an all time low because of his divorce, creepy pictures with his daughter and his delinquent son crippling a man in a street race. He isn’t relevant in wrestling in 2009, like Pole Foam said this is just like WCW. The egos of Hogan, Bischoff and Russo helped kill WCW and the only thing going for any of them is nostalgia. So much for TNA being a different product to WWE, once again they’re signing a washed up has been looking for a paycheque. I wouldn’t be surprised if AJ ends up losing the belt pretty soon.
Also what does this mean for Hogan’s worldwide tour? So much for him wrestling Flair all over the world.
I’m predicting ……Main Event Mafia Black and White and Main Event Mafia Black and Gold feud.
was told by a source within TNA tonight after I got done with WZR Radio that TNA is seriously considering adding a second TV program that would air on Monday night from 8-10EST.
TNA iMPACT! would remain on Thursday nights while a second TNA show would air on Monday.
I can’t confirm or deny this.
TNA TNA TNA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just puked in my mouth a little bit.
Hulk Hogan is a cancer. Every cent he and his son makes should go to that Marine they almost killed and made a vegetable.
I hate Hogan I wish he would have stayed retired that way I would have never had to have seen a wrestling legend fall like he has. In my book he and Ric Flair are the biggest whores in the game.