Wednesday, OCTOBER 28 – 6:34 P.M. (CT)

-Professional wrestling has had its huge names, past and present. Lou Thesz, Bruno Sammartino, Andre the Giant, Bret Hart, Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Triple H, and John Cena are all names wrestling fans (or even non wrestling fans) will recognize. However, if you play word association with just about anybody and say “professional wrestling,” 90% of the people at least will answer “Hulk Hogan.”

It could be argued that Vince McMahon could have plugged anybody into Hogan’s spot and the wrestling landscape would have changed forever. The counter argument is that Hogan was the guy and if it wasn’t for him, wrestling would not be where it is today. Regardless of where you fall in that argument, nobody can deny Hogan’s name value.

So, when TNA Wrestling and Dixie Carter officially signed Hogan, they made a very good decision. Sure, TNA is in the midst of a much needed youth movement, but this is Hulk Hogan. The only comparable names in terms of value are Austin and The Rock. This reminds me a bit of the doors that were opened for TNA when they signed Sting, but Hogan is in a class by himself.

It is difficult at that point to imagine what Hogan can and will do in the ring for TNA. However, nobody is better than Hogan at wrestling for three minutes, but working the crowd for twelve, so he gives them a fifteen minute match. Now, putting work rate aside, who wouldn’t want to see Hogan vs. A.J. Styles, Hogan vs. Kurt Angle, or Hogan vs. Samoa Joe?

Some fans may be worried that Hogan will come in, immediately become the TNA World Heavyweight Champion, and the youth movement will be dead and buried. I highly doubt that will be the case. If used correctly, Hogan could get TNA more TV deals, more overseas tours, and possibly get them running in buildings that hold more fans.

Who knows what the future holds for Hulk Hogan in TNA? I, for one, am excited to see where they go with this. I hope Hogan does not want the moon and the stars, but I do hope he does business the right way and puts asses in the seats. TNA has made some very good personnel decisions lately and this is a huge coup for them.

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