WHY HOGAN WOULD NOT BE A CHALLENGE TO VINCE MCMAHON
By Mark G on 4/17/2007 10:12 AM
I saw this article up on PWInsiderXtra and had to respond. It said how Hulk Hogan would be the right guy to challenge Vince. And know what I've have read and what I have heard. I find this a crazy thought.
First, I want to say I respected all Hogan has done for the business. And I am literally a "mark" for Hogan. The fact that someone can suggest Hogan a challenge to Vince as a promoter is it a word "crazy".
I mean the premise is sound. Hogan has been around the business for almost 30 years. He led the arrival of Wrestling on pop culture in the 80's and the late 90's. Hogan was front and center in the formation of the WWF in the 80's with the help of Rowdy Roddy Piper (every good guy needs a real bad guy and Pipes was the best at his time). He led the WWF in a boom period that basically wiped out the territories. With Hogan leading the way and Vince mind for promotion. It was genius.
Then In the 90's Hogan or Bischoff came up with the idea of turning Hogan into the ultimate bad rogue WWF wrestler (tongue in cheek) invading NWA/WCW. It was great theater. Who among us who didn't think this like the greatest heel turn. It was awesome. Short-lived but awesome.
So giving Hogan the credit. He was the lead character in the two biggest pushes in the Wrestling business. But that doesn't mean he can compete with Vince because as much as I like Hogan. That is a farce. He might be able to help a organization into competing again WWE and Vince McMahon. But honestly, think to yourself. Can it happen? I just don't see it.
For this war for competition to compete and rival Vince McMahon. You need the bucks and talent. Then you need the staying power. And to be honest I don't see it happening. TNA has some nice wrestlers and seen some good matches on their shows but it's not good when you put basically mid carders in the WWE over wrestlers TNA has developed. Can anyone tell me why Samoa Joe isn't TNA Champion yet? The only one of WWE mid carders that should be getting over in TNA is Kurt Angle. The others should be used to enhance the talent they have developed. But even with all that, most people still say that TNA is still losing money. Soon they have to turn that around or face what WCW, ECW, and all the rest expired wrestling organizations. Simply put, TNA shouldn't try to out E (E=Entertainment) the WWE.
But getting back to Hulk Hogan. Hogan's rep in the business has been all for himself and not putting over talent. In that respect, he is no Ric Flair or Triple H. Hogan is in it to feather his pockets and keep his Hulkamania persona alive. So with that understood, could you see Hogan starting up a wrestling organization and NOT putting himself over. He has never really done it in his career.
For example, In this past Wrestlemania. Hogan wanted a big payout and when McMahon offered less than he wanted or should be expect. He reportedly walked away. Now I'm not saying that Vince might have low-balled him. But if he took the offer, he could have promoted the hell out of his tv show on VH1 and done the Lawler-Memphis thing. While he be taking less than he had gotten before. It would been for the greater good for himself and his ego just wouldn't let him do it.
And that my friends is why Hogan would not and could not at this time beat Vince McMahon. And Hogan knows it. Now I'm not saying Vince is the be all end all. Clearly Vince is hard headed. Has a ego that is more massive than Hogan's. But always remember, Vince in the end always puts that other guy over. I know we have to sit through the insipid and moronic crap that Vince puts out. But gang, he is the only game in town at this time.
I will say this, If I was running TNA, I'd drop Vince Russo as fast as I could and hire Paul Heyman. I believe Paul is the one guy who could Vince a run for his money creatively. That could make some headway in giving Vince competition. Not Hogan.
At least that is my opinion...but I could be wrong.
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