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TNA News
TNA News: Hulk Hogan says why he signed with TNA over WWE, discusses TNA's booking in TIME interview Oct 30, 2009 - 2:51:18 PM
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan told TIME Magazine that he chose to work for TNA instead of WWE because he wants to be his own man in the wrestling business. He also said he wants to give back to young wrestlers "who don't understand" the art form of pro wrestling.
Hogan said on Howard Stern earlier this week that WWE CEO Vince McMahon offered him a merchandising deal, a retirement tour similar to Ric Flair's last year, and a chance to guest-host Raw at Madison Square Garden in New York City next month. Coincidentally, Hogan announced his TNA signing at a press conference held at MSG earlier this week.
"When I woke up and realized I should be my own man and be responsible for being happy, I realized I still have a lot to contribute to the wrestling business," Hogan told TIME with a subtle plug for his new book. "And jumping into TNA and being a part of that company is huge. I have a chance to give back and help these young wrestlers who don't understand the business and the art form."
The follow-up question to Hogan was related to what has changed the most in the wrestling business. Hogan said the pacing is too fast and storylines are over before they've fully developed. It appeared to be a shot at TNA's booking, which is heavily crticized for "skipping chapters" and rushing to the end of a feud too quickly.
"The business moves so much faster now. It used to be if Andre the Giant and I had a feud, it'd probably play out six or seven months later at a big event," he said. "Nowadays, if Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan have a feud at 9 o'clock, it's usually over by 9:30. It's a story-telling art form to create emotion and drama and I just think a lot of that is lost."
Hogan will likely be involved in the creative direction of TNA's product, which would fit what Hogan said that he wants to "give back" to the wrestling business by helping out TNA.
Also in the interview, Hogan admitted he pushed for his daughter, Brooke Hogan, to continue putting her life on reality TV to advance her music career.
"I think it's a great vehicle if you want to be in the entertainment business to keep you visible," Hogan said. "I'm not saying she should live and die by being a reality star, but I mean it beats just sitting at home waiting for something to happen."
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AND NEW FOR 2009! Monthly "Vintage Audio Torch Talks." We are releasing for the first time ever audio versions of our text Torch Talk updates, the historical first series of insider interviews ever. Wade Keller's newsmaking in-depth interviews with wrestling's biggest names are now being made available exclusively to VIP members. But you must be a member each month, as these are not archived, so they are replaced with a new one each month! This debuted in January 2009 with a 68 minute interview with the late "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. Who's next? Hulk Hogan? Eric Bischoff? The Rock? Goldberg? Jeff Hardy?
