The notion of Hogan wanting to wrestle again for the love of it, to me at least, is ludicrous because the guy's a 100% shameless self-promoter. What Hogan loves is the spotlight and he's long since been known as someone with problems stepping away from it. Over the past several years, Hogan's stated during interviews that he wants to get back in the ring, that he has "one more match" left in him, that he's training hard to get back into things, etc. It's a means of generating buzz and keeping his name relevant in the wrestling industry because it gets people talking about him. Not holding that against him, as it's a smart thing to do from a business perspective, but it's all just smoke and mirrors.
Jack-Hammer, you're an awesome poster, and I am not saying that to kiss ass. I sincerely mean that man. However, as far as what Hogan does being for the "love" or not. I feel, from my own experiences on multiple occasions, he is a guy that does care. I really do. Theres a video later on I will provide. Hogan's not the only one guilty of being around well past their "shelf life in wrestling, I mean Ric Flair had an IC Title run of 155 days at 56 years of age, that exceeded the amount of time that fellow legends such as Rick Rude and Ricky Steamboat had held the strap, and this was when they were youngsters with a career ahead of them still. Sammartino was utilized at a similar age as Hogan when he was waylaying youngsters like Piper, Savage, and Honky Tonk Man. Well I should say, at the time they were youngsters. And there also has to come a time where you can only blame Hogan so much for the "spotlight hogging" when WWE always finds a way to bring him back, that's on them. However, its been YEARS since Hogan has been in a wrestling role where he was headlining shows for the WWE. We havent seen that in almost a decade.
Even with his TNA run, while he was definitely on TV and you were aware of his presence, I'll stand to say that the conception of him overpowering the whole company is an oversimplification as well. He wrestled a handful of matches, most being tag team scenarios where he just got a few hits in on his opponents while someone else did the rest of the heavy lifting and in his ONE singles match in TNA he lost to a fellow "old timer". Not once did he ever win a title, I know health reasons are something most people will counter to say why he didn't win a title, but let's put it this way. His first night in WCW, he was World Champion. His TNA debut predated him having to get all these surgeries, if a World Title run was that important, he would have gotten it right there and then the night he showed up. As an authority figure, there were times they used him a lot, no different than the Mr. McMahon nonsense. But there were also several shows where he was nowhere to be seen. I know people also groaned when he brought friends in, but its not like he was doing what Verne Gagne was doing with the AWA Title bookings by keeping the belt between them more often than not.
Anyway Jack-Hammer, again always love getting your insight, but I had to point out what I disagreed with. Just the same, still love reading what you got to say, no ifs, ands or buts.
As much as hogan is a dick and the very definition of a narcissist,i would want him to stay out of the ring.. I dont want to see him get hurt at all.. I grew up a hogan fan,as im sure everyone in my age range did as well.. Please Hulk stay out of the ring
Pedigree1, love your posts too man and always appreciate your insight. As far as the terms dick and narcissist. As I was touching on with Jack-Hammer, wrestling and well any other fame and fortune based endeavor is not a road paved of altruism for completely selfless individuals to walk on. Im not saying that Hulk Hogan would be an easy person to work with, but to be honest, I am sure many a people in the wrestling world could be difficult. When you think of the competitive nature of wrestling despite it not being an actual contested sport, I dont expect these guys and gals to not have a rod up their ass a time or two when it comes to their best interests.
However, the way I base wrestlers is on how they treat me, I dont care what I hear about on the internet or the crazy stuff theyre saying on TV to promote themselves, if they treat me well, thats all I care about.
Unless any of us have been on the other side of the wrestling business and not just a fan, how do we really know how wed act when were working in an arena where our livelihoods are not guaranteed and are contractually based with no union representation? Hell, even actual sports have that.
Im biased because Ive met Hogan and what I thought was going to be a Thanks for the funds BROTHER NEXT type of experience, considering the line was snaking down and around the hallway of the venue I met him at, it turned out to be more than just that.
[YOUTUBE]CafL0rPi3mo[/YOUTUBE]
An experience Ill never forget, I am not the biggest TNA fan but meeting Hogan, Sting, D-Von Dudley, and others was a fun time for me, and it was a good experience even if these guys arent the young lions they once were. And they went above what they were obligated to do in pleasing a fan. At the end of the day, thats what it should be about instead of just always standing by the fact that its always just for a paycheck. Again, like I said before these people have to make a living, I cant blame them for that.
