Monday Night Mayhem radio with Rob Van Dam
Hosts: Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent
Available at MondayNightMayhem.com.

Since leaving World Wrestling Entertainment two years ago, rumors have continued to swirl that Rob could be moving over to TNA…and those rumors kicked into high gear after he attended last month’s Bound For Glory PPV in California (as a guest of Booker T) and met both Dixie Carter and Vince Russo. Now that Hulk Hogan has officially signed with TNA, how appealing is TNA to RVD? The question on the hearts and minds of fans across the globe was answered exclusively on The Mayhem.

“With Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff now in TNA, it’s a very interesting time in the wrestling business…and in a very positive way,” Van Dam said. “I was at Bound For Glory saying hi to some friends. And part of that was, ‘Oh, hi, Dixie, nice to meet you.’ We have talked on the phone…Same thing with Vince Russo. Now that Hogan and Bischoff are there, it’s definitely putting a lot of energy on TNA, a lot of focus and eyes. Now if they can follow up with that, they could really, really grow.” He went to add, “It’s more appealing because they raised the stakes.”

Many people in the wrestling industry are indeed skeptical about TNA’s acquisition of “The Hulkster,” with such superstars as The Honky Tonk Man saying Hogan joining the company very will could be “the end of TNA.” Others have speculated that some of Hogan’s long-time friends and colleagues (such as Brutus Beefacke and The Nasty Boys) could have jobs again in the business with Hogan in charge. RVD knows Hogan well (especially after having the opportunity to be a special guest trainer on last fall’s “Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling”), and was asked what can Hogan bring to the table at this time to TNA.

“Hulk Hogan brings credibility and name recognition,” he said. A lot of people that don’t watch wrestling and many haven’t watched wrestling in five or ten years, they all know who Hulk Hogan is. He is a great representative of what wrestling can be. Should he have the book? I don’t know. Just because you have one talent in the business, doesn’t mean you have something else. I can’t imagine myself having the book and being in charge. If they do allow Knobbs and Beefcake and those guys to come in, we can all say TNA wasn’t that smart.”

Rob was asked if the industry can get back to when there was five-star matches all the time and if there can be a rebirth of sorts:

“I would hope so, but I would understand if it went the other way too, because I had enough so I would understand when other people have had enough. I don’t watch wrestling in fact I haven’t watched it since 2001, so when I was in the WWE, I would record the show and fast-forward through it to my to critique it. It became about business to me, and I didn’t want to watch other people work. I see what they are doing, and I’m not impressed with a lot of what I see on TV. I see people going through movements, but they have no sense of art and pro wrestling is an art.”

He continued by adding: “Can we get the wrestling business fun with Hulk Hogan in TNA? I don’t know but here’s one thing, part of why it’s not interesting to watch anymore is because it’s so routine and mundane. Every match from the beginning to the end, have to be ‘superstar vs. superstar.’ They have to be treated like main events, they all have to go six or seven minutes, they have to back and forth all the time, and someone catches a fall. What happened to the jobber matches? Big John Studd would have a squash match with two or three guys, and then when he faced like Hulk Hogan, it meant something. But now every match, we have to see the babyface cry and sell, and the heel do his stuff, and the babyface make his big comeback. Every match? I don’t enjoy that.”

More goodness is contained in this exclusive interview with “The Whole F’n Show,” including his candid comments and thoughts on Shane McMahon’s departure from the WWE, what he would like to see more of in wrestling today, and a special “Get Well” message to the voice of World Wrestling Entertainment, Jim Ross. Don’t forget to log onto www.RobVanDam.com and www.MySpace.com/GoToRobVanDam.com to get the latest on RVD TV (and how you can score a free membership), RVD Radio, and Rob’s forthcoming overseas European tour!

Credit: PWTorch.com Newsletter

The news of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff is being greeted with a “wait and see” attitude from within TNA. The expectations from those within the industry is ranging from a short-term deal all the way to an ownership stake of TNA.

At one point Hogan and Bischoff were seeking a stake in ownership during a previous negotiating stint with the company, however TNA turned that idea down.

There is a wide range of emotions amongst the wrestlers in the company about the news. More than one wrestler has expressed fear that TNA would become all about Hogan and friends, such as Brutus Beefcake and The Nasty Boys. However, others have expressed optimism that the duo of Hogan and Bischoff could open new doors in the business world for the company. Some wrestlers were excited by the possibility of working with Hogan in the ring, even if it means putting him over.

The biggest fear with most of the wrestlers in TNA is that the company will become like WCW, in that older wrestlers receive almost all of the spotlight. It’s been described as a “roller coaster” for the TNA roster by one source, since it felt like they were finally getting their chance to shine when Vince Russo was put in charge of creative and he made it clear he was going through with his youth movement. So far the movement is being labeled a success within the company, as Russo has pushed the three names Dixie Carter gave him (AJ Styles, Matt Morgan and Hernandez) to create into new marquee names.

UPDATES: Flair’s TNA contract – Will he wrestle?; Pics: John Morrison’s new tattoo, & more

TNA Wrestling star Samoa Joe has posted a message on his Twitter page in response to the Internet rumor that he was upset with TNA management because they did not use a friend’s catering business at the Bound For Glory pay-per-view.  Joe wrote:

“I often wonder how Wrestling news sites can call their posts “news” when they cannot cite sources or provide proof of what they say occurred? I’m not targeting anyone in particular. I’m just saying in normal journalistic circles sources and evidence are key aspects of journalism. I mean wrestling is a highly political game so you have to wonder what are these sources agendas? I’m just saying I know a few sites follow me I am interested in their take and their accountability policies. BTW I’m not a “sheet hater.” They bolster interest and discussion in the industry & I feel they have become a integral part of wrestling media. I get trashed & scrutinized everyday which is fine – IT’S PART OF MY JOB, but when people fabricate what I say about others, thats wank. I don’t want sheets to disappear. I just am calling for you to UP YOUR GAME, be better than what you are currently, Truth = Relevance.”

There have been reports over the past week or so that TNA Wrestling star Kevin Nash is currently suspended from the company. The suspension was reportedly a result of Nash “going into business for himself” at a recent iMPACT! taping and criticizing TNA for the way they handled a botched spot on Chris Sabin that could have left the Motor City Machine Gun member in very bad shape.

Nash has responded with a statement on his Facebook page:

“Thought I would clear up some internet bullshit. The reason I did not receive a letter from T.N.A was because this matter was discussed between President Dixie Carter and myself. I promise you it cost me money not a paid vacation at my beach home. I understand Dixie’s reason for the action she has taken but stand by my reaction to what at the time appeared a serious neck injury to [Sabin].”

TNA Wrestling has announced the following for tonight’s edition of iMPACT! on their official website:

Tonight, TNA Wrestling returns to Spike at 9/8c for two hours of Total Nonstop Action! What’s next for Hulk Hogan in TNA? How will his arrival change the face of Total Nonstop Action and the upcoming November 15 “Turning Point” Pay-Per-View event?

– There will be an update on the condition of TNA World Heavyweight Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, who has been attacked by a mystery assailant in recent weeks! Who is behind all of it? Tune in Thursday for the latest on AJ!

– In huge tag team action, it will be Team 3D taking on the tandem of “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan and Hernandez

– “The Boss” Bobby Lashley will be in action as he faces Homicide

– Plus, the sexy TNA Knockouts will compete as Tara battles the maniacal Daffney!

All this and much more on Thursday’s huge “iMPACT!” on Spike starting at 9/8c!

• *Spoilers* TNA iMPACT! Tapings Results For Tonight

– Thanks to JP Nichols and PWInsider.com for these live spoilers from tonight’s iMPACT tapings in Orlando. These will air on November 12th, the Thursday before Turning Point:

* Before the tapings started, Alyssa Flash
defeated Traci Brooks by submission. After the match, Traci attacked Alyssa.

* iMPACT starts with Mick Foley coming out for the match between Abyss and Stevie Richards. After a Black Hole Slam, the lights went out. When the lights came back on, Abyss was laid out and Richards got the win. Richards went to put a chair around Abyss’ throat but Foley attacked Richards to stop him. The lights went out again and a fireball was thrown in Foley’s face. The lights go back on and it was Raven who threw the fireball. He hits a Raven Effect and then posed with Daffney and Stevie.

* Jim Neidhart defeated Jay Lethal with a running power slam.

* Kurt Angle comes out in a suit to a large ovation. He calls Turning Point the most important night of his life. He puts over A.J. Styles and Matt Morgan. Kurt says that he has no respect for someone who comes in and attacks him. He says that Desmond has earned nothing and Angle says that he will terminate Desmond’s wrestling career. Desmond appears on the screen and Desmond says that he is here to take Angle’s place. Wolfe comes through the crowd and that leads to a brawl between Angle and Wolfe. Desmond hits a DDT on the floor.

* They introduce Super Dave Osborne and he is at the announce table with Mike Tenay and Taz.

* Motor City Machine Guns and TNA X Division Champion Amazing Red defeated Homicide, Sheik Abdul Bashir, and Kiyoshi. Homicide tried to bring in a barbed wire baseball bat, but security stopped Homicide and carried him out. Machine Guns pinned Bashir.

* After the match, Super Dave Osborne left the announce table.

* Team 3D come out with Rhino. They talk about choice with TNA based on something that Dixie Carter said about whether you were on board or not. He says that they are glad that they turned because they are getting lots of heat. Matt Morgan and Hernandez come out. Ray says that he has spilled more DNA in TNA than Morgan has in his body. Ray calls Hernandez a Mexican without a green card. A six man street fight is announced for Turning Point and Ray asks Morgan and Hernandez if they have a partner. Morgan says that they do not need a partner. Devon says that that if they are the future of TNA, then TNA will be no more. D’Angelo Dinero comes out and he says that he will be the third member of the team and then he runs down Team 3D.

* Beer Money defeated The British Invasion in a Non-Title Match to earn a spot in the tag title match at Turning Point. If the British Invasion were disqualified or counted out in this match, Beer Money would be added to the match. Rob Terry came out with a chair but Doug Williams told Rob to go back. Magnus almost used the chair but Williams stopped him as well. Beer Money was able to get the win with a DWI on Magnus.

* Samoa Joe defeated A.J. Styles in a Non-Title match after Styles passed out in the Choke. Daniels came out during the match and accidentally knocked A.J. off balance. Styles hit Daniels leading to Joe putting Styles in the choke. After the match, Joe posed with the belt.

* Taped For Xplosion: Rob Terry defeated Kip James.

Credit: prowrestling.net

Warning: The following information contains a spoiler for tonight’s TNA Impact taping

— Former ECW and NWA Champion Raven is backstage in Orlando for tonight’ TNA iMPACT! taping and will appear on tonight’s show. The feeling backstage is that he’s signed a short-term deal with the company.

— Former WWE tag champion Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart is also currently backstage tonight’s taping. Neidhart was the longtime partner of WWE Hall of Famer Bret “Hitman” Hart and is the father of WWE Diva Natalya. He’s expected to be used on-camera tonight. For those wondering if this is a result of Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff’s affiliation and a sign that more early 1990’s wrestlers are headed to TNA (ie. Brutus Beefcake & the Nasty Boys), we’re told that Neidhart was booked for tonight’s show before Hogan and Bischoff signed with the company.

The show that is taped tonight will air next Thursday, 11/12.

• Related News: Bret Hart Says He Wants To Wrestle Kurt Angle & AJ Styles – Is He TNA Bound?

Credit to Dylan Wolfe and PWInsider for these TNA iMPACT tapings results that will air Thursday night:

Madison Rayne vs. Taylor Wilde
Wilde wins by pinfall. Rest of Beautiful People run in and beat down on Wilde. Sarita attempts the save but gets beat down. ODB runs in and clears the ring.

AJ Styles makes his way to the ring. Talks about Hogan bringing TNA to a whole new level. Switches to who has jumped him and calls him out. Daniels comes out they go back and forth and ends with Daniels calling AJ arrogant and saying he is spoiled by TNA. Daniels claims he is just as good as AJ. Now Joe comes out to join the conversation to stir things up saying Daniels is jealous of AJ. Sets up AJ vs. Daniels for tonight.

EY and Rob Terry vs. Beer Money
Beer Money wins after EY accidentally hits Big Rob with the Legends Title. British Invasion comes down to save EY from a DUI. When W.E. gets to the top of the ramp they are jumped by the MCMG.

Penzer announces that Joe will be the ref for the AJ vs Daniels match.

Cody Deaner vs. Desmond Wolfe
One clothesline and its done…guess who won…Wolfe. He goes to the top of the ramp to address Kurt just running him down wondering why he would want to get back in the ring with him at Turning Point.

Joe comes down the ref AJ vs. Daniels with latex gloves on?

Daniels makes his way to the ring and they cut to AJ in the back with JB. AJ is attacked by his mystery attacker so its not Joe or Daniels…as Daniels goes back to check AJ, Joe jumps him and gives him a muscle buster.

Tara vs. Hamada
Tara wins after a Widow’s Peak. Kong comes out but is stopped by security just before she can get in the ring. Tara goes to the top rope and dives on Kong and security.

Penzer claims Daniels vs. AJ will still happen.

Mick Foley comes out and says he has a gift for Abyss which turns out to be a drawing of him and Abyss. He praises who Abyss has become. Next week Abyss vs. Dr. Stevie. If Abyss pins Stevie then he is gone from TNA.

Homicide vs Bobby Lashley w/ Krystal who quickly gets sent to the back by Earl Hebner. Lashley wins after a one handed press slam. Cide attacks Lashley from behing only to be brought up for another press slam Lashley drops him after he sees Steiner on the screen going after Krystal. Lashley goes to the back. Cide pushes Earl Hebner twice until Red comes out to save Earl.

AJ vs. Daniels (Take 2)
Crowd was really behind this one and it was a great match that went back and forth between the two. AJ wins after the Styles Clash. At the end of the match Joe looks like he is about to leave and instead chokes AJ out and poses over the two holding the title belt.

Team 3D vs. Morgan and Hernandez
During the match Rhyno comes down mid match and attempts to give Brother Ray a chair but he pushes Rhyno away. Ray finally snaps and uses the chair on their opponents. They 3D looks disappointed in themselves and Rhyno gores both Hernandez and Morgan. He then raises 3D’s arms in the middle of the ring.

The Beautiful People and Kong vs ODB, Sarita, Taylor Wilde, and Tara
Heels win after Kong pinned Taylor.

Explosion Match
Kiyoshi w/ Bashir vs. Suicide
Suicide wins after his finisher.

The October 29 edition of TNA iMPACT on Spike TV scored a 1.3 cable rating, with an average audience of 1.7 million viewers up against the Major League Baseball World Series. TNA was ranked #2 in the Males 18-49 demographic among basic cable networks, with a 1.10 in that demo — their highest since April of this year. The footage of Hulk Hogan’s press conference was the lowest rated segment of the show, while the trend of Scott Steiner being in the highest rated segment continued. This was TNA’s largest average audience since July. Here is a complete breakdown of the quarter-hour ratings:

Q1: 1.21 – Kurt Angle/Desmond Wolfe promo; AJ/Joe promo
Q2: 1.27 – Tara vs. Alyssa Flash; Team 3D promo
Q3: 1.26 – Machine Guns vs. 3D; Steiner promo; Young vs. Lashley
Q4: 1.30 – Young vs. Lashley; Steiner run-in; Nash promo; AJ/Daniels promo
Q5: 1.24 – The Beautiful People vs. Christy Hemme & Hamada
Q6: 1.19 – Abyss vs. Dr Stevie; Matt Morgan vs. Rhino
Q7: 1.24 – Samoa Joe/Daniels promo; Homicide attacks Don West; Kurt promo
Q8: 1.18 – Kurt Angle vs. Desmond Wolfe; Hogan press conference

BREAKING: RVD & Bischoff backstage @ iMPACT Tapings + HUGE Ric Flair-TNA Update [GO NOW >>]

— Sting is not expected to return to TNA action soon. Word going around is that he won’t return until several months into 2010.

— TNA President Dixie Carter announced via her twitter account that Knockouts champion ODB has signed a “new multiyear deal” with the promotion.

— Jim Cornette updated the Q&A section of his website with a long response to the question “What is your opinion of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff signing with TNA?” Cornette answered, “This whole thing reminds me of why I hate corporate wrestling. I must admit there are bright spots, like imagining Vince McMahon’s face and blood pressure when he heard the news, or hearing Hogan bitchslap Vince Russo by saying they’d be OK if “he stays in his place.” Can TNA make their minds up, LAST month everybody had to be “100% behind Russo’s creative direction” and THIS month they hire a guy who once SUED him for his lousy booking? They have reunited the same team that helped WCW lose more money than any wrestling promotion in history.” To continue reading, visit cornette’s official website.

Jerry Jarrett, one of the founders of TNA Wrestling, posted the following comments on his Facebook page today regarding TNA’s new partnership with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff:

The hot news currently is all about Hulk Hogan and Eric Bishoff signing with TNA. I sincerely wish them well and from the one comment I read, Hulk might be able to bring a positive shift to the company. Hulk stated that he wants to help the new talent learn and appreciate the “Art of Professional Wrestling”. If he is allowed to do this, the product will greatly improve and it will be positive for the business.

The “Art of Professional Wrestling” has been lost recently and I place the blame squarly on the shoulders of the promoters of the business. Wrestling talent currently is over-produced to the point that most wrestlers are reduced to trying to be actors, (which most are not) by giving scripted interviews and robotic matches. To make matters worse, the scripts are written by producers who don’t have a clue what professional wrestling is all about.

In about five years the business changed and in my opinion for the worst. I discovered in 2002, when we started TNA, that the heart of the business had been removed and all that remained was the illusion of professional wrestling. I walked in the building in Huntsville, Ala. to find the ring filled with wrestlers rehearsing every move that they planned to make during their match. I watched as wrestlers sat reading and memorizing interviews. I was dumbfounded when I discovered that basic principals of the business were alien to the new wrestlers. I felt that I was talking in a foreign language. What is heat? What is a ring general? What is selling? What do you mean when you say listen to the fans?

I was told after I broke into this business that it was our duty to teach the new talent the “Art of Professional Wrestling”.I was told when we began TNA that the business had changed and it was not possible to go back to that art form. I have my personal excuses for not going in that direction, but I regret not trying and this is why I truly hope Terry can do what I could not do.

The business today has truly changed. The new wrestlers are taught in “training camps”, or wrestling schools. It seems to me that if you put twenty wrestlers in a school and one man teaches them all, they would tend to be somewhat clones of each other. Wrestlers should be taught the business by other wrestlers in live situations. A student who goes to a wrestling school will learn everything he is going to lean at the school in 90 days. He will never advance until he learns from veteran wrestlers in live match situations. Far too much emphases is placed on in ring work anyway. I think this is the result of wrestling websites, written by people who have never had a match, telling wrestlers that they have a 5 star match or a 2 star match. I’d guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I’d also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined.

Superstars of the wrestling business become Superstars because of their personalities and not because of their in-ring wrestling abliity. Verbal skills are much more important that physical skills when it comes to drawing money in this business. You don’t develop verbal skills in a talent by writing a script and allowing the talent to read his lines. How can a writer of these interview scripts not produce clone interviews? The unique personalities of wrestlers are hidden and only the thoughts of this one writer are expressed.

The uniqueness of professional wrestling and it’s great public appeal is based on the interaction of personalities of the talent. To not understand this concept is to fail. If you take a walk in your memory and remember the great stars of professional wrestling, you will find that you best remember the personality and not the matches of these stars.

So Terry, good luck in your efforts. You have a big job in front of you.

Jerry

In an interview with the Chicago Tribune newspaper, Hulk Hogan pulled no punches when talking about his relationship with WWE CEO Vince McMahon. Hogan admits that his return to wrestling is partially motivated by money, but says the desire to help the industry and compete with Vince are also factors.

“Some people say Vince made wrestling and some say it was Hulk Hogan,” Hogan said. “We both did it together. I thought it would be cool to see who has more juice right now.” He added “I still have reasons to go do this, and it’s not just because I need to make money — which I do. I still love it. I still love it, man. I don’t know what else to say.”

Hulk explained that he wears his WWE Hall of Fame ring to cover up a tattoo of his ex-wife’s name, but any value the ring has is purely sentimental. “I think Vince McMahon paid $20 for it. My high school ring was better than this thing.”

Despite the expectations that he’s coming to TNA to wrestle, his true motivation is to get people excited about wrestling again. “It’s all about having fun and making the crowd go crazy and I think I can still do that, man. I might limp a little and might have to pull myself up by the ropes to get up, but I won’t know until I get in there,” he said. “If I really do embarrass myself to the point where fans are laughing at me, I’ll leave.”

Hogan also talked about his unsuccessful attempts to join the rock bands Metallica and the Rolling Stones. To read the entire interview, visit ChicagoTribune.com.

Solomonster Sounds Off

DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE:
Solomonster Sounds Off (Episode 88)
*right-click, “Save As”, or stream it!

Est. Runtime: 69 minutes

Some of the topics discussed in this edition of the Sound Off include:

| A 30-minute discussion of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff signing with TNA, and the BIGGER announcement that has yet to be made

| Bragging Rights thoughts, including a very good Iron Man Match (but far from the greatest of all-time)

| Main events for Survivor Series are set and, of course, it’s more of the same

| WWE Films developing a movie project for The Undertaker (and an ORIGIN STORY at that!)

*Just want to note that I had so much stuff to talk about, I forgot to mention the Randy Orton/Kofi Johns….err Kingston angle from Raw, which I thought was AWESOME. How they follow it up will be key, but Kofi showed main event potential in his promo ability on Monday night. Big hopes for him!

Want your question on the air? Send feedback to THESOLOMONSTER@gmail.com.

Wanna subscribe to the Sound Off via iTunes? CLICK HERE!

Visit The Solomonster on Twitter @ twitter.com/solomonster

The news of Hulk Hogan’s partnership with TNA Wrestling helped this week’s iMPACT! increase 20% over last week.

The 10/29 edition of iMPACT! drew a 1.3 rating. By comparison, the 10/29 edition of WWE Superstars on WGN did a 0.9 rating.

This week’s iMPACT! featured footage from Hulk Hogan’s press conference from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The footage aired in the show’s final segment and TNA hyped it all night.

Hulk Hogan appeared on NBC’s Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night. Fallon plugged his book and his “long-awaited return to pro wrestling” during Hulk’s intro. Jimmy talks about how he had all of the Hulk Hogan merchandise like the bandanas and dolls.

First, they talk about his book. Hulk says that he bottomed out, and everything disappeared at once which is what lead to the book. He recalls when he was about to open up American Gladiators and received the phone call that his wife was filing for divorce right before he was about to head onto the stage. He talks about having two of the worst days of his life when he got into his “old wrestler mentality” with drinking and taking pills. He says his main message is that things are cool and things get better. He says Eric Bischoff and Jimmy Hart told him he needs to speak up about his situation after he was getting slammed in the tabloids for so many months.

He speaks on Lou Albano passing away and says he was a great friend of his.

Jimmy says that The Hulkster just announced that he’s back wrestling again. Hulk says he’s going to get his legs back in Australia, and is going to be working with TNA. He says there has only been one wrestling company for the fans to watch, and he wants to start things back up again. He says he thinks he knows a little something about the wrestling business and wants to talk to all of the young wrestlers. There was no mention of tonight’s TNA iMPACT on Spike TV.

BREAKING: Ric Flair To TNA; Full Details On Plans for Flair & Hulk [FULL REPORT >>]

Bubba The Love Sponge

Hulk Hogan’job role in TNA could be more than just appearing on television and the occasional match. Radio personality Bubba The Love Sponge has posted some comments on Twitter.com that stating that Hulk Hogan will have more power than virtually anybody in TNA.

Mr. Sponge wrote, “[Hogan] is the boss. Period. Him and Eric biscoff will run the show. Things are going to get interesting. Vince is going to have a shit fit.”

He later added, “The boss boss. No work. He wouldn’t go back to only be the work boss. He is the boss boss. Promise”

When asked by one of his Twitter follows what he meant by Hogan being the “boss”, he clarified by saying, “He is the Booker. Period. Saw it in his contract. Terry and Eric won’t make the same mistakes that they made at wcw.”

• Check out: Bubba The Love Sponge’s Website

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with his thoughts on Hulk Hogan signing with TNA Wrestling and Hogan’s ability to keep hiimself in the spotlight:

“Hogan makes big news this week launching his new book, talking Australian tour, and briefly mentioning TNA on what I saw of his Larry King appearance Tuesday night of which ‘Ol Lar’ phoned it in.”

“Hulk Hogan is ALL over the news this week which re-establishes the premise that Hulk is one of the greatest, self promoters of all time…BROTHER! Now, that isn’t necessarily a bad thing as any independent contractor who is entrepreneurial in spirit such as a pro wrestler has to have the ability to promote one’s self in order to survive over time. Hogan is an old school guy, in many ways, so ‘keeping one’s self over’ is nothing new and many guys have raised that skill to an art form but none better than Hulk.

Hot of the heels of yesterday’s blockbuster news that Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff are now officially working with TNA Wrestling, there could be another industry-changing announcement brewing.

TNA Wrestling executives (including president Dixie Carter) were in New York City yesterday for Hulk Hogan’s Madison Square Garden press conference – but that’s not all they’re in town for.

SEScoops.com can confirm that TNA execs are meeting with Spike TV today in New York about moving TNA iMPACT! to Monday nights. From what we’re told, the show would air 8pm to 10pm, head-to-head with the first hour of WWE Raw.

We should have more on this story soon – possibly later today, so keep checking back for the latest.

Hulk Hogan appeared on Larry King Live tonight on CNN to plug his new book, My Life Outside The Ring. The interview started off with Hulk explaining why he came out with the book now, saying that he wants to give people hope and show them that life is worth fighting for.

He says that he “crashed and burned” and his life as he knew it had changed when he walked into his house and it was completely empty. He says he prayed to be happy, and things changed instantly. He recounts the story where he came close to suicide but a friendly phone call from Layla Ali gave him hope. He talks about how he hardly knew her but she called to check on him because she saw how lost he was on the set of American Gladiators when he was served with the divorce papers. Larry got a quote from Ali who says she had no idea the shape he was in when she called her, but that the phone call was divine intervention.

He says they weren’t hiding anything on Hogan Knows Best, but rather were hoping that the show would bring them together. He says he has learned that life is beautiful, and he doesn’t retract anything in the book because it’s all the truth. Hulk briefly mentions that Linda is still with Charlie Hill, who went to school with his children.

Larry calls Hulk’s story “incredible” and says the book is sure to be a best-seller.

They show a clip of Nick Hogan on Brooke Knows Best talking about losing his mind in solitary confinement in jail. Hulk says Nick is a great kid and walks in the spirit of Christ. He says both Nick and Brooke are great kids, and what happened with Nick was an accident. Hulk’s lawyer says that Hulk has always wanted to take care of John Graziano, but they feel some people among John’s guardians have ulterior motives. He says Hulk is being sued because he co-owned the vehicle and allowed his son to drive it. He says Brooke is working on her career and doing great things.

Hulk says he’s handled all of the recent events in his life by going back to a place that was real, and that was back of inside himself to find the spirit of Christ. He says that he already possesses everything he needs to be happy inside him, and now he attracts positive things because he‘s realized that.

They show footage from Hulk Hogan’s press conference at Madison Square Garden today. They show a bunch of fans wearing their Hulkamania gear and that one guy with a huge Hulk Hogan tattoo on his back. Larry mentions that Hulk has signed with TNA, and asks if Hulk will get back in the ring. Hulk says he is going to contribute as much as he can in TNA and take the business to a whole new level. He says he’s going to test out his legs in the ring in Australia before he decides if he’ll get in the TNA ring or not.

On the subject of steroids, he says when he got in the business everyone was using them and it was the norm. He says around 1988-1990 people got educated on it and realized it wasn’t necessary.

Hulk says Nick Hogan is heading out to Rikishi’s wrestling school in north Hollywood in his spare time and is learning the ropes. He thinks Nick is curious about what attracted his dad to the wrestling business all those years and wants to get in shape.

To close off the segment, Hulk says he wants to do a reality show where they find the next Hulk Hogan, like American Idol for wrestling.

BREAKING: Ric Flair To TNA; Full Details On Plans for Flair & Hulk [FULL REPORT >>]

Credit: PWInsider.com

For those who have asked whether Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff coming into the company means they are going to take the reigns of TNA, I am told, “absolutely not.” The signing is not a precursor to removing the current TNA creative team. Given Vince Russo’s past issues with Hogan, that is going to be extremely interesting to follow.

There are SpikeTV and TNA banners up at the Hogan press conference outside Madison Square Garden right now. Jimmy Hart is with Hogan as well. The signing was kept a secret to even the inner-most members of the TNA circle until today.

The press conference today featured Eric Bischoff introducing Hogan. Hogan talked about TNA and stated he was becoming a “partner” in the company and that he was feeling great and looking forward to being a part of the company. The conference left the impression Hogan may be involved as a personality, but not wrestling for the group.

TNA President Dixie Carter gave a short speech saying she was looking forward to working with Hogan and that while they have great ratings for a Thursday night, Hogan would be the “boost that TNA needed.” SpikeTV’s Kevin Kay was also in attendance and gave a brief statement about the network working with Hogan.

The Q&A session was said to mostly be fluff fan type questions, although one fan did ask Hogan whether working with Vince Russo would be an issue. 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.

When the topic of Eric Bischoff came up, Hogan did not say Bischoff was working with him in TNA but noted they have other side projects they are working on.

The details are still coming in, but I’ve received word that Hulk Hogan has signed a contract with TNA Wrestling and will announce the deal this afternoon at a press conference from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

A source who is at Madison Square Garden has informed us that TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter as well as several top TNA executives are at MSG for the announcement. There are Spike TV & TNA Wrestling banners at the press conference – this is about to go down in a BIG way.

UPDATE: PWInsider.com is now reporting that Eric Bischoff will be joining Hulk Hogan in TNA as well.

More on this story as it develops … Keep checking back throughout the day.

Solomonster Sounds Off

DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE:
Solomonster Sounds Off (Episode 87)
*right-click, “Save As”, or stream it!

Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 18 minutes

Some of the topics discussed in this edition of the Sound Off include:

| Bragging Rights preview, including Vince McMahon throwing a fit and changing Team SmackDown!

| Jim Ross suffers his third Bells Palsy attack, and the very LATEST update on his condition from JR himself

| Nigel McGuiness jumps to TNA and debuts against Kurt Angle, how it happened and why WWE isn’t to blame

| AJ Styles, Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash each have blow-ups with TNA management this week

| Bound for Glory thoughts, and why Turning Point is shaping up to be quite an impressive card

| What is the greatest match finish in wrestling history?

Want your question on the air? Send feedback to THESOLOMONSTER@gmail.com.

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Visit The Solomonster on Twitter @ twitter.com/solomonster

Taz posted a message on his Facebook page in response to a reader’s comment that TNA should bring in Paul Heyman and put him in charge of the creative team:

“How do u know if Paul would want to even be back in the wrestling biz?”

“How do u know if Paul was happy doing with he’s doing”

“How do you know if Vince Russo and Paul aren’t friends and talk ‘shop’ at times?

How do you know if TNA wants Paul?? How do you know if Paul wants TNA?

How do you know if Paul wasn’t offered to work for TNA already?

You don’t, sir.”

TNA Wrestling’s newest star Desmond Wolfe, formerly Nigel McGuiness in Ring of Honor, spoke to the  UK’s Daily Star this week and talked about where his new ring name came from, feuding with Kurt Angle and more. You can read the entire interview at DailyStar.co.uk. Some highlights:

Where the name Desmond Wolfe came from: “Everyone is asking me where I got the name from – someone said Withnail and I – but Vince said he did an internet search of the most popular British names and came up with Desmond Wolfe!”

Kurt Angle Being His First TNA Feud: “Who gets the opportunity to come in on their first day and beat up Angle, I mean that’s huge! Kurt has been great, just like everyone else – he’s really open to ideas. I said this in the pub the other night – if you’d have told me that I would be working Angle three weeks ago – I would have laughed, I guess that’s one of the wonderful things about life in general that it can happen – one door closes and another one opens.  Talking to Kurt, well, just look at the guys he’s worked with; it’s a who’s who of legends. Austin, Rock – that’s the level he is at, and it can only benefit me.”

Whether he went to TNA because he failed a WWE medical screening: “I had a clean bill of health from my orthopedic guy and my local doctor, so it’s not about that. I don’t hold against anything against them, it was a business decision, and  they were only doing what they think is best for them.”

While he denies that the WWE deal fell through due to him failing a physical, he did not say what the reason was beyond the fact that it was a “business decision.”

Related: Watch Desmond Wolfe’s TNA Debut From Thursday’s iMPACT!