Hulk Hogan Challenges Ric Flair to a Match at Wrestlemania: Revisited

You know, I was just thinking...

Thinking about the whole Hulk Hogan video on MTV.com yesterday.

If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's my entry from yesterday: Hulk Hogan Challenges Ric Flair to a Match at Wrestlemania

Anyway... this isn't going to be one of my long winded diatribes. My thought was since Hulk Hogan seems to have such loose lips... (see my thoughts on this here: Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff vs. Vince McMahon) ...what if this deal is already done?

I'll be curious to see if this pops up on one of the WWE shows, and if Hogan opened his mouth early, like he seemingly has done in the past. Yeah, it's good to build buzz, but if, if, IF this is a done deal, I'm pretty sure Vince wanted it kept quiet until WWE releases it.

Disclaimer: This is all speculation. I'm not one to perpetuate rumors.

Hulk Hogan Challenges Ric Flair to a Match at Wrestlemania 24

You read that headline correctly.

In a video interview posted on MTV.com this morning, that's what Hulk Hogan is saying.

In the video, Hogan says, 'They need a main event real bad. When I think about Ric Flair stylin' and profilin', when I think about Hulk Hogan going head on head with Ric Flair in my backyard... They got a lot of tickets, brother, that need to be sold. The power of the 'mania, brother? Could be strong, brother.'

When asked if he was going to put Ric Flair out for good, Hogan replied, 'Either he'll put me out for good, or I'll put him out for good. One or the other. That would be the match of the new millennium. Hogan vs. Flair. Maybe get Vince McMahon as a special guest referee. Game on.'

Oh brother.

While this would sell a ton of pay per views, I can't see that Vince would ever do it. I mean, how could he? If Hogan wins, yes, Flair retires, but then Hogan gets a huge push right before he (supposedly) launches his new, rival wrestling promotion with Eric Bischoff. If Hogan loses, Flair has to stick around, and they have to figure out how to get rid of him again.

Smart move, Hulk. Even someone such as myself, who hates to watch the old-timers do the same moves they've done for decades, would be eager to watch. I don't think Vince is greedy enough to go for it. It wouldn't be a good business decision, if your new promotion is legit.


To read the article and watch the video: Celebrity Faves (about halfway down the page)

Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff vs. Vince McMahon?

Holy crap.

I just stumbled onto an interesting bit of news... and I can't believe that I haven't heard this yet.

I was just on The Sun, and there lies before me a headline that reads: Hulk Hogan to Start WWE Rival.

According to the article, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff (former head of WCW, if you don't know), are in discussions to take on WWE with their own wrestling promotion.

Hulk Hogan is quoted as saying the following:

"Last night me and Eric were getting ready to sign a deal with one of the TV networks here in America.

We had a little bit of a problem with the licensing and merchandising, which has delayed it.

But I totally expect we’re going to sign the TV portion of this very soon, because there’s no point in starting any sort of wrestling organisation without the TV locked in place."

Hulk added:

'The basic idea will be the same as WWE, but I pray to god it’s nothing like what’s on TV now.

I’m a fan, but it is pretty boring programming. It’s watered down and unexciting, and the viewer doesn’t have any option except to have it shoved down his throat.

We’re going to have a lot of back story for viewers to understand why these people are doing what they're doing.

It won’t be family members in the back writing storylines on things they know nothing about.'

(Ouch. pretty sure that's a dig at you, Steph)

Well well well. It seems like Hulk has loose lips. Now he's talking about this new 'potential' wrestling promotion before it's a done deal, last month he told TMZ about NBC ordering 12 more episodes (maybe it was 16, I don't remember) of American Gladiators before that deal was announced, as well as his daughter Brooke being on Dancing with the Stars. The 'HBF' (Hogan/Bischoff Federation... that's what I'm calling it) must be what Hulk was going on about on his 'The View' appearance. See that blog entry for the video (click here), but it was something along the lines of:

'wrestling used to be about the wrestling, the art...it seems like now there are lots of people talking about what they are going to do.'

Not an exact quote, but it's late and I don't feel like watching that video again.

When he was asked what Vince McMahon thought about all this, Hogan replied:

'I have no idea what Vince thinks or knows about all of this, I don’t speak to him.'

Now there's good and bad about this whole situation. The good is, WWE needs competition. Things have gone stale. I think the WWE was at it's height during the Monday Night War. The bad is, TNA will most likely get squashed before it can get it's act together.

I have a theory... maybe not a good theory... and the last thing that I want to do is start a rumor, but... wouldn't it be interesting if the reason The CW willingly gave up it's highest-rated show, Friday Night Smackdown, was to sign a deal with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff. I doubt this is the case, but it makes sense to me. Why else would they give up their ratings... and why would Hogan/Bischoff want to put their fledgling promotion up against the juggernaut that is Monday Night Raw?

For the full interview on The Sun: Hulk Hogan to Start WWE Rival

Too tired to write more... maybe in the morning.

Paul Heyman's Latest Sun Interview: This is going to p*** people off

UK tabloid, The Sun, released another frank interview with Paul Heyman today. Paul Heyman delves even further into the behind-the-scenes world of professional wrestling and sports entertainment.

In the first portion of the interview, he elaborates a bit further on his working relationship with Stephanie McMahon. I was surprised in the initial interview about Heyman's comments about Steph, and even more surprised by this one... extremely respectful and complimentary. I don't know Stephanie McMahon, but I personally don't like some of the things she's doing with creative (yeah, before you flame me, internet readers, I know she doesn't write everything... but she is the head of the team. Oh by the way, thanks for adding the term, 'The Vinc-ess' to my vocabulary, Paul. Heh).

Paul Heyman goes on to talk about his conspiracy theory about the 'heir' of WWE. Heyman believes that Vince will control WWE well into his 90's, and pass control onto one of Shane McMahon's sons so that 'a McMahon' is controlling the company. I had never considered this before, but it makes total sense. I must admit though, secretly, I'd love to see what would happen if Triple H gained some control of the company via Steph. I know, according to the rumor mill, Trips is supposedly on his high horse behind the scenes, and looks down on a lot of the talent. If it's true, while I can't say I condone looking down your (large) nose at the other talent, I honestly don't see how he couldn't be on a high horse. Trips is 'that damn good', and never fails to entertain. Maybe I've bought into the hype... maybe I'm brainwashed, but Hulk Hogan was right (I can't believe I'm standing behind Hogan).

What am I talking about, you ask? Yesterday, Hulk Hogan was on The View to promote American Gladiators No, I don't watch The View. Seriously, I watched it on the internet. What do you mean you don't believe me? Fine, here (wrestling talk is about 2:53 in):

Hogan is right. There are no more 'larger-than-life characters like The Rock or Stone Cold Steve Austin. Triple H is about as close as we come. I hate to live in the past, but how I miss WWE's 'Attitude Era'. Just a side note... I had to laugh about Hogan's mention of 'the old days' (about 5:00 in) and 'the guys' that would 'punch you in the face if someone said wrestling was fake'. Hulk, do you mean like on March 27th, 1985 when you choked out Richard Belzer and dropped him on the floor during a TV interview with you and Mr. T, when he asked you if it was fake? When you say 'guys', you mean 'guys' like you, right? You're not so innocent, Hulkster... Some of us remember... Brother.

Anyway, I'm rambling...

Paul Heyman goes on to talk about what's 'wrong' with TNA. I never realized it, but he's totally right. It should be obvious to anyone. The problem, is branding. The following quotes pretty much sum it up:

'You look at Kurt Angle and you think WWE. You look at Booker T and think WCW, five-time, five-time, five-time or King Booker in WWE. You look at The Dudleys and think ECW or WWE or even tables.'

He goes on to say:

'I don't think the problem is in the talent, it's in the BRANDING of that talent. If you walked Angle through the airport, nobody would say: "There's that guy from TNA."

Nobody equates Angle, or anybody in that company, to TNA. As a company, they desperately need to address that.'

Absolutely true.

Paul also talks about the ideas of join forces with TNA, Ring of Honor, and even MMA promotions IFL & Yamma.

It's a good read. Given the sports entertainment interviews that The Sun keeps putting up, it appears that Paul Heyman will be addressing both celebrity gossip and sports entertainment. At least, one can hope.

Find the full Paul Heyman interview here: This is going to p*** people off

There were also two more Heyman Hustle commercials put up since I've posted last.
Find the third commercial here: Heyman Hustle Third Commercial
Find the final commercial here: Heyman Hustle Final Commercial