This week I want to talk a little bit about Hulk Hogan joining TNA and some of my thoughts on the WWE product as of late.

First and foremost, Hulk Hogan in TNA:

Hulk Hogan is without a doubt the most recognized name in wrestling history and again without a doubt the most followed wrestler by fans throughout the world of wrestling. Folks love or hate Hulk Hogan he has always been the biggest thing in wrestling. The fact is he's always had tons of drawing power, knows how to get the fans on his side and whether you like it or not is some what of wrestling mastermind.

With all this being said, the Hulk Hogan name has much value in wrestling and for TNA. Hogan will draw fans to TNA and there is no question about that. The question really is, is Hulk Hogan the person good for TNA?.

Everyone knows that Hogan has a history of having a huge ego, playing the backstage politics to his advantage and always doing what he could to put himself in the main spotlight of every wrestling organization he has been a part of. The result normally ended up being Hulk Hogan not putting others over and using the power he has to his advantage with disregard for younger talent.

If Hogan comes aboard with the mindset that he is there to help make TNA a better product by making sure he helps put over younger talent and build stars in whatever way he can, than Hogan is there for the right reasons and that is what's going to make TNA a competitor in the future.

However if Hogan's ego comes involved and it becomes all about him, I can't ever see TNA growing and being a competitor. The name of Hogan will initially draw for TNA, but if the bookers aren't consistent on building a consistent strong enjoyable wrestling show after the arrival to television of the Hulkster, ratings will eventually as before when new stars have joined TNA and given them a ratings jump for a few weeks or months, will once again drop. I think that Hogan will probably draw their best numbers thus far, even more so than Kurt Angle's arrival, but again the productivity is what will keep drawing fans. Hulk Hogan is the initiator, great booked shows is what's going to keep the ratings going and in strong development. Back to my original point, Hogan cannot be the main focus cause in the end his drawing power will only end up diminishing all hope for TNA's long term success.

I think that the TNA title should never be around the waist of Hogan, whether or not he's marketable or not and obviously he still is, why else would the WWE go through with a Hulk Hogan DVD after he signed with another company. If TNA feels they want to give Hogan a title, give him the legends title and actually make that title stand for something by putting it on a true legend and giving the title some credibility. As far as the world title it needs to stay along the waist of the younger, more agile and exciting wrestlers in the organization. AJ Styles is the best there is in wrestling right now in my opinion and most certainly in TNA and he should maintain that title for a good amount of time, especially with Hogan's arrival drawing more attention, he is the guy he needs to be showcased.

I look forward to Hogans arrival, but if he is not used to put over younger guys than he is in long term a bad decision for TNA. So the question is, is Hogan there to be in the spotlight?, does that ego still exist?, or is he ready to pass the torch and help build stars?. Is Hulk ready to do the right thing to really pass that torch and help TNA maybe head towards a once again creation of the Monday Night Wars, time will tell.....

Moving on to the WWE product.

I will keep this short but run down a few things.

I like the fact that WWE is building trying to build stars. Sheamus and Kofi Kingston among the biggest two that are receiving a well deserved push. I've always liked Kingston and he is showing me lately that he has ability to be a future star and his feud with Randy Orton is only going to help him become just that.

Sheamus rise to the top kind of came quick and of surprise to me, but the guy in my opinion is has a lot to offer and is worthy of a push. I don't see him beating Cena just yet or winning the title and that's fine, but he is on the rise and it's good to see a guy with lots of potential to get his chance.

Rhodes and Debiase: These two guys both have known names being second generation superstars and are good all around athletes. They've both been getting pushes over the past year and I think they are both great heels. I hope they are a big part of the future.

Randy Orton: My feelings on Randy Orton have always been up and down. But one thing I will never critisize him for is the fact that he is a great credible heel and because of it, he helps any face get over and become strongly liked by fans. Right now it's Kofi Kingston he is feuding with and I think that this is going to be one of Ortons best feuds in a while. Orton is probably in the best heel in wrestling right now and I every organization needs that.

While there are some good pushes, some are not worthy of one and are getting one.

Mark Henry: This guy is not a good wrestler, all around he has nothing much to offer wrestling besides being a big man and that sure as hell does not sell me even a bit. The fact that this guy receives a push towards upper mid card status is a joke and annoys me as a fan.

DX: Okay DX is DX and I know tons of people will always like them, but they are not the same DX that originated years ago and they have lost tons of excitement. I am fine with DX being around, because both Michaels and Triple H are worthy of helping carry a good show and still have much potential to be a huge part of any show they are on, however they need to take a step back. DX needs to help build younger stars at this point and should no longer be part of the main showcase of Raw. Sadly for me I see DX on TV these days and I most of the time change the channel and go back later. They are very useful veterans who can help younger stars by passing the torch and taking that back seat, but until it happens I could care less about them, plus I don't find their humor these days.....good humor!.

The Big Show: I've never thought much of the Show, but at one point he was a big part of wrestling as one of the bigger guys. However now is no longer that time, the Big Show was in the main event a few weeks ago on Raw and I have to ask why? I am not interested in watching any main event with the big show on it, he is not a good wrestler and WWE needs to realize people want to watch wrestling these days in the main event(in general, but especially in the main event). Wrestling is no longer about size and most fans don't want to see guys with a lot of size getting pushes when they can't put on a show in the ring. I speak as a fan and I want to see guys who can wrestle and give you a good wrestling match get the chance, it's time for guys like Henry and Show to just go or take a considerably big step down to mid card or lower status.

Cena: I understand the guy sells merchandise, I understand that he is probably one of the most marketable WWE stars right now, but it does not mean I'm gonna like him. I think the company is too high on him, he isn't very much of a wrestler(even though he has improved over the years), sure he is good on the microphone, but overall he isn't that exciting wrestler that is going to be a part of many matches that is gonna leave me saying “wow that was a great match, did you see what Cena did?”, unless the guy he's wrestling is an incredible wrestler with great selling ability. Cena does have a lot of offer in some areas, but he is not a guy who should have the title so frequently, it's time for a change and a new champion. I personally can't stand seeing Cena as a champion and judging by his every year heel reaction at Wrestlemania's when he is supposed to the face, many fans think the same. A lot of people don't like Cena and if this is the case at least turn him heel, freshin up his character and let people enjoy booing instead of some cheering. People boo now because they are just tired of Cena and probably tired of seeing him be champion over and over again. I see John Cena and say “great when is this segment gonna end”. But if he was a heel , I think I might actually enjoy it, because I would have real good reason to want to boo him or dislike him, now I just dislike him!. All around I would love to see someone else with the title and Cena to be out of the picture at least for a while, because he's becoming a champion on a much to regular basis and it's killing it for me.

I could run through more names, but these are the ones that most stick out to me at this point. The fact is the WWE is heading towards building some younger stars and that's good to see. Never the less with some guys getting pushes that just aren't worthy of one anymore and that should not be a part of the main WWE focus, it only causing the show to remain stale in a lot of areas and the WWE being an all around mediocre wrestling product. People don't want mediocre and until some serious changes are made that is what wrestling will remain.

I will note I enjoy TNA a little more right now than WWE, mainly because I find they have better wrestling for the most part and better wrestlers(or at least are making use of their better wrestlers). The fact that AJ Styles, who is no doubtingly in my opinion one of the best existent wrestlers right now is the champion, it makes TNA more appealing than WWE having a guy like John Cena being world champion. But don't let these words fool you, while TNA seems to be on better track in making a more a watchable show for me, they still need much improvement as well and are maybe putting on a little more than a mediocre show, that still has to be better.

I really hope that Hogan's part in TNA takes the show to another level or two and new stars are developed and made valuable to the future of the organization, to the point of TNA being future competition. Truth be told competition will force the WWE to make a better product, because if TNA ends up in competition it only means they are doing something better than their competitor and that can only cause Vince McMahon to make his show better. The New World Order forced the Monday Night Wars, thus forcing WWE to create the attitude era, which created the best most watchable wrestling in history. A wrestling fan can only hope, dream and wish for that to one day be evident again.

Till next time everyone have a great week and God speak!

If anyone has comments or questions, feel free to email andrew_vincent@live.com.