In a week that would have otherwise seen a continued rush build for Bound for Glory, an increase of TNA’s internal anticipatory submission to the fact that the 11/30 PPV will happen, and growing industry concerns about the stability of TNA, and whether they had the wherewithal to promote a successful full-blown PPV at this stage, Hogan/TV deal ideology or not.
But this week is not that week. Just after last week’s H&S was published, I was given the news that Hogan would undergo knee surgery stemming from his match with Masahiro Chono. Whether fortunate or unfortunate for TNA, that is the case, and coming to an end with it, the planned PPV extravaganza Bound for Glory, which the company is currently describing as “postponed.”
While the Hogan camp is saying that Hogan needed knee surgery and came to this decision after much deliberation, the timing for this move is very curious and we still don’t know whether Hogan signed a contract. Historically the master of manipulation—what many call the real game of pro wrestling—Hogan’s possible manipulation of TNA has been a significant discussion in and out of the company. Inevitably, for some, that suspicion has been aroused once more.
With the extra time to pursue preparation for this large undertaking, the extra time to properly promote it may be good for the promotion. According to strict Nevada State Athletic Commission guidelines, which still greatly regulate wrestling and mixed martial arts in a time where state athletic commissions have generally deregulated across the board except with the sport of boxing, TNA will have greater time to obtain a licence (which they hadn’t the time to do for 11/30) as well as complete adherence to their guidelines. Las Vegas was considered heavily for the event, but was dropped from consideration upon realization that it was not feasible.
The belief is that the Hulk Hogan PPV will not happen until January of next year.
Show thoughts: TNA had a good show, once again with good booking and good wrestling. But their small problems are going to kill them. Backing out of the Hogan deal immediately and just because of Hogan, while the right decision, casts TNA in a position far inferior to WWE. This is something that has continued over time. The material at the top is good if tragically mundane and uninspired. The rest of the card is average and often filler. The supporting characters are good, but the stories that go along with them get in the way.
News: Russo, despite the situation with Hulk Hogan, is not expected by many to return to his formerly-held booking power in TNA. While friends with Jarrett, they have great creative differences and usually fell on two different sides of management issues in the company and battled for power. When Jarrett “won,” he brought Mantel in. Russo still has use, however, in the company, and is expected to return eventually, according to officials within the company… Agent Scott D’Amore and lead TNA booker Dutch Mantel held a meeting with the talent prior to the show two weeks ago. The point was to get everyone excited about the now-postponed Bound for Glory, according to a source spoken to by the Pro Wrestling Torch. They also said that management consultant Bob Ryder (also part-owner of wrestling media website 1wrestling.com) and Jeff Jarrett, who handles most of the day-to-day operations of the company, should not be approached about problems that arise and to direct problems to the agents and Mantel. They said that problems unresolved by them will then be taken care of by others…
Kid Kash and Abyss had an altercation following their match two weeks ago with Kash saying that Abyss worked too stiff. Abyss confronted him in the shower where Kash reportedly lead him on. Dutch Mantel recently pulled Kash, reputable for his lack of comportment, aside to talk about his attitude in dealing with the agents… Ron Harris has reportedly been removed from the company and that he went on tour with Randy Savage. His brother, Don Harris, still works on TV with the company and has a long-standing administrative role with the company.
Matchmaker: Trevor Hunnicutt
trevor@thebalrogslair.com
– Feedback in regards to the above article may be emailed to THunnicutt@aol.com. With the amount of time each author puts into an article, your responses are appreciated.
