Source: Stephen Sonneveld
Recently, the President of TNA Wrestling Dixie Carter spoke with Stephen Sonneveld about the immense popularity of iMPACT Wrestling’s General Manager Hulk Hogan. Carter’s response to the question is noted below, though you can read the entire interview by clicking here. Enjoy!
On Signing Hulk Hogan and What He Brings to TNA
[I contacted Hulk Hogan] very early on, when we desperately needed him, and we just didn’t work a deal out. [Sometime later,] I heard an interview with him, and he just sounded really different to me. So I reached out to him and—I’ll never forget—I was in Los Angeles, 7 in the morning, I’d been at the Guy’s Choice Awards the night before, you know, tired, went to bed probably too late. I just happened to pick up my phone, and it started ringing in my hand, “Hogan.” [W]e talked for an hour and a half, and it was like talking to a different guy. I guess everything he had gone through, and where he was at in his life.
[Y]ou know, I think a lot of people look at things without the full knowledge of what really happens here, and, “Oh, why do you have Hogan,” and, “He’s so old.” First of all, Hulk Hogan is one of the most recognizable people on this planet. I mean, I would love—this is the game I play with people: name me people who would be as recognizable, living, today. And then, just synonymous with wrestling, no matter what corner of the world you’re in.
But, it’s all been about growing this company, and, in my mind, it’s really about his legacy; what’s he going to leave behind? And, the way he works with talent. I mean, they come to his house, he’s constantly on the phone with them.
He shows up at every agents’ meeting, whether he’s on TV or not. And then, to send him into a meeting, forget about it! There’s no better ambassador to make executives on any level just become a little kid. But, I can’t say enough good things about him and what he’s done for us.
It’s really, really nice to hear Dixie Carter make this very valid argument in such a clear, concise way.
Hulk Hogan is a different man by all accounts from those who currently work with him. He’s always described as a team player.
And if you don’t see that he elevates the talent and the company, then you’re not trying very hard to look.
Could not have said this better, Dylan. The anti-TNA crowd attacks Hogan because they think he’s an easy target. Why do they think that he’s an easy target? Because they can’t untie their thoughts from the caricature of him from back in mid-1990s in WCW. Foolish, foolish argument on their part.