Source: Pwinsider.com
As noted, At last night’s TNA iMPACT! tapings, the promotion shot an angle which could end up being the final appearance of Hulk Hogan in TNA.
It had already been reported that Hogan’s contract expires at the beginning of October. The two sides had been in negotiations for a new deal, but nothing has been signed as of this writing. Last night’s appearance was the final one scheduled under the old contract. If this is it for Hogan in TNA, his final appearance will be next week’s iMPACT! Wrestling on October 3rd.
TNA is in the process of re-evaluating every talent contract and employee after taking iMPACT! Wrestling on the road did not lead to increased revenue. The company has been making changes for months now. Hogan has the most expensive contract in the company, and similar to AJ Styles, Ken Anderson and Mickie James where the two sides were apart on what each side wants. Styles opted to sign an extension through December, while Anderson and James are gone.
For several months there had been talk that Hogan was unhappy with TNA, especially after his daughter Brooke was let go by the promotion. Hogan was reportedly upset that he was not informed about her release and felt that he should have been the one to inform his daughter. There was also talk that Hogan wasn’t happy that Brooke relocated from Florida to Nashville with the idea that Dixie Carter would use her contacts to help her break into the country music scene, which never happened.
With Hogan’s possible departure, many are wondering what will happen with Bischoff. He could remain with the promotion, but many feel that he will remain loyal to Hogan. Jeff Jarrett was working backstage at the St. Louis TNA tapings and was also at last night’s tapings in Little Rock. Jarrett has taken a more active role in TNA business in recent weeks, which could be a sign that he’s preparing for a much larger role.
Update 2x: According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, this could be an attempt by TNA to simply swerve the audience, as Hogan, whose contract is up next Tuesday, may have already signed a new deal with the company. This could be TNA’s way of milking the real-life drama going on right now in the company, with so many contracts expiring and name-talent parting ways with the promotion.
If Hogan has re-signed, the feeling is that running this angle would seem very real, due to the aforementioned situation with so many high-profile talents leaving due to the inability to come to terms with the company on new agreements.
If a new deal between Hogan and TNA has not been reached, then the angle shot on Thursday’s television tapings will in fact be Hogan’s swansong.
