Jim Ross has a new blog on jrsbarbq.com where he commented on Hulk Hogan signing with TNA. Here's what he wrote:
- Hulk Hogan is ALL over the news this week which re-establishes the premise that Hulk is one of the greatest, self promoters of all time...BROTHER! Now, that isn't necessarily a bad thing as any independent contractor who is entrepreneurial in spirit such as a pro wrestler has to have the ability to promote one's self in order to survive over time. Hogan is an old school guy, in many ways, so "keeping one's self over" is nothing new and many guys have raised that skill to an art form but none better than Hulk.
Hogan makes big news this week launching his new book, talking Australian tour, and briefly mentioning TNA on what I saw of his Larry King appearance Tuesday night of which "Ol Lar" phoned it in. Thank goodness for Larry's producers and their questions. No, Mr. King, Laila Ali is NOT Muhammad's wife, she's his daughter.
It amazes me that many fans are so obsessed with "Monday Night Wars" and one brand over taking another, etc type discussions. Firstly, I do wholeheartedly agree that competition is great for every business, without question. But every company that spends more time ragging on the "competition" or fixating on putting another company down is not focusing on their own brand. Today's wrestling business needs to simply focus on how THEY can improve what THEY do and not seemingly and endlessly focus on the "other guys" whoever the "other guys" may be.
The bottom line, in my view, is how is the product being made better for the fans who pay the tab, watch the shows, create the ratings, buy the swag, etc? All of us who sell products in our various walks of life should always keep our consumers first...keep our creative simple and not on overload...and provide consumers with "new."
Continuing to refine the creative direction and developing new, hot stars should be every wrestling company's top priorities. At least, that's my take on it. Short term solutions don't solve long term problems.
