A former WWE Superstar has accused Hulk Hogan of “r*ping” TNA during his time with the Dixie Carter-led promotion.
After achieving huge success in the WWF throughout the 1980’s and into the early 90’s Hulk Hogan headed to WCW as much the same character he had always played. Although initially well-received, his popularity began to dwindle as 1996 arrived, but that all changed with the birth of the nWo.
The legendary faction took the wrestling world by storm, giving Hogan’s career a new lease of life. Following the demise of WCW, Hogan eventually returned to WWE where he was greeted like a conquering hero.
By 2009 Hogan’s best in-ring days were behind him, but sensing an opportunity to have one more run at the big time he signed with TNA, which would later become IMPACT Wrestling. After briefly reuniting with Scott Hall, Kevin Nash and Sean Waltman, Hogan confirmed his loyalty to Eric Bischoff forming an on-screen alliance with the former WCW boss.
However, Hogan’s arrival and subsequent run was far from universally popular, both with fans and other wrestlers backstage. Hogan and a number of other veterans were being paid tremendous sums of money while with the company, well above and beyond what younger talent were earning.
As well as appearing on-screen, Hogan also worked backstage as a consultant, while Bischoff was also involved with creative.
One of the stars who wasn’t overly enamoured with Hogan was IMPACT Knockouts royalty Awesome Kong. Speaking at a Inside The Ropes live show, Kong blasted Hogan for “r*ping” the company, commenting that it was obvious to see that the whole scenario would end in financial disaster.
“Well I thought that was a sign that he was r*ping the company for whatever it was worth. That we were not going to see a return on our Hulk Hogan investment, but he was going to rob the piggy bank dry, and I’m like this is very clear and everyone can see it. So it was like Dixie can you not see what is going on? He is going to be popping bottles with Vince in 3 years and you will be broke, can you not see where this is going?”
Hulk Hogan eventually left TNA in late 2013 after his contract with the company expired. Following his departure TNA suffered numerous financial difficulties, which plagued them until the company was purchased by Anthem Sports and Entertainment and rebranded in 2017.
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