Jeff Jarrett has revealed that Hulk Hogan‘s role in TNA Wrestling grew far beyond what he originally envisioned when he pushed for the WWE Hall of Famer to join the company.
Speaking on Talk Is Jericho, Jeff Jarrett explained that he personally convinced Panda Energy’s Bob Carter to sign Hulk Hogan, believing the wrestling icon could help TNA secure major business opportunities outside the ring.
“Bob, Hulk is the single biggest box office attraction this business has ever seen,” Jarrett said. “I think he needs to be our ambassador. If you put him in a room with any executive around the world, he’s going to move needles. He’s gonna make things happen and we can have him on our show… a limited amount of appearances to keep him in brand.”
Jarrett said the plan was for Hogan to raise TNA’s profile, helping the company attract television deals, sponsorships, merchandise opportunities and another video game following the collapse of Midway Games.
“He’s going to move action figures. He’s going to get a video game… I just said, he’s our ambassador. You put him in the middle of the TNA brand and he starts selling.”
Jarrett recalled leaving his first meeting with Hogan and Eric Bischoff, believing the partnership would be a success.
“Fly to Tampa, walk in a room, Bischoff’s there… I left that meeting going… it was cheers, cheers, cheers all the way home on the private plane because Hulk said all the right things.”
Jeff Jarrett Said Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff Became Massively Influential In TNA’s Creative Instead Of Becoming Ambassadors For The Promotion
However, Jeff Jarrett said the situation quickly changed, with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff taking on influential creative roles within the company rather than serving as ambassadors.
“All of a sudden it was immediately like I went, ‘Oh, okay. Dixie threw in the keys. We’re writing the TV. We’re doing this.’ Next thing you know, the Nasty Boys… It was immediate and I just went, ‘They have no idea about this brand.'”
Jarrett also pointed to Bischoff’s reported comments questioning AJ Styles as an early indication that the pair viewed TNA differently than those already within the company.
Despite his criticism, Jarrett said he does not believe Hogan and Bischoff intentionally harmed TNA.
“Hulk and Eric didn’t wake up every day and say, ‘You know what, I’m gonna screw this place up.’ No. They woke up and thought, ‘I’m going to do everything in my power to do what I think’s best for the brand,’ and they missed on everything.”
Jeff Jarrett concluded that the biggest mistake was not bringing Hulk Hogan into TNA, but allowing his role to expand far beyond the ambassador position originally proposed.
