Hulk Hogan signs with TNA!

Mike Johnson of PWInsider has revealed some new information regarding TNA's signing of Hulk Hogan and the announcement on Tuesday in New York City at Madison Square Garden.

* Many top TNA officials (including TNA President Dixie Carter and head of creative Vince Russo) had a meeting with Spike TV officials in New York City regarding strategies going forward. Were told this was something planned well in advance of the announcement that Hogan had signed with TNA as the two sides meet several times a year to discuss different aspects of the TNA and Spike partnership.

* Jeff Jarrett was not present at this meeting. Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff were also not part of the meeting either.

* Were told there are no plans to replace Vince Russo, Ed Ferrara or Matt Conway on TNA's creative team despite the signing of Hogan. The general belief is that while Hogan may not be a booker, he will definitely have a say in how he is used in the company.

* Hogan has also reportedly suggested some talents he would like to see brought into TNA. Nothing has been confirmed at this point and there is no one TNA will be required to use as a result of the deal put together with Hogan and Bischoff depsite other deals Bischoff has with Ric Flair for example.

* TNA's office staff was informed that Hulk Hogan was coming into the company around 15 minutes before the press conference in New York City on Tuesday. Were told around only five to six people were aware the deal was even happening. This is much like how other signings in the past were handled (Kurt Angle for example).

* According to Spike TV sources, there is nothing to the rumors that they plan to move Impact to Monday night to go head-to-head with WWE Raw. There were reports that the announcement of Hogan's signing was one of many big announcements to come. However, there appears to be nothing to the rumor that Spike has plans to move the show to Monday or even begin producing live editions of the show. TNA's production schedule is already set through April 2010, while house show tours are booked through May 2010.

Time is featuring an interview with newly signed TNA star Hulk Hogan. Here are some of the highlights.

On choosing to sign with TNA Wrestling:
"When I woke up and realized I should be my own man and be responsible for being happy, I realized I still have a lot to contribute to the wrestling business. And jumping into TNA [Total Nonstop Action] and being a part of that company is huge. I have a chance to give back and help these young wrestlers who don't understand the business and the art form."

How pro wrestling has changed:
"The business moves so much faster now. It used to be if Andre the Giant and I had a feud, it'd probably play out six or seven months later at a big event. Nowadays, if Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan have a feud at 9 o'clock, it's usually over by 9:30. It's a story-telling art form to create emotion and drama and I just think a lot of that is lost."

On taking steroids during his wrestling career:
"I just drank an iced tea here with lunch. If next year they say iced tea is worse than steroids, I'll probably quit drinking that too. But at the time it was legal, just like drinking an iced tea is legal. The baseball players, the football players, the hockey players — everybody I knew in every professional sport was using it to up their game, or to heal injuries, or to stay at their peak. And everybody thought it was safe."

His thoughts on the movie "The Wrestler":
"I thought it was great film, but as far as capturing the wrestling business it was a snapshot of a very small percentage of ex-wrestlers. It's not really how every wrestler ends up. It wasn't as intense as what the business is all about. And Mickey Rourke making so much drama out of cutting himself with a razor blade. Making a phone call from the dressing room is harder than cutting yourself with a razor blade. I've done that thousands of times."

Full interview: www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1933311,00.html