WWE veteran on two times Hulk Hogan used his power to get what he wanted (Exclusive)
Hulk Hogan received creative control of his character in both WCW and TNA Wrestling. Vince Russo, a former writer for both companies, recently recalled two occasions when The Hulkster booked his own storylines.
Hogan worked for TNA between 2009 and 2013. On the WWE icon's final appearance for the promotion, then-TNA President Dixie Carter grabbed hold of his leg and pleaded with him to stay. He rejected her offer and walked away up the entrance ramp.
On Sportskeeda's The Wrestling Outlaws, Russo said Carter was "scared to death" to tell him she hired Eric Bischoff and Hogan. The WWE veteran had no problem with their arrival but warned her the decision could become a "nightmare" if they received creative control:
"They gave Hulk Hogan creative control, and, bro, the last time we saw Hulk Hogan on that show, he was walking out of the building and Dixie was clutching onto his [leg]," Russo said. "Yeah, that was Hogan's creative control! Making her look [bad]. Absolutely, bro [it was Hogan's decision], making her look like an absolute idiot." [4:54 – 5:16]
Watch the video above to hear Russo's thoughts on Mercedes Moné receiving creative control as part of her AEW contract.
Vince Russo on Hulk Hogan influencing a WCW angle
At Bash at the Beach 2000, Hulk Hogan and Vince Russo famously disagreed on what should happen on the show. Hogan wanted to use his creative control to win the WCW World Heavyweight Championship, while Russo was keen for Booker T to win the gold.
Russo added that Hogan had no problem with Booker T becoming champion, but The Hulkster selfishly wanted the title for financial reasons:
"I don't want to get into Bash at the Beach, but it had nothing to do with Booker T. Hogan got paid every time he was on TV, so in his mind, 'If I got the belt, I gotta be on TV.' That's why he wanted the belt. It was all about money. It was no slight at Booker T whatsoever. 'If I have that belt, they gotta write me on television, and I'm gonna make a payday every week.'" [8:51 – 9:13]
As part of an elaborate storyline, Jeff Jarrett laid down to let Hogan beat him for the WCW title earlier in the night. Russo's on-screen persona then altered the match card, allowing Booker T to win the gold in the main event against Jarrett.
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