Hogan claims he's starting a new wrestling company in a few days
by Dave Meltzer
In an interview with The Sun in the U.K. (www.thesun.co.uk) Hulk Hogan said that he and Eric Bischoff are about to sign a network deal for a new pro wrestling show.
"Last night me and Eric were getting ready to sign a deal with one of the TV networks here in America. We had a little bit of a problem with the licensing and merchandising, which has delayed it. But I totally expect we're going to sign the TV portion of this very soon, because there's no point in starting any sort of wrestling organization without the TV locked in place."
Hogan knocked the current WWE product in the interview, saying he's a wrestling fan but he finds WWE "pretty boring programming. It's watered down and unexciting and the viewer doesn't have any option except to have it shoved down his throat."
Hogan and Bischoff have talked for more than a year about starting a company, contacting many former WWE and WCW stars from the 80s and 90s. Before the divorce, Linda Bollea had told me Hogan and Bischoff would be starting a company, but not to compete with Vince, but to do overseas tours starring Hogan. We haven't heard any rumblings of top talent having been talked with, and there is very little in the way of free agent talent out there. If the two have legitimate network backing, they could be a player, but would need a long-term commitment or it's not even worth starting.
Hogan is believed to have put a considerable amount of money into a company where Bischoff controls the money.
Keep in mind Hogan has nearly half a dozen times at this point in time made threats of starting his own company, or strongly teased starting up with other companies. In every case, hindsight has shown the motive was to get McMahon to bring him back, since Wrestlemania season is here.
God know's those two have the connections and acumen in "the business" to do it. But the lack of free agent talent will be the biggest stumbling block. I can only see them raiding lower-mid card performers from WWE and TNA and maybe some average MMA guys. Unless they throw a load of money at a couple of the WWE big guns they wont get enough interest.
The Hulk Hogan-Eric Bischoff promotion that Hogan discussed in the/ UK Sun/ last week isn't actually a "promotion" in the traditional sense of the word, but instead is a TV pitch that the duo have shopped around to a number of networks under the Bischoff-Hervey Productions company banner. The pitch is for a "reality" series featuring celebrities training and performing as professional wrestlers. A similar series was launched a few years back in Great Britain and failed miserably, although the "wrestling" portion of the show was closer to "American Gladiators" than anything involving professional wrestling.
At this point, CMT are the front runners for carrying the show and are currently in negotiations to bring the property to their network. That is likely what Hogan was referring to while speaking to /The Sun./ Jason Hervey was handling some pre-production work last week in regard to the series. There's no word yet on what names, wrestling or otherwise, may be involved in the series beyond Hogan himself. It would appear that the other grandiose statements made by Hogan during the interview were likely an attempt to garner the attention of WWE as they put together the card for Wrestlemania XXIV in Orlando, Florida.
Bischoff-Hervey Productions currently produce the entertaining Scott Baio reality series on VH-1 and are also working on a similar reality project involving Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst as well.
I imagine a US version would be truer to the format of celebs trying wrestling but it will break what little bit of kayfabe is left in the business. But with the Hulkster involved, will they only learn how to rip a t-shirt and about politicking each other?
"Former wrestling champion HULK HOGAN cheated on his wife with a female family friend, according to a shocking new tabloid expose. Christiane Plante, a 33 year old pal of the couple's daughter Brooke, has confessed to her affair with the 54-year-old - whose real name is Terry Bollea. National Enquirer claims the affair took place while the family were shooting reality show Hogan Knows Best last year (07), before Bollea and his wife Linda split. Plante - who once worked for Brooke's record label - opened up about the affair to Brooke, 19, before writing a confession to the tabloid. She reveals, "My relationship with Terry began at a time when Terry and Linda privately knew their marriage was ending. She had left him already, although no official papers had been filed. "Terry is a good man, good father and a good friend, and he and I grew close at a time when he was going through a very difficult period. It seemed right then, but I know it was wrong. "Having felt the guilt and pain build up, I gave a note to Brooke apologising for my actions. "I will never be able to fully forgive myself for this. I have lost an amazing friend." Bollea and his wife are currently battling over details of their divorce, amid claims the lycra-clad grappler tried to trick Linda into signing a post-nuptial agreement."
My favorite part of that report was 'shocking tabloid expose' and 'National Enquirer'
EDIT - Brooke Hogan has responded
Brooke Hogan had the following to say on her MySpace in response to her friend having an affair with her father:
"When your best friend and one of your closest family members that you have loved unconditionally since your first day on this earth betrays you together, you could maybe find it in yourself to forgive one day, but you will never forget the hurt they caused you and how it hurt the people who mean the most to you.
Im sad to say this but the Hulkster is a complete ass.The man is arrogant,selfish and a lying cheat.What a horrible let down for me because shamefully i was a huge hulkamaniac as a kid but now its quite clear what a compete prat he really is.You cant help but feel for Brooke and her mum.
Well Nick Hogan got sentenced for the road acident and got 8 months plus 500 hours community serivce... Woah...
In addition to the jail time, which begins immediately, Bollea, 17, was sentenced to 5 years probation, during which he will serve 500 hours of community service, not be allowed to drink any alcohol and have his driver's license revoked for 3 years. "I think there is an understanding of what happened, and there is a sense of acceptance of responsibility," the judge said, explaining his decision. "There is nothing that the court can impose that is close to what John has dealt with or will have to deal with as he moves forward." Leaving the courthouse, Bollea's family did not address reporters. His attorneys did say that Bollea was "happy" with the sentence, and happy that the case was finished.
CLEARWATER - Even at the most wrenching of moments, as Hulk Hogan testified for his son, his trademark bandana covered his head.
But the formal black bandana he wore normally would not have been allowed in the courtroom, said Ron Stuart, public information officer for the Sixth Judicial Circuit.
Bailiffs did not ask Hogan to remove his trademark head cover after he showed up late, saying "it would have caused a big scene to have him take it off," Stuart said.
"Technically he shouldn't have been allowed to wear it," Stuart said. "But normally bailiffs do those things when people are coming in, and there was just so much going on that it wasn't noticed in time."
The circuit has no formal dress code, "it's just no hats or caps are allowed in the courtroom," he said.
Perhaps they were worried the bright lights reflecting off Hogan's bald pate would blind everyone in the court room.
Aparantly Nick Hogan is complaining about life behind bars... What did he expect? Paris Hilton style treatment?
According to Page Six, Nick Hogan isnt doing well behind bars. Hulk Hogans 17 year old son began serving his eight-month jail sentence on May 9, but he hasnt grown accustom to life in jail yet.
Nicks doing really bad. Hes struggling to even form a sentence, one friend said. They have him in a cell by himself, isolated from the general population, because of threats. He didnt understand how awful jail really is until now.
We can assume Nick is doing better than his victim, John Graziano. Graziano, a former marine, has remained comatose since the drunk driving accident last August that sent Nick to jail.
And then there's more....
TAMPA - Only hours after being sentenced to eight months in county jail for the reckless driving that left his friend John Graziano severely brain damaged for life, Nick Hogan, son of wrestler Hulk Hogan, was on the phone sobbing to his mother, Linda Bollea."I'm sorry to call you crying," Nick Hogan says."No, its okay," his Mom responds.In the phone calls, Hogan complained about being held in a one man cell, which is required by jail policy because he is a minor."I'm going crazy in this room," Hogan says. "It's like half the size of my bathroom, no windows or nothing, with just one little top-bed thing.""Oh my god! I mean solitary confinement, is that what they do to like what, triple-x criminals, I mean, its like, for a car accident? Jesus!" Linda Hogan exclaims.Hogan repeatedly complains that a solitary cell was not what his lawyer promised, and he seems unaware that appealing his eight-month jail sentence could mean up to five years in prison if he were to be convicted."Had I known this, I would have rather gone to trial, or I would rather, you know, appeal the case or something, because like, I can't deal with this for eight months," Hogan says.Nick's mother tries to turn the conversation to more pleasant things, saying she is planning to move to California. "Where do you want to live in California, you sure about that?" she asks."Down by the beach," Hogan says."Maybe even in Malibu," Linda responds.There are calls from Hulk Hogan. In one, he tells his son he's handling jail better than he could.Dad: "I'm very proud of you brother, very, very proud of you," Hulk Hogan says. On the phone, Nick Hogan tells his mother his release date is set for October, with nearly three months credit, if he behaves and follows jail rules.
Boo Hoo to Nick. Maybe he shouldn't have nearly killed his co passenger and left him as an invalid.
More from Nick in proson and his visiting mother and father...
The drama with Nick Bollea in prison continues as TMZ.COM got their hands on several audio conversations between Nick and his mom Linda and famous dad Hulk. In one of the calls, Nick begs his father to call the Judge to see if he can put him on house arrest rather than in jail. Earlier this week, Nick was placed in isolation after threats from other inmates which made matters worse. "Ok bubba, I'm trying," replies the Hulkster to his son's request. In a call with his mom Linda, Linda breaks down saying that John Graziano's mother isn't suffering like she is because "She doesn't give a sh!t," referring to John. And in one of the most unbelievable audio conversations you could hear, Hulk literally says that "For some reason God laid some heavy sh!t on that kid," referring to the things that he was "into." Hulk called John Graziano "aggressive" and that he "used to yell at people and do stuff," to which Nick replies, "John was a negative person." Those are some nasty things to say especially with a civil lawsuit on the horizon. Nick also asked his dad to work on that reality deal for him, and said he wants to do it where he makes the most money. "Then you need to do it with me, Jason (Hervey) and Eric (Bischoff)," replies Hogan. "You know that if I'm producing the show I won't screw you, you know that." (thanks to Colin Vassallo)
Wrestling star HULK HOGAN is reportedly planning to call a court hearing to appeal to have his imprisoned son NICK BOLLEA transferred to another penitentiary. In a series of taped phone conversations obtained by website TMZ.com, the former wrestler - real name Terry Bollea - can be heard making arrangements for a secret trial with his son Nick. The 17-year-old is currently serving an eight-month sentence after pleading no contest to felony reckless driving following a horrific car crash in Clearwater, Florida, which left his friend John Graziano critically injured. In one of the recorded calls, Hogan can be heard telling the teen he will not be appearing at the courthouse, because he feared his presence would attract unwanted press attention and inadvertantly pressure the judge "not to do the right thing". Hogan then advises his son against telling his mother - the star's estranged wife Linda - about their plan, fearing she would arrive at the hearing with her divorce lawyers and draw more attention to the court date. Bollea also tells his father of his plans to arrive in court "in my jumpsuit, for the sympathetic factor". It is believed Bollea will be asking to be released from Florida's Pinellas County Jail, and even request to be put under house arrest, after making his wishes known in another conversation - which has yet to hit the internet.
It kills me to know what a total moron the Hulkster is outside of the ring..i was a major hulkamaniac when i was a small kid but now,the guy makes me sick,and the comment reguarding "god punishing the kid" referring to who nick hurt in the crash was disgusting.Man what a joke of a man.
It gets worse, Brooke was involved in a car accident yesterday, when - get the irony - a speeding car tried to overtake her, lost control and hit her car.
TMZ.COM continued to post phone calls between Nick and his dad Hulk Hogan and with them knowing that conversations are taped, they must not be very wise considering the amount of crap they're talking about. In one of the conversations, Hulk and Nick basically trash Linda. Hogan was saying how he's putting money in the phone, starting with over $100 just to talk to Nick while Linda only put $25 and Nick says "She's down to $6 again." "That's ridiculous dude, I don't get it," Hogan adds. "And she spends $10 million on lawyers!" Nick complained how when his mom calls she puts him on the phone with everyone else but barely talks to him. "I said mom God dammit quit putting me on the phone with other people," he tells his dad. The second call is quite simply impossible to decode as the father and son keep talking in some weird code that only they could understand. Maybe Nick is turning into Michael Scofield and planning his own prison break! The other call - also between the two - has Nick explaining that for the next hearing he's going to put his jail jumpsuit for the sympathy factor and Hulk said he won't be there since it would be too high profile and they don't want the media. "Don't tell her to be there, Jesus Christ," said Hogan when referring to Linda. The two also talk about a possible transfer of Nick to a different place. (Thanks to Colin Vassallo)
The Graziano family has released video footage of John Graziano's daily rehabilitation in the hospital. We've all known he's been in a coma and has a hole in a head, but no one mentioned how freaking huge the hole is. The footage appeared on Nancy Grace midweek with the hole pixelated and, well, uh, I just saw the unpixelated version. It's goddamn insane and really puts Hulk Hogan's "God wants John in a coma to make him a better person" comment in a whole other light. A bright, bleached, asinine "Wow, what a dick" light. No wonder the Hulk got death threats from John's brother. In fact, I'm about to give him a death threat:
Terry... you cocksucka... I will pee in your moustache... all your money won't help you now... unless you buy a moustache shield... um... sucker of cocks, Luke, I'm your father.
Go easy on me. It's my first time.
WARNING: Uncensored video after the jump contains disturbing images unless you're the sort of person who finds gaping head wounds divine.
As much as a twat Hulk is,i cant imagine he really meant intent with his words,probably thoughtless talk by the guy in support of his son but thats not an excuse.People are critising him left right and center at the moment but it was Hulk driving the car,it was his idiotic son.While his words are inexcusable,its tough to imagine what they are going through.Nothing on what the Graziano family are though, tragic story indeed.
CLEARWATER - Linda Bollea says her estranged husband, former wrestler Hulk Hogan, is stalking her, and she wants the judge handling their divorce to stop him, according to court documents filed Monday.
In February, Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge George Greer approved an order giving Linda Bollea and the couple's children exclusive use of the couple's Belleair mansion and their beach condominium. Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea, was not supposed to enter either.
Since then, however, according to the motion filed Monday, Hogan has driven to both places and waited outside off the properties for Linda Bollea and her guests, she says in the motion. She also accuses him of following her and her guests when they leave.
She has called police, but when Hogan is confronted, he tells officers he is only "passing by" or "running errands," the motion says.
"Husband has a history of violence towards the Wife and is capable of attacking Wife at any moment," the motion says. "As recently as the past month, the Husband has engaged in public verbal assaults on the Wife in her presence and in the presence of onlookers."
"Husband clearly understands the mandates of the Court Order and is intentionally "pushing the boundaries" with respect to his rights pertaining to the marital and beach houses," the motion says. "However, Husband is violating the spirit of the Order and antagonizing the wife by parking on the border of the property and following Wife and her guests."
Bollea wants Greer to amend the original order to stop what she believes are acts of stalking. A hearing is set for Tuesday.
Hogan's attorney, Ann Kerr, was not available for comment.
The New York Daily News /reported that today that Brooke Hogan is considering posing for Playboy.
Remember when Brooke was in Maxim and "Hogan Knows Best" had Hulk running around buying all the copies of the magazine so people wouldn't see his daughter dressed in scantily clad clothing?
The drama in the Hogan family continues to escalate as Linda Bollea is trying to use an old signed legal affidavit from Brooke which says that Hulk abused Linda both physically and verbally. Brooke's representative has said that she later regretted her decision to sign it and asked authorities for her affidavit not to be filed in court. Brooke said that she signed the papers "under significant pressure" from her mother and after she learned all the facts she realized the mistake of signing it. Linda is trying to nail her soon-to-be ex husband by telling the court that he abused her and is doing everything in her power to land him in more trouble. A statement from Brooke's camp said, "Brooke Bollea is distressed at the latest efforts by mother Linda to fracture the family. This time they let leak out an old document that Brooke signed filled with exaggerations and fabrications about father Terry's behavior during the marriage. The months-old document was signed by Brooke at a time when she was upset with her father." Meanwhile, Brooke herself said that while she loves her mom and hope that one day she reconciles with her, using her kids as pawns in the divorce battle is awful. "Every day my mother resorts to this kind of behavior makes it that much harder for us to ever have a relationship again." The mother and daughter are not on speaking terms at the moment. (thanks to Colin Vassallo)
Well Mr Hogan has garnered a challenge to his manliness, will he reply...? Whadda think bruttha?
The letter below explains why the video was made and is the same letter that was left for Hogan at his house!
August 8, 2008 ROAD TO REDEMPTION Hulk Hogan,
First of all this is not a threat but merely a challenge and an opportunity to begin to redeem yourself and your reputation! My name is Tako, family man, and friend to many. I am nowhere as famous as yourself, the icon and hero to so many young and old. But nonetheless, I am well respected to those who know me, never once putting myself before others and always being considerate of all, while raising my children with the same values. Your son Nick, was convicted of driving drunk with his best friend John Graziano as a passenger on August 26, 2007. He wrecked your car leaving John Graziano in a coma. During your jail visit with Nick, he cried to you that he can’t take it anymore. Instead of telling him to "man up" and remind him that after his 8 month sentence, he will be walking out on his own two feet, you proceeded to kiss his ass and make references to Nick that John "made his own bed and has to sleep in it. " Meanwhile, John is more than likely sentenced to spend the rest of his life in a coma and if he does recover, chances are he will have massive brain damage and other neurological problems. Lets not forget what his family is living with every day while their son lay comatose.
The tapes released by the prison and heard by the public brought embarrassment and humiliation to your name and reputation. You have disgraced yourself with your comments to me and many others, both young and old, and who looked up to you, including my twelve year-old son. Now to the point. I will challenge you to a cage match (not WWE style (scripted)). Rather I challenge you to a UFC style (reality match) fight. I am not a professional fighter, nor did I ever claim to be. I am merely a man of principal, respect and honor. I am 5 ft 11 inches tall and weigh 240 pounds, much smaller and lighter than yourself. Perhaps I may be a bit more crazy than a normal person in asking for this match given your superior size and experience in the ring . If you accept this challenge, I will give you and I two months to get ready for this fight. More importantly it will us time to promote this from the day it is signed. Meanwhile, the proceeds from this event will be arranged to go to John Graziano’s family for past, present, and future medical bills. I will allow you to pick the venue if you wish and I am sure between all the people you know this could generate a great deal of money and corporate interest for this event and its charitable intentions. This will be an opportunity for you to begin to redeem yourself and clear your name of any wrongdoing for your negligent and irresponsible comments.
I will go one step further and donate for raffle a custom Sickasso pro street chopper if I lose. However, here is the catch: if you loose, you are to purchase the bike at cost and donate it for raffle towards John Graziano’s medical expenses. As I see it, this can make you look like the hero you claim to be, and do something good for a young man and his family whose life has been destroyed by your son’s recklessness. Of course we will have our attorneys draft all the proper documents, which will include mutual releases of liability for both of us. This is the opportunity to have the most meaningful event of your career. I will anxiously await your reply.
Tako Sickasso Cycle Creations. Cell 954-214-1710
P.S. Copies of the taped video in front of your South Beach home will be distributed to numerous news stations, radio stations, WWE, UFC and You Tube. Click here to view video.
LETS SEE IF YOU "MAN UP" OR "IF THE APPLE DOES NOT FALL FAR FROM THE TREE"
Hulk Hogans new reality show, Hulk Hogans Celebrity Championship Wrestling, will debut Oct. 18 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT. The series will feature eight one-hour episodes with Danny Bonaduce, Todd Bridges, ButterBean, Trishelle Cannatella, Erin Murphy, Frank Stallone, Dennis Rodman, Dustin Diamond, Nikki Ziering and Tiffany all competing to become the Celebrity All-Star Wrestling Champion in front of a live audience.
So he hasn't spoken to Roddy Piper about Celeb Wrestling then...
Apart from Rodman and Diamond,havent heard of any of the others at all.Will probably be a terrible show though i do have an odd urge to see Screech (dustin) get beaten up a little bit ^-^.
To be honest,i never new Sly had a brother and i do remember butterbean now after you said about the brawl for all.The others i have no idea who they are ^-^.
Todd Bridges - Was Willis in Diff'rent Strokes not The Cosby Show
Nikki Ziering - Playboy centrefold and it was American Pie : The Wedding she was in not AP 2.
And Danny Bonaduce was in the Partridge Family then went on to become a talk show host, trained in martial arts, did some boxing and is a celebrity reality show regular. He also did this to Johnny Fairplay at an award show:
You have to select the bottom video from the three "Chose A Video" options.
I have to say that it looks MUCH better then the abortion that was the UK Celebrity Wrestling which had no wrestling in it at all. Although, calling Brutus Beefcake & Brian Knobbs "two legendary wrestling coaches" is a case for the trades description act....
Leslie and Knobbs as 2 legendary wrestling coaches? cant say i have high hopes for the trainess if these guys are going to be teaching them..Looks better then our drivel we had over here but still will no doubt be pretty awful viewing.