You are correct, it would garner interest. I think TNA has a chance to turn around critics with this move, too, though. The casual fans may come for a little bit, but then it is up to the rest of the product to keep the viewers watching. If the product is headed up by an old guy without a hip, then it becomes harder to really root for them. The smark audience, which may not be huge, but is probably one TNA could really use on their side, because of loyalty, may find it very hard to get into a program that has Hogan as the World Champion.
And I think seeing Hogan as World Champion today might even be a bit hard for some casual fans to swallow. It is only anecdotal evidence, but my dad, who could probably be considered a casual fan who knows it is staged, could just not get into Ric Flair in the later parts of Flair's career. He loved Flair outside the ring, with his suits and his Rolexes, but when he got in the ring, my dad just could not buy him doing anything.
I think Hogan running wild over TNA would be believable and marketable to the most basic fans, but I think they are the ones the WWE is trying to attract at the moment. Is it wise for TNA to play the WWE's game? Shouldn't they be going for an older, more complete audience?
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