TNA's 10 Best Moments

5. Hogan’s Debut

Hulk Hogan TNA
TNAWrestling.com

In 2009, TNA was in a bit of a rut. The product was good, but it seemed that no matter what they did their ratings just wouldn’t grow. They needed something, or someone to take them to that next level. For a brief period of time, it seemed that they found their answer in Hulk Hogan.

Hogan was on the outs with WWE, and he did the unthinkable again when he decided to join another wrestling promotion. It gave TNA the most mainstream publicity they ever had, and perhaps new fans would finally give them another shot. Even more interesting was the inclusion of Eric Bischoff, who helped WCW overtake the WWF for close to two years. Could this duo do it again?

On 4 January 2010, Impact had one of its most exciting shows ever. Not only was it a bit surreal to see Hulk Hogan in the middle of a TNA ring cutting a promo, but Ric Flair joined the company that night and Jeff Hardy returned. It was a night of big surprises, and it seemed like great things were in store.

Sure, Orlando Jordan and The Nasty Boys joined that night too, but they couldn’t kill the positive vibes. Impact drew a 1.5 rating for she show, which is the highest they’ve ever drawn. The good times didn’t last all that long, but for a brief time, TNA was the talk of the wrestling world.

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As Rust Cohle from True Detective said "Life's barely long enough to get good at one thing. So be careful what you're good at." Sadly, I can't solve a murder like Rust...or change a tire, or even tie a tie. But I do know all the lyrics to Hulk Hogan's "Real American" theme song and can easily name every Natural Born Thriller from the dying days of WCW. I was once ranked 21st in the United States in Tetris...on the Playstation 3 version...for about a week. Follow along @AndrewSoucek and check out my podcast at wrestlingwithfriends.com