Ted DiBiase talks about TNA's current product

[punk81]

Thanks to PWTorch.com for the following recap:

Ted DiBiase talked openly and on-record with Live Audio wrestling about TNA's product and what he views as a short-term pop in interest using wrestlers for nostalgia purposes when they can't actually build to a wrestling match that will make money for TNA.

"If they want to use those guys for a draw, that's great. But, those guys can't get in the ring and perform," DiBiase said. "God bless them, I have nothing but respect for those guys and they paved the way for us, but Hulk Hogan can't even drop a leg anymore. He can get on the mic and yell and scream and do all he wants, but a lot of the fans we have - we're a PG company and aimed toward families, so these young kids coming to our shows - don't know who Hulk Hogan is, or didn't grow up in the Hulkamania era."

DiBiase said WWE wrestlers were paying attention to TNA's product on the January 4 live Impact opposite the first Raw of 2010. He said many wrestlers welcome the competition from TNA, but he doesn't see TNA having the legs to put up much of a fight depending on nostalgia.

"You definitely get the nostalgic value, I agree, but how long can that last? How long can you get excited about seeing this old guy come out? I welcome 'Monday Night Wars' if you want to call it a war - it's not much of a fight - but competition is always exciting for us. Most all wrestlers grew up playing competitive sports, so that's in our blood, man. Bring it on."

DiBiase was also asked about seeing Jeff Hardy on TNA's show. He said the general consensus was surprise, but he was disappointed Hardy went to TNA after his recent run in WWE.

"Jeff has his own demons he's battling right now, I guess, but what can you do? Maybe it's something he had to do," DiBiase said. "I wish him the best because he was a great performer, but it was a little disappointing, I guess."

DiBiase also shared a great story about wrestling Mitsuharu Misawa in NOAH early in his career. He said Misawa blasted him with a forearm the first time they locked up in a tag match, then DiBiase blasted him back and Misawa invited him to dinner after the show.

[xxshoyuweeniexx]

Good read, I think Punk said about the same thing about Hogan last month.

[Deleted]

Sr. or Jr.?

[playoldgames]

DiBiase is one smart cookie

[AriadosMan]

He's certainly right about the state of the "war".

[Krimzon]

I could actually see a Forearm/Elbow from Misawa being a greeting or an exchange of pleasentries. Kind of like a chop from Kobashi, minus the instantaneous blood vessel bursting and dry heaving.

[Deleted]

Jan 25, 2010 16:48:30 GMT -5 @tagteamspecialist said:

Sr. or Jr.?

The NOAH thing makes it pretty clear it's Jr., but then that's an easy detail to miss.

But yeah. Only thing I have to disagree with him on is the idea that there are people who don't know who Hogan is -- I really doubt that, even if they only know his name and appearance.

[Deleted]

Probably Jr. because NOAH was started in 2000 I think and Sr. never wrestled in NOAH.

[Super Duper Dragunov]

Jan 25, 2010 16:45:34 GMT -5 punk81 said:

DiBiase was also asked about seeing Jeff Hardy on TNA's show. He said the general consensus was surprise, but he was disappointed Hardy went to TNA after his recent run in WWE.

"Jeff has his own demons he's battling right now, I guess, but what can you do? Maybe it's something he had to do," DiBiase said. "I wish him the best because he was a great performer, but it was a little disappointing, I guess."

my sentiments exactly.

[a1TheEnigma1a]

Jan 25, 2010 17:26:26 GMT -5 Super Duper Dragunov said:

Jan 25, 2010 16:45:34 GMT -5 punk81 said:

DiBiase was also asked about seeing Jeff Hardy on TNA's show. He said the general consensus was surprise, but he was disappointed Hardy went to TNA after his recent run in WWE.

"Jeff has his own demons he's battling right now, I guess, but what can you do? Maybe it's something he had to do," DiBiase said. "I wish him the best because he was a great performer, but it was a little disappointing, I guess."

my sentiments exactly.

...I guess

[Soultastic]

Jan 25, 2010 16:48:30 GMT -5 @tagteamspecialist said:

Sr. or Jr.?

Judging from the "paved the way for us" line, I'd say Jr.

[Citizen Grimm]

Jan 25, 2010 16:54:18 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

Jan 25, 2010 16:48:30 GMT -5 @tagteamspecialist said:

Sr. or Jr.?

The NOAH thing makes it pretty clear it's Jr., but then that's an easy detail to miss.

But yeah. Only thing I have to disagree with him on is the idea that there are people who don't know who Hogan is -- I really doubt that, even if they only know his name and appearance.

Agreed that pretty much everybody knows who Hogan is, but to the younger kids it probably doesn't mean much to them. Even if they saw him in his last WWE run, there's a major difference between 1980s era Hogan and 2000s era Hogan, in terms of fan connection.

[spagett]

Jan 25, 2010 18:58:05 GMT -5 Citizen Grimm said:

Jan 25, 2010 16:54:18 GMT -5 Lizuka #BLM said:

The NOAH thing makes it pretty clear it's Jr., but then that's an easy detail to miss.

But yeah. Only thing I have to disagree with him on is the idea that there are people who don't know who Hogan is -- I really doubt that, even if they only know his name and appearance.

Agreed that pretty much everybody knows who Hogan is, but to the younger kids it probably doesn't mean much to them. Even if they saw him in his last WWE run, there's a major difference between 1980s era Hogan and 2000s era Hogan, in terms of fan connection.

I'm not so sure.

Hulk Hogan is the biggest star in the history of wrestling. I think for young children Hulk Hogan probably doesn't mean quite as much as for those of us who grew up with him but they will still know that Hulk Hogan is a huge deal.

I think if you are anything but the most casual of viewers or really really young, I'm talking toddlers and under, you know Hulk Hogan is the legend.

[Chainsaw]

That thing about Misawa just bumped Ted up a notch in my book.

[Natalya's Ass Fanboy]

Fairly ignorant rant on the charismatically challenged DiBiase's part. TNA may have Hogan, but their product is full of young, fresh talent. Also keep in mind that for as old as Hogan is, physically he looks better than HBK, Taker, and many others.

[Perigryn]

Jan 26, 2010 8:50:05 GMT -5 Natalya's Ass Fanboy said:

Fairly ignorant rant on the charismatically challenged DiBiase's part. TNA may have Hogan, but their product is full of young, fresh talent. Also keep in mind that for as old as Hogan is, physically he looks better than HBK, Taker, and many others.

You should attend a Smackdown taping and offer to be saved by CM Punk...the TNA Kool Aid is making you say strange things. Trust me, it's for your own good ;D

[The Possum]

Dude has class.

[johnnyk9]

I'd wonder how he would react if his father showed up on TNA

[Clawley Race]

are you to suggest that children don't know who michael jordan, joe montana, and babe ruth are?

[Psychoblue]

Jan 26, 2010 14:56:41 GMT -5 Clawley Race said:

are you to suggest that children don't know who michael jordan, joe montana, and babe ruth are?

Honestly, I can see that being the case. MJ would probably be the safest bet as to who kids would know since he still shows up in stuff every now and then, but Montana and Ruth seem a bit too far out there for kids to know.

The only way kids would know them would be if their parents tell them about them.