Kev, if you were WWE, what would be your strategy, counter with a 3 hour loaded show, or just business as usual?

RESPONSE FROM KE: I wouldn't do a three-hour show but I'd put on a really good two-hour one that delivers something special

Screw Joke Hogan. I'd rather be watching Dancing With The Stars (shudder), which Hogan will end up on eventually.

I bet WWE counters by bringing in The Rock as a guest host.

I watched the ultimate fighter finale and heard Hogan's announcement. Dixie and Eric Bishop were also in the crowd. A risky move for TNA , one I feel they don't need to take at this point. They should worry about how best to incorporate Hogan in to TNA and not worry about WWE . It will be interesting has you have pointed out Kev, how WWE react on Jan 4th

his should make for a fun night. Thank goodness I watch everything on DVR!

Well let's think... what wrestler could they use to host the show that would be bigger than Hulk Hogan appearing on TNA? And what actor happens to have a movie coming out on January 22nd, just 2 1/2 weeks later?

Anyone else think The Rock will be hosting a 3-hour Raw on Jan. 4th?

I just hope that we don't see Beefcake, Nasty Boys and any other "surprise" buddies of Hogan. This could be a ugly

Kevin, while I applaud TNA running a live show on Monday to go against RAW, why re-run the show in TNA's regular time slot on Thursday? Wouldn't it make sense to try to capitalize on any new fans tuning into the Monday show by running a new episode of Impact (taped or live) on Thursday. Otherwise TNA goes 10 days after the live show before any new programming is shown, thus killing any interest or momentum gained from the live Monday show.

TNA better hope the WWE can't get The Rock for that show. Otherwise, I can envision a situation where Raw does something in the 4s, and TNA gets under a 1.

I don't really understand TNA's decision here. Why compete for just one night? Even though it would probably cause a ratings nose dive at first, I'd prefer seeing them switch to Mondays complete, or to add a second show. Either would probably be a stronger long-term move for the company than a one-night stand against the WWE.

This is certainly the ballsiest move that TNA has done so far. While I'd like to give them the benefit of the doubt, the fact that they're gonna have a three-hour show built around Hulk Hogan doesn't make me wanna watch it at all.

MISTAKE #I THRU #IOO HIRING OR (PARTNERING )WITH HULK HOGAN AND THE OTHERS ERIC BISCHOFF ITS WCW ALL OVER AGAIN BY THE END OF 2010 VINCENT KENNEDY MCMAHON WILL BE THE TOP DOG IN THE BUSINESS AS HE WILL OWN TNA BY THEN JUST THOUGHT YOU WANTED TO KNOW IM A BIG TNA FAN NOT A FAN OF HULK HOGAN OR BISCHOFF SINCE THEY CAUSED THE DOWN FALL OF WCW

It will be interesting to see if Hornswoggle is on the January 4th episode of Raw.

Stone Cold Steve Austin is guest starring in an episode of NBC's Chuck late in January. The WWE could have him as guest host on Jan. 4 to promote it.

If only Colt, Rocky and Tum-tum were available that night...

Surely they can take on the Hulkster!

As much as I dislike Hogan and TNA (except for amazing red, AJ and Matt Morgan), I really hope this goes well for them so they might have a chance at moving to Mondays. WWE needs competition to make the product and storylines better, plus it was always nice during the Monday night wars to be able to channel flip over when there was something you dont care about (Hornswaggle/Masters/bad guest hosts).
I think TNA is giving up a huge opportunity to capitalize on any new viewers by replaying the same thing Thursday, they should not give an incentive to watch Raw. Now I know I can watch Raw and miss nothing on TNA since I can watch it on Thursday, what are they thinking?
Can't wait for this though!

1. Any wrestler that hosts Raw on that night should be considered a traitor to the sport. The Rock has to be smart enough to know that his appearance would hurt TNA, and TNA needs to do well or McMahon will never feel the need to step up his programming from the boring way it is now.

2. TNA needs to showcase the talent that can actually wrestle. Not Nash, Steiner, Foley, the Beautiful People (use Knockouts that can wrestle like Hamada), and the other dinosaurs. They can be reserved for interviews. Open the show with a solid X-Division match (Amazing Red vs. Homicide perhaps).

3. TNA needs to give us good matches with decent match lengths. Three minute matches won't cut it. There better be one four star match on that show.

4. TNA needs to advertise for this show. Put Hogan on Conan O'Brien, Leno, Regis and Kelley, Oprah if possible, and everywhere else. Spike needs to run commercials for TNA for once.

5. TNA should try to sign Shane McMahon as an onscreen character. That would be the ultimate slap in the face to the WWE, and it could create a Bash at the Beach WCW 1996 type vibe. Maybe...

6. Tenay and Taz need to focus on what's going on in the ring. If they talk about Hogan ad nauseum for 75% of the show, then they will do the product a lot of damage.

now all we need is a ROH speical to air on a real channel...

Kev, I know this is probably not going to happen, but if WWE really wanted to show that TNA is just a niche and not a serious threat the real move is to actually run a RAW MINUS most of their big stars.If they win comfortably, it shows that even when they put on most of their second tier talent TNA can't compete.If they win BIG, it proves that TNA isn't in their league and TNA goes crawling back to Thursday.If by some chance, TNA is actually competitive, WWE can simply say that TNA had to pull out every stop to be competitive with less than WWE's dead-level best.It's a win-win for WWE.If WWE put's on a A+ show and crushes TNA, well they were supposed to do that with all their top guys and The Rock hosting.If they don't crush them with an A+ show and TNA is mildly competitive, it sets off alarms and raises TNA's profile immeasurably.It's a lose-lose for WWE.It is in their interest to come with either an ordinary show or purposely hold some of their top level guys out. Planning a special show legitimizes TNA no matter what the outcome. It also shows fear, which is very un-McMahon-likeWhat do you think Kev?

I recall reading online right after the 10th anniversary special of Smackdown that the Rock would be hosting the first Raw of 2010 so I believe that it's already been in the works for a month or so now for him to host that week. Who knows, maybe Russo had been reading on the Internet and caught that so he helped convince Dixie to do that.

According to The John Report, The Rock wont be able to make 4th due to filming conflicts...

Not a bad move by TNA and should make for a fun first Monday of 2010. I live in the old WCW country and was a big fan of theirs and at one time the old WWF. It always felt like WCW could never catch up to the WWF and then on one Monday night in 1995 they fired the first shot on the eventual Monday night wars.

Like today in the WWE, the old WWF in 1995 was stale and wresting fans needed something different. Nitro was different and then became king a year later and had a great run. My only hope is Bischoff, Hogan, and Russo can learn from the past mistakes they made that lead to the destruction of a once proud wrestling franchise in WCW and avoid those in TNA. Two national promotions would make for some fun wrestling again.

Yeah, baby Monday Night Wars!

LEt's get it on!

It is rsiky for TNA but who cares? This is the most interesting development in wrestling from a fan's perspective since WWE acquired WCW and ECW.

If TNA blows it, so what? Maybe Ring Of Honor will fill the void. Or someone else. Really doesn't matter. Wrestling is wrestling. None of the current products are irreplaceable (except the value of WWE to the MCMahon's).

History shows there is always room for at least one underdog promotion to challenge WWE. Someday, WWE will LOSE!

Actually, I think it could be a brilliant and daring move by TNA. Anyone who cares at all about wrestling will be watching that night. WWE will probably win in the ratings and TNA will get exposure via Hogan AND competing with Raw!

Brilliant!

I am guessing TNA moved to Monday that week not to fire a shot at WWE but instead to avoid going head to head on Jan 7th with the BCS championship game between Bama and Texas. They would of got killed in the ratings against that game

"Whether WWE responds by putting a loaded show together for Jan. 4 remains to be seen" By loaded show do you mean DX making fun of midgets? John Cena making sophmoric jokes and "overcoming the odds" in another 1-2 match. Or maybe Jericho will wrestle another big name,carry to a great match, and do the job. There is NOTHING short of a actual MATCH involving The Rock or Stone Cole that would make a Raw show loaded. And since I have a better chance of beating Kurt Angle in a Olympic Wrestling style match then that happening, I'll be watching to see if TNA can truly,finally, make an IMPACT

Enjoy TNA while they last because the company will be out of business within 2 years.

If I'm Vince I am on the phone with Austin or the Rock for guest host duties that night. Either one of them hosting will squash any viewer appeal TNA might have for that night

Word on the street is that RAW is going to counter with their own 3-hour show.

This is a ballsy move on TNA's part. I really like it and hope that at least put up some decent ratings numbers.

I think that going head to head with WWE would be a good idea if it wasn't for the fact that this is coinciding with the return of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff.

Does anyone remember the last time the threesome of Hogan, Bischoff, and Russo were together?

I guess during those three hours we will see: 1) the reformation of the nWo under a different name since VKM owns the name. 2) Vince Russo becomes TNA Champion. 3) A Tower of Doom Match. 4) Hulk Hogan and Jay Lethal become the Mega Powers only to see Hogan turn on Lethal to join the nWo. 5) The return of The Demon.

Kev, I know this is probably not going to happen, but if WWE really wanted to show that TNA is just a niche and not a serious threat the real move is to actually run a RAW MINUS most of their big stars.If they win comfortably, it shows that even when they put on most of their second tier talent TNA can't compete.If they win BIG, it proves that TNA isn't in their league and TNA goes crawling back to Thursday.If by some chance, TNA is actually competitive, WWE can simply say that TNA had to pull out every stop to be competitive with less than WWE's dead-level best.It's a win-win for WWE.If WWE put's on a A+ show and crushes TNA, well they were supposed to do that with all their top guys and The Rock hosting.If they don't crush them with an A+ show and TNA is mildly competitive, it sets off alarms and raises TNA's profile immeasurably.It's a lose-lose for WWE.It is in their interest to come with either an ordinary show or purposely hold some of their top level guys out. Planning a special show legitimizes TNA no matter what the outcome. It also shows fear, which is very un-McMahon-likeWhat do you think Kev?

Monday Night Wars? C'mon guys, more like Monday Night Skirmish. This is a bad decision. TNA would kill if they run it live on Thursday.

Perhaps WWE can book Hogan to guest host the 12/28 Raw. He'll have the 3 hour TNA Monday night show to promote. :)

Actually, in the age of DVRs, does it really matter when shows air? The television landscape today is very different from the 90's.

Hey Kev... Man this was the article I was looking for.... TNA vs WWE... Firstly let me say I could give a rats ass about Hogan but if he brings TNA more mainstream media good. I have been a WWE Fan since I was knee high to an ant hill but I am SICK of the WWE Product now...this is not wrestling it is truly sports entertainment. TNA is better in Almost every apsect . Look at it yourself Knockouts vs Divas..no question its like pitting Mil Mascaras vs The Brooklyn Brawler Young Talent Way more upside for TNA even the "old" guys can keep up Angle can still draw Sting too ( when he is there) but WWE cant. Cena is a great wrestler as are both members of DX but man stories are old old old. NO Blood Minimal Violence..... may as well watch cirque de soleil insted.
TNA will NOT beat WWE Head to Head but they should.
Hardcore WWE Fan moving to T N A

TNA will either surprise big or bomb terribly here. If they're banking entirely on Hogan, it'll bomb. We've seen numerous times, whether it's Sting, Christian, Kurt Angle, or anyone else, one guy doesn't make a difference. Hogan didn't give WWE any major ratings shifts over the last decade, especially as they pulled further away from 2002, when his return was a major deal.

Now, if they load this show with great wrestling, big surprises and pad it all out with Hogan, it could be something special.

Thanks for posting the details of this, Kev. At first I was pretty excited about this idea since I think competition is good, but then I remembered Russo is still booking. A three-hour Impact pulling out all the stops? I shudder to think what sorts of things will be strung up on poles and how many times Mick Foley will have to turn during the show...

Pedro made a good point too regarding the repeat; a fresh Thursday program to try and draw in any new viewers interested on Monday would seem to make much more sense.

Can't wait to see the WWE response...

Wow I get a sense of deja vu. Hogan making his big comeback. And everybody will be excited about Monday Night Wars. And then BOOM :"fingerpoke of doom -2". Final ratings RAW- 3.1 , TNA - 1.0 (come on, we aren't living in 90's anymore)
And after 5 years, we'll watch a DVD called "The Rise and Death of TNA."

How about the ultimate swerve? Hogan hosts Raw that night and announces that he and McMahon are buying TNA.

I hope wwe bigshow and greatkhali beat tna dudes at monday night wars and make johncena vs kurtangle.

@Sam. The only thing that would be funnier than that is if Hogan introduces Shane McMahon on TNA who promptly informs Dixie Carter on live television that he has bought the majority stake in Panda Energy and is selling TNA to WWE.

Tna might have alot going on for them in the near future but word coming out of WWE tonight is that on january 4th they too will be hoasting a 3 hour special with Raw Smackdown and Ecw represented. This nights guest host shall be The Rock. It will include Cena winning back the title and a tag team titles match with Dx defending agenst the hart dinasty with Bret Hart making his return. This night will later lead to Bret Hart vs Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker at WM26.

what about Bret Hart he just signed a contract for the months Jan.-Apr.
he might be the guest host and ill be there