Huge Update: Hulk Hogan Heat & Bischoff’s False Claims

Partial Source: Pwinsider.com

UPDATE x 3: As you may recall, Eric Bischoff took aim at reports yesterday that Hulk Hogan had signed a deal with 2K Sports for WWE 2K14 and that there was heat on Hogan in TNA over it. As a refresher, Bischoff posted the following:

“Interesting to read the “choir of idiots” suggesting that Hulk did a deal with 2K Sports. Illustrates just how ignorant these “experts” are

But thats not what the parasites and morons who run dirt sites want you to know.”

There is a problem with Bischoff’s claims, and that is that WWE doesn’t own Hulk Hogan’s trademarks. If they did than they could legally prohibit Hogan from appearing in TNA under that name. Hulk Hogan owned the rights and during his divorce form Linda Hogan he transferred those rights to Hogan Holdings LLC. The trademarks held by Hogan Holdings specifically includes “Prerecorded videotapes and DVD’s featuring wrestling; sunglasses; computer game cassettes and cartridges and video game cartridges.”

There are two currently-registered trademarks for the term Hulk Hogan, both controlled by Hogan Holdings and WWE doesn’t own or have rights to either of them. In addition, Bischoff misrepresented the video game as a “repackaged” game, as it will (as one might expect) continue elements of the THQ WWE games and use that game engine, but the game will be a new one.

Finally, while Bischoff’s statements suggest that Hogan didn’t sign off on the game, all talent involved receive royalties based on their likeness and involvement in the game. 2K Sports would need to get his rights separate from WWE, because again they do not own said rights. This means that either Hogan or someone representing Hogan had to have signed off on the deal (unless WWE wanted to be in a position to be sued) and 2K Sports has even made public statements suggesting that Hogan signed off, such as this quote from WWE 2K14 creative director Cory Ledesma from a recent interview:

“The first hurdle we had was Hulk Hogan. Hulk Hogan’s not currently with the WWE. We knew that if we couldn’t get Hulk Hogan, we weren’t going to have a ’30 Years of Wrestlemania’ mode, it’s just not possible. Hogan was involved in so many matches and so many moments, that he was critical to the game. We knew once we could overcome that hurdle, and Hulk Hogan was able to get into the game, we knew that it was going to be kind of downhill from there and we’d be able to secure a lot of the talent that might not be with WWE anymore.”

Bottom line: either Hogan or someone with his authorization signed off on the deal, or WWE and 2K Sports are setting themselves up for a massive lawsuit.

UPDATE x 2: Eric Bischoff has issued a number of tweets responding to reports regarding Hulk Hogan and Take-Two Interactive.

Interesting to read the “choir of idiots” suggesting that Hulk did a deal with 2K Sports. Illustrates just how ignorant these “experts” are
— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) August 27, 2013

But thats not what the parasites and morons who run dirt sites want you to know.
— Eric Bischoff (@EBischoff) August 27, 2013

Sigh ……

UPDATE: Hulk Hogan has signed booking licenses outside of TNA, including 2K Sports for WWE 2K14, which upset many people in TNA as we reported earlier here on the website. It appears as though he has more heat backstage thanks to his non-TNA media booking appearances, including an arm wrestling match against Toronto Mayor Rob Ford. This has given him a lot of media attention, but there has been no mention of him working in TNA in any of the media articles.

Some within the company are wondering if he is worth the money they are paying him. There is discussion on where the company is headed and if Hogan is involved in those plans. Meanwhile, Hogan is telling friends and co-workers that he can work a tag team match in the future, but can not work a one-on-one match.

We’re told Hogan’s TNA contract is expiring in several months so things could and likely will get interesting.

ORIGINAL: Hulk Hogan making a deal with Take-Two Interactive to be part of the upcoming WWE 2K14 video game definitely turned some heads and started speculation about his future with TNA according to sources. Hogan’s deal with TNA allowed him to make outside deals like that although many took it as a very public “slap to the face” of TNA.

He hasn’t been featured on TNA television for the last four weeks and wasn’t at the last two iMPACT! Wrestling TV tapings. Hogan is scheduled to return at the tapings this Thursday (8/28) in Cleveland. Keeping Hogan off the show was described as a “significant cost savings” for TNA. Hogan’s deal with TNA is believed to be expiring over the new few months. Some say it’s expiring in October but we can’t confirm that as of this writing.

More as we get it. Stay tuned.

EXCLUSIVE REPORT: Hulk Hogan Leaving TNA Wrestling In The Next Two Months – EXTREMELY PISSED OFF THAT BROOKE HOGAN WAS FIRED – BREAKING DETAILS >>>!