Smallscreen News

Spike TV and TNA bring Hulkamania for 2010

By April MacIntyre Dec 24, 2009, 17:01 GMT

Good luck Hulk Hogan - © Koi Sojer / PR Photos

Hulkamania is alive and well, and coming to Spike TV for 2010.

Don't tell Ric Flair, but the biggest, blondest name in professional wrestling history, Hulk Hogan, will make his first live appearance on Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling’s “TNA iMPACT!” in a live 3-hour special on Spike TV Monday, January 4, 2010 at 8:00PM ET/PT.

Hogan and TNA President Dixie Carter (not Designing Women's Dixie) attended “The Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights” Finale in Las Vegas where Hogan made the announcement in an interview with Joe Rogan.

According to the network, “TNA iMPACT!” will be going against “WWE Monday Raw” on USA Network, the first time two wrestling companies have broadcast live head-to-head since the “Monday Night Wars” in the late 1990’s between WWE and WCW.  This “iMPACT!” special will broadcast live from the TNA iMPACT! Zone at Universal Studios in Orlando, Fl.

Hogan’s first appearance inside the six-sided ring of TNA Wrestling will follow weeks of speculation after Hogan and Carter announced their partnership on October 27 at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Hogan promises fans to have "multiple surprises" in store for TNA Wrestling fans.

“I knew when I signed with TNA, that it would be important to make a statement with the first episode. Going head-to-head on January 4th, makes the statement loud and clear: Game on!” Hogan said.

“TNA is kicking off 2010 in the biggest way possible with the biggest name in the history of our sport. Hulk Hogan is a pop culture icon, and his arrival will change not only TNA, but the entire professional wrestling landscape. We’re firing that first shot,” Carter said.

Hogan will be joined by TNA World Heavyweight Champion “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles, Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle, Mick Foley, Kevin Nash, “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe, “The Boss” Bobby Lashley and “The Blueprint” Matt Morgan for this televised extravaganza.

“TNA iMPACT!” will resume its normal timeslot on Thursday, January 7th at 9:00 PM ET/PT with an encore viewing of the live “iMPACT!” special.

Hogan is a Tampa, Florida native, who wrestled in high school, and soon became the most sought-after, instantly recognizable celebrities in the world. 

He is a twelve-time professional world wrestling champion - six titles with WWE and six with WCW -- and the winner of the Royal Rumble in 1990 and 1991.

He has appeared in many TV shows and several movies, including “Rocky III,” was the co-host for NBC’s “American Gladiators,” and is the executive producer, judge, and host of “Hulk Hogan’s Championship Wrestling” on CMT. 

TNA Entertainment is headquartered in Nashville, TN.

TNA on Spike: http://TNA.spike.com