After being publicly linked to a 3.0 ratings projection for the upcoming 1/4 edition of TNA iMPACT!, Hulk Hogan scaled back his claims in an interview with the Toronto Sun.
“Jan. 4, we’re going head to head with WWE,” said Hogan. “We’ve got to pick a fight. I don’t know what’s going to happen that night. If we get bodyslammed by WWE, we’ll get back and go at them again.”
As WWE RAW rarely posts a rating in significant excess of a 3.0, there is no way TNA would be “bodyslammed” if it posted such a figure (in fact, as there is a finite limit to the pro wrestling audience size on Monday, a 3.0 rating for TNA would almost definitely mark a victory for the number two wrestling group).
Hogan thus appears to be lower the expectation for his initial impact, instead hoping analysts focus on the big picture benefit he–and those wrestling standouts who accompany him in TNA–will bring to the table.
Hulk Hogan makes his live TNA television debut during a special three-hour iMPACT! on January 4. The TNA show will go head-to-head with RAW for at least two hours that Monday.