Sting vs Hogan, Flair

Starrcade '97 or BFG '11?

Ric Flair appeared on Mark Madden’s radio show yesterday and teased wanting to face Sting for the TNA World Heavyweight Title this summer.

While it’s not etched in stone, the current plan is to have Sting vs. Hulk Hogan main event TNA’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view. This would all depend on Hogan’s health and if he can wrestle or not.

The combined age of any combination of those matches would be over 100. AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, The Pope, Matt Morgan, Robert Roode, Rob Van Dam, Mr Anderson, hell, even Bully Ray should be somehow involved. TNA is all about wrestling now, and I can wholly respect that. I like how they’re edgier than the WWE and act as a throwback to the Attitude Era. However, with the consistent booking of Sting/Hogan/Flair, they’re directly contradicting themselves. The Attitude Era was based on a youth movement. Steve Austin, the Rock, DX, Kane, the Hardcore Division, Sable: they were all so popular because everything was new. And they were young. And with Mankind and the Undertaker, who weren’t old, just older, worked so well with the young guns.

The WWE took a huge chance in pushing their brand as cutting edge and totally badass back then. Most everybody was new and the audience accepted them. If TNA truly wants to compete, they need to push the young guys over the new guys. Hogan can barely walk. Flair should never have wrestled after Mania 24. Sting can still do alright for himself, but he needs a great opponent to carry him. Yes, Hogan vs Sting might bring in an addition 100 PPV buys, but is that how you want your company to be viewed as?

TNA needs to dedicate itself to young guys. It’s the only way they’ll ever improve and make an attempt at being competition. I, for one, would rather see Roode vs Styles for the World Title instead of Sting/Hogan at Bound for Glory. Two guys that’ve been there since almost the beginning, competing for the top prize on the biggest show? Sounds like a good idea to me.