Hulk Hogan left WWE in June 2003 over a creative dispute with Vince McMahon. It wasn't the first time that Hogan had clashed with McMahon over the presentation of the 'Hulkster' character. Twice in 2002, they had disagreed on what Hogan's role in the modern day WWE should be. When Hogan split from WWE in August 2002 he was meant to return 3 months later at Survivor Series but he & McMahon couldn't agree on a finish (McMahon wanted Hogan to put Brock Lesnar over again; Hogan wanted Lesnar's WWE title).
Knowledgeable fans know not to take Hogan's word as gospel. He has spent so long immersed in the crazy, make believe world of pro wrestling that he often disseminates as much false information as factual, thereby making it difficult for observers to recognise what is, isn't or might be true. In other words, his credibility is suspect.
The king of name & number dropping, Hogan announced that he had talks lined up with Universal Studios & Turner Broadcasting within days of his departure from WWE. Then WRESTLE-1 was mentioned (he had met with the company in January 2003). Then Hogan announced on the radio he was negotiating with Clear Channel, & had been offered "seven figures" to headline a goodbye tour. Weeks later reports circulated that boxing promoter Murad Muhammad was considering financing a pro wrestling & boxing special, again starring the 'Hulkster'.
In demand everywhere, or so it seemed puppet master Hogan opened talks with NJPW in September 2003. The promotion's booker Masahiro Chono even flew to Tampa to meet directly with Hogan concerning an appearance at the Tokyo Dome. Hogan being Hogan, kept everyone guessing for over a week - to attract maximum publicity, no doubt - before he finally signed a contract to wrestle Chono.
For Hogan, NJPW was a safe & smart move. He first became a top-line superstar with the organisation in 1980 & within a few years had achieved legendary status in the country. NJPW had offered to pay Hogan six figures (some reports stated as much as $250,000) for one match against Chono - NJPW's top drawing card.
Just days before Hogan was due to fly to Japan, NWA:TNA announced that it too, had struck a deal with Hogan. TNA bosses Jerry Jarrett & Jeff Jarrett met with Hogan in September. It initially appeared nothing came out of the meeting but then in early October it was revealed NWA:TNA would stage it's first 3 hour PPV on 30th November 2003, that would feature none other then Hogan.
By the time Hogan got to Tokyo on 11th October, there was an army of press waiting for him. Hogan, made a comment designed to gain maximum publicity by saying he would never work for Vince McMahon again. At a press conference the next day Hogan continued to make the right moves. He challenged megatstar Bob Sapp to a match; boasted that he had received offers from two other Japanese wrestling promotions; said he left WWE because he was bored & wasn't treated with respect; & finally that he intended to finish his career in NJPW.
Even at the age of 50 at the time Hogan could pull the strings & make moves like no other wrestler, past or present. As for his NWA:TNA deal, Hogan put a spanner in the works when he had minor knee surgery forcing NWA:TNA to postpone it's first 3 hour PPV.
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