Report: TNA and Hogan Have Not Reached a New Deal; WWE Still an Option?

Earlier this week, various reports circulated that Hulk Hogan had elected to renew his deal with TNA after receiving a lowball offer from WWE.

Per these claims, Vince McMahon did not see Hogan as a star on the same level as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson or Brock Lesnar, something which WWE's financial offer reflected. Hogan then opted to renew with the well-paying TNA (reports have stated that Dixie Carter pays Hogan an astronomical $35,000 a show).  

Over at PWI, Mike Johnson disputes these stories and mentions that, at present, no deal has been agreed between Hogan and TNA, leaving Hogan as very much a free agent:

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As a follow-up to my article on Hulk Hogan earlier today, PWInsider.com has confirmed with sources on both sides that no deal has been signed between TNA and Hulk Hogan. So, Hogan remains a free agent.

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I discussed last week the various reasons WWE would want to bring back the star. A dream match with John Cena at WrestleMania XXX is obviously the most likely option. 

It's also been noted that, as arguably the biggest wrestling star of all time, he could also be a huge asset to the WWE Network (assuming it ever happens, of course).

And you have to believe that Hogan, widely regarded in the industry as a smart and savvy businessman, would rather throw in his lot with WWE than TNA.

WWE is a thriving, hugely successful business that will be around for years to come.

TNA's future is, alas, far more uncertain.

Wrestlers are getting cut left and right due to budget issues, performers are getting paid late (including Hogan, apparently), reports have claimed that even more lawsuits against the company may be on the way and attendance for TNA shows is so low that the promotion may be forced to start advertising every bout as an "empty-arena match."

Things are so bad that wrestling legend Larry Zybszko's recent claims that half of all TNA stars are on food stamps sound shockingly credible.

It would not be unfair to call TNA a dying promotion.

With this in mind, you can't blame Hogan for having second thoughts about re-signing.