As the OP, you actually do have quite a lot of control.
You can change the Topic Title, and your opening post.
I have found the Mods to be very helpful and accommodating in helping you, as the “Topic Author” do get other things done like.
Closing the THREAD … (Hint. If you do this, try to make sure yours is the last post, and then you can always have the last word, and change it as appropriate)
If anyone hijacks your thread, or is TROLLING etc, the Mods seem to be more likely to respond to your requests (as Topic Author) to delete or get posters to get back on track, or move those posts to a new Topic.
If you find any particular poster(s) objectionable to you (or whatever), you can always add them to your Ignore list.
A good lesson learnt is NOT to try to deal with any Inappropriate posts yourself, and escalate the situations, ask the MODS deal with it.
(Difficult to do at time when some really P you off, but far better to let the Mods handle it !!)