Select Next Article by Category

WE ARE A PROUD UGO AFFILIATE SINCE 1999

Support Our Sponsor: PWI!
===========================
CHECK OUT OUR AFFILIATE WRESTLING NEWS SITE - THE FASTEST GROWING PRO WRESTLING SITE IN 2008! (click on logo)

|
Torch Feedback
ECW Reax #1: "The quality of ECW is taking a horrendous nosedive and WWE seems oblivious."
May 7, 2008 - 4:41:16 AM |
|
Shane McKinley of Danville, Calif. (0.5): Best Match: Main Event. Worst Match: Opening. What a mess. Just sad. The downward spiral for ECW started somewhere back a month ago. Used to be a time where Raw and ECW were reliable shows. Now they are just duds and the pendlum has swung towards Smackdown and Impact (help me) as shows I look forward to. There is a "yin/yang" in wrestling, in that for every excellent moment, there are abysmal ones. They call these times "The Lean Times," when fans are strugg-a-ling trying to stay emotionally involved, the feuds are barely lukewarm, and watching shows seem more like a test of endurance. At first I gave "Bad Mic" Mike Adalme a chance. Some hiccups, but maybe he could grow. I thought that on Raw showing him as a joke would be the nail in the coffin. I gave him a month, and after a month (especially after the last Raw), I thought, "Well, he's gone." So when ECW opened up with the "voice of ECW" Adalme bathering on about how he announced football games and American Gladiators, well, whoopee doo. Adalme is not a wrestling announcer. Mick Foley is light years ahead of Adalme. Nothing against Adalme, but alone he makes ECW not at all fun to watch anymore. During this opening I was expecting Sandman to pop up and cane him silly. But I guess I'm supposed to take him seriously. I would rather not spend my Tuesday nights listening to wrestlers mocking their announcer (boy, that's really productive for your show). The quality of ECW is taking a horrendous nosedive and WWE seems oblivious. Listening to this show was bad. This was comedy hour, but it was sad that it was trying to be respectable. The most remarkable thing of the night was when they showed a video package of RVD vs. Hardcore Holly, with all of the pain, injury, and blood. Then right after that "up next is Kofi Kingston vs. Matt Striker!" Right. I gave up and started to watch ECW on mute, which I'm thinking of doing when I watch this show now. I guess ECW nowadays is good for if you want to do voice-overs in your living room.
Eric Gall of Bridgeport, Conn. (7.0): Best Match: Colin Delaney vs. Estrada, Dreamer vs. Knox. Worst Match: Nothing to speak of. The story of underdog Colin Delaney is infinitely more watchable than supermen main-eventers destroying the rest of the card. The pre-match scene with the locker room encouraging Colin was a great moment. It might not seem like a big deal to a lot of people, but this is my wrestling TV moment of the year - a five-foot-nothing, one-hundred-and-nothing "Rudy" who's fighting just to get a spot on the roster. For a one-hour program, there seemed to be something for everyone on the roster. Nobody was buried, storylines were advanced, and nothing made me want to kick in the screen of the TV. It's these little things that ECW does that still makes it my favorite WWE show. I know it's the trendy thing to do to diss ECW, but because it's mostly left to itself to put on a wrestling show and not to force storylines and "superstars" down our throats, but I still say it's the best show coming out of Titan Tower these days.
Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (7.0): Best: Tommy Dreamer vs. Mike Knox; Colin Delaney post-match Worst: Chuck Palumbo promo ECW did all right for Number 100. The replays from the vaults will probably want fans to want RVD, Sabu, and the other Originals back, but that's not likely gonna happen. Kofi-Striker moved along the Kofi-Shelton feud without the two going a full match, Shelton did well cn commentary, too; works better with others versus going alone. Speaking of commentary, who knew Stevie Richards could do so well? He helped to put over the opening Extreme Rules match and Dreamer's ECW experience very well. Colin finally got his win, and it was received by the crowd as a big enough deal, but WWE didn't give it the treatment it deserved. Armando Estrada looked very good in there body-wise, but didn't bring much to the table in terms of repertoire (but it fits his character). Colin put over his big-deal win like a pro. There's a starstruck quality to his promo which really added a nce touch. Kelly's Expose was repetitve in moves, but unlike the other dance-offs, there were smooth transitions between "look at me... no, look at me." The brawl that followed was nicely done. Those two should go to Smackdown as there really is no one else there to move them along. Lena Yada, however, should be sent away as she couldn't put two words together, which badly effected Palumbo's promo. The fact there was no followup didn't help, either. The main event was blah, but furthered something along that everyone so failed to look at as performance. More proof that "Mike Adamle" is a work after Raw last night is the very stiff delivery of his promo. In character he's been under serious pressure and this promo showed it. No further explanation was given to his losing his cool, but that may come into play soon enough. In the opening match, with Stevie Richards at commentary, Adamle was much more relaxed and less prone to make mistakes. In the main event, Miz and Morrison were at the comm, and Adamle was summarily trashed and buried throughout the match. Tazz did clearly try to support Mike, but got caught up a little. Am I the only one seeing a Tim White-esque or "gone postal" storyline on the horizon?
We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for a "ECW Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on ECW, click here.
For more BREAKING NEWS on WWE, TNA, ROH
visit our co-affiliate: JASON POWELL'S PROWRESTLING.NET
REACT TO THIS STORY IN OUR FREE PWTORCH FORUM
PWTORCH VIP SIGN-UP INFO - NO ADS, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
|
Torch Feedback
Latest Articles by Category |
(c) 1999-2008 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.
|
|
LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER - JUNE 28, 2008

This issue includes a cover story on the big Monday Night Draft with major roster reshuffling including the host announcers of the two main shows... Wade Keller provides a BBL editorial analysis looking at how each draft shift can be a winning move for those involved... Bruce Mitchell's feature-length column reviews the book "Ring of Hell" which focuses on the Chris Benoit murder-murder-suicide incident and behind the scenes in WWE... Keller's End Notes looks at Jim Ross's reaction and retraction to being shifted from Raw to Smackdown... Raw Roundtable Reviews from PWTorch staff and Reader Reax regarding the drafted edition of Raw... Plus The Raw Page, The Smackdown Page, and The TNA Impact Page... In-depth WWE Newswire, ROH Newswire, TNA Newswire with Keller's Analysis of various news stories... And more...
INFO ON SUBSCRIPTION TO NEWSLETTER AND AD-FREE VIP SITE
DOWNLOAD RECENT (5-10-08) SAMPLE OF PWTORCH NEWSLETTER (PDF)
|
| Articles Grouped by Category |
 |
| Torch Today |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/4: Murdoch gone from WWE, ROH ticket sales for Toronto, Bell interview on documentary response, Morrison interview |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 6/29: Jake Roberts interview, CNN piece on NWA, Austin impersonator bizarreness, Warrior return |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 6/22: Hardy comments on toning down in-ring style, WWE Business notes, McMahon compares WWE and UFC biz |
 |
| WWE News |
| WWE News: MVP interview on heart condition and expanding into movie roles |
| WWE News: BBC News reports on Kofi Kingston's heritage from Africa |
| Ratings News: Rating for C.M. Punk edition of Raw is in; did new cast of stars hold serve? (w/Keller's Analysis) |
 |
| TNA News |
| TNA News: TNA signs exclusive VOD and pay-TV agreements in the U.K. |
| TNA Impact Ratings: World X Cup draws poor ratings, Awesome Kong in top segment again (w/Keller Analysis) |
| TNA Impact Ratings: A rare week where the main event actually drew the highest rating of the show (w/Keller Analysis) |
 |
| ROH News |
| ROH News: Lance Storm interview on working with ROH wrestlers and injuries in pro wrestling |
| ROH News: ROH to continue on PPV, Lance Storm returns to ROH, KOCH DVD update |
| Torch Indy Weekend Report: Balls vs. Abyss, Lynn, Strong & Evans in PWG, Danny Havoc in CZW |
 |
| Other News |
| Torch Indy Weekend Preview: Hero-Tornado in PWG, Sabin & Shelley in IWC, Shimmer taping |
| Torch Indy Weekend Report: Christian in JAPW, Lynn in ROH, Honky Tonk Man |
| Torch Indy Weekend Preview: Jerry Lynn in AAW, IWA hardcore tourney, Jacobs, Buff Bagwell |
 |
| PPV Reports |
| KELLER'S WWE NIGHT OF THE CHAMPIONS PPV REPORT 6/29: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of event |
| CALDWELL'S WWE NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS PPV REPORT 6/29: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV |
| CALDWELL'S TNA SLAMMIVERSARY PPV REPORT 6/8: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV |
 |
| TV Reports |
| 7/3 Impact Review by Wilkenfeld: Roode & Storm rise to the top as Sting makes his surprise return |
| CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 7/3: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Spike TV show |
| CALDWELL'S ECW TV REPORT 7/1: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show |
 |
| Arena Reports |
| 6/23 WWE Raw HOLT report: What the live crowd saw that the TV viewers didn't including final scene with McMahon |
| 6/20 TNA in Bloomington, Ill.: Joe vs. Steiner, Borash, Storm vs. Shark Boy, Borash, Styles vs. Roode, Borash... |
| 6/14 WWE Raw in Idaho: Early review of Ted DiBiase's ring work, plus Mickie James, Cena, Hardy |
 |
| MMA / UFC Coverage |
| UFC News: Dana White reveals major announcement regarding UFC - full story and analysis |
| MMA: Liddell's Next Fight, UFC's Next Live Spike Special Opposite Affliction, CBS EliteXC Headliner Announced, Blogs, Rumors, More! |
| Liddell's Next Fight, EliteXC Back on CBS, Upcoming Card Predictions, John McCarthy Interview, Retirement and Announcements |
 |
| KELLER'S TAKE |
| KELLER: An overhaul is in order for Raw before ratings drop further - several specific suggestions |
| KELLER: McMahon Returns for That? Nothing Funnier than a DUI! Let Me Shift So You Can Hit Me! |
| A KELLER SHORT: Should Mr. Kennedy be a babyface; coffee shop eavesdropping |
 |
| MITCHELL'S TAKE |
| A MITCHELL SHORT: More Important Info Regarding The WWE McMahon Million Dollar Giveaway |
| MITCHELL: TNA's Grass Roots Approach To House Shows |
| MOJO MITCHELL'S WWE RAW 6/2: Stream of Damn Those Elitist Snobs, Why Won't They Let Me in Their Club, I Know, I'll Start My Own Club and... |
 |
| MCNEILL'S TAKE |
| Paul, I Can't Feel My Legs: McNEILL previews Night of Champions! |
| McNEILL: What If WWE Actually Had A Random Draft? |
| McNEILL's "Who's Hot, Who's Not" for Week of 6/18: Styles, Cena, Sonjay, Hulk |
 |
| CALDWELL'S TAKE |
| CORNER CUBE THURSDAY 7/3 - For one week, WWE challenges ideal image of World champion |
| CORNER CUBE WEDNESDAY 7/2 - Raw was everything ECW is not |
| CORNER CUBE MONDAY 6/30 - Night of Champions delivered opportunity, not a transcendent moment |
 |
| RADICAN'S TAKE |
| RADICAN: Impact greatness highlighted by Kong, MCMG, Team 3D, Styles |
| RADICAN: Danielson's Appearance in Dark Match on Raw Brings About Many Questions |
| Radican's DVD review: SHIMMER Vol. 15 (Haze vs. Stock, Del Rey vs. Kong) |
 |
| The Specialists |
| Raw Storylines and Feuds - Cena-JBL, Y2J-HBK, and reader thoughts wanted |
| 6/30 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Opening, Punk, Martial Law, Jericho |
| Nostalgia Review: AWA Battle By the Bay: Blackwell vs. Hansen; Bockwinkel vs. Nord; Rockers & Hennig vs. Rose/Somers/Smirnoff |
 |
| Guest Editorials |
| WWE Raw Reax #2: "Why wasn't Triple H a little upset for McMahon throwing Flair out the building?" |
| EDITORIAL: Why One Million Dollars Won't Fix the Endemic Problems with Raw |
| EDITORIAL: K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple, Stupid! |
 |
| Torch Feedback |
| WWE Raw Reax #4: "Punk just is not believable as the World Heavyweight Champion. He's too small and just not intimidating." |
| WWE Raw Reax #3: "I only tune into Raw about once or month or so, and this is the same show I saw last time." |
| WWE Raw Reax #2: "This was one of the most enjoyable Raws I've seen in a long time." |
 |
| Ask the Editor |
| Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"? |
 |
| DVDs - VGames - Books |
| DVD Review: ROH "Glory By Honor VI, N2" with Kenta vs. Misawa, 110307 |
| Movie Review: "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" documentary "one of the most honest and fair documentaries" |
| Radican's DVD review: SHIMMER Vol. 15 (Haze vs. Stock, Del Rey vs. Kong) |
 |
| Torch Flashbacks |
| PWTorch '98 Back Issue Flashback: Bischoff challenges Vince McMahon to a real fight during Nitro |
| KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (6-13-03): Brock vs. Big Show, Rey vs. Hardy, Angle fires Hass & Benjamin, Mr. America, Piper |
| KELLER'S TNA REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (6-11-03): D-Lo, Raven, Jarrett, Styles, Sandman, Sting |
 |
| VIP Exclusive Features |
| Mitchell Audio Show, pt. 1: Punk as World Champ discussed in-depth, comparison to Joe's career, plus more (70 min.) |
| DEJ Audio Experience: WWE Shake-Up, Bret the Delusional Ass, Atlas Ortiz, Ashley's MySpace Note (90 min.) |
| VIP - PWTORCH NEWSLETTER #1032 PDF Download Now Available: Punk Title Win Coverage & Analysis, Mitchell on Bret, Powell's Page 2 Buzz |
 |
| Torch Trivia |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about short title reigns? |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about fake injuries? |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about the first WWF Draft? |
 |
| Torch Instant Polls |
| PWTORCH POLL: Who was the MVP of the June 30 episode of WWE Raw? Punk? Batista? Edge? Ross? Jericho?... |
| POLL: Which person's career was likely hurt the most by being drafted? |
| POLL: Which person benefited the most from being drafted? |
 |
| PWTorch Free Podcast |
| FREE PODCAST: PWTorch editor Wade Keller's in-depth reaction to the June 30 Raw, Punk's win, New Faces Pushed |
| FREE PODCAST: Keller and Mitchell analyze the monumental WWE Draft on Monday (6-25-08) |
| FREE PODCAST: Daily Keller Hotline with in-depth analysis and reaction to Raw (6-16-08) |
 |
| Annual Obituaries |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade... |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart |
 |
|
|