Torch Newsletter back issues from five years ago and ten years ago are republished at the Torch VIP website (www.pwtorch.com/members) every week featuring full reviews of Raw, Nitro, other TV shows, and PPVs, plus the Torch cover story, WWF Newswire, WCW Newswire, ECW Newswire, ETC Newswire, "Torch Talk" interviews, columns, and more. The following is an excerpt of that feature with a full review of WWF Raw from five years ago this week.

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Torch Newsletter Archive
By Jason Powell, Torch assistant editor
September 27, 1999 - WWF Raw review
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #568
Cover dated: October 2, 1999

6.8 rating

(Live from Greensboro, N.C.)… [Q1: 6.0]… Still shots and highlights aired from the PPV…Backstage, Vince McMahon talked to the referees and acknowledged the strike had been settled. He told them to make sure they went out of their way to maintain order and said the WWF backed them. Vince shook hands with the officials as Earl Hebner shook hands with Jim Kordaris… The opening montage aired… Fireworks exploded as Jim Ross and Jerry Lawler introduced the show… Triple H and Chyna came to the ring for a promo. Triple H boasted about winning the title and said the best thing about it was that Steve Austin had to make the count. Triple H said he wouldn't rest until he beat Austin. British Bulldog came to the ring wearing street clothes. Bulldog said he made a deal with Triple H that said if either won the title the other would get a title match on Raw (Bulldog sounds more like Groundskeeper Willie, the "Simpsons'" character, every week). Triple H said he lied to Bulldog. Bulldog said he knew Triple H would lie and then attacked him. Chyna attacked Bulldog from behind which allowed Triple H to hit a low–blow. Vince came to the ring and ordered Triple H to defend the title against the Rock. Ross questioned when Austin would get his shot…

[Q2: 6.7]… The announcers hyped the rest of the show… Backstage, Jeff Jarrett was talking to Tom Prichard… Backstage, Mankind talked to a mystery figure who was hiding under a black blanket and said Rock would go bananas when he saw who it was… [C] A shot aired of Test and Stephanie McMahon shopping for tuxedos… Jarrett, Miss Kitty, and Prichard came to the ring. Jarrett and Prichard challenged Debra and Chyna to a battle of the sexes match… (1) Big Show beat Chris Jericho (w/Curtis Hughes) via DQ at 2:08. Before the match, Jericho bragged about "ending the career" of Ken Shamrock and called Big Show the "biggest waste of sperm ever." During the match, Prince Albert sat in on color to scout Big Show. In the end, Albert ran in and dropkicked Big Show off the top rope to end the match. For some reason, the ref stopped the match before Albert interfered. Fun while it lasted…

[Q3: 6.6]… Backstage, Stevie Richards (wearing Dude Love garb) asked Mankind if he could borrow the gimmick. Mankind obliged… [C] Backstage, Michael Cole interviewed Chyna, who accepted Jarrett's challenge but warned Debra to stay away… Austin came to the ring for a promo. Austin said he was upset he wasn't getting his title shot and called out Vince. Vince came to the ring and Austin asked for an explanation. Vince said Austin is entitled to a shot and thanked him for reinstating him. Vince said he had promised Austin a shot but said he wouldn't get it until the PPV. Austin warned Vince he'd he better make good on his word or he'd stomp a (pay attention Goldberg) mudhole in Vince's ass like never before… GTV aired from the Mean Street Posse's hotel room. The Posse sat around wearing towels and high fived each other. A blonde woman walked out of the bedroom wearing a towel and asked them for a favor. Rodney told her no and told her to leave. Pete Gas hilariously asked why he always has to be the caboose… [C]

[Q4: 6.9]… Separate shots aired of Rock and Triple H… (2) D–Lo beat Steve Blackman by DQ at 1:45. Droz sat in on color. Jim Kordaris refereed the match with his left arm in a sling, selling the beating the other refs gave him at the PPV. In the end, Blackman used his kendo stick on D–Lo for the DQ. Droz grabbed Jim Dotson, the burly security guard, and hit him with the stick. Droz beat up D–Lo and puked on him. Mark Henry came out and tried to make up with D–Lo, but D–Lo pushed him away… Mankind led the mystery person through the back… [C] A clip aired of Mankind leading the mystery person through the back. Mankind came upon Austin and invited him to the party, but Austin declined… Mankind came to the ring holding several gifts and balloons in his hand. Mankind said he felt bad about sticking Mr. Socko in Rock's mouth and wanted to make it up to him. Rock came to the ring as the announcers plugged his website. Mankind said, "This is big, Rock, this is important. This is your life!" and balloons and confetti fell from the ceiling.

[Q5: 8.4]… Mankind asked Rock, "Do you remember this voice?" A voice could be heard asking if "Duane" finished his homework. Rock's sixth grade home economics teacher, Mrs. Griffith, came to the ring. Rock ridiculed her for not allowing him to make pancakes. Mankind told her she should leave. A voice could be heard saying, "Alright Johnson, drop and give me twenty." Rock's high school football coach came to the ring and offered his hand but Rock refused to shake it. Rock ridiculed the coach making him run laps after he DDT'd another player. Rock told the coach to stick his whistle up his ass. Mankind told the coach, "Hit the bricks, you jerk." A voice came over the house speaker and asked, "Duane, could I please run my fingers through your hair one more time." Mankind introduced Joanne Embriotti, Rock's high school sweetheart. Rock looker her up and down and asked how she'd been. He talked about kissing her and said she used to love his toungue. Rock said she used to tell him to go for second base but she would cut him off. The crowd booed. Rock asked if she wanted to go one–on–one with the great one and give him a "piece of poon–tang pie." Rock told her, "Poon–tang your ass out of here." The person under the blanket came to ringside. Mankind gave Rock his first gift which was a "Rock–n–Sock Connection" jacket. Mankind pulled out a matching jacket and put it on. Rock's second gift was "Mr. Rocko," a sock with Rock's face painted on.

[Q6: 6.8]… Mankind directed Rock to the person under the blanket, who was revealed to be Yurpo the Clown. Ross said, "I'm begging for a Rock Bottom." Rock did the "It doesn't matter what your name is" routine with the clown. Mankind got mad and told Rock it does matter what her name is. Mankind said he tried really hard for Rock and instructed the clown to sing happy birthday. The clown sang, but Rock said it wasn't his birthday. Mankind said every time he hangs out with Rock it's like someone's birthday. Triple H ran in with a sledgehammer. Triple H tried to hit Rock but Rock moved and fled the ring. Very funny at some points, but for as long as the segment was, there should have been more of a payoff. The clown was a let–down… [C] The New Age Outlaws came to the ring and gave an open challenge to any tag team. Backstage, the Hollys watched on a monitor and went to get a scale to see if the Outlaws were superheavyweight material… [C] Kane's music began playing and he and X–Pac came to the ring. (4) The New Age Outlaws fought Kane & X–Pac to a no–contest when the Hollys interfered at 2:22. Just as the match began, the Hollys came to the ring with their scale. The Hollys complained to the commentators that they deserved the title match.

[Q7: 6.6]… The Hollys ran in for the finish. The Outlaws, Kane, and X–Pac teamed up to throw the Hollys out. X–Pac and the Outlaws raised each others' hands as Kane watched on… Backstage, Terry Taylor interviewed Fabulous Moolah and Mae Young. Moolah said they would prove "you're never too old to kick ass."… [C] (5) Fabulous Moolah & Mae Young beat Ivory in a two–on–one evening gown match at 2:51. Very little crowd heat, but Lawler was full of one–liners which kept it fun. Ivory ripped off the 70–plus year–old Young's gown (Dear God!) and threw her over the top rope. Moolah came in and beat up Ivory. Moolah ripped off Ivory's gown for the win. Ivory attacked Moolah after the match. Young came back into the ring wearing her bra and panties and fought off Ivory. Hilarious… GTV aired a shot of Val Venis pulling Mr. Rocko out of the trash and shoving it down his pants… [C]

[Q8: 6.1]… Introductions took place for Jarrett & Prichard vs. Chyna & Debra. Chyna came out alone and said if she wins she wants a rematch at the No Mercy PPV. Jarrett accepted… [C] Debra came to the ring and unbuttoned her blouse. (6) Chyna & Debra beat Jeff Jarrett & Tom Prichard (w/Miss Kitty) at 1:09. Jarrett took advantage on Chyna so Debra ran in. Miss Kitty ran in and grabbed Debra from behind. With Jarrett lying on the mat, Prichard took the guitar and hit Chyna with it. Chyna fell on top of Jarrett and got the pin… Separate shots aired of Rock and Triple H… [C] Austin came to ringside and sat in on commentary… (7) Rock beat Triple H by DQ when Bulldog interfered at 7:11. Both men exchanged punches and the match moved to ringside and into the crowd.

[Q9: 7.0]… The match spilled into a hockey penalty box. Back in the ring, Triple H set up for the Pedigree but Rock took his legs out. Rock hit a DDT for a nearfall. Later, Triple H brought a chair into the ring but referee Earl Hebner stopped him. Triple H hit Hebner with the chair and then used it on Rock. Triple H mouthed off to Austin, who climbed into the ring, kicked the chair, and hit Triple H with a Stunner. Triple H fell into Rock who hit the Rock Bottom. It took Rock a minute to make the cover on Triple H. Hebner made a slow count and was almost to three when Bulldog ran in. The bell actually ran before Bulldog interfered… A good show… [JP]

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