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.

For subscription info about the Torch VIP ESub Membership option, which saves money by skipping the actual home delivery of the paper copy of the Torch Newsletter (although you still have a chance to read the weekly Torch Newsletter online), click here: Torch VIP ESub Subscription Info. Sub prices range between $1.05 and $1.37 per week - same price U.S. or overseas.

***

Torch Newsletter Archive
By Jason Powell, Torch assistant editor
December 17, 1999 - ECW on TNN TV review
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #581
Cover dated: December 25, 1999
ECW on TNN—12/17 (1.0 rating)

(Taped Dec. 10 in Richmond, Va.)… [Q1: 0.9]… Joey Styles and Joel Gertner introduced the show while standing in front of the ECW banner… Backstage, the Impact Players, Dawn Marie, and Jason cut a promo hyping their match against Rhino & Chris Candido. During the promo, Storm said they weren't going to abuse Tammy Sytch. Dawn Marie added, "You've been doing that to yourself for years"… The opening montage aired… [C] Backstage, Nova told Chris Chetti not to come back to soon. Chetti chewed out Kid Cash whom he hand–picked to take his place teaming with Nova. Chetti walked away and Nova told Cash not to pay attention to Chetti because, "His family is a little crazy." Horrible acting… (1) New Jack beat DeVito (w/Angel, Vic Grimes) at 1:59. New Jack brought his bucket of weapons to the ring and used them on DeVito. In the end, New Jack jumped off the top rope and hit DeVito with a guitar shot for the win. After the match, Angel and Grimes ran in and beat up New Jack. Angel used a staple gun to staple New Jack's ear. Stupid… [C]

[Q2: 1.1]… In the ring, the Baldies sent out an open challenge. Mike Awesome's music began playing and he came to the ring with Judge Jeff Jones… (2) Mike Awesome beat Vic Grimes at 3:20 to retain the ECW Title. Grimes is too talented to be with the Baldies. On the other hand, Jeff Jones should start shaving his head now. Late in the match, Awesome powerbombed Grimes off of the ring apron and through a table at ringside. Awesome rolled Grimes back into the ring and scored the pin. After the match, Jones called Awesome "the most awesome giant on the face of the earth." Spike Dudley's music began playing and he came to the ring. Spike hit Awesome with an Acid Drop and left him lying. The crowd gave a small pop and seemed to be more surprised than excited. The crowd did sing along with Spike's music as Awesome climbed to his feet. Spike stood at the entrance, waved at Awesome, and motioned to his waist, indicating that he wants Awesome's belt… Backstage, Danny Doring cut a promo in the shower area. Electra walked into the room wearing a towel, removed it, and climbed into the shower. Doring walked into the wrong shower and found Roadkill. Francine walked in thinking she'd seen Doring and Roadkill engaged in a homosexual romance and left the room. Hearing Francine's voice, Electra peeked her head out of her shower and warned Doring not to fool around with other women…

[Q3: 1.1]… [C] (3) Super Calo fought Ikuto Hadaka and Tom Marquez to a no–contest in a three–way when interfered at 3:02. Gertner calls Hadaka "Pokemon." Marquez wears a ridiculous outfit which leaves one of his right arm and left leg bare. This may be the worst outfit in the history of wrestling. In the end, Sabu ran in and beat up all three men. ECW is in dire need of some jobbers because two weeks from now they'll be trying to pass off Calo and Hadaka as top talent… [C]

[Q4: 1.1]… (4) The Impact Players (w/Dawn Marie, Jason) beat Chris Chetti & Tammy Sytch at 7:05. Styles won line of the night by saying, "I wouldn't want to share a cola with her." Before the match, the incident of Dawn Marie spanking Sytch's disgusting ass was replayed. Hopefully this will be the last time viewers are forced to sit through this. The opening minutes of the match featured the Players working over Candido. Later, Rhino tagged in and dominated the match. Later, Candido hit a superplex on Storm. Dawn Marie ran in which brought in Sytch for the obligatory catfight of the week. In the end, Justin pinned Candido to earn the Players a tag title match at the PPV. After the match, the Players cut an in–ring promo ripping on Sandman. Sandman walked out and was in the ring two minutes later. Jason challenged Sandman to a match, but Sandman caned him. Justin ran in and caned Sandman with stiff shots. Storm set up a table, but Sandman made his comeback and cleared the Players from the ring. Rhino hit Sandman with a spear through the table… Backstage, Raven cut a promo. He appeared to be talking to Dreamer, but when the camera pulled back it was revealed that he was talking with Francine… [JP]

We suggest these recent related articles...

WWE FLASHBACK: Kane character debuts 18 yrs. ago today in first-ever Hell in a Cell match - Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels

HIAC FLASHBACK: Kane beats Undertaker in HIAC match 5 yrs. ago today, plus Randy Orton vs. Sheamus for WWE Title

ROH FLASHBACK: The aftermath of Joe vs. Kobashi 10 years ago today