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
May 6, 2000 - ECW on TNN TV review
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #601
Cover dated: May 1, 2000

0.9 rating

(Taped Apr. 22 in Philadelphia, Pa.)... [Q1]... The show opened with Tazz's entrance... Joey Styles and Joel Gertner introduced the show in the ring. Gertner introduced himself as Joel "All the ladies in the house just want me to click their mouse, because when I'm on the Internet I make their panties wet, and as they sit at their computer and they sit on my sex-shooter, they can surf through cyberspace, and I'll upload right in their face" Gertner. Amazing when you consider ECW had a difficult time talking TNN into letting them to air promos, and censored them at every turn in the first few months... The opening montage aired... The Network came to the ring. Cyrus cut a hilarious promo demanding Tajiri hand over the ECW TV Title to Rhino. After some debate, Tajiri told Cyrus "F--- you" which was censored... (1) Rhino (w/Cyrus, Jack Victory, Steve Corino) beat Tajiri to win the ECW TV Title. The rest of the Network left the ring as Rhino and Tajiri squared off. Tajiri dominated the opening minutes. [C] Tajiri threw a table into the ring, but Rhino took control and set it up in the corner. Tajiri came back and locked Rhino in the Octopus.

[Q2]... Corino ran in and was sprayed with green mist by Tajiri. Victory ran in, but Tajiri fought him off. Rhino gored Tajiri and followed up with a piledriver for a nearfall. Rhino hit a second piledriver and scored the pin. Afterward, the Network celebrated in the ring as Cyrus cut a promo. Rob Van Dam and Scotty Anton ran in. Seconds later, the ring cleared to RVD and Rhino. RVD hit a few kicks and tossed Rhino out of the ring. RVD climbed to the top rope, jumped, and flipped onto Rhino and Corino. Cyrus took the mic and announced that Sandman will challenge Rhino at the PPV instead of RVD. Cyrus then introduced Jerry Lynn and announced he will wrestle RVD at the PPV. Lynn came to the ring and was welcomed back by Cyrus. Lynn told him to "get the f--- out of here." Lynn shoved Cyrus to the mat. Cyrus left the ring while flashing his TNN badge. Lynn complained that no one talked about his injury because they were too busy talking about RVD's. RVD offered to shake Lynn's hand, but Lynn flipped him off and then punched Anton. A good segment... [C] Outside the building, the Sinister Minister lay inside a coffin as Mikey Whipwreck stood behind him. The Minister mentioned rumors that WCW wanted him and Mikey. The Minister called Eric Bischoff "karate boy" and said if he ever wants to kick his ass: "I'm easy to find. We're both in the same neck of the woods; hell"... [C]

[Q3]... Paul Heyman narrated a brief preview of the remainder of the show. Heyman noted, "Hey, we're tired of these lame ass commercial breaks too, but they had to raise $100 million for Vince McMahon somehow"... [C] The Minister cut another backstage promo with Mikey... Highlights aired from Cyberslam of Corino beating Dusty Rhodes, Rhino spearing Sandman and Laurie Fullington through a table, Lance Storm & Dawn Marie beating Nova & Jazz when Justin Credible interfered, and Storm selling a worked injury... [C] In the ring, Tazz put over Tommy Dreamer and the ECW Title following their match (which was not shown). After Tazz left the ring, Dreamer cut a promo and began crying as the crowd applauded. Several wrestlers came to the ring and hugged Dreamer. Raven entered the ring and had a brief staredown with Dreamer before hugging him. Raven raised Dreamer's hand as Styles noted, "The hatchet has been buried." Justin Credible ran in and caned both men. Justin hit Raven with That's Incredible. Justin cut a good promo, spat on the tag belts, and challenged Dreamer to a match. Dreamer accepted... (2) Justin Credible (w/Jason) beat Tommy Dreamer at 6:41. During the match, Francine came to the ring and stood in Dreamer's corner. A very good match. In the end, Dreamer set up Justin for the Spicoli Driver, but Francine ran in and hit him with a low-blow. Justin hit That's Incredible and scored the pin. Francine ripped off the Raven shirt she was wearing and celebrated with Justin and Jason... [JP]

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