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 13, 2000 - ECW on TNN TV review
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #603
Cover dated: May 15, 2000

ECW on TNN - 5/12 (0.9 rating)

(Taped May 6 in Minneapolis, Minn.)... [Q1]... Backstage, the Sinister Minister and Mikey Whipwreck started to cut a promo, but were interrupted by the camera man who told them they needed to start over. Mikey told the cameraman that he was fired and then threw a fireball at him... The opening montage aired... Joey Styles and Joel Gertner introduced the show in mid-ring. Tommy Dreamer came to the ring for a promo. Styles asked him how it felt to win the ECW Title but not have the chance to wear the belt. Before Dreamer could answer, Simon Diamond and his entourage walked out and cut him off. Simon cut a promo on Dreamer which led into their match... (1) Tommy Dreamer beat Simon Diamond (w/Musketeer, Prodigy, Riptide). The match had a lot of entertaining comedy spots and both guys worked hard. [C]

[Q2]... Late in the match, Musketeer climbed inside the ring, drew his sword, and challenged Dreamer to a duel. A ringside fan threw Dreamer a crutch and the duel was on. Dreamer won the short duel and hit Musketeer with the Spicoli Driver. Later, Simon argued with the referee, H.C. Loc. Simon swung at Loc, but Loc ducked causing Simon to run into a kick from Dreamer. Dreamer hit a DDT and scored the pin. Dreamer received the best crowd response he's gotten in months... [C] Introductions took place for the next match... [C]

[Q3]... (2) Lance Storm (w/Dawn Marie) beat Jerry Lynn at 5:43. Storm and Lynn worked very well together and received solid heat from Lynn's hometown crowd. The announcers pushed the match as "one both men need to win and neither can afford to lose." Late in the match, Justin Credible came to ringside and tried to hit Storm with a cane. Storm ducked and Justin accidentally hit Lynn. Storm covered Lynn and scored the upset pin (upset because it was Lynn's hometown). Afterward, Dreamer ran out and attacked Justin. Storm leapt over the top rope and dove on both men. As all three men brawled their way to the back, Cyrus came to the ring for a promo. Cyrus told Lynn that the Network never wanted to come to Minnesota. He told Lynn he isn't like all of the other Minnesota idiots. He compared Lynn to "Frank" Tarkenton, Greg Gagne, and Prince. In the line of the night, Cyrus noted that Lynn was trained by Brad Rhengans, but unfortunately also taught him how to do the interview. The Minnesota crowd, which remembers just about anything regarding the AWA, "ooohed" at the remark. Tajiri came to the ring and told Lynn (off the mic, of course) not to listen to Cyrus.

[Q4]... Cyrus slapped the back of Tajiri's head and said, "Don't listen to him." Tajiri started to go after Cyrus, but Lynn clotheslined him from behind. Cyrus thanked Lynn, but Lynn told him, "You want charisma, here's your goddamn charisma." Lynn said he didn't do it for Cyrus or the Network, but instead did it for himself. Lynn left the ring to a big pop. Cyrus began taunting Tajiri who was still lying on the mat. Steve Corino walked out and took over for Cyrus, who walked to the back. Tajiri got to his feet and attacked Corino. Jack Victory ran in, but Tajiri beat him up, too. Finally, Rhino ran out and hit Tajiri with a clothesline. (3) Rhino (w/Steve Corino, Jack Victory) beat Tajiri to retain the ECW TV Title. Rhino placed the belt in the center of the ring and had a staredown with Tajiri... [C] After repeated interference from Corino and Victory, Rhino piledrove Tajiri off of the ring apron through a table that was set up at ringside. Rhino rolled Tajiri back inside the ring and pinned him. Afterward, Rhino and company continued to beat up Tajiri until Sandman's music began playing. As Sandman made his entrance, a PPV ad aired and the announcers hyped an upcoming show. The heels outnumbered Sandman and beat him up until Rob Van Dam ran in and cleaned house on all three with a series of highspots. When all was said and done, RVD had cleared Corino and Victory from the ring, and hit Rhino with the Five Star Frog Splash... The announcers hyped the PPV... A very good show that came off better on TV than in person... Overall score: (7.5). A solid effort heading into the PPV... [JP]

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