Each week new editions of the Torch Newsletter features the "Top Five Stories of the Week" feature. The following is a look back at the top five from one year 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 Wade Keller, Torch editor
Top Five Stories of the Week
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #824
Cover dated: September 4, 2004

1. Lesnar cut from Minnesota Vikings, but is upbeat about experience

Brock Lesnar was cut from the Minnesota Vikings last week, but head coach Mike Tice said a return to the team is possible. Tice told the Minneapolis Star Tribune Lesnar probably won't be put on the practice squad, a place where typically players with potential who aren't ready to contribute on the field are put to be protected. "I think at some point this season you'll see Brock Lesnar back, unless another team signs him," said Tice. Tice also said he visualizes Lesnar as a "really good inside nickel pass rusher one day." The St. Pioneer Press included other quotes from Tice regarding Lesnar: "He's a lot better than we thought. We didn't think he'd be able to pick it up so quickly. He showed us that he was going to have the right work ethic and the right attention to detail. We're very proud of what he has accomplished. Hopefully it will work out for him, and hopefully it will work out for him here." A Star Tribune reporter characterized Brock getting cut as being due to inexperience. Said the story: "After an initial boost, his progress at defensive tackle leveled off, and he is duplicating his mistakes. He needs more repetitions at a time when his are being scaled back because the start of the season is only 18 days away. ‘I know it's not feasible for them to keep me around [after the first cuts on Tuesday],' Lesnar said. ‘These other guys have been doing this stuff their whole lives. Me? I'm only doing the best I can. My body's not real good right now. But what the heck. For now, I'm living the NFL experience. Who else like me did what I did this summer?'"

2. Jeff Jarrett fuels rumors about a two hour prime time slot for TNA

At the August 18 show, the word backstage was spreading that TNA might indeed be launching a two-hour prime time show to help promote their monthly PPVs beginning in November. During the pre-show locker room meeting, Jerry Lynn stood up and asked whether Jeff Jarrett is considering the idea of adding a second hour to Impact. "I'm way ahead of you," one wrestler quoted Jarrett as saying in response. No word as to which network the show will appear on. If TNA does make the switch, they would give up the Impact slot on Friday afternoons. If the show has a network behind it and it airs live from Universal Studios, that could explain the move to Tuesdays. It could also mean the show would air on Wednesday nights, giving TNA a day to post-produce. But as of now, there are no sources confirming any such deal exists, only that wrestlers are talking themselves into believing there's something to it based on Jarrett's wording. The most likely scenario, if a prime time deal isn't worked out, appears to be Impact moving to Sunday mornings on Fox Sports Net during football season, which is considered a better slot than Friday afternoons.

3. Diva Candidates swear up a storm on Raw

On the Aug. 30 Raw, the WWE Divas were given 30 seconds to insult each other in mid-ring in a segment called "Dis the Diva." In what was either a publicity stunt or a case of the candidates going too far on their own, several words made it to air that haven't before on WWE TV. Joy began with some rapid fire insults including the usage of the word "sh--." She told Carmella, "You've got a gap so wide you could drive a truck right through there, baby." Amy told Joy to "learn to lick a pie." She told Carmella she "knows sh-- about wrestling and having a c--k in your mouth has nothing to do with wrestling." C--k was not bleeped. Carmella told Christie she hopes she wins if it's not her. Christie shot back at Carmella, "You are a c-m sucking gutter slut." Lawler laughed. Ross said, "We are live." WWE sent apology emails to anyone who complained. There was no warning in the arena for parents who brought their kids.

4. WWE has presense at Republican National Convention

Once again, Linda McMahon was joined by several WWE wrestlers at this week's Republican National Convention. Shawn Michaels, Big Show, JBL, Mark Henry, Christopher Nowinski, and Ivory were present. JBL, Michaels, and Show are all Republicans, but they were touting that the WWE Smackdown Your Vote campaign is nonpartisan. Michaels, JBL, and Show were all interviewed on various cable news channels during the week. JBL was on CNN's Crossfire on Wednesday and said most wrestlers are Republicans. "Most of them are pretty independent, but will lean one way or another depending on who's in office," he said. When JBL said most lean Republican because of gun laws and the death penalty, host Robert Novak said that must mean the garden clubs vote for Kerry. JBL said: "Stereotypes - stereotypes abound."

5. WWE contacts charismatic Olympic wrestler who resembled Rock

The Associated Press story on Egyptian wrestler Karam Gaber mentioned WWE's interest in him. Excerpt: "Appropriately enough, Gaber celebrated with a cartwheel and a backflip. Not even his coach was immune from the treatment after running onto the mat; Gaber picked him up, tossed him over his shoulder and pinned him, too. ‘It has been my style for 10 years now,' said Gaber, who often trains in the United States and bears a resemblance to actor and wrestling entertainer The Rock. ‘Everybody knows it is my style. Everybody has seen my style.' Just not like this, executed on his sport's biggest stage. Once he was done - and it didn't take long - he threw flowers and kisses to the crowd, signed autographs and posed for pictures. It looked like an act straight out of the WWE, which he says has contacted him."

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