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Torch Flashbacks
WWE ECW Reax #1: "Besides Striker, who was money again, my ECW hat goes off to Mark Henry again this week."
Aug 13, 2008 - 9:58:25 PM


Shane Bennett of Frankfort, Ky. - Legislative Assistant (7.5): Best Match: Matt Striker Commentary and Evan Bourne. Worst Match: Colin Delaney's physique. ECW continues to put on the very best show possible considering its smaller, underdeveloped roster. I thought it was good to have Tommy come out and do an "Extreme Rules Match" to start the show. The fans really buy the fact that he is the foundation of ECW. I wish there was room for a nice B-storyline with him in it. Tommy is great in the ring and doesn't have to win, but Delaney and his melting candle physique does no one favors. Miz and Morrison are underused although I liked the way things happened in the ECW main event. I just wish two other guys had been in the match rather than ECW's only tag team losing clean. Evan Bourne continues to grow as a performer because he now has a lot of people watching his matches and he still uses unique moves. His matches all feel fresh, and the shooting star press makes a TV match feel big, because of the skill involved in delivering such a high-risk move. Ricky Ortiz didn't annoy me as much this week. His delusions of grandeur could serve for a great heel building run for Ricky. The towels would make for great audience participation and give the product a nice cult feel. Fans would twirl the towels, even if they didn't like Ricky. Finlay and Knox developed nicely again this week. Estrada looked rushed and clunky in the ring. I was not impressed. Besides Striker, who was money again, my ECW hat goes off to Mark Henry again this week. I am telling you, if the Shane from 1998 ever thought that the 2008 Shane would be giving props to Mark Henry, he'd kick my ass, but it is true. Of all the brands, his title reign has the marquee feel that WWE would love to develop. Face it, Triple H is great when he is the cocky "King of Kings." I hate his comedic mic work. C.M. Punk can blame booking (exception, this past Raw). Mark Henry is being booked and protected like a monster should. Big Show would have benefited from this type of booking. I believe that Henry is proud of his ECW Title and not looking to catapult on to Raw or Smackdown. Furthermore, when his music hits and he comes out, I firmly believe and even anticipate the prospect of someone getting their ass kicked. I think he and Hardy could have a nice program, but WWE will have to let their guard down a little as it relates to Big Guy vs. Small Guy matches. Hardy doesn't have to win in order to keep this program going... Special props to the advertising, still a little excessive, but I loved that they saved the ECW Title match for last on the SummerSlam card. It made the title match feel important and it showed real loyalty and respect for the ECW brand! Hoorah!

Terrie Neilson of Las Vegas, Nev. (7.0): Best: Striker. Worst Dreamer vs. Delaney (though it wasn't bad). If only ECW wasn't treated so much like a red-headed stepchild, then this show would have more stars to shoot at and aim higher. The show was fine overall, but it was pretty much just another show since they have just one stake in the PPV. Dreamer-Delaney was just too short to mean anything. I would have rather had more time for this match to give more story than seeing the backstage promos. Colin was setting the stage for regret, but it was never totally brought to fruition. In the ring he is a decent antagonist but not a total heel, which works for his character but didn't add anything to him. I'm starting to get annoyed with Ricky Ortiz. If it weren't for his in-ring flaws, I'd be more intrigued by face-wrestling, heel-talking character. Braden Walker is gone without so much as a goodbye and already someone else is coming in. Finlay-Knox had an interesting chapter to their story as Finlay won without help from Hornswoggle (nice to see that it can be done) and Knox didn't attack or interfere. Knox's expressions during the match could be read as borderline maniacal but also maybe a slight convinced that Finlay does have fight in him. For once, also, Estrada didn't have to try so hard to create heat for the match. The main event was marred by the flaky finish, apparently called out of nowhere for time. The post-match attack was predictable, but the match did show that Mark Henry could be a convincing face if the right way to turn him came along. An interesting thing to note: the promo billboards for the Sam's Town showing has Maria on the jetski with one match plugged: Hardy vs. Henry. Either WWE thinks the other matches can sell themselves (the HIAC easily can), or this is a subtle way to say which title could be changing hands. Kudos again to Striker for putting over the kendo shot effects, ranting about Ortiz, and observing how Atlas and Hardy are in good scouting positions for Sunday. I would like more play-by-play to make its way to the match as Striker is versed in holds and moves over time should this become permanent (and it might if Foley leaves for good), but I'm still on his bandwagon.

We welcome your 1-10 score and comments on this show for a "ECW Reax" feature in the Torch Feedback section of PWTorch.com. Just to add a twist to this feature, include not just your hometown, but also your occupation (mechanic, lawyer, stay-at-home-dad, college student, etc.) so readers get a flavor for what everyone does as "day jobs." To contribute your thoughts on Raw, click here.


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MORE "Torch Flashbacks" ARTICLES
PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1 YR. AGO (11-21-08): Final Survivor Series build-up to Undertaker vs. Big Show casket match, Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H, Morrison & Miz
KELLER'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 10 YRS. AGO (11-14-99): Big Show vs. Triple H vs. The Rock, Edge & Christian & Hardys team, Chris Jericho vs. Chyna
KELLER'S WWF SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 15 YRS. AGO (11-23-94): Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund, Undertaker vs. Yokozuna, Team Hall & Waltman vs. Team Michaels & Nash
KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (11-11-04): Survivor Series build-up - Kurt Angle vs. Big Show, RVD & Eddie vs. Jindrak & Luther "Torch Talk" Reigns
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about Eric Bischoff, the demise of WCW
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about his relationship with Ric Flair
TORCH TALK FLASHBACK with Hulk Hogan: Hogan talks to PWTorch editor Wade Keller about his relationship with Vince Russo
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TNA News: Hulk Hogan to TNA - The most-detailed timeline you will read of the behind-the-scenes insider news on Hulk Hogan's first tease of working for TNA
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CALDWELL'S WWE CYBER SUNDAY PPV REPORT 1 YR. AGO (10-26-08): Chris Jericho vs. Batista, Santino vs. Honky, Remember the Matt Hardy vs. Evan Bourne ECW Title match?
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KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1 YR. AGO (10-24-08): Triple H vs. The Undertaker, Final build for Cyber Sunday, Cult Favorite Bam Neely!
TNA IMPACT 5 YRS. AGO: Keller's report on show featuring Jeff Hardy, R-Truth, Styles, Sabin, Jarrett, Daniels
KELLER'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 1 YR. AGO (10-23-08): One-year anniversary of the Main Event Mafia formed in Las Vegas, Kevin Nash & Sting vs. A.J. Styles & Samoa Joe main event
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS AGO: Edge & Benoit & Michaels vs. Flair & Triple H & Batista, Trish Stratus, Stacy Keibler, Jericho, Orton, Rhyno, Snitsky
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS AGO: Triple H vs. Jericho, Michaels vs. Christian, Stacy Keibler vs. Molly Holly, Benoit vs. Batista, Lita's Pregnancy
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT - 10 YEARS AGO: Steve Austin health update, The Rock vs. Jericho headlines, Edge & Christian vs. Hardyz, Chyna, Mae Young

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Articles Grouped by Category
Torch Today
WWE RAW 11/16: Place Your Bets on tonight's Raw - Week 12 featuring Roddy Piper
WWE RAW 11/2: "Place your Bets" Scoreboard after Week 11 - Review the previous scores before tonight's Raw PYB contest
TORCH MONTHLY AWARDS: List of the 2009 Torch Monthly Award winners through October
WWE News
WWE News: What's on Smackdown tonight - Taker & Kane vs. Big Show & Jericho
WWE News: Jim Ross comments on possible WrestleMania 26 return, current WWE contract status
TORCH TALK DAILY with Eric Bischoff: In-depth look at why Vince McMahon is marketing the WWE product as PG family-friendly
TNA News
TNA News: TNA Impact ratings break down - Inside the numbers on TNA's recent ratings trends
TNA News: Impact rating is in - how did post Turning Point episode fare?
TNA News: Details on Chris Sabin re-injuring his neck at this week's Impact tapings
ROH News
ROH News: ROH Title match signed for Final Battle; Air dates for McGuinness and Danielson's Farewell speeches
ROH News: Ring of Honor announces details on Austin Aries's next ROH Title defense
ROH News: Tonight is Bryan Danielson's final ROH match - details on tonight's special ROH TV episode (w/VIDEO)
Other News
PWG News: First round matches for tonight's Battle of Los Angeles tournament - Aries vs. Kendrick; Cabana, Shelley, Strong in action
Hogan News: Hulkamania Tour secures TV deal in Australia, Notes on Hogan & Flair arriving at the airport to begin the tour
Austin News: Steve Austin to appear in new season of NBC's "Chuck" show
PPV Reports
CALDWELL'S TNA TURNING POINT PPV REPORT 11/15: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe vs. Daniels
RADICAN'S DGUSA "Untouchable" PPV review - Doi vs. Danielson, Shingo vs. Richards
10/25 WWE Bragging Rights Results: KELLER'S detailed match-by-match PPV report - Cena vs. Orton Iron Man match
TV Reports
PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 11/20: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Jericho & Show vs. Undertaker & Kane
CALDWELL'S WWE SUPERSTARS TV REPORT 11/19: Complete coverage of Henry vs. Rhodes on WGN
PARKS' TNA IMPACT REPORT 11/19: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the post-Turning Point show
Arena Reports
11/14 TNA in Scranton, Pa.: Second Report - Styles vs. Joe vs. Daniels, Chris Sabin vs. Suicide, Amazing Red vs. Homicide
11/14 WWE in Dublin: The Undertaker very limited in the ring vs. C.M. Punk, Rey vs. Dolph, Very interesting John Morrison vs. Matt Hardy match, No Jericho
11/14 TNA in Scranton, Pa.: Home of "The Office" delivers Styles vs. Joe vs. Daniels and Amazing Red vs. Homicide PPV warm-up matches
MMA / UFC Coverage
MMA News: Update on Brock Lesnar's health - how long Lesnar had been dealing with health problems, expected return to UFC
MMA News: Brock Lesnar health update - UFC president much more optimistic than this weekend
MMA News: Brock Lesnar released from the hospital tonight; Lesnar's UFC future in doubt
KELLER'S TAKE
KELLER BLOG: WrestleMania goes up to $55, all other PPVs $45 - let the pirate feed frenzy begin
KELLER BLOG: Dixie Carter asks wrestlers to step it up, but what does that mean? Shouldn't their goal to be winning matches and nothing else?
KELLER FLASHBACK: Review of Hulk Hogan's first autobiography - Hogan's political maneuvers evident in who he protects and buries
MITCHELL'S TAKE
MITCHELL FLASHBACK (Dec. 1994): C.M. Punk's character is the latest Vince McMahon creation responding to criticism of his WWE product
MOJO MITCHELL'S WWE RAW 11/16: Stream of Piper In The Back, Hornswoggle Stabbed in the Back, An MSG Look Back, Mr. McMahon Backs Out, Kofi Kingston Backs Randy Orton Up
MOJO MITCHELL'S RAW 11/2: Stream of My Fourth Grade Hero and The Mid-Card Kicks Main Event Ass
MCNEILL'S TAKE
The Night They Drove Ol' Dixie Down: McNEILL previews TNA Turning Point 2009!
McNEILL BLOG: The Big Questions About Hulk Hogan in TNA
Fight For Your Right to Bragging: McNEILL Previews WWE Bragging Rights!
CALDWELL'S TAKE
CALDWELL'S PPV/DVD REVIEW: Dragon Gate USA's "Open the Historic Gate" debut event - Review of whether following DGUSA is worth your time and money
CALDWELL'S TUESDAY CHAT w/GREG PARKS: Raw, Smackdown, TNA PPV discussion - MSG crowd, Survivor Series hype, Kofi breaks out, CSI:Miami vs. 30 Rock
CALDWELL'S BLOG: Hitting the hot topics - Raw tonight, Turning Point vs. Survivor Series, Jesse Ventura, Brock Lesnar, Shane McMahon
RADICAN'S TAKE
RADICAN: A list of things wresters and TNA fans can support for Dixie Carter
RADICAN'S SHIMMER Vol. 23 Review - Busic-Melissa, Kong-Martinez, MsChif-Deeb
RADICAN: Daddy's little girl V 2.0 debuts on Impact
The Specialists
11/19 WWE Superstars Hits & Misses: Rosa Mendes, Eric Escobar, Lackluster Show
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - TNA Impact 11/19: Forgotten history between A.J. and Angle, TNA's new cameras, Pope gets referee assist, Numbers - The Rock a horrible tag champ
HITS & MISSES - TNA IMPACT 11/12: Review of last week's show before tonight's Impact - Wolfe-Angle build-up, Lethal loses to Niedhart
Guest Editorials
GUEST EDITORIAL: Disgruntled TNA fan says he's done with the promotion after today's Impact taping (Contains SPOILERS)
GUEST EDITORIAL: The ultimate irony - Hulk Hogan appears on TNA Impact and pre-taped TV sitcom promoting WWE on the same night
GUEST BOOK REVIEW: Hulk Hogan provides strong defense of his public image in new autobiography
Torch Feedback
ECW TV Reax #1: "C.M. Punk scoring the pin in the main event made Smackdown seem more important than ECW"
WWE Raw Reax #3: "While WWE delivered an above-quality show, they still haven't given viewers a reason to order Survivor Series"
WWE Raw Reax #2: "This was NOT one of the best Raws of 2009, but one of the worst..."
Ask the Editor
Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not?
ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"?
ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"?
DVDs - VGames - Books
CALDWELL'S PPV/DVD REVIEW: Dragon Gate USA's "Open the Historic Gate" debut event - Review of whether following DGUSA is worth your time and money
RADICAN'S ROH DVD REVIEW SERIES: Death Before Dishonor VII: N2 - Storm-Hero, Ryan-Cabana
RADICAN'S SHIMMER Vol. 23 Review - Busic-Melissa, Kong-Martinez, MsChif-Deeb
Torch Flashbacks
PARKS'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 1 YR. AGO (11-21-08): Final Survivor Series build-up to Undertaker vs. Big Show casket match, Jeff Hardy vs. Triple H, Morrison & Miz
KELLER'S WWE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 10 YRS. AGO (11-14-99): Big Show vs. Triple H vs. The Rock, Edge & Christian & Hardys team, Chris Jericho vs. Chyna
KELLER'S WWF SURVIVOR SERIES PPV REPORT 15 YRS. AGO (11-23-94): Bret Hart vs. Bob Backlund, Undertaker vs. Yokozuna, Team Hall & Waltman vs. Team Michaels & Nash
VIP Exclusive Features
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11/20 Bruce Mitchell Audio Show: Listener Questions - How Vince McMahon was perceived before he took over, Outlaw Promotions stories, Sting Flips off Bruce, Albano Craziness (45 min.)
PWTorch Newsletter #1117/1118 (31 pages!): Raw at MSG, TNA Victory Road PPV Roundtable, Mitchell on Russo-Hogan, Keller on Dixie Speech, more
Torch Trivia
TORCH TRIVIA 2/28: Which wrestler backed out of a WWA PPV in February 2002?
TORCH TRIVIA 2/27: Who said this quote about Hulk Hogan's athleticism 11 years ago?
TORCH TRIVIA 2/25: What said this quote about WWE's mid-1990s drug testing policy?
Torch Instant Polls
SMACKDOWN POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/20 Smackdown if you saw the show?
TNA IMPACT POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/19 Impact if you saw the show?
ECW MVP POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/17 ECW TV if you saw the show?
PWTorch Free Podcast
11/4 Nostalgia Audio with Brian Hoops: Format change to the show, new guest host, upcoming shows
FREE FOR ALL: 10/27 Bruce Mitchell Audio Special: Hogan-Bischoff-TNA story from all angles including Monday Night War II possibilities (32 min.)
6/23 Nostalgia Audio with Brian Hoops: Former WCW rapmaster PN News joins Brian Hoops to preview upcoming Midwest shows (10 min.)
Annual Obituaries
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade...
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello
SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart