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 Wade Keller, Torch editor
July 12, 1999 - WCW Nitro
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #557
Cover dated: July 17, 1999

Rating: 3.5 - Head to Head with Nitro: 3.4

(Live from Jacksonville, Fla.)... [Qi: 3.5]... The show opened with highlights from last week's show... The opening montage aired... Tony Schiavone and Bobby Heenan introduced the show... Gene Okerlund interviewed Randy Savage in the ring. Savage came to the ring alone which Okerlund questioned. Savage claimed he is a self-made man and he wanted to do the interview by himself. The crowd booed Savage and chanted Goldberg's name throughout. Savage sent out an open challenge to anyone but Nash to a title match for later in the show. "Voodoo Child" began playing and Hulk Hogan came to the ring to a good pop. Hogan wore an NWO Wolfpac shirt which he tore off once he climbed into the ring. Hogan asked Savage if he said he would defend against anybody. Savage said he made a mistake and categorized Hogan in Nash's category as not deserving a title match. Hogan said it had already been done and said he was going after Savage's title. Savage said he over-reacted and said he would love to wrestle Hogan... A video aired on Savage...

[Qii: 3.4]... [C] The announcers previewed the show and hyped the Savage vs. Hogan match... Still-shot photos aired from the PPV of Savage winning the title... The Nitro Girls danced on the stage... The "Rap is Crap" video aired... (1) Konnan beat Vampiro by DQ at 3:08. The announcers did a decent job of getting across Vampiro and Konnan have real life heat which dates back to their days in Mexico. Both guys worked hard and actually worked well together. The finish came when Vampiro threw a chair at Konnan at ringside. After the match, Vampiro beat up Konnan and left him lying...

[Qiii: 3.6]... [C] The announcers talked at the desk... [C] Schiavone announced that Thunder would air on Wednesday night... Ernest Miller and Sonny Onno came to the ring. Miller danced and then said he would beat Buff and Judy Bagwell at the same time except Judy is over his weight class. Buff came to the ring wearing street clothes and received a good pop. Miller told Buff, "You and Jacksonville can kiss my ass (uncensored)." Buff said he thinks the crowd wants to see him kick Miller's ass. Miller attacked Buff. Buff came back but was distracted by Sonny. Miller put on his red shoe and kicked Buff. Miller covered Buff and Sonny counted a pin...

[Qiv: 3.6]... Still shots aired from the PPV of the boxing match... [C] The Nitro Girls danced in the aisle... Highlights aired from earlier in the show of Hogan and Savage's confrontation... [C]...

[Q1: 3.5]... Eric Bischoff joined Schiavone on commentary. Bischoff said he didn't expect to see Hogan back but claimed he is a "breath of fresh air" to the locker room... (2) Ric Flair (w/Arn Anderson, Asya) beat Dean Malenko at 8:48. Bischoff criticized Flair for what has happened to the company since he took over. Bischoff compared Ric pushing David Flair to Bill Watts pushing Eric Watts. Before the match, Chris Benoit and Saturn came to the ring to stand by Malenko but Flair pulled rank and threw them out of the building. Charles Robinson served as the referee for the match and helped Flair every chance he could. Late in the match, Flair locked Malenko in the sleeper but Malenko backed Flair into Robinson which bumped Robinson. Johnny Boone ran in to take his place. Flair locked Malenko in the figure-four but Malenko reversed it. Asya ran in and bumped Boone. Malenko began enthusiastically pounding on the match. Robinson woke up and called for the bell, claiming Malenko was tapping out. Arn ran in and attacked Malenko. Sting ran out and cleared the ring. Sting cut a promo. Sting talked about his early days and said Flair held down guys like himself, Lex Luger, and the Steiners. Sting said, "Ten years later and you're still around." Sting challenged Flair to a match for control of WCW. Flair told Sting if he could beat David he'd get his match...

[Q2: 2.7]... [C] Schiavone narrated still shots of the junkyard battle royal... (3) Billy Kidman beat Steven Regal (w/Dave Taylor, Fit Finlay) at 11:04. Regal dominated the early part of the match. [C] Regal continued on offense briefly until Kidman made his comeback.

[Q3: 3.1]... Later, the ref was bumped and Taylor and Finlay ran in. Bischoff got up from his position at ringside and walked toward the ring. Kidman cleared the ring of Finlay and Taylor. Kidman went for the Shooting Star Press but hit his foot on the rope and fell awkwardly to the mat. Bischoff climbed into the ring and asked Kidman if he was okay. Kidman got up and inside cradled Regal. For whatever reason, Bischoff made the count. Scary finish... [C] The Nitro Girls danced in the ring... (4) Sid Vicious beat Kenny Kaos at 3:46. Before the match, Bischoff announced that Insane Clown Posse and Dennis Rodman will be on next week's show. Bischoff also said Kiss will perform at the Aug. 23 Nitro in Las Vegas. During the match, the crowd chanted "Goldberg" at Sid. Sid hit a chokeslam and a powerbomb for the win. Afterward, Sid took the mic and hovered over Kaos. Sid asked Kaos in an Ultimate Warrior-like voice, "Did you feel the power?" Sid challenged Sting...

[Q4: 3.2]... [C] Highlights aired from earlier in the show of Flair and Sting's confrontation... [C] Ring introductions for the next match took place...

[Q5: 3.0]... (5) Sting fought David Flair (w/Torrie Wilson, Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Asya) to an apparent no-contest in 1:00. Robinson served as referee. Sting no-sold three of David's chops and hit the Stinger Splash. Sting locked in the Scorpion Leg Lock. David began tapping but Robinson refused to acknowledge it. Sting got up and hit an inverted DDT on Robinson. Flair and Arn ran in but Sting ran them off. The crowd popped big for the match. Bischoff left the announcers' desk to make sure Flair would have to wrestle Sting on next week's show... [C] Highlights aired from earlier in the show of Savage's confrontation with Hogan... Okerlund presented Finlay with the hardcore trophy (which purposely looks bad) for winning the junkyard match at the PPV. Okerlund also called Finlay the new WCW Hardcore Champion. Finlay bragged about winning the match for Northern Ireland and said he's meaner than the "meanest rattlesnake." The First Family ran in and attacked Finlay. All of the competitors from the junkyard match ran in and began brawling. Jimmy Hart snuck in and stole the trophy... [C] Still shots aired of the PPV tag match main event...

[Q6: 3.3]... Still shots aired from the PPV of the Tri-Ad beating Benoit & Saturn... The Tri-Ad came to the ring for one of their over-rehearsed promos... (6) Booker T beat Dallas Page by DQ at 14:56. Before the match, Page sent Bam Bam Bigelow and Kanyon to the back. After some good action, the show cut to break. [C]

[Q7: 3.7]... Bischoff returned to the announcers' desk and announced Ric Flair would have to wrestle Sting for control of WCW on next week's show. Bischoff talked about Page being his former neighbor. He said since Page moved, the property value increased by 7.5%. Bischoff also said he didn't see Nash while he was backstage. Late in the match, Booker accidentally shoved Page into the ref. Kanyon ran in and hit Booker with the Flatliner. Page covered Booker as the ref woke up. The ref made the count but Booker kicked out. A short time later, Bigelow ran in for the DQ. After the match, the Tri-Ad taped Booker to the corner. Backstage, the NWO Black and White watched the match on a monitor. Horace, Brian Adams, and Vince mocked Booker until Stevie Ray got upset. Stevie left the room, ran to the ring, and made the save with a chair in hand. The crowd chanted "Harlem Heat." [C] Savage's ring introduction took place...

[Q8: 4.7]... (7) Hulk Hogan beat Randy Savage (w/Gorgeous George, Madusa, Miss Madness) at 14:14 to win the WCW Title. Early in the match, Miss Madness and Madusa tried to interfere. Hogan grabbed them and rammed their heads together. At ringside, Madusa and Miss Madness began brawling. Security stepped in, separated the women, and brought them to the back. Later, Hogan and Savage began brawling at ringside. Hogan hit Savage with two chairshots and then smashed his head into the announcers' desk. A short time later, Hogan removed his belt and chased after Savage. Savage pulled George in front of him and Hogan stopped. Savage took over the offense and the match moved back inside the ring. Savage repeatedly whipped Hogan with Hogan's belt. Finally, Savage bodyslammed Hogan and climbed up to the top rope. Savage attempted the elbow drop but Hogan moved. Hogan "Hulked-up" and made his comeback. Hogan began holding his hand up to his ear and the crowd cheered.

[Q9: 4.5]... Sid ran in and attacked Hogan. Sid set up Hogan for a powerbomb but Sting ran out and attacked him. Sting and Sid brawled their way out of the ring and the ref followed them. Meanwhile, George slid Savage a chain. Savage wrapped the chain around his fist and knocked out Hogan. Nash ran in (wearing an Outsiders shirt) and powerbombed Savage which allowed Hogan to pin Savage. After the match, Nash took a mic and said he's handed Hogan the title twice. Nash challenged Hogan to a match and said he wouldn't lay down this time... A better show than usual but too many ref bumps... A really hot crowd... [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