PWTORCH.COM
VIP SIGN-UP JUMP TO VIP
CONTACT US VISIT MMA TORCH




Select Next Article by Category



WE ARE A PROUD UGO AFFILIATE SINCE 1999




Pro Wrestling Illustrated

Support Our Sponsor: PWI!

===========================

CHECK OUT OUR AFFILIATE WRESTLING NEWS SITE - THE FASTEST GROWING PRO WRESTLING SITE IN 2008! (click on logo)

prowrestling.NET




Torch Today
BENOIT STORY REFERENCE ARTICLES: List of Torch articles covering call to action for industry
Jul 2, 2007 - 12:00:00 PM


Email This Article- Contact Us - VIP Sign-Up - Back to Home Page

| subscribe to this feed

The following are key articles featured on the Pro Wrestling Torch during different eras of covering the industry. Despite the time differences between some articles, the key thread that links them all together is a focus on industry problems, their probable solutions, and a call to act for wrestlers, fans, and promoters.

TORCH EDITOR WADE KELLER

- Why the steroid/HGH story matters to wrestlers, industry, fans

While some wrestlers, employees of wrestling companies, and media members write off change to the wrestling business, Wade Keller looks at the heart of pro wrestling's problems to discover changes that can improve lives, keep wrestlers alive, and clean up an industry that's over-due for change.

- Roadmap for wrestlers looking to change industry for their betterment

Shortly after Eddie Guerrero's death in late 2005, Wade Keller looked at the history of crookedness in the wrestling business that has prevented change in pro wrestling. He looks at how adding a few simple, logical, yet never-before-implemented occupational changes would enhance the lifestyle of wrestlers in the sport.

TORCH SENIOR COLUMNIST BRUCE MITCHELL

- Pro Wrestling's "Culture of Death" from July 2003

After Vince McMahon went on HBO's "Real Sports" show to defend WWE from hard research into their business's contribution to premature deaths in wrestling, Bruce Mitchell looks at all the reasons he's been told WWE isn't responsible for the deaths, but how all of those reasons can be refuted with one simple reason that Vince McMahon has had more to do with creating the culture of death in wrestling than anyone else.

- A call to action for the industry's wrestlers in March 2006

After WWE implemented its Wellness Policy following Eddie Guerrero's death, Bruce Mitchell looks at the key issues of what happens when the results of a random drug test don't work in WWE's favor, and what their response would be. The relevance to the Chris Benoit story is important, as the Policy has come under harsh scrutiny from drug testing experts now that the Benoit story has generated mainstream interest.

- Flashback to Feature Column on Death of Eddie Guerrero

Days after Eddie Guerrero's death, Bruce Mitchell looks at the problem of smaller wrestlers - such as Eddie and Chris Benoit - having to look a certain way to mask their size and be considered "heavyweights" in a world of giants. Mitchell looks at how Eddie's body began to break down as he tried to maintain unnatural body size, which eventually took his life.

WRESTLER INTERVIEWS

- Sean Waltman: Among most in-depth, first-person look at drugs in wrestling

Wade Keller's "Torch Talk" interview with Sean "X-Pac" Waltman was conducted in November 2005, right after the death of Eddie Guerrero. This is one of the most in-depth, insider, frank discussions from a long-time drug addict wrestler who had been through Vince McMahon's drug testing system and was friends with many wrestlers who have died young. The article contains a majority of the 90-minute interview that focuses on problems permeating pro wrestling and costing too many lives - unnecessarily. This interview originally ran in three installments in Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter in late 2005.

- Chris Benoit: Keller talks with Benoit about steroid use, family life, travel stress, more

Excerpts of a "Torch Talk" interview PWTorch editor Wade Keller conducted with Chris Benoit in August 1995, before he became a nationally known star in WCW and later the WWF.

HISTORY AND PERSPECTIVE

- WWE Wellness/Drug Testing Policy Detailed: Cover story of March 2006

Following the death of Eddie Guerrero, WWE instituted a company-wide Wellness Policy to test wrestlers for the abuse of drugs. The cover story details the policy's nature and intent, as well as its potential effectiveness, which has been criticized following Chris Benoit's death.


Download Audio Sample:

For more BREAKING NEWS on WWE, TNA, ROH
visit our affiliate: JASON POWELL'S PROWRESTLING.NET

For UFC AND MMA NEWS & BLOGS
visit our affiliate: MMATORCH.COM - now featuring the MMATorch Daily Audio Update!

REACT TO THIS STORY IN OUR FREE PWTORCH FORUM

PWTORCH VIP SIGN-UP INFO - NO ADS, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT

| subscribe to this feed

Torch Today
Latest Articles by Category
PRIORITY DRAFT TRADITION CONTINUES: Which ten wrestlers would you start a promotion from scratch with?
TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/29: Kowalski fundraiser, WWE lawsuit update, Midway Q&A on TNA video game, ROH Notes
TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/22: Results Wanted, Austin return date, Batista comments on Cena match, Kofi and DDP interviews
TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/16: Reports Wanted, SD ratings, Henry insightful interview, Ross previews Summerslam, Delaney back in the ring
TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/10: TNA PPV preview, Mr. Kennedy updates injury status, Flair comments on WWE departure
TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/2: Results Wanted, SNME preview, McCarthy and Cena interviews, Rhino interview
Did You Know? PWTorch VIP members have had access to 63 new exclusive audio shows so far this month?
TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/26: Reports Wanted, Honky Tonk interview, Wild WWE stories in India, Friday news
TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/20: Bash PPV preview, CW prez upsets critics, Punk interview, title belt process detailed
New Volunteer Contributors Wanted: Apply this week to be part of PWTorch.com!
TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/12: TNA PPV preview and notes for tonight, Mark Henry interview, Keibler at Comic-Con
TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/5: WWE's $1.0 million revenue show, Ross comments on Murdoch release, Evans pulled from PWG, Silkin on ROH tix sales

(c) 1999-2008 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.

Latest Free Podcasts
PWTorch Free Podcast
8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.)
8/28 Radican Audio Showcase with Burgan: Foley to TNA, HBK-Jericho capture the heart and mind, Torch Draft, more! (5 min. free clip)
8/28 Daily Keller Hotline: Analysis of lawsuit contending WWE wrestlers should be employees (5 min. free clip)
8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: ECW - An ass backwards show befuddles the hosts, Henry's character takes lousy turn (47 min.)
8/27 Daily Keller Hotline: Foley-TNA Details, Lots more on Gail Kim, Cena returns, Nash controversy, more (20 min.)
Audio Torch Talk with Lanny Poffo, pt. 1: Growing up Randy Savage's brother and son of pro wrestling Angelo (5 min. free clip)





LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1040 (18 PAGES)

This issue begins with a cover story by Wade Keller looking at the final scene of SummerSlam and why it's bad for WWE not in and of itself, but due to the context it's put in... In-depth coverage of the WWE SummerSlam PPV including Keller's match report with star ratings and the newsletter-exclusive Roundtable Reviews and Reader Reax... Jason Powell's "Page 2 Buzz" with scoops and insider analysis on Mick Foley, TNA's expiring contracts, and more... Bruce Mitchell's Memo further reviews the latest Ric Flair DVD... WWE Newswire, TNA Newswire, and ROH Newswire with insider news, big story analysis, and notebook tidbits... Plus Keller's reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, the Top 5 Stories of the Week, and more... PDF EXCLUSIVE features include the Jon Mezzera's Weekly Hits & Misses and Greg Parks' look at SummerSlam and Smackdown...

INFO ON SUBSCRIPTION TO NEWSLETTER AND AD-FREE VIP SITE

DOWNLOAD RECENT (5-10-08) SAMPLE OF PWTORCH NEWSLETTER (PDF)


PWTORCH READER POLL

What are your thoughts on the WWE Championship Scramble concept?
Big thumbs up. I'm excited to see it.
Tentative thumbs up. I'll need to see it first.
Tentative thumbs down. It sounds like a mess.
Big thumbs down. A disaster in the making.
I have no idea. I'm totally confused by it.
  


VOTE IN OR SEE RESULTS OF PREVIOUS POLLS

UPCOMING EVENTS LISTING

Articles Grouped by Category
Torch Today
PRIORITY DRAFT TRADITION CONTINUES: Which ten wrestlers would you start a promotion from scratch with?
TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/29: Kowalski fundraiser, WWE lawsuit update, Midway Q&A on TNA video game, ROH Notes
TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/22: Results Wanted, Austin return date, Batista comments on Cena match, Kofi and DDP interviews
WWE News
WWE News: A YouTube video puts new spin on Shawn Michaels-Chris Jericho saga
Ratings News: John Cena surgery a success, estimated time out of the ring determined (w/Keller's Analysis)
Ratings News: USA replay audience added to live Sci-Fi audience makes up for drop in rating
TNA News
Interview Highlights: Chris Jericho talks about Guitar Hero, Reinventing his Character, Short Tights
TNA News: Details on Gail Kim's reasons for leaving TNA come to surface this week (w/Keller Analysis)
TNA News: WWE legend Mick Foley agrees to terms with TNA, set to debut as soon as September (w/Keller Analysyis)
ROH News
Interview Highlights: Roderick Strong on his stint with TNA, lagging promo skills, indys working together
7/25 ROH in Toronto: "That show was the first thing to make me proud to be a wrestling fan in a LONG time."
ROH News: Lance Storm interview on working with ROH wrestlers and injuries in pro wrestling
Other News
Torch Indy Weekend Preview: Steen in IWS, Shiozaki in FIP, Delirious in Elite Pro
Torch Indy Weekend Report: Sabin & Shelley, Lynn, Jake Roberts, ROH results
ETC. News: Jesse Ventura in talks for a court show, according to TV Week (w/Keller Analysis)
PPV Reports
CALDWELL'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV
KELLER'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV event
KELLER'S TNA HARD JUSTICE PPV REPORT 8/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of event - Samoa Joe vs. Booker T in cage
TV Reports
8/28 TNA IMPACT Review by Wilkenfeld: Sting steals the show
CALDWELL'S TNA IMPACT REPORT 8/28: Nash vs. Angle, Sting speaks, Jarrett teases return, Knockouts in main event
CALDWELL'S ECW TV REPORT 8/26: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show
Arena Reports
8/24 WWE Smackdown in Canton, Ohio: Triple H & Undertaker vs. Khali & MVP, R-Truth vs. Carlito, Michelle vs. Maryse
8/24 TNA in Wichita, Ks.: Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles, Morgan vs. Kip, Knockouts Title Match, Lethal vs. Dutt
8/24 WWE in Bethlehem, Pa.: Cody & Ted vs. Cryme Tyme, Jericho & Kane vs. Cena & Batista
MMA / UFC Coverage
UFC News: Paul Heyman comments on Brock Lesnar's controversial post-fight antics last Saturday
KELLER'S UFC 87 LIVE PPV REPORT; On-site ongoing coverage of Lesnar's second UFC fight, full card coverage
UFC 87 PREVIEW: Fight analysis, predictions, odds for Lesnar vs. Herring, GSP vs. Fitch, Huerta vs. Florian
KELLER'S TAKE
VIP - KELLER: More crazy G.M. ideas for WWE to consider (PWTorch Newsletter #1037)
KELLER: An overhaul is in order for Raw before ratings drop further - several specific suggestions
KELLER: McMahon Returns for That? Nothing Funnier than a DUI! Let Me Shift So You Can Hit Me!
MITCHELL'S TAKE
MITCHELL'S BLOG: Notes From the 2008 NWA Fanfest - Ric Flair
WWE News: Flair's departure from WWE amicable, nostalgia convention circuit could be next
VIP - MITCHELL'S MEMO: DVD Liner Notes Part 3: Nature Boy Ric Flair - The Definitive Collection
MCNEILL'S TAKE
Ready To Roll! McNEILL previews WWE SummerSlam
Rap It Up: McNEILL previews TNA Hard Justice!
VIP - MCNEILL FACTOR: Twenty Years of Summerslam, part two
CALDWELL'S TAKE
CORNER CUBE TUESDAY 8/26 - Raw delivered highlights, but was heavy on filler
CORNER CUBE MONDAY 8/18 - Shawn Michaels showed strength, not weakness by not attacking Jericho
CORNER CUBE WEDNESDAY 8/13 - Finally, Matt Striker has found his calling with ECW on Tuesday nights
RADICAN'S TAKE
TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/23: McGuinness & Jericho setting standard for heels in 2008
DEJ's Kevin: Covering Pro Wrestling Ohio - The Ladder Match for the Heirloom Swords Part I
TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/21: The man who talks poopy and defies fire can’t escape the windshield of doom!
The Specialists
CAREER PATH: Christian Cage's career high point, low point, and what if he had never left WWE?
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 8/28 TNA IMPACT: What I noticed on the show that you might not have
MAGIC, MEMORIES AND MANIA: The Top Ten Draft Picks to Build a Wrestling Company
Guest Editorials
EDITORIAL: What's wrong with Raw this year? A lot. But one core problem trumps the rest
EDITORIAL: Tag Team Divisions will not get over until squash matches return
EDITORIAL: C.M. Punk needs a prominent program to make him the star of Raw
Torch Feedback
DRAFT PICKS - Batch #5 featuring top picks of Sting, Rob Van Dam, Edge, plus Danielson, Shelley, Bourne, Briscoes
DRAFT PICKS - Batch #4 featuring top picks of Nigel, Edge, Awesome Kong, plus CIMA, Bourne, Hogan, Ross, Kim
DRAFT PICKS - Batch #3 featuring top picks of Mick Foley, Brian Danielson, John Cena, plus Abyss, Shiozaki, Teddy Hart
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
WEEKEND DVD SPOTLIGHT: SHIMMER Vol. 18 (Kong-Busic,Del Rey-MsChif)
RADICAN: Al Snow discusses his wrestling career, philosophy, time in OVW, and more in new interview
DVD Review: ROH "Glory By Honor VI, N2" with Kenta vs. Misawa, 110307
Torch Flashbacks
KELLER'S TNA REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-28-03): Truth, D-Lo, Abyss, Sandman, Raven, Styles, Dusty
KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (8-25-03): Gail Kim vs. Trish, Jericho headlines Raw against... Shane McMahon? Linda a guest on Highlight Reel,
WWE Smackdown Reax #1: "This is the worst wrestling show I have seen in a long time with booking that defies all logic and common sense."
VIP Exclusive Features
8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.)
8/28 Daily Keller Hotline: Analysis of lawsuit contending WWE wrestlers should be employees (5 min. free clip)
VIP - PWTorch Today Bulletin #12 (PDF): McDevitt comments on lawsuit regarding employment status of wrestlers
Torch Trivia
Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Champion vs. Champion matches?
Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 3
Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 2
Torch Instant Polls
POLL: What are your thoughts on the WWE Championship Scramble concept?
POLL: Should the TNA Knockouts women wrestlers be paid in the same ballpark as the male wrestlers?
POLL: Who is your pick as the MVP of the August 11 edition of WWE Raw?
PWTorch Free Podcast
8/27 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - A show that did everything it could do to turn people away from wrestling (79 min.)
8/28 Radican Audio Showcase with Burgan: Foley to TNA, HBK-Jericho capture the heart and mind, Torch Draft, more! (5 min. free clip)
8/28 Daily Keller Hotline: Analysis of lawsuit contending WWE wrestlers should be employees (5 min. free clip)
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