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Torch Today
TORCH NEWS TICKER 5/25: ECW/Heat taping changes, N.Y. Times on cable TV ratings, XPW recap, Lashley returns, WWE in Wyoming
May 25, 2008 - 10:30:14 PM


Updated throughout the day, the Torch News Ticker delivers a constant stream of news and information from WWE, TNA, ROH, Japan, the independents, and whatever else pops up. Keep it open in a new tab and bookmark it every Monday! Promoters and readers: Send in news, upcoming events, interview highlights, or wrestling-related information to the Torch News email address, Wade Keller, and James Caldwell for inclusion on the constantly-updated Ticker. Contact link.

Sunday, May 25, 2008

Evening Update

- REPORTS WANTED: We're looking for reports from this weekend's WWE house shows in Mexico from the Raw brand. We're also looking for reports from the SD/ECW brand shows in Cheyenne, Wyo. on Saturday night and Loveland, Colo. tonight.

- The big story of the weekend not involving the Hogan family is WWE shifting the taping of ECW from Tuesday nights with the Smackdown brand to Monday nights with the Raw brand, which means the elimination of Heat. There isn't an official "start date" for the change, but it will be soon. Obviously, this is ratings-influenced, as WWE figures having Raw stars rather than Smackdown stars make special appearances on ECW will make the show more relevant for viewers. Of course, this calls into question the all-important status of WWE Tag Titles, which are a Smackdown-brand title currently held by ECW wrestlers if you're keeping track at home.

- New York Times published a lengthy piece on the winners and losers in this season's cable TV ratings, with many cable channels reporting increased viewership. They're attributing this to the writer's strike that affected broadcast networks more than cable channels. Of course, USA was a big winner with victories the first 16 weeks of 2008. WWE Raw and High School Musical are listed as two of the outstanding shows of the season for drawing ratings comparable to shows on broadcast television. Article link.

- XPW's reunion show last night was an interesting event with an announced attendance of 700. As with most attempted reunion/all-star shows in Southern California, there were no-shows, injuries, card subject to change, and plenty of weapons/stunt matches. Sabu could not wrestle because of a cracked vertebra, so he was replaced in what scheduled to be the main event. Main event turned out to be Necro Butcher vs. Supreme in a Death match that featured all the stunts you could ever ask for. Sean Waltman made his return as a surprise partner in a six-man tag match won by Disco Machine. Results listing.

- Bobby Lashley returned to wrestling on Friday night in Pasadena, Tex. for Booker T's PWA promotion. He defeated Jared Steele in the semi-main event. PWA's next show is June 27 featuring LAX vs. Sabin & Shelley. Folks who buy their tickets online will be entered in a drawing for tickets to the TNA Victory Road PPV in July. All the details.

- Wyoming Tribune posted an article on last night's Smackdown/ECW house show in Cheyenne. WWE ran in the 2,100-seat Taco John's Events Center and drew a sell-out with a turn-away crowd. WWE's VP of live event marketing said it was a spot show in between shows in Colorado, and they could have drawn another 2,000 in a larger venue. Article link.

***

Saturday, May 24, 2008

Afternoon Update

- WWE Smackdown from last night averaged a 2.3 rating in the fast national ratings. The show averaged a 2.2 first hour and 2.4 second hour to finish fifth across the board. The rating was slightly down from last week with the usual batch of pre-emptions affecting the overall rating.

- Tonight is the XPW reunion show in Redondo Beach, Calif. featuring a double main event of Sabu & Homeless Jimmy vs. Raven & Johnny Webb with Terry Funk as special referee and Necro Butcher vs. Supreme in a weapons death match. Also on the card are New Jack, Vampiro, Jack Evans, and The Sandman. Plus, Joey Ryan hosts the Miss Extreme 2008 contest. Fan Fest at 5:30 p.m., Miss Extreme contest at 7:30, and bell time at 8:00. Card details.

- Kane is on the campaign trail for the Libertarian party convention in Denver this weekend. Atlanta Journal Constitution and Third Party Watch posted articles on Kane's political position on government spending, eminent domain, and free market.

- Jim Ross posted a new blog on jrsbarbq.com discussing miscellaneous topics. He equates Jason Taylor's no-win situation trying to go mainstream beyond the NFL to The Rock being criticized for not being more involved in the wrestling business. Ross also looks at WWE settling a lawsuit with Cory Maclin in Memphis over last year's debacle with Hulk Hogan, Jerry Lawler, and Big Show. "This lawsuit, in my opinion, was a joke from the get go and apparently the WWE settled to simply move on," Ross said.

Ross also provides some business numbers from the Mexico tour. WWE claimed 12,000 fans in Monterrey on Wednesday and 8,500 fans in Queretaro on Thursday. WWE expects to gross over $1.0 million for last night and tonight's shows in Mexico City. Blog link.

- Batista is interviewed in the Herald Sun (Australia) to promote the June tour of Australia and New Zealand. The article focuses on Batista overcoming personal struggles growing up in Washington, D.C. His autobiography dives into those issues extensively. Article isn't exactly a great way to promote the tour, with Batista talking about his womanizing on the road prior to settling down with his family. Article link.

***

Friday, May 23, 2008

Morning Update

- MEXICO TOUR: WWE Raw continues its four-night tour of Mexico in Mexico City tonight. We're looking for reports from the previous two nights in Monterrey and Queretaro.

- TNA Notes: TNA announced the top matches for Impact next week. TNA tapes the show on Monday afternoon in Orlando, so it will be a busy holiday for the TNA crew. Qualifying matches for King of the Mountain will be Christian Cage vs. Tomko and James Storm vs. Rhino. ... Main storylines will be fall-out from Samoa Joe and Kevin Nash, and A.J. Styles seeking revenge for the end of last night's show. ... Other match announced is Roxxi vs. Angelina Love.

- Bobby Lashley returns to pro wrestling at Booker T's PWA show tonight in Pasadena, Tex. Lashley is not scheduled for a match; only an appearance at this time. Bell time is 7:30 tonight at the Pasadena Convention Center, just a few miles outside of Houston. Card details.

- Jim Ross posted a review of Ted DiBiase's forthcoming book on jrsbarbq.com. Ross praises the book as required reading "that any true fan can’t afford not to read." Ross adds, "I hope that the entire roster of the WWE developmental program are required to read this publication as it not only talks in detail about the heritage of the business but also talks about life on the road, the challenges of being a pro wrestler, and the importance of God and family in one’s life." DiBiase's WWE-published book is due out June 10. Ross review link.

- Victoria is interviewed in the Louisville Courier-Journal about her new body shop that opened yesterday. Victoria said she started the shop because she loves cars and has a passion for working on cars. "I have a lot on my plate," she said, referring to WWE's hectic travel schedule, "but I have a great crew. I really trust my crew." Story link.

***

Thursday, May 22, 2008

Evening Update

- TNA Impact preview: Tonight's show will focus on Samoa Joe picking three other participants in the King of the Mountain match at the Slammiversary PPV, following qualifying matches throughout tonight's show. ... Also, Part 2 of Kurt Angle "apologizing" to Karen Angle in hopes she'll return and part 2 of Sting's interview with Mike Tenay. ... Other matches: Homicide vs. Brother Ray and ODB vs. Angelina Love.

- ROH Notes: Lance Storm returns to ROH when they travel to Toronto for their debut in Canada on July 25. He'll also be on the July 26 show in Detroit (PPV taping). ... Larry Sweeney and Adam Pearce will reveal the contents of the "briefcase" on the June 7 show in Philadelphia (PPV taping). That show is up against the NWA show in Atlanta. ...

- Terry Funk is interviewed by Alex Marvez for his weekly syndicated column. Funk discusses the XPW reunion show taking place this weekend in California. "We were guys who would give 100 percent toward having a very physical match," Funk said about his time in XPW. "We were trying to go beyond the limit."

Asked about why he believes Vince McMahon gave Ric Flair a major send-off at WrestleMania 24, Funk said it was about business. ""Vince McMahon knew there was money there for his company," Funk said. "McMahon does an exceptionally good job of cashing in on the product he's created and utilizing people to the fullest extent he can." Funk said he would be honored to be invited into the Hall of Fame next year in Houston, but he won't lose sleep if he's overlooked. Article link.

- Earl Hebner is interviewed in the Miami Herald about his current run as senior referee in TNA. Hebner told Jim Varsallone that he has more opportunities to work independent shows now that he's in TNA and not part of WWE. "I would never go back to WWE," he said. "The reason I wouldn't go back to WWE is because I wouldn't be happy there. Even though it is more money than TNA pays me, TNA makes me happier. It's not a money factor for me now. It's being happy doing what you're doing and enjoying it." Article link.

- Biz Journals posted a story on Victoria's new body shop in Louisville. If anyone attended the grand opening tonight, be sure to drop an email with some notes. The Biz Journal article says Victoria's shop will sell and install wheels, audio/video equipment, alarms, body kits, and truck accessories. Article link.

***

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Afternoon Update

- Louisville Courier-Journal has added more information on the grand opening of Victoria's body shop in Louisville. The debut tomorrow from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. will feature appearances by Elijah Burke, JTG, Domino, Jesse & Festus, Jimmy Wang Yang, Melina, Jillian, and Lena Yada. Sounds like a hopping event. Article link.

- Great Khali is returning home to his native village to a big reception. He'll be given an award and ceremony for his "exploits at WWE bouts." Article link.

- TNA Notes: TNA added a house show in Tyler, Tex. on July 18 to their live events schedule. ... TNA is heavily pushing their Street Team marketing for the Victory Road PPV in Houston. Dedicated members are entitled to upgraded VIP passes for the PPV and a chance to meet-and-greet with TNA wrestlers. Details on Street Team.

- NWA announced the addition of Tommy Rich and Iron Sheik to their NWA Hall of Fame 2008 ceremony taking place June 7 in Atlanta. Rich vs. Abdullah the Butcher has been signed as one of the top matches of the show.

- ROH Notes: ROH is strongly pushing the May 30 debut of their sixth PPV, "Take No Prisoners," which features Tyler Black in a star-making match. ROH's replay schedule is going to be impacted this time around because of the WWE PPV schedule on InDemand. Premiere of the PPV is at 10:00 p.m. on May 30. ... ROH released the bracket for the eight-team tag tournament on June 6 to determine new tag champs. Notable first round match-up is Nigel & Shiozaki vs. Steen & Generico. ...

Morning Update

- WWE starts a four-day tour of Mexico tonight in Monterrey. Tour continues Thursday night in Queretaro before Friday and Saturday night shows at Palacio de los Deportes in Mexico City. If you attend a show in Mexico, we're looking for live reports.

- Jim Ross posted a new blog on jrsbarbq.com discussing the William Regal suspension. Ross says he does not believe Regal "fell of the wagon" into his previous drug problems from a decade ago. "My gut wants to say that William Regal was not intentionally trying to beat the system, but nonetheless the blood work doesn’t lie," he said. "I know that Regal has many peers who are pulling for him to return better than ever in 60 days and I count myself among them." Ross also comments on Mick Foley's commentary work on Smackdown, visiting the FCW developmental promotion, and the Owen Hart link to Raw being in Kansas City. Ross blog link.

- Yahoo posted a front-page story on the rumors of CW being off the air after the next season due to financial trouble, based on a report in Wall Street Journal earlier this week. The irony of the story is that CW might swing a strong fall season to stay on the air because of the sudden publicity they're receiving. Without Smackdown on the network, ratings will slide, but no one would have paid attention to the re-make of "Beverly Hills 90210" until CW became the most-talked about network on TV this week. No such thing as bad publicity.

- Blogcritics.org published a review of the WrestleMania 24 release in high-definition on the blu-ray format. They give WWE three out of five stars on the HD presentation, with notable critiques. "For their first ever Blu-ray, the WWE has released a decent, if flawed, HD presentation," says the author. "Compression artifacts are evident throughout, especially when smoke fills the stage. Detail is mostly flat and dull. Color is excellent. Long shots of the ring have a muddy, bland quality to them." Review link.

- Well-known financial analyst Jim Cramer remains high on WWE stock. On his "Mad Money" show last night, Cramer recommended picking up shares of WWE. "They're going a good job and it's a great opportunity," he said. "I watch the company's dividend and I like it." WWE stock closed at $16.46 on Tuesday. Stock is up slightly from last week's bottoming out at $15.88 per share.

- WWE COO Michael Sileck will be participating in Wedbush Morgan’s Management Access Conference on Thursday, May 22 in New York City. Sileck's comments will air on WWE's corporate website beginning at 11:15 a.m. EST. Press release.

- Great Khali's mega-superstar tour continues with him addressing the exhibition challenge from Olympic wrestling hopeful Singh Cheema. Khali responded that Cheema should challenge "the monopoly of America in WWE" in the form of Undertaker or Batista. He said they are like brothers as natives of India, so they couldn't accomplish anything fighting each other. Story link.

- Khali's arrival at Amristar International Airport on Tuesday morning caused a stir with onlookers and supporters trying to get close to Khali. Apparently there was a security breach with too many people getting past security checkpoints. India Times story.

- To promote the U.K. airing of Big Brother 9, TV executives from Ch. 4 are trying to get William Regal to emcee a staged wrestling match between contestants. Well, Regal should have plenty of time on his hands to participate now. Article link.

***

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Morning Update

- For some reason, Teri Byrne is third on Yahoo's list of top searches for today. The name might ring some bells for former WCW fans, as she is the former Nitro Girl, Fyre.

- WWE's WrestleMania 24 DVD comes out in DVD and Blu-Ray format today. It's the first blu-ray release for any product in the sports category. Interesting how WWE and MyNet timed the announcement that parts of WrestleMania will air on MyNet one day before the DVD/blu-ray release of WrestleMania.

- Paul Heyman's latest column on the U.K. Sun looks at the Top 5 most underutilized talents in pro wrestling. His most underutilized is Randy Orton for the reason that Orton hasn't been scripted to get real heat in his last three programs - against Shawn Michaels, Jeff Hardy, and now Triple H. Beth Phoenix and the entire TNA roster are also on his list. Column link.

- AP reported on WWE and MyNetworkTV's announcement of the Oct. 3 debut of Smackdown on MyNet, and the Oct. 2 airing of highlights from WrestleMania 24. The story was picked up by major news outlets, including New York Times and Variety, which is exactly what WWE wanted.

- Washington Post published a story on Great Khali based on his "favorite son" status in India right now. Post writes: "In India, public adulation and hysteria like this is usually reserved for stars of cricket or the film industry known as Bollywood. But Khali has earned his frenzied fame by becoming the Indian icon of American TV wrestling." A tabloid in India, Mail Today, has labeled Khali "both a religion and a god" rolled into one. Apparently Khali's victories over the white men in WWE are viewed as payback for colonial rule from England 50-plus years ago.

Khali also continues to be asked whether his fights are on the up-and-up. ""I am a little tired of this question," Khali told reporters in Mumbai, visibly irritated. "We get injured quite often. Is the injury fake? Is the surgery fake? There is no other sport where people suffer this much injury." Article link.

- Brand Week published a story on the tone set by the major broadcasting networks during last week's "upfront" sales pitches for advertisers on the new and returning programming for the fall season. One representative of ad buyers said they're glad CW "dumped WWE Smackdown and are focusing exclusively on young women Monday through Friday." However, CW taking one step back by dropping the highly-rated Smackdown means CW cannot command as many advertising dollars. Article link.

- Last week's Raw continues to be one of the top shows viewed on DVRs. An average of 300,000 viewers watched the two hours of Raw after-the-fact, with WWE picking up an additional 7 percent of its total audience of 4.8 million viewers from "time-shifted" viewing. Top 20 time-shifted ratings.

- John Cena's hometown newspaper, the Newbury Port News, posted a story on John Cena's 100 wishes granted for Make-a-wish. He joins Jeff Gordon and Kobe Bryant in the category of elite wish-givers. "It's not about the people who grant the wishes," Cena recently said on WWE's website. "It's about the people who get the wishes." Article link.

- WWE's Raw brand will be touring South America the first week of July. LivinginPeru.com posted a story that tickets go on sale May 26 at Ripley department stores for the July 3 show in Lima. Top Raw stars are scheduled to appear. Article link.

***

Monday, May 19, 2008

Morning Update

- Daily Star in the U.K. published an interview with Bobby Lashley for his comments on everything that led to his release from WWE several months ago. Lashley said certain circumstances were out of his control, specifically his treatment from Michael Hayes. "Sometimes people want to halt you, no matter how hard you work, sometimes people wanna keep you down, and sometimes they win," he said.

Asked his opinion on Vince McMahon as a businessman, Lashley praised Vince's work for WWE. "I really appreciate the things he done for me," Lashley said. "Vince himself treated me with respect, he's a formidable business man and I learned a lot from him. I wouldn't try to put myself in his shoes and try to micromanage everyone in WWE. You can't do it." Lashley said he wants to be "an MMA guy" and is looking to debut in the fall. He didn't rule out TNA for a future pro wrestling career and complemented Booker T. Lashley returns to wrestling this Friday for Booker's PWA promotion in Pasadena, Tex. Interview link.

- Daily Star also published an interview with Kevin Nash, who talked about TNA's growth plan over the last few years. "I think the thing is they had a plan and they didn't want to grow too fast," he said. That must explain TNA losing money hand over fist with poor business decisions early on. Nash continued, "They set modest goals along the way. Now they're in a position where they are going to make a profit, which is huge." The interview includes Nash's ideal U.K. tour for TNA, following WWE's model of a 12-city stop. Interview link.

- Hollywood Reporter posted a report that WWE is scheduling a screening of last year's "Tribute to the Troops" show for a possible Emmy nomination. The screening for voters is May 28 with a Q&A session to follow. Article link.

- NWA Notes: Jim Cornette will be hosting the 2008 NWA Hall of Fame ceremony at the June 7 show at Phillips Arena in Atlanta. Inductees will be named in the coming weeks prior to the show. ... NWA has a big summer tour of the South with four dates in Texas and Louisiana. July 26 will be Houston at the Arena Theatre. July 27 is Hidalgo, Tex. at Dodge Arena. August 22 is Baton Rouge, La. at the River Center and August 23 is Beaumont, Tex. at the Beaumont Civic Center. Shows will be headlined by NWA Hvt. champion Adam Pearce, Sid Vicious, Sean Waltman, Rob Conway, and top names in Lucha.

- PWG Notes: In the finals of the DDT4 tournament in Burbank, Calif. last night, Jack Evans & Roderick Strong won the PWG Tag Titles over the former champions El Generico & Kevin Steen. ... Also on the card, they did an injury angle for still-PWG champion Human Tornado. ... In singles action, Davey Richards beat Austin Aries in what said to be a stiff, but very good match.

***

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Articles Grouped by Category
Torch Today
TORCH MONTHLY AWARDS: List of the 2009 Torch Monthly Award winners through October
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WWE News
WWE News: "Target" of Chris Jericho's drunken slur turns the incident into a joke (w/VIDEO)
WWE News: Raw guest host wins NASCAR race in WWE vehicle; WWE receives plenty of publicity during race coverage
TORCH TALK DAILY with Eric Bischoff: The first of a series of questions pushing for answers on Bret Hart's lackluster run in WCW - "Montreal was a life-threatening wound"
TNA News
TNA News: Ratings are in for Thursday's Impact - did TNA retain the audience from last week's Hulk Hogan Impact?
TNA News: Next week's TNA Impact - Sting reappearing to talk Hulk Hogan, A.J. Styles vs. Samoa Joe
TNA News: Watch TNA president Dixie Carter's "Love it or Leave It" speech to the roster from Impact (w/VIDEO)
ROH News
ROH News: Jim Cornette officially begins as ROH executive producer at today's ROH TV tapings (w/VIDEO)
ROH News: Ring of Honor receives positive press for ROH TV taping this weekend
ROH News: ROH TV episodes now available on DirecTV's Video-On-Demand service
Other News
Hogan News: Can Hulk Hogan wrestle again? Hogan needs help walking during TV interview (w/VIDEO)
DGUSA News: Gabe Sapolsky predicts the wrestling industry will die without new TV wrestling stars
Hogan News: Hulk Hogan cracks the Top 15 of a Best-sellers List
PPV Reports
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
CALDWELL'S WWE BRAGGING RIGHTS PPV REPORT 10/25: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of Cena vs. Orton, Team Raw vs. Team Smackdown
TV Reports
WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 11/6: Donofrio, Mezzera, Parks rate and review
WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 11/5: Caldwell, Donofrio, Parks rate and review
PARKS' WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 11/6: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of the show, including Batista vs. Hardy
Arena Reports
11/6 WWE in Brussels: Undertaker vs. Punk casket match, Christian vs. William Regal, Cryme Tyme vs. Hart Dynasty, of course
11/4 WWE in Dublin, Ireland: John Cena vs. Jack Swagger WWE Title match, DX vs. Legacy, Randy Orton vs. Kofi Kingston
10/30 Dragon Gate in Germany: Young Bucks, CIMA vs. Mike Quackenbush, El Generico
MMA / UFC Coverage
Strikeforce News: Fedor vs. Rogers Fight Results - Exciting fight lives up to expectations live on CBS
FEDOR VS. BRETT ROGERS - Keller's detailed report, analysis, star ratings of CBS live MMA fight card (redirect)
FEDOR vs. BRETT ROGERS on CBS Saturday Night - Torch Team Coverage (redirect)
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
MOJO MITCHELL'S RAW 11/2: Stream of My Fourth Grade Hero and The Mid-Card Kicks Main Event Ass
MITCHELL FLASHBACK #4: In 1993, after Hogan first left the WWF, he had a lot of career choices
MITCHELL FLASHBACK #3: Hogan's autobiography review - insight into his world
MCNEILL'S TAKE
McNEILL BLOG: The Big Questions About Hulk Hogan in TNA
Fight For Your Right to Bragging: McNEILL Previews WWE Bragging Rights!
Glory, Glory, Hallelujah! McNEILL Previews TNA Bound for Glory 2009
CALDWELL'S TAKE
CALDWELL'S BLOG: Vince McMahon is officially delusional, plus Vince's hidden message to Stephanie McMahon
CALDWELL'S TUESDAY CHAT w/GREG PARKS: Raw & Smackdown discussion - Orton-Kofi build-up compared to Rey-Batista, DX dissension, Sheamus stands out
CALDWELL FLASHBACK: TNA Year-End Review 2005 - Must-read flashback to when TNA became a choice for wrestlers in an era very, very similar to 2009
RADICAN'S TAKE
RADICAN: Daddy's little girl V 2.0 debuts on Impact
RADICAN: Wolfe-Angle follow up displays typical warning signs of danger from creative standpoint
RADICAN: TNA finally straps a rocket on the right ass
The Specialists
11/7 WWE Smackdown Hits & Misses: Mysterio vs. Knox, Punk vs. Truth, Batista vs. Hardy
PARKS BLOG: Chris Jericho should know better
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - TNA Impact 11/5: TNA = The Office, What Vince Russo was thinking during Dixie Carter's speech, Desmond Wolfe and Duran Duran, Highlander spotting, Numbers - Titleholders since 1990
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
WWE PPV Price Increase Reax #1: Outrage expressed over WWE's latest PPV price raise - could the backlash cause WWE to second-guess decision?
TNA Impact Reax #3: "The build for the PPV matches somehow featured Hulk Hogan despite him yet to show up on TV"
TNA Impact Reax #2: "I'm tired of non-stop talking. This isn't a Broadway play; it's professional wrestling and the best stories are told in the ring"
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
VIDEO GAME REVIEW - Smackdown vs. Raw 2010: WWE's latest video game called best since the No Mercy measuring stick
RADICAN'S ROH DVD REVIEW SERIES: 7/24 DBD VII: N1 - Hero & Richards vs. Storm & Steen
RADICAN'S CHIKARA DVD REVIEW: 5/24 "Anniversario Yang" - The Colony vs. F.I.S.T, 8-Man Tag
Torch Flashbacks
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
VIP Exclusive Features
5+ HOURS: Definitive all-new Eric Bischoff "Torch Talk" available exclusively to PWTorch VIP members
11/7 Bruce Mitchell Audio Show: Reader questions on Goldberg's Winning Streak, Zbyszko's HOF Credentials, Overrated Matches, X-Pac Sucks Chants, Test's Name, Paul Ellering's Story (44 min.)
11/6 Bruce Mitchell Audio Show: Why Vince McMahon said WWE isn't a family business, Hulk Hogan-TNA analysis, Dixie Carter's last-gasp speech (65 min.)
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
INSTANT POLL: How will WWE's price raise to $4.95 per PPV affect you?
SMACKDOWN POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/6 Smackdown if you saw the show?
TNA IMPACT POLL: Who was the MVP of the 11/5 Impact 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