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Torch Today
9/25 TORCH NEWS DIGEST - Friday: Daily Summary of The News, Torch Features, TV Preview Sep 25, 2009 - 6:00:00 PM
We're starting a new feature that we hope to keep running every evening recapping all the news and features that you might have missed during the day or just want to review at the end of the day.
Table of Contents
-- Columns & Analysis
-- TV Preview
-- The News
COLUMNS & ANALYSIS
Under the Microscope - TNA Impact
Torch specialist Curtis Shanks takes a closer look at TNA Impact from Thursday night. Shanks brings out the name-drop counter, takes a look at the comparable ages of the WWE Raw, Smackdown, ECW, and TNA Impact rosters that will surprise you, and compares the WWE Universe vs. TNAtion.Read Curtis Shanks's Microscope column.
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TV PREVIEWS
WWE Smackdown - 8:00 p.m. EST
WWE is focusing on the Batista vs. Big Show match-up for tonight's episode of WWE Smackdown, but WWE will also have World Hvt. champion C.M. Punk vs. The Undertaker. The other top match is IC champion John Morrison & Finlay vs. Dolph Ziggler & Mike Knox to continue two feuds in one tag match. If you watch tonight's Smackdown, be sure to send a Reax review and 0-10 score to pwtorch@gmail.com..
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THE NEWS
Tonight's Smackdown pre-empted in key TV market
Tonight's edition of WWE Smackdown on MyNetworkTV will be pre-empted in the New York City market in favor of the New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox game. Read the complete Torch Report.
Reverend Al Sharpton issues statement on WWE's history of exploiting racial stereotypes
Reverend Al Sharpton said in a statement released to Newsday that he has talked to WWE chairman Vince McMahon about past exploitation of racial stereotyping in WWE TV storylines and he has been assured WWE has "corrected" existing issues. Read the complete Torch Report with Sharpton's statement.
Bret Hart Radio Appearance
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart shared a bunch of stories about Vince McMahon during a radio appearance in Boston today, but he was not asked anything about current WWE storylines or whether he would be open to a WWE return. Hart appeared on 98.5 The Sports Hub in Boston this morning to promote his appearance at tonight's Ring of Honor show in Boston. Radio hosts Toucher and Rich mainly focused on Bret Hart's book and led him into re-telling his story on the Montreal Screwjob from November 1997. Read the complete Torch Report recapping Hart's radio appearance.
Bret Hart called Hulk Hogan "a notorious s--- disturber" during his radio appearance. However, the promo did not make air and was edited off the podcast posted on the Hub's website. Read the complete Torch Report on the edit.
Top two matches for Bound for Glory
TNA announced TNA World Hvt. champion A.J. Styles vs. Sting and Kurt Angle vs. Matt Morgan as the top two matches for the Bound for Glory PPV on October 18. Read the complete Torch Report.
Key Impact clip: Joe vs. Daniels vs. Homicide w/Russo
TNA X Division champion Samoa Joe was booked to retain the X Title over Homicide and Daniels on last night's edition of TNA Impact. Check out a clip of the match, including a cameo appearance by Vince Russo in the middle of the show. Also, read Caldwell's analysis of what the match means for TNA slowly turning the Main Event Mafia away from being strict heels. Read the complete Torch Report (w/VIDEO)
Key Impact clip: Sting vs. Styles
TNA booked A.J. Styles vs. Sting for the TNA World Title at the Bound for Glory PPV in October last night on Impact. Styles was scripted for an acceptance speech after winning the World Title at the No Surrender PPV. Styles then brought out Sting out to offer him a title shot at the PPV in Sting's home state of California at the PPV. Read the complete Torch Report (w/VIDEO)
Lisa Marie (Tara) wants first MMA fight this year
TNA Knockout Lisa Marie Varon (Tara) says she wants to have her first MMA fight before the end of the year. She feels confident she is ready to win and not just compete or have a good showing. Lisa Marie also says she's had to battle stereotypes about being a pro wrestler during her MMA training. Read the complete Torch Report with Lisa Maria's quotes
Austin Aries says he could be next to jump to WWE
Current Ring of Honor champion Austin Aries says he thinks he could be the next ROH wrestler to jump from ROH to WWE after the recent signings of Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness. Read the complete Torch Report with Austin Aries's quotes.
WWE credited for boosting Mayweather's PPV buys
HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg credited Floyd Mayweather's exposure in WWE as a contributing factor to today's announcement that Mayweather's boxing fight last Saturday night drew 1.0 million PPV buys. Read the complete Torch Report with Greenburg's quote.
Chris Jericho scheduled for VH-1 TV taping
WWE wrestler Chris Jericho will be participating in a VH-1 "That Heavy Metal" TV taping on Wednesday, September 30 in New York City. Jericho will be joined by Rob Halford of the Judas Priest band at the Hard Rock Cafe for the taping. Read the complete Torch Report.
Voting begins in Memphis for next mayor
WWE announcer Jerry Lawler is one of 25 candidates listed on the Memphis mayoral ballot for early voting that began today. The official election day is Thursday, October 15. Read the complete Torch Report.
Preview for Ladder War II
Ring of Honor will be featuring Ladder War II in addition to the conclusion of the Bryan Danielson Final Countdown Tour with Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness in a singles match at Saturday night's ROH show in New York City. Nearly two years after the first Ladder War match occurred between the Briscoes and Kevin Steen & El Generico, ROH is bringing the match back. This time, Steen & Generico are booked in an ROH tag title match against Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards. Read the complete Torch Report (w/VIDEO).
Release date for the Smackdown vs. Raw 2010 video game
WWE and THQ's "Smackdown vs. Raw 2010" video game will be released on Tuesday, October 20 in the U.S. and U.K. The game will be available on major video game systems including the PS3, Xbox, and Wii systems. Read the complete Torch Report.
Jack Swagger at FCW
Florida Championship Wrestling, the developmental territory for WWE, announced that Jack Swagger will be making an appearance at the October 9 FCW show in Kissimmee, Fla. Read the complete Torch Report.
Send feedback on this article to pwtorch@gmail.com and we'll regularly publish reader feedback in the "Torch Feedback" category on the Main Listing.
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AND NEW FOR 2009! Monthly "Vintage Audio Torch Talks." We are releasing for the first time ever audio versions of our text Torch Talk updates, the historical first series of insider interviews ever. Wade Keller's newsmaking in-depth interviews with wrestling's biggest names are now being made available exclusively to VIP members. But you must be a member each month, as these are not archived, so they are replaced with a new one each month! This debuted in January 2009 with a 68 minute interview with the late "British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith. Who's next? Hulk Hogan? Eric Bischoff? The Rock? Goldberg? Jeff Hardy?
