Torch Newsletter #783 (cover-dated November 8, 2003) has just been added to the Torch VIP Archives. VIP members can access the complete Torch Back issue by clicking here, or just click on the VIP Torch Archives button in the upper right cover of this webpage, then go to "Torch Newsletter Back Issues 2003" for a list of all 2003 back issues since the beginning of the year.

You can read this back issue online in two ways: either as text on a web browser or as a PDF (which is also printable) so you can see the news and features as they were originally formatted and featured - a new feature for select PWTorch Newsletters.

This issue begins with a cover story headlined: "WWE mortgages PPV buyrates to draw better TV ratings":... On Topic with Jason Powell: "October Hitlist: Heyman, OVW, McMahon, Hayes, TNA"... This Week with Wade Keller: Breaking down the latest editions of Raw and Smackdown... McNeill Factor: Those who fail to learn from history... Part ten of the Torch Talk with Raven: "I always liked him... but now I resent the hell out of him"... Bruce Mitchell's feature column reviewing the book "Chokehold"... Plus the Torch Newswire, the Top Five Stories, TV reports, Live Event Results, End Notes with Wade Keller, and more...



Original Torch Newsletter Preview:

-COVER STORY by Wade Keller: What the very latest buyrate figures and TV ratings tell WWE about their chosen direction, TV show content, and the brand split.

-THIS WEEK with Wade Keller: Breaking down and grading the latest editions of Raw and Smackdown into several categories with scores and analysis.

-END NOTES with Wade Keller: Random thoughts on big stories of the week.

-TOP FIVE STORIES by Wade Keller: The top five stories of the week.

-WWE NEWSWIRE: The first half of this week's two part WWE Newswire section is online with breakdowns of the biggest stories of the week and a variety of first-generation exclusive behind the scenes news items.

-TORCH TALK with Raven, part 10: In the second-to-final installment of this highly-acclaimed Torch Talk, Raven talks about his frustrations with Bill Goldberg in WCW, his thoughts on whether the Raw-Nitro battle was good for the wrestling industry, his thoughts on how WCW ultimate failed, who he's enjoyed wrestling the most, his impression of the indy wrestling scene, and his experiences with Ring of Honor and Major League Wrestling.

-ON TOPIC with Jason Powell: The October Hitlist with Jason's list of what and who deserved praise and criticism last month.

-WWE NEWSWIRE, part two, with tons of more insider behind the scenes first-generation tidbits...

-BRUCE MITCHELL FEATURE: Bruce reviews the most fascinating wrestling book ever published, revealing more of the seedy elements of wrestling than any book in history, titled "Chokehold." Author Jim Wilson, known as one of the wrestlers who "exposed wrestling secrets" on ABC's "20/20" in the early-'80s, tackles a lot of taboo subjects. Mitchell looks not just as the major revelations in the book, but what Wilson's motivations may have been and where his stories are most suspicious. It's a must-read article for any serious student of the wrestling industry.

-MCNEILL FACTOR with Pat McNeill: Pat writes about the steroid bust in Florida last week and walks through the history of how pro wrestling has failed to wisely deal with steroid media issues in the past.

-Plus, TNA NEWSWIRE and ETC. NEWSWIRE... A summary of the major WWE TV shows and the TNA PPV with match star ratings... Major results from the week... The handy upcoming events schedule...

The VIP section adds two new complete Torch Newsletter back issues on average every week to the Torch VIP Archives section - one from ten years ago this week and another from five years ago this week. The back issues catch you up on insider stories and controversial commentaries at a very different time in the wrestling industry. Learn how we got to where we are today one week at a time as a VIP member! Sign up today and catch up on all of the back issues from 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, and 2003 now available, with new ones being added on average twice every week.

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