Select Next Article by Category
WE ARE A PROUD UGO AFFILIATE SINCE 1999

Support Our Sponsor: PWI!
===========================
CHECK OUT OUR AFFILIATE WRESTLING NEWS SITE - THE FASTEST GROWING PRO WRESTLING SITE IN 2008! (click on logo)

|
The Specialists
4/1 ECW Hits & Misses: C.M. Punk, New Champ, Colin Delaney, & More!
Apr 2, 2008 - 2:03:01 AM |
|
By Mike Roe, Torch Specialist
ECW Hits
CM Punk's music hitting during the opening segment: My heartbeat quickened, my face lit up, and my mind raced as I tried to figure out where they were going to go with C.M. Punk as Money In The Bank winner. Would he keep his promise to use it to go after the ECW title? Would he announce when he plans to use it? Would he show us all why it's time for Punk to move to the next level? Well, no, we didn't get any of that. But Punk just holding that Money In The Bank briefcase is fascinating, and I'm excited to see where they go with it. My faith in it being something special wavers, but I'm excited to find out. I'll save the complaining about what they actually do for later.
Big Show vs. Colin Delaney: Poor Colin. Big Show being apologetic beforehand was great. At least Show was nice about the way he killed this young man. Show was absolutely perfect throughout this, and Colin spinning like a top as Show tossed him to the side was tremendous. I'm curious whether Show uses that chokehold he put Colin out as a regular finisher, or if it was just him being merciful to the young lad and he'll go back to his standard finishers from here forward.
Colin Delaney buying a ticket for Wrestlemania: Colin's promo where he talked about how next year, he won't need to buy a ticket, was so perfect. Colin continues to excel as the generic white friend you wish you had.
Using WWE Mobile to build an angle: While I question the direction of this storyline (see the misses for more), I think that the idea of using WWE Mobile and the internet to build an angle is decent, as long as it gets recapped on TV like it did here. It lets you give a feud built-in history before it ever debuts on television, and it gives the feud a little extra umph without as much television time.
Ric Flair recap package: How does anything ever top this? Seriously now. I've never been so jealous of Torch columnist Bruce Mitchell's decades of following Ric Flair's career as I am this week.
ECW Misses
Kane as ECW Champion: Who is Kane? I have no idea what his character is anymore. He's just... Kane. He's not really evil anymore. He's a kind of scary big guy, but not really, since he's a babyface who doesn't act particularly mean to anyone else. His character needs a mission statement, a constitution beyond just "I wrestle and win most of the time so enjoy!"
Opening promo segment: Aside from Kane's promo, which was probably the best of the bunch but hurt by the lack of character integrity, we had C.M. Punk teetering on the edge of losing all credibility but thankfully holding back on using the money in the bank on a title he has no need to use it on, Chavo Guerrero offering one of the weaker heel explanations for a loss ever, and Shelton Benjamin cutting a promo that proves why he isn't getting a bigger push. And these are the top four stars on ECW. Seriously.
Mike Knox derailing Stevie Richards' push: Stevie Richards came back from his injury with passion and seemed ready to prove that he was more than the jobber he'd become. It was a rocky road, but he started picking up some momentum and the fans began to connect with him. Then he started feuding with Mike Knox. Mike Knox, people! And Mike Knox has been beating him! Why?!
The main event: It was fine. If ECW wants to move beyond ratings in the mid-1's from week to week, they need to be putting on main events that are more than fine. I guess the writers decided to take a break after Raw last night, as we didn't get cohesive mission statements for either of the two major ECW storylines coming out of Wrestlemania (Kane as champion and C.M. Punk as Money In The Bank winner), but instead, we got a tag match. Yay.
Mike Roe is PWTorch.com's fill-in guy, providing his point of view on Raw, Smackdown, ECW, and TNA Impact until Hits & Misses Specialist Jon Mezzera gets home and kicks him to the curb for the inevitable walk of shame. Email him at mikeroe@gmail.com.
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
|
The Specialists
Latest Articles by Category |
| MAGIC, MEMORIES AND MANIA: The Top Ten Draft Picks to Build a Wrestling Company |
| LOGIC CHECK - 8/26: Keeping tabs on what made sense, what tested suspension of disbelief, and what was just ridiculous |
| Smackdown Storylines and Feuds - Analysis on the Scramble, Vickie-Undertaker, and McCool-Natalya |
| THE ABSURDITY OF IT ALL: 8/25 Raw and 8/26 ECW - A list of the most absurd segments so far this week |
| PARKER'S PENNY THOUGHTS: WEDNESDAY 8/27: ROH's Supercard of Honor III : The Best ROH Has to Offer |
| LOGIC CHECK - 8/25 RAW: Keeping tabs on what made sense, what tested suspension of disbelief, and what was just ridiculous |
| UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 8/25 RAW: What I noticed that you might have missed |
| Nostalgia Review: Clash of the Champions 24: Vader vs. Smith; Flair/Sting vs. Kongs, Steamboat vs. Orndorff |
| UK WORLD: Another slice of the history of pro wrestling in the United Kingdom including Lock Ness/Giant Haystacks |
| DEPTH PERCEPTION 8/24: Champion Power Rankings and A Depth Chart of the Their Contenders |
| KEY MOMENT OF WEEK: Hell in a Cell and Family-Friendly Programming |
| FAST FORWARD: A main event prediction (Joe's future), a mid-card prediction (ECW), and a please-no prediction (Gail Kim) |
(c) 1999-2008 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.
|
|
 |
| PWTorch Free Podcast |
| 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) |
| 8/26 Daily Keller Hotline: Cena's surgery, Raw ratings perspective, full Raw analysis (5 min. free clip) |
| 8/25 Daily Keller Hotline: TNA Impact Ratings Breakdown, Poffo Torch Talk Notes, Weekend Notes, More (5 min. free clip) |
| WWE Raw 8/25 Post-game Show: Caldwell and Parks discuss Raw (7 min. 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)
|
| Articles Grouped by Category |
 |
| Torch Today |
| PRIORITY DRAFT TRADITION CONTINUES: Which ten wrestlers would you start a promotion from scratch with? |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/28: Impact preview, Ross and WWE exec comment on Cena, Punk comparison to Austin |
| 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 |
| CALDWELL'S ECW TV REPORT 8/26: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show |
| 8/26 ECW on Sci-Fi Report: Mayer's "alt perspective" report including Hardy vs. Morrison, Miz vs. Bourne |
| VIP - KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 8/22: SummerSlam Fallout, Vickie asks Undertaker for forgiveness, Maria vs. Natalya |
 |
| 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 |
| MAGIC, MEMORIES AND MANIA: The Top Ten Draft Picks to Build a Wrestling Company |
| LOGIC CHECK - 8/26: Keeping tabs on what made sense, what tested suspension of disbelief, and what was just ridiculous |
| Smackdown Storylines and Feuds - Analysis on the Scramble, Vickie-Undertaker, and McCool-Natalya |
 |
| 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 #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 |
| WWE Raw Reax #1: "I am having a love affair with Striker. He and Todd are the best duo on TV today!" |
 |
| 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: 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.) |
| VIP - PWTorch Today Bulletin #11 (PDF): Foley TNA-bound details, Nash blow-up, Cena update, Kim contract, more |
 |
| Torch Trivia |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 3 |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 2 |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 1 |
 |
| 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: 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) |
 |
| 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 |
 |
|
|