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




Select Next Article by Category





TAKE PWTORCH
WITH YOU!

PWTORCH IPHONE APP
Get our iPhone App (FREE!): Click Here
Or enter "PWTorch.com" on your Blackberry or other Smart Phone browser for mobile-version of PWTorch.


The Specialists
MAGIC, MEMORIES AND MANIA: The Top Ten Non-Big-Four WWE PPV MATCHES
Sep 4, 2008 - 9:26:28 AM


By Shawn Valentino, PWTorch Specialist

This coming weekend at WWE's Unforgiven PPV we will be witnessing one of the most anticipated matches in recent wrestling history. Although Summerslam is considered one of the most important events on the calendar, the buildup to the Chris Jericho- Shawn Michaels match surpasses anything we saw on that show. We can only hope that Michaels is healthy enough to create the classic we are expecting this match to be, and I am sure we all breathed a sigh of relief that the injury is not as serious as originally thought. One PWTorch reader suggested to me that I do an article on top WWE matches that took place in pay-per-views that were not part of the big four, WrestleMania, Summerslam, Survivor Series and Royal Rumble.

With the hype out of this world for Michaels and Jericho this week, I feel the timing is appropriate to look at some of the greatest matches in WWE PPV history that did not take place on their big brand events. I wanted to preface by telling you all that I have not seen every PPV in WWE history so I may be missing some of your favorites. I hope this list helps some of you find these matches on DVD and I hope you all mail me suggestions of other great matches that I have not mentioned here.

10. Triple H vs. The Rock with Shawn Michaels as ref, Iron Man Match: Judgment Day 2000

This was, in my opinion, the greatest Iron Man Match I have ever seen and only a botched ending prevented it from being higher on my list. The match was contested over Rock's WWF title and Michaels costing Rock the match in their previous encounter added to the buildup to the match. The action in the ring was spectacular from start to finish and did not have the lulls in action that other sixty minute matches like Hart and HBK had. The falls were creative and entertaining, especially when Triple H took a DQ on a chairshot, only to score two quick falls over the Rock. Michaels's possible bias and alliance with Hunter added tension to the match but he called the action down the middle. Unfortunately, the Undertaker, who returned after a long absence, missed his cue at the end of the match so an ending had to be improvised, resulting in a DQ for a Triple H victory. Despite the faulty ending, you should all watch this match for the sixty minutes of terrific action and storytelling.

9. Mankind vs. Shawn Michaels: Mindgames, In Your House 1996

By the middle of 1996, Shawn Michaels was putting on a consistent display of sensational championship matches never before seen in WWF history. This was no exception, as Mankind and Michaels put on an entertaining display of nonstop chaos and violence. Like Michaels' match against Diesel earlier in that year, this contest set a tone for the type of wild action that would characterize the Attitude Era. The battle provided a string of memorable moments, from Mankind both hanging by his neck from between the ropes, to him stabbing himself to get feeling back in his leg, to the innovative table bump, to the breathtaking Sweet Chin Music off the chair to the top rope. HBK proved again that he was the man to lead WWF into the next generation, and Mankind showed the in-ring ability to be a major star of the next era. This match also had a screwy ending with multiple wrestlers interfering causing a DQ, but it kind of fit the crazy tone of the match. Mick Foley calls this the greatest match of his career and it is not hard to see why.

8. Chris Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels: Backlash 2004

While the classic match these three had at Wrestlemania XX got most of the attention, the rematch they would have at the following PPV was almost equally was good and had a much hotter crowd. What is phenomenal about this match is it takes the same three competitors but tells a totally different story. Hometown hero Chris Benoit (yes, I understand how ridiculous that sounds) was bringing his newly won WWE title and defending against the former champion as well as the biggest wrestling villain in Canada, Shawn Michaels. The heel heat on HBK nearly matched the cheers of Benoit and created an intense dynamic in the contest. Michaels, who was a face, played into the heat perfectly with his reactions to the crowd and his facial expressions. This may have been the one time where the play off the Bret Hart Screwjob seemed appropriate. Dave Hebner ran in to replace the injured ref, and Canada felt a little retribution as Benoit made HBK tap out. As somebody that can separate Benoit's brilliant ringwork from his personal life, I feel it should be recognized as one of the greatest in history.

7. Shawn Michaels vs. Diesel: Good Friends, Better Enemies, In Your House 1996

This battle between two friends was not only Kevin Nash's best match of his career but also had a long lasting impact on the direction of the business. The action in the ring was frenetic and the David versus Goliath story was told to perfection. This would be Nash's last major match before leaving to WCW and though he lost, he still came out of the match looking strong and that added to his marquee appeal during the NWO invasion angle. Michaels proved that the quality of matches he would have as champion would take in ring work in the WWF to a new level. During this time, the WWF was marketing their products toward young children, but this match was also a precursor to the hardcore battles that would become staples of the Attitude Era. The finish was tremendously creative with Michaels taking off Mad Dog Vachon's artificial leg and doing Sweet Chin Music with it for the win. This match laid a foundation for the direction the wrestling world would take in the ensuing boom period.

6. Edge & Rey Mysterio vs. Kurt Angle & Chris Benoit: No Mercy 2002

The highlight of the wrestling world in 2002 was the incredible series of matches that the Smackdown Six was providing. Four of the best wrestlers in the world took part in a battle for the newly formed Smackdown Tag Team Championship and had the greatest tag team match in recent wrestling history. Although neither of these teams were traditional tag teams, they meshed together perfectly and put on a wrestling clinic for the ages. These teams along with Los Guerreros were putting on great matches regularly, making Smackdown the show to watch at the time. Angle and Benoit were reluctant tag team partners in this but displayed terrific chemistry here and ended up as winners. If you all want to see the greatness that was Paul Heyman's Smackdown in 2002, this is the prime example as it was pure perfection in the ring.

5. Randy Orton vs. Cactus Jack: Backlash 2004

Mick Foley was in retirement from wrestling in the ring for nearly four years. To his credit, he picked the perfect storyline to come back to. For nearly nine months, Evolution, especially Orton, was torturing Foley in numerous group beat downs. Orton built his Legend Killer persona during this angle and the heat on him was off the charts when he literally spit on Foley's legacy. After a very good match where Evolution beat the Rock and Sock Connection, Foley was finally goaded into returning to the ring to avenge his honor and prove he was still the Hardcore Legend. He returned in his Cactus Jack persona and the brutality of the action in this contest embodied the character. Ironically, it was Orton that showed his courageous and crazy side by taking a series of sick bumps, including the unforgettable shirtless fall into the thumbtacks. This match was significant on numerous levels. It reestablished Mick Foley as a star who could still put on classic matches. More importantly, Foley's presence and the long, well-booked program elevated Orton to be one of WWE's stars of the future. This feud, climaxing in this excellent match, should be a blueprint on how to use a legend to put over an emerging star.

4. Eddie Guerrero vs. Brock Lesnar: No Way Out 2004

One of the all time great feel-good moments in the history of WWE took place when Eddie finally won his first world championship in a back and forth battle with the dominant champion Lesnar. This was a classic underdog story, with the smaller Guerrero trying to overcome the intimidating Brock. The action in the ring was terrific as one would expect from two of the best in ring workers in recent wrestling history. The psychology of the match was spot-on with Eddie working on Lesnar's knee in an attempt to slay the giant. This was the epitome of the big man-little man dynamic and Brock played the bully to perfection. Guerrero defeating him, and in the process, conquering his own personal demons was a real life story of redemption played to perfection. Many would rank this match lower because of the ref bump and the Goldberg interference, but the image of Eddie with the title at the end of the match in front of a frantic crowd made up for it. He broke the glass ceiling both for Latinos as well as smaller workers, and he did it with style and charisma. As sad as his early death was, we can all look at this match and smile.

3. Triple H vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin, 3 Stages of Hell: No Way Out 2001

There was a time that Triple H could legitimately claim to be the best wrestler in the world. In 2000 and early 2001, he was putting on terrific matches with incredible consistency.  This had one of the most over the top match builds of any match of the Attitude Era, with Triple H hiring Rikishi to run over Austin with a car, and Austin dropping Triple H on a car from high in the air. When it was announced that these two would take part in a two out of three falls match that would consist of a regular match in the first fall, a street fight in the second, and a cage match in the third, the wrestling world was salivating. The excitement in the buildup did not compare to the brilliant action in the ring. These were arguably the two best workers in the ring at the time putting on a battle for the ages. The action never let up and the violence escalated with each moment, ending in a perfectly choreographed finish. The image of Triple H hitting Austin with a sledgehammer while being hit with a barbed wire bat and landing on top of him for a fluke win was unforgettable. This match perfectly exemplified the brutality and the chaos of the Attitude Era, while showcasing the prodigious talents of two of the best characters of the time.

2. The Undertaker vs. Mankind, Hell in a Cell: King of the Ring 1998

Speaking of the Attitude Era, would any discussion of the most memorable matches of the time be complete without this one? This may have not been one of the best wrestled matches of all time, but the memories it provided have left indelible images in the minds of every wrestling fan. The sight of Foley falling from the top of the Cell not once, but twice, was one of the most shocking sights any wrestling fan has ever witnessed. Beyond the devastating imagery was the story of the deranged Mankind character willing to put his body through hell and back again without regard to injury or his life. Undertaker, wrestling injured himself, played the deadly reaper with no remorse, and the sight of these two larger than life characters in the most demonic structure in wrestling was phenomenal. The hush the crowd was in throughout much of the match emphasized the awe-inspiring action that took place. When Undertaker pinned Mankind, we are almost relieved that both men lived throughout the contest. Foley's courageous performance in this match made him a main event draw, and the shots of him falling from the Cell became emblematic of the Attitude Era. Other matches have presented better in-ring work, but the impact this match had on the wrestling industry and on any fan that saw it make it one of the great matches in history.

1. Shawn Michaels vs. The Undertaker, Hell in a Cell: Bad Blood, In Your House 1997

When Shawn Michaels called himself the Showstopper before this epic encounter, even he likely did not know how historic his showstealing performance in this match would be. HBK put on one of the greatest performances in the history of wrestling, and Undertaker's awesome display was not far behind. The buildup to this match was the perfect illustration of the utilization of a gimmick match making sense. The smaller Michaels was a bit apprehensive of the aura and intimidation of Undertaker. He resorted to cowardly tactics like running away and using interference to defeat the Dead Man. WWE officials decided that a cage with a roof on it would be the only way to ensure that HBK could not resort to shady tactics to win. During over twenty-five spectacular minutes of innovative and exciting action, Michaels and Undertaker put the Hell in a Cell match on the map. The story in the match could not have been told better and it was the one time where the internal logic of escaping to the top of the cage made sense. When HBK injured the camera man and the door had to be unlocked to stretcher him out, who could have imagined what would take place? The image of the two combatants battling on top of the structure was unforgettable and Michaels's bump falling from the cage to the table set a new standard for WWF in-ring risk-taking. The debut of Kane tombstoning the Undertaker, also built up for months, only adds to the aura of this match. If these two legends did not put on the display they did in this match, the Hell in a Cell may not have been the successful feud-ending gimmick it would become in ensuing years. This match set a standard not only for how to climax a feud with a revolutionary gimmick, but also for two in-ring performers putting on legendary performances. For these reasons, it is the greatest match to take place in a non-big four WWE/F pay per view.

Please send questions, comments and feedback to valentino.torch@gmail.com


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.

For more BREAKING NEWS on WWE, TNA!
VISIT OUR AFFILIATE - PROWRESTLING.NET


For UFC & MMA NEWS & BLOGS:
VISIT OUR SISTER SITE - MMATORCH.COM

Upgrade to PWTORCH VIP: DETAILS & SIGN-UP INFO


MORE "The Specialists" ARTICLES
ABSURDITY OF IT ALL - Greed Is Good For PPV Business (Just Not For You), Jericho vs. Undertaker, Punk vs. Scott Armstrong, Batista vs. My Boredom
GARDNER'S KEY MOMENT OF THE WEEK: WWE's Even-Steven booking isn't elevating younger stars, just benefiting Triple H
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
11/3 WWE ECW Hits & Misses: Goldust vs. Regal, Ryder's POV, Burchill - Hurricane
ABSURDITY OF IT ALL - Chris Jericho Should Drink Some Shut Up Juice, Zack Ryder Fantasizes About Mrs. Potato, Vance Archer - Who Wants to Get Infected Tonight?, I Love TNA!
11/2 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Miz vs. Bourne, Raw's Got Talent, Kofi - Orton, Cena vs. Jericho vs Show
ABSURDITY OF IT ALL - WWE Raw: Sheamus The Bad Barbarian, Chris Masters Finds His New Gimmick, The Beginning Of The End Will Happen When Triple H Retires
HITS & MISSES - TNA IMPACT 10/29: Hulk Hogan the good and bad, Styles Stalker Angle, TNA's handling of Chris Sabin's injury, Title Name change
10/30 WWE Smackdown Hits & Misses: Grisham & Striker, Mysterio - Batista, Kane vs. Jericho
GARDNER'S KEY MOMENT OF THE WEEK: Is Hulk Hogan a difference-maker for TNA or just another addition to the aging roster?
VALENTINO'S MAGIC, MEMORIES, AND MANIA: Top Five Best Hell in a Cell matches and why they worked - HBK vs. Taker, Batista vs. Triple H
ABSURDITY OF IT ALL - WWE Smackdown: WWE Gives Into Matt Hardy's Demands to Showcase Acting Ability, Scott Armstrong's a Hulkamaniac, Rey and Big Dave Have a Moment
10/29 WWE Superstars Hits & Misses: Swagger vs. Primo, Cryme Tyme & Truth vs. Hart Dynasty & Knox
ABSURDITY OF IT ALL - TNA Impact: Kurt Angle Is Fine, Ladies And Gentlemen...and we guess Chris Sabin too, plus more Humble Hero Hulk Hogan Hogwash!
UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - TNA Impact 10/29: TNA defends Chris Sabin injury, Prince Justice flashback, Qualifications for Legends Title shot?, Numbers - Hulk Hogan's age vs. TNA roster
PARKS BLOG: WWE is still relevant (to kids, at least)
10/27 WWE ECW Hits & Misses: Abraham Washington Show, Shaemus vs. Benjamin, Christian vs. Tatsu
ABSURDITY OF IT ALL - Hogan & ECW: Why Hogan Joined TNA, New Announcer Bryon Saxton Doesn't Want To Wake The Baby, Tatsu Is Annoyingly Adorable

(c) 1999-2009 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.

Current Top Ten Staff Picks
Staff Picks
TNA News: Ratings are in for Thursday's Impact - did TNA retain the audience from last week's Hulk Hogan Impact?
WWE News: Major update on 2010 PPVs - price change, PPV name change, WWE addresses PPV criticism (w/Detailed Analysis)
WWE News: WWE announces details on three-hour Raw featuring Slammy Award Show and special guest host Dennis Miller
WWE News: Report on WWE's conference call with investors - serious discussion of WWE TV, Vince McMahon: "This is not a Family Business"
WWE News: WWE announces third quarter 2009 earnings results - revenue up due to int'l, PPV business weak
WWE News: Raw TV ratings are in - how did the Osbournes fare as guest hosts?
WWE/TNA News: Hulk Hogan claims he taught Vince McMahon the wrestling business, talks more about his role in TNA
WWE Raw Results 11/2: KELLER'S rundown of all matches and segments, plus analysis, star ratings, quotebook
TNA News: Ratings are in for Hulk Hogan Impact - did the publicity help TNA?
WWE News: Hulk Hogan knocks WWE Hall of Fame ring and Vince McMahon in mainstream interview


TORCH QUICK-CLICK REFERENCE LIST
-CLICK TO FOLLOW PWTORCH ON TWITTER!
-CLICK FOR OUR FREE PWTORCH IPHONE APP

-CLICK FOR OUR FREE PODCAST (#1 in iTunes!)
-CLICK TO GET INFO ON BECOMING A VIP MEMBER
-CLICK TO VISIT MMATORCH.COM
-CLICK TO VISIT PROWRESTLING.NET

-CLICK TO EMAIL PWTORCH EDITORS




PWTORCH READER POLL

How will WWE's price raise to $44.95 per PPV event affect you?
I buy many PPVs a year and will continue to do so regardless
I buy a few PPVs a year and will selectively continue despite the price raise
I will cut back somewhat as it seems a little pricey
I will cut back drastically as this feels like gouging
Out of principle and protest, I will stop ordering any other than maybe WM
They had previously priced me out of the market, so this affirms my non-ordering habits
I will order any and all WWE PPVs because price isn't an issue for me
Price doesn't matter. I've been watching pirate feeds for a while
  

VOTE IN OR SEE RESULTS OF PREVIOUS POLLS

ARE YOU VIP? SIGN UP NOW FOR $7.50 A MONTH FOR INSTANT ACCESS TO AD-FREE, BENEFIT-PACKED VIP VERSION OF PWTORCH.COM (see screen capture)
PWTORCH VIP HOME PAGE

INFO ON SUBSCRIPTION TO AD-FREE VIP SITE

INCREDIBLE BENEFITS!
Over 50 full-length audio updates per month (iPod compatible)... New weekly award-winning Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter (text and printable pdf versions) with latest exclusive insider news, new Torch Talks, great columns, Keller's cover story, much more... Hundreds of full-length back issues of PWTorch Newsletter from late-'80s to today... Ad-free access to PWTorch.com's Main Listing... VIP Forum with interaction with other subscribers and Torch staff... Torch Talk Library with text and audio of hundreds of interview installments from last 20 years... Great layout... Deepest archives on pro wrestling history anywhere... Keller's PWTorch Today PDF Bulletins with email alerts... VIP Email reports on major PPVs and TV shows... Staff Roundtable Reviews (text and audio) followiing major events... The best staff of writers and world class reporting since 1987... We'd love for you to join us and experience the most entertaining, authoritative, experienced staff of professional reporters and commentators in the business...

SIGN ME UP NOW!

Compare the value of four or five months of PWTorch VIP content to the price of just one PPV. Can you cut 25 cents a day from your budget to make room for PWTorch VIP?

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?

SIGN ME UP NOW!


UPCOMING EVENTS LISTING

Articles Grouped by Category
Torch Today
TORCH MONTHLY AWARDS: List of the 2009 Torch Monthly Award winners through October
TORCH MONTHLY AWARD VOTING: Results for Best/Worst in pro wrestling for October
TORCH MONTHLY AWARD VOTING: Polls OPEN for best/worst in pro wrestling from the month of October (Part 2 of 2)
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
11/7 ROH in Edison, N.J. results (live reports wanted)
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
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 ROH on HDNet tapings results: Pick 6 contender series continues, Strong-Richards, Omega-Hero
11/5 ROH on HDNet tapings results: Pick 6 contender series announced, Aries defends title in four-way
11/6 WWE in Brussels: Undertaker vs. Punk casket match, Christian vs. William Regal, Cryme Tyme vs. Hart Dynasty, of course
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
ABSURDITY OF IT ALL - Greed Is Good For PPV Business (Just Not For You), Jericho vs. Undertaker, Punk vs. Scott Armstrong, Batista vs. My Boredom
GARDNER'S KEY MOMENT OF THE WEEK: WWE's Even-Steven booking isn't elevating younger stars, just benefiting Triple H
11/7 WWE Smackdown Hits & Misses: Mysterio vs. Knox, Punk vs. Truth, Batista vs. Hardy
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