By Brian Hoops, Torch nostalgia specialist

If you want to read a great look at the current television wrestling situation, read Lance Storm’s blog at Storm Wrestling.com. I couldn’t agree more with Storm’s assessment with the current TV situation. Smackdown is clearly the best wrestling program on TV. I hope I am not giving undue credit if it’s not deserved, but I think lead writer Michael Hayes deserves a lot of credit for the show. Hayes, a former Freebird with a great wrestling mind, is writing the show from an old school, straight forward mentality. Book two wrestlers in a simple match, give them a reason to wrestle, and let them have enough ring time to tell a story. The only problem I have with watching Smackdown, is the night of the week it’s on. A move from Friday night would likely increase ratings as everyone I talk to, except for Greg Parks, watches Smackdown on either a DVR or some other delayed basis.

The second best wrestling show on TV is easily ECW. This is another simple wrestling program and because it’s only an hour in length, it is very easy to invest a little time in the product. Plus, there are some young, up and coming talent like Evan Bourne, Tyson Kidd, David Hart Smith, Jack Swagger to go along with Finlay and Christian to make the show very entertaining.

Actually the best TV show last week was the UFC Countdown show. The countdown program was awesome and really compelled me to want to see UFC 98. Only two matches were featured, Loyota Machida against Rashad Evans and the Matt Hughes vs. Matt Serra match. This program did more in one hour to get over these four participants than any wrestling show has done over the last four months to get someone over.

Raw was simply horrible Monday night. To be forthcoming, Raw didn't have my full attention as it sucked and I was more interested in reading the new Jim Cornette book which is awesome! From what I saw, Raw was the second best wresting show on Monday night as the AWA ESPN Classic program that aired directly following Raw was much better. The highlight of Raw was having Jim Ross back on commentary, but even Ross couldn't save the show.

Speaking of the new Jim Cornette book, if you are a fan of wrestling from the 1980’s or tag team wrestling or want a behind the scenes look at Jim Crockett promotions, you really need to pick up this book. I am nearly finished with the book and it is one of my all time favorite wrestling books. I should have a complete commentary of the book in the Torch soon. Cornette has a blog on his website which can be found at Jim Cornette's website. Cornette hits on the history of hardcore wrestling with his blog and it’s well worth the read.

Here is a link for a great podcast with a Buddy Rose theme by my good friend George Schire at Old School/New School link. Each week, Schire teams up with Mike Lano and Professor Wrestling to talk “Old School/New School” wrestling. Bookmark the site to listen to the podcast each week.

Awards for the July 11 George Trago/Lou Thesz Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame have been announced. Ivan Koloff will be given the Frank A. Gotch award for activities outside pro wrestling. Former Kansas City wrestling announcer Bill Kersten will be receiving the Lou Thesz award for public service outside of wrestling and Mike Mooneyham will receive the James C. Melby award for excellence in wrestling journalism. Nick Bockwinkel and Ricky Steamboat will be two of the wrestlers that are being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

In this week’s Torch newsletter, my article I submitted focuses on the new DVD release called KC on the Mat. It is a great DVD look at the history of wrestling in the Kansas City area and Central States Wrestling. For more information or if you would like to purchase the DVD, click here for KC on the Mat. When I was growing up, every once in a while I would be able to watch the Central States TV show out of a station in Des Moines, Iowa. I attended a house show in Des Moines one time as well, but don't recall much as I was pretty young. I do remember seeing Bulldog Bob Brown and Rufus R. Jones

This week in wrestling history saw Harley Race win his first NWA World Title over Dory Funk Jr. in 1973 in Kansas City, Missouri as well as Ric Flair regaining the NWA World Title from Kerry Von Erich 25 years ago in 1984. I will have the back stories on these events and more in this week’s nostalgia podcast.

Thanks for reading.

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