Torch Newsletter #759 (cover-dated May 24, 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.

This issue includes a cover story on the sagging PPV buyrates related to mundane cards and increased price tags... WWE Judgment Day PPV coverage including Keller's report with star ratings plus Roundtable Reviews... TNA PPV coverage with Keller's match report and Roundtable Reviews... Part three of the Torch Talk with Amazing Red... Fascinating behind the scenes details on Nathan Jones in WWE... TNA Newswire details wrestlers gathering to discuss booking problems... Pat McNeill writes about Judgemnt Day at the Bar... Wade Keller contends WWE has enough roster depth to do brand-specific PPVs... Jason Powell criticizes WWE's use of footage on Confidential... Plus Torch Newswire, Live Event Results, 1993 Backtracks, Raw & Smackdown Reports, Keller's End Notes, and more...

FULL PREVIEW

-COVER STORY: WWE now embarks on brand-exclusive PPV hype. What does WWE need to be aware of regarding recent PPV buyrate drops?

-TOP FIVE STORIES OF THE WEEK: Keller's analysis of this week's biggest five happenings, including Christian's IC Title win.

-WWE NEWSWIRE: News on what would have happened had Chavo Guerrero not suffered an injury... Fascinating behind-the-scenes details on Nathan Jones over the past few weeks... Brock Lesnar's after-effects from the botched moonsault... Ultimate Warrior comments on Elizabeth, steroid use, and the LOD... Criticism of one-legged Zach already surfacing... Latest on The Road Warriors... Christian foreshadows his IC win... Latest injury updates... Latest on Arn Anderson's status... Latest on what Jeff Hardy is telling friends about his future... Matt Hardy's role in Jeff's release... The latest on Rock's movie career... Raw preemptions in the future?... Latest on Stephanie and Hunter relationship... More!...

-TNA NEWSWIRE: Wrestlers gather and discussion problems with TNA's booking... Latest on TNA lawsuit... Latest on Raven's contract status... Why people were avoiding Jeff Jarrett last week... Inside word on which booker is contributing the most to the latest programs... Sabu's problems... David Young's reputation behind the scenes... Where the Erik Watts storyline may be headed... Glenn Gilberti's power base development... Jerry Jarrett's role with the company right now... A backstage visitor at the last show... More!...

-ETC. NEWSWIRE: The next big WWA PPV main event and line-up... Behind the scenes notes on the next WWA tour including notes on wrestlers' pay... More!...

-ON TOPIC: Jason Powell writes about Confidential and the lack of insider comments on TV these days.

-THIS WEEK: Wade Keller makes a case for why the brand-split PPVs have already begun to pay dividends and what there is no need for panic or worry yet.

-MCNEILL FACTOR: Pat McNeill's observations from seeing Judgment Day at a bar filled with casual WWE fans.

-MITCHELL'S MEMO: Bruce Mitchell points out the McMahons' brilliant attempt to market to WCW fans.

-TORCH TALK with Amazing Red: Part three of this four part interview includes Red talking about whether he wants to join WWE, differences in his approach to matches in various countries and different promotions, and concerns over long-term health.

-END NOTES: Wade Keller looks at the major missed opportunity with WWE and the Legion of Doom and major missed opportunities by TNA over the past few months.

-PLUS: Full rundowns of the WWE Judgment Day PPV and TNA PPV and Torch Roundtable reviews of both events... A rundown of the biggest live events of the past week... A summary of the major WWE TV shows... The handy upcoming events schedule... The WWE PPV Torch Reader Poll results... Two editions of "Ten Years Ago This Week" Backtrack segments with excerpts of the Torch Newsletter from ten years ago this week...

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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