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Torch Newsletter #766 (cover-dated July 11, 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 feature column by Bruce Mitchell titled "The Culture of Death" detailing the arguments powerbrokers in the industry use to defend the lack of action on drug addiction issues... Wade Keller's "This Week" column makes a case that some of pro wrestling's drug problems are solving themselves... The Top Five Stories breaks the news that Hulk Hogan's departure from WWE the week before was related to his WrestleMania payoff... Jason Powell's "On Topic" column looks at the improvements in Raw, but the long-term problems that remain... Pat McNeill looks at the good news and bad news related to the weekend house shows... Part four of the Mick Foley "Torch Talk" includes detials of his political heat within WWE... Plus the TNA PPV Report and Roundtable, Torch Newswire, Live Event Results, 1993 Backtracks, Raw & Smackdown Reports, and more...
ORIGINAL PREVIEW
-BRUCE MITCHELL'S COVER STORY: Titled "The Culture of Death," Bruce looks at the string of wrestler deaths in recent years and who is and isn't really responsible. This column is considerably longer than usual as he covers this topic in great depth with historical references and current-day insight.
-THIS WEEK with Wade Keller: An expanded-length look at the drug problem in wrestling, breaking down drug usage in wrestling into three distinct categories and analyzing each separately, plus insight from current day wrestlers on why the problem over the last few years won't repeat itself in coming years. It's titled: "Some of wrestling's drug problems are solving themselves, others require action."
-TOP FIVE STORIES OF THE WEEK: Keller's analysis of this week's biggest five happenings.
-WWE NEWSWIRE: All of the insider news that we've dug up from our sources over the past week plus summaries and additional insight into some of the bigger well-known news items of the week.
-TNA NEWSWIRE: All the latest insider news from NWA-TNA, by far the most insider weekly look at the promotion you'll find anywhere.
-ETC. NEWSWIRE: Other interesting tidbits from around the world.
-TORCH TALK: Part four of our 100 minute exclusive one-on-one with Mick Foley includes Foley talking about why he snubbed the invitation to be at the Raw Anniversary show.
-ON TOPIC: Jason Powell's examination of Raw's improvements lately, but where there are still areas that are lacking.
-MCNEILL FACTOR: Pat McNeill's look at the men attacking women in wrestling and analysis of how WWE handled house shows over the holiday weekend.
-PLUS: Full rundowns of the TNA's PPV and Torch Roundtable reviews of the event... A rundown of the biggest live events of the past week... A summary of the major WWE TV shows... The handy upcoming events schedule... A 10 Years Ago This Week "Backtrack"...
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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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?
