Torch Newsletter #768 (cover-dated July 26, 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 cover story on the lazy, implausible booking that destroyed the intent of the Kane character transformation including setting Jim Ross on fire... Jason Powell's "On Topic" says that crowd taunts should serve as a wake-up call to Jeff Hardy... Wade Keller's "This Week" column looks at the potential conspiracy involved in Coachman replacing Ross as Raw host... Part six of the "Torch Talk" with Mick Foley including his reaction to criticism of his kids seeing him take chairshots up close on live PPV... Plus the TNA PPV Report and Roundtable, Torch Newswire, Live Event Results, 1993 Backtracks, McNeill Factor on Raw and Smackdown, Raw & Smackdown Reports, and more...

ORIGINAL PREVIEW

-COVER STORY: Wade Keller's in-depth examination of where WWE's flippant, lazy, or incompetent scripting of Raw let down its wrestlers and stockholders on everything from the Kane angle to Shawn Michaels vs. Chris Jericho to Test vs. Booker T to Goldberg-Triple H hype.

-TOP FIVE STORIES OF THE WEEK: Keller's analysis of this week's biggest five happenings.

-WWE NEWSWIRE: Double-length WWE Newswire with more exclusive behind the scenes news than usual, including exclusive first-week book sales figures from Mick Foley's novel and where it falls relative to other recent wrestling non-fiction books, plus insider news on SummerSlam, Shane McMahon, Rock, Paul London, Ultimo Dragon, Paul Heyman, La Resistance, Brock Lesnar, and much more.

-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 six of our seven-part 100 minute exclusive one-on-one with Mick Foley includes Foley talking about his feelings on his family's reaction as caught on "Beyond the Mat" to his chairshots.

-ON TOPIC: Jason Powell's look at why the crowd reaction to Jeff Hardy's Ring of Honor debut should be a wake-up call to Hardy.

-THIS WEEK: Wade Keller's insider look at the complete announcing situation in WWE, including the behind-the-scenes reputations of various announcers, their backgrounds, and what's going on with Jim Ross and Johnathan Coachman.

-MCNEILL FACTOR: Pat McNeill's look at the on-air roles of Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon, the progression of Brock Lesnar, and the potential of Raw.

-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... Two 10 Years Ago This Week "Backtrack" features...

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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