Torch Newsletter #774 (cover-dated September 6, 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 Raw and Smackdown going in two different directions... This Week with Wade Keller: Kurt Angle - Creative License or Crappy Storytelling... McNeill Factor: Drawing Power Outage... or Win, Lose, No Draw... Mitchell's Memo on Ring of Honor... On Topic with Jason Powell: August Hitlist... Torch Talk with Raven, part three, on how sometimes it's his fault that he's hated... Plus Torch Newswire, Keller's TNA PPV Report, Torch Backtracks, TV Reviews, Top Five Stories of the Week, and more...



ORIGINAL PREVIEW

-COVER STORY: Wade Keller's look at the potential positives and negatives of Raw and Smackdown going in two completely different directions. [Now on-line!]

-TOP FIVE STORIES OF THE WEEK: Keller's analysis of this week's biggest five happenings. [Now on-line!]

-WWE NEWSWIRE: All the latest insider news from WWE including tons of inside info on the Jonathan Coachman-Jim Ross situation, inside reaction to last week's bizarre Raw, future plans for top WWE stars and PPV matches, the backstage reaction to Shane McMahon's push, the future of some wrestlers who disappeared from TV, backstage reaction to Goldberg vs. Triple H and who the locker room is rooting to be World Champion this fall, and much more including exclusive quotes from insiders. [Now on-line!]

-TNA NEWSWIRE: All the latest insider news from NWA-TNA including a major discussion point backstage based on a contract situation brought up to the entire crew last week and why this may bode well for everyone, plus much more. [Print Newsletter Exclusive]

-ETC. NEWSWIRE: All the latest news from the indy scene including Ring of Honor, Major League Wrestling, Ohio Valley Wrestling, Memphis Wrestling, and Where Are They Now? [Now on-line!]

-TORCH TALK: The third installment of the first-ever "Torch Talk" with Raven where he discusses his stint working behind the scenes with the WWF, being fired from WCW, how he's now best friends with the son of who fired him, and much more. This "Torch Talk" is getting RAVE reviews from Torch readers in the VIP Forum message boards. [Now on-line!]

-ON TOPIC: Jason Powell's August Hitlist with what deserves and praise and criticism this past month. [Print Newsletter Exclusive]

-THIS WEEK with Wade Keller: Keller spells out in meticulous detail why exactly the direction Raw is going is bad for the industry despite an upsurge in ratings, with specific examples of how ridiculous and self-destructive some of the current storywriting techniques are for the long-term health of the company. [Now on-line!]

-MCNEILL FACTOR: Pat McNeill looks at the state of "draws" in wrestling these days, be it wrestlers or promotions, compared to five years ago. [Now on-line!]

-MITCHELL'S WEEKLY MEMO: Mitchell has caught up on Ring of Honor's latest tape releases and looks at how ROH is succeeding with a completely different formula than anyone else in the U.S. wrestling scene. [Print Newsletter Exclusive]

-END NOTES with Wade Keller: Exactly what Vince McMahon's on-air character needs to be propelled to a year of fresh material, but why he's unlikely to do it (or do it right). [Print Newsletter Exclusive]

-PLUS: Keller's rundown of the TNA's PPV (including match star ratings) and Torch Roundtable reviews of the event... A summary of the major WWE TV shows with Torch staff and reader average scores... Major results from the week... The handy upcoming events schedule... A "10 Years Ago This Week" Backtrack feature a week... [All Now On-line!]

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.

Get info on a Torch VIP membership by clicking here.

We suggest these recent related articles...

VIP - 10/11 - Wade Keller Hotline - The News: What is TNA's relevance after Matt Hardy title forfeit and more dates cancelled, WWE results, Scott Hall and Eric Bischoff DVDs, Matt Riddle-WWE, Haas & Benjamin, HIAC PPV, more (24 min.)

VIP - 10/11 McNeill & Valley's "Wayback Playback" Audio Show (ep. #56): Into ECW Time Machine for November to Remember 1995 - Funk & Dreamer, Sandman, more! (57 min.)

VIP - 10/10 Bruce Mitchell Audio Show w/Britt Whitmire (pt. 2): Reaction to Matt Hardy relinquishing TNA Title, why Young-Angle sucked, when to cheer for the heels, Backlund, Raw ratings and WWE's TV future (71 min.)