Torch Newsletter #788 (cover-dated December 13, 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 headlined: The Rock returns to Raw, confirms he'll be part of WM20... On Topic with Jason Powell: TNA Depth Chart: Which wrestlers should be pushed most... McNeill Factor: The Past and The Future: Hogan, Nash, WM20... A Bruce Mitchell feature column on Jonny Fairplay, a long-time friend finding unlikely fame... Torch Talk with Bill Apter, pt. 1: "The magazines looked trashy with half-naked women and blood"... Plus Torch Newswire, the Top Five Stories, TV reports, Live Event Results, and more...



Original Torch Newsletter Preview:

COVER STORY: Details and analysis of Rock's announcement that he's returning to WWE virtually full time early next year and will be part of WrestleMania 20.

TOP FIVE STORIES OF THE WEEK: Previously unreported details on the week's biggest stories, including Rock WM20 plans, Shawn Michaels's future, Nathan Jones's future, the death of Jerry Tuite, and Hulk Hogan's TNA future.

BRUCE MITCHELL FEATURE: Bruce takes an eclectic look at the various wrestling fans he has had the "pleasure" of befriending or hanging out with over the years and extensive details on one who has become one of the most well known faces in the entire country - Survivor's Jonny Fairplay. What's this guy's story, why does he always impersonate wrestlers during the voting, what is his wrestling background, what makes him tick, and how much of his Survivor schtick is an act. Bruce provides more insight than any 100 mainstream media articles on Survivor will provide on the country's no. 1 villain, and paints a fun picture of the diverse lot that wrestling fans are.

WWE NEWSWIRE: A double-length section packed with previously unreported details on many major stories from the past week including the latest on contract negotiations with major names, behind the scenes news including the reaction to Rock backstage on Monday, the very latest on several fronts regarding WrestleMania 20, and a healthy dose of the ever-popular insider notebook items.

TNA NEWSWIRE: A double-length section beginning with extensive behind the scenes details on the Hulk Hogan-TNA situation, games that are being played, how various people think it will play out, how it's being spun by all sides, and much more previously unreported details on this strange situation... Plus a expanded insider notebook section with backstage tidbits and insight into what's going on behind the scenes.

ETC NEWSWIRE: A lot of details on the career, life, and death of Jerry Tuite, a/k/a The Wall, plus the latest on Major League Wrestling and Ring of Honor.

END NOTES with Wade Keller: A preview of Sunday's WWE Armageddon PPV.

BACKTRACK: A full TV taping report from ten years ago this week and highlights from house shows and TV shows from ten years ago this week.

ON TOPIC with Jason Powell: The TNA Top 20 - the talent depth chart in the correct order, rather than the order everyone is actually being pushed right now.

MCNEILL FACTOR with Pat McNeill: A look at a number of the week's biggest names in the news and the situations that brought them into the headlines.

TORCH TALK with Bill Apter: So what is the deal with this guy? The national newsstand magazines became known as "Apter mags" because his face was everywhere. This week we begin a series of "Torch Talk" installments to learn more about how Apter became pro wrestling reportings's most well-known personality over the last 25 years.

PLUS: Full results of WWE's overseas and domestic events from the past week... Full results of Raw and Smackdown and TNA's PPV with star ratings... The handy upcoming events schedule...

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