Torch Newsletter #789 (cover-dated December 20, 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 Evolution's clean sweep of title match wins at Amrageddon and the rationale of why each took place... Jason Powell's "On Topic" column justifies Rock if he refused to face emerging star John Cena at WrestleMania, plus a defense of Shawn Michaels's image... Bruce Mitchell's "Unofficial Liner Notes" on the Ric Flair DVD... Wade Keller's Raw Roster Rankings... Torch Talk with Bill Apter, pt. 2... The Torch Newswire - double-length packed with previously unreported detailed on many major stories from the week... Plus much more...



Original Torch Newsletter Preview:

COVER STORY: Details on Evolution's clean sweep of the men's Raw titles at the Armageddon PPV and the rationale behind why each title change took place.

TOP FIVE STORIES OF THE WEEK: Hunter's title win, Foley's tease of a return, Michaels's show-stopping weekend, locker room scuffle, and more - with unreported insider details on a number of the biggest stories of the week including what was behind the controversial Foley angle on Raw and whose idea it was.

JASON POWELL: Torch assistant editor Jason Powell argues that Rock has more than earned the right to pick and choose who he wants to wrestle... Plus he rebutts the Keller's Take suggesting Shawn Michaels could use a complete makeover...

WWE NEWSWIRE: A double-length section packed with previously unreported details on many major stories from the past week including tons more details on the Guerreros-Haas/Benjamin locker room incident last week, even more details on the near plane crash for WWE talent on the Smackdown tour, the future of Goldberg, Jonny Fairplay Survivor scoops including whether there is interest in him by WWE or TNA, Hulk Hogan and WM20, a list of a number of wrestlers who are unpopular in the locker room and why, what Steve Austin is doing that predicated his taking time off this month from WWE, the reason behind Raw's improvement behind the scenes and what it says about WWE's internal structure, the inside word on Kevin Nash's future in WWE, which wrestlers upset management this week, the Rock-Cena "controversy," the story on Matt Hardy's lack of push since jumping to Raw, and more!

TNA NEWSWIRE: Insight into Vince Russo and why he's so hot at Jeff Jarrett right now, which wrestler is losing standing with management because of his appearance, TNA videogame news, TNA TV clearance news, and more.

END NOTES with Wade Keller: Random Thoughts on Mick Foley behind the scenes, Shawn Michaels, Sting, Jeff Jarrett, and more.

BACKTRACK: The article that turned Jim Cornette from a Torch-ally to a Torch-hater.

MITCHELL MEMO: Part four of Bruce Mitchell's fascinating series of "Liner Notes" providing background and insight into the Ric Flair DVD segment by segment - a must read for those who have purchase or plan to purchase the Flair DVD. Mitchell lived through the greatest Flair moments, many from the front row, and has insider knowledge of what was going on behind the scenes during each of the eras featured on the DVD.

TORCH TALK with Bill Apter, part two: 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 continue our 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.

THIS WEEK with Wade Keller: Keller ranks the entire Raw roster in order, breaking it down into a tier by tier analysis, with insight into why each wrestler is getting or not getting a big push. It's the eight year this listing has been put together. Next issue features the Smackdown roster rankings.

PLUS: Wade Keller's report with star ratings on the WWE Armageddon PPV and the Torch Staff PPV Roundtable... Quick results of major WWE TV shows and house shows and a quick TNA PPV report with Keller's star ratings and Torch staff scores...

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