Torch Newsletter #790 (cover-dated December 27, 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: TNA majority interest officially sold to Panda Energy group... On Topic with Jason Powell: It's time for TNA to show some attitude and go after WWE... McNeill Factor: It's a Wonderful Life, Jeff Jarrett part one... Guttman Column: Great Moments in Wrestling History that Never Happened... Torch Talk with Jonny Fairplay, pt. 1 - "Everyone had a role, and editing made sure that was portrayed"... Plus Torch Newswire, the Top Five Stories, TV reports, Live Event Results, and more...



Original Torch Newsletter Preview:

Jonny Fairplay Gives His Only "Shoot" Interview To The Torch

This special edition of the Torch Newsletter features part one of our "Torch Talk" with the no. 1 heel in the country, Jonny Fairplay, who has already received an offer from TNA to negotiate for a deal and may receive interest from WWE. Fairplay, a longtime wrestling fan, indy manager, indy promoter, and former personal assistant to Roddy Piper talks about everything in this exclusive in-depth multi-part 90 minute "Torch Talk." He will not be giving any other in-depth "shoot" (out-of-character) interviews to any other mainstream or wrestling media outlets covering these subjects:

Find out what it was like for him to be Roddy Piper's personal paid assistant for eight months last year and the knife-pulling drunken bar incident and subsequent near fatal car wreck that ended their relationship. He will talk in-depth about the reaction of the Survivor producers to his fanatical addiction to pro wrestling. He will reveal how reality TV's no. 1 show is similar to pro wrestling and different in terms of behind the scenes manipulations. He will reveal behind the scenes details of being on the show on how he believes his close studying of and participation in the wrestling industry helped him in the Survivor game.

In-Depth Expanded Cover Story on Goldberg

This week's issue also includes an expanded cover story featuring more details on the Goldberg situation than you'll read anywhere else with more than ten insider sources contributing to this week's story about his temper tantrum after Armageddon last week, his meeting with Vince McMahon the next day, what colleagues are saying about his future, what management is predicting about his future, what WrestleMania plans were discussed and may be changed, and why all of this is happening now.

Expanded WWE Newswire

Although this is a special early-edition of the Torch Newsletter, published just three days after our previous issue (we are taking Christmas week off since WWE and TNA are also taking the week off), we have so much news that my usual full page "This Week" column featuring the annual in-depth evaluation and ranking of the Smackdown roster (WWE Raw's roster was evaluated in the previous issue already - available online to new subscribers!) was bumped until next issue in order to make room for an extra page of insider WWE insider, behind the scenes news.

THE 10 GREATEST MOMENTS THAT NEVER HAPPENED

James Guttman of "Raw Insanity" fame here at PWTorch.com contributes part one of a two part column looking at the "Ten Greatest Moments in Wrestling That Never Happened." Who was going to be the original Rockabilly (not Billy Gunn) Who was supposed to replace Piper's Pit and why didn't it happen? Who did people think was going to participate in an incest angle that became a lot more real than anyone imagined? And more abandoned storylines and concepts and mysteries revealed.

PLUS MUCH MORE...

Jason Powell's full page weekly "On Topic" feature makes a case for why TNA should go on the offense against WWE, what ousted power that be wanted that approach, and why Jeff Jarrett has decided against it so far... Pat McNeill's full page weekly "McNeill Factor" looks at what life would have been like had Jeff Jarrett never been born and TNA never launched in a holiday wrestling tribute to "It's a Wonderful Life." What would Disco Inferno be doing? Vince Russo? Jerry Jarrett? Konnan?... Plus my reaction to the WWE Top 50 Greatest Stars of All Time list, my reaction to Ring of Honor's new "Pure Wrestling Title," the Torch's weekly Top Five Stories of the Week including a major injury update, TNA Newswire, ETC. Newswire, Backtrack featuring Jim Cornette's response to the controversial Torch cover story from ten years ago on the mini race riot that resulted in multiple police stations being called to one of his wrestling events... And more.

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