Select Next Article by Category
WE ARE A PROUD UGO AFFILIATE SINCE 1999

Support Our Sponsor: PWI!
===========================
CHECK OUT OUR AFFILIATE WRESTLING NEWS SITE - THE FASTEST GROWING PRO WRESTLING SITE IN 2008! (click on logo)

|
WWE News
3/30 WWE WrestleMania HOLT report: What the live crowd saw that the TV viewers didn't
Apr 2, 2008 - 5:00:35 PM |
|
WWE WrestleMania 24 HOLT report
March 30, 2008
Columbia, S.C.
Report by Alan Stretton of Northern Ireland, PWTorch.com reader
I was at the show live and what a show it was.
-Some empty seats at the start because people were only arriving as I went for a toilet break just before the show and the food stands were packed.
-You couldn't get a taxi in Orlando after 5 p.m. apparently. After the show you couldn't get a taxi at all. Crowd was mad for the show, but I watched it at home and it didn't translate well over on TV.
-Lots of "Finlay" chants in the opener, but also a lot of people supporting JBL. Crowd popped big for Finlay's dive. Good opener with decent action. MITB was fantastic live. Loads of very loud "holy sh--" and "this is awesome" chants which also could be barely heard on TV.
-I would argue that Matt Hardy got the biggest appearance pop of the night. Certainly louder than the opening bars of the music for any other wrestler on the show. Crowd was very into this, I think it was the best MITB yet.
-Batista and Umaga was a waste of time, with more people taking toilet breaks here than at any other point. Less said about it the better.
-Flair vs Michaels. Well, what can I say other than it was one of the best pro wrestling matches I have ever seen - from a storyline perspective. Everything just clicked here and it was brilliant. So emotional. Michaels's dive was one of the most worrying things I have ever seen. I thought he had broke his sternum. Massive "Thank You Ric" chants from the whole audience. The crowd loved this match, and really gave Flair a good sendoff.
The crowd was actually pretty into Kane as well and liked that it didn't last long, and also liked the winner.
-The Divas match was carried completely by Beth Phoenix, who did all the work for the other team. May I just say I met Melina and she is very nice and an absolute knockout in person. Ashley, however, is not.
-The lights going out was a disgrace. The whole lighting rig above the ring went out, apart from the emrgency spotlights. The lights didn't all come back on until after the triple threat match. They all steadily went down to a point during the hype video for the triple threat match, not one light was working, with the screens above the ring even not working for the whole match, forcing me to try to watch it past some arsehole standing on his seat. This match was good but too short, possibly because of the lighting, possibly because of the ring entrances taking so long and possibly because John Cena could still be injured. Massive "Tap" chants when Cena was in submissions, and "please don't tap" chants when Triple H was. Randy Orton's win didn't help the crowd, but a lot of people were glad Cena took the pinfall. A guy in the bleachers had a sign saying if Cena wins we jump.
-Mayweather and Big Show was better than expected.
-The main event was fantastic, but the crowd was sort of burnt out for the first few minutes. But then the duelling chants started after Taker's dive. Going into the match everyone knew Taker was winning, but the match was that good that after that second spear, the crowd believed Edge had a chance. To be able to do that is what pro wrestling is all about.
-Great show and I'm proud to say I was there. Minus one point for the power failure, and Batista and Umaga. But a 9.0 score from me.
Download Audio Sample:
For more BREAKING NEWS on WWE, TNA, ROH
visit our affiliate: JASON POWELL'S PROWRESTLING.NET
For UFC AND MMA NEWS & BLOGS
visit our affiliate: MMATORCH.COM - now featuring the MMATorch Daily Audio Update!
REACT TO THIS STORY IN OUR FREE PWTORCH FORUM
PWTORCH VIP SIGN-UP INFO - NO ADS, EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
|
WWE News
Latest Articles by Category |
(c) 1999-2008 TDH Communications Inc. - All rights reserved.
|
|
LATEST PRO WRESTLING TORCH NEWSLETTER #1040 (18 PAGES)

This issue begins with a cover story by Wade Keller looking at the final scene of SummerSlam and why it's bad for WWE not in and of itself, but due to the context it's put in... In-depth coverage of the WWE SummerSlam PPV including Keller's match report with star ratings and the newsletter-exclusive Roundtable Reviews and Reader Reax... Jason Powell's "Page 2 Buzz" with scoops and insider analysis on Mick Foley, TNA's expiring contracts, and more... Bruce Mitchell's Memo further reviews the latest Ric Flair DVD... WWE Newswire, TNA Newswire, and ROH Newswire with insider news, big story analysis, and notebook tidbits... Plus Keller's reports on Raw, Smackdown, and Impact, the Top 5 Stories of the Week, and more... PDF EXCLUSIVE features include the Jon Mezzera's Weekly Hits & Misses and Greg Parks' look at SummerSlam and Smackdown...
INFO ON SUBSCRIPTION TO NEWSLETTER AND AD-FREE VIP SITE
DOWNLOAD RECENT (5-10-08) SAMPLE OF PWTORCH NEWSLETTER (PDF)
|
| Articles Grouped by Category |
 |
| Torch Today |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 9/5: Mickie on USA tonight, Reports Wanted, Nash and Joe interview, Henry previews Unforgiven, WWE vs. Youtube |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/29: Kowalski fundraiser, WWE lawsuit update, Midway Q&A on TNA video game, ROH Notes |
| TORCH NEWS TICKER 8/22: Results Wanted, Austin return date, Batista comments on Cena match, Kofi and DDP interviews |
 |
| WWE News |
| WWE News: Raw ratings for Labor Day edition with Michaels-Jericho contract signing |
| TNA News: Mick Foley confirms he has come to terms on a deal with TNA, plus discusses other aspirations |
| WWE News: Mick Foley's bio officially removed from WWE.com Smackdown online roster |
 |
| TNA News |
| TNA News: Latest on Gail Kim, as her future remains up in the air (w/Keller Analysis) |
| TNA News: Mick Foley confirms he has come to terms on a deal with TNA, plus discusses other aspirations |
| TNA New: Impact Ratings down up against Obama speech, Sting's big speech draws top rating of show (w/Keller Analysis) |
 |
| ROH News |
| Interview Highlights: Roderick Strong on his stint with TNA, lagging promo skills, indys working together |
| 7/25 ROH in Toronto: "That show was the first thing to make me proud to be a wrestling fan in a LONG time." |
| ROH News: Lance Storm interview on working with ROH wrestlers and injuries in pro wrestling |
 |
| Other News |
| Torch Indy Weekend Results: Low Ki in PWG and new tag champs, Albright, Nunzio, Rhino |
| Obit: Walter "Killer" Kowalski dead at the age of 81 - wrestling star and trainer of many |
| Torch Indy Weekend Preview: Steen in IWS, Shiozaki in FIP, Delirious in Elite Pro |
 |
| PPV Reports |
| CALDWELL'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV |
| KELLER'S WWE SUMMERSLAM REPORT 8/17: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live PPV event |
| KELLER'S TNA HARD JUSTICE PPV REPORT 8/10: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of event - Samoa Joe vs. Booker T in cage |
 |
| TV Reports |
| 9/5 WWE SMACKDOWN: Parks's Ongoing "Real-Time" Coverage of the final hype for Unforgiven |
| 9/4 TNA Impact Recap by Wilkenfeld: Sting, AJ, and Christian try to save the show from itself |
| 9/2 ECW on Sci-Fi Report: Mayer's "alt perspective" report including Super Crazy, Ricky Ortiz, The Dirty Sheet |
 |
| Arena Reports |
| 8/31 WWE in St. Louis, Mo.: Full Raw and Smackdown taping results including final Unforgiven hype |
| 8/24 WWE Smackdown in Canton, Ohio: Triple H & Undertaker vs. Khali & MVP, R-Truth vs. Carlito, Michelle vs. Maryse |
| 8/24 TNA in Wichita, Ks.: Samoa Joe vs. A.J. Styles, Morgan vs. Kip, Knockouts Title Match, Lethal vs. Dutt |
 |
| MMA / UFC Coverage |
| UFC News: Lesnar vs. Couture announced, Lesnar blasts legend, more MMA news and audio |
| UFC News: Paul Heyman comments on Brock Lesnar's controversial post-fight antics last Saturday |
| KELLER'S UFC 87 LIVE PPV REPORT; On-site ongoing coverage of Lesnar's second UFC fight, full card coverage |
 |
| KELLER'S TAKE |
| VIP - KELLER: More crazy G.M. ideas for WWE to consider (PWTorch Newsletter #1037) |
| KELLER: An overhaul is in order for Raw before ratings drop further - several specific suggestions |
| KELLER: McMahon Returns for That? Nothing Funnier than a DUI! Let Me Shift So You Can Hit Me! |
 |
| MITCHELL'S TAKE |
| MITCHELL'S BLOG: Notes From the 2008 NWA Fanfest - Ric Flair |
| WWE News: Flair's departure from WWE amicable, nostalgia convention circuit could be next |
| VIP - MITCHELL'S MEMO: DVD Liner Notes Part 3: Nature Boy Ric Flair - The Definitive Collection |
 |
| MCNEILL'S TAKE |
| Ready To Roll! McNEILL previews WWE SummerSlam |
| Rap It Up: McNEILL previews TNA Hard Justice! |
| VIP - MCNEILL FACTOR: Twenty Years of Summerslam, part two |
 |
| CALDWELL'S TAKE |
| CORNER CUBE THURSDAY 9/4 - Should I stay or should I go? Gail Kim's options |
| CORNER CUBE TUESDAY 9/2 - Thoughts on Raw with HBK-Jericho, Kane-Rey, and the next C.M. Punk |
| CORNER CUBE TUESDAY 8/26 - Raw delivered highlights, but was heavy on filler |
 |
| RADICAN'S TAKE |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 9/5: TNA video game will succeed where promotion of PPVs ultimately fails |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 9/4: Nice days coming to TNA? |
| TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/23: McGuinness & Jericho setting standard for heels in 2008 |
 |
| The Specialists |
| Nostalgia News: Former AWA wrestler Rick Renslow dies at age 53 |
| CAREER PATH: Kurt Angle's career high point, low point, and what if he had never left WWE? |
| UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - 9/4 TNA IMPACT: What I noticed on the show that you might not have |
 |
| Guest Editorials |
| EDITORIAL: What's wrong with Raw this year? A lot. But one core problem trumps the rest |
| EDITORIAL: Tag Team Divisions will not get over until squash matches return |
| EDITORIAL: C.M. Punk needs a prominent program to make him the star of Raw |
 |
| Torch Feedback |
| WWE ECW Reax #1: "Striker's 'and vote Republican' was so awesome. Not because I am Republican, because I am certainly not, but..." |
| WWE Raw Reax #1: "The fire in Punk's eyes showed that those two could possibly have a meaningful fued later on." |
| DRAFT PICKS - Batch #7 featuring top picks of Chris Jericho, C.M. Punk, and Edge, plus Undertaker, Aries, Tomko, Briscoes... |
 |
| Ask the Editor |
| Ask the Editor: Wouldn't incorporating MMA-style holds into pro wrestling matches just be trying to be something it's not? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Have the Michaels-Batista promos crossed a line with use of insider terms, references to "jobs"? |
| ASK THE EDITOR: Why do wrestlers in WWE refer to wrestling as "the business" and not "the sport"? |
 |
| DVDs - VGames - Books |
| WEEKEND DVD SPOTLIGHT: SHIMMER Vol. 18 (Kong-Busic,Del Rey-MsChif) |
| RADICAN: Al Snow discusses his wrestling career, philosophy, time in OVW, and more in new interview |
| DVD Review: ROH "Glory By Honor VI, N2" with Kenta vs. Misawa, 110307 |
 |
| Torch Flashbacks |
| KELLER'S WWE SMACKDOWN REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (9-4-03):Angle vs. Taker, plus Rey, Vince, Stephanie, Brock, Big Show, Cena, APA |
| KELLER'S TNA REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (9-3-03): War Games-style ten man with D-Lo, Raven, Jeff Jarrett, plus Vince Russo on commentary |
| KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 5 YRS. AGO (9-1-03): Lawler vs. Coach, Christian vs. Jericho, Molly & Gail Kim vs. Trish & Ivory |
 |
| VIP Exclusive Features |
| 9/5 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - An improvement over last week, Styles tells Sting what needed to be said (85 min.) |
| 9/4 Daily Keller Hotline: Mickie James on dating and nude pics, Nash reminisces, Gail Kim & Foley Updates (5 min. free clip) |
| VIP - PWTorch Today Bulletin #15 (PDF): New Samoa Joe Interview Analysis, Nash Reminisces, Foley Note |
 |
| Torch Trivia |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Curt Henning? - Part One |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about Champion vs. Champion matches? |
| Torch Trivia: How much do you know about SummerSlam - Part 3 |
 |
| Torch Instant Polls |
| POLL: What are your thoughts on the WWE Championship Scramble concept? |
| POLL: Should the TNA Knockouts women wrestlers be paid in the same ballpark as the male wrestlers? |
| POLL: Who is your pick as the MVP of the August 11 edition of WWE Raw? |
 |
| PWTorch Free Podcast |
| 9/5 VIP East Coast Audio: Impact - An improvement over last week, Styles tells Sting what needed to be said (85 min.) |
| 9/3 Nostalgia Audio: Nostalgia News, This week in wrestling history, WCW Monday Nitro |
| 9/2 Daily Keller Hotline: Detailed analysis of Monday's Raw segment by segment (29 min.) |
 |
| Annual Obituaries |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 1999 - Muchnick, Rick Rude, Owen Hart, Renegade... |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2000 - Solie, Albright, Duncum, Tsuruta, Blue Demon, Al Costello |
| SPECIALIST: List of Deceased Wrestlers for 2001: Johnny Valentine, Terry Gordy, Chris Adams, Bertha Faye, Helen Hart |
 |
|
|