The following is a flashback to the Torch Newsletter's "Top Five Stories of the Week" feature one year ago this week. Each week, Torch subscribers read the "Top Five Stories" of the week feature either in their print newsletter or online at the Torch VIP website. For information on becoming a Torch VIP member, Click Here!.

Torch Newsletter Archive
By Wade Keller and Jason Powell
"Top Five Stories of the Week"
Originally published: Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly newsletter #767
Cover dated: July 18, 2003


1. Kane sets Ross on fire, reveals he has no bad burns

In the latest "Shock TV" angle by WWE's Raw writers, Kane set Jim Ross on fire during a sitdown interview segment. Kane, upset with Ross's line of questioning and advice, said the only way for Ross to understand him would be to go through what he went through. He then hit Ross, poured gasoline on him, and set him on fire. (The camera angle changed a couple of times so that the stunt double or dummy could be set on fire instead of Ross.) Ross pointed out during the interview that Kane's face wasn't as badly burned as he and others had always claimed. Although the storyline flew in the face of past claims by seemingly objective observers at the hideous nature of Kane's facial damage, it did add a dimension to Kane's character as a psychologically scarred and delusional individual who doesn't realize his burns aren't bad and believes anyone who tells him differently is lying or patronizing him. Kane's false perception of his facial burns is similar to the Doctor Doom character in the Fantastic Four comic book series, who wears an Iron Mask and never shows his face, but it has been alleged that he has only a minor burn which, like Kane, he perceived to be hideous scarring. The show closed with producers using a fire extinguisher to put out the fire and Ross screaming and moaning in pain. Johnathan Coachman announced Raw in place of Ross, and probably will fill in for Ross for several weeks at least while the storyline of Ross's burn recovery plays out.

2. Kane storyline featured prominently due to ratings

The Kane sitdown interview with Jim Ross was placed in the "main event" slot of Raw, covering part of the final quarter hour and the overrun. The reason for such prominent placement is that the Kane storyline drew strong ratings, most notably last week's 5.4 overrun rating at the end of Raw for the segment with Steve Austin and Kane getting into a physical altercation. That was the highest rated segment of the show by far and one of the higher rated segments of the past year. It was 1.9 higher than what the opening quarter hour drew (3.5). The entire show, which largely centered around the plight of Kane dealing with being unmasked, drew a 4.2 rating, also one of the higher ratings of the year and well above the 3.6 Raw drew the week before. Raw was down to 3.8 this week, which may indicate many viewers have already tired of the storyline.

3. U.S. Title tourney finals set on this week's Smackdown

On this week's Smackdown, Eddie Guerrero beat Billy Gunn and Chris Benoit beat Matt Hardy to advance to the finals of the U.S. Title tournament. Originally, Benoit had been slated to win the title, but that was changed to Billy Gunn. That plan obviously changed once again as it's down to Benoit or Guerrero. Most everyone in WWE is very high on Guerrero's performances lately, so even though Benoit was once the choice to win, Guerrero has a legitimate chance, too. In many ways, Benoit vs. Guerrero at Vengeance will be a "dream match" between two of the more highly regarded mid–sized workers in the industry over the last ten years. It might be the highest profile showcase of those two against each other in a singles match. They have a legitimate chance, if given enough time on the PPV, to have a match of the year candidate.

4. Triple H continues to miss matches due to injuries

Triple H's latest injury-free streak ended once again over the weekend as he missed house shows Saturday in Green Bay, Wisc. and Sunday in Terre Haute, Ind. due to a hematoma. He was back working on Raw on Monday, although in a six–man tag with limited involvement. Hunter has been plagued by a series of injuries that have sidelined him for a match here and there and of course the long streak when he tore the muscle off his bone that sidelined him for a long stretch of 2001. Hunter has been taking a backseat on Raw lately to the Kane storyline, working this week in a six-man tag mid-way through the show with Ric Flair & Randy Orton against the Dudleys and not being part of any feature interviews. He also worked a match on Heat, a rarity for a top tier star and WWE Title holder, against Maven this week. With his propensity to injuries, WWE may be scaling back slightly on his push until his body can be considered reliable again.

5. Foley's vacation home destroyed, book tour begins

In a story that received considerable media coverage in Pensacola, Florida, Mick Foley's vacation home burned to the ground. Nobody was injured in the fire. Foley told "The Pain Clinic" radio show that he hadn't used the home for a few years, but was disappointed that news stations teased the fire as "a tragedy strikes the Foley family." In fact, the home, valued at around $300,000, was up for sale at the time of the fire. Foley said he had many fond memories of the house. Good news for Foley came with a good book review from Book Magazine this week, which gave his novel which was released last week three stars out of four: "Who says wrestlers don't have feelings? In spite of its often crude and violent subject matter, this novel from the former World Wrestling Federation star (and children's-book author) is surprisingly moving. Agonizingly tragic, yet ultimately hopeful in its outlook, Foley's novel has us rooting for Andy from the start." Foley has been on tour promoting his novel at book stores since last week, taking part in Q&A sessions with sometimes hundreds of fans.

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