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By Wade Keller, Torch editor
Torch Newsletter #731 has been mailed this afternoon and includes the latest installment of the Sean "Syxx-Pac" Waltman "Torch Talk" with his insight into the Steve Austin situation based on conversations he's had with, Bruce Mitchell's feature-length column on Vince Russo's "private" letter to Vince McMahon, Pat McNeill revisits the major players in the Bret Hart Montreal "Screwjob" (which occurred five years ago this week), Jason Powell chronicles a "young reporters encounter with Katie Vick backstage at Raw," and I detail five suggestions on how WWE can improve business before the end of the year.
This week's Cover Story features my in-depth preview of Survivor Series including details on the behind-the-scenes maneuverings regarding the finishes of the top matches. Plus, TNA PPV Roundtable, WWE Newswire, TNA Newswire, ETC Newswire, Torch 10 Yrs. Ago Backtrack column, the Torch Top Five Stories of the Week, and more!
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VIP EMAIL EXPRESS last night included my detailed rundown and analysis of Raw and the RAW ROUNDTABLE.
-Vince McMahon continues to debate what the finishes of the top two matches will be at the PPV, and is said to have changed his mind several times over the past week or so.
-Jim Ross implied last night on Raw that Scott Steiner will probably show up at Survivor Series, and apparently that is the case. He is scheduled to be the PPV at least backstage, and he may make an appearance on camera. If they hard-sell Steiner appearing at the PPV, then bank on it. If they skirt the issue, then it's probably not decided yet for sure.
-Brock Lesnar is nursing sore ribs, which is why some of his house show matches have been so short with Big Show over the weekend.
-Bradshaw has been submitting diary entries on his overseas promotional tour for WWE. To read his final entry, click here.
-WWE has raised the price of VIP tickets for admission to The World in Times Square on PPV nights. It now costs $150, but it includes a collectible wrestling chair and priority VIP seating. It's a case of raising a price to make up for low attendance, which could backfire on them. [Thanks to PWTorch.com reader Troy H.]
-Former TNA headliner Malice won the All Access Wrestling title tournament on Sunday night, defeating Joe Kane in the finals. He beat Norman Smiley and Kevin Northcutt to get to the finals. Also on the card, Jorge Estrada & Sonny Siaki beat A.J. Styles & David Young when Young turned on Styles. In the main event, Jim Duggan beat Kamala after which Malice attacked Duggan, setting up their rematch next month.
-WWF Logo on Star Wars DVD - Scott Griffin of Evansville, Ind. writes: Hey guys, great site. I just wanted to let you know that in the Star Wars Episode 2 DVD, Samuel L Jackson is wearing an old WWF New York shirt in one of the special features of the DVD. Its really noticeable, and easy to see. Just thought i'd let you guys know. Maybe this counts as an obscure wrestling reference of the day. Well anyway thanks for reading.
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TORCH TEAM CONTRIBUTORS
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PWTorch editor Wade Keller has covered pro wrestling full time since 1987 starting with the Pro Wrestling Torch print newsletter. PWTorch.com launched in 1999 and the PWTorch Apps launched in 2008.
He has conducted "Torch Talk" insider interviews with Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Steve Austin, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall, Eric Bischoff, Jesse Ventura, Lou Thesz, Jerry Lawler, Mick Foley, Jim Ross, Paul Heyman, Bruno Sammartino, Goldberg, more.
He has interviewed big-name players in person incluiding Vince McMahon (at WWE Headquarters), Dana White (in Las Vegas), Eric Bischoff (at the first Nitro at Mall of America), Brock Lesnar (after his first UFC win).
He hosted the weekly Pro Wrestling Focus radio show on KFAN in the early 1990s and hosted the Ultimate Insiders DVD series distributed in retail stories internationally in the mid-2000s including interviews filmed in Los Angeles with Vince Russo & Ed Ferrara and Matt & Jeff Hardy. He currently hosts the most listened to pro wrestling audio show in the world, (the PWTorch Livecast, top ranked in iTunes)
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