By Wade Keller, Torch editor

We have sent out all of the Rock "Torch Talk" e-mails and the "WWE Newswire" e-mails to all new subscribers through this afternoon. The e-mails sent to two people did bounce back to us (the e-mails began with "terun..." and "ergek...") and since we can't reach you via e-mails, if this was you, please send us a corrected e-mail address or alternate e-mail address that won't bounce longer e-mails.

Thanks to the hundreds of you who have taken advantage of our special offer and also to those of you kind enough to send gift subscriptions to friends who would like the Torch Newsletter, also.

Part one of the Hulk Hogan "Torch Talk" (which will run over the course of the next couple of months) will be published in this week's Torch Newsletter, along with Bruce Mitchell's feature-length column reviewing his book.

The special offer (just $16 for 10 issues, plus VIP EXPRESS service for ten-weeks, plus three free e-mails containing the 2000 Rock "Torch Talk," plus this week's "WWE Newswire" packed with insider news) is still available this week. You can also buy a gift subscription for $14 if you take advantage of the $16 offer for yourself. This is the best online offer we've made yet. Don't miss out on the Hulk Hogan interview, which is certain to be the subject of conversation among fans for a long time.

-Billy Joe Travis, who wrestled mainly out of Tennessee in the late-'80s and '90s, died yesterday shortly after arriving at his mother's house. We don't have any official word on cause of death, but paramedics were called to the scene and unable to revive him. It may have been a heart attack. He was young, probably in his 40s. More details as they become available.

-Steve Austin's autograph session at the grand opening of a Circuit City store last week was in Virginia, not Texas as we previously reported. He drew an estimated 5,000 people and stayed longer than planned to sign the majority of those seeking his autograph, but not everyone could be served.

-Jimmy Hart, who was visible on Confidential standing alongside Hulk Hogan during a recent autograph signing, has been acting as Hogan's press agent during his book tour. He has accompanied Hogan to every appearance recently including the latest long distance commercial he filmed and his recent autograph sessions. Hart is a longtime friend of Hogan's. [Thanks to Torch Newsletter subscriber Matt Riggs of Ridgeview, W.Va.]

-Yesterday in the "WWE News" section we featured a report comparing Roddy Piper and Shawn Michaels at recent autograph signings, saying Piper was cordial while Michaels was cold. A couple readers have written to say their experience with Michaels was different. PWTorch.com reader Rachel Griffith writes: I met Shawn Michaels on Nov. 22 at the Oklahoma City Ford Center Box Office and disagree with reports that he is rude. To the contrary, Michaels was a very personable, down-to-earth guy and gladly smiled in the picture with me. He engaged me in conversation over an OU shirt I brought for his son, and greatly appreciated my gesture. I don't think one bad experience with HBK should determine his entire attitude towards his fans at all times. HBK was a very classy gentleman and takes pride in his work and fans.

-Bret Hart's mailing list this weekend said that his rehab from his stroke is going well enough that he is able to drive now.

-Classic Obscure Wrestling Reference - PWTorch.com reader Adam Hobbs of N.M. writes: On a syndicated rerun of "Newsradio" on A&E today, Bill (Phil Hartman) was trying to impress a new girlfriend by speaking with a fake British accent, without telling her that he's really an American. When Bill introduces her to several of his coworkers, they begin to speak in various (fake) accents as well. As the scene is ending, Joe (Joe Rogan) speaks in the same accent (was it Cuban? Hispanic?) that Scott Hall used for his Razor Ramon gimmick. Talking in that accent alone doesn't qualify as a wrestling reference, but as he's leaving the room he turns around to Bill and the woman and says "Say bye to the bad guy." Of course, that could have been more of a tribute to Scarface, not Razor Ramon.

SENDING US NEWS...

If you see something on TV or hear someone on radio related to pro wrestling, let us know. If you see an article on pro wrestling in a newspaper or magazine, let us know. If you have any other news tips send them our way. Send news tips (newspaper clippings, radio show interviews, etc.) from your area to: newstips@pwtorch.com. Send results from events you attend to: results@pwtorch.com. or indyresults@pwtorch.com. You can also fax anything to the Torch offices at 952-854-4274. You can also mail to the Torch offices at P.O. Box 201844, Minneapolis, MN 55420.

Note to Indy Promoters and Press Agents: Please check your mailing list to be sure you have included "indynews@pwtorch.com." Do not include wkeller@pwtorch.com or any other of our e-mails. The "indynews" address is the only address that will automatically forward your news and results to our indy reporter, Chad Murphy. I still get the e-mails that go to that address, also, so please don't send to multiple PWTorch.com e-mail addresses.

TORCH TEAM CONTRIBUTORS

PWTorch.com benefits greatly from its great team of regular correspondents, called Torch Team Contributors. We have two people covering most TV shows to provide varied perspectives and opinions on what happened. The following is a list of our Torch Torch Team Contributors...

RAW
-Mallory Mahling
-James Guttman

SMACKDOWN
-B.J. Bethel
-Derek Burgan

NWA-TNA PPVs
-Mike Sempervive
-Gregg Allinson

HEAT
-Tony Marshall

VELOCITY
-Pete Nyman
-Robert Igoe

CONFIDENTIAL
-Robert Mansfield
-Robert Igoe

BYTE THIS
-Michael KopStick

BOTTOM LINE
-Paul Solinger

MMA Updates -Nick Moore

PLUS REGIONAL REPORTERS...
Craig Allen (Memphis TV), Larry Goodman (NWA Wildside TV), Jeremy Milburn (Ohio Valley TV), Phillip McConnel (NWA-TNA TV)

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WRESTLING PODCAST LOG: Jericho talks to Ventura, Cabana to Hawkins, Austin/Barnett, Ross/Danny Davis, Booker/Vickie, Piper/Valentine, Flair, Taz, more

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