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Nostalgia News: WWE ticket prices compared to AWA tickets

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 18:54:10 PST

The following quote appeared in today's St. Paul Pioneer Press in a column by Charlie Walters: "Tickets for the Sept. 29 World Wrestling Entertainment show at Target Center range from $20 to $60. The late Minneapolis promoter Wally Karbo used to sell a similar show for about $8 a ticket." Karbo was a promoter with Verne Gagne in the AWA.

CORNER CUBE WEDNESDAY 7/23 - ECW, where have you been all my life?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 16:07:32 PST

Every time it looks like the ECW brand has one foot in the grave, WWE finds a way to create something of intrigue. Last night, the ECW Title belt was presented more credibly than the World Hvt. Title the previous night and they delivered one heck of a compelling TV show.

TALES FROM THE PULPIT 7/23: McGuinness & Jericho setting standard for heels in 2008

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 15:30:29 PST

I'm really enjoying the variety of storytelling while watching McGuinness and Jericho's respective heel runs. Jericho has really had a slow build in his feud with HBK, while in turn, McGuinness has taken on all comers and barely escaped with the ROH World Title numerous times. It's an example of two effective ways to reach captivate a wrestling audience that we're seeing in WWE and ROH in 2008...

Torch Trivia: How much do you know about The Great American Bash?

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:34:00 PST

You’re looking at the real deal now! Wooooooo! Ian Hunter here, walking on out to the purple and blue of D’Lo Brown. Something nice and refreshing from this past week’s worth of events considering what a bore Smackdown and Raw were. And let us not forget the sleepy waste of cash the Great American Bash was. Makes me wanna break out my old “Who Booked This Crap” shirt. Remember the good old days when that event used to be something worth watching? I hope so, because this week’s trivia is on the good old days of the Dusty Rhodes creation, as in all the non-WWE events. But first, we need to answer last week’s questions.

WWE ECW Reax #1: "Wow, I can't remember the last time I was happy and entertained by ECW."

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:30:23 PST

It would be a 10, just in honor of another good Bourne match and the outstanding main event if it weren't for Adamle. I still enjoy Colin Delaney as a jobber, so it's refreshing to have him be a jobber to hate instead of a jobber to love. Everyone had outstanding promos (although Ricky Ortiz needs a little work) - even Tony Atlas. The main event was arguably the best television match we've seen so far this year (although Ric Flair sending McMahon through a table was fun). If only, if only there was no Mike "Even from Heaven" Adamle. Ugh...

TORCH NEWS TICKER 7/23: WWE going PG, Zbyszko critiques TNA, Morgan on WWE vs. TNA, Tuesday news

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 08:45:37 PST

Tri-Star is auctioning off a free dinner with Kevin Nash at Gibson's Bar & Steakhouse in Rosemont, Ill., on July 30. The proceeds will benefit the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and St. Jude's Children's Hospital.

VIP East Coast Audio Debut: Travis & Bardre ECW Post-Show Wrap-Up (25 min.)

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 03:04:57 PST

Longtime Torch readers Travis Bryant and Bardre Purnell debut in the PWTorch VIP Audio Show section today with their first audio show, a post-ECW wrap, plus Ron Killings' dancing, Colt Cabana, Lightning, and more. Travis argues that PWTorch VIP Audio has multiple perspectives from all over the country (Midwest, South, West Coast, Southeast) except the East Coast, so he and his friend Badre are here to finally more fully represent the Northeast with the latest addition to the diverse PWTorch VIP Audio Show menu. Suggestions for the name of the show are welcome. If you hate the show, skip it. If you love it, listen to it over and over until the next one is posted. (Warning! Swearing Occurs.)...

DEJ Audio Experience: Bash Rundown, Raw Fallout, Sandman Problems, McCarthy, Ryder/Hawkins (80 min.)

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:47:05 PST

This week "The DEJ Experience" is back in a different formation this week. Join Kevin and Jeremy as they give a rundown on the Great American Bash and the fall out on Raw. They also discuss The Sandman's latest problems and how no one cares even though they should. There is also talk of rabid WWE fans stealing common items along with WWE finally securing an A-list star on Raw. They also try and tell the difference between Ryder and Hawkins and just why it isn't their fault they do not know. Hell, there is so much we forgot what we talked about!...

Smackdown Storylines and Feuds - Triple H helps Edge ruin his own wedding, plus a full rundown of the other feuds

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:16:14 PST

There were two important elements to this particular feud on Friday's Smackdown. First of all, where was MVP for this segment (or even in a later segment to comment on the match)? Last week it almost seemed certain that an MVP-Kennedy rivalry was imminent with Umaga's involvement up in the air. Now it appears that WWE might use MVP in another storyline while Kennedy and Umaga continue to battle. Either that or they plan to push Umaga to the top—perhaps against Triple H—while MVP steps in to fight Kennedy. The other noteworthy point was that Umaga beat Kennedy in a really surprising fashion: cleanly. That probably shocked a lot of people, especially since Kennedy has recently been pushed as a relatively successful babyface character. Where they go from here is anyone's guess.

CALDWELL'S ECW TV REPORT 7/22: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of WWE's Sci-Fi show

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 22:05:38 PST

Atlas wanted to talk things over, but Teddy cut him off. He said this is Philly. This is ECW. This is Extreme. Long called for a referee, then Dreamer's music hit and Dreamer came out to the ring looking very determined. Colin looked very nervous about this. Atlas and Henry wished him luck, then they ducked out of the ring.

Torch Indy Weekend Report: Bagwell, Murdock, Dave Taylor, Mahoney, Vito

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:45:42 PST

This was a light weekend for indy wrestling, but I have news on a variety of upcoming shows featuring Trevor Murdock, Dave Taylor, Balls Mahoney and Vito.

7/21 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: Opening, Jericho, PPV Follow Up, Santino and Beth

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:15:14 PST

Raw got off to a good start on the night after The Great American Bash. They focused on the World Title situation, with the video footage from the PPV, Batista’s reaction to watching that footage, and the good in ring segment involving Batista, John Bradshaw Layfield, and CM Punk. All three played their parts well. I question the lack of a McMahon on the show (more later), and I question giving away the PPV Main Event rematch (more later), but it was still a good way to start the show. Batista gave a good promo, setting up his desire for a rematch and his anger towards Kane. JBL was good in questioning Batista’s authority, while playing up his win over John Cena and his desire for a Title shot. It was good to see Punk take control and dictate who he would face. I like the idea that he is trying to prove himself. I am worried that his Championship run will end up like Rey Masterio’s, but hopefully it won’t.

WWE Raw Reax #2: "For the first time since the Monday Night War era, the WWE is successfully creating unpredictable television on a weekly basis."

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 12:46:22 PST

Santino drops match after match, and yet I still want to see him every week. The six man tag was a repeat of last week... but to pull a positive from it, I have to say that JTG looks like he stepped up his game a bit; he took the heel beating and made it look really good; and that is saying something considering who he was working with. Cena has taken the role (formerly played by Triple H) of destroying the tag roster on a weekly basis. You know your main event isn't doing well when fans are chanting "bor-ring." C.M. Punk seemed to be wrestling off his game, trying for power moves and a slow pace, which is NOT his forte. Batista showed good offense, but his taking of Punk's offense still looks bad. And was there anyone who didn't expect a Kane or JBL run-in?...

7/14 WWF Raw Audio Analysis: Caldwell & Penick discuss Raw, Santino-Beth, Jericho's Greatness (44 min.)

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:58:32 PST

James Caldwell is joined by Jamie Penick to discuss the July 21 Raw featuring the Punk vs. Batista re-match from the Bash PPV. Also, full, in-depth analysis of the waistlock of doom between Santino and Beth leading to the inevitable locking of lips, and the greatness of Chris Jericho's character detailed...

WWE Raw Reax #1: "Jericho is easily the most interesting heel either TNA or WWE have had in a long time."

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 23:11:26 PST

The announcers tried to cover it up, but to no avail. What they are doing with Cena has gone way way WAY beyond the point of believablity. In the last week or so he's nearly been run over, been nearly lit on fire, thrown through a front shield window, and now he's got "superhuman strength." Ridiculous. Good stuff with Kofi Kingston, Jamie Noble, D-Lo Brown, and the "SantinoBeth" fling. Main event was a dud. Not only did you have a run-in before the match ever started (so the only real reason to watch was to see if Punk dropped the title, since getting a win over Batistia would prove nothing for Punk's character), but the end was just a utterly shameless move to start up a possible Cena vs. Batistia feud. Ugh. Will Punk ever win a clean championship match?...

KELLER'S WWE RAW REPORT 7/21: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live show

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:30:36 PST

The Raw opening aired, then Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler introduced the show. They hyped a rematch of JBL & Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase vs. John Cena & Cryme Tyme. GIve WWE credit - they're taking four guys who would have been in meaningless two minute matches months ago and putting them in a main event not to necessarily pop a rating, but to give them rub and test their upward mobility - something they haven't done on this level in years...

CALDWELL'S WWE RAW REPORT 7/21: Ongoing "virtual time" coverage of live USA Network broadcast

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 22:05:52 PST

Batista called for the mute button and someone in the truck obliged. Batista confirmed with Punk that if he's agreeing to the match, then he's on. Batista threw down his mic and left with Punk smiling in anticipation.

DEJ's Kevin: Covering Pro Wrestling Ohio - The Ladder Match for the Heirloom Swords Part I

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 14:29:35 PST

I'm breaking this review up into two parts because I wanted to describe the action in the biggest gimmick match the PWO has had on television. Normally, I gloss over the in-ring product to convey the storylines and break down a building block to making a good wrestling product. The regular rundown of everything on the show but the ladder match is included below along with the weekly analysis.

Nostalgia Review: WWF Wrestlefest 1988: Hogan vs. Andre in a Cage; Brown vs. Hart; Rude vs. Roberts; Ultimate Warrior vs. Heenan

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:55:03 PST

This week’s look at wrestling nostalgia takes us back 20 years to July 31, 1988 and the WWF Wrestlefest 1988. This show was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the old Milwaukee County Stadium. The attendance was a very strong 25,866. The announce team was Sean Mooney on play by play and color commentary was handled by Superstar Billy Graham and Lord Alfred Hayes.

PARKER'S PENNY THOUGHTS: MONDAY: 7/21 : Disco Inferno’s Latest Blog Full of Contradictions and Ineptitude

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 13:25:54 PST

Disco Inferno has once again put his thoughts out there for all to see via his internet blog and has decided to attack the ROH faithful’s “best wrestler in the world.” The blog has gotten the ROH faithful’s panties in a bun on the ROH message board, so I felt inclined to inject my thoughts on the matter via the internet juggernaut that this blog is becoming (please note the sarcasm).