WWE News From The Torch Online

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Here's the Torch you know the deal. Enjoy.

 

It's early online Torch week! Again.

credit to wade

 

TOP STORY: Austin's autobiography is out. Wade drank like 9 Red Bulls and read it in one sitting. It's "a smooth and readable march through what Austin sees as the highs and lows of his personal and professional life. It's a comforting, entertaining march through memory lane for fans who have followed Austin's career from the beginning, and an informing trek through what happened before his WWE years for newer fans."

 

But if you're hoping for a biting pull-no-punches tale, this isn't it. This is a much more relaxed Austin, not the angry and frustrated guy who went off on Byte This a year and a half ago. There's no big controversies coming out of anything he said. It's just a nice read if you're an Austin fan.

 

He details his days before and after WrestleMania 19, including being taken to the hospital when he thought he was having a heart attack, finally giving Rock a win, and how JR knew it would be Austin's last match when hardly anyone else did.

 

He doesn't really trash anybody. He seems forgiving towards Eric Bischoff. He praises Vince McMahon repeatedly, calling him a genius and telling heartwarming stories. Like how early in Austin's WWF career when he was in six-figure debt to the IRS, Vince put a down payment on a house for him.

 

Somewhat interesting are the things that aren't talked about. He couldn't write about the incident with Debra due to legal reasons. There's not that much about Rock and Triple H, despite them arguably being his two biggest rivals on top during the boom and despite the personal issues he's had with both guys. Austin has a lot of good words for Kurt Angle, and compliments Benoit and Foley and Brock, even though he never even worked with Brock. But regular Austin opponents who by all accounts he liked, such as Taker and Kane, are rarely brought up. Vince Russo is never mentioned, despite his being the head writer when Austin took off.

 

Owen is not looked upon favorably in the book. Austin feels that he put his trust in him and got burned for it during their piledriver spot. He also mentions that Owen never called him in the hospital afterwards, but does say that he believes Owen was too ashamed to call, not that he thinks Owen didn't care. JR mentions that he wishes he'd had a chance to get Owen and Austin to sit down and talk things out to get the issue resolved.

 

In talking about his marriages, he mentioned that during the last UK tour he was on, his ex-wife Jeanie wouldn't let him see his daughters. He still considers Debra a friend.

 

The end of the book features Austin's philosophy on the wrestling industry, which is covered in Wade's column later on.

 

TOP 5 STORIES OF THE WEEK:

 

#1 - Triple H and Stephanie done got hitched. It was a "tastefully elegant" affair.

 

#2 - TNA's big November PPV has been canceled.

 

#3 - Jeff Jarrett wins back NWA title from AJ Styles.

 

#4 - Paul Heyman returns to TV as GM of Smackdown.

 

#5 - Austin's autobiography is released.

 

WWE NEWS:

 

- Aww, weddings. The guest list for the big day included:

 

Wrestlers: Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Kevin Nash, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Kurt Angle, the Undertaker, William Regal, Big Show, Booker T, Chris Benoit (w/Woman), Edge, Arn Anderson, Eddie Guerrero, Killer Kowalksi, Bradshaw, Rikishi, Moolah & Mae.

 

Suits: Sgt. Slaughter, Arnold Skaaland, Steve Lombardi, Michael Hayes, Tom Prichard.

 

Announcers: Jim Ross, Michael Cole, Tazz.

 

Referees: Tim White, Mike Chioda.

 

Ring Announcers: Howard Finkle.

 

McMahons: Vince, Linda, Shane, Marissa.

 

Heymans: Paul.

 

I listed all of ‘em cause a few of them are rat snitches for the Torch, so maybe we can investigate and find the guilty parties. Whoever they are, some of them recapped the day's festivities. Among the highlights were a drunken Michael Hayes trying to sing during the reception. He got on stage and tried to sing "Jailhouse Rock" with the band. It was obvious that he was drunk and his performance got a few uncomfortable chuckles, but that was that.

 

THEN he came back on stage LATER and wanted to sing again. The band refused and Hayes started cussing at them, then decided to sing by himself. He opened with a dedication that the attendees said went something like "dis is fer Stephanie and fer Hunter, I... (hic)... aw, fuck, I mean Paul".

 

Then he started singing and tried getting other people to join in. He kept asking Kurt Angle to sing, and Kurt told him that he was making a fool out of himself. Linda eventually got up on stage, took the microphone, and said "thank you, Michael" all sarcastically. Hunter and several of the guests were said to look pissed by his behavior, and the people there agreed that Hayes deserved to be decked, but nobody wanted to knuckle up at a wedding.

 

Among the notable absences were Scott Hall and Sean Waltman. People said they weren't positive that Hall had been invited, but the assumption was that he declined so he could avoid a situation that would lead to drinking. Waltman has dropped out of contact with everyone, and with his on-again off-again thing with Chyna, inviting him didn't seem prudent. Too bad he wasn't there or he could have cut off Michael Hayes' ponytail. A few people were surprised that some of Vince's business pals like Dick Ebersol weren't there.

 

Hunter's wedding party included HBK, Nash, Flair, Regal, Taker, and Hunter's dad. One guy didn't think Hunter and Taker were that close, so he seriously suggested that adding Taker to the wedding party must have been a political move to keep Taker happy. Yeah, ok. "Taker, we're not putting the belt on you, but we've decided to make you an usher!" "Sweet."

 

- Speaking of the sanctity of marriage, Vince apparently cut some diabolically awesome promo for Smackdown in which he suggested having Taker's wife raped and his children kidnaped. A few people backstage thought that sounded kinda mean.

 

- Speaking of the buried alive match, which I was not, they say more positively that Stephanie will be involved in the finish. Last week I think they just speculated. They may have Heyman's new team interfere too, and it could be a deal like the Yokozuna casket match where dudes line up to help destroy the Undertaker before he comes back to reap all their souls.

 

- Taker and Kurt Angle have both been getting some heat in the Smackdown locker room for what the younger wrestlers perceive as either towing the company line, or being content with their pushes while other guys aren't, or whatever.

 

- People say that Vince thinks very highly of Kurt and they even hang out together now, but the general opinion of the office is that Kurt's just not a draw as a main event babyface.

 

- Hey Edge is gonna be in the new Batman movie. What is with wrestlers in movies all of a sudden, I mean jeez.

 

- The wrestlers are hearing the stories about how good Triple H is doing at his movies, and some of them are taking note. Because from what's being said, Hunter is doing the same thing that he did with wrestling. Which is to say he's gonna marry the studio owner's daughter, haha burn! Actually what he does is spend all his time watching everything that goes on, asking questions, offering input, and the directors and other actors are all impressed with him and how hard he's working. And these are some of the same things that Hunter has preached to the wrestlers about doing in WWE, but few of them ever do, and most of them have attitudes like "easy for you to say" when they hear him say it. But now some dudes are like "hmm".

 

Then when Heyman came back, some wrestlers came up to him and were complaining about their pushes. Heyman's suggestion was for them to come up with 5 ideas for their character and give it to the writing team. If nothing gets used, give them 5 more ideas next week. Just keep getting involved and making suggestions until something clicks.

 

And Austin's book also pushes the same thing. He says the younger crop of wrestlers are hanging back, when they should be stepping forward and taking control. So it'll be interesting to see if any combination of these three events start getting wrestlers to be more hands-on with what's going on.

 

- Most of the wrestlers were happy to see Heyman come back because they thought his return meant he'd be back as a writer. But not everyone was happy to see him. Heyman and Dave Lagana seemed to get along well, but wrestlers thought that Bruce Prichard and that drunk Michael Hayes were threatened by his return. Heyman apparently wrote a letter to Vince that questioned some storyline issues surrounding his return, and Vince passed the letter onto the writers. Prichard was then heard complaining to some of the wrestlers about it.

 

- Bill Watts wrote an online message about his memories of the Road Warriors and all the body-enhancing drugs they took. He said that Hawk once told him that he shot up with straight "monkey hormones" in the mornings.

 

THIS WEEK WITH WADE KELLER:

 

The philosophy for wrestling that Austin touts in his book is something WWE should think about looking into. Austin suggests a much more old school style, where the new crop of wrestlers are forced to start calling their matches on the fly in the ring, rather than have things rehearsed before they go out.

 

The same thing applies to promos, and Austin says that wrestlers should be given the chance to sink or swim without being scripted. Because the guys who can swim, like Austin, could hit home runs that turn them into the next big superstar. But the downside is that for every guy who does that, 10 might totally bury themselves.

 

Still, if things get bad enough that Vince is looking for anything and everything to try, taking on some of Austin's suggestions wouldn't be a bad move.

 

THE MCNEILL FACTOR:

 

He just blabs on about Hogan and TNA.

 

END NOTES WITH WADE:

 

He liked Austin's book, yup.

 

Things we can all look forward to:

 

- More news!

- This week with Jason Powell!

- Raven!

 

bye

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

- Speaking of the buried alive match, which I was not, they say more positively that Stephanie will be involved in the finish. Last week I think they just speculated. They may have Heyman's new team interfere too, and it could be a deal like the Yokozuna casket match where dudes line up to help destroy the Undertaker before he comes back to reap all their souls.

 

OH LORD NO. Is anyone REALLY shocked by this? No. Thought so.

 

Then when Heyman came back, some wrestlers came up to him and were complaining about their pushes. Heyman's suggestion was for them to come up with 5 ideas for their character and give it to the writing team. If nothing gets used, give them 5 more ideas next week. Just keep getting involved and making suggestions until something clicks.

 

Ok that's a good idea but, here's the thing. With the way the writers and the writing is giving a bunch of ideas isn't going to do a thing. The wrestlers can give the writers a million ideas but, as long as Vince, Steph, whoever still has their head up their ass it won't matter.

 

Austin suggests a much more old school style, where the new crop of wrestlers are forced to start calling their matches on the fly in the ring, rather than have things rehearsed before they go out.

 

With alot of the green OVWers being called up does anyone else this would be a REALLY bad idea?

[Guest Just J]

That makes me want to read Austin's book even more.

[Lil' Bitch 0]

The Stone Cold Truth, my ass!

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

- People say that Vince thinks very highly of Kurt and they even hang out together now, but the general opinion of the office is that Kurt's just not a draw as a main event babyface.

And whose fault is that? Every time he gets a run as a face, they make him a clueless, dopey, comedy face.

Edited October 31, 2003 by Spaceman Spiff

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

- Speaking of the buried alive match, which I was not, they say more positively that Stephanie will be involved in the finish. Last week I think they just speculated. They may have Heyman's new team interfere too, and it could be a deal like the Yokozuna casket match where dudes line up to help destroy the Undertaker before he comes back to reap all their souls.

 

Geez and I was just kidding about that in the other thread.

[DerangedHermit 0]

- Speaking of the buried alive match, which I was not, they say more positively that Stephanie will be involved in the finish. Last week I think they just speculated. They may have Heyman's new team interfere too, and it could be a deal like the Yokozuna casket match where dudes line up to help destroy the Undertaker before he comes back to reap all their souls.

 

Geez and I was just kidding about that in the other thread.

Never give the WWE any ideas. Jesus Christ...

[haVoc 0]

WWE NEWS:

 

- Aww, weddings. The guest list for the big day included:

 

Wrestlers: Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Kevin Nash, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Kurt Angle, the Undertaker, William Regal, Big Show, Booker T, Chris Benoit (w/Woman), Edge, Arn Anderson, Eddie Guerrero, Killer Kowalksi, Bradshaw, Rikishi, Moolah & Mae.

 

Suits: Sgt. Slaughter, Arnold Skaaland, Steve Lombardi, Michael Hayes, Tom Prichard.

 

Announcers: Jim Ross, Michael Cole, Tazz.

 

Referees: Tim White, Mike Chioda.

 

Ring Announcers: Howard Finkle.

 

McMahons: Vince, Linda, Shane, Marissa.

 

Heymans: Paul.

 

I listed all of ‘em cause a few of them are rat snitches for the Torch, so maybe we can investigate and find the guilty parties. Whoever they are, some of them recapped the day's festivities.

 

Um, aren't they kind of snitching themselves out here and why would they throw their "sources" to the wolves?

[RavishingRickRudo 0]

What he say about Benoit??!

[ChrisMWaters 0]

I like the "Heymans: Paul" line in that thing for some odd reason.

 

However...does that mean there are other Heymans running around somewhere in the wrestling world? O_O

[ChrisMWaters 0]

Double post, ignore.

[Guest MikeSC]

Austin suggests a much more old school style, where the new crop of wrestlers are forced to start calling their matches on the fly in the ring, rather than have things rehearsed before they go out.

 

With alot of the green OVWers being called up does anyone else this would be a REALLY bad idea?

Considering that Corny trains them, I imagine calling matches on the fly are what they do there. He HATES pre-planning a match.

-=Mike

[Guest Dynamite Kido]

- Bill Watts wrote an online message about his memories of the Road Warriors and all the body-enhancing drugs they took. He said that Hawk once told him that he shot up with straight "monkey hormones" in the mornings.

 

real classy there watts.....you fuck.

[Austin3164life 0]

What he say about Benoit??!

I think Austin talks about how great their matches were every time they stepped in the ring together, and how he trusts Benoit completely because Benoit protected his neck (especially in Edmonton after 10 Germans and a Top Rope Suplex).

[AndrewTS 0]

- Bill Watts wrote an online message about his memories of the Road Warriors and all the body-enhancing drugs they took. He said that Hawk once told him that he shot up with straight "monkey hormones" in the mornings.

 

real classy there watts.....you fuck.

Watts is still alive?

[Guest BionicRedneck]

And who's fault is that? Every time he gets a run as a face, they make him a clueless, dopey, comedy face

 

Well, they pushed him as some sort of serious Mr. USA babyface around 2001 and it didn't work. Nobody cares about Kurt UNLESS he is the "goof". Angle's basically a one trick pony.

[AndrewTS 0]

And who's fault is that? Every time he gets a run as a face, they make him a clueless, dopey, comedy face

 

Well, they pushed him as some sort of serious Mr. USA babyface around 2001 and it didn't work. Nobody cares about Kurt UNLESS he is the "goof". Angle's basically a one trick pony.

When they pushed him, allegedly, as a serious guy in 2001, he was still rather goofy, and was just ripping off old Austin schticks.

 

Judging by the video packages before his comeback, I think he COULD play a serious guy and do it well, but...well...we haven't seen him really even try.

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Considering that Corny trains them, I imagine calling matches on the fly are what they do there. He HATES pre-planning a match.

 

Well in that case they should call up the good OVWers (if there are any left) and push the green ones right back down.

[Guest Salacious Crumb]

Nick Dinsmore is probably the best OVW guy but he keeps getting the shaft when they call guys up.

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

I think I may remember Nick Dinsmore cause a some years ago he use to wrestle down here in TN for MCW and few others. He was ok from what I saw but, like I said that was some years ago.

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

Anyway, I just want to see some of the young wrestlers speak up with ideas.

 

Paul London: I've got this great idea for my character.

 

Steph: *nods head* Uh huh.

 

Paul: Ok, (explains idea).

 

Steph: Oh. That's good. (Vince comes over and whispers in ear) Wait, I see another direction we can go. You come out in your new debut saying you're a hometown boy and you want a title shot, and then you get murder by Brock.

 

Paul: (confused look)

 

Vince: *grins* (Thumbs up)

[jester 0]

Anyway, I just want to see some of the young wrestlers speak up with ideas.

 

Paul London: I've got this great idea for my character.

 

Steph: *nods head* Uh huh.

Heh-heh... I've always wondered about this when the old guard says the new guys need to "Step up," as if it's their fault they're not on TV or getting more exposure.

 

So, if I'm just up from OVW I can ask for more match time (and reduce someone else's match time in the meanwhile), and ask for a specific opponent so we can really tear up the ring and show my skills, or I can ask Vince to cut his promo short so I can do one of my own?

 

Sure. I'll be that's the way it works.

[Anakin Flair 0]

WWE NEWS:

 

- Aww, weddings. The guest list for the big day included:

 

Wrestlers: Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Kevin Nash, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Kurt Angle, the Undertaker, William Regal, Big Show, Booker T, Chris Benoit (w/Woman), Edge, Arn Anderson, Eddie Guerrero, Killer Kowalksi, Bradshaw, Rikishi, Moolah & Mae.

 

Suits: Sgt. Slaughter, Arnold Skaaland, Steve Lombardi, Michael Hayes, Tom Prichard.

 

Announcers: Jim Ross, Michael Cole, Tazz.

 

Referees: Tim White, Mike Chioda.

 

Ring Announcers: Howard Finkle.

 

McMahons: Vince, Linda, Shane, Marissa.

 

Heymans: Paul.

 

I listed all of ‘em cause a few of them are rat snitches for the Torch, so maybe we can investigate and find the guilty parties. Whoever they are, some of them recapped the day's festivities.

 

Um, aren't they kind of snitching themselves out here and why would they throw their "sources" to the wolves?

Not if they listed everybody.

 

And why wasn't Earl Hebner invited? I would have figured with all of the angles Earl worked with Trips, that they'd be close.

[Spaceman Spiff 0]

Anyway, I just want to see some of the young wrestlers speak up with ideas.

 

Paul London: I've got this great idea for my character.

 

Steph: *nods head* Uh huh.

Heh-heh... I've always wondered about this when the old guard says the new guys need to "Step up," as if it's their fault they're not on TV or getting more exposure.

 

So, if I'm just up from OVW I can ask for more match time (and reduce someone else's match time in the meanwhile), and ask for a specific opponent so we can really tear up the ring and show my skills, or I can ask Vince to cut his promo short so I can do one of my own?

 

Sure. I'll be that's the way it works.

What they mean, is really get the crowd into your character, either by putting on great matches, or exhibiting great mic work.

 

Of course, when you don't get ring or mic time, or get used as jobber fodder, it makes it tough to "step it up".

[jester 0]

What they mean, is really get the crowd into your character, either by putting on great matches, or exhibiting great mic work.

 

Of course, when you don't get ring or mic time, or get used as jobber fodder, it makes it tough to "step it up".

That's the point I was trying to make.

 

A wrestler specially grown in a laboratory using the DNA of Austin, Flair, Rock, Hogan, Steamboat and Foley wouldn't get over if all you gave him was the name "Ed Dwinklefarb" and sent him out to be squashed by Albert in 40 seconds.

 

Without management's ok, you go nowhere.

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

That's the point I was trying to make.

 

A wrestler specially grown in a laboratory using the DNA of Austin, Flair, Rock, Hogan, Steamboat and Foley wouldn't get over if all you gave him was the name "Ed Dwinklefarb" and sent him out to be squashed by Albert in 40 seconds.

 

Without management's ok, you go nowhere.

 

EXACTLY!!