WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 9/3: Caldwell, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

This was not a good episode of Superstars. The worst part of the show was the opening match, Chris Masters vs. Evan Bourne. This was boring for 11 minutes or so as Masters was too methodical in his dominance over Bourne.

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 8/31: Caldwell, Parks, Stevens rate and review

I thought the good outweighed the bad from this show. The good mainly being Randy Orton returning to form as the evil, sinister, pre-Royal Rumble Mind Control Freak heel.

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 8/17: Caldwell, Mitchell, Parks rate and review

A very much needed upgrade after two weeks of terrible programming. Now, had this show followed two great weeks of TV, I'm probably at a "thumbs down," so context is key that this was very much a "thumbs up show" following those two rough episodes.

8/17 WWE Raw Hits & Misses: DX Returns, Kingston vs. Carlito, Miz vs. Bourne, James vs. Kim, Lumberjacks

Freddy Prinze Jr. did a good job as the guest host of Raw. It was nice to hear a celebrity who is a legit big fan of WWE who wasn't plugging anything. He seemed genuinely excited to be hosting and that made the show seem like it would be fun to watch right from the beginning. In fact, this was the best fi...

PWTorch Newsletter #1101/1102: Keller's Major Overhaul Proposal for TNA, Mitchell on Angle Arrest, News, PPV Results, Columns, Much More (36 pages)

This special double-issue (36 pages!) begins with Wade Keller's three page "Special Commentary" going in depth on a proposed overhaul of TNA's entire booking approach and structure, but reworking TNA with the assets (wrestlers and staff) it current has... Bruce Mitchell writes about th...

WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 8/13: Caldwell, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

Awesome show. Two outstanding singles matches and a pretty good mixed tag match with Carlito executing a sick variation of the backstabber to cap off the night.

WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 8/6: Caldwell, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

The ECW tag match of Burchill & Regal vs. Reks & Yoshi followed the right script and featured the right finish to give the heel veterans a one-up to set up the youngsters with added motivation to make a comeback.

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 8/3: Caldwell, Mitchell, Parks rate and review

There wasn't much in the way of redeeming quality on this show. WWE is too concerned about mainstream buzz right now to care about their core product.

WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/31: Caldwell, Parks, Stevens rate and review

I was locked into this show from start to end, as Smackdown delivered a very crisp and fast-paced two hours. What can you say about the Jeff Hardy vs. John Morrison match?

8/1 VIP East Coast Audio - Smackdown: Excellent Hardy vs. Morrison match, Big Jericho vs. Cryme Tyme exchange (55 min.)

VIP-exclusive East Coast Audio review of 7/31 WWE Smackdown: Smackdown was propped up by a fantastic main event and good Jericho/Big Show-Cryme Tyme promo. Nothing else was particularly good. Melina did get a pin over Women's champ Michelle McCool. John Morrison's babyface promos need s...

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/27: Mitchell, Caldwell, Parks, Stevens rate and review

This was another solid PG-13 show. Shaquille O'Neal is good at wrestling skit acting (he's something of a wrestling gimmick himself), so that helped.

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/20: Caldwell, Donofrio, Mitchell, Parks rate and review

Rough show. There was about 30-45 minutes of absolute filler that made this show drag on like a bad TNA PPV. But, viewers at home can thank Triple H and John Cena for saving them $40 on ordering the Night of Champions PPV.

WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/17: Donofrio, Hoops, Parks rate and review

This week's "A show" (that's right Michael Cole, ask anyone that watches the WWE religiously and they'll tell you that Raw isn't anywhere close to "A" material right now) had some ups and downs but the highs certainly outweighed the lows.

WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/16: Caldwell, Donofrio, Parks rate and review

Fine show. The star power hasn't been there in the ring the past two weeks, but WWE tried to make up for it with the announcement of an IC Title match featuring one of the company's top stars, Rey Mysterio.

TNA News: Abyss says he's turned down three separate offers from WWE to leave TNA

TNA wrestler Abyss says he's turned down three separate offers from WWE out of loyalty for the company that put him on national TV. Abyss categorized WWE's interest level in signing him to a deal as "high." ...

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/13: Caldwell, Mitchell, Parks rate and review

My low rating is weighed on my big picture evaluation of the Raw brand and not necessarily the content of this week's specific show.

WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/10: Caldwell, Donofrio, Parks rate and review

I only had time to watch the Rey Mysterio vs. Chris Jericho match from Smackdown on Friday night and the match definitely lived up to the pre-match hype and expectations.

Opinion: 7/11 VIP East Coast Audio - Smackdown: Jeff Hardy psychologically blackmailed, Rey vs. Jericho steals the show, Dolph sneaky over Morrison (70 min.)

VIP-exclusive East Coast Audio review of 7/10 WWE Smackdown: Smackdown this week was good, but not great. Some segment dragged the show down. Pretty Ricky is not funny, and in a blatant rip off of about three Martin characters rolled into one. Cryme Tyme talked bro-mance. Dolph gets a sneaky w...

WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/9: Caldwell, Mayer, Parks rate and review

Vince McMahon making a strange cameo on the show was an attempt to boost the show's "star power" considering all mid-card-level matches, but I think the presence of his character actually managed to drag the show down.

TNA News: Brother Devon addresses rumors of Team 3D going back to WWE, talks about the current ECW product, talks up Beer Money

TNA wrestler Brother Devon says Brother Ray and he are "very happy" in TNA and they do not believe WWE is the right place for them right now. Devon said TNA has been good to them and they wouldn't want to hurt TNA by jumping ship. ...

PWTorch Newsletter #1095/1096: Edge & Hardy Injured, Mitchell's Feature on WWE Going Mainstream, McNeill's Top TNA Matches Ever, DVD Reviews on Demolition and World Class, Powell's Page 2 Buzz Scoops, more (28 pages)

This issue opens with Wade Keller's cover story on the injuries to two top Smackdown heels - Edge and Matt Hardy.... Page 2 Buzz with Jason Powell featuring news scoops... Columns by Bruce Mitchell on WWE going mainstream, Pat McNeill on TNA's greatest matches ever, Greg Parks on the World Class D...

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/6: Caldwell, Donofrio, Parks rate and review

What dragged down my rating of this show was not only a lack of urgency on a taped show, but the "Tribute to the Troops" voice-overs from Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole that were utterly annoying.

WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 7/3: Hoops, Parks, Stevens rate and review

This show was a step down from recent editions of Smackdown. One of the reasons why I love Smackdown is the heavy wrestling/minimal skit style that Smackdown has a reputation for.

Misc. News: Where Is He Now - Lance Cade, Young Bucks added to DGUSA show, WWE diva Layla talks Michael Jackson

Former WWE wrestler Lance Cade was profiled in a newspaper story on a local independent show in Victoria, B.C. Cade was shot to the top of WWE Raw storylines last year during the Chris Jericho-Shawn Michaels program, only to lose his job for public abuse of prescription drugs. ...

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 6/29: Caldwell, Mayer, Parks, Stevens rate and review

Since I missed the first hour of the show thanks to a Texas-sized storm, I'll analyze the booking of the first hour and give thoughts on what I saw the second hour.

WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 6/26: Hoops, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

Smackdown was another awesome TV show, except for the segments with Vince McMahon. Please, please Mr. McMahon, stay on Raw and leave ECW and Smackdown alone.

WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 6/19: Donofrio, Hoops, Parks rate and review

As the great Judge Smails would say, "top notch, top notch!" Smackdown is everything that Raw is not and I love it for that. The few negatives in this show were easily overshadowed by the big positives.

WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 6/18: Donofrio, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

This week's version of Superstars wasn't WWE's best since it's conception a few months back but it wasn't bad either. They were able to squeeze in four matches this week (even if one was a Ryder squash match).

WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 6/12: Keller, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

Very much a theme show, with a solid focus throughout on Smackdown's four top stars (with Rey and Undertaker not on the show).

WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 6/11: Caldwell, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

Chris Jericho is at the top of his profession as a pro wrestler right now. His character is flawless, his in-ring wrestling is right on for WWE"s TV presentation style, and his matches as of late have been superb.

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 6/8: Caldwell, Parks, Valentino rate and review

I'm more concerned about the mid-card right now rather than anything else on the show. Well, I don't know if I care that much about the mid-card.

6/5 Bruce Mitchell Audio Show with host Wade Keller: New ECW vs. Old ECW, Flair's WWE-ROH situation, Jeff Hardy's WWE Future, Foley as TNA Champ, Raw Review (70 min.)

In this episode of the Bruce Mitchell Audio Show with host Wade Keller, they cover current events from the past week in wrestling including the latest on Ric Flair and Jeff Hardy and their future with WWE, plus Mick Foley's role as TNA World Champion and the interesting debate on the ideal f...

Opinion: PWTorch Newsletter #1090: Kennedy story inside and out, Keller's newsletter-exclusive news analysis, Keller on 1985 WWF without Hogan (19 pages)

This issue opens with Wade Keller's cover story on the departure of Mr. Kennedy from WWE and insight into his future... In this week's "Ask the Editor," Keller looks at the possibilities of the WWF in 1985 and on without Hulk Hogan, but instead with either Kerry Von Erich, Ric Flair, or Jimmy Snu...

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 6/1: Caldwell, Donofrio, Parks, Valentino rate and review

This was an uncomfortable show. I think that's the best way to describe it. I fear for Ric Flair's life every time he starts hyper-ventilating or takes a beating. Like I've said in prior RT reviews, I'm still be haunted by Flair's fake heart attack angle on WCW Nitro years and years ago.

WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 5/29: Keller, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 5/28: Caldwell, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

Solid, solid show this week. Probably one of the best episodes of Superstars thus far with three compelling match-ups and about 25 minutes of total wrestling with 42 minutes of TV time available in the hour timeslot.

WWE RAW ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 5/25: Keller, Caldwell, Mitchell, Parks rate and review

Not a good show. It felt like filler. The ten-man tag didn't accomplish much and was too short and too crowded for anything or anyone to stand out. The opening skit was as bad as WWE gets. The U.S. Title match was the best action of the show, but that's not saying much.

WWE SMACKDOWN ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 5/8: Parks, Stevens, Valentino rate and review

Another solid show from the Smackdown brand. They didn't top last week's, but this was so much better than Raw, it's hard to put into words.

WWE News: Update on Gregory Helms's physical condition, his new TV role

WWE wrestler Gregory Helms is not physically able to wrestle right now. He was placed in the backstage interviewer role on the ECW brand to keep his face on TV until he's able to wrestle again. ...

Opinion: 4/27 WWE Raw post-game Show: Caldwell and Parks discuss Orton as champion, MVP's first night, Santina torture, Big Slow (45 min.)

VIP-exclusive Caldwell Audio Show review of April 27 Raw: PWTorch.com assistant editor James Caldwell is joined by Torch specialist Greg Parks for a discussion of the Raw following the Backlash PPV. They discuss the New Blood on Raw with The Brian Kendrick, MVP, and The Miz getting talk an...

WWE SUPERSTARS ROUNDTABLE REVIEWS 4/23: Caldwell, Mezzera, Parks rate and review

John Cena's promo to hype his Backlash title match against Edge was very good. One of his best career promos, as he painted a picture of what's on the line between himself and Edge on Sunday.

CALDWELL: Week in Review 4/18 - ROH PPV, Draft, Superstars, Impact ...

WWE isn't trying to blow anyone away with Superstars or re-invent pro wrestling TV - although they could have - but simply enhance the main storylines on Raw. Everything centers on Raw. Even Smackdown last night centered on Raw and they just did a ...

WWE News: What happened after Raw went off the air with Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, Undertaker dark match

After WWE Raw went off the air, Stephanie McMahon was placed on a stretcher in the ring and wheeled to the backstage area to follow-through on Randy Orton's attack to close the live show. ...

ABSURDITY: Oscar Time for WWE and TNA! See which Hollywood Stars will play your favorite Wrestlers!

The Oscars are coming soon, and Mickey Rourke might win the award for Best Actor. Rourke said that he based his character on Lex Luger. It got me to thinking: What Hollywood actors would be the best to play wrestlers from both WWE and TNA? This is a proposed roster using today's Hollywood stars. ...

Podcast: 11/10 Daily Keller Hotline: Real story on Scott Hall at TNA PPV, Christian contract status, Shawn Michaels future, Cutbacks (16 min.)

This installment of the Daily Keller Hotline features Torch editor Wade Keller breaking news on the Scott Hall situation at last night's TNA Turning Point PPV. Was he supposed to be at ringside? Who was upset? When did he leave the show? How was he received backstage? Will he be back? Also, t...

Podcast: 11/3 Daily Keller Hotline: A Plan for Change for WWE Raw, Angle/Borash radio, Jericho, Lesnar, more (16 min.)

This installment of the Daily Keller Hotline features Torch editor Wade Keller with news and notes on a variety of subjects, plus a look at what WWE could do now to establish a course of change going forward that would help ratings: LISTEN/DOWNLOAD

Podcast: WWE Raw 9/8 Post-game Show: Caldwell and Parks discuss Raw (6 min. clip)

In a sample of their 47-minute audio update, James Caldwell is joined by Greg Parks to discuss the Sept. 8 Raw in-depth following the Unforgiven PPV. They discuss the greatness of Chris Jericho, a lack of babyfaces and how WWE adjusted to the void, WWE using this week's show as a bridge to next...

Podcast: Torch Talk Interview Audio with Doug Basham - One wrestler's path through WWE developmental (64 min.)

This is the complete 64 minute Doug Basham Torch Talk interview conducted May 18, 2007. After years working his way up through WWE's developmental system, he was released early in 2007 and at the time of this interview was looking to fill his schedule with TNA and indy matches. In this interv...

WWE News Items: Harsh review of Raw vs. Smackdown 2008, Amy Winehouse a fan, a WWE Fight Club

The Hollywood News website reports that singer Amy Winehouse is said to be a secret wrestling fan. The Rehab singer's favourite grapplers are said to be WWE stars Rob Van Dam and Chris Jericho, according to The Sun newspaper. "Amy was so excited about meeting him, she wouldn't stop talking a...