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SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: In this special Torch Talk, PWTorch editor Wade Keller interviews former WWE head writer Brian Gewirtz about his 15 years writing WWE alongside Vince McMahon, his new book titled “There’s Just One Problem…: True Tales from the Former, One-Time, 7th Most Powerful Person in WWE” chronicling those 15 years, the departure of Vince McMahon and his thoughts on Paul Levesque as his replacement, what has he noticed so far from watching WWE TV the last two weeks, and how the subtitle of his book came from a Pro Wrestling Torch Yearbook article, Pro Wrestling’s Most Influential List. DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: In 2006, Scott Hall gave his first long-form insider interview ever, in two sessions lasting nearly seven hours total with PWTorch editor Wade Keller. In this third part, which combines the audio from the 9th, 10th, and 11th installments transcribed in the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter, Scott talks about Hulk Hogan’s decision to turn heel and join the NWO, Bobby Heenan’s mistake on commentary, John Cena getting booed, the NWO’s lack of opponents in WCW, whether the NWO played for cheers as heels, how Goldberg played into the mix, hanging out with Ric Flair, evaluating current young WWE wrestlers, the challenge of getting young wrestlers to listen to veterans’ advice, some Nasty Boys stories, and a variety of other sidebars throughout. This installment was recorded on Sept. 8, 2006. In future days and weeks, we will present the audio of more transcribed installments from the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter that spanned eight months in 2006-’07. Note: You can read the transcriptions in our newsletter back issue sections (https://vip.pwtorch.com/legacy-content/pwtorch-back-issues/). Just select 2006 and 2007 back issue sets and you’ll find the interviews in various newsletters from September 2006 through April 2007. DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: In 2006, Scott Hall gave his first long-form insider interview ever, in two sessions lasting nearly seven hours total with PWTorch editor Wade Keller. In this second part, which combines the audio from the 7th and 8th installments transcribed in the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter, Scott talks about what he says is a major turning point in WCW, and how Eric Bischoff’s temper caused him and Kevin Nash to check out mentally from trying to help WCW and instead were just there to collect a paycheck and do what they were told. He also talks about the attitude in WCW at the end, dating the niece of a top Turner executive, whether he and Nash worked for or against WCW’s best interests while looking for themselves, how he came to respect Hulk Hogan after issues with him early on, what Dusty Rhodes taught him about jobbing, how Vince McMahon and Eric Bischoff differ as bosses, and thoughts on Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Then Hall talks about guaranteed contracts and whether they caused wrestlers to lay back without incentive to produce for WCW, plus details why he, Kevin Nash, and Sean Waltman were “complete jackoffs” backstage, especially to Bischoff, and more. This installment marks the beginning of the second three–hour–plus interview session, conducted on Sept. 8, 2006. In future days and weeks, we will present the audio of more transcribed installments from the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter that spanned eight months in 2006-’07. Note: You can read the transcriptions in our newsletter back issue sections (https://vip.pwtorch.com/legacy-content/pwtorch-back-issues/). Just select 2006 and 2007 back issue sets and you’ll find the interviews in various newsletters from September 2006 through April 2007. DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: In 2006, Scott Hall gave his first long-form insider interview ever, in two sessions lasting nearly seven hours total with PWTorch editor Wade Keller. In this first part, which combines the audio from the first three installments transcribed in the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter, Scott talks about how he broke into pro wrestling after bumping into Barry Windham at a grocery store. He shares stories from his early days in the ring. He also talks about the creation of the Razor Ramon gimmick with a detailed breakdown of his conversation with Vince McMahon pitching the character. He also talks about the famous angle with 1-2-3 Kid on Raw and how Sean Waltman caught his eye before he signed with the WWF. In future days and weeks, we will present the audio of 13 more transcribed installments from the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter that spanned eight months in 2006-’07. Note: You can read the transcriptions in our newsletter back issue sections (https://vip.pwtorch.com/legacy-content/pwtorch-back-issues/). Just select 2006 and 2007 back issue sets and you’ll find the interviews in various newsletters from September 2006 through April 2007. DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: This special Torch Talk Flashback features Wade Keller’s May 1991 interview with “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff. The following are some of the topics he covers: His early memories of wrestling and training to become a wrestler How Vince McMahon Sr. approached him to join the WWF as they geared up to expand nationally How important he feels his acquisition for the WWF’s early success leading to the first WrestleMania His record-setting feud with Hulk Hogan Why he left the WWF. His nerve damage that left him permanently unable to fully utilize one of his arms Why, knowing what he knows now, he wouldn’t get into pro wrestling at all Running a bowling alley The prospects of returning to the WWF His thoughts on WCW management including Jim Herd, Ole Anderson, Bill Watts Does he think he’d be a good booker The main differences between working for WCW and the WWF Working for Herb Abrams and his new UWF promotion Whether he was considered for the role of the Black Scorpion His experiencing wrestling in Japan for Antonio Inoki His thoughts on steroid testing His prediction that Mick Foley could be a top star anywhere DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: AEW President Tony Khan reflects on the first year of AEW Dynamite with PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch columnist Sean Radican in a Torch Talk interview conducted on Tuesday, Nov. 17, 2020. The following are some of the key topics covered: What were the biggest pleasant surprises and unpleasant surprises of the first year of producing AEW Dynamite, excluding the pandemic? How did he specifically change his approach to booking when he decided he needed to make adjustments at the end of 2019? How has AEW Dark been utilized to add to the roster and evaluate new additions? What is his philosophy on the babyface/heel construct and how has the lack of full crowds affected the pace of storylines and how faces and heels are presented? How has he course-corrected “Hangman: Adam Page over the last year? How much do minute-by-minute ratings affect his booking? DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: In his first interview since departing WWE earlier this summer, former WWE Producer and Creative Team member Chris DeJoseph discusses a wide range of topics over the course of an hour-and-a-half. The following is a detailed “set list” of topics covered in the interview recorded yesterday (8/13/2020): How he ended up working with WWE again after a nearly ten year break. He initially worked for WWE from 2004-2010 as a creative team member. What his role was during his roughly six months back with WWE, and how it expanded over time despite initially resisting offers to do more and relocate to Connecticut. Insight into Vince McMahon’s existence in 2020 running WWE. How different was Vince McMahon in 2020 compared to 2010 and in what ways is he different in his mid-70s compared to his early-to-mid-60s. The most frustrating part for him about being part of the creative team this time around. Details on the way Vince McMahon contributes to TV scripting and reviewing and suggesting changes. Is he impressed with what Vince notices when he critiques a script and suggests changes. How the creative process was different in 2020 compared to 2010, either because of the pandemic or just in general pre-pandemic. Do wrestlers have more or less creative input in 2020 than in 2010. Is there a difference anymore in the creative process and people involved in producing Raw and Smackdown. His thoughts on Cinematic Matches matches and Raw Underground, and the influence Lucha Underground might have had in how wrestling looks today. Does he think Cinematic Matches is here to stay Details on the ideas discussed and the adjustments made as they transitioned from fan-filled arenas and live TV to the empty Performance Center, including wild ideas brought up in brainstorming sessions His thoughts on Bruce Prichard running TV on shows that Vince wasn’t at. Is there a difference between Bruce Prichard’s style of presenting wrestling and Vince McMahon’s that might be showing up on TV. Is there a succession plan in place if Vince McMahon were to no longer be in charge of WWE. What would change most dramatically or most noticeably if the current creative team ran the show without Vince. How do so many similar and lame match finishes get booked on the same show and week after week. Was it considered a bigger deal that Smackdown was on Fox rather than the prior networks. (Spoiler Alert: “100 percent!”) Did he think WWE would do more to differentiate Smackdown on Fox from how the show looked before Fox. Speculation on the possibility of Vince McMahon selling WWE to a big conglomerate. What it was like to deal with Roman Reigns withdrawing from WrestleMania and the creative process of placing Braun Strowman in his match instead. His thoughts on Raw Underground’s presentation and long-term viability as a way to present WWE wrestling. Details on the Mandy Rose-Otis storyline that he was involved in producing. Is narrative structure discussed in WWE and is there a set of rules for how wrestlers engage with cameras. How reality TV has changed over the decades and any reality series he recommends. And even more. DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: This special Torch Talk Flashback features part two of Wade Keller’s 2009 interview with Eric Bischoff, who as of this posting was just named Executive Director of WWE Smackdown starting this coming week. This three hour interview session includes these topics, among many others: Getting punched by Ric Flair backstage His explanation for his volatile relationship with Ric Flair over the years His defense of firing Steve Austin from WCW His blunt thoughts on Kevin Dunn, whom he called a “world class jackass” More insights and observations about Vince McMahon His thoughts on Paul Heyman Funny stories about his friendship with DDP His relationship with Vince Russo His single-word description to characterize Russo’s booking His thoughts on TNA’s attempt to pick up where WCW left off The influence of UFC on pro wrestling His view on the importance of babyfaces and heels Does he feel any responsibility for so many deaths and broken lives from WCW’s roster Doing business with Hulk Hogan Did he really mow Verne Gagne’s lawn His opinion on Greg Gagne One WCW decision he most wishes he could take back Create his all-time dream roster of a top five stars to build around His thoughts on Chris Jericho Did any celebrities let him down during the Nitro era Thoughts on Dennis Rodman Which wrestler he’d most like to see kick another’s ass His thoughts on pro wrestling coverage in newsletters Did he talk to Dave Meltzer on a regular basis and run ideas by him His role in the Billy & Chuck wedding NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: This special Torch Talk Flashback features part one of Wade Keller’s 2009 interview with Eric Bischoff, who as of this posting was just named Executive Director of WWE Smackdown starting this coming week. This two hour interview includes his thoughts on WCW’s rise and fall and his role in both the ascent and descent, any regrets he has, how his his role misunderstood, top WCW controversies, his impression of working with Vince McMahon in WWE, his early years in pro wrestling, and much more. NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: In this edition of the Wade Keller Hotline, PWTorch editor Wade Keller interviews AWA historian and author George Schire to discuss Larry “The Axe” Hennig with a walk through his career highlights and his personal life from Harley Race to Verne Gagne. NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING

SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... SHOW SUMMARY: In this special Torch Talk interview with Tony Schiavone, conducted by PWTorch editor Wade Keller and PWTorch senior columnist Bruce Mitchell, they talk about a wide range of topics including discussing criticism he faced in the ’90s, his embrace by a new generation of fans, what has changed in his announcing, Sting as chosen top star, Dusty Rhodes as a booker, his new work with MLW, his stint with the WWF and what was different from announcing with WCW, getting into podcasting and revisiting his past announcing, Eric Bischoff getting the WCW V.P. job that he applied for, whether he ever got hurt by a wrestler when announcing as Jim Ross did recently, stories about color commentators he worked with including Mark Madden, Bobby Heenan, David Crockett, Jesse Ventura, and Larry Zbyszko, whether he had heat with Gorilla Monsoon, Kip Frey as WCW V.P., wrestling journalist criticism over the years and how he feels now about it, and much more. NOT VIP? NO PROBLEM… CLICK HERE FOR VIP SIGN UP INFO DIRECT LINK:  VIP AUDIO LINK freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3", slotId: "pwtorchcom_medrec_3" }); THANK YOU FOR VISITING