Wade Keller

Last updated
Wade Keller
Born (1971-05-22) May 22, 1971 (age 53)
Bloomington, Minnesota, U.S. [1]
OccupationProfessional wrestling journalist
Period1987–present
Subject Professional wrestling
Mixed martial arts
Notable worksThe Pro Wrestling Torch
Children1

Wade Keller (born May 22, 1971) is an American professional wrestling journalist who runs the Pro Wrestling Torch newsletter. Keller has hosted The Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast on PodcastOne since 2017. [2]

Contents

Pro Wrestling Torch

Keller founded Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter [3] (aka PWTorch, or simply The Torch) in October 1987, [4] when he was a junior in high school. The newsletter is published weekly from his Minnesota home, with the content also published to an accompanying website which was launched in 1999. Keller's work includes weekly columns, news reporting and analysis, as well as interviews in both print and audio format. He works closely with wrestlers, promoters and wrestling fans to gather the information for his features. The Pro Wrestling Torch Livecast was broadcast via BlogTalkRadio until 2017.

One of the first Keller's yearly features is the Torch Talk, in which he conducts interviews with wrestlers. Keller is also the host of Pro Wrestling's Ultimate Insiders, a series of interviews with prominent wrestling personalities that are released on DVD. The first edition featured Vince Russo and Ed Ferrara, former writers for WWE and WCW, while the second edition was conducted with Jeff and Matt Hardy. Another was conducted with ECW and XPW wrestler New Jack.

MMA Torch

Wade Keller also created and oversees MMA Torch, [5] a website devoted to the world of mixed martial arts (MMA). The site has been around since the early 2000s [6] and was one of the first sites to ever devote coverage to the world of MMA. He has interviewed Dana White, original UFC matchmaker Art Davie and UFC announcer Mike Goldberg. Before the MMA Torch website was launched, Keller's MMA coverage was included in the pages of the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter, including coverage of the first UFC pay-per-view. The site provides news, interviews, analysis and opinions as well as a message board feature.

Personal life

Keller is openly gay. [7] He and longtime partner Cory have a son named Bowie. [1] Keller is also a lifelong practitioner of martial arts. [7]

Awards and accomplishments

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brock Lesnar</span> American professional wrestler (born 1977)

Brock Edward Lesnar is an American professional wrestler and former mixed martial artist, amateur wrestler, and professional American football player. As a professional wrestler, he is currently signed to WWE, where in storyline, he is designated a "free agent", allowing him to appear on both the Raw and SmackDown brands; however, as of August 2023, he is on hiatus. Often regarded as one of the most prolific combat sport athletes in the world, Lesnar is the only person to have won the primary heavyweight championships of WWE, Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), the Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kurt Angle</span> American professional wrestler

Kurt Steven Angle is an American retired professional wrestler, former amateur wrestler and podcaster. He became a gold medalist in freestyle wrestling at the 1996 Olympic Games. He is best known for his tenure in WWE and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. He is considered one of the biggest stars of the Ruthless Agression Era and one of the greatest American professional wrestlers of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vince Russo</span> American professional wrestling writer

Vincent James Russo is an American professional wrestling writer, booker and pundit. He is notable for his tenures with the World Wrestling Federation, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in creative roles. He also occasionally made appearances as an on-screen authority figure, and professional wrestler, in WCW and TNA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bubba Ray Dudley</span> American professional wrestler

Mark LoMonaco, known by the ring names Bubba Ray Dudley and Bully Ray, is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for being one-half of The Dudley Boyz tag team, where he competed alongside his partner D-Von Dudley, during his tenures in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) and World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the latter of which they are also signed to under "Legends" contracts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D-Von Dudley</span> American professional wrestler and producer

Devon Hughes is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time in WWE, where he most recently worked backstage as a producer. Hughes wrestled for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1995 to 1999 and for the WWF/E from 1999 to 2005 and from 2015 to 2016 as D-Von Dudley and Reverend D-Von. He performed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) from 2005 to 2014 as Brother Devon and Devon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Matt Morgan</span> American professional wrestler

Matthew Thomas Morgan is an American politician and retired professional wrestler. He is the former mayor and current deputy mayor of the city of Longwood, Florida and is a former gladiator on American Gladiator. As a wrestler, he is known for his time in World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), where he performed on the SmackDown brand, and Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA), where he is a two-time TNA World Tag Team Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Sabin</span> American professional wrestler

Joshua Harter, better known by his ring name Chris Sabin, is an American professional wrestler, best known for his time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Danielson</span> American professional wrestler (born 1981)

Bryan Lloyd Danielson is an American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he performs under his real name and is the current AEW World Champion in his first reign. He is also known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Daniel Bryan from 2010 to 2021. Noted for his technical wrestling style and popularity with fans, he is regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WCW Power Plant</span> American professional wrestling school

The WCW Power Plant was a professional wrestling school in Atlanta, Georgia, owned and operated by World Championship Wrestling (WCW).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hernandez (wrestler)</span> American professional wrestler

Shawn Hernandez is an American professional wrestler. He is best known for his time with Impact Wrestling, where he performed under the ring name Hernandez. He is an eight-time tag team champion, having won the Impact World Tag Team Championship five times, the NWA World Tag Team Championship twice and IWA World Tag Team Championship once. He is also the co-promoter of the Houston, Texas-based promotion Latino Wrestling Entertainment (LWE).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nigel McGuinness</span> British professional wrestler

Steven Haworth, known by his ring name Nigel McGuinness, is an English professional wrestler, commentator, and magician. He is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where he serves as a color commentator on Collision. He is known for work with Ring of Honor, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, Pro Wrestling Noah and WWE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alberto Del Rio</span> Mexican-American professional wrestler and mixed martial artist

José Alberto Rodríguez Chucuan is a Mexican-American professional wrestler, professional wrestling promoter, sports commentator, and mixed martial artist, currently signed to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) as a commentator. He also makes appearances for Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (AAA) as a wrestler, where he is the current AAA Mega Champion in his second reign. In professional wrestling, he is best known for his time in WWE under the ring name Alberto Del Rio, and Impact Wrestling under the ring name Alberto El Patrón.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Velvet Sky</span> American professional wrestler

Jamie Lynn Szantyr is an American color commentator and retired professional wrestler best known for her time with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) and the NWA under the ring name Velvet Sky. She is a former two-time TNA Women's Knockout Champion and is a former TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion as part of The Beautiful People. While a part of NWA she served as a color commentator.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wade Barrett</span> English professional wrestler

Stuart Alexander Bennett is an English-American retired professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE, where he performs under the ring name Wade Barrett as a colour commentator on the Raw brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ronda Rousey</span> American actress and martial artist (born 1987)

Ronda Jean Rousey is an American professional wrestler, actress, and former judoka and mixed martial artist. She is best known for her tenure in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and WWE.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robert Stone (wrestler)</span> American amateur wrestler and professional wrestler

Robert Strauss is an American professional wrestler and manager. He is currently signed to WWE, where he is a producer. He is best known for his time in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Robbie E, where he is a former two-time TNA World Tag Team Champion as part of The BroMans with Jessie Godderz, while also being a former one-time TNA Television Champion and TNA X Division Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryback</span> American professional wrestler (born 1981)

Ryback Allen Reeves is an American former professional wrestler and YouTuber. He is best known for his tenure with WWE, where he performed under the ring name Ryback.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Public image of Roman Reigns</span> Ascendency of American professional wrestler Roman Reigns

Professional wrestler Roman Reigns is a focal point of extensive press coverage, with public attitudes towards him fluctuating at various points throughout his career.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame</span> Professional wrestling hall of fame

The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame (TNTHOF) is a professional wrestling hall of fame and museum located within the National Wrestling Hall of Fame's Dan Gable Museum. The hall of fame is named after Lou Thesz, who helped create it, and his trainer George Tragos. Inductees are professional wrestlers with a strong amateur wrestling or shootfighting background who have made an impact on professional wrestling. Additionally, it issues several more awards to recognize individuals who have influenced the industry in various capacities.

References

  1. 1 2 Aaron Rupar (April 2, 2014). "Wade Keller: The man holding up the Pro Wrestling Torch". City Pages . Archived from the original on June 29, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  2. "The first Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast on Podcast One with Dot Net's Jason Powell as a guest". ProWrestling.net. July 18, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  3. Stuever, Hank (September 12, 2002). "Wrestlers Going to the Mat For Gay Rights? Not Exactly". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  4. "#262—Wade Keller: 30 years of wrestling journalism". ItsAllJournalism.com. July 20, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  5. "Home". MMATorch. Retrieved December 29, 2017.
  6. "About Us: Our history, our staff, our exclusive features, what sets us apart from the rest". MMA Torch. April 17, 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Bixenspan, David (April 16, 2017). "Vince Russo, One Of Pro Wrestling's Biggest Bullshit Artists, Is Back Where He Started". Deadspin . Archived from the original on April 18, 2017. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
  8. "HOF news: PWTorch editor Wade Keller to receive Jim Melby award at National Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend". Pro Wrestling Torch. February 3, 2015. Archived from the original on February 3, 2015. Retrieved April 7, 2017.
  9. Shelley Bonin Melby (July 13, 2015). "Torch's Wade Keller worthy of Melby Award". SLAM! Wrestling . Canadian Online Explorer. Archived from the original on July 15, 2015. Retrieved 2017-12-29.