Thursday Torch Today – Thanksgiving Night Live Pro Wrestling, #1 contender match on Smackdown, ROH ends D-Am run, TNA Title, Sami Zayn teaser, Rooney criticized for WWE spot, meet Flair & Charlotte, Dan Gable, more

PWTorch editor Wade Keller presents a special Thursday Flagship edition of the Wade Keller Pro Wrestling Podcast featuring a WrestleMania 36 Preview with ex-WWE Creative Team member and professional stand-up comedian Matt McCarthy.

(Search “wade keller” to subscribe in podcast app or CLICK HERE to subscribe in Apple Podcasts.)

– Happy Thanksgiving! A huge weekend of wrestling kicks off Thursday night with, yes, live pro wrestling on Thanksgiving. Read the Thanksgiving line-ups and huge cards later this weekend, including WrestleCade, ROH-PCW in the U.K., AIW, AAW, and more promotions in action in this weekend’s EVENTS CENTER.

– WWE NETWORK HIGHLIGHTS: WWE is running a “Swerved” marathon in the morning and early afternoon. Then, a “Table for 3” marathon the rest of the day to fit the Thanksgiving theme … Concerning the Network’s library content, WrestlingDVDNetwork.com looks at WWE releasing a batch of new mid-1980s NWA TV episodes from the WCW tape library.

– Tonight’s WWE Smackdown on Syfy carries the Thanksgiving theme. Plus, features Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Tyler Breeze in a three-way #1 contender match to the Intercontinental Title to determine who next faces champion Kevin Owens. And, U.S. champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger in a non-title match.

– Ring of Honor ended their run on Destination America last night. Read Mike Metzger’s full report on an epic conclusion – Jay Lethal vs. Roderick Strong for the ROH TV Title. … TNA finalized the 16-person TNA Title tournament. Now they have to complete the tournament after canceling next week’s India tour.

– WWE teased the return of Sami Zayn on this week’s NXT episode. Zayn, who has been injured for several months, is advertised for the NXT live shows in Europe in two weeks.

– English football star Wayne Rooney drew criticism from fellow footballer Roy Keane for getting involved in the WWE Raw taping in Manchester, England earlier this month. Keane questioned what Rooney is doing away from the pitch when his Manchester United team is struggling.

“I always question certain players what are they doing off the field. Last week I saw him slapping a wrestler (King Barrett) and I’m thinking ‘Why is he getting involved in all that nonsense?’ There’s no benefit to him. I’d have a look at that side of it,” Keane criticized. (Manchester Evening News Report)

Barrett got wind of Keane’s comments and vowed to “batter” Keane, almost coming to the defense of Rooney, fulfilling the adage that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. “If Roy Keane’s looking for a piece, I’ll batter him, too,” Barrett said. (U.K. Mirror Report)

– Ric Flair and his daughter, Divas champion Charlotte, are scheduled to appear at iPlay America in Freehold, N.J. on December 18. A local radio station is running a contest to meet the duo.

– Wrestling legend Dan Gable is scheduled to appear at a book signing in Osage, Iowa on Friday, December 11. Gable is promoting his new book, “A Wrestling Life: The Inspiring Stories of Dan Gable.” (More Details on Gable’s Appearance)