ShadowedFlames

Okay, so at this point we are halfway through Season Eleven. Let's talk OVR formula changes, shall we? First, these "new" numbers are calculated under the formulae I posted back on December 28, which show up as two posts above this one. Having said that, let's look at some differences if the new formulae were only applied to this season so far. I will not go over everyone, because I expect to throw out a bunch of numbers in this post, but this is just a general gist of things: WORKER -- CURRENT OVR -- REVISED OVR -- DIFFERENCE De'siree Mitchell -- 509.16 -- 509.85 -- +0.69 (the only wrestler to show a positive gain between the two versions so far, by default best in Alpha) Billy Norris -- 526.30 -- 524.98 -- -1.32 (best in Beta) Monty Dhillon -- 549.20 -- 545.80 -- -3.40 (best in Gamma) Brian Blackfield -- 577.88 -- 573.21 -- -4.67 (worst in Alpha) Angela Wassermann -- 482.55 -- 474.39 -- -8.16 (worst in Beta) Sterling Silver -- 485.46 -- 476.60 -- -8.86 (best in Delta) Lance Heartilly -- 453.84 -- 442.78 -- -11.06 (worst in Gamma) George Stevens -- 406.48 -- 392.18 -- -14.30 (worst in Delta) Overall, I like the difference in how the two scenarios play out. The average difference only comes out to -6.4 OVR points for this half-season, and slowing the power curve a bit is something I'm aiming for here. I'm even entertaining thoughts of changing the initial point for OVR down to 300 (from 400) and then re-calculating everything from that, but that's a discussion for another time and place. All in all, I'm satisfied with what I'm seeing with these new formulae that I'm ready to call them official for Season Twelve onward. So what about applying these formulae to prior seasons? Let's have a look at those. NUCLEAR TEMPLETON The League's current number-three man in terms of OVR is the only character who would actively gain OVR from the current formulae if applied retroactively since Season Eight. As he's a unique case, the question has to be asked, just how much would he gain? Answer: negligible amounts at best. Season 8 Comparison: 437.85 (official) vs. 439.39 (revised). Gain of 1.54. Seasons 8 + 9: 481.84 (official) vs. 484.44 (revised). Gain of 2.60 Seasons 8 to 10: 528.98 (official) vs. 531.23 (revised). Gain of 2.25. Note that he lost a little OVR this season but not enough to push him to a net loss overall. Season 8 - Present: 555.97 (official) vs. 558.11 (revised). Gain of 2.14. The note immediately above also applies here. This revised total would put Nuclear top in The League for OVR. Let's compare Nuke to a couple of the other top OVRs presently in The League. CHRISTIAN PRIEST The current leader in OVR in The League would see the largest drop in OVR among all active roster members (and third-largest overall). Season 8 Comparison: 447.90 (official) vs. 426.70 (revised). Loss of 21.20 Seasons 8 + 9: 508.11 (official) vs. 465.29 (revised). Loss of 42.82 Seasons 8 to 10: 569.90 (official) vs. 512.49 (revised). Loss of 57.41 Season 8 - Present: 589.04 (official) vs. 526.69 (revised). Loss of 62.35. That 527 mark (rounded) would put Priest at fifth-highest in The League instead of first. The 62-point loss is third-worst in The League. BRIAN BLACKFIELD Currently #2 in The League despite a poor start in Alpha. You'd think three total losses in the first three seasons would help his cause. That's not what the formulae claim. Season 8 Comparison: 467.32 (official) vs. 449.38 (revised). Loss of 17.94 Seasons 8 + 9: 510.04 (official) vs. 483.44 (revised). Loss of 26.60 Seasons 8 to 10: 561.15 (official) vs. 532.06 (revised). Loss of 29.09 Season 8 - Present: 577.88 (official) vs. 544.12 (revised). Loss of 33.76. That revised score would be second-best in The League behind Nuclear. Overall no change in position, but nearly 34 points lower than he is at present. MONTY DHILLON Despite being in Gamma, Dhillon is the fourth-most over person in The League. How big a drop would his time in the lower divisions hurt him? Season 8 Comparison: 440.34 (official) vs. 413.89 (revised). Loss of 26.45 Seasons 8 + 9: 480.65 (official) vs. 435.24 (revised). Loss of 45.41 Seasons 8 to 10: 523.79 (official) vs. 465.49 (revised). Loss of 58.30 Season 8 - Present: 549.20 (official) vs. 487.50 (revised). Loss of 61.70. That loss isn't even worst in The League--it's fifth-worst--but the revised OVR of 487.50 drops Monty from 4th overall to a more modest 13th. GEORGE MASTACHAS The reigning champion at the time of this post is ranked 5th in OVR in The League. Season 8 Comparison: 429.37 (official) vs. 425.22 (revised). Loss of 4.15 Seasons 8 + 9: 471.32 (official) vs. 468.46 (revised). Loss of 2.86 Seasons 8 to 10: 523.67 (official) vs. 521.46 (revised). Loss of 2.21. His championship season actually narrowed the deficit a little. Season 8 - Present: 546.02 (official) vs. 542.15 (revised). Loss of 3.87. That's actually the third-best overall change, behind the other two League Champions--Nuclear and Brandy (in that order). The 542 revised OVR is also 3rd best in The League. And now, on the flip side and for comparison... EL TORNADO This is an example of a man who had little enough to start with, and then lost the most out of everyone in The League with the new formulae. Season 8 Comparison: 427.79 (official) vs. 408.89 (revised). Loss of 18.90 Seasons 8 + 9: 435.95 (official) vs. 390.30v(revised). Loss of 45.65 Seasons 8 to 10: 454.39 (official) vs. 383.32 (revised). Loss of 71.07. Season 8 - Present: The same as the Season 8 to 10 set, since Omega Division has not started this season. The 71-point loss is the worst in The League by a nine-point margin. OTHER NOTABLE DROPS, IF DONE FROM SEASON 8 TO THE PRESENT: Jun Onoo: Loss of 62.70 (second-worst in The League) Diego Rodriguez: Loss of 62.06 (fourth-worst, second-worst among those active all four seasons so far). Diamond: Loss of 61.62 Indigo Rose: Loss of 58.84 Kichi Hida: Loss of 46.13 Scott Stevens: Loss of 40.04 Lucas Molina: Loss of 38.60 And for those PCs who just debuted this season... George Stevens: Loss of 14.30 Mickey Steele: Loss of 12.25 Rock Sheridan: Loss of 12.13 Leon de Ramos: Loss of 9.71 SHADOWED'S FINAL THOUGHTS IN THIS POST: The more I look and compare the numbers, the more and more I'm leaning towards making these changes retroactive from the start. Given how some of the characters have progressed in OVR with the current formula, and the fact that PCs do not have the risk of sitting out a season inherent (as GMPCs do), I could see a point within two or three more seasons where nothing short of a finisher would win a match, which kind of hampers the point of having High level signatures top out at 20% to finish a match. Those already above 500 OVR can't fall to those moves (which is another reason I'm considering lopping off the extra 100 OVR across the board, because otherwise why have high level signatures?). So I'm thinking a fully retroactive change is going to happen after this season. Jury is still out on the additional cutting of OVR, or if other avenues may be pursued (such as bumping the upper limit of High signatures to 35% or something), or both. I realize that not everyone is willing to slog through the math like I've been doing in my Excel spreadsheets, but I welcome any thoughts that other players may have on the analysis and thought process outlined above.

So since my schedule is sort of inverted this week, I’ll likely put up an effort post over in the rules thread for more discussion on the OVR changes I’m looking into. Instead of getting the bulk of 16 weekly matches done tonight I might as well get some other League stuff out of the way. Heck, maybe I can even work on the bracket graphic tonight too instead of my current gaming obsession, Brotato. 😛 (Tomorrow is seven new movesets. Oh, boy!)

Season Eleven Midpoint Musings Now, I mentioned somewhere upthread a while back that I’m using two different variants of an Elo system as power rankings now. One is updated weekly and is the basis for the “Favorite, X%” in the show posts, the other is longer term and is updated every half-season for the main roster and after a full cycle for Omega. Both sets are calculated to three decimal places for the sake of calculating odds and changes. It’s the longer-term rankings that I’ll be discussing here. THE BASIS Characters start with a base of 300 points. Each division has its own K-factor and divisor in the calculations, so that the lower three divisions don’t get as big a swing as an upper division victory. Anyone who is interested in recreating this themselves, based on the traditional Elo formula, can PM me and I’ll provide greater detail there. For the initial season (season 8), I took the five “preseason” rounds and awarded 40 points for a win, none for a loss. So the person who went 5-0 in the seeding preseason (De’siree Mitchell) started with 500, then 460 and 420 for the Alpha Division members, 420 for all of Beta, 380 for all of Gamma, and 380, 340, and 300 for Delta. OMEGA DIVISION The Omega Division has not started yet, as I still need to finish character entry for seven new characters (mainly movesets and traits). Of those currently in Omega, the “favorite” in terms of Elo is Sakura Uematsu. She enters this cycle of Omega play at a rating of 321.263. Right on her heels is Rhys Caddell, at 312.082. On the other end of the scale, Devil’s Delight has the worst rating coming in, at 181.038, with El Tornado at 186.076. If someone does the near impossible and goes 23-0 in Omega, they stand to gain at most between 107 and 130 points in the ratings depending on who does it. Someone like Sakura would end up in the 410 range, with is borderline Beta/Gamma levels. However, based on normally close levels, the expected win total hovers right around 12 for most people, with the bulk of the remainder at 11. Even Devil’s Delight is “expected” per these ratings to notch 10 wins in a 23-round cycle. Now we start getting to the more serious discussions. DELTA DIVISION Sterling Silver: Start 382.153 (Delta #1). Expected Wins: 3.950, Actual Wins: 4. End 383.150 (Delta #1). Rock Sheridan: Start 350.933 (Delta #2). Expected Wins: 3.714, Actual Wins 5. End 376.661 (Delta #2). Mickey Steele: Start 343.945 (Delta #3). Expected Wins: 3.660, Actual Wins: 2. End 310.738 (Delta #5). Leon de Ramos: Start 334.005 (Delta #4). Expected Wins: 3.585, Actual Wins: 4. End 342.313 (Delta #4). Nocturne: Start 332.162 (Delta #5). Expected Wins: 3.571, Actual Wins: 5. End 360.751 (Delta #3). George Stevens: Start 300.00 (Delta #6). Expected Wins: 3.325, Actual Wins: 1. End 253.496 (Delta #7). Diamond: Start 296.191 (Delta #7). Expected Wins 3.296, Actual Wins: 4. End 310.267 (Delta #6). Scott Stevens: Start 243.626 (Delta #8). Expected Wins 2.899, Actual Wins: 3. End 245.637 (Delta #8). Biggest Movers: On the positive end, Nocturne just ekes out Sheridan for the biggest positive gain in the first half, by just about three points. This shows how much of a boost placing well in the Omega Division can be for a person’s ranking to start. This doesn’t apply as much to Silver, though, as she had two full seasons of Delta to factor in that adjusted her rank accordingly (as seen by her basically 1-point gain). On the downward side, only two people lost ratings points, with George taking the harshest drop at -46.5 points. This system is not perfect—I’m not aware of one that actually is—but his woes echo that of his brother’s last season. The boost to a rating for doing well in Omega has its counter shown with Steele. After his finish in Omega he was expected to do well in Delta, but has underperformed and as such takes a bit of a hit in the rankings. RATINGS RANGE (AFTER WEEK 7): Min 245.637, Average 322.877, Max 383.150 Projected Win Totals for Second Half (based on above changes): Silver: 3.956 Sheridan: 3.907 Nocturne: 3.787 de Ramos: 3.647 Steele: 3.407 Diamond: 3.404 G. Stevens: 2.975 S. Stevens: 2.916 GAMMA DIVISION Monty Dhillon: Start 484.402 (Gamma #1). Expected Wins: 4.522, Actual Wins: 7. End 546.349 (Gamma #1). Diego Rodriguez: Start 403.875 (Gamma #2). Expected Wins: 3.818, Actual Wins 5. End 433.434 (Gamma #2). Lance Heartilly: Start 403.206 (Gamma #3). Expected Wins: 3.812, Actual Wins: 2. End 357.916 (Gamma #4). Indigo Rose: Start 400.312 (Gamma #4). Expected Wins: 3.786, Actual Wins: 2. End 355.671 (Gamma #5). Kichi Hida: Start 348.558 (Gamma #5). Expected Wins: 3.319, Actual Wins: 5. End 390.579 (Gamma #3). Big Scott Weathers: Start 324.590 (Gamma #6). Expected Wins: 3.104, Actual Wins: 3. End 321.990 (Gamma #6). Terrance Stevens: Start 308.667 (Gamma #7). Expected Wins 2.962, Actual Wins: 1. End 259.619 (Gamma #8). Markus Clay: Start 276.201 (Gamma #8). Expected Wins 2.678, Actual Wins: 3. End 284.261 (Gamma #7). Biggest Movers: Obviously, going undefeated will do wonder’s to a person’s ranking. Dhillon’s end rating of 546 and change puts him inside the top 5 of the entire League. The other people in the top four are all in the Alpha Division. (I’ll touch more on that later.) Hida is also making the most of her unexpected promotion, with the second-largest gain in the division. On the flip side, three different people have near-identical losses in the -44 to -49 point range: Terrance Stevens, Lance Heartilly, and Indigo Rose. They will have work to do to recover these losses in the second half. RATINGS RANGE (AFTER WEEK 7): Min 259.619, Average 368.728, Max 546.349 Projected Win Totals for Second Half (based on above changes): Dhillon: 5.006 Rodriguez: 4.078 Hida: 3.701 Heartilly: 3.411 Rose: 3.391 Weathers: 3.093 Clay: 2.764 T. Stevens: 2.555 BETA DIVISION Christian Priest: Start 558.212 (Beta #1). Expected Wins: 4.905, Actual Wins: 4. End 531.047 (Beta #1). Yoshii Nakamatsu: Start 477.609 (Beta #2). Expected Wins: 4.070, Actual Wins 5. End 505.516 (Beta #2). Billy Norris: Start 465.507 (Beta #3). Expected Wins: 3.938, Actual Wins: 4. End 467.374 (Beta #4). Reverend Johnny Gross: Start 428.261 (Beta #4). Expected Wins: 3.527, Actual Wins: 4. End 442.460 (Beta #5). Lucas Molina: Start 401.475 (Beta #5). Expected Wins: 3.230, Actual Wins: 6. End 484.572 (Beta #3). Blood River: Start 397.258 (Beta #6). Expected Wins: 3.184, Actual Wins: 1. End 331.751 (Beta #7). Pulsar: Start 355.168 (Beta #7). Expected Wins 2.726, Actual Wins: 3. End 263.402 (Beta #6). Angela Wassermann: Start 326.233 (Beta #8). Expected Wins 2.421, Actual Wins: 1. End 283.598 (Beta #8). Biggest Movers: Surprising a lot of people in certain internet discussion areas, Lucas Molina has carved out a 6-1 record in the first half of the season to sit atop the Beta Division, and his ranking thrived as a result. His 83-point gain was near 60 points better than the next highest gain (Nakamatsu). River and Wassermann’s terrible opening halves lead to at least a 40-point drop for Wassermann and a 60-point decline for River. The presumptive frontrunner at the start of the season, Christian Priest, is also the only other person to suffer a loss of rating in the first half in this division. RATINGS RANGE (AFTER WEEK 7): Min 283.598, Average 426.215, Max 531.047 Projected Win Totals for Second Half (based on above changes): Priest: 4.608 Nakamatsu: 4.345 Molina: 4.124 Norris: 3.939 Gross: 3.669 Pulsar: 2.816 River: 2.487 Wassermann: 2.013 ALPHA DIVISION Nuclear Templeton: Start 649.242 (Alpha #1). Expected Wins: 4.968, Actual Wins: 6. End 685.352 (Alpha #1). Brian Blackfield: Start 648.037 (Alpha #2). Expected Wins: 4.953, Actual Wins 3. End 579.668 (Alpha #3). George Mastachas: Start 590.395 (Alpha #3). Expected Wins: 4.198, Actual Wins: 5. End 618.480 (Alpha #2). The Mastodon: Start 541.088 (Alpha #4). Expected Wins: 3.508, Actual Wins: 2. End 488.314 (Alpha #6). Brandy McDonald: Start 515.806 (Alpha #5). Expected Wins: 3.151, Actual Wins: 4. End 545.516 (Alpha #4). Jean-Paul Ouilette: Start 532.811 (Alpha #6). Expected Wins: 2.806, Actual Wins: 4. End 532.811 (Alpha #5). Mel O’Hallister: Start 460.478 (Alpha #7). Expected Wins 2.394, Actual Wins: 3. End 481.685 (Alpha #7). De’siree Mitchell: Start 431.355 (Alpha #8). Expected Wins 2.022, Actual Wins: 1. End 395.600 (Alpha #8). Biggest Movers: By a margin of five points, the actual biggest positive mover is Jean-Paul Ouilette, as he is performing a full win and change above his expected. Sure, Nuclear’s doing the same thing, but Nuclear on average was slated to win 71% of his matches. Ouilette was only at a 40% clip. Therefore he gets the larger boost by the formula. The inverse is true for The Juggernaut. Brian Blackfield was just a smidge behind Templeton for expected wins, and being nearly two wins behind the pace actually moved him down a spot in the overall League rankings. He’s still in the top five, though. Mastodon also took a large hit due to being 1.5 wins off his expected pace. RATINGS RANGE (AFTER WEEK 7): Min 395.600, Average 540.928, Max 685.352 Projected Win Totals for Second Half (based on above changes): Templeton: 5.375 Mastachas: 4.562 Blackfield: 4.040 McDonald: 3.565 Ouilette: 3.387 Mastodon: 2.772 O’Hallister: 2.683 Mitchell: 1.615 LEAGUE OVERALL The Top 10 1. Nuclear Templeton: 685.352 (+0) 2. George Mastachas: 618.480 (+1) 3. Brian Blackfield: 579.668 (-1) 4. Monty Dhillon: 546.349 (+4) 5. Brandy McDonald: 545.516 (+1) 6. Jean-Paul Ouilette: 532.811 (+1) 7. Christian Priest: 531.047 (-3) 8. Yoshii Nakamatsu: 505.516 (+1) 9. The Mastodon: 488.314 (-4) 10. Lucas Molina: 484.572 (+7) The rest of the PCs 17. Kichi Hida: 390.579 (+7) 19. Rock Sheridan: 376.661 (+4) 25. Leon de Ramos: 342.313 (+1) 31. Mickey Steele: 310.738 (-6) 32. Diamond: 310.267 (+11) 41. Joslin Baroni: 293.482 (+3) 50. George Stevens: 253.496 (-15) 51. Scott Stevens: 245.637 (+0) NEXT SCHEDULED UPDATE: DURING OFF-SEASON, ONCE OMEGA DIVISION HAS BEEN RUN.

THE LEAGUE: SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK SEVEN DELTA DIVISION (1) Rock Sheridan (5-1, OVR 423) (Favorite. 59.23%) vs. (8) George Stevens (0-6, OVR 403) Many presumed this was a foregone conclusion. After all, Sheridan was leading the division and George had yet to pick up a win. This match ended up playing the complete opposite of that. Stevens managed to get the bulk of the offense in this one, surprising Rock and putting him on the back foot early. While Stevens would not be able to connect with the Texas Size Slam, he did hit a piledriver on at least two occasions to soften Sheridan up for the eventual low blow that put the giant down for three. First match of the night, and already an upset! George Stevens (1-6) def. Rock Sheridan (5-2) via Pinfall (low blow) in 7:28. Rating: ** Changes for George Stevens: OVR + 3.37, XP + 483.58, no notable damage Changes for Rock Sheridan: OVR + 0.38, XP + 120.9, no notable damage DELTA DIVISION (2) Leon de Ramos (4-2, OVR 418) vs. (Favorite, 51.46%) (4) Sterling Silver (3-3, OVR 457) An early Match of the Night contender, and deservedly so. This was back and forth throughout. Silver would get to a lead, only for de Ramos to fight back and take a slight edge himself, only for Silver to respond in kind. Leon seemed ready for a lot of Silver’s high-speed offense as he avoided a couple slingshot moves and almost constantly had an answer for Silver’s top turnbuckle offense. However, after Silver stunned him with a top rope bulldog, she followed it up with her 450, and earned her fourth win of the season to tighten the race in the upper half of the Delta Division! Sterling Silver (4-3) def. Leon de Ramos (4-3) via Pinfall (On Wings of Silver) in 12:21. Rating: *** Changes for Sterling Silver: OVR + 4.82, XP + 526.42, minor damage to head Changes for Leon de Ramos: OVR + 1.22, XP + 131.61, minor damage to head DELTA DIVISION (3) Nocturne (4-2, OVR 445) (Favorite, 56.70%) vs. (5) Scott Stevens (3-3, OVR 431) With the upset at the start of the show, the door was open for Nocturne to claim the Delta Division lead at the halfway point…if she could defeat the brother of the man who gifted her this opportunity, that is. Stevens was looking to add to the logjam in the center of the division; if he won there would be four people tied at 4-3 with a possible fifth to be added. This ended up being competitive, but not terribly exciting, as Nocturne looked to whittle down the much larger Stevens. The Scorpion hit a Toxic Sting about eight minutes in, but he was unable to capitalize on the opening. Nocturne, though, had no troubles in applying the Midnight Solstice on the first go, and with the submission victory, it is Nocturne who will enter Tag Team Turmoil as the leader of the Delta Division! Nocturne (5-2) def. Scott Stevens (3-4) via Submission (Midnight Solstice) in 11:53. Rating: ** Changes for Nocturne: OVR + 3.59, XP + 485.70, no notable damage Changes for Scott Stevens: OVR + 0.41, XP + 121.43, minor damage to head DELTA DIVISION (6) Diamond (3-3, OVR 492) (Favorite, 51.35%) vs. (7) Mickey Steele (2-4, OVR 410) In a fair and just world, this would have been over about seven minutes in. In a fair and just world, Mickey Steele would have pressed the tremendous advantage he had from the opening bell and scored the win. However, we do not live in a fair and just world, which is why men like Mickey Steele are constantly employed—to try to bring Steele Justice to the corrupt in this world. It is because we do not live in a fair and just world that Diamond found a way to come back from the precipice of defeat and stun Steele with a Jawjacker to score the quick pinfall, when Steele had the match dead to rights just minutes before. Diamond (4-3) def. Mickey Steele (2-5) via Pinfall (Jawjacker) in 11:57. Rating: ** Changes for Diamond: OVR + 3.6, XP + 485.74, moderate damage to head Changes for Mickey Steele: OVR + 0.41, XP + 121.43, no notable damage GAMMA DIVISION HARDCORE MATCH (6) Lance Heartilly (2-4, OVR 453) (Favorite, 52.44%) vs. (5) Big Scott Weathers (2-4, OVR 500) Heartilly started out decently enough in this one, but after a lengthy Weathers series of offense, Lance struggled to get back into the matchup. Many say the actual end of the match came at the nine-minute mark, when Weathers went into his tights and blasted Heartilly with a brass knuckle punch. It took Heartilly a good forty seconds to even get some semblance of awareness back, even as he tried to fight back on ato-pilot, and by then it was too late. Weathers threw on the sleeper hold and that was all for Lance, as Weathers picks up a critical win in the lower half of the Gamma Division. Big Scott Weathers (3-4) def. Lance Heartilly (2-5) via Submission (Welcome to Dreamland) in 10:29. Rating: ** Changes for Big Scott Weathers: OVR + 3.52, XP + 557.79, no notable damage Changes for Lance Heartilly: OVR + 0.40, XP + 139.45, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (4) Markus Clay (3-3, OVR 491) vs. (Favorite, 55.69%) (7) Indigo Rose (1-5, OVR 498) At least for one night, Indigo Rose fans got to see Season Ten Rose perform once again. She dominated this one from the opening bell in a complete one-sided squash. Clay never even got out of the starting blocks before Rose decided that failing to apply her submission finisher once was enough and nearly drove Clay’s head through the mat instead. Indigo Rose (2-5) def. Markus Clay (3-4) via Pinfall (full nelson legsweep) in 10:17. Rating: * Changes for Indigo Rose: OVR + 2.34, XP + 511.20, no notable damage Changes for Markus Clay: OVR -0.39, XP + 127.80, minor damage to head and legs BETA DIVISION (4) Pulsar (3-3, OVR 492) vs. (Favorite, 61.55%) (1) Lucas Molina (5-1, OVR 497) Now, those of you who skipped ahead and saw the match rating are probably asking yourself, “HOW is this not Match of the Night?” To which the author says, “keep reading.” For being as high-rated as it was, this was a rather short and fast-paced match. Lucas had no trouble playing defense against the speed of Pulsar, and the luchador likewise was able to weather the best holds that Molina could throw out in succession. Pulsar’s last chance at offense came at the seven-and-a-half-minute mark, as he countered Molina’s attempt at the Puerto Rican Pinch with a legsweep. Despite this, the luchador was unable to get to the turnbuckles fast enough, allowing Molina the chance to go on the offensive. With only one mistake that amounted to nothing in the end, Molina would not relinquish control of the match for the remainder. Over four minutes of grinding technical offense later, focused mainly on the legs of his opponent, Molina applied the Maunabo Crab and finally got the submission to seal the deal on the win. This ensures that Molina will be the Beta Division leader after this week, and that he is in the driver’s seat for promotion to the top flight! Lucas Molina (6-1) def. Pulsar (3-4) via Submission (Maunabo Crab) in 11:53. Rating: **** Changes for Lucas Molina: OVR + 5.99, XP + 736.65, minor damage to head Changes for Pulsar: OVR + 2.01, XP + 184.16, minor damage to head and legs BETA DIVISION (8) Angela Wassermann (1-5, OVR 482) vs. (Favorite, 75.66%) (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (4-2, OVR 526) Angela Wassermann cannot seem to catch a break this season. The first eight minutes were mostly in her favor—she had Yoshii near the range for her cross arm breaker, had barely taken any offensive strikes herself, and looked ready to end the match at any moment. But a series of mis-timed strikes opened the door for Nakamatsu, and he would not squander the opportunity. It only took him three minutes to set Wassermann up for the DEVASTATION Knee, and that would be enough to keep her down for the count. Wassermann pulls defeat from the jaws of victory, and Yoshii remains hot on the heels of the division leader, Lucas Molina! Yoshii Nakamatsu (5-2) def. Angela Wassermann (1-6) via Pinfall (DEVASTATION Knee) in 11:47. Rating: ** Changes for Yoshii Nakamatsu: OVR + 3.59, XP + 631.35, minor damage to head Changes for Angela Wassermann: OVR + 0.41, XP + 157.84, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (8) Terrance Stevens (1-5, OVR 491) vs. (Favorite, 66.57%) (3) Diego Rodriguez (4-2, OVR 524) If this isn’t a first, it’s still a complete rarity for the author. How often does the game explicitly say that this was nothing more than a lengthy squash, and still give the match a two-star rating? The author can only think it got that rating due to the sheer doggedness of Rodriguez, who went from judo leglock to stump puller to another judo leglock to a judo arm lock before finally applying a Discordant Melody. By then it’s no wonder Stevens tapped out, he was nearly a full Gordian Knot at that point! Diego Rodriguez (5-2) def. Terrance Stevens (1-6) via Submission (Discordant Melody) in 10:15. Rating: ** Changes for Diego Rodriguez: OVR + 3.51, XP + 557.66, no notable damage Changes for Terrance Stevens: OVR + 0.40, XP + 139.41, minor damage to head and legs BETA DIVISION (7) Blood River (1-5, OVR 507) vs. (Favorite, 65.97%) (5) Billy Norris (3-3, OVR 523) There was almost a sense of common knowledge for this one—the first one to allow his opponent to utilize the ropes for springboards and slingshots was going to lose the match. Both men seemed to realize that and came out swinging. It was Norris who started to get the upper hand, despite River’s best efforts. Sure enough, River was worn down enough first, and before River could do the same to Norris, the Aussie had come off the rope for a springboard splash, only netting one on the exchange, and a springboard senton followed a stump piledriver. That would be enough to keep River down for three, and allow Norris to enter the midpoint of the season with a winning record! Billy Norris (4-3) def. Blood River (1-6) via Pinfall (springboard senton bomb) in 7:53. Rating: ** Changes for Billy Norris: OVR + 3.39, XP + 628.92, no notable damage Changes for Blood River: OVR + 0.38, XP + 157.23, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (8) The Mastodon (1-5, OVR 528) (Favorite, 61.69%) vs. (7) De'siree Mitchell (1-5, OVR 507) Frankie Garnett: Okay, Bob, I’m conflicted. Bob Sinclair: How so, Frankie? Frankie Garnett: On one hand, this is a match with the bottom two people in a division, which means it’s not one I’m interested in. On the other, it’s De’siree Mitchell, who has been putting out banger after banger each week this season, in a pace that would bring honor to the First Church of Wrestling a couple of seasons ago. Bob Sinclair: And the whole idea of “just doing your job” doesn’t fit here? Frankie Garnett: No, no it does. It’s just that I find it difficult to get invested in a mid-season match with the bottom-most people in a division. It’s more exciting closer to the end of the season. Bob Sinclair: So…you’re advocating for shorter seasons? Frankie Garnett: No! I’m advocating for more interesting things to happen in the middle of a season to keep my interest going through matches like these! Bob Sinclair: …you do realize the boss watches the shows, right? Frankie Garnett: Of course I do! That’s why I’m saying it, so he can take notes! Bob Sinclair: Folks, let’s just get to the ring before Frankie says something that is going to get him fired live on YouTube. Frankie Garnett: Bob, how often have we seen The Mastodon just be utterly manhandled and bombarded like this? Bob Sinclair: Not often at all, Frankie, which is surprising that an opponent smaller than him in Mitchell is getting away with it here. Frankie Garnett: If he doesn’t get his head in the game quick, Bob, this could be a short night! Bob Sinclair: It only took about ten minutes, but Mastodon is finally showing some signs of life in this match. Frankie Garnett: I don’t want to claim “too little too late,” Bob. Not when Mastodon has an adrenaline rush as well that, while not as potent as The Juggernaut’s, is still capable of being unleashed at the right moment. But it’s quickly approaching that point. Frankie Garnett: Oh, boy. Now you’ve done it, De’siree. Bob Sinclair: Only a few have managed to weather out the adrenaline rushes of The Mastodon or The Juggernaut. Let’s see if Mitchell can add herself to that list tonight! Frankie Garnett: That was three, ref! Bob Sinclair: It almost looked like it from our angle, Frankie, but I see a replay here. Mastodon got a shoulder up just before three. Frankie Garnett: I stand by my statement! Bob Sinclair: Cover by the big man…one, two, three! Mastodon survives a war to emerge with the victory here! Frankie Garnett: You know, Bob, it’ll almost be a shame for Mitchell to get relegated to Beta. She’s been up here since the start, and actually went undefeated in the preseason seeding period before Season Eight. But at the same time, maybe finding competition that’s different will help her out of the slump she’s in. Bob Sinclair: She’s not lacking in quality matches, Frankie, but you’re right. It could be that a change of scenery may be needed, unless she goes on a tear in the second half. Coming from 1-6 to avoid relegation is going to certainly be an uphill fight! The Mastodon (2-5) def. De'siree Mitchell (1-6) via Pinfall (Rampage) in 22:50. Rating: **** Changes for The Mastodon: OVR + 6.90, XP + 1009.18, major damage to head Changes for De'siree Mitchell: OVR + 2.32, XP + 364.80, moderate damage to head, minor damage to body This was the Match of the Night (8 [2 this season] for The Mastodon, 7 [5 this season] for De'siree Mitchell) GAMMA DIVISION (1) Monty Dhillon (6-0, OVR 546) (Favorite, 63.76%) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (5-1, OVR 482) This had all the makings of being a blockbuster type of match. Battle for the Gamma Division lead, two of the hardest hitters in The League regardless of division, Hida as the undersized underdog facing the far larger Dhillon in a classic David vs. Goliath encounter. Then the previous match happened, and it was going to take a lot for these two to live up to that sort of expectation. Though it certainly wasn’t for a lack of trying. This was close throughout, with Dhillon keeping just enough of a lead on Hida at all times that a sustained burst of offense from Kichi wouldn’t be disastrous for Monty. It would be that cushion that would be the decider, as Hida may have avoided a Blockade Lock ut got caught off-guard by a Livewire Lariat and dropped for the three-count. Dhillon’s completed the first half of the season undefeated. Now comes the hard part—doing it again when everyone has put a target on Monty’s back, front, head, and wherever is convenient for them…. Monty Dhillon (7-0) def. Kichi Hida (5-2) via Pinfall (Livewire Lariat) in 9:15. Rating: ** Changes for Monty Dhillon: OVR + 3.46, XP + 557.11, minor damage to head Changes for Kichi Hida: OVR + 0.39, XP + 139.28, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (4) Brandy McDonald (3-3, OVR 530) (Favorite, 54.97%) vs. (6) Mel O'Hallister (3-3, OVR 540) This match, in most other weeks, would have been the Match of the Night. It was very close throughout, and neither competitor got to such a large advantage that their adversary was beyond hope. McDonald only started to build any serious momentum at the end of the contest, as she landed Detox on O’Hallister, sent him out to the floor via a blindside high knee, then went from the turnbuckle to the floor with a flying clothesline before letting Mel exert his energy to get in to beat the count. A spear followed this, leading to a short two, and then a DDt lead into Brandy’s bulldog choke finisher, which finally caused Mel to tap out. A match that could have gone either way in the end goes to McDonald, who is still within shouting distance of the Alpha Division lead at this juncture. Brandy McDonald (4-3) def. Mel O'Hallister (3-4) via Submission (Hair of the Dig) in 19:11. Rating: *** Changes for Brandy McDonald: OVR + 5.28, XP + 794.96, moderate damage to head Changes for Mel O'Hallister: OVR + 1.33, XP + 198.74, minor damage to head and body ALPHA DIVISION (2) George Mastachas (4-2, OVR 542) (Favorite, 60.12%) vs. (3) Jean-Paul Ouilette (4-2, OVR 536) How many people had this one pegged as a match to determine second-place in the division at the halfway point of the season? Even more baffling to the author—even after seeing it earlier in the show, this is the second match on this card that had the same “two-star squash match” message. This time the extra star can be attributed to Cecile Corine doing everything in her power to try to slow down Mastachas. It would be to no avail, though, as Ouilette only barely got going before a Wrath of Zeus ended the proceedings rather abruptly. George Mastachas (5-2) def. Jean-Paul Ouilette (4-3) via Pinfall (Wrath of Zeus) in 11:09. Rating: ** Changes for George Mastachas: OVR + 3.56, XP + 728.03, no notable damage Changes for Jean-Paul Ouilette: OVR + 0.40, XP + 145.61, minor damage to head BETA DIVISION (3) Christian Priest (4-2, OVR 588) (Favorite, 67.14%) vs. (6) Reverend Johnny Gross (3-3, OVR 517) In some corners of the internet, the more cynical League followers would claim that the person who designed the schedules did this on purpose, to put both Priest/Gross and Nuclear/Blackfield on the same card in order to draw bigger numbers on YouTube. The League’s front office wishes they could claim that; this was all the whims of RNG determining the order of the schedule. The first half of our double main event of the evening saw a grudge match over a season and a half in the making. After nearly winning Tag Team Turmoil together in Season Eight, these two men had a falling out in Season Ten and went their own ways, with Rev. Gross winning the event with Brian Blackfield. This would be the first time these two have been across from each other in the ring, and a “big fight feel” was certainly in The Aerie as the bell sounded to start this one. Gross came out more aggressively than anyone had seen him all season, as if the words bandied about by Priest and Pastor Abe Richards lit a fire under him that his own words understated. And for all we know, maybe it had. Gross pummeled away at Priest, looking to batter down the face of the First Church of Wrestling with brute force. Force, however, is Priest’s game, and he gave back as good as he got. It was Priest who went to his stockpile of signature moves first—which, to be fair, he has far more than Gross’s pair—and began to narrow the gap between them in terms of damage received. However, Gross put his former partner on the mat with a simple leg trip, and soon thereafter (after some kicks to the chest and back) applied the dragon sleeper in the center of the ring. He kept the hold tight as Priest tried to get out of the hold, but in the end Priest’s efforts slowed and then stopped, and he simply passed out instead of tapping out, refusing to even give Gross that satisfaction. The last thing the cameras caught before going to the final ad break of the night on YouTube was Gross standing over the head of Priest, making the sign of the cross and then spreading his arms, looking heavenward as he stood victorious in the ring. Reverend Johnny Gross (4-3) def. Christian Priest (4-3) via Submission (Come to Jesus) in 17:15. Rating: *** Changes for Reverend Johnny Gross: OVR + 5.15, XP + 687.66, minor damage to head Changes for Christian Priest: OVR + 1.30, XP + 171.92, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (1) Nuclear Templeton (5-1, OVR 552) (Favorite, 60.08%) vs. (5) Brian Blackfield (3-3, OVR 577) Now for the second half of the double main event. This is a position Nuclear had been demanding for most of the season despite Blackfield being the far more popular—and thus, far more marketable—person of the pairing. This would also be a disappointment given some of the earlier matches on the card. For the first eight minutes, this was all Blackfield all the time as he had his foot on the gas throughout. The one time he let off, in order to set up Templeton for a bigger move, the former League Champion fought back and asserted control of the match. The next six minutes were largely under Nuclear’s control, despite a few flourishes of offense from Blackfield, and Nuclear put an emphatic end to the match in the form of a Radiation Spike into a Power Surge into another Radiation Spike into the Radiation Leak for the submission victory. Nuclear continues to lead the Alpha Division, and is the clear favorite to emerge as League Champion this season. Nuclear Templeton (6-1) def. Brian Blackfield (3-4) via Submission (Radiation Leak) in 14:00. Rating: ** Changes for Nuclear Templeton: OVR + 3.70, XP + 730.08, minor damage to head Changes for Brian Blackfield: OVR + 0.42, XP + 182.52, minor damage to head /\/\/\/\/\/\ STANDINGS AFTER THE FIRST HALF OF SEASON ELEVEN ALPHA DIVISION 1. Nuclear Templeton: 6-1, ATV 17:26, (AMR 2.286), OVR 555.97 2. George Mastachas: 5-2, ATV 15:12, (AMR 2.286), OVR 546.02 3. Jean-Paul Ouilette: 4-3, ATV 19:18, (AMR 2.286), OVR 536.39 4. Brandy McDonald: 4-3, ATV 15:34, (AMR 2.571), OVR 534.81 5. Brian Blackfield: 3-4, ATV 17:43, (AMR 2.286), OVR 577.88 6. Mel O'Hallister: 3-4, ATV 15:30, (AMR 2.857), OVR 541.40 7. The Mastodon: 2-5, ATV 20:15, (AMR 2.857), OVR 534.63 8. De'siree Mitchell: 1-6, ATV 11:12, (AMR 3.143), OVR 509.16 All ties are broken by simple H2H BETA DIVISION 1. Lucas Molina: 6-1, ATV 14:08 (AMR 2.857), OVR 503.39 2. Yoshii Nakamatsu: 5-2, ATV 11:53 (AMR 2.143), OVR 529.10 3. Billy Norris: 4-3, ATV 10:13 (AMR 2.571), OVR 526.30 4. Reverend Johnny Gross: 4-3, ATV 15:09 (AMR 2.571), OVR 522.07 5. Christian Priest: 4-3, ATV 10:38 (AMR 2.429), OVR 589.04 6. Pulsar: 3-4, ATV 8:44 (AMR 2.429), OVR 493.95 7. Blood River: 1-6, ATV 10:39 (AMR 2.000), OVR 507.46 8. Angela Wassermann: 1-6, ATV 9:54 (AMR 2.143), OVR 482.55 Everyone at 4-3 are a combined 1-1 against each other. Norris has the fastest victory time in those three matches, so he gets the first tiebreaker. Then Gross has H2H over Priest. All other ties are broken by simple H2H GAMMA DIVISION 1. Monty Dhillon: 7-0, ATV 9:06, (AMR 2.143), OVR 549.20 2. Kichi Hida: 5-2, ATV 10:43, (AMR 2.286), OVR 482.05 3. Diego Rodriguez: 5-2, ATV 10:19, (AMR 2.000), OVR 527.38 4. Markus Clay: 3-4, ATV 10:39, (AMR 2.286), OVR 491.07 5. Big Scott Weathers: 3-4, ATV 10:58, (AMR 2.143), OVR 503.57 6. Lance Heartilly: 2-5, ATV 12:45, (AMR 1.857), OVR 453.84 7. Indigo Rose: 2-5, ATV 11:51, (AMR 2.000), OVR 500.24 8. Terrance Stevens: 1-6, ATV 10:48, (AMR 2.429), OVR 491.78 All ties are broken by simple H2H. DELTA DIVISION 1. Nocturne: 5-2, ATV 10:13 (AMR 2.143), OVR 448.78 2. Rock Sheridan: 5-2, ATV 10:10 (AMR 2.571), OVR 423.08 3. Diamond: 4-3, ATV 10:27 (AMR 2.429), OVR 496.01 4. Sterling Silver: 4-3, ATV 7:52 (AMR 2.143), OVR 461.98 5. Leon de Ramos: 4-3, ATV 12:19 (AMR 2.429), OVR 418.77 6. Scott Stevens: 3-4, ATV 7:53 (AMR 1.857), OVR 431.74 7. Mickey Steele: 2-5, ATV 6:54 (AMR 2.286), OVR 410.81 8. George Stevens: 1-6, ATV 7:28 (AMR 2.143), OVR 406.48 Diamond has beaten Silver and de Ramos. Silver has beaten de Ramos. All other ties are broken by simple H2H. PREDICTION STANDINGS (Reminder: The official scores will have the lowest two weeks dropped at the end of the season, and will start to be shown as such after Week Eight.) 1. Eternal Phoenix: 76 (this week: 12) 2. Croquemitaine: 69 (this week: 11) 3. Derek B: 59 (this week: 11) 4. SeanMcG: 58 (this week: 6) 5. Jman2k3: 40 (this week: 7) TAG TEAM TURMOIL OFFICIAL GRAPHIC TO BE POSTED LATER THIS WEEK, DUE TO AN EYE EXAM YESTERDAY CAUSING ME TO HAVE BLURRY VISION FOR A GOOD SIX HOURS AFTERWARDS. AS A REMINDER, PREDICTIONS ARE NOT COUNTED FOR TAG TEAM TURMOIL AND AS SUCH ARE NOT BEING POSTED HERE. TRAINING DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 2024 AT 11:59 PM EASTERN US IN ORDER FOR SAID TRAINING TO BE APPLIED FOR TAG TEAM TURMOIL! PLEASE NOTE, TTT WILL BE POSTED A WEEK FROM TOMORROW (MARCH 3) IN ORDER TO ACCOMMODATE ALL TRAINING FROM PCs IN ORDER TO RUN THE TOURNAMENT WITHOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF MISSING A TRAINING AND THUS NEEDING TO REDO A CHUNK OF TTT MULTIPLE TIMES (INSTEAD OF ONE MATCH HERE OR THERE FOR NORMAL SHOWS).

The Man Behind the Pulpit [FADE IN: CHURCH INTERIOR. Once again, the piped-in recording of Rescue the Perishing on pipe organ is heard. Instead of being zoomed out to start, the camera is instead focused on a tight shot of the altar and pulpit, where REVEREND JOHNNY GROSS stands in full pastor regalia, calmly staring at the camera. The music fades to silence before GROSS addresses the camera directly.] REVEREND JOHNNY GROSS I speak these words to the man who styles himself as the head of the First Church of Wrestling. I speak these words to the man who grovels at the feet of the false idol, Maven Deltzer, and seeks supplication in the form of match rating stars. I speak these words to the man I named a heretic just five months ago. I speak these words to you, Christian Priest, and to you, Pastor Abe Richards. I speak not as a preacher, though I dress as one now, for the truths of the LORD thy God fall on deafened ears when they are addressed to you. I will not unleash a sermon, for you refuse to listen. I speak not as a wrestler, for my actions will speak for me this weekend when our paths finally cross in the squared circle. I will not cut a full-on wrestling promo on you, because you do not deserve as such from me. Instead…I speak to you, as a man, to reply to the very words you wrote to drag me down to your depths. You think that I drowned in the deep waters, that I rose above my position and a Faustian deal has corrupted me. That my position in the Alpha Division was “ripped away” by Brian Blackfield. No, sir. For you see…I knew last season, even as I wrestled my first match in the Alpha Division since Season Eight. It was not my time yet. I was placed in the position I was to ensure that those who would follow would be deemed worthy, something that could not be claimed of anyone in Season Nine’s Beta Division. Myself included. No, I knew I was coming in as a person to fill out the roster and nothing more. There was little chance of success against the likes of Templeton, McDonald, and Mastachas with the form they were in. So…no. I still competed as best as I could, and was found wanting. That was to be expected, as I was cast back into Beta. Brian Blackfield has nothing to do with ripping a spot from me. He won his division cleanly; there was nothing I did to shape the events there in any manner. Your delusions deceive you, Christian, for there is no strife between Blackfield and myself. We were as two ships passing in the night, our paths crossing but never coming together, as he moved into Alpha and I back into Beta. But, I knew once again that I had been put here, this time in the Beta Division, for a reason. That reason was you, Christian. You see…while the LORD may say that vengeance is His, I admit that I am a man, and flawed in the eyes of the LORD. Vengeance, or even revenge, may be the LORD’S…but being the one to show you that you are not ready for Alpha? No, Christian. That is not vengeance. That is not revenge. That is some good, old-fashioned comeuppance. So, please. Choose violence. Choose destruction. Choose to not show mercy. For you will find none in my presence. Five months ago, I named you damned, in a sermon that would be prophetic as you failed to reach the finals of Tag Team Turmoil. This weekend, there is no avoiding what is to come. This weekend, Christian Priest, you will find that when the doors to the First Church of Wrestling open, I will be the first one waiting to enter. Not to bow to the whims of the false idol Maven Deltzer, nor to threaten you with mere words in the face of a maelstrom of violence, and not to show Pastor Richards how a proper sermon should be conducted. I do not come to visit another place of worship as the Right Reverend Johnathan W. Gross, pastor of the Upper Grove Gospel Tabernacle. No. I come to the First Church of Wrestling with a single goal in mind: to tear it down, blow by blow, brick by brick. I come simply as Johnny Gross, professional wrestler…and I come to show you, Christian, that you have been weighed in the balance and found wanting. For if you think my God--our God--has chosen you over me…what does it mean when you lie in the center of the ring, a beaten and broken man and hearing the angelic voice call from the heavens “Here is your winner…Reverend Johnny Gross?” It means that your false idols damn you to a fate worse than hellfire, Christian. It means they condemn you to mere mediocrity…a more fitting punishment for the man who believes he can outwrestle the LORD thy God Himself. [GROSS continues to stare into the camera, unblinking for a few more seconds before the camera slowly FADES TO BLACK.]

I am putting predictions in my spreadsheet from what’s currently in the thread. @SeanMcG, you still haven’t made the pick official even though I can tell you’re picking Rock. @Jman2k3, just FYI, you currently have no picks in the entire Alpha Division. EDIT: So…I might have something worthy of replying to the First Church of Wrestling. Expect something later this afternoon local time.

THIS IS NOT A DRILL. I REPEAT. THIS IS NOT A DRILL. THERE ARE TWO **** MATCHES ON THIS WEEK'S SHOW. YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY. TWO (2) **** MATCHES IN ONE SHOW. THE ACTUAL MATCH OF THE NIGHT RUNS FOR ABOUT 23 MINUTES. EDITED TO ALSO ADD: While I will only do commentary for the actual MOTN, y'all will be getting two additional matches with full game log play-by-play. One is the other four-star match, the other will remain a mystery for now.

I can infer by context, Sean, but for the record you don’t actually have a pick listed for this one. Also, unrelated…you’re going to have me attempt to channel Gross after that?! Blood and bloody ashes, mate, don’t I have enough to juggle already?! 😛 (He says as he channels his inner Matrim Cauthon for that particular line….) EDIT TO ADD: also managed to finally get my spreadsheet formally updated for my new GMPCs. Everything appears to be in order and not broken, so depending on time after running what matches I can tonight, I might be able to finish a new character or two in the game database.

Off today for the federal holiday in the US. Spent the part of the day I was at home by getting initial updates put in and finally transferring my pictures for the new folks onto the game PC so I can get their characters entered in WS3. I think I’ve reached a conclusion that this season is the last time I do Omega solely in the second half of the season or after the season ends…in this season’s case it’ll likely be in the offseason unless I somehow find a lot of free time in the coming weeks. For Season 12 I’ll likely be running it alongside the normal schedule, though I may not post Omega standings every week. The document when I go to post it in this read is usually around 28 pages in MS Word and I’d rather not make it longer if I can.

And pray tell…just how long did it take Nuclear to actually win a singles championship in The League? Pot, kettle, etc.

…my job here is done.

Behind the Scenes: One hour until showtime [AUDIO ONLY] Will Prydor: Look, we’ve been at this for five weeks. Are you telling me, in five weeks of footage, that we do not have a single usable shot of this guy who’s coming to the ring with Templeton this season? As-yet-unnamed League Producer: No, sir. It’s like he wants to keep his face hidden. Will Prydor: Okay, you know what? Fine. If he’s not willing to put a face to his image, we’re going to do it for him. Producer: Are you sure that’s wise? Will Prydor: No. But when has that stopped me before? Tori!! Tori Montgomery-Prydor: You bellowed, hon? Will Prydor: Find me the number for Vacant. Tori Montgomery-Prydor: Vacant? Will Prydor: Yeah. Vacant. Or “in abeyance” or “to be determined” or whatever they're going by these days. I need them to be a stand-in for someone and let them know I’m willing to pay the going rate for appearances. If Mister Mortis doesn’t want to cooperate with us, then we’ll just settle this matter a different way…. THE LEAGUE: SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK SIX DELTA DIVISION (2) Leon de Ramos (4-1, OVR 417) vs. (Favorite, 50.10%) (1) Rock Sheridan (4-1, OVR 419) While not a contender for Match of the Night, this was still a competitive bout between two of the three favorites to promote out of the Delta Division this season. In this contest of power versus technique, the edge went to the sheer size of Rock Sheridan, who powered through a fair portion of Leon’s offense. While de Ramos couldn’t get to a point to hit any of his trademarks, Sheridan had no such issues. A Welcome to Tacoma opened the final minute of the bout, dominated by Sheridan, who landed his lariat to score the victory and move, for the moment, into the Delta Division lead! Rock Sheridan (5-1) def. Leon de Ramos (4-2) via Pinfall (Grit City Lariat) in 12:25. Rating: ** Changes for Rock Sheridan: OVR + 3.62, XP + 485.96, no notable damage Changes for Leon de Ramos: OVR + 0.41, XP + 121.49, minor damage to head DELTA DIVISION CAGE MATCH (7) Mickey Steele (1-4, OVR 407) vs. (Favorite, 55.77%) (3) Nocturne (4-1, OVR 445) Everything seemed to favor Nocturne in this contest—Steele was without the services of Roxy Rose, he was 1-4 on the season, and Nocturne was in contention of reclaiming the Delta Division lead with a win. What ended up happening was Nocturne got busted open early after an opening blitz of offense from Steele, and while she recovered well enough to make the match close, the laceration would be her downfall as Steele kept the pressure up and chained a Steele Scissor into the Mickey Finn, and got out of the cage before Nocturne could recover. Steele scores the minor upset, showing he’s not completely out of the running this season! Mickey Steele (2-4) def. Nocturne (4-2) via Cage Escape (Mickey Finn) in 7:58. Rating: ** Changes for Mickey Steele: OVR + 3.85, XP + 483.82, no notable damage Changes for Nocturne: OVR + 0.61, XP + 120.96, minor damage to head TAG TEAM TURMOIL, SEASON ELEVEN: THE TEAMS, PART 1 16. Lance Heartilly and Terrance Stevens TTT Career Record: 1-4 (Heartilly 0-1, T. Stevens 1-3) TTT Falls Record: 2-9 (Heartilly 0-2, T. Stevens 2-7) Bounced unceremoniously in the first round last season, these two Canadians have decided to give it another go. Sportsbooks are already taking wagers on how long they’ll last before fighting each other, especially as both are now in the same division, and the favorite is “between 5 and 10 minutes,” which at the time of this show airing was a 1:4 favorite. 15. Indigo Rose and Nocturne TTT Career Record: 1-4 (Rose 1-3, Nocturne 0-1) TTT Falls Record: 4-9 (Rose 4-7, Nocturne 0-2) Another team bounced early last season, it was Nocturne who approached Rose with the offer to team up again under the premise that “we women technical grapplers need to stick together.” Rose agreed, albeit a bit reluctantly as rumor has it that she was set on asking Ouilette to team with her, and together they look to do better than they did last season. 14. Mickey Steele and Yoshii Nakamatsu TTT Career Record: 1-3 (Steele N/A, Nakamatsu 1-3) TTT Falls Record: 4-6 (Steele N/A, Nakamatsu 4-6) Multiple versions of the story about how these two joined forces are going around The League’s locker rooms. Some say it was Yoshii who initiated the talks. Others say it was Steele, who never broke character in doing so. A few wild rumors even suggest it was Roxy Rose who made the push. Regardless of which (if any) is true, Nakamatsu brings one of the Delta Division’s newest wrestlers under his wing after his falling out with Kichi Hida last season. 13. Scott Stevens and George Stevens TTT Career Record: 1-1 (Scott 1-1, George N/A) TTT Falls Record: 3-2 (Scott 3-2, George N/A) To the surprise of very few, the Stevens dynasty will be in full display at Tag Team Turmoil. Despite some success last season with Nuclear Templeton, Scott has decided to team up with his brother George. Joined at ringside by the Stevens patriarch, Cary, perhaps it is the tag event where George may finally start to settle in to The League and gain some confidence. DELTA DIVISION SUBMISSION MATCH (5) Diamond (2-3, OVR 488) (Favorite, 53.30%) vs. (8) George Stevens (0-5, OVR 402) This was a surprising contender for Match of the Night, given that one of the combatants is completely unused to submission wrestling. Instead, George tried to use his overwhelming size advantage over Diamond to simply batter her into giving up. The First Lady showed why she is still a person to respect in The League as she fought through the attempts and started to pick up the pace, taking to the skies to continually knock Stevens down. While the Florentine did not get locked in on the first try, Diamond made sure it would work the second time around after hitting a pair of 24 Karat Kisses in just thirty seconds. Even someone of George’s size couldn’t withstand that amount of punishment, and the Florentine was applied right afterward for the submission victory. Diamond moves to an even record, while George is still searching for his first victory in League competition. Diamond (3-3) def. George Stevens (0-6) via Submission (Florentine) in 10:41. Rating: *** Changes for Diamond: OVR + 4.71, XP + 525.56, minor damage to head Changes for George Stevens: OVR + 1.19, XP + 131.39, minor damage to head DELTA DIVISION (6) Sterling Silver (2-3, OVR 455) (Favorite, 56.43%) vs. (4) Scott Stevens (3-2, OVR 432) While one Stevens brother had a Match of the Night contender, the other was essentially squashed. Silver had no issues at all with Scott Stevens, running through the Texan in just under four minutes. Even Maven Deltzer called this a squash in his show recap, in those explicit words, as a logjam begins to take shape in the middle third of the Delta Division standings. Sterling Silver (3-3) def. Scott Stevens (3-3) via Pinfall (top rope flying clothesline) in 3:47. Rating: * Changes for Sterling Silver: OVR + 2.13, XP + 441.66, no notable damage Changes for Scott Stevens: OVR -0.35, XP + 110.42, no notable damage GAMMA DIVISION (7) Indigo Rose (1-4, OVR 497) (Favorite, 54.22%) vs. (6) Lance Heartilly (1-4, OVR 450) On the surface, this appeared to be a competitive match. The reality of the matter is that Heartilly didn’t even need to go to his leglock for the win. A focused attack on the right arm of Rose was sufficient, as two applications of his arm breaker were enough to force the submission before Rose could even consider her DDT variant, much less her submission finisher. Heartilly gains some crucial breathing room in the race to avoid relegation as we near the halfway point of the season. Lance Heartilly (2-4) def. Indigo Rose (1-5) via Submission (Heartilly Arm Breaker) in 15:28. Rating: ** Changes for Lance Heartilly: OVR + 3.77, XP + 560.54, no notable damage Changes for Indigo Rose: OVR + 0.43, XP + 140.13, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (8) Terrance Stevens (0-5, OVR 487) vs. (Favorite, 55.65%) (4) Markus Clay (3-2, OVR 490) This one was full-throttle from the opening bell, as neither man seemed content to let the other out-pace him. A speed bout naturally was in favor of Clay, but Terrance kept things close with his brawling ability, even if he seemed a little too showboaty on this night. Despite that, it still played to his favor as Clay missed one high risk move too many, opening him up for a Maple Leaf Meltdown that landed flush. Stevens would pick up the victory a few seconds later, scoring a minor upset and once again proving to be a tough draw no matter the circumstances surrounding the match in this Match of the Night contender! Terrance Stevens (1-5) def. Markus Clay (3-3) via Pinfall (Maple Leaf Meltdown) in 10:48. Rating: *** Changes for Terrance Stevens: OVR + 4.72, XP + 604.46, no notable damage Changes for Markus Clay: OVR + 1.19, XP + 151.11, minor damage to head TAG TEAM TURMOIL, SEASON ELEVEN: THE TEAMS, PART 2 12. Big Scott Weathers and Blood River TTT Career Record: 3-6 (Weathers 2-3, River 1-3) TTT Falls Record: 7-14 (Weathers 4-7, River 3-7) Stranger teams have happened in the annals of wrestling history, but in terms of The League this pairing may be as unique as it gets. While both are rather lax about the rulebook (unless using it was a weapon is allowed), it is Weathers who carries the bulk of the success in this team with a semifinal run in Season Nine. Can he find luck a second time, teaming with the alleged cultist who is trying to keep his entire organization from imploding beneath him? 11. Diego Rodriguez and Rock Sheridan TTT Career Record: 2-3 (Rodriguez 2-3, Sheridan N/A) TTT Falls Record: 6-7 (Rodrigues 6-7, Sheridan N/A) A prime example of clashing styles, there is a definite change of pace when the technical Rodriguez gives way to the giant powerhouse Sheridan, and vice versa. It is this dichotomy that the pair are hoping will propel them forward as a team, as Sheridan’s debut in Tag Team Turmoil comes alongside the grizzled Spanish veteran. 10. Jean-Paul Ouilette and Pulsar TTT Career Record: 3-6 (Ouilette 0-3, Pulsar 3-3) TTT Falls Record: 8-13 (Ouilette 1-6, Pulsar 7-7) Two men who are doing better than many expected at this point of the season fall into the number ten seed for this tournament. Largely carried by Pulsar, who reached the semifinals last season, it’s a bit difficult to see how a flier and an entertainer will work together, but as last season proved in the opening round, anything can indeed happen when the bell sounds. 9. De’siree Mitchell and Leon de Ramos TTT Career Record: 3-3 (Mitchell 3-3, de Ramos N/A) TTT Falls Record: 8-7 (Mitchell 8-7, de Ramos N/A) A staple of tag team wrestling, this pairing brings League rookie Leon de Ramos in to be the technical counterpart to the bruising De’siree Mitchell. While de Ramos is having a banner season in Delta, Mitchell has been struggling to stay afloat in her fourth season in the Alpha Division. Perhaps she’s hoping that some of the rookie’s shine will rub off on her and give her the boost she needs to remain relevant in the top flight? GAMMA DIVISION (5) Big Scott Weathers (2-3, OVR 500) vs. (Favorite, 55.17%) (2) Kichi Hida (4-1, OVR 478) As it was pointed out upthread by Eternal Phoenix, Hida had been on a roll recently, drawing blood in her last four matches. Weathers seemed certain to prevent that from reaching five, as he tried to protect his face from too many blows. In attempting to do so, however, he left himself open for other offensive strikes from Hida, and eventually ate Eternal Violence before Hida leapt into the cover. After the three count, the camera saw that a thin trickle of blood was coming from the forehead of Weathers. It took Hida until the very last move of the match, but her streak moves to five busted-open opponents in a row as she puts down Weathers in what was barely better than a squash. Kichi Hida (5-1) def. Big Scott Weathers (2-4) via Pinfall (Eternal Violence) in 8:18. Rating: ** Changes for Kichi Hida: OVR + 3.42, XP + 556.58, no notable damage Changes for Big Scott Weathers: OVR + 0.39, XP + 139.15, moderate damage to head BETA DIVISION HARDCORE MATCH (8) Angela Wassermann (1-4, OVR 481) vs. (Favorite, 64.54%) (6) Reverend Johnny Gross (2-3, OVR 512) Fans of hardcore matches who have been complaining that League hardcore bouts never seem to go outside were happy to see their complaints heard and addressed in this Match of the Night contender. The match spilled outside a little after four minutes had elapsed, and would not return to the ring for the remainder as the two brawled around ringside. Gross would use the environment to his advantage, something Wassermann was clearly not used to from her MMA days, as the guard rail, tables, and even a camera cable were utilized to his benefit before he finally got Wassermann into the dragon sleeper for the submission. After an abysmal start to the season, Gross seems to have found his form just in time for a pivotal week seven matchup against Christian Priest! Reverend Johnny Gross (3-3) def. Angela Wassermann (1-5) via Submission (Come to Jesus) in 12:29. Rating: *** Changes for Reverend Johnny Gross: OVR + 4.83, XP + 684.44, no notable damage Changes for Angela Wassermann: OVR + 1.22, XP + 171.11, minor damage to head BETA DIVISION (7) Blood River (1-4, OVR 507) vs. (Favorite, 50.77%) (5) Pulsar (2-3, OVR 490) This wasn’t even close. Pulsar is one of the speediest fliers in The League, and he ran circles around Blood River here. Pulsar didn’t even need a finisher, instead utilizing a flipping leg drop from the top rope—something that Brandy McDonald has utilized in the past—to keep River down for three. Pulsar (3-3) def. Blood River (1-5) via Pinfall (top rope flipping leg drop) in 6:20. Rating: * Changes for Pulsar: OVR + 2.21, XP + 575.62, no notable damage Changes for Blood River: OVR -0.36, XP + 143.91, no notable damage BETA DIVISION (1) Yoshii Nakamatsu (4-1, OVR 524) (Favorite, 60.53%) vs. (2) Lucas Molina (4-1, OVR 493) Match of the Night runner-up here, as the winner would emerge as the leader in the Beta Division. These two certainly fought like the prize was worth it, as it was back-and-forth throughout. Molina only needed four minutes to start breaking out trademark holds, with the Juey de Tierra being his opening gambit. Nakamatsu would claw back to an even keel, only for Molina to hit another of his trademarks. This pattern would continue for another eight or so minutes until Molina chained another Juey de Tierra into the San Juan Buster, and that was enough for Molina to earn the pinfall and the Beta Division lead! Lucas Molina (5-1) def. Yoshii Nakamatsu (4-2) via Pinfall (San Juan Buster) in 13:25. Rating: *** Changes for Lucas Molina: OVR + 4.89, XP + 685.07, minor damage to head Changes for Yoshii Nakamatsu: OVR + 1.24, XP + 171.27, minor damage to head TAG TEAM TURMOIL, SEASON ELEVEN: THE TEAMS, PART 3 8. Billy Norris and Markus Clay TTT Career Record: 4-6 (Norris 0-3, Clay 4-3) TTT Falls Record: 10-15 (Norris 1-6, Clay 9-9) Just breaking into the upper half of the field are a pair of high fliers. Clay has made it out of the first round every season so far, including a semifinal run in Season Eight, and is the driving force behind this team just scraping in at number eight. Norris has been on the wrong side of consecutive 2-0 sweeps over the last two seasons, and looks for the unpredictability of fliers to work in tandem with Clay’s aerial ability to see them through. 7. Kichi Hida and The Mastodon TTT Career Record: 5-5 (Hida 1-2, Mastodon 4-3) TTT Falls Record: 12-13 (Hida 4-4, Mastodon 8-9) The Mastodon, a semifinalist in both Seasons Eight and Nine, was bounced in the first round last season. He was approached by Hida, who went on a good four minute tirade about wanting to see Mastodon’s violence in action and how it had to be better than Nakamatsu’s, and together the pair look to charge through the field, leaving a bloody trail of violence in their wake. This is additionally a reminder that Kichi Hida also holds the unofficial record for Tag Team Turmoil, as she won both falls of a match in just under four-and-a-half minutes two seasons ago. 6. George Mastachas and Lucas Molina TTT Career Record: 5-5 (Mastachas 2-3, Molina 3-2) TTT Falls Record: 15-16 (Mastachas 5-6, Molina 10-10) While Molina and Mel O’Hallister may not be teaming this season, it is that result, plus Mastachas’ own run to the semifinals last season, that propel this team to the number 6 seed in the tournament. There are some who are already calling this team a dark horse to win the entire tournament. A win would make Mastachas just the second wrestler in modern League history to be a “double champion,” or being both the reigning League Champion and reigning Tag Team Turmoil co-champion at the same time, with Brandy McDonald in Season Eight being the other. 5. Christian Priest and Monty Dhillon TTT Career Record: 6-6 (Priest 5-3, Dhillon 1-3) TTT Falls Record: 21-18 (Priest 17-12, Dhillon 4-6) One of the favorite teams last season, Priest and Dhillon were dumped in the second round before their so-called “dream” matchup against the eventual winners of the tournament. Undaunted, the pair have decided to run it back this season, but find themselves a slightly worse seed as the landscape has shifted a little since Season Ten. Still, it’s hard to write their chances off given how well each of them have done in singles competition, not to mention Priest’s experience in reaching the Season Eight TTT finals. ALPHA DIVISION (6) Mel O'Hallister (2-3, OVR 535) vs. (Favorite, 53.24%) (8) The Mastodon (1-4, OVR 527) Another Match of the Night contender, both men needed this one to try to right their seasons after a slower start. O’Hallister took the early lead, dominating Mastodon in the opening minutes, and landed a Dream of the Emerald Isle shy of eight minutes in. Mastodon immediately popped back to his feet, the adrenaline surging, and controlled the next three minutes, continuing even after his adrenaline had faded. However, Mastodon got caught unawares with a low blow, which the ref berated O’Hallister for, and the Irishman paid the official no heed as he grabbed Mastodon and hit a second Dream to get the pin. Mastodon, who finished third in The League last season, finds himself in deep, deep trouble as he has a massive hole to dig out of to avoid relegation, as the punishment to his head continues to accumulate… Mel O'Hallister (3-3) def. The Mastodon (1-5) via Pinfall (Dream of the Emerald Isle) in 12:33. Rating: *** Changes for Mel O'Hallister: OVR + 4.84, XP + 789.79, no notable damage Changes for The Mastodon: OVR + 1.22, XP + 197.45, moderate damage to head ALPHA DIVISION EUROPEAN RULES MATCH (7) De'siree Mitchell (1-4, OVR 506) vs. (Favorite, 86.17%) (1) Nuclear Templeton (4-1, OVR 546) Frankie Garnett: So, what’s next, Bob? Bob Sinclair: European Rules. Frankie Garnett: Already? I figured that would be later in the card! Bob Sinclair: How so? Frankie Garnett: I mean…she’s almost pulling a Christian Priest level of match performance this season. I expected that to be further in the card! Bob Sinclair: Alas, Frankie, it’s because of her poor record that we’re having this match now. Frankie Garnett: …ah. All right then, shall we get to it? Bob Sinclair: Indeed we shall. Here’s the bell, and round one is underway! Frankie Garnett: Did Mitchell get any sort of offense in that round, Bob? Bob Sinclair: Very little. She spent the majority of it on defense. Frankie Garnett: Which, I mean…she was a defensive nose tackle. That makes sense. But it still doesn’t help her chances whatsoever! Bob Sinclair: Mitchell got a little more offense in that round, but I think it was still clearly Nuclear in control. Frankie Garnett: If this keeps up, Bob, we may be looking at under four rounds for this one to be over! Bob Sinclair: That’d be a record, if memory serves. Frankie Garnett: Indeed, as it would pass the marquee contest in The League’s history. That of course being Christian Priest and Sterling Silver in Season Nine that just barely got into the fifth round. Frankie Garnett: Finally, some life from Mitchell there but Nuclear didn’t seem fazed by any of it! Bob Sinclair: Indeed, Frankie. De’siree may need another round or two just like that if she wants to have a chance. But can she do that before Templeton grows tired of the whole thing? Frankie Garnett: Honestly? Probably not. Bob Sinclair: Cover by Nuclear…one, two, three! First fall to Templeton! Frankie Garnett: I think I saw a tooth fly out, Bob! He hit her that hard! Bob Sinclair: Yeah, come to think of it. I’ve seen football tackles less violent than that… Bob Sinclair: De’siree Mitchell may have just been saved by the bell; she still looked a little loopy on offense in those last few seconds. Frankie Garnett: Given Nuclear’s attacking style, Bob, I’m not sure if that’s the right choice of phrase. Perhaps “the calm before the storm.” Bob Sinclair: Frankie, if Mitchell can’t get Nuclear to a point where the Blitz may come into play, this is likely over in the next round. Frankie Garnett: I can’t argue it. Templeton has been a force and Mitchell is holding on by any means necessary. It’s a wonder she survived round five after that lariat the round before! Frankie Garnett: That should do it! Bob Sinclair: Mitchell isn’t even struggling, I think she’s already out on her feet…yep, the ref just called for the bell! This one is over as Nuclear Templeton gets the sweep in this match over a game De’siree Mitchell! Frankie Garnett: I’ll give her credit for making him work for it, but that surely cannot have helped her chances for the remainder of this season, Bob. She’s going to be feeling this one for weeks! Nuclear Templeton (5-1) def. De'siree Mitchell (1-5), two falls to none, in 27:13. Rating: *** Fall 1: Templeton via pinfall (Armageddon Lariat), 19:45 Fall 2: Templeton via submission (Radiation Leak), 27:13 Changes for Nuclear Templeton: OVR + 6.40, XP + 951.23, minor damage to head Changes for De'siree Mitchell: OVR + 0.89, XP + 350.31, major damage to head, minor damage to body This was the Match of the Night (5 [2 this season] for Nuclear Templeton, 6 [4 this season] for De'siree Mitchell) ALPHA DIVISION TABLES MATCH (3) George Mastachas (3-2, OVR 539) (Favorite, 59.30%) vs. (2) Brandy McDonald (3-2, OVR 529) Winner here would have the inside track to be a major threat to Templeton atop the Alpha Division. This clash of champions saw the Season Eight champion get to an early advantage, but the size disadvantage would turn the tables in favor of the reigning champion before too much time had passed. Mastachas would continue to press the advantage, waiting until just past the thirteen-minute mark of the match to introduce the table into the contest. By all wrestling rules, this should mean that he would be the one to go through the table. That was not the case here, as less than a minute later Mastachas used a hammerlock powerbomb to drive McDonald through the table, and keep pace with Templeton at the top of the division. George Mastachas (4-2) def. Brandy McDonald (3-3) via Table Break (hammerlock powerbomb) in 14:22. Rating: ** Changes for George Mastachas: OVR + 3.84, XP + 730.34, minor damage to head Changes for Brandy McDonald: OVR + 0.67, XP + 182.59, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION HARDCORE MATCH (3) Diego Rodriguez (4-1, OVR 524) vs. (Favorite, 56.78%) (1) Monty Dhillon (5-0, OVR 542) To Diego’s credit, at least he avoided this being a squash. To his detriment, he didn’t provide much of a challenge to Monty. Dhillon puts together one of the fastest Gamma Division bouts ever, just sneaking in under the five-minute mark as he doesn’t even need a finisher to put the Spanish technician away. Monty Dhillon (6-0) def. Diego Rodriguez (4-2) via Pinfall (western brainbuster suplex) in 4:59. Rating: ** Changes for Monty Dhillon: OVR + 3.25, XP + 554.75, no notable damage Changes for Diego Rodriguez: OVR + 0.37, XP + 138.69, no notable damage TAG TEAM TURMOIL, SEASON ELEVEN: THE TEAMS, PART 4 4. Angela Wassermann and Diamond TTT Career Record: 9-5 (Wassermann 2-3, Diamond 7-2) TTT Falls Record: 32-30 (Wassermann 5-7, Diamond 27-23) After the shocking first-round exit of two-time finalists (and Season Eight TTT champions) Brandy McDonald and Diamond in last season’s tournament, a rather acrimonious split finds Diamond teaming with a former MMA champion in Angela Wassermann. While Wassermann may be struggling this season, she still brings a hard-hitting offensive style to run counter to Diamond’s speed. But will it be enough for both women to overcome the poor starts to their respective seasons? 3. Brandy McDonald and Nuclear Templeton TTT Career Record: 10-5 (McDonald 7-2, Templeton 3-3) TTT Falls Record: 35-31 (McDonald 27-23, Templeton 8-8) The other half of the Season Eight champions finds herself teaming with an Alpha Division rival in a pairing that very few would have guessed was coming. Templeton is known for not playing well with others, and doesn’t think much of a tag team event, but he has shown surprising aptitude in the discipline given a semifinal run in Season Eight and a round two exit last season. Will teaming with a former champion be the key to making a lot of men in fancy suits very happy? 2. Mel O’Hallister and Sterling Silver TTT Career Record: 11-3 (O’Hallister 7-2, Silver 4-1) TTT Falls Record: 46-28 (O’Hallister 27-18, Silver 19-10) The Season Nine champions are teaming to defend the titles they never got to defend thanks to Silver’s knee injury. O’Hallister has proven himself a deft hand in the tag ranks, as he and Lucas Molina reached the finals last season, but this season aims to bring either closure to this duo’s dream of a successful defense, or more angst in Season Twelve if Mel and Lucas Molina need to exchange words a second time. 1. Brian Blackfield and Reverend Johnny Gross TTT Career Record: 12-4 (Blackfield 4-2, Gross 8-2) TTT Falls Record: 46-28 (Blackfield 16-8, Gross 28-14) It’s a matter of splitting hairs when determining the top seed for this tournament. In the end, despite both men having slightly worse seasons than expected, the nod was given to the reigning and defending Tag Team Turmoil champions. Gross has the experience in this pair, reaching the Season Eight finals with Christian Priest and then winning the event last season with Blackfield. The Juggernaut struggled in Seasons Eight and Nine, never advancing out of the first round until teaming with Priest, and tensions seem to be running tight in that pairing at the pressure of having to retain their titles. BETA DIVISION (4) Billy Norris (3-2, OVR 522) vs. (Favorite, 59.64%) (3) Christian Priest (3-2, OVR 583) Another Match of the Night contender, Priest got out to an early lead but couldn’t contain the speed of Norris forever. The Australian fought back, using his speed to keep Priest off-balance, and it wasn’t until Priest avoided Norris’ new finisher, a springboard 450 that Norris calls the Bonzer Splash, that the larger man started to make a comeback. It only took Priest three minutes after the missed Bonzer Splash to finally hit his big powerbomb, score a pinfall, and remain within striking distance of the division-leading Lucas Molina! Christian Priest (4-2) def. Billy Norris (3-3) via Pinfall (Judgement) in 11:12. Rating: *** Changes for Christian Priest: OVR + 4.75, XP + 683.57, minor damage to head Changes for Billy Norris: OVR + 1.20, XP + 170.89, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (4) Brian Blackfield (3-2, OVR 578) (Favorite, 70.16%) vs. (5) Jean-Paul Ouilette (3-2, OVR 533) Despite this being one of the longer matches on the card, it did not cause a lot of excitement in the crowd or the viewers for some reason. Blackfield had a few stretches of offense, as did Ouilette, and as the match progressed many seemed surprised that Ouilette was able to hang with The Juggernaut given how their two matches went last season in Beta. Perhaps even more surprising to people was the ending, as Ouilette missed Le Petit Mort once, only for Blackfield to not attempt a cover. A minute later, Ouilette had Blackfield down, this time landed the elbow drop…and Blackfield never popped to his feet for an adrenaline rush. Ouilette seemed confused for a second, and it wasn’t until Cecile Corine at ringside started shouting in French that Ouilette dropped into the cover, and scored the massive upset with a pinfall victory over The Juggernaut! Blackfield’s three losses this season matches his career total in losses prior to Season Eleven. Jean-Paul Ouilette (4-2) def. Brian Blackfield (3-3) via Pinfall (Le Petit Mort) in 15:28. Rating: * Changes for Jean-Paul Ouilette: OVR + 2.52, XP + 670.21, no notable damage Changes for Brian Blackfield: OVR -0.42, XP + 167.55, minor damage to head /\/\/\/\/\/\ STANDINGS AFTER SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK SIX ALPHA DIVISION 1. Nuclear Templeton: 5-1, ATV 18:08, (AMR 2.333), OVR 552.27 2. George Mastachas: 4-2, ATV 16:12, (AMR 2.333), OVR 542.46 3. Jean-Paul Ouilette: 4-2, ATV 19:18, (AMR 2.333), OVR 535.99 4. Brandy McDonald: 3-3, ATV 14:22, (AMR 2.500), OVR 529.53 5. Brian Blackfield: 3-3, ATV 17:43, (AMR 2.333), OVR 577.46 6. Mel O'Hallister: 3-3, ATV 15:30, (AMR 2.833), OVR 540.07 7. De'siree Mitchell: 1-5, ATV 11:12, (AMR 3.000), OVR 506.84 8. The Mastodon: 1-5, ATV 17:39, (AMR 2.667), OVR 527.73 4-2 is broken by ATV (their match is next week) McDonald wins the three-way tie via ATV (she faces O’Hallister next week), Blackfield wins the ensuing tie via H2H 1-5 is broken by ATV (their match is also next week) BETA DIVISION 1. Lucas Molina: 5-1, ATV 14:35 (AMR 2.667), OVR 497.40 2. Yoshii Nakamatsu: 4-2, ATV 11:55 (AMR 2.167), OVR 525.51 3. Christian Priest: 4-2, ATV 10:38 (AMR 2.333), OVR 587.74 4. Pulsar: 3-3, ATV 8:44 (AMR 2.167), OVR 491.94 5. Billy Norris: 3-3, ATV 10:59 (AMR 2.667), OVR 522.91 6. Reverend Johnny Gross: 3-3, ATV 14:26 (AMR 2.500), OVR 516.92 7. Blood River: 1-5, ATV 10:39 (AMR 2.000), OVR 507.08 8. Angela Wassermann: 1-5, ATV 9:54 (AMR 2.167), OVR 482.14 Nakamatsu holds H2H over Priest Pulsar wins combined H2H, then Norris holds remaining H2H over Gross River holds H2H over Wassermann GAMMA DIVISION 1. Monty Dhillon: 6-0, ATV 9:04, (AMR 2.167), OVR 545.74 2. Kichi Hida: 5-1, ATV 10:43, (AMR 2.333), OVR 481.66 3. Diego Rodriguez: 4-2, ATV 10:20, (AMR 2.000), OVR 523.87 4. Markus Clay: 3-3, ATV 10:39, (AMR 2.500), OVR 491.46 5. Big Scott Weathers: 2-4, ATV 11:12, (AMR 2.167), OVR 500.05 6. Lance Heartilly: 2-4, ATV 12:45, (AMR 1.833), OVR 453.44 7. Indigo Rose: 1-5, ATV 13:25, (AMR 2.167), OVR 497.90 8. Terrance Stevens: 1-5, ATV 10:48, (AMR 2.500), OVR 491.38 2-4 is broken by ATV (their match is next week) Rose holds H2H over Stevens DELTA DIVISION 1. Rock Sheridan: 5-1, ATV 10:10 (AMR 2.667), OVR 422.70 2. Leon de Ramos: 4-2, ATV 12:19 (AMR 2.333), OVR 417.55 3. Nocturne: 4-2, ATV 9:48 (AMR 2.167), OVR 445.19 4. Sterling Silver: 3-3, ATV 6:23 (AMR 2.000), OVR 457.16 5. Scott Stevens: 3-3, ATV 7:53 (AMR 1.833), OVR 431.33 6. Diamond: 3-3, ATV 9:57 (AMR 2.500), OVR 492.41 7. Mickey Steele: 2-4, ATV 6:54 (AMR 2.333), OVR 410.40 8. George Stevens: 0-6, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.167), OVR 403.11 de Ramos holds H2H over Nocturne The 3-3 tie has all members at 1-1 in combined H2H matchups. In those matchups, Silver has the fastest ATV, so she wins the initial tie. S. Stevens then holds H2H over Diamond. PREDICTION STANDINGS (Reminder: The official scores will have the lowest two weeks dropped at the end of the season, and will start to be shown as such after Week Eight.) 1. Eternal Phoenix: 64 (this week: 12) 2. Croquemitaine: 58 (this week: 11) 3. SeanMcG: 52 (this week: 9) 4. Derek B: 48 (this week: 8 ) 5. Jman2k3: 33 (this week: 0) WEEK SEVEN CARD ALPHA DIVISION (1) Nuclear Templeton (5-1, OVR 552) vs. (5) Brian Blackfield (3-3, OVR 577) [First Career Matchup] (2) George Mastachas (4-2, OVR 542) vs. (3) Jean-Paul Ouilette (4-2, OVR 536) [First Career Matchup] (4) Brandy McDonald (3-3, OVR 530) vs. (6) Mel O'Hallister (3-3, OVR 540) [Career: Tied 2 - 2] (8) The Mastodon (1-5, OVR 528) vs. (7) De'siree Mitchell (1-5, OVR 507) [Career: The Mastodon, 4 - 2] BETA DIVISION (3) Christian Priest (4-2, OVR 588) vs. (6) Reverend Johnny Gross (3-3, OVR 517) [First Career Matchup] (7) Blood River (1-5, OVR 507) vs. (5) Billy Norris (3-3, OVR 523) [Career: Tied 2 - 2] (8) Angela Wassermann (1-5, OVR 482) vs. (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (4-2, OVR 526) [Career: Yoshii Nakamatsu, 2 - 0] (4) Pulsar (3-3, OVR 492) vs. (1) Lucas Molina (5-1, OVR 497) [First Career Matchup] GAMMA DIVISION (1) Monty Dhillon (6-0, OVR 546) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (5-1, OVR 482) [Career: Tied 2 - 2] (8) Terrance Stevens (1-5, OVR 491) vs. (3) Diego Rodriguez (4-2, OVR 524) [Career: Tied 1 - 1] (4) Markus Clay (3-3, OVR 491) vs. (7) Indigo Rose (1-5, OVR 498) [Career: Tied 2 - 2] HARDCORE MATCH: (6) Lance Heartilly (2-4, OVR 453) vs. (5) Big Scott Weathers (2-4, OVR 500) [First Career Matchup] DELTA DIVISION (6) Diamond (3-3, OVR 492) vs. (7) Mickey Steele (2-4, OVR 410) [First Career Matchup] (3) Nocturne (4-2, OVR 445) vs. (5) Scott Stevens (3-3, OVR 431) [Career: Tied 1 - 1] (2) Leon de Ramos (4-2, OVR 418) vs. (4) Sterling Silver (3-3, OVR 457) [First Career Matchup] (1) Rock Sheridan (5-1, OVR 423) vs. (8) George Stevens (0-6, OVR 403) [First Career Matchup] TRAINING AND PREDICTION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2024 AT 11:59 PM EASTERN US!

Overnight, I got word from the remainder of the PCs regarding TTT. The full field is confirmed. Now comes the part that’s a bit of a nightmare for The League’s front office: seeding the tournament. The top four seeds are rather easy, since they have at least one former champion in each pairing, and sorting them shouldn’t be too difficult. It’s from #5 on down that is the headache inducer. If I can get my craptastic Photoshop skills to work, there may be a visual bracket ready by the weekend. Odds are to expect it during week seven, though, as I am admittedly trying to juggle too many plates at the moment with things outside The League as well. (Work, finances, etc.) I should at least have the full seeding list done by this week’s show, though, so that’s something to look forward to.

So, probably around the middle of this weeks’s show, I’m going to list the currently known teams in full for Tag Team Turmoil as a quick break between matches. Anyone not already on a team by the time the Week 7 show is posted will be randomly assigned to a team. This is mainly for PCs: if you have an idea in mind for another for TTT, get them to me ASAP so I can either confirm it or let you know that your choice has already been taken.

So the plan tonight is to get as many matches run as possible, since my usual schedule may be busted this week. Roommate is supposed to be off tomorrow due to working Saturday, but with snow and other such things coming that may not happen. I’m treating things like other human beings actually have some morals and work ethic—I know, WTF is wrong with me?!—and my Tuesday night will be spent in socializing mode instead of doing the lion’s share of League work as is my norm. That said, I already have standing orders from roughly 70% of PCs that I will throw in the database and spreadsheet tonight, so their matches (if applicable) can also be run. Anything missing can be run Saturday morning before I post the show, as is normal. EDITED TO ADD: So guess who had to go to work on Tuesday because his coworkers have no morals or work ethic? Looks like I can now get just about everything done save a few matches, and Week Six would be all but ready to be posted Tuesday night.

Week 5 is the only off week for GMPC inputs. Alpha gets Week 13 for those in Championship contention or trying to fight off relegation to get one last update in, otherwise they typically wait until season’s end. But the option is there.

THE LEAGUE: SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK FIVE DELTA DIVISION (4) Scott Stevens (2-2, OVR 430) vs. (Favorite, 53.22%) (7) Mickey Steele (1-3, OVR 407) This wouldn’t even qualify as a dark match in other promotions. It was incredibly lopsided and completely out of character from what we’ve come to expect of Mickey Steele. The Scorpion ran roughshod over the noir detective, enough to where Stevens’ former League finisher was all that was needed to keep Steele down for three. The win moves Stevens into the number-two position in The League’s record books for fastest standard match win, sandwiched between a pair of Kichi Hida victories. Scott Stevens (3-2) def. Mickey Steele (1-4) via Pinfall (Toxic Sting) in 3:20. Rating: * Changes for Scott Stevens: OVR + 2.11, XP + 441.47, no notable damage Changes for Mickey Steele: OVR -0.35, XP + 110.37, no notable damage DELTA DIVISION (8) George Stevens (0-4, OVR 402) vs. (Favorite, 55.32%) (6) Sterling Silver (1-3, OVR 452) While only 90 seconds longer than the previous match, this one was actually semi-competitive, as George managed to get in several hard shots to slow Silver’s offense a little. Alas, it was only a little, as Silver’s speed and League experience were the deciding factors here. No need for her 450 here, a springboard guillotina was enough to do the trick despite Cary Stevens’ claims that the ref was both out of position and delivered a fast count to his son, neither of which were remotely true. Sterling Silver (2-3) def. George Stevens (0-5) via Pinfall (springboard guillotina) in 4:51. Rating: ** Changes for Sterling Silver: OVR + 3.24, XP + 482.33, no notable damage Changes for George Stevens: OVR + 0.37, XP + 120.58, no notable damage DELTA DIVISION (1) Nocturne (4-0, OVR 444) (Favorite, 52.19%) vs. (2) Leon de Ramos (3-1, OVR 413) In what many were calling a preview of how the Delta Division would finish at the end of the season, a pair of younger technicians locked up in this one in what was the most competitive match of the card so far…but nothing that wowed Maven Deltzer in his review. This was back-and-forth throughout, with de Ramos having more opportunities to secure a victory with his primary and secondary finisher. However, Nocturne kept finding a way out of them, and worked Leon down to the point where she felt confident in going for the ankle lock. Leon would find a way to get out of it before she could lock it in, and barely a minute later applied the Iberian Twist, dead center of the ring. Nocturne had little choice but to tap out, and the pair did share a respectful handshake after the match as de Ramos jumps into the Delta Division lead for the moment! Leon de Ramos (4-1) def. Nocturne (4-1) via Submission (Iberian Twist) in 15:04. Rating: ** Changes for Leon de Ramos: OVR + 3.75, XP + 487.23, minor damage to head Changes for Nocturne: OVR + 0.43, XP + 121.81, minor damage to head DELTA DIVISION (5) Diamond (2-2, OVR 487) vs. (Favorite, 52.35%) (2) Rock Sheridan (3-1, OVR 415) The door was open for Sheridan to possibly take the Delta Division lead if he won fast enough here. In fact, despite Diamond’s considerable League experience, she came in as the slight underdog in the contest, which seemed to please Sheridan as he looked confident before the bell rang to start the match. A minute after the bell, that confidence was right out the window as Diamond was in firm control, her speed keeping Sheridan off-balance. In fact, it looked like Diamond was going to win this in under five minutes…until she made the mistake of going for a 24 Karat Kiss instead of her swanton bomb finisher. Picking Sheridan up was her big mistake in this match, and it was not one she would recover from. In the span of about two minutes Sheridan would batter Diamond into a world of hurt, with a Welcome to Tacoma preceding the Grit City Lariat, as it tends to do. Sheridan wins this sprint of a Match of the Night contender and, by a span of just under twelve seconds, takes the Delta Division lead heading into week six! Rock Sheridan (4-1) def. Diamond (2-3) via Pinfall (Grit City Lariat) in 6:49. Rating: *** Changes for Rock Sheridan: OVR + 4.45, XP + 523.54, minor damage to head Changes for Diamond: OVR + 1.12, XP + 130.89, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (3) Diego Rodriguez (3-1, OVR 521) (Favorite, 60.52%) vs. (6) Lance Heartilly (1-3, OVR 450) With Delta Division action complete, we shift gears to the Gamma Division and the suddenly struggling Lance Heartilly. Touted as a man who all but single-handedly closed a promotion due to his dominance, Heartilly showed signs of that in his lone Omega Division campaign as well as last season in Delta. This season, however, he has struggled to find his form, and those struggles continued tonight as Diego Rodriguez wiped the mat with Heartilly in a five-minute squash that even Maven Deltzer said went on longer than he expected. Lance drops to 1-4 on the season and is already in critical danger of freefalling right back into the Delta Division next season. Diego Rodriguez (4-1) def. Lance Heartilly (1-4) via Submission (judo rolling leglock) in 5:18. Rating: * Changes for Diego Rodriguez: OVR + 2.18, XP + 508.68, no notable damage Changes for Lance Heartilly: OVR -0.36, XP + 127.17, no notable damage GAMMA DIVISION (7) Indigo Rose (1-3, OVR 497) (Favorite, 51.60%) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (3-1, OVR 474) After watching Scott Stevens come within seconds of breaking her record for fastest League match, one would have expected Hida to go out there and prove that even in Gamma, she was still the Queen of Unmitigated Violence. Rose would have a lot to say about that, though, as the technician simply tried to wear Hida down with holds, looking to sap the stamina of the Carnival of Violence’s Ringmaster. Unfortunately for Rose, it didn’t stop Hida from chaining together several of her signatures in a row, culminating with Eternal Violence. Hida seemed content as she dropped into a cover…and Rose kicked out just after the count of two. Incensed, Hida picked up the violence, and in her fury wiped out the official with another Eternal Violence. Rose would get Hida into range of her variated DDT, but was unable to connect as Hida busted open Rose with a knee to the face. She then nearly drove Rose through the mat with the Endless Carnival, and a still-woozy ref managed to count to three as a result. Hida continues to show that her last-second promotion into Gamma was indeed warranted, while last season’s promotion contender now has to worry about dropping into Delta after an abysmal 1-4 start! Kichi Hida (4-1) def. Indigo Rose (1-4) via Pinfall (Endless Carnival) in 15:20. Rating: ** Changes for Kichi Hida: OVR + 3.77, XP + 560.46, no notable damage Changes for Indigo Rose: OVR + 0.43, XP + 140.12, major damage to head, minor damage to body GAMMA DIVISION (5) Markus Clay (2-2, OVR 487) vs. (Favorite, 55.00%) (4) Big Scott Weathers (2-2, OVR 499) Just barely out of squash territory, there really isn’t much to talk about here. Weathers seemed a step slower than normal on this night, and Clay made him pay for it by running circles around the larger opponent. When a springboard senton didn’t do the trick, as Clay has liked to utilize in the past, a top rope cross body did it, and Weathers simply couldn’t kick out in time. Clay moves to a winning record after five matches, and nominally remains within striking distance of the upper ranks of the Gamma Division. Markus Clay (3-2) def. Big Scott Weathers (2-3) via Pinfall (top rope cross body press) in 6:20. Rating: ** Changes for Markus Clay: OVR + 3.32, XP + 555.50, no notable damage Changes for Big Scott Weathers: OVR + 0.38, XP + 138.87, no notable damage BETA DIVISION (6) Angela Wassermann (1-3, OVR 481) vs. (Favorite, 69.17%) (5) Billy Norris (2-2, OVR 518) In the opening few minutes of this contest, Wassermann looked like she might pull off what she would likely consider a monumental upset, given her career record against Norris. In fact, she nearly had the match won with an arm triangle that Norris was not expecting in the slightest. Unfortunately for her, Norris got free of the hold and mounted a comeback, and did not let her have nearly enough time to mount a counter-counteroffensive. One shot at the Down Under Disaster is all that Norris needed, as he notches career victory number six against Wassermann in a match that, while closer than many thought it had a right to be, was not terribly exciting to actually watch. Billy Norris (3-2) def. Angela Wassermann (1-4) via Pinfall (Down Under Disaster) in 10:50. Rating: ** Changes for Billy Norris: OVR + 3.54, XP + 630.76, minor damage to head Changes for Angela Wassermann: OVR + 0.40, XP + 157.69, minor damage to head BETA DIVISION (8) Reverend Johnny Gross (1-3, OVR 507) (Favorite, 54.32%) vs. (7) Blood River (1-3, OVR 506) The first true Match of the Night contender on the card so far, this clash of underperforming wrestlers saw River skate out to an early advantage, having no qualms at all about being underhanded in his ring approach. Gross fought back well, as he seemed to want to focus on the legs of River exclusively given how often we wanted to make the alleged cultist Kneel Before God. River took to the ropes, looking to steal a win in that manner, but Gross was ready for it and kicked out before a count of two. It wasn’t until after River had been made to bleed that Gross finally attempted his finisher, only for River to get out of it. Gross would attempt a second time (after a series of mounted elbow smashes he calls the Sermon on the Mount), and this time he would lock in the submission and force River to tap. Gross picks up a huge win here, allowing him to temporarily escape the relegation zone in Beta with his second victory of the season. Reverend Johnny Gross (2-3) def. Blood River (1-4) via Submission (Come to Jesus) in 16:53. Rating: *** Changes for Reverend Johnny Gross: OVR + 5.13, XP + 687.41, minor damage to head and body Changes for Blood River: OVR + 1.29, XP + 171.85, minor damage to head BETA DIVISION (4) Pulsar (2-2, OVR 489) vs. (Favorite, 68.34%) (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (3-1, OVR 521) To the surprise of many, Pulsar controlled the majority of this contest. Sure, Nakamatsu got his offense in where he could but by and large, this was Pulsar’s match to claim. In fact, he thought he had won it off a springboard guillotina, except that Yoshii got a shoulder up at 2.9 on the exchange. (Behind-the-curtain talk: another instance of “wrestler is so over they can't be beaten with moves that have less than a 30% chance to finish.”) Incensed, Pulsar dropped Nakamatsu with a spinning DDT and went to the top, looking for the Zodiac Implosion. The problem is that he missed, as Yoshii got out of the way, and before Pulsar had even bounced off the canvas from the miss, Nakamatsu was on top for the cover…and got a three from it. Pulsar manages to snag defeat from the jaws of victory, as Nakamatsu steals one that by all rights he should not have had! Yoshii Nakamatsu (4-1) def. Pulsar (2-3) via Pinfall (missed Zodiac Implosion) in 13:08. Rating: ** Changes for Yoshii Nakamatsu: OVR + 3.66, XP + 632.20, minor damage to head and body Changes for Pulsar: OVR + 0.41, XP + 158.05, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (8) Terrance Stevens (0-4, OVR 485) vs. (Favorite, 73.38%) (1) Monty Dhillon (4-0, OVR 538) Gamma Division action concluded with a match that, some four minutes in, looked to be a total squash. Instead, it ended up being a rather short contender for Match of the Night, as Stevens fought back from a serious disadvantage to give Dhillon flashbacks to last season’s Gamma Division and Terrance’s first match against Christian Priest. This time, however, Stevens would not be able to finish the job, as Dhillon powered his way out of the predicament and followed a Hammer Mill with the Empire Bomb, leaving no chance for Stevens to get up after that succession of moves. Dhillon will enter week six as the last undefeated wrestler in The League this season! Monty Dhillon (5-0) def. Terrance Stevens (0-5) via Pinfall (Empire Bomb) in 9:21. Rating: *** Changes for Monty Dhillon: OVR + 4.62, XP + 603.59, minor damage to head Changes for Terrance Stevens: OVR + 1.17, XP + 150.90, minor damage to head and body ALPHA DIVISION (4) George Mastachas (2-2, OVR 534) (Favorite, 75.99%) vs. (7) De'siree Mitchell (1-3, OVR 505) This turned out to be a serious contender for Match of the Night. Mitchell fought from behind most of the match, having to kick out of Olympus Rises twice while Mastachas also tried to drive Mitchell through the mat with repeated head drop suplexes. De’siree fought back, knowing her season was essentially at stake here, and kept Mastachas grounded for a good portion, softening him up for a potential shot at the Blitz. Her best chance at opening Mastachas up for it came as she went for a spinning elbow blow…only for Mastachas to reverse it into a head drop suplex. That took the starch out of Mitchell, and only a few minutes later Mastachas delivered the sit-out powerbomb and held on for the count of three. Mastachas remains in the hunt for a repeat title, while Mitchell’s hopes of remaining in the Alpha Division are starting to look like they need life support. George Mastachas (3-2) def. De'siree Mitchell (1-4) via Pinfall (Wrath of Zeus) in 16:15. Rating: *** Changes for George Mastachas: OVR + 5.08, XP + 792.68, minor damage to head Changes for De'siree Mitchell: OVR + 1.28, XP + 198.17, moderate damage to head, minor damage to body ALPHA DIVISION (6) Jean-Paul Ouilette (2-2, OVR 528) vs. (Favorite, 60.83%) (1) Brandy McDonald (3-1, OVR 528) This Match of the Night candidate could have ended any number of times in the preceding minutes. Ouilette stunned the former League Champion with his willingness to mix it up with her, and it took Brandy a few minutes to adjust. Once she did, though, this became a rather competitive contest, with both sides kicking out of moves that looked like they would have been the finish—McDonald escaping a Fleur de Lis at 2.8, and Ouilette kicking out of a sudden rollup after a missed Le Petit Mort at 2.5. McDonald ended up attempting to hit a spear, but Ouilette countered with a roundhouse to the body, one to the face to drop McDonald, and an immediate Le Petit Mort that landed flush on the forehead of the former champ. Three seconds later, Ouilette stunned the division leader with an upset victory! Jean-Paul Ouilette (3-2) def. Brandy McDonald (3-2) via Pinfall (Le Petit Mort) in 17:08. Rating: *** Changes for Jean-Paul Ouilette: OVR + 5.14, XP + 793.36, minor damage to head Changes for Brandy McDonald: OVR + 1.30, XP + 198.34, moderate damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (2) Nuclear Templeton (3-1, OVR 541) (Favorite, 75.30%) vs. (8) The Mastodon (1-3, OVR 525) Bob Sinclair: We stay in the Alpha Division, and Frankie, this is a tale of two men whose paths are going in completely opposite directions. Frankie Garnett: No kidding, Bob. Nuclear’s…well, doing Nuclear things, as we expected. It’s Mastodon that is the surprise to many. After all, he was in contention for the League Championship last season. Tonight, he comes in at the very bottom of the Alpha Division, staring at the wrong end of a 4-2 career record in this matchup. It almost seems a foregone conclusion that this becomes 5-2 within the next fifteen minutes, Bob. Bob Sinclair: While I’m not expressly agreeing with you, Frankie, you do bring up a number of valid points. Mastodon is a heavy underdog in this one, and that’s even considering this season’s results. Look at the overall trend, and it’s clear why the stats people have Nuclear as a 3-to-1 favorite. Frankie Garnett: So… Nine-minute squash incoming? Bob Sinclair: We’ll see soon enough, as the bell sounds to get this one underway! Frankie Garnett: Okay…twelve-minute squash. Bob Sinclair: Mastodon has looked sluggish after the initial two minutes. The longer that stretch goes without offense, the worse off he’s going to be. Frankie Garnett: Still too early for that, Nuclear. Mastodon’s too fresh yet. Bob Sinclair: Indeed, but every little bit that Nuclear can make Mastodon spend is that much less for the later portions of the match, Frankie. Sound strategy by the former champ. Frankie Garnett: Uh, Bob? I’d be careful with how loud I’d say that last part there. Bob Sinclair: And that should do it, as— Frankie Garnett: No it won’t, Bob! Mastodon is already on his feet and boy, does he look angry! Bob Sinclair: But is Nuclear too fresh still? Can Mastodon actually get Templeton into Rampage territory? Frankie Garnett: Maybe not Rampage territory, Bob, but this match just got a lot more interesting! Bob Sinclair: Almost have to think the next big move will do it here… Frankie Garnett: That might do it! Bob Sinclair: Mastodon into the cover…one, two, thr—NO! 2.8 there, maybe even 2.9 as Nuclear just gets the right shoulder off the mat! Frankie Garnett: How was that not three, Bob. How?! Bob Sinclair: Mastodon has to be asking himself that same question, but he needs to press the advantage. He’s got Nuclear vulnerable, he needs to put an end to this before Templeton can recover! Bob Sinclair: No adrenaline to save him this time, Nuclear collapses into the cover…one, two, three! This was an all-out war and it ends with Templeton coming away somehow with the victory! Frankie Garnett: I, for one, am glad to be wrong with my whole “twelve-minute squash” prediction. This was a brawl and I love it! Bob Sinclair: These fans at The Aerie seem to as well, as despite the jeering thrown Nuclear’s way, there’s a healthy amount of applause as well. Templeton certainly earned that one and has expressed his case for earning his second League Championship in three seasons! Nuclear Templeton (4-1) def. The Mastodon (1-4) via Pinfall (Armageddon Lariat) in 19:18. Rating: *** Changes for Nuclear Templeton: OVR + 5.29, XP + 945.05, major damage to head Changes for The Mastodon: OVR + 1.33, XP + 348.76, major damage to head, minor damage to body This was the Match of the Night (4 [1 this season] for Nuclear Templeton, 7 [1 this season] for The Mastodon) BETA DIVISION (1) Christian Priest (3-1, OVR 583) (Favorite, 68.85%) vs. (3) Lucas Molina (3-1, OVR 489) It’s unusual for Christian Priest to be in what would be considered a “cooldown match” but that’s exactly what happened here. While he fought decently enough against Molina, Priest was not able to show why he was considered an overwhelming favorite in this contest. Molina had no such issues, taking Priest to task and showing that he is more capable against the leader of the First Church than his career 1-3 record against Priest would indicate. In fact, Molina would make certain that Priest never got to build momentum with any of his signature moves, while Molina transitioned a Heel Hook into the Molina Bodylock to force the submission, and the huge upset against one of the favorites to secure promotion this season! Lucas Molina (4-1) def. Christian Priest (3-2) via Submission (Molina Bodylock) in 15:57. Rating: ** Changes for Lucas Molina: OVR + 3.80, XP + 633.95, minor damage to head Changes for Christian Priest: OVR + 0.43, XP + 158.49, no notable damage ALPHA DIVISION LAST ONE STANDING MATCH (5) Brian Blackfield (2-2, OVR 572) (Favorite, 74.17%) vs. (3) Mel O'Hallister (2-2, OVR 534) Main event time, and it was clear from even before the opening bell that there was going to be no mutual admiration society between these two men. No, the body language said enough even if the words didn’t make it clear: this was going to be a donnybrook from the opening bell. The author counted no more than two holds that would be considered wear-down or rest holds in the opening half of the contest—it was all strikes, blows, slams, or other offensive maneuvers that would hinder an opponent’s ability to stand (in the case of the screw legwhips that both men threw at each other). Blackfield fired the first heavy shot, with a Tartan Effect that O’Hallister managed to get to his feet at the count of eight to force the continuation of the match. Mel would be unable to muster any offense, and a second Tartan Effect this time netted nine and a half out of the ten that Blackfield needed. This time as O’Hallister stood, though, Blackfield simply grabbed Mel and delivered an inch-perfect Scotland Destroyer, and all but dared O’Hallister to get to his feet after that. The Irishman could not, and Brian Blackfield closes the show with a Match of the Night contending victory as he is the Last One Standing! Brian Blackfield (3-2) def. Mel O'Hallister (2-3) via Last One Standing (Scotland Destroyer) in 13:52. Rating: *** Changes for Brian Blackfield: OVR + 5.66, XP + 790.82, no notable damage Changes for Mel O'Hallister: OVR + 1.61, XP + 197.70, minor damage to head /\/\/\/\/\/\ STANDINGS AFTER SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK FIVE ALPHA DIVISION 1. Nuclear Templeton: 4-1, ATV 15:51, (AMR 2.200), OVR 545.87 2. Brandy McDonald: 3-2, ATV 14:22, (AMR 2.600), OVR 528.86 3. George Mastachas: 3-2, ATV 16:49, (AMR 2.400), OVR 538.62 4. Brian Blackfield: 3-2, ATV 17:43, (AMR 2.600), OVR 577.88 5. Jean-Paul Ouilette: 3-2, ATV 20:35, (AMR 2.600), OVR 533.47 6. Mel O'Hallister: 2-3, ATV 16:59, (AMR 2.800), OVR 535.23 7. De'siree Mitchell: 1-4, ATV 11:12, (AMR 3.000), OVR 505.95 8. The Mastodon: 1-4, ATV 17:39, (AMR 2.600), OVR 526.51 All ties are broken via ATV. BETA DIVISION 1. Yoshii Nakamatsu: 4-1, ATV 11:55 (AMR 2.000), OVR 524.27 2. Lucas Molina: 4-1, ATV 14:53 (AMR 2.600), OVR 492.51 3. Christian Priest: 3-2, ATV 10:27 (AMR 2.200), OVR 582.99 4. Billy Norris: 3-2, ATV 10:59 (AMR 2.600), OVR 521.71 5. Pulsar: 2-3, ATV 9:56 (AMR 2.400), OVR 489.73 6. Reverend Johnny Gross: 2-3, ATV 15:25 (AMR 2.400), OVR 512.09 7. Blood River: 1-4, ATV 10:39 (AMR 2.200), OVR 507.44 8. Angela Wassermann: 1-4, ATV 9:54 (AMR 2.000), OVR 480.92 4-1 and 3-2 ties are broken by ATV. Pulsar has H2H over Gross River has H2H over Wassermann GAMMA DIVISION 1. Monty Dhillon: 5-0, ATV 9:54, (AMR 2.200), OVR 542.49 2. Kichi Hida: 4-1, ATV 11:19, (AMR 2.400), OVR 478.24 3. Diego Rodriguez: 4-1, ATV 10:20, (AMR 2.000), OVR 523.50 4. Markus Clay: 3-2, ATV 10:39, (AMR 2.400), OVR 490.27 5. Big Scott Weathers: 2-3, ATV 11:12, (AMR 2.200), OVR 499.66 6. Lance Heartilly: 1-4, ATV 10:02, (AMR 1.800), OVR 449.67 7. Indigo Rose: 1-4, ATV 13:25, (AMR 2.200), OVR 497.47 8. Terrance Stevens: 0-5, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.400), OVR 486.66 Hida has H2H over Rodriguez All other ties are broken by ATV DELTA DIVISION 1. Rock Sheridan: 4-1, ATV 9:37 (AMR 2.800), OVR 419.08 2. Leon de Ramos: 4-1, ATV 12:19 (AMR 2.400), OVR 417.14 3. Nocturne: 4-1, ATV 9:48 (AMR 2.200), OVR 444.58 4. Scott Stevens: 3-2, ATV 7:53 (AMR 2.000), OVR 431.68 5. Diamond: 2-3, ATV 9:35 (AMR 2.400), OVR 487.70 6. Sterling Silver: 2-3, ATV 7:40 (AMR 2.200), OVR 455.03 7. Mickey Steele: 1-4, ATV 5:50 (AMR 2.400), OVR 406.55 8. George Stevens: 0-5, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.000), OVR 401.92 Sheridan wins three-way tie via ATV (Rock vs Leon has not happened yet, that’s next week) Leon wins resulting tie via H2H over Nocturne Diamond holds H2H over Silver PREDICTION STANDINGS (Reminder: The official scores will have the lowest two weeks dropped at the end of the season, and will start to be shown as such after Week Eight.) 1. Eternal Phoenix: 52 (this week: 12) 2. Croquemitaine: 47 (this week: 10) 3. SeanMcG: 43 (this week: 10) 4. Derek B: 40 (this week: 9) 5. Jman2k3: 33 (this week: 8 ) WEEK SIX CARD ALPHA DIVISION (4) Brian Blackfield (3-2, OVR 578) vs. (5) Jean-Paul Ouilette (3-2, OVR 533) [Career: Brian Blackfield, 2 - 0] TABLES MATCH: (3) George Mastachas (3-2, OVR 539) vs. (2) Brandy McDonald (3-2, OVR 529) [Career: Tied 3 – 3. Mastachas is 0 – 1 in Tables matches] EUROPEAN RULES MATCH: (7) De'siree Mitchell (1-4, OVR 506) vs. (1) Nuclear Templeton (4-1, OVR 546) [Career: Nuclear Templeton, 5 – 1. Mitchell is 0 – 1 in European Rules matches.] (6) Mel O'Hallister (2-3, OVR 535) vs. (8) The Mastodon (1-4, OVR 527) [Career: Tied 2 - 2] BETA DIVISION (4) Billy Norris (3-2, OVR 522) vs. (3) Christian Priest (3-2, OVR 583) [First Career Meeting] (1) Yoshii Nakamatsu (4-1, OVR 524) vs. (2) Lucas Molina (4-1, OVR 493) [First Career Meeting] (7) Blood River (1-4, OVR 507) vs. (5) Pulsar (2-3, OVR 490) [Career: Pulsar, 2 - 0] HARDCORE MATCH: (8) Angela Wassermann (1-4, OVR 481) vs. (6) Reverend Johnny Gross (2-3, OVR 512) [Career: Reverend Johnny Gross, 2 – 0. Wassermann is 3 – 0 in Hardcore matches. Gross is 1 – 0 in Hardcore matches.] GAMMA DIVISION HARDCORE MATCH: (3) Diego Rodriguez (4-1, OVR 524) vs. (1) Monty Dhillon (5-0, OVR 542) [First Career Meeting] (5) Big Scott Weathers (2-3, OVR 500) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (4-1, OVR 478) [First Career Meeting] (8) Terrance Stevens (0-5, OVR 487) vs. (4) Markus Clay (3-2, OVR 490) [Career: Markus Clay, 5 - 1] (7) Indigo Rose (1-4, OVR 497) vs. (6) Lance Heartilly (1-4, OVR 450) [First Career Meeting] DELTA DIVISION (6) Sterling Silver (2-3, OVR 455) vs. (4) Scott Stevens (3-2, OVR 432) [First Career Meeting] SUBMISSION MATCH: (5) Diamond (2-3, OVR 488) vs. (8) George Stevens (0-5, OVR 402) [First Career Meeting. Diamond is 1 – 2 in Submission matches.] CAGE MATCH: (7) Mickey Steele (1-4, OVR 407) vs. (3) Nocturne (4-1, OVR 445) [First Career Meeting] (2) Leon de Ramos (4-1, OVR 417) vs. (1) Rock Sheridan (4-1, OVR 419) [First Career Meeting] TRAINING AND PREDICTION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2024 AT 11:59 PM EASTERN US!

A quick bit of formula writing at work later… THE STAT QUICK-FIX: Most and least entertaining episodes Best average match rating for a single show: 2.625 stars out of 5. Occurred: Season 8 Week 6, Season 8 Week 14, and Season 9 Week 7 (three times total). Worst average match rating for a single show: 1.813 stars out of 5. Occurred: Season 8 Week 11 (this is the only episode to average under **). (Dis)Honorable Mentions: 2.000 stars out of 5. Occurred: Season 8 Week 9, Season 9 Week 4, Season 10 Week 4 (three times total). Most frequent show rating: 2.250 stars out of 5. Total occurrences: 9

Because not a single bar, pub, or even dingy nightclub in a seven-county area wanted to take the financial hit that would come from the impending repair bill. Trust me. I tried to talk them into it. EDIT: apparently the game decided to wait for the upper half of The League to start pumping out MOTN contenders. I’ve just had 4 *** matches in a row, each one lasting longer than the one before it. So this may end up being a back-end-loaded show after all.

So as an update…I managed six matches last night. All of Gamma and half of Delta. Maven Deltzer is being especially stingy so far, only a single 3* match (and under 10 minutes to boot!) among those completed being the early leader for MOTN. This may be one of the lowest-rated weeks match-wise in a while, I’d have to do some research on that to be certain. Going to get the rest of the GMPC bouts done tonight; show may be up an hour or two late on Saturday due to having to leave the apartment for laundry duties, and I’m not about to drag my laptop out with me. The last time I did that, well…let’s just say the stairs did not cooperate with me. (Hard to believe it’s nearly a year since that incident!)

The plan is to do initial updates tonight and try to get some of the GMPC bouts run. No guarantees on if it’ll actually happen since I am running on about 3.5 hours of sleep and my job has decided that it’s the perfect day for everyone to forget how to do anything unless I point them in the right direction. I may very well crash out by 8:30 pm local tonight at the rate things are going, but the hope is for updates and at least four matches done to lighten my workload tomorrow evening. EDIT: I was going to add this in the show this week, but let’s get some preliminary pairings for TTT announced, shall we? Rev. Johnny Gross and Brian Blackfield return as defending (Season Ten) champs Sterling Silver and Mel O’Hallister, to defend their Season Nine titles that they didn’t get to defend last season Lucas Molina and George Mastachas, as Molina finds a worthy replacement to O’Hallister after their finals run last season Kichi Hida and The Mastodon, described by some in The League offices as “a ten-minute blitz of violence just waiting to happen” Indigo Rose and Nocturne, as the two resident lady technical grapplers look to improve after last season

THE LEAGUE: SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK FOUR DELTA DIVISION (8) George Stevens (0-3, OVR 401) vs. (Favorite, 53.74%) (5) Leon de Ramos (2-1, OVR 410) The opening contest of Week Four saw Leon attempt to keep pace with the upper ranks of the Delta Division as he faced off against the as-yet-winless George Stevens. While Stevens certainly had the size and power advantage, it was Leon’s speed that was decisive here as he was able to by and large stay away from the powerful blows of Stevens. Near the end of the match, de Ramos seemed a bit perplexed as if unsure if he could apply either of his finishing maneuvers to the much larger man, and simply decided to instead apply a stump puller, a move that Angela Wassermann has been known to utilize in the past. Stevens eventually had to tap out not due to the pain in the legs, but because his torso was being bent so forward that he couldn’t get a full breath in for close to thirty seconds and was in danger of passing out. Leon de Ramos (3-1) def. George Stevens (0-4) via Submission (stump puller) in 11:41. Rating: ** Changes for Leon de Ramos: OVR + 3.58, XP + 485.61, no notable damage Changes for George Stevens: OVR + 0.41, XP + 121.40, no notable damage DELTA DIVISION (4) Scott Stevens (2-1, OVR 428) vs. (Favorite, 55.26%) (2) Rock Sheridan (2-1, OVR 410) Cary remained at ringside as Scott came out for his bout against the giant Sheridan. Scott put in a better showing than his brother, for certain, but even still he was wrestling on the defensive against an opponent larger than him. For his part, Sheridan kept battering and hammering away at Stevens, trying to find a weak point in the defense. So much so, in fact, that Cary Stevens felt the need to run interference and be ejected to the locker room for his troubles. Stevens took the new-found advantage and ran with it as best as he could, but ran into one or two shots too many from Sheridan. A meaty Welcome to Tacoma was the catalyst for the impending lariat, and this Match of the Night contender ended with the slight favorite picking up the duke in a match that could have gone either way. Rock Sheridan (3-1) def. Scott Stevens (2-2) via Pinfall (Grit City Lariat) in 15:11. Rating: *** Changes for Rock Sheridan: OVR + 5.01, XP + 527.90, minor damage to head Changes for Scott Stevens: OVR + 1.27, XP + 105.58, minor damage to head and body DELTA DIVISION (7) Sterling Silver (0-3, OVR 448) (Favorite, 51.54%) vs. (6) Mickey Steele (1-2, OVR 407) Despite being winless on the season to date, Silver was still the slight favorite coming in based on her experience. She had her hands full with Steele, who put up an impressive fight and seemed to be a step ahead of the normally speedy Silver at times. Whether that was due to luck or preparation, none in attendance could say. At one point, Silver had gotten to the top rope, looking for her 450 splash, only to be pushed off the ropes by Roxy Rose while Steele had the ref distracted. Even that wouldn’t be enough, as despite being thwarted on a second attempt, Silver avoided the Mickey Finn on multiple occasions and finally stunned Steele with a slingshot legdrop to keep the private eye down for a three count. Silver finally notches her first win of the season, and now waits to hear from Mel O’Hallister regarding her future at Tag Team Turmoil. Sterling Silver (1-3) def. Mickey Steele (1-3) via Pinfall (slingshot guillotina) in 10:30. Rating: ** Changes for Sterling Silver: OVR + 3.53, XP + 485.04, minor damage to head Changes for Mickey Steele: OVR + 0.40, XP + 97.01, no notable damage DELTA DIVISION (3) Diamond (2-1, OVR 486) vs. (Favorite, 52.53%) (1) Nocturne (3-0, OVR 441) Wrapping up Delta Division action this week was a match that more than a few people were anticipating. Despite her years of experience, the First Lady of the League entered this match as a slight underdog in the eyes of the stats people. She seemed to take offense to this, and was more aggressive than normal once the bell sounded, forcing Nocturne to fight off her back foot. This was right in Nocturne’s wheelhouse, so to speak, and she began to claw her way back into the fight. Diamond remained relentless, though, and utilized her superior speed to batter Nocturne to the mat. Diamond eventually found herself up top, looking for her swanton bomb, only for Nocturne to move out of the way. Diamond landed hard on the canvas, and Nocturne immediately went into a jackknife cover, bridging over Diamond who was unable to escape before the three. Some will say that Nocturne stole a win here, but the record books will only show that in the end, Nocturne remains undefeated at this point of Season Eleven! Nocturne (4-0) def. Diamond (2-2) via Pinfall (missed Diamond in the Sky) in 8:49. Rating: ** Changes for Nocturne: OVR + 3.44, XP + 484.23, minor damage to head Changes for Diamond: OVR + 0.39, XP + 121.06, no notable damage THE DECISION The camera fades in to footage shot earlier today, in the parking lot of The Aerie. The camera is focused on one vehicle in particular, in which Lucas Molina is clearly seen in the driver's seat. After a second or two, he exits his car and grabs his gear from the trunk before heading towards The Aerie proper. He stops short just before the entrance, though, as another man comes out of The Aerie with a determined look on his face. Mel O’Hallister: Ah, there ye are, Lucas. Cannae have a word with ye? Lucas Molina: Any time, Mel. You want advice for dealing with Mitchell? I’ve got Wasserman on my mind, but there’s plenty of time between now and then.. Mel O’Hallister: I have Mitchell in hand. Nae, it’s the Tag event coming up. Got a wee problem there I need to discuss with ye. Lucas Molina: Glad to hear it. Mitchell’s tough, but you can do it. Molina looks thoughtful. Lucas Molina: Silver, huh? What are you thinking? Mel O’Hallister: Aye, Silver. I’m sure ye’ve seen it before, it’s kinda tradition for the Tag champs to defend their belts the following season. Me and Silver ne’er got the chance, and then we made the finals last season. During that time, I ended up promising the both of ye that I’d join up with ye again. Naturally that makes a problem when there be only one of me, and two of ye. So I’ll just come right out with it. I gave Silver my word first. Would ye be… He trails off for a second, trying to find the word he wants to use. Mel O’Hallister: …upset, methinks, if I filled my oath with her this season? Molina’s face goes blank, like it does when he’s applying one of his trademark submissions. Lucas Molina: I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t be disappointed. We had a good run. We could easily do the same or better this year. With that said… The technician sighs. Lucas Molina: I’m a fair man. I deal fairly. I don’t like it, but Silver has the stronger claim. He smirks, just a little. Lucas Molina: Besides, she’s your friend, right? Go. Good luck. But next season, if you two don’t win? You’re mine again. Got that? Mel O’Hallister: Aye. I got it. Ye got a deal, Lucas. He puts out a hand to shake on the deal. Mel O’Hallister: Oh, one last thing. Wassermann’s solely one-dimensional. Avoid her arm breaker and other submissions, and ye’re golden. Molina starts fully smirking, and shakes Mel’s hand firmly. Lucas Molina: I know. Just like you know to avoid getting speared out of your boots by Mitchell. Now, if I’m not teaming with you, I have to think about who my partner will be. He hesitates for a second, uncharacteristically. Lucas Molina: You have any recommendations? Mel O’Hallister: Cannae go wrong with the champ, methinks. His power, your technical style? Some of the great teams use that style. I’d talk to Mastachas. Lucas Molina: Fair enough. Seems I’ve got a Greek to talk with before I tap out Wassermann. Good luck with Mitchell. Mel O’Hallister: And ye with Wassermann. Fair winds at your back, Lucas. With that, Mel heads into The Aerie. He has his own preparations to make before the matches start tonight. GAMMA DIVISION SUBMISSION MATCH (1) Kichi Hida (3-0, OVR 473) (Favorite, 60.46%) vs. (5) Markus Clay (1-2, OVR 482) We now move to the Gamma Division, and what would easily be considered the most controversial match of the evening. Neither wrestler is known for their submission abilities—in fact, Hida is known for anything but that—but the schedule makers decreed this must happen. The match started as many thought it would: Hida gleefully beating the daylights out of Clay, and the South African doing anything he could to slow the Carnival of Violence’s ringmaster down. He eventually managed to do enough that he would begin wrenching at the neck of Hida, looking to force a submission with some variant of a neck crank. Hida would counter once with a mandible claw variant, the second time with elbows to the top of the forehead, looking to perhaps force Clay to tap out to repeated strikes. The controversy started at the twelve-and-a-half-minute mark of the match, when Clay sent Hida into the referee via a reversed irish whip. What followed in the next two minutes were Kichi continuing to attempt to simply knock Clay out or bust him open, and Clay continuing to work the neck. The key point came at the fourteen-minute mark, with the official still down on the mat. Clay again went for the neck, this time applying a version of the cobra clutch and dropping to the mat, wrapping his legs around Hida to prevent her from escaping. Hida flailed around, trying to break free, and in doing so slapped her arms to the mat, her hands never touching it. A few seconds later, the bell rang, and the cameras saw the official, who had his back turned to the action while slowly getting to a knee, calling for the bell. He would later say that he distinctly heard someone tapping out on the mat and knew enough to call for the bell without actually seeing what was happening. By then, it was too late, and the result would remain that Clay defeated Hida in the most controversial of fashions to date in The League! Markus Clay (2-2) def. Kichi Hida (3-1) via Submission (force submission) in 14:28. Rating: *** Changes for Markus Clay: OVR + 4.96, XP + 606.65, moderate damage to head Changes for Kichi Hida: OVR + 1.25, XP + 151.66, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION SUBMISSION MATCH (7) Indigo Rose (0-3, OVR 493) (Favorite, 59.62%) vs. (7) Terrance Stevens (0-3, OVR 485) Unlike the previous submission match, this one was as normal as a submission bout could be. It also went the way that everyone and their mother expected it to go. Stevens got some offense in, but he was well outmatched by one of the best technical wrestlers in The League today. It did not seem to take much effort for Rose to get her signature submission locked in, and force the quick tap from Stevens. Rose also picks up her first win of the season, though she still has a long ways to go if she wants to equal her performance from last season! Indigo Rose (1-3) def. Terrance Stevens (0-4) via Submission (Vite d’Indaco) in 13:25. Rating: ** Changes for Indigo Rose: OVR + 3.67, XP + 559.41, minor damage to head Changes for Terrance Stevens: OVR + 0.42, XP + 139.85, no notable damage BETA DIVISION (4) Lucas Molina (2-1, OVR 485) (Favorite, 60.89%) vs. (5) Angela Wassermann (1-2, OVR 480) Wassermann came in this week with a little momentum on her side due to her victory over Pulsar. That momentum was brought quickly to a half by Lucas Molina, who utilized almost every aspect of his technical grappling to smother Wassermann and wear her down. Angela, who has been known to have stamina issues in the past, was quickly winded by the various holds Molina brought into play, and that eventually opened her up for a San Juan Buster that kept her down for far more than the standard three. It took her close to thirty seconds before she started moving on her own, and she was helped to the back where no lingering damage was found, she was just shaken up a little by the impact. Lucas Molina (3-1) def. Angela Wassermann (1-3) via Pinfall (San Juan Buster) in 13:34. Rating: ** Changes for Lucas Molina: OVR + 3.68, XP + 632.47, no notable damage Changes for Angela Wassermann: OVR + 0.42, XP + 158.12, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (6) Lance Heartilly (1-2, OVR 450) vs. (Favorite, 65.36%) (2) Monty Dhillon (3-0, OVR 536) This match was right on pace for a typical Monty Dhillon match, and let’s make no mistake about it. This was Dhillon’s match throughout. So much so, in fact, that Maven Deltzer called this nothing more than a long squash match. Heartilly never got out of first gear, and Dhillon would not even need a finisher to win this one, instead using a newer move to his arsenal, a camel clutch variant he calls the Wheel-Lock, to pick up the victory. In doing so, he keeps the number of undefeated wrestlers this season at two, as he remains with Nocturne in that exclusive club. Monty Dhillon (4-0) def. Lance Heartilly (1-3) via Submission (Wheel-Lock) in 9:24. Rating: * Changes for Monty Dhillon: OVR + 2.31, XP + 510.76, no notable damage Changes for Lance Heartilly: OVR -0.38, XP + 127.69, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (4) Diego Rodriguez (2-1, OVR 516) (Favorite. 57.31%) vs. (3) Big Scott Weathers (2-1, OVR 498) This one surprised a lot of people by being a lot closer than expected. While not an overwhelming favorite—the League’s resident statistician considers that designation at 62% or greater—Rodriguez still was a clear favorite based on his history in the division. Yet Weathers gave him everything he could handle and then some. Rodriguez had to fight to find openings for his technical offense, and someone of Weathers’ stature, who hasn’t really dealt with technical wrestlers in his previous League seasons, eventually got tangled up and wrapped in the Discordant Melody. The tap came a few seconds later, and Rodriguez continues to argue his case for finally advancing out of the Gamma Division as he moves to 3-1 on the season. Diego Rodriguez (3-1) def. Big Scott Weathers (2-2) via Submission (Discordant Melody) in 12:54. Rating: *** Changes for Diego Rodriguez: OVR + 4.86, XP + 605.71, minor damage to head Changes for Big Scott Weathers: OVR + 1.23, XP + 151.43, minor damage to head BETA DIVISION (7) Billy Norris (1-2, OVR 515) (Favorite, 54.60%) vs. (8) Reverend Johnny Gross (1-2, OVR 507) A step down from the previous match, history favored Gross despite the stats person saying otherwise. In this instance, it turned out that the stats person had an idea of what they were doing. Gross seemed to be a step behind Norris the entirety of the match, and the Australian took advantage with a Boomerang DDT that busted the Right Reverend open, and followed that scant seconds later with a springboard senton that got three on the exchange. Gross’s win last week is starting to look more like a fluke, as he has shown no signs of his previous Beta Division form and is quickly becoming at risk of falling into Gamma, not to mention the looming confrontation with Christian Priest on the horizon… Billy Norris (2-2) def. Reverend Johnny Gross (1-3) via Pinfall (springboard senton bomb) in 10:57. Rating: ** Changes for Billy Norris: OVR + 3.55, XP + 630.83, no notable damage Changes for Reverend Johnny Gross: OVR + 0.40, XP + 157.71, minor damage to head BETA DIVISION (3) Yoshii Nakamatsu (2-1, OVR 518) (Favorite, 65.88%) vs. (6) Blood River (1-2, OVR 507) This one was never close. Nakamatsu controlled this one early and often, and River never even came close to sniffing victory here. River’s Season Eleven woes continue, as he was seen arguing with The Acolyte on the way back to the locker room after the match was over. Perhaps not everything is as copacetic as it seems in the Blood River camp… Yoshii Nakamatsu (3-1) def. Blood River (1-3) via Pinfall (Emperor’s Fall) in 9:48. Rating: * Changes for Yoshii Nakamatsu: OVR + 2.33, XP + 577.61, no notable damage Changes for Blood River: OVR -0.38, XP + 144.40, moderate damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (6) Mel O'Hallister (1-2, OVR 527) (Favorite, 55.44%) vs. (5) De'siree Mitchell (1-2, OVR 503) Bob Sinclair: It’s Alpha Division time, and we begin with two wrestlers looking to break out of the middle of the pack in the top flight, Frankie. Frankie Garnett: Bob, I’m not even sure I know where the stats people are coming from here. Mel O’Hallister is listed as a slight favorite, yet in four tries he has yet to defeat De’siree Mitchell. How can be a favorite if he’s never beaten her? Bob Sinclair: Well, there’s trends, there’s analyzing their past matches to see if he’s improved against her, there’s— Frankie Garnett: I wasn’t asking for an actual answer, Bob, it was rhetorical! Bob Sinclair: …well be that as it may, both competitors need a win here to get back to .500 on the season. O’Hallister was a labeled a dark horse for title contention during the offseason, and many thought Mitchell would be struggling to maintain a spot in the Alpha Division. Both of them need this victory, Frankie. Frankie Garnett: But only one of them is going to get it, Bob. And it looks like both of them are ready to go here! Bob Sinclair: Indeed. Senior official Jacob Smalls has drawn the lot for this contest as he calls for the bell and we are underway! Bob Sinclair: A bit of sound strategy from Mitchell here. O’Hallister’s known for his stamina and tolerance to pain. Frankie Garnett: She needs to focus more on that right leg, Bob. Sure, she dropped an elbow on it but that’s not going to be enough. She’s going to need to do something just short of ripping off the leg and beating him with it to keep him down, I think. Bob Sinclair: That’s…an image I don’t think we needed. Bob Sinclair: Mitchell is putting Angela Wassermann to shame with that ground and pound offense! Frankie Garnett: To be far, Bob, anyone could put Wassermann to shame given the last few seasons… Frankie Garnett: He timed that one perfectly, Bob! Bob Sinclair: Maybe this is what he meant when he told Molina earlier today that he had Mitchell in hand, Frankie. Perhaps he’s been working on countering the spear. Frankie Garnett: If so, he may need to do it a couple more times tonight! Bob Sinclair: That was two and three-quarters, easy! O’Hallister just got out of that one, and barely! Frankie Garnett: Mitchell just keeps coming, Bob. One more heavy shot like that and it may be curtains for O’Hallister! Bob Sinclair: O’Hallister with the hook of the far leg…one, two, three! O’Hallister pulls one out in an absolute war to start this week’s Alpha Division action! Frankie Garnett: Neither person here has anything to be ashamed of. This could have gone either way a number of times! Bob Sinclair: Regardless, it’s O’Hallister getting the jinx off his back as he notches his first career win against De’siree Mitchell here tonight! Mel O'Hallister (2-2) def. De'siree Mitchell (1-3) via Pinfall (Dream of the Emerald Isle) in 17:18. Rating: **** Changes for Mel O'Hallister: OVR + 6.44, XP + 1004.53, moderate damage to head Changes for De'siree Mitchell: OVR + 2.16, XP + 363.63, moderate damage to head This was the Match of the Night (7 [1 this season] for Mel O'Hallister, 5 [3 this season] for De'siree Mitchell) ALPHA DIVISION LAST ONE STANDING MATCH (7) The Mastodon (1-2, OVR 523) (Favorite, 58.27%) vs. (8) Jean-Paul Ouilette (1-2, OVR 522) The Match of the Night was immediately followed by the number one contender to it. This was close from the start, as Ouilette was able to roll with the heavier blows from Mastodon and remain close in the contest. A pivotal moment came fourteen minutes in as Mastodon, having had no success in keeping Ouilette down with just his power game alone, sent the French playboy to the floor and followed him out there. On commentary, Bob Sinclair even noted that without the ropes to add some oomph to Le Petit Mort, Ouilette was down one of his most critical offensive weapons. The two men brawled around ringside for several minutes, with Ouilette failing to land anything significant that could keep Mastodon down. Nearly twenty-one minutes after the start of the match, Mastodon seemed to be ready to end things as he looked to Cull the Weak with Ouilette, only for Cecile Corine to physically involve herself in the contest by futilely pummeling the back of Mastodon. He dropped Ouilette and spun to face Corine, who was already starting to back away, but the opening was enough. A couple of spinning elbows preceded Ouilette taking a chair from Corine and blasting a rising Mastodon in the shoulders and neck with it. Mastodon did get to his feet, but a half-second after the official reached the count of ten. Jean-Paul Ouilette ends up stealing a win in a match he was not favored to emerge victorious from! Jean-Paul Ouilette (2-2) def. The Mastodon (1-3) via Last One Standing (chair shot from above) in 24:12. Rating: *** Changes for Jean-Paul Ouilette: OVR + 6.46, XP + 639.10, moderate damage to head, minor damage to body Changes for The Mastodon: OVR + 1.84, XP + 199.72, major damage to head, minor damage to body BETA DIVISION CAGE MATCH (1) Christian Priest (2-1, OVR 577) (Favorite, 72.63%) vs. (2) Pulsar (2-1, OVR 488) A first-time matchup, and Priest enters as a near 3-to-1 favorite. Despite this, Pulsar managed to stun Priest early and gave the much larger opponent a run for it, using his speed to keep Priest off-balance and unable to rely on the power game for a good portion of the early minutes. Priest was not to be denied, however, and eventually ramped up the offense, battering Pulsar and keeping the luchador from taking to the skies. Eventually the lariat connected, and instead of climbing the cage, Priest simply walked out the door and to the floor before Pulsar even began to stir. The reigning Beta Division leader keeps the top spot heading into week five, and some are beginning to whisper of things to come—Priest and The Juggernaut in the same division for the first time since Season Eight? One can only dream… Christian Priest (3-1) def. Pulsar (2-2) via Cage Escape (Canonized) in 11:58. Rating: *** Changes for Christian Priest: OVR + 5.28, XP + 684.09, minor damage to head Changes for Pulsar: OVR + 1.45, XP + 171.02, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (3) George Mastachas (2-1, OVR 533) vs. (Favorite, 57.96%) (2) Nuclear Templeton (2-1, OVR 537) This has been an even series over the last three seasons, even if the stats seem to favor the Season Nine champion over the Season Ten and defending titleholder. The actual match certainly did not resemble the historical series, though, as Templeton controlled more than half of the contest, keeping Mastachas on his back foot. While the reigning champion would get his share of offense, Nuclear would get more, and harder-hitting shots in and slowly take advantage. The ripcord lariat of Nuclear’s was enough to seal the deal here, as Templeton keeps the pressure on Brandy McDonald with a pinfall victory. Nuclear Templeton (3-1) def. George Mastachas (2-2) via Pinfall (Armageddon Lariat) in 14:52. Rating: ** Changes for Nuclear Templeton: OVR + 3.74, XP + 730.70, no notable damage Changes for George Mastachas: OVR + 0.42, XP + 182.68, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (1) Brandy McDonald (2-1, OVR 524) vs. (Favorite, 70.89%) (4) Brian Blackfield (2-1, OVR 572) One of the marquee matchups this season, everyone in attendance made sure to not leave their seats for anything during this contest. This was even, if not very exciting throughout, as both wrestlers looked to soften the opponent up for their high-impact finishers. Brandy would strike first, hitting her twisting face crusher and invoking The Juggernaut to come forth. For about a minute, Blackfield battered away at McDonald, and in desperation Brandy lashed out with a roundhouse right that outwardly didn’t seem to faze Blackfield. Brandy must have seen something, though, as a second followed immediately after ducking a Blackfield counterstrike, and a second Brandy with a Twist followed that. That one kept Blackfield down, and McDonald surprises some folks as she wins a match she was statistically a massive underdog in, and finding a way to stop The Juggernaut’s adrenaline rush after only a minute as the show came to a close! Brandy McDonald (3-1) def. Brian Blackfield (2-2) via Pinfall (Brandy with a Twist) in 18:18. Rating: ** Changes for Brandy McDonald: OVR + 3.92, XP + 733.18, minor damage to head Changes for Brian Blackfield: OVR + 0.44, XP + 183.29, minor damage to head and body /\/\/\/\/\/\ STANDINGS AFTER SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK FOUR ALPHA DIVISION 1. Brandy McDonald: 3-1, ATV 14:22, (AMR 2.500), OVR 527.56 2. Nuclear Templeton: 3-1, ATV 14:43, (AMR 2.000), OVR 540.58 3. Mel O'Hallister: 2-2, ATV 16:59, (AMR 2.750), OVR 533.62 4. George Mastachas: 2-2, ATV 17:06, (AMR 2.250), OVR 533.54 5. Brian Blackfield: 2-2, ATV 19:39, (AMR 2.500), OVR 572.22 6. Jean-Paul Ouilette: 2-2, ATV 22:18, (AMR 2.500), OVR 528.33 7. De'siree Mitchell: 1-3, ATV 11:12, (AMR 3.000), OVR 504.67 8. The Mastodon: 1-3, ATV 17:39, (AMR 2.500), OVR 525.18 Brandy holds H2H over Nuclear All other ties are determined by ATV BETA DIVISION 1. Christian Priest: 3-1, ATV 10:27 (AMR 2.250), OVR 582.56 2. Yoshii Nakamatsu: 3-1, ATV 11:31 (AMR 2.000), OVR 520.61 3. Lucas Molina: 3-1, ATV 14:32 (AMR 2.750), OVR 488.71 4. Pulsar: 2-2, ATV 9:56 (AMR 2.500), OVR 489.32 5. Billy Norris: 2-2, ATV 11:03 (AMR 2.750), OVR 518.17 6. Angela Wassermann: 1-3, ATV 9:54 (AMR 2.000), OVR 480.52 7. Blood River: 1-3, ATV 10:39 (AMR 2.000), OVR 506.15 8. Reverend Johnny Gross: 1-3, ATV 13:57 (AMR 2.250), OVR 506.96 Pulsar holds H2H over Norris All other ties are determined by ATV GAMMA DIVISION 1. Monty Dhillon: 4-0, ATV 10:02, (AMR 2.000), OVR 537.87 2. Kichi Hida: 3-1, ATV 9:58, (AMR 2.500), OVR 474.47 3. Diego Rodriguez: 3-1, ATV 12:01, (AMR 2.250), OVR 521.32 4. Big Scott Weathers: 2-2, ATV 11:12, (AMR 2.250), OVR 499.28 5. Markus Clay: 2-2, ATV 12:49, (AMR 2.500), OVR 486.95 6. Lance Heartilly: 1-3, ATV 10:02, (AMR 2.000), OVR 450.03 7. Indigo Rose: 1-3, ATV 13:25, (AMR 2.250), OVR 497.04 8. Terrance Stevens: 0-4, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.250), OVR 485.49 Hida holds H2H over Rodriguez All other ties are determined by ATV DELTA DIVISION 1. Nocturne: 4-0, ATV 9:48 (AMR 2.250), OVR 444.15 2. Rock Sheridan: 3-1, ATV 10:33 (AMR 2.750), OVR 414.63 2. Leon de Ramos: 3-1, ATV 11:24 (AMR 2.500), OVR 413.39 4. Scott Stevens: 2-2, ATV 10:10 (AMR 2.250), OVR 429.57 5. Diamond: 2-2, ATV 9:35 (AMR 2.250), OVR 486.58 6. Sterling Silver: 1-3, ATV 10:30 (AMR 2.250), OVR 451.79 7. Mickey Steele: 1-3, ATV 5:50 (AMR 2.750), OVR 406.90 8. George Stevens: 0-4, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.000), OVR 401.55 3-1 tie is determined by ATV S. Stevens holds H2H over Diamond Silver holds H2H over Steele PREDICTION STANDINGS (Reminder: The official scores will have the lowest two weeks dropped at the end of the season.) 1. Eternal Phoenix: 40 (this week: 10) 2. Croquemitaine: 37 (this week: 9) 3. SeanMcG: 33 (this week: 7) 4. Derek B: 31 (this week: 9) 5. Jman2k3: 25 (this week: 6) WEEK FIVE CARD ALPHA DIVISION LAST ONE STANDING MATCH: (5) Brian Blackfield (2-2, OVR 572) vs. (3) Mel O'Hallister (2-2, OVR 534) [First Career Meeting. Blackfield is 2-0 in Last One Standing matches; O’Hallister is 3-0 in Last One Standing matches] (2) Nuclear Templeton (3-1, OVR 541) vs. (8) The Mastodon (1-3, OVR 525) [Career: Nuclear Templeton, 4 - 2] (6) Jean-Paul Ouilette (2-2, OVR 528) vs. (1) Brandy McDonald (3-1, OVR 528) [First Career Meeting] (4) George Mastachas (2-2, OVR 534) vs. (7) De'siree Mitchell (1-3, OVR 505) [Career: George Mastachas, 4 - 2] BETA DIVISION (1) Christian Priest (3-1, OVR 583) vs. (3) Lucas Molina (3-1, OVR 489) [Career: Christian Priest, 3 - 1] (4) Pulsar (2-2, OVR 489) vs. (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (3-1, OVR 521) [Career: Yoshii Nakamatsu, 2 - 0] (8) Reverend Johnny Gross (1-3, OVR 507) vs. (7) Blood River (1-3, OVR 506) [Career: Tied 1 - 1] (6) Angela Wassermann (1-3, OVR 481) vs. (5) Billy Norris (2-2, OVR 518) [Career: Billy Norris, 5 - 1] GAMMA DIVISION (8) Terrance Stevens (0-4, OVR 485) vs. (1) Monty Dhillon (4-0, OVR 538) [First Career Meeting] (5) Markus Clay (2-2, OVR 487) vs. (4) Big Scott Weathers (2-2, OVR 499) [First Career Meeting] (7) Indigo Rose (1-3, OVR 497) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (3-1, OVR 474) [First Career Meeting] (3) Diego Rodriguez (3-1, OVR 521) vs. (6) Lance Heartilly (1-3, OVR 450) [First Career Meeting] DELTA DIVISION (5) Diamond (2-2, OVR 487) vs. (2) Rock Sheridan (3-1, OVR 415) [First Career Meeting] (1) Nocturne (4-0, OVR 444) vs. (2) Leon de Ramos (3-1, OVR 413) [First Career Meeting] (8) George Stevens (0-4, OVR 402) vs. (6) Sterling Silver (1-3, OVR 452) [First Career Meeting] (4) Scott Stevens (2-2, OVR 430) vs. (7) Mickey Steele (1-3, OVR 407) [First Career Meeting] TRAINING AND PREDICTION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2024 AT 11:59 PM EASTERN US!

A quick note: This week will feature play-by-play for all matches included after each match’s respective summary. Of course, the Match of the Night will be written out in its entirety as is tradition, but for the other 15 matches you’ll be able to get a glimpse of how the other wrestlers in The League seem to be functioning. As such, do not be surprised if the show gets posted an hour or two later than normal on Saturday morning, as the extra formatting and proofing will be in addition to errand running I must do before I may boot the computer up to begin posting. Huzzah for this so-called “adulting” business!

The clubhouse leader for MOTN, as I have finished all but two matches at the time of this message, is a 4* affair somewhere in the upper two divisions of The League and marks the second 4* match of the season. The runner-up is a 24-minute 3* match. EDIT: The ending to this one is going to be controversial at best. While not as bad as the Baltimore Blackbirds getting a bunch of BS penalties called on them by the refs in their gridiron game against the Kansas City Arrowheads this past weekend, this match is going to be a talking point for weeks to come, methinks.

So, first point of business: In the "Assorted Notes" Post back on page 1--namely the fifth post--the blank League spreadsheet has been placed there for your downloading pleasure. Everything should be working fine there, so have at it, folks. Second point of business: You may have seen these names in Omega lists, but have no context to them. That’s where this post comes in. Designed as a bit of a “lore-building” post, listed below are some of the GMPCs toiling away in the Omega Division that have either (1) never made the main roster, or (2) were recently signed to “tryout”/Omega Division contracts. Elyssa Anderson claims to be the one true female wrestling star in Australia, and pointedly ignores anyone who tells her otherwise. Relying solely on her fists and the occasional jaw-dropping aerial spectacle, Elyssa prefers to let her actions speak for her. When forced to use a microphone, though, she can hold her own against some of the other names in the industry. Her reputation for being a troublemaker has kept her from jobs in the past, despite her talents in the ring. However, the new regime of The League sees this as a positive, hoping that Elyssa can create rivalries with both her in-ring and microphone skills. Provided, of course, that she ever makes it to the main roster. A native of Amsterdam, Kyler den Boen broke into the wrestling business as a tag team specialist. Alongside long-time tag partner Martjin Adel, the duo had more than their share of success on the European independent scene. In late 2021, though, a freak accident ended Adel’s career, and without the full team, work seemed to dry up for den Boen as promoters were only interested in the team. Sensing an opportunity, The League contacted den Boen for a tryout, wanting to see if he could reinvent himself after twelve years as a tag specialist into a competitive singles wrestler. The Welsh may not be known for their wrestling abilities, but Rhys Caddell is making heads turn with his submission style of offense. Unlike the majority who may focus on a leg or the head of an opponent, Rhys favors working on the arms, whether separately or in conjunction, for his painful-looking finishing hold that targets the arms and shoulders. His style of wrestling naturally piqued the interest of The League’s founder, and arrangements were quickly made for a tryout in 2023 for Rhys to make himself known on a wider scale. A young joshi who is on excursion for the first time in her life, Sakura Uematsu has surprised many on the west coast of the US with her skills at such a young age. One of her opponents in the ring sent word to the opposite side of the country about her prowess, and prompted League officials to give her a tryout as well as a foothold for working dates on the east coast of the US to further her excursion and broaden her experience. A throwback to the 1980s “savage Samoan” gimmick, Vaea was experiencing a resurgence in his career thanks to a renewed interest in the Samoan legacy of professional wrestling. Little is otherwise known about him outside of the ring. His aura of menace and general working skill caught the eye of The League, who invited him for a tryout in 2023 to see if he could earn his way into the full roster of The League starting after their ninth season was complete. Vladimir Chavinski trained for years to be a mixed martial artist, and many regarded him as someone with a bright future in Eurasian MMA. Then his first fight came, and his training flew out the window as he got himself disqualified (and subsequently banned from organized MMA events) by blatantly kicking his opponent in the crotch within ten seconds of the fight starting, and then pounding said opponent until half a dozen officials finally managed to pull him off. The opponent’s career was over after that, and Chavinski found himself looking for employment. The League signed him to a tryout deal, with the implication that if Chavinski messed this up he would be permanently banned from the company. Now he finds himself trying to rein in his temper to avoid ruining what may be his last chance at glory. New to the Omega Division, but using long-standing avatars that came from the same mod as the original avatars for Brandy, Silver, Devil’s Delight, Indigo Rose, and Elyssa Anderson… The younger cousin of "The Juggernaut" Brian Blackfield, Nora Blackfield got into professional wrestling thanks to watching Brian compete. Unlike her cousin, however, Nora does not have the size to batter her opponents into oblivion. Instead, she decided to use a technical game and play up a character of a dark, brooding girl looking to lure wrestlers into her web. This even extends to the name of her finisher, a grounded octopus stretch she calls the Gossamer Web. (Note from the author: the concept of Nora came along long before the man we know now as The Juggernaut. I actually pulled the Blackfield name from this character to give to Brian, and with his success figured that I should let the original character have a shot at it too.) The older sister of Jessica "Devil's Delight" Solomon, Rebecca Solomon was told that she would never wrestle again after a severe knee injury sustained during her time as "property" of the Hell's Marauders ended her in-ring career. After seeing Jessica's comeback, Rebecca got second and third opinions and was given the green light to make a return to the ring. While she doesn't expect to do well at all in The League, she is looking to slowly knock off the ring rust off her technical game, get back some of the power she once had before the injury, and go from there. As a final severance of her past, she has dropped even the ring name she and Jessica had agreed to use, and now competes under her own name for the first time in her career. The profiles below this line of text feature images pulled from the “AI Generated Cornellverse Content” thread in the TEW 2020 Mods category. All of these characters will be new to the Omega Division this season. Apollo Stone at one point was a promising young boxer, with a 12-1 pro record and a reign as the New Jersey Super Middleweight champion. A torn rotator cuff put an end to an otherwise bright career, and after his rehab began Apollo decided to give professional wrestling a try. He hasn't strayed far from his roots, preferring to throw hands rather than feet, holds, or throws. He still has a lethal right hook to the body, his go-to punch as a boxer, and despite the shoulder issues that punch has put down many an opponent. Contrary to what many believe just by the name, Dante James (D.J.) Calypso is neither a DJ nor from the Caribbean. Born and raised in Seattle, Calypso turned to pro wrestling as a teenager to stay off the streets and out of trouble. A natural brawler, Calypso has no problems taking matches to the mat when the need arises. His biggest weakness, as many see it, is his sheer determination to never rely on a tag team partner. "I grew up relying on myself, that's the only one I can rely on" is a common quote from him. That makes The League, with its heavy influence on singles competition, right up his alley. Selene Luneweaver is one of the last bastions of "kayfabe is not dead" in the wrestling scene today. Playing up the character of a young wizard straight out of a high fantasy novel, Selene uses various production tricks and effects to make her entrances and matches a bit more showy than most. While she would normally be out of place in a promotion like The League, she is a flier/brawler hybrid and can hang with most people in the ring. Will Prydor, an avowed fan of fantasy novels, is the only person in The League who knows Selene's true identity, and he refuses to even field questions regarding it as he's reportedly a big fan of the character. "Twilight" Terra Harding has always considered herself on the outside of society. While some will say that she simply never left her "goth phase," Terra quite simply does not care about peoples' opinions of her or her manner of expressing herself. Sporting a "devil-may-care" style of aerial attack, Terra looks to The League to get some extra ring time in and maybe learn some better brawling skills in order to be taken seriously in the wrestling world at large. The characters above will be joining “Dirty” John Murdoch (PC), Devil’s Delight, El Tornado, Jimmy Anarchy, Joslin Baroni (PC), Jun Onoo, Lord Robert Abernathy, Otto von Schwarz, Sin, Sven Ulafsson, and The Siberian Nightmare in the Omega Division for the Season Eleven cycle. Work on actually running the division will commence after Tag Team Turmoil has been posted. There is one final character idea I have in mind, that I am going to attempt my own AI prompt for. This is probably the only time I will not go directly to Croquemitaine immediately (like I did with both Nocturne and the revamped Sterling Silver) with render ideas, as this character…may be a bit controversial in some circles and areas of the world. But it’s a character that I feel needs to be introduced, even if I’m deliberately keeping them shrouded in mystery for now, to see if they can make the main roster and have their story fully told. As such, for now at least, I want to work on the concept in private and see if I can get a baseline concept for Croquemitaine to work off of down the road if it’s merited. This additional character will bring the Omega Division to a total of 24 characters, where I am setting a hard cut-off limit. Any additional PCs coming in to Omega will force out one of the GMPCs for a season, because I have to put a limit somewhere in Omega or else I’ll be running that for three hours every day just to keep up with the regular League season!