ShadowedFlames

*furiously taking notes* Make that two ideas.

Just FYI, I already have an idea in mind in case Kichi wins via the “force submission” move. No, I will not provide further comment at this time since I want to have something to motivate me to get through the work day tomorrow.

THE LEAGUE: SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK THREE DELTA DIVISION (4) Mickey Steele (1-1, OVR 405) vs. (Favorite, 50.07%) (5) Rock Sheridan (1-1, OVR 405) The opening match of the night once more saw a Match of the Night contender emerge, as this was a relative sprint between a David and Goliath. Unlike certain other stories the author has already pointed at in the previous sentence, the larger man won this time, as Sheridan withstood everything Steele could throw at him, avoiding several hard knee strikes and one attempt at the Steele Scissor, before ducking a Steele spinning backfist and promptly knocking Steele loopy with a Grit City Lariat. There was no way Steele was getting up after that impact, and Sheridan wins a match that he was considered a slight favorite to win in the first place. Rock Sheridan (2-1) def. Mickey Steele (1-2) via Pinfall (Grit City Lariat) in 7:48. Rating: *** Changes for Rock Sheridan: OVR + 4.52, XP + 524.06, minor damage to head Changes for Mickey Steele: OVR + 1.14, XP + 131.01, no notable damage DELTA DIVISION (7) George Stevens (0-2, OVR 401) (Favorite, 53.36%) vs. (6) Scott Stevens (1-1, OVR 425) The patriarch of the Stevens family sat at the commentary desk for this match, so that neither brother could claim favoritism in this one. This was not the prettiest of matches, but then again how many family squabbles can actually claim to be bouts that are worth viewing as stand-alone contests? This installment of the Stevens Family Feud ended in favor of long-time League competitor Scott, as he avoided a low blow attempt from his brother to set up the piledriver, and from there claim victory. (Behind-the-curtain chat: this is one of the instances where the weekly Elo/ratings skews the odds because of a lack of history for one competitor. I never said it was a perfect system!) Scott Stevens (2-1) def. George Stevens (0-3) via Pinfall (Deep in the Heart of Texas) in 7:01. Rating: ** Changes for Scott Stevens: OVR + 3.35, XP + 483.37, no notable damage Changes for George Stevens: OVR + 0.38, XP + 120.84, minor damage to head DELTA DIVISION (7) Sterling Silver (0-2, OVR 447) vs. (Favorite, 50.49%) (1) Nocturne (2-0, OVR 436) Another Match of the Night contender, this one even featured a ref bump near the tail end of the match. Despite being trained as a technical wrestler, Nocturne showed that she could keep up with Silver in this one, as the first-year professional managed to stay a step ahead of the decade-plus veteran more often than not. After a sequence that saw Nocturne roll under a Silver Streak and pick up Silver for a whip, only for the veteran to send Nocturne into the referee, what followed was ninety seconds of cat-and-mouse action on the top turnbuckles as Silver tried to take advantage only for Nocturne to rush up after her on a few occasions. In the end, though, Silver went for a quebrada, missed, and Nocturne immediately clamped on the ankle lock submission to score the victory in a match that could have gone either way. Nocturne (3-0) def. Sterling Silver (0-3) via Submission (Midnight Solstice) in 9:37. Rating: *** Changes for Nocturne: OVR + 4.64, XP + 525.00, minor damage to head Changes for Sterling Silver: OVR + 1.17, XP + 131.25, no notable damage DELTA DIVISION (2) Leon de Ramos (2-0, OVR 409) (Favorite, 52.38%) vs. (3) Diamond (1-1, OVR 481) The Delta Division ended competition in what would be one of the more serious contenders for Match of the Night. This one featured Diamond on top of her game, for what seemed to be the first time in a long while, as she busted open de Ramos early with a knee drop and would only widen the laceration over the following couple of minutes. Her first attempt at the Jawjacker missed, allowing Leon to get back into the contest, and he made the most of it as he utilized his technical ground game to slowly wear Diamond down. When he tried to roll Diamond up in the Lisbon Prayer, however, the First Lady finally got back into the contest herself, connecting with a Jawjacker but then finding her cutter thwarted. The two would trade finisher attempts back-and-forth for another two or three minutes before a short DDT from Diamond stunned de Ramos, and her Florentine hold led to the submission victory. Leon suffers his first defeat on the main roster, while Diamond pulls out what turned out to be a close victory in one of the better matches seen on the card this week. Diamond (2-1) def. Leon de Ramos (2-1) via Submission (Florentine) in 14:19. Rating: *** Changes for Diamond: OVR + 4.95, XP + 527.44, minor damage to head Changes for Leon de Ramos: OVR + 1.25, XP + 131.86, moderate damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (3) Lance Heartilly (1-1, OVR 449) vs. (Favorite, 50.89%) (2) Kichi Hida (2-0, OVR 468) Into the Gamma Division now, and a match that seemed to favor Heartilly in every way except for the weekly power rankings shown on the broadcast. Sure, Hida had more time on the main roster. But Heartilly swept her last season in the Delta Division, and many thought the trend would continue here in Gamma. And for the opening three minutes of this match, it certainly seemed that way. It took Hida that long to land her first successful offensive strike. Once that hit, the rest started to come in bunches. Massive bunches. A couple of Funhouse Stomps led to a UFO Spin Elbow that drew blood from the Canadian. Then came Glory in Violence, delivered in pairs to really open Heartilly up. He fought back with a few holds of his own, but the blood loss was starting to get to him and Kichi took full advantage. A third Glory in Violence led directly to the rarely-seen Endless Carnival, and that would be enough for Hida to score her first victory in her career over Lance Heartilly in this Match of the Night contender! Kichi Hida (3-0) def. Lance Heartilly (1-2) via Pinfall (Endless Carnival) in 11:54. Rating: *** Changes for Kichi Hida: OVR + 4.79, XP + 605.12, no notable damage Changes for Lance Heartilly: OVR + 1.21, XP + 151.28, minor damage to head and body BETA DIVISION (8) Angela Wassermann (0-2, OVR 477) vs. (Favorite, 62.12%) (1) Pulsar (2-0, OVR 487) A bit of a letdown after the last few bouts, this one was heavily in favor of Wassermann until about the five-minute mark. Then the luchador started making a comeback, using his speed to keep Wassermann off-balance and on the defensive. What Pulsar failed to realize is that he was playing right into her game, and after an Arabian press found nothing but canvas Wassermann sprung the trap. She immediately went for, and applied, her cross arm breaker and with putting herself between Pulsar and the ropes, the luchador had no choice but to tap out. Wassermann finally earns her first victory of the season, showing that perhaps rumors of her demise in Beta were exaggerated. Angela Wassermann (1-2) def. Pulsar (2-1) via Submission (Wassermann Cross Arm Breaker) in 9:54. Rating: ** Changes for Angela Wassermann: OVR + 3.50, XP + 630.18, no notable damage Changes for Pulsar: OVR + 0.40, XP + 157.54, minor damage to head and body GAMMA DIVISION (6) Big Scott Weathers (1-1, OVR 495) (Favorite, 55.84%) vs. (7) Terrance Stevens (0-2, OVR 485) Not the most interesting of bouts, this got out of squash territory, but not much further. Terrance just had trouble finding an offensive rhythm. Weathers had no such problems, though he seemed to be unable to lock in Welcome to Dreamland on the Canadian. Instead, after four failed attempts at it, he simply deked Stevens out and took advantage of the fake-out to land flush with a spear, and earn the pin a few moments later. Big Scott Weathers (2-1) def. Terrance Stevens (0-3) via Pinfall (spear) in 8:06. Rating: ** Changes for Big Scott Weathers: OVR + 3.41, XP + 556.47, no notable damage Changes for Terrance Stevens: OVR + 0.39, XP + 139.12, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (5) Markus Clay (1-1, OVR 481) vs. (Favorite, 62.92%) (4) Diego Rodriguez (1-1, OVR 512) This was a Match of the Night contender, true, but for those people in attendance who watched it, they’d probably tell you otherwise. Markus controlled most of the opening two minutes, and then after that was trying to fight from behind for the remained of the contest. Diego’s technical game seemed to work well against Clay, and despite Clay even getting in a couple of aerial attacks during the contest Rodriguez seemed determined to let some of his off-season training shine here. It wasn’t any of his normal submission holds that did the job this time, but instead a leglock taken from judo that did it, as Clay finally tapped out on the third application of the hold. Rodriguez may have found the one thing he was missing in order to be a promotion threat, but only time will tell with the way the early season has gone. Diego Rodriguez (2-1) def. Markus Clay (1-2) via Submission (rolling judo leglock) in 12:17. Rating: *** Changes for Diego Rodriguez: OVR + 4.82, XP + 605.35, minor damage to head Changes for Markus Clay: OVR + 1.22, XP + 151.34, minor damage to head THE GREATER OATH? As The League comes back from their mandated advertisement break (but only for those people not on YouTube Premium!), the camera shot fades in to Mel O’Hallister standing near the exit to the men’s locker room, a pensive look on his face. He is so deep in thought that he doesn’t even notice the diminutive figure that shades his face for a few moments. ??: Ah. There you are. Was hoping we could talk. O’Hallister comes back to reality with a start, and the camera turns to see that it is Sterling Silver who is standing in front of Mel. Silver is still in her ring gear after having competed earlier in the show in a tough loss to Nocturne. Mel O’Hallister: Ah, lass. Ye make it hard to contact ye, y’know, when ye stay in the lasses’ dressing room all the time. Sterling Silver: …I suppose I had that coming. But, since you’re here, got a question for you. Mel O’Hallister: It’s ‘bout the tag show, right? Sterling Silver: Yeah. Are we looking to defend the titles we never got a chance to last season? There is a bit of a pause, and then O’Hallister sighs. Mel O’Hallister: I wish it were that simple, lass. See, last season…no one knew if ye were hanging them up for good while your knee was busted. So, that Molina fella and I, well…we made the finals. I told him that unless something came up, we’d give it another go this season. Sterling Silver: But, you said— Mel O’Hallister: Let me finish, lass, please. I also know that before ye got hurt, we were gonna defend the belts last season. So ye see, I have two of ye who I promised to team with now—one from last season, one from the season before—but there’s only one of me. Which means I have to break my word to one of ye, and I am not sure what the easiest course of action will be. There’s another pause, as both wrestlers reflect on this. Sterling Silver: Given the circumstances, Mel, I cannot hold you at fault. You’re right. I had thought about just retiring altogether when the knee injury happened. So you did what you needed to do, and I respect that. I also know that I’m the one putting you on the spot here, but that’s because I wanted to get plans settled early. So, here’s what I’ll do. I’ll let you discuss it with Lucas during the week, and next week before the matches begin, you can let me know if you’ve come to a decision. I won’t press you or anything like that. I just need to know so I can have time to look into a replacement partner if needed. Mel O’Hallister: I can’t ask for fairer than that, lass. Next week. Silver nods at this and pats O’Hallister’s shoulder before leaving the camera shot. O’Hallister’s face returns to its pensive look before the camera cuts back to the regular view inside the main room of The Aerie. BETA DIVISION (6) Billy Norris (0-2, OVR 510) (Favorite, 51.28%) vs. (3) Lucas Molina (2-0, OVR 484) Molina controlled the majority of the first half of the contest. He had Norris in trouble by the seven-minute point, nearly earning a submission with his heel hook. But Norris got lucky with a chop that seemed to land high on the chest, almost in the throat area, and Molina’s suddenly diminished capacity for breathing would prove to be the turning point of this match. Norris fought past the pain in his leg from the heel hook attempt, thwarted a sudden attempt at a San Juan Buster, and wore Molina down with speed. Still barely able to breathe fully, Molina had the wind driven out of him by a springboard senton bomb, and simply could not get a shoulder up in time. Norris steals a win that in all likelihood he should not have been in the running for in this match of the Night contender. Billy Norris (1-2) def. Lucas Molina (2-1) via Pinfall (springboard senton bomb) in 11:10. Rating: *** Changes for Billy Norris: OVR + 4.74, XP + 683.55, no notable damage Changes for Lucas Molina: OVR + 1.20, XP + 170.89, no notable damage GAMMA DIVISION (1) Monty Dhillon (2-0, OVR 531) (Favorite, 61.03%) vs. (8) Indigo Rose (0-2, OVR 492) Anyone who wandered away from this bout after the three-minute mark, with Dhillon in complete control, were likely surprised several minutes later to see Rose making a valiant comeback. Despite being outweighed by close to two hundred pounds, Rose used her smaller frame to slip out of the big man’s grasp on a few occasions, even hitting Blood from a Rose twice and forcing Dhillon to pop a shoulder up off the mat. However, the opening minutes would finally catch up to Rose, as Dhillon chained a 1346 into the Blockade Lock. Rose simply couldn’t wriggle her way out of that one, and had to submit in what would turn out to be yet another Match of the Night contender. Monty Dhillon (3-0) def. Indigo Rose (0-3) via Submission (Blockade Lock) in 13:37. Rating: *** Changes for Monty Dhillon: OVR + 4.91, XP + 606.14, minor damage to head Changes for Indigo Rose: OVR + 1.24, XP + 151.54, minor damage to head and body BETA DIVISION (7) Reverend Johnny Gross (0-2, OVR 503) vs. (Favorite, 66.72%) (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (2-0, OVR 518) This one was a bit disjointed in terms of match flow at times, and it showed in the overall rating as there never seemed to be any sort of cohesiveness in this one. Gross took the early advantage, nearly won the contest with a low blow (only for Nakamatsu to kick out at two), and had Yoshii bleeding decently, but he simply could not find a way to lock in the dragon sleeper on his opponent. For his part, Nakamatsu fought back, nearly getting a win off a sudden DEVASTATION Knee, but he was unable to follow that up with any sort of sustained offense. Gross would capitalize on this hesitation, driving Yoshii to the mat with a full nelson legsweep, and scoring the pin to win just his fifth one-fall match in The League by way of pinfall (compared to his fourteen submission victories). Reverend Johnny Gross (1-2) def. Yoshii Nakamatsu (2-1) via Pinfall (full nelson legsweep) in 13:57. Rating: ** Changes for Reverend Johnny Gross: OVR + 3.70, XP + 632.70, no notable damage Changes for Yoshii Nakamatsu: OVR + 0.42, XP + 158.18, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (2) Brandy McDonald (1-1, OVR 519) (Favorite, 61.99%) vs. (3) De'siree Mitchell (1-1, OVR 501) Bob Sinclair: We now move to the Alpha Division, and this matchup between the two long-term female veterans of the top flight. De’siree Mitchell looks to establish herself as a contender this season as she faces the Season Eight champion, Brandy McDonald. Frankie Garnett: Bob, this one shouldn’t even need much thought. Mitchell has been struggling to remain out of relegation status over the last couple of seasons, while Brandy has finished in the upper half of the standings since the jump. There’s no way that Brandy isn’t an overwhelming favorite here. Bob Sinclair: The resident League statistician gives Brandy a 62% chance to win this one, Frankie. Frankie Garnett: …that’s all? Even with Brandy up 4-2 in the career series? Bob Sinclair: That’s all, Frankie. Frankie Garnett: Man, and I thought Vegas was stingy with their lines once upon a time… Bob Sinclair: In any event, it looks like these two don’t want to waste any more time, and we are underway as the bell sounds here in The Aerie! Bob Sinclair: Frankie, early thoughts so far? Frankie Garnett: McDonald’s seemed to have the advantage, Bob. It’s the championship experience kicking in. Something Mitchell has never experienced. Bob Sinclair: Well, yeah, Frankie, the only champions have been Brandy, Nuclear, and Mastachas. Frankie Garnett: I don’t mean here. Even in the WIFL, her Atlanta Storm never made even a conference championship game. In fact, the only times the Storm made the playoffs were as a wild card entrant. In the six seasons she played in the league her team never even won a divisional title. Bob Sinclair: …wow, Frankie, did you have to go that hard on her? Frankie Garnett: Facts are facts, Bob! Bob Sinclair: De’siree’s showing no signs of giving up yet, Frankie. After the way the end of last season went, this is definitely a showing she needed. Frankie Garnett: Get back to me if she wins, Bob. Good showings will only do you so much good before results start speaking. Brandy’s results speak for her. Mitchell doesn’t even have a winning record in The League for her career! Bob Sinclair: De’siree seems to have found a weak point in the defense of the former champion! Frankie Garnett: Not really, Bob. Mitchell still needs to get Brandy to stand up before she can try to lay her out. Brandy has that bulldog choke in her arsenal. Advantage remains with her. Bob Sinclair: Frankie, do you have something against De’siree? Frankie Garnett: Not at all! But consider this, Bob. If you’re a gridiron football coach, and your teams put together a combined 19-25 record after three seasons and change, are you likely to still have a job with them? Bob Sinclair: In gridiron football? Not likely. Frankie Garnett: 19-25 is Mitchell’s career record. She needs to show results now, or else she’s dropping out of the Alpha Division this season. That’s all I’m trying to get across! Bob Sinclair: First a flip neckbreaker, and now…one, two, three! The ref seemed a little fast with that count, Frankie! Frankie Garnett: Eh, doesn’t matter. Mitchell wasn’t getting up anyway. Bob Sinclair: Regardless, Brandy McDonald continues to make her case that she should be considered in contention for her second League Championship, as she puts down a tough opponent in De’siree Mitchell here! Frankie Garnett: I still maintain my stance, Bob. Mitchell needs to change something, and soon. Sugar-coating the issue won’t help her, and as a former All-Pro all-star she knows it! Brandy McDonald (2-1) def. De'siree Mitchell (1-2) via Pinfall (Brandy with a Twist) in 14:31. Rating: *** Changes for Brandy McDonald: OVR + 4.97, XP + 941.32, minor damage to head Changes for De'siree Mitchell: OVR + 1.25, XP + 347.83, minor damage to head This was the Match of the Night (3 [1 this season] for Brandy McDonald, 4 [2 this season] for De'siree Mitchell) ALPHA DIVISION (4) Nuclear Templeton (1-1, OVR 533) (Favorite, 73.86%) vs. (6) Jean-Paul Ouilette (1-1, OVR 521) This only barely avoided squash territory. Nuclear was never in any danger, and some may even say that Cecile Corine did her charge no favors by stopping a double underhook powerbomb by climbing onto the apron, as it only delayed the inevitable. Templeton also showed off a new move in the arsenal, a pop-up uppercut dubbed the Mushroom Cloud, before a lariat ended the proceedings for the evening. Nuclear Templeton (2-1) def. Jean-Paul Ouilette (1-2) via Pinfall (Armageddon Lariat) in 13:15. Rating: ** Changes for Nuclear Templeton: OVR + 3.66, XP + 729.54, no notable damage Changes for Jean-Paul Ouilette: OVR + 0.42, XP + 145.91, minor damage to head and body ALPHA DIVISION (8) Mel O'Hallister (0-2, OVR 523) vs. (Favorite, 79.48%) (1) George Mastachas (2-0, OVR 533) It’s rare to call a Week Three match a must-win for anyone, but that’s what Mel was facing here, even with the shadow of his discussion with Sterling Silver earlier in the evening weighing on his mind. Mastachas looked to take advantage of his opponent possibly being distracted, as he cruised out to an early lead. The reigning Champion must have decided coming in that he was going to win the match with a low blow and nothing but, as he tried on at least four occasions to hit the illegal move, only for O’Hallister to thwart it every time. After the fourth attempt, O’Hallister got Mastachas to work about a submission, forcing the champ to get to the ropes, and as Mastachas stood and turned to face his opponent O’Hallister landed a back elbow, hauled a stunned Mastachas back to his feet, and delivered the Dream on the first attempt. Even with the referee being out of position—obviously not expecting Mel to hit his move given the last two weeks—the champ stayed down for three. O’Hallister wins a match he desperately needed this early in the season in what’s considered one of the bigger upsets of the season to date! Mel O'Hallister (1-2) def. George Mastachas (2-1) via Pinfall (Dream of the Emerald Isle) in 16:39. Rating: ** Changes for Mel O'Hallister: OVR + 3.83, XP + 731.99, minor damage to head Changes for George Mastachas: OVR + 0.43, XP + 183.00, moderate damage to head BETA DIVISION (5) Blood River (1-1, OVR 506) vs. (Favorite, 70.45%) (4) Christian Priest (1-1, OVR 574) Those of you who thought River may have had a chance tonight, please raise your hands. All right. Those of you with hands raised? Please use those hands to smack the hand on your other arm for thinking such absurd thoughts. Only avoiding a squash on what some would call a technicality (given that the match went only ten minutes), this was a demolition by Christian Priest as he puts down the alleged cultist with a minimum of fuss, ending things with an Iconoclasm into Martyrdom for the quick tap out. While Priest’s record may be as strong as usual after just three weeks of the season, some are expressing concern that the First Church seems to be worried more about victories than entertaining the masses this season…. Christian Priest (2-1) def. Blood River (1-2) via Submission (Martyrdom) in 10:10. Rating: ** Changes for Christian Priest: OVR + 3.51, XP + 630.34, no notable damage Changes for Blood River: OVR + 0.40, XP + 157.59, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (5) The Mastodon (1-1, OVR 523) vs. (Favorite, 68.89%) (7) Brian Blackfield (1-1, OVR 568) One of the big talking points on The League’s forums in the days leading up to the show was the discussion about what would happen when two men who were known for adrenaline rushes faced off, and whether one being triggered would lead to the second right afterwards, and so on. What most people seemed to forget, mainly because this was three seasons ago at the point it was established, is that The Juggernaut simply cannot hit the Scotland Destroyer on someone of Mastodon’s size. It simply didn’t work on Monty Dhillon and he’s roughly the same size as The Mastodon. So instead, Blackfield got himself busted open about ten minutes into the match, used the anger from that to immediately pummel Mastodon, and spent the next few minutes wearing the larger man down for the eventual application of the Highland’s Wrath. That led to the submission, and Blackfield ending week three within striking distance of the Alpha Division lead. Brian Blackfield (2-1) def. The Mastodon (1-2) via Submission (Highland’s Wrath) in 18:46. Rating: ** Changes for Brian Blackfield: OVR + 3.94, XP + 733.51, minor damage to head Changes for The Mastodon: OVR + 0.45, XP + 183.38, moderate damage to head /\/\/\/\/\/\ STANDINGS AFTER SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK THREE ALPHA DIVISION 1. Brandy McDonald: 2-1, ATV 12:24, (AMR 2.667), OVR 523.64 2. Nuclear Templeton: 2-1, ATV 14:38, (AMR 2.000), OVR 536.84 3. George Mastachas: 2-1, ATV 17:06, (AMR 2.333), OVR 533.12 4. Brian Blackfield: 2-1, ATV 19:39, (AMR 2.667), OVR 571.78 5. De'siree Mitchell: 1-2, ATV 11:12, (AMR 2.667), OVR 502.51 6. Mel O'Hallister: 1-2, ATV 16:39, (AMR 2.333), OVR 527.18 7. The Mastodon: 1-2, ATV 17:39, (AMR 2.333), OVR 523.34 8. Jean-Paul Ouilette: 1-2, ATV 20:24, (AMR 2.333), OVR 521.87 BETA DIVISION 1. Christian Priest: 2-1, ATV 9:42 (AMR 2.000), OVR 577.28 2. Pulsar: 2-1, ATV 9:56 (AMR 2.333), OVR 487.87 3. Yoshii Nakamatsu: 2-1, ATV 12:22 (AMR 2.333), OVR 518.28 4. Lucas Molina: 2-1, ATV 15:00 (AMR 3.000), OVR 485.03 5. Angela Wassermann: 1-2, ATV 9:54 (AMR 2.000), OVR 480.10 6. Blood River: 1-2, ATV 10:39 (AMR 2.333), OVR 506.53 7. Billy Norris: 1-2, ATV 11:10 (AMR 3.000), OVR 514.62 8. Reverend Johnny Gross: 1-2, ATV 13:57 (AMR 2.333), OVR 506.56 GAMMA DIVISION 1. Kichi Hida: 3-0, ATV 9:58, (AMR 2.333), OVR 473.22 2. Monty Dhillon: 3-0, ATV 10:14, (AMR 2.333), OVR 535.56 3. Big Scott Weathers: 2-1, ATV 11:12, (AMR 2.000), OVR 498.05 4. Diego Rodriguez: 2-1, ATV 11:35, (AMR 2.000), OVR 516.46 5. Markus Clay: 1-2, ATV 11:10, (AMR 2.333), OVR 481.99 6. Lance Heartilly: 1-2, ATV 10:02, (AMR 2.333), OVR 450.41 7. Terrance Stevens: 0-3, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.333), OVR 485.07 7. Indigo Rose: 0-3, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.333), OVR 493.37 Clay holds H2H over Heartilly DELTA DIVISION 1. Nocturne: 3-0, ATV 10:08 (AMR 2.333), OVR 440.71 2. Rock Sheridan: 2-1, ATV 8:13 (AMR 2.667), OVR 409.62 3. Diamond: 2-1, ATV 9:35 (AMR 2.333), OVR 486.19 4. Scott Stevens: 2-1, ATV 10:10 (AMR 2.000), OVR 428.30 5. Leon de Ramos: 2-1, ATV 11:15 (AMR 2.667), OVR 409.81 6. Mickey Steele: 1-2, ATV 5:50 (AMR 3.000), OVR 406.50 7. Sterling Silver: 0-3, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.333), OVR 448.26 8. George Stevens: 0-3, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.000), OVR 401.14 PREDICTION STANDINGS (Reminder: The official scores will have the lowest two weeks dropped at the end of the season.) 1. Eternal Phoenix: 30 (this week: 11) 2. Croquemitaine: 28 (this week: 10) 3. SeanMcG: 26 (this week: 9) 4. Derek B: 22 (this week: 12) 5. Jman2k3: 19 (this week: 7) WEEK FOUR CARD ALPHA DIVISION (1) Brandy McDonald (2-1, OVR 524) vs. (4) Brian Blackfield (2-1, OVR 572) [First Career Meeting] (3) George Mastachas (2-1, OVR 533) vs. (2) Nuclear Templeton (2-1, OVR 537) [Career: Tied 3 - 3] LAST ONE STANDING MATCH: (7) The Mastodon (1-2, OVR 523) vs. (8) Jean-Paul Ouilette (1-2, OVR 522) [First Career Meeting. Mastodon is 1-1 in Last One Standing bouts.] (6) Mel O'Hallister (1-2, OVR 527) vs. (5) De'siree Mitchell (1-2, OVR 503) [Career: De'siree Mitchell, 4 - 0] BETA DIVISION CAGE MATCH: (1) Christian Priest (2-1, OVR 577) vs. (2) Pulsar (2-1, OVR 488) [First Career Meeting. Pulsar is 1-0 in Cage matches.] (3) Yoshii Nakamatsu (2-1, OVR 518) vs. (6) Blood River (1-2, OVR 507) [Career: Blood River, 3 - 1] (7) Billy Norris (1-2, OVR 515) vs. (8) Reverend Johnny Gross (1-2, OVR 507) [Career: Reverend Johnny Gross, 2 - 0] (4) Lucas Molina (2-1, OVR 485) vs. (5) Angela Wassermann (1-2, OVR 480) [First Career Meeting] GAMMA DIVISION (4) Diego Rodriguez (2-1, OVR 516) vs. (3) Big Scott Weathers (2-1, OVR 498) [First Career Meeting] (6) Lance Heartilly (1-2, OVR 450) vs. (2) Monty Dhillon (3-0, OVR 536) [Career: Tied 1 - 1] SUBMISSION MATCH: (7) Indigo Rose (0-3, OVR 493) vs. (7) Terrance Stevens (0-3, OVR 485) [Career: Tied 2 – 2. Rose is 2-0 in Submission matches] SUBMISSION MATCH: (1) Kichi Hida (3-0, OVR 473) vs. (5) Markus Clay (1-2, OVR 482) [First Career Meeting. Clay is 1-1 in Submission matches.] DELTA DIVISION (3) Diamond (2-1, OVR 486) vs. (1) Nocturne (3-0, OVR 441) [First Career Meeting] (7) Sterling Silver (0-3, OVR 448) vs. (6) Mickey Steele (1-2, OVR 407) [First Career Meeting] (4) Scott Stevens (2-1, OVR 428) vs. (2) Rock Sheridan (2-1, OVR 410) [First Career Meeting] (8) George Stevens (0-3, OVR 401) vs. (5) Leon de Ramos (2-1, OVR 410) [First Career Meeting] TRAINING AND PREDICTION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 2024 AT 11:59 PM EASTERN US!

Everything up to this point has been noted on my sheets. @Jman2k3, not sure if this is intentional but you skipped Weathers vs T. Stevens in your Gamma Division picks. Just giving you a heads up. A further heads up, as well—it was pointed out to me by @Eternal Phoenixthat at least a couple entries in the roster list were not showing updated traits. It took some spreadsheet surgery yesterday but the problem was found and fixed (things were not pointing where they were supposed to be). Three PCs and one GMPC (Daniel Simmons, who is not actually on the active roster) were affected by this bug that I can ascertain. The correct traits will be displayed when the roster post is updated tomorrow for the show posting. Finally, I plan on making an “empty” version of the spreadsheet nightmare I use for The League and adding it as an attachment to one of the early posts in the thread. This would be for those folks who want to do something similar on their own, or if they believe they can improve on the ideas I’ve cultivated. (In the case of the latter, please do!) I don’t have a timetable for the empty version to be posted at this time; the version I use is tailored to how I think and work, and as I’m the one that uses it I do not need to have instructions scattered throughout for others to learn how it works. That will obviously need to be changed for an empty version. Plus my government name is in several spots on the document and I’d rather not have that in public if I can help it.

With cake day #43 done and dusted (hence why I was off to do League updates during daylight hours yesterday), the plan is to run as many bouts as I can tonight after work. My one gift to myself (an Ayn Odin 1 Pro) will be forcibly put in another room so I am not tempted to grab it and spend another three hours playing Suikoden I on it tonight. Those of you who have sent PC training already, or have informed me that you’re saving the points this week, your bouts will also be run tonight to save myself some time on Saturday finishing up anything left over, and Wednesday at work is when the bulk of the actual show writing and prep gets done (picture placements, etc.). Also, folks are to be advised that I am including one backstage segment this week, which will formally kick off planning and prep for this season’s Tag Team Turmoil. Once you see the GMPCs involved and the reason why the conversation is happening, you’ll understand why it had to be included. I will not accept any team announcements before the show is posted, however, as decorum must be maintained. 😛

Yes. The Trait Points come from completing a full season on the main roster. So if Sheridan gets shunted back next season (example), he’ll get all the perks that everyone else does who remain on the roster, but any updates would have to be sent before I start doing Omega Division bouts. So he’d get the 1 TP, etc.

Just one. Brandy doesn’t need the help. 😛 (Also I knew this question was coming!)

THE LEAGUE: SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK TWO DELTA DIVISION (8) George Stevens (0-1, OVR 400) (Favorite, 50.002%) vs. (5) Mickey Steele (0-1, OVR 402) After how The League opened the show last week, it was going to be very difficult for those starting this week’s show to match that output. Not to say that they didn’t try, but this match was a slower-paced brawl instead of a clash of styles between a technician and an entertaining brawler. Stevens ate a blow and a half for every one he dished out, and despite the size difference that’s not a trade rate he could sustain for long. Steele pulled away after thwarting Everything’s Bigger in Texas on two separate occasions, and the kick to the temple was enough to garner the three and his first victory on the main roster. Mickey Steele (1-1) def. George Stevens (0-2) via Pinfall (Mickey Finn) in 5:50. Rating: ** Changes for Mickey Steele: OVR + 3.29, XP + 482.80, no notable damage Changes for George Stevens: OVR + 0.37, XP + 120.70, minor damage to head DELTA DIVISION TABLES MATCH (3) Scott Stevens (1-0, OVR 425) vs. (Favorite, 55.36%) (4) Leon de Ramos (1-0, OVR 406) Yeowch. Less said about this one, the better. Stevens looked like he had an early advantage, but he let Leon get a few too many moves chained together. By the time Stevens found a way back onto offense, it didn’t last all that long and was far too late. It only took Leon two attempts to land a DDT through the table he introduced into the contest, and this was over before ten minutes had elapsed Leon de Ramos (2-0) def. Scott Stevens (1-1) via Table Break (DDT) in 8:46. Rating: * Changes for Leon de Ramos: OVR + 2.41, XP + 443.86, no notable damage Changes for Scott Stevens: OVR -0.15, XP + 110.96, no notable damage DELTA DIVISION (2) Nocturne (1-0, OVR 432) (Favorite, 50.04%) vs. (1) Rock Sheridan (1-0, OVR 405) Nocturne showed last week that she could tap out people much larger than her. Would she be able to do the same thing this week against a certifiable giant? In the opening five minutes, it didn’t look like she’d have the chance, as Sheridan asserted his size advantage early and often. It wasn’t until the big man missed a knee drop that Nocturne started to find her way back into the match. It wasn’t smooth sailing for her, as she ate a Welcome to Tacoma, but managed to avoid the Grit City Lariat and take down Sheridan with a chop block. That swung the momentum in her favor, and a Russian legsweep was chained into the Midnight Solstice. Despite his size and being able to easily pull Nocturne with him to the ropes, the tenacity of her grasp on the hold was enough to force the tap out. Nocturne (2-0) def. Rock Sheridan (1-1) via Submission (Midnight Solstice) in 11:38. Rating: ** Changes for Nocturne: OVR + 3.58, XP + 485.58, minor damage to head Changes for Rock Sheridan: OVR + 0.41, XP + 121.40, no notable damage DELTA DIVISION (6) Sterling Silver (0-1, OVR 447) (Favorite, 54.17%) vs. (6) Diamond (0-1, OVR 479) Absolutely nothing worth reporting about in this match. It was entirely one-sided, with Diamond needing less than five minutes to put Silver down with a Jawjacker followed by a 24 Karat Kiss. Silver just never seemed to get out of the starting gates this week, and the First Lady of The League made her pay for it in decisive fashion. Overall, not a great showing from the Delta Division as a while this week. Diamond (1-1) def. Sterling Silver (0-2) via Pinfall (24 Karat Kiss) in 4:52. Rating: * Changes for Diamond: OVR + 2.16, XP + 442.14, no notable damage Changes for Sterling Silver: OVR -0.36, XP + 110.54, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (3) Lance Heartilly (1-0, OVR 449) (Favorite, 60.57%) vs. (5) Markus Clay (0-1, OVR 477) Our first taste of Gamma Division action tonight led to an underwhelming bout. Clay actually held the advantage for the majority of the bout, forcing Heartilly to fight from behind. Heartilly managed to escape a pin off a springboard legdrop, and had taken some of the momentum back as he put Clay into range for the Arm Breaker, at least. In a fit of desperation, Clay blatantly went to the eyes of Heartilly, and connected with a spear while Heartilly was still half-blinded. The referee got to three, and despite glares from the man in the striped shirt, Clay emerges from week two with a victory! Markus Clay (1-1) def. Lance Heartilly (1-1) via Pinfall (spear) in 11:10. Rating: ** Changes for Markus Clay: OVR + 3.56, XP + 558.16, minor damage to head Changes for Lance Heartilly: OVR + 0.40, XP + 139.54, no notable damage GAMMA DIVISION (1) Kichi Hida (1-0, OVR 464) (Favorite, 55.78%) vs. (5) Terrance Stevens (0-1, OVR 483) The first Match of the Night contender of the evening, this was more one-sided than you would believe if you looked solely at the rating and time. The opening few minutes were more Hida than Stevens, as the Ringmaster of the Carnival of Violence showed why she was exactly that, blasting Stevens with blow after blow. A Funhouse Stomp was followed by Bumper Kars, and Hida looked to be well in control of proceedings. After a variated spear, Hida pulled Stevens to his feet and landed flush with Eternal Violence. The one downside is that the impact busted Stevens open, and he immediately lunged on the attack. His offensive flurry lasted maybe sixty seconds before Hida took control again, and resumed punishing Stevens for having the audacity of not staying down after the knee. In the end, a low blow softened up Stevens enough that a second Eternal Violence did the deed, and Hida wins a match that had no right, in the author’s view, to end up in discussion for Match of the Night as it was barely just above a squash. Kichi Hida (2-0) def. Terrance Stevens (0-2) via Pinfall (Eternal Violence) in 11:28. Rating: *** Changes for Kichi Hida: OVR + 4.76, XP + 604.86, minor damage to head Changes for Terrance Stevens: OVR + 1.20, XP + 151.21, major damage to head, minor damage to body BETA DIVISION (5) Reverend Johnny Gross (0-1, OVR 502) (Favorite, 54.04%) vs. (2) Pulsar (1-0, OVR 484) Brought to just barely above the level of a squash match, Gross was heavily outmatched on this night. He seemed a step or two slower than normal and while he did get enough offense in to push Pulsar a bit, the luchador was never in any real danger. It only took Pulsar one trip to the turnbuckles to end it, the Zodiac Implosion being just enough to keep a bloodied Gross down for three. The Right Reverend has struggled in his return to the Beta Division, and some are already whispering that the impending showdown with Christian Priest has Gross rattled this early in the season… Pulsar (2-0) def. Reverend Johnny Gross (0-2) via Pinfall (Zodiac Implosion) in 9:12. Rating: ** Changes for Pulsar: OVR + 3.46, XP + 629.74, no notable damage Changes for Reverend Johnny Gross: OVR + 0.39, XP + 157.44, minor damage to head and body BETA DIVISION FIRST BLOOD MATCH (4) Lucas Molina (1-0, OVR 478) (Favorite, 50.49%) vs. (1) Blood River (1-0, OVR 504) Molina couldn’t have asked for a better draw. A First Blood match against a man who bleeds much easier than most? It turns out that the stipulation was Molina’s saving grace in this Match of the Night contender. River stormed out to an early advantage and, if this were a normal match, Molina may have been defeated six minutes in due to River’s aerial tactics. However, pinfalls were not a factor in this match, and it’s because of that fact that Molina was able to claw his way back into the contest. It took a little doing, and four attempts to actually land it, but once Molina connected with the San Juan Buster, River was immediately bleeding from the nose, forcing the ref to call the match then and there. Molina walks away with a match that normally he would not have won, and it’s all thanks to the fickle whims of the schedule makers. Lucas Molina (2-0) def. Blood River (1-1) via First Blood (San Juan Buster) in 11:14. Rating: *** Changes for Lucas Molina: OVR + 5.46, XP + 683.59, minor damage to head Changes for Blood River: OVR + 1.67, XP + 170.90, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (5) Indigo Rose (0-1, OVR 492) vs. (Favorite, 51.03%) (8) Diego Rodriguez (0-1, OVR 508) This was not the technical masterclass folks had come to expect from these two. This was nearly a five-minute squash as Rose could not chain two moves together to save her life in the opening minutes of the bout. It took her over eight minutes, and escaping a rolling judo leg lock, to get even a little offense in. By then, though, it was far too late as Rodriguez applied the Discordant Melody for the quick submission. For someone who was contending to promote out of Gamma last season, Rose has struggled in the early part of Season Eleven. Diego Rodriguez (1-1) def. Indigo Rose (0-2) via Submission (Discordant Melody) in 10:53. Rating: ** Changes for Diego Rodriguez: OVR + 3.54, XP + 558.01, no notable damage Changes for Indigo Rose: OVR + 0.40, XP + 139.50, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (4) Big Scott Weathers (1-0, OVR 494) vs. (Favorite, 62.51%) (2) Monty Dhillon (1-0, OVR 527) Yet another match that just escaped squash match territory, this was Monty’s match to lose. Never in real danger, Dhillon finally had enough of Weathers posturing and attempting to be a threat and simply uppercut Weathers in the groin. A collective groan from the male audience members drowned out the referee’s admonishment, and Dhillon simply covered Weathers and waited for the ref to finally get to three. There is perhaps some irony in the biggest rulebreaker in The League losing to a shot below the belt, but that is merely the conjecture of the author…. Monty Dhillon (2-0) def. Big Scott Weathers (1-1) via Pinfall (low blow) in 9:06. Rating: ** Changes for Monty Dhillon: OVR + 3.46, XP + 557.02, no notable damage Changes for Big Scott Weathers: OVR + 0.39, XP + 139.26, minor damage to head BETA DIVISION HARDCORE MATCH (3) Yoshii Nakamatsu (1-0, OVR 513) (Favorite, 58.33%) vs. (5) Billy Norris (0-1, OVR 509) A Match of the Night contender, this was one of the more even matches contested in Week Two. It was back-and-forth throughout with neither wrestler getting any sort of a distinct advantage until about nine minutes in. At that point, Nakamatsu started to pull away, as he avoided a spear and countered with an STO, and followed that up with a DEVASTATION Knee that only netted a one-count. However, the damage was done. Norris would gain the offensive for about a minute afterwards, but still being a bit woozy from the knee, he was unable to do anything significant with the offensive. Nakamatsu simply avoided one seated dropkick too many, and landed the rarely-seen Nakamatsu Driver to garner the pinfall and the victory over a very game Billy Norris. Yoshii Nakamatsu (2-0) def. Billy Norris (0-2) via Pinfall (Nakamatsu Driver) in 12:10. Rating: *** Changes for Yoshii Nakamatsu: OVR + 4.81, XP + 684.22, minor damage to head Changes for Billy Norris: OVR + 1.21, XP + 171.06, moderate damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (7) Jean-Paul Ouilette (0-1, OVR 516) (Favorite, 52.43%) vs. (7) Mel O'Hallister (0-1, OVR 522) This ended up being runner-up for Match of the Night by a whole seven seconds. While it did not win the actual MOTN award, it is close enough that the author feels a consolation prize is in order. With that said, let’s head into The Aerie and our three-person commentary team, as we feature a bonus match in its entirety this week. Bob Sinclair: It’s Alpha Division action on tap next, and we start with two men in search of their first victory of the season. Tori, Frankie, who do you favor in this match? Frankie Garnett: The so-called odds-makers have Ouilette as a slight favorite, Bob. While I’m not entirely sold on that concept, it’s a known fact that O’Hallister tends to run in streaks. I’m not certain Mel has enough to break out of the skid this week. Tori Montgomery-Prydor: I agree with Frankie here, Bob. If we’re looking at long-term ratings, Ouilette’s odds go up to about 56% to win. Plus there is also the X-factor of Cecile Corine at ringside. I expect this to be close, but Ouilette to pull it out in the end. Bob Sinclair: Either way, this promises to be a decent start to Alpha Division action tonight. There’s the opening bell, and we are underway! Frankie Garnett: All right, serious question, you two. When was the last time anyone submitted to a spinning toe hold? Bob Sinclair: Nothing comes to my mind. Tori? Tori Montgomery-Prydor: Same. This is likely more of a wear-down move than anything designed for a submission, Frankie. And if it causes a little discomfort and pain, that’s a bonus. Frankie Garnett: Medic! Bob Sinclair: Now the question becomes, “who is going to take the greater advantage from this?” Tori Montgomery-Prydor: If I’m Mel, I’ve got one eye on Cecile Corine at ringside, Bob! She’s got free reign to interfere for however long the ref is down! Tori Montgomery-Prydor: Called it! Frankie Garnett: Pfft, everyone gets one, Tori. You know that. Tori Montgomery-Prydor: Look, Frankie, don’t ruin my moment here! Bob Sinclair: Do I need to put you children in opposite corners? Bob Sinclair: After the interference, it’s still been an even contest. Ouilette seems to have squandered the opening his corner gave him! Frankie Garnett: I think Ouilette’s playing the long game here, Bob. He’s just looking for one more opening. Tori Montgomery-Prydor: If so, he’s going to need to find that opening rather quick, gentlemen. Bob Sinclair: Quick roll-up by O’Hallister…one, two, thr—no! Two and a half only, Ouilette just gets a shoulder up in time! Tori Montgomery-Prydor: Both men looking to end things here. We’ve seen an attempt at the Dream, we’ve seen an attempt at Le Petit Mort, we’ve seen a rolling elbow, what else is left? Frankie Garnett: Unprotected shot to the groin? Tori Montgomery-Prydor: …fair point. But not for lack of trying so far, it seems! Frankie Garnett: Ouilette into the cover here…one, two, three! He most certainly earned that one, folks, and Jean-Paul earns his first victory in the Alpha Division! Bob Sinclair: That certainly could have gone either way. O’Hallister has nothing to be ashamed of here. Tori Montgomery-Prydor: Indeed, but starting off 0-2 in the top flight is certainly not the way Mel O’Hallister intended for his third season in the top division to begin. Next week is almost a must-win for him. Frankie Garnett: Against the reigning League Champion? Good luck with that one. Jean-Paul Ouilette (1-1) def. Mel O'Hallister (0-2) via Pinfall (Le Petit Mort) in 20:24. Rating: *** Changes for Jean-Paul Ouilette: OVR + 5.36, XP + 636.73, major damage to head, minor damage to body Changes for Mel O'Hallister: OVR + 1.35, XP + 198.98, minor damage to head BETA DIVISION (7) Christian Priest (0-1, OVR 570) (Favorite, 77.46%) vs. (7) Angela Wassermann (0-1, OVR 476) Definitely a cool-down match from the previous one, this was closer than some of the other matches tonight. Priest kept a steady pressure on Wassermann, and despite some solid blows from the former MMA champion, she was unable to turn those into enough of an advantage to threaten Priest with a submission. Priest had no such qualms, and on the first attempt laid Wassermann out with his lariat, and got the decisive pin a few seconds later. Priest gets his bounce-back win after last week’s humbling loss to Yoshii Nakamatsu. Christian Priest (1-1) def. Angela Wassermann (0-2) via Pinfall (Canonized) in 9:13. Rating: ** Changes for Christian Priest: OVR + 3.46, XP + 629.75, no notable damage Changes for Angela Wassermann: OVR + 0.39, XP + 157.44, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (2) Nuclear Templeton (1-0, OVR 533) (Favorite, 77.20%) vs. (5) Brandy McDonald (0-1, OVR 515) Nuclear seemed…off…coming to the ring for this week’s match. The usual swagger and fire wasn’t there, and Brandy took advantage of it. She was never in danger at all during this contest, and while not a squash, it just barely avoided the definition. Templeton was soundly worn down that it only took three attempts to land Brandy with a Twist, and McDonald gets her first win of the season in authoritative fashion! Strangely enough, though, Nuclear’s friend at ringside seemed pleased by this result, as if somewhere offshore his bank account just doubled in size (allegedly). Brandy McDonald (1-1) def. Nuclear Templeton (1-1) via Pinfall (Brandy with a Twist) in 10:17. Rating: ** Changes for Brandy McDonald: OVR + 3.51, XP + 727.40, no notable damage Changes for Nuclear Templeton: OVR + 0.40, XP + 181.85, moderate damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (3) The Mastodon (1-0, OVR 522) vs. (Favorite, 60.92%) (4) George Mastachas (1-0, OVR 529) The semi-main tonight was closer than some matches have been, though still decisive in terms of control. Mastodon’s size was not really a factor as Mastachas seemed able to hoist Mastodon off his feet with ease, with several powerbombs and head drop suplexes the result. Despite this, Mastodon continued to fight for as long as he could, but the damage he was taking was simply too much. A Wrath of Zeus got held for the cover immediately, and Mastodon wasn’t able to trigger an adrenaline rush to get out of the predicament. Mastachas’s defense of his League Championship continues without a blemish, as he moves to 2-0 on the season. George Mastachas (2-0) def. The Mastodon (1-1) via Pinfall (Wrath of Zeus) in 15:56. Rating: ** Changes for George Mastachas: OVR + 3.80, XP + 731.47, minor damage to head Changes for The Mastodon: OVR + 0.43, XP + 182.87, moderate damage to head, minor damage to body ALPHA DIVISION (5) Brian Blackfield (0-1, OVR 562) (Favorite, 78.26%) vs. (1) De'siree Mitchell (1-0, OVR 500) Bob Sinclair: And now, to our main event of the evening. Most people would have presumed that the records would be the other way around heading into this contest. Instead, we enter week two with The Juggernaut still seeking his first Alpha Division victory, facing one of the people who’ve never left the division in De’siree Mitchell. Frankie Garnett: Bob, I am very confident in my prediction that Blackfield does not drop two matches in a row. Bob Sinclair: Enough to wager on it? Frankie Garnett: You know I don’t do that anymore. Bob Sinclair: Just making sure… Tori Montgomery-Prydor: I think people may be writing off De’siree a little too early. She’s been a staple in the Alpha Division for a reason. Sure, folks may be greatly overvaluing Blackfield’s 39 career League wins coming into match number 44, but she’s a tough draw no matter what. I expect this to run about twenty minutes and be a closely contested bout. Bob Sinclair: With that said, both combatants are in the ring…Mitchell offers a handshake to The Juggernaut, who accepts in kind, and there’s the bell to get this match started! Bob Sinclair: It’s been predominantly Mitchell in the opening minutes, but not to the point that Blackfield supporters should be worried. Frankie Garnett: I’m more intrigued by the handshake at the beginning of the match. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone offer that to The Juggernaut, much less him accepting one. Tori Montgomery-Prydor: There’s a difference in respecting the skills of your opponent and being awed by them, Frankie. Mitchell seems to know that. Frankie Garnett: Holy…where did this flurry of offense come from?! Tori Montgomery-Prydor: See, Frankie, there’s a reason that Mitchell’s been in the Alpha Division since day one! Bob Sinclair: I’m hard-pressed to recall a time where Blackfield has been on this end of a offensive onslaught like what we’re seeing. A few more minutes, and Mitchell may just pull out the upset! Tori Montgomery-Prydor: Is it really an upset if Blackfield’s new to the Alpha Division, Bob? Frankie Garnett: I’ll answer for basically everyone watching, Tori: yes. Yes it is. Tori Montgomery-Prydor: Blackfield has had to have his head on a swivel the last couple of minutes, fellas. Mitchell just keeps coming for him! Frankie Garnett: Ah, but does she really want The Juggernaut proper to show up, Tori? Bob Sinclair: At this rate, she may not have a choice, Frankie…and I for one wouldn’t bet against her if he did show up! Frankie Garnett: Is it just me, or does Mitchell look like she’s starting to get desperate? Tori Montgomery-Prydor: No, Frankie, you’re on to something here. She needs to try to focus herself though! Bob Sinclair: Especially since Blackfield’s starting to think about Tartan Effects now. You know that his biggest weapons are close at hand at that point! Frankie Garnett: I’m not certain I like him slowing the pace down. You’re on a bit of a roll, press the advantage! Tori Montgomery-Prydor: I disagree, Frankie. He’s trying to throw Mitchell off her game defensively. Maybe by changing the pace he’s going to open her up to a Destroyer. Bob Sinclair: Mitchell starts to get back to her feet as Blackfield releases the hold; what is next in the plans of The Juggernaut? Bob Sinclair: Blackfield into the cover…one, two, three! He got her, and what an exciting last couple of minutes! Tori Montgomery-Prydor: Brian Blackfield certainly earned this one, gentlemen. Mitchell gave him all he could handle and then some, and Blackfield still found a way to prevail! Frankie Garnett: Yeah, we definitely saw a side of Blackfield we hadn’t seen before now; his ability to fight back without the need of adrenaline. If he can do that again and prove it wasn’t just a one-off, I think the Alpha Division is going to be in for a long, long season! Bob Sinclair: Folks, that’ll do it for us this week. We’ll be back next weekend with more League action, as Season Eleven rolls on here from The Aerie! Brian Blackfield (1-1) def. De'siree Mitchell (1-1) via Pinfall (Scotland Destroyer) in 20:31. Rating: *** Changes for Brian Blackfield: OVR + 5.37, XP + 946.00, major damage to head Changes for De'siree Mitchell: OVR + 1.36, XP + 349.00, minor damage to head This was the Match of the Night (3 [1 this season] for Brian Blackfield, 3 [1 this season] for De'siree Mitchell) /\/\/\/\/\/\ STANDINGS AFTER SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK TWO ALPHA DIVISION 1. George Mastachas: 2-0, ATV 17:06, (AMR 2.500), OVR 532.69 2. Brandy McDonald: 1-1, ATV 10:17, (AMR 2.500), OVR 518.67 3. De'siree Mitchell: 1-1, ATV 11:12, (AMR 2.500), OVR 501.26 4. Nuclear Templeton: 1-1, ATV 16:01, (AMR 2.000), OVR 533.18 5. The Mastodon: 1-1, ATV 17:39, (AMR 2.500), OVR 522.89 6. Jean-Paul Ouilette: 1-1, ATV 20:24, (AMR 2.500), OVR 521.45 7. Brian Blackfield: 1-1, ATV 20:31, (AMR 3.000), OVR 567.84 8. Mel O'Hallister: 0-2, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.500), OVR 523.35 BETA DIVISION 1. Pulsar: 2-0, ATV 9:56 (AMR 2.500), OVR 487.47 2. Yoshii Nakamatsu: 2-0, ATV 12:22 (AMR 2.500), OVR 517.86 3. Lucas Molina: 2-0, ATV 15:00 (AMR 3.000), OVR 483.83 4. Christian Priest: 1-1, ATV 9:13 (AMR 2.000), OVR 573.77 5. Blood River: 1-1, ATV 10:39 (AMR 2.500), OVR 506.13 6. Billy Norris: 0-2, ATV 0:00 (AMR 3.000), OVR 509.88 7. Reverend Johnny Gross: 0-2, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.500), OVR 502.86 8. Angela Wassermann: 0-2, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.000), OVR 476.60 GAMMA DIVISION 1. Monty Dhillon: 2-0, ATV 8:33, (AMR 2.000), OVR 530.65 2. Kichi Hida: 2-0, ATV 9:01, (AMR 2.000), OVR 468.43 3. Lance Heartilly: 1-1, ATV 10:02, (AMR 2.000), OVR 449.20 4. Diego Rodriguez: 1-1, ATV 10:53, (AMR 1.500), OVR 511.64 5. Markus Clay: 1-1, ATV 11:10, (AMR 2.000), OVR 480.77 6. Big Scott Weathers: 1-1, ATV 14:18, (AMR 2.000), OVR 494.64 7. Terrance Stevens: 0-2, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.500), OVR 484.68 8. Indigo Rose: 0-2, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.000), OVR 492.13 DELTA DIVISION 1. Nocturne: 2-0, ATV 10:23 (AMR 2.000), OVR 436.07 2. Leon de Ramos: 2-0, ATV 11:15 (AMR 2.500), OVR 408.56 3. Diamond: 1-1, ATV 4:52 (AMR 2.000), OVR 481.24 4. Mickey Steele: 1-1, ATV 5:50 (AMR 3.000), OVR 405.36 5. Rock Sheridan: 1-1, ATV 8:39 (AMR 2.500), OVR 405.10 6. Scott Stevens: 1-1, ATV 13:19 (AMR 2.000), OVR 424.95 7. Sterling Silver: 0-2, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.000), OVR 447.09 7. George Stevens: 0-2, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.000), OVR 400.76 PREDICTION STANDINGS (Reminder: The official scores will have the lowest two weeks dropped at the end of the season.) 1. Eternal Phoenix: 19 (this week: 😎 2. Croquemitaine: 18 (this week: 10) 3. SeanMcG: 17 (this week: 11) 4. Jman2k3: 12 (this week: 7) 5. Derek B: 10 (this week: 6) WEEK THREE CARD ALPHA DIVISION (5) The Mastodon (1-1, OVR 523) vs. (7) Brian Blackfield (1-1, OVR 568) [Career: First Career Meeting] (8) Mel O'Hallister (0-2, OVR 523) vs. (1) George Mastachas (2-0, OVR 533) [Career: George Mastachas, 3 - 1] (4) Nuclear Templeton (1-1, OVR 533) vs. (6) Jean-Paul Ouilette (1-1, OVR 521) [Career: First Career Meeting] (2) Brandy McDonald (1-1, OVR 519) vs. (3) De'siree Mitchell (1-1, OVR 501) [Career: Brandy McDonald, 4 - 2] BETA DIVISION (5) Blood River (1-1, OVR 506) vs. (4) Christian Priest (1-1, OVR 574) [Career: First Career Meeting] (7) Reverend Johnny Gross (0-2, OVR 503) vs. (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (2-0, OVR 518) [Career: First Career Meeting] (6) Billy Norris (0-2, OVR 510) vs. (3) Lucas Molina (2-0, OVR 484) [Career: First Career Meeting] (8) Angela Wassermann (0-2, OVR 477) vs. (1) Pulsar (2-0, OVR 487) [Career: Angela Wassermann, 2 - 0] GAMMA DIVISION (1) Monty Dhillon (2-0, OVR 531) vs. (8) Indigo Rose (0-2, OVR 492) [Career: First Career Meeting] (5) Markus Clay (1-1, OVR 481) vs. (4) Diego Rodriguez (1-1, OVR 512) [Career: Diego Rodriguez, 2 - 0] (6) Big Scott Weathers (1-1, OVR 495) vs. (7) Terrance Stevens (0-2, OVR 485) [Career: First Career Meeting] (3) Lance Heartilly (1-1, OVR 449) vs. (2) Kichi Hida (2-0, OVR 468) [Career: Lance Heartilly, 2 - 0] DELTA DIVISION (2) Leon de Ramos (2-0, OVR 409) vs. (3) Diamond (1-1, OVR 481) [Career: First Career Meeting] (7) Sterling Silver (0-2, OVR 447) vs. (1) Nocturne (2-0, OVR 436) [Career: First Career Meeting] (7) George Stevens (0-2, OVR 401) vs. (6) Scott Stevens (1-1, OVR 425) [Career: First Career Meeting] (4) Mickey Steele (1-1, OVR 405) vs. (5) Rock Sheridan (1-1, OVR 405) [Career: First Career Meeting] TRAINING AND PREDICTION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 26, 2024 AT 11:59 PM EASTERN US!

Early morning Friday update: There exists a chance that the show gets posted tonight instead of tomorrow morning. Snow’s coming into my area and with nothing else to do tonight (aside from games) I may try to get week two up a few hours earlier. EDIT TO ADD: if they ever let me leave the bloody office that is…

Doing some quick maintenance and prep work on the master spreadsheet for Omega this season… …there are (tentatively) 23 participants in Omega coming up. This includes 6 new GMPCs that I still need to put into the game database and do all the work on; I have ideas for them on my spreadsheet but no actual game work done yet. Holy heck. What have I agreed to get myself into?!

Mr. Prydor! Care to comment on the news release yesterday out of San Antonio? “Yeah. I have a statement for the Stevens’ patriarch. Cary, ask Scott how many times he tapped out to that same hold when I applied it. It was a clean maneuver then, it still is now. Naturally my star pupil is going to learn my move the correct way. Now, if she were to somehow drop either of your sons on the top of their head with a piledriver or Death Valley Driver…then you might have room for complaint especially if it causes lasting injury. Until such time as that happens, I suggest you teach your boys how to wrestle against technical grapplers better. There’s more of them to come in The League. Next question?” I, as well as others, are curious as to the remarks by Mr. Steele. Is there any truth to this Project Phoenix? ”That is a term being used internally by League administration regarding certain subjects. As the head of said administration, I am choosing to provide no further comment on the matter at this time. Mr. Steele is welcome to approach me in my office at any point, and I will answer questions that do not divulge trade secrets about the subject. Until then, I will be as curious as you as to what Mr. Steele and Miss Rose believe they are investigating. One last question?” Any truth to the rumor that either you or your wife will be sitting at the commentary desk next week? “…do y’all have a listening device in my bedroom?” The reporters chuckle at this. “In all seriousness, though—yes, Tori said she wants to be on the desk this week. Something about checking in with Bob and Frankie and arranging some sort of plans for next offseason already. I was never planning to be on the desk this week anyhow, since someone needs to be on child supervision duty and it’s my week for it, between Amelia and I. So League fans will be in for a treat as for this week we return to a three-person booth.” EDITING TO ADD: I plan on running the bulk of the matches tonight. With snow mostly covering the streets now (and me still stuck in my office because WTF is working from home anymore?) I have no plans to go anywhere, so I’m doing League stuff now to free up some time tomorrow/this weekend to configure an Ayn Odin Pro I will be receiving. EDIT #2: I am sorely tempted as it currently stands to award dual Match of the Night awards. The clubhouse leader(s) are both 3* matches that differ in length by only seven (7) seconds. No. That’s not a typo.

Just for that, Derek, I’m rerunning your match as many times as I have to until Brandy wins. 😛 (For legal purposes, this is a joke.)

Quick update, more administrative based than anything: After about two hours of plugging away at a lengthy Excel formula filled with Lookups, concatenation, and multiple saves of a work in progress, my master database now has the ability to automatically list traits in the order they are presented in the Rules Thread. It’s not pretty by any means, as this version eliminates the (Lv. 2, 3 TP) notation for a simple (Lv. 2), but it’s functional and it’s already caught at least one mistake that I somehow overlooked—Rock Sheridan having Raw Power Lv 1 (when it’s clearly entered in the game database). This new update, complete with hanging commas at the end of lists, will be officially deployed after Week 2.

THE LEAGUE: SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK ONE DELTA DIVISION (Favorite: Even) (7) Leon de Ramos (0-0, OVR 400) vs. (6) Mickey Steele (0-0, OVR 400) Bob Sinclair: You’ve waited two months, League fans and now, just barely into the new year, The League returns for its eleventh season! Good evening everyone! Bob Sinclair here at the announcer’s desk, alongside Frankie Garnett. Frankie, happy new year, how were your holidays? Frankie Garnett: Honestly, Bob, the slower change of pace for a couple of months was welcome. Time to unwind and take care of some other pressing business. But that was then, and we’re back for another season! Bob Sinclair: Indeed, and as is usual we start in the Delta Division, with two of our newcomers squaring off in the opening match of the night. A slight clash of styles here, as Leon de Ramos reminds me of a slightly smaller Diego Rodriguez. A solid technical grappler from what we saw in the Omega Division, and someone who I think may end up pulling Lance Heartilly kinds of numbers in this division. Frankie Garnett: And then on the other side, Mickey Steele. Clearly more of a character than a true brawler, and he comes with a wildcard at ringside in the form of Roxy Rose. Steele gives me Jean-Paul Ouilette vibes, Bob, and we all see where Ouilette is competing this season. Bob Sinclair: Their match in Omega was a fairly decent one, even if it wasn’t recorded for posterity, but now they get to make their initial marks in The League’s record books. The bell sounds, and Season Eleven is officially under way! Frankie Garnett: All right, let’s get after it! Frankie Garnett: All right, Bob, I can see your comparison of de Ramos to Rodriguez earlier. Definitely cut from the same cloth, I think, plus they’re practically neighbors on the world stage. Bob Sinclair: de Ramos may have the opening moments in his favor, but Steele has not backed down at all. That running dropkick landed flush, after all. Fairly even bout so far as we get out of the opening minutes. Bob Sinclair: de Ramos doing the smart thing here and slowing things down. Kind of needs time to gather his wits after the running kick from Steele nearly took his head off. Frankie Garnett: I’m just surprised he didn’t use that…Marvelocity, was it? Just what is that, anyway? Bob Sinclair: He calls it a Spanish fly armdrag. It looks to me to me akin to a Japanese-style armdrag, but de Ramos gets a little more rotation to it. Frankie Garnett: Hmmm. Gotta admit, that’s a new one on me, Bob. Frankie Garnett: Mickey Steele’s still in this, but I’m not sure how much longer he can wriggle out of it on defense! Bob Sinclair: Yeah, Frankie. De Ramos is nothing if not relentless, and eventually one of those finishers is going to land! Bob Sinclair: Submission hold, locked in tight, and de Ramos placed himself between Steele and the ropes! Good ring positioning by the young man from Lisbon! Frankie Garnett: Steele’s either got to go through Leon to get to the ropes or back into them with his feet…no, too late, there’s the tap out! Leon de Ramos wins his debut in what has to be the best opening match to a season we’ve had in The League to date, Bob! Bob Sinclair: I think you’re right on that one, Frankie. If this is what we can expect from our crop of Omega Division graduates this season, the Delta Division is going to be very competitive over the next four months! Leon de Ramos (1-0) def. Mickey Steele (0-1) via Submission (Iberian Twist) in 13:45. Rating: **** Changes for Leon de Ramos: OVR + 6.15, XP + 667.70, minor damage to head Changes for Mickey Steele: OVR + 2.07, XP + 241.93, minor damage to head This was the Match of the Night (1 [1 this season] for Leon de Ramos, 1 [1 this season] for Mickey Steele) ADDITIONAL NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: It was here that I realized I never put in blurbs for Leon de Ramos' signature/finisher moves as he's been in the database since about a quarter of the way through Season Ten, and I must have gotten distracted when I was putting the moves in. I will remedy that this week in case Leon pulls a Christian Priest and starts getting MOTN's nearly every week. DELTA DIVISION (Favorite: Nocturne, 50.16%) (2) Nocturne (0-0, OVR 429) vs. (4) George Stevens (0-0, OVR 400) Nocturne’s second-season opener went far better than her first. It was a close bout, and a staple of wrestling—the large man against a faster, smaller opponent—and in this instance speed beat size. Stevens had trouble keeping hold of Nocturne, who looked to be in much better form given a season of League experience, and the smaller wrestler prevailed after slipping out of a gorilla press slam and managing to lock in the scissored ankle lock. George Stevens’s League debut did not go the way he would have wanted, as Nocturne picks up the duke here. Nocturne (1-0) def. George Stevens (0-1) via Submission (Midnight Solstice) in 9:08. Rating: ** Changes for Nocturne: OVR + 3.46, XP + 484.38, no notable damage Changes for George Stevens: OVR + 0.39, XP + 121.10, minor damage to head DELTA DIVISION TABLES MATCH (Favorite: Sterling Silver, 55.38%) (8) Rock Sheridan (0-0, OVR 400) vs. (5) Sterling Silver (0-0, OVR 446) The Delta Division continues its run of good matches to start the season, as this was a sleeper pick for Match of the Night candidacy. Silver knew she was at a disadvantage in this match—it was going to be nigh impossible to lift and drive her opponent through a table, whereas Sheridan had no such hindrance—but even that knowledge was not enough for the veteran to overcome. Seven minutes in, Sheridan sent Silver to ringside, followed her out and drilled her with a Grit City Lariat. The impact stunned Silver enough that a follow-up DDT through a half-erected table was enough to end the proceedings. Sheridan wins his main roster debut, already showing that he may be a better giant in The League than Otto von Schwarz was. Rock Sheridan (1-0) def. Sterling Silver (0-1) via Table Break (DDT) in 8:39. Rating: *** Changes for Rock Sheridan: OVR + 4.69, XP + 524.50, no notable damage Changes for Sterling Silver: OVR + 1.38, XP + 131.12, minor damage to head DELTA DIVISION (Favorite: Diamond, 57.34%) (3) Scott Stevens (0-0, OVR 420) vs. (1) Diamond (0-0, OVR 478) The last match of the Delta Division schedule was another Match of the Night candidate, and this one was personal before the bell even rang. There is a long history between Diamond and Scott Stevens, and the trash talking had begun as soon as Diamond stepped out of the locker room. Once the bell rang, words quickly turned to fisticuffs as neither competitor backed down. Stevens had Diamond in trouble early, hitting her with a Toxic Sting but only netting two on the exchange. He was unable to connect with the piledriver, though, allowing Diamond back into the match. A Jawjacker netted two, and led into a Florentine that Stevens somehow managed to find a way out of. (Behind-the-curtain chat: 903 to win, Stevens rolls a 920 to break free.) A 24 Karat Kiss was attempted, failed, and got turned into a second Toxic Sting from Stevens, and this one found the full three as Diamond couldn’t get a shoulder up in time. The author was expecting this to possibly be another four-star match, but Maven Deltzer in his “infinite” wisdom decreed otherwise. Scott Stevens (1-0) def. Diamond (0-1) via Pinfall (Toxic Sting) in 13:19. Rating: *** Changes for Scott Stevens: OVR + 4.89, XP + 526.92, minor damage to head Changes for Diamond: OVR + 1.23, XP + 131.73, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (Favorite: Lance Heartilly, 55.34%) (4) Terrance Stevens (0-0, OVR 483) vs. (7) Lance Heartilly (0-0, OVR 445) This clash between partners in last season’s Tag Team Turmoil was a match that more than a few were looking forward to this season. Especially League fans based in the Great White North who had been told for decades that technical wrestling was the true backbone of Canadian wrestling greatness. In the opening minutes, it seemed like Heartilly was going to enforce his will on Stevens, who had trouble getting out of the starting blocks. However, Terrance would fight his way back into things, forcing Heartilly to break his gameplan long enough to hit a low blow on Stevens. Undeterred, Stevens would fight back a little more, but when Heartilly countered a roundhouse right to the body into a Heartilly Arm Breaker, that was too much for Stevens. Lance wins the first round between these two, and in typical Lance Heartilly fashion, he does it by way of submission. Lance Heartilly (1-0) def. Terrance Stevens (0-1) via Submission (Heartilly Arm Breaker) in 10:02. Rating: ** Changes for Lance Heartilly: OVR + 3.50, XP + 557.54, no notable damage Changes for Terrance Stevens: OVR + 0.40, XP + 139.38, no notable damage GAMMA DIVISION (Favorite: Diego Rodriguez, 58.22%) (3) Diego Rodriguez (0-0, OVR 508) vs. (8) Kichi Hida (0-0, OVR 461) One would almost forgive Kichi if she was a little overwhelmed at the moment. After all, just a month ago she was expecting to be the undisputed queen of the Delta Division, and then suddenly found herself promoted to Gamma from a third-place position. Not to mention a rule set that isn’t to her usual strengths to finish matches in a sprint. Kichi then decided to make a mockery of the situation, dismantling Rodriguez in a bout that wasn’t very entertaining despite some competition. In the end, Hida wouldn’t need one of her fancy finishing strikes to end the match. Just a straight punch to the groin. Kichi Hida (1-0) def. Diego Rodriguez (0-1) via Pinfall (low blow) in 6:33. Rating: * Changes for Kichi Hida: OVR + 2.22, XP + 509.31, no notable damage Changes for Diego Rodriguez: OVR -0.37, XP + 127.33, no notable damage BETA DIVISION (Favorite: Reverend Johnny Gross, 55.10%) (1) Reverend Johnny Gross (0-0, OVR 501) vs. (8) Lucas Molina (0-0, OVR 473) Longest match of the night so far in this one, which was also a Match of the Night contender. Molina seemed a little thrown off in the opening minutes, as he weathered the storm that Gross was throwing out. However, Molina’s not a technical and patient wrestler for no reason, and slowly he fought his way back into the match, avoiding a couple of Gross’ patented chop blocks and applying his Molina Heel Hook on at least three occasions. After the third one, Gross could be seen limping a little, and that was all Molina needed to see to get a second wind. It took him less than a minute to apply the Molina Bodylock, and Gross eventually had to tap out. Lucas Molina wins his Beta Division debut in a very good match, and may have just made a statement with that opening match! Lucas Molina (1-0) def. Reverend Johnny Gross (0-1) via Submission (Molina Bodylock) in 18:47. Rating: *** Changes for Lucas Molina: OVR + 5.25, XP + 688.70, minor damage to head Changes for Reverend Johnny Gross: OVR + 1.33, XP + 172.17, minor damage to head and legs BETA DIVISION (Favorite: Blood River, 58.59%) (4) Blood River (0-0, OVR 501) vs. (5) Angela Wassermann (0-0, OVR 476) Wassermann controlled the majority of this contest, and even had River in range of her cross arm breaker hold. However, she neglected to account for River’s speed, and that’s what did her in at the end. A flurry of blows followed up by a springboard legdrop were enough to keep the German down for the count of three, and River pulls a victory from the jaws of defeat to open Season Eleven! Blood River (1-0) def. Angela Wassermann (0-1) via Pinfall (springboard legdrop) in 10:39. Rating: ** Changes for Blood River: OVR + 3.53, XP + 630.65, no notable damage Changes for Angela Wassermann: OVR + 0.40, XP + 157.66, minor damage to head GAMMA DIVISION (Favorite: Indigo Rose, 57.30%) (1) Big Scott Weathers (0-0, OVR 491) vs. (2) Indigo Rose (0-0, OVR 491) A rather underwhelming match given the first half of the card, Weathers took an early lead, nearly choked it away, and finally got his act together after avoiding Blood from a Rose. Rose had the Blackout well scouted, but not the sleeper hold—ironic, for a technical wrestler—and Weathers uses his size to propel him to victory despite sucking heavy wind at the end of the contest. Big Scott Weathers (1-0) def. Indigo Rose (0-1) via Submission (Welcome to Dreamland) in 14:18. Rating: ** Changes for Big Scott Weathers: OVR + 3.72, XP + 559.89, no notable damage Changes for Indigo Rose: OVR + 0.42, XP + 139.97, minor damage to head BETA DIVISION (Favorite: Billy Norris, 64.05%) (3) Billy Norris (0-0, OVR 507) vs. (6) Pulsar (0-0, OVR 479) A short Match of the Night contender, this was more even than the author expected. Pulsar was behind after two minutes, ahead after five, then behind again at eight minutes. It seemed like the seesaw would continue for another ten minutes or so, especially after Norris countered a springboard guillotina with a spear (that only got a one count, mind). But after Pulsar stopped a pop-up top rope arm drag and landed a top rope bulldog, that stunned Norris long enough for a springboard senton to do the deed. Pulsar scores an upset, according to official League Statistician Amelia Hall, though many fans saw this one going either way due to the nature of high-fliers in The League in the past three seasons. Pulsar (1-0) def. Billy Norris (0-1) via Pinfall (springboard senton bomb) in 10:40. Rating: *** Changes for Pulsar: OVR + 4.71, XP + 683.21, minor damage to head Changes for Billy Norris: OVR + 1.19, XP + 170.80, minor damage to head and body GAMMA DIVISION (Favorite: Monty Dhillon, 68.51%) (5) Markus Clay (0-0, OVR 477) vs. (6) Monty Dhillon (0-0, OVR 524) This wasn’t a very competitive match. Clay did his best to stay in it, but Dhillon was simply too powerful. It didn’t even take a finisher to end things here, just a simple Livewire Lariat to put Clay down for three on the first pin attempt of the match. Dhillon puts together an impressive Gamma Division debut in eight minutes flat. Monty Dhillon (1-0) def. Markus Clay (0-1) via Pinfall (Livewire Lariat) in 8:00. Rating: ** Changes for Monty Dhillon: OVR + 3.40, XP + 556.42, no notable damage Changes for Markus Clay: OVR + 0.39, XP + 139.10, no notable damage ALPHA DIVISION (Favorite: Jean-Paul Ouilette, 59.62%) (6) De'siree Mitchell (0-0, OVR 496) vs. (8) Jean-Paul Ouilette (0-0, OVR 516) We finally get to some Alpha Division action, as one of last season’s promoted wrestlers makes their top flight debut…and promptly seemed to forget how to wrestle. Ouilette didn’t even get any sustained offense in until seven minutes into the match. By then it was already far too late, as Mitchell simply reasserted herself and needed only one shot at the All Out Blitz to put Ouilette down for three. The Frenchman debuts in the Alpha Division with a whimper, as Mitchell wins a bout many on The League’s fan forums expected her to lose. De'siree Mitchell (1-0) def. Jean-Paul Ouilette (0-1) via Pinfall (All Out Blitz) in 11:12. Rating: ** Changes for De'siree Mitchell: OVR + 3.56, XP + 728.06, no notable damage Changes for Jean-Paul Ouilette: OVR + 0.40, XP + 182.02, minor damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (Favorite: The Mastodon, 54.52%) (4) Brandy McDonald (0-0, OVR 514) vs. (3) The Mastodon (0-0, OVR 517) This nearly was the Match of the Night, and may have gotten the nod if it had run another two minutes or so. Mastodon held the advantage for most of the early portion of the match, battering McDonald so that she was looking rather haggard some eight minutes in. Brandy isn’t a former League Champion for nothing, though, and clawed her way back into the contest, using her speed to frustrate Mastodon. His size, however, made it difficult for her to keep him down long enough for her bulldog choke finisher, and in desperation she landed a Brandy with a Twist. By the by, folks, have you forgotten that Mastodon also has an adrenaline rush? It must have slipped McDonald’s mind, as Mastodon was back on his feet almost instantly on impact. It only took him ninety seconds from that point to lambaste McDonald with a Rampage, and three seconds later Mastodon walks away with a victory that he had to fight for in what was a more physical match than many expected! The Mastodon (1-0) def. Brandy McDonald (0-1) via Pinfall (Rampage) in 17:39. Rating: *** Changes for The Mastodon: OVR + 5.18, XP + 793.77, moderate damage to head Changes for Brandy McDonald: OVR + 1.31, XP + 198.44, moderate damage to head, minor damage to body ALPHA DIVISION (Favorite: Nuclear Templeton, 79.60%) (5) Mel O'Hallister (0-0, OVR 522) vs. (2) Nuclear Templeton (0-0, OVR 529) O’Hallister came in to this match with a 3-1 career record against Nuclear. Yet the fan forums seemed to think Nuclear was going to win this one overwhelmingly, citing the tiebreaker loss to Mastachas for the Championship last season. Templeton then proceeded to dominate the majority of this contest. O’Hallister got a few shots in and at least dragged it out of squash territory, but there was no denying that Templeton was on another level on this night. The silent, menacing presence of a sharp-dressed Italian man in Nuclear’s corner at ringside also seemed to throw O’Hallister off, though this gentleman did nothing at all during the match. It took Nuclear a few tries to finally lock in a Radiation Leak, and the submission happened almost immediately after. Nuclear Templeton (1-0) def. Mel O'Hallister (0-1) via Submission (Radiation Leak) in 16:01. Rating: ** Changes for Nuclear Templeton: OVR + 3.80, XP + 731.53, minor damage to head Changes for Mel O'Hallister: OVR + 0.43, XP + 182.88, minor damage to head and body BETA DIVISION (Favorite: Christian Priest, 59.62%) (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (0-0, OVR 509) vs. (7) Christian Priest (0-0, OVR 570) The semi-main started with Nakamatsu looking more focused and determined than many had seen him in a long, long time. His tenacity seemed to surprise Priest, whom many thought was going to cruise to victory in his Beta Division debut. By eight minutes in, Nakamatsu had Priest reeling and nearly in range of an Emperor’s Fall. Priest fought back, spurred on at ringside by the words of Pastor Richards, but even words could only push Priest so far. Nakamatsu was too much on this night, and on the second attempt, the Emperor’s Fall connected and Nakamatsu walks away with what many, including the author, see as an upset! After the show, some pundits thought Priest rested a little too much on his laurels after the last two seasons, and Yoshii caught him napping at the right time. Yoshii Nakamatsu (1-0) def. Christian Priest (0-1) via Pinfall (Emperor’s Fall) in 12:34. Rating: ** Changes for Yoshii Nakamatsu: OVR + 3.63, XP + 631.84, no notable damage Changes for Christian Priest: OVR + 0.41, XP + 157.96, moderate damage to head ALPHA DIVISION (Favorite: Brian Blackfield, 62.84%) (7) Brian Blackfield (0-0, OVR 561) vs. (1) George Mastachas (0-0, OVR 524) And now, the main event. What a draw for both men in the opening week—the reigning and defending League Champion against the single most dominant wrestler in the lower divisions over the last three seasons. A camera backstage caught a shot of literally everyone else in the locker room crowded around a large monitor to watch this match. It certainly delivered, too, as it was a contender for Match of the Night. Back and forth throughout, with Mastachas taking an early advantage before giving it back to Blackfield. Blackfield would cede the advantage back to Mastachas, and this repeated a couple more time before the twelve-minute mark had passed. It was Mastachas who went for a signature move first, hitting Olympus Rises but only getting a one count from the move. A minute or so later, Blackfield landed the Tartan Effect, only to see Mastachas kick out at the literal last moment. (In game terms—Mastachas’s OVR is too high to lose to a move with only a 200 win chance, like the Tartan Effect. This also triggered a thought for the author that may be relevant in the next offseason, as he needs to play with some tables and thoughts regarding High-level signature moves.) Mastachas was actually the first to be at risk for a finisher, as despite his size he could still be caught in the Highland’s Wrath. Mastachas broke the attempt from Blackfield, spun on his heels, and promptly went low on The Juggernaut. Despite the referee’s admonishments, Mastachas scrambled into a cover, and Blackfield kicked out a split second too late. Many say that Mastachas stole an upset win in the season’s first main event, but in the record books it will show that George Mastachas handed Brian Blackfield the fourth-ever singles defeat in The Juggernaut’s League career, and only the second via pinfall! (Fun fact: Blackfield has yet to lose to a wrestler’s actual finisher. A forced submission (Erick Gibson, S9W5), a heel hook grapevine (Diego Rodriguez, S9W10), and a springboard legdrop (Blood River, S10W8) are the catalysts for The Juggernaut’s previous losses.) George Mastachas (1-0) def. Brian Blackfield (0-1) via Pinfall (low blow) in 18:17. Rating: *** Changes for George Mastachas: OVR + 5.22, XP + 794.26, minor damage to head Changes for Brian Blackfield: OVR + 1.32, XP + 198.57, minor damage to head /\/\/\/\/\/\ STANDINGS AFTER SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK ONE ALPHA DIVISION 1. De'siree Mitchell: 1-0, ATV 11:12, (AMR 2.000), OVR 499.90 2. Nuclear Templeton: 1-0, ATV 16:01, (AMR 2.000), OVR 532.78 3. The Mastodon: 1-0, ATV 17:39, (AMR 3.000), OVR 522.46 4. George Mastachas: 1-0, ATV 18:17, (AMR 3.000), OVR 528.89 5. Brandy McDonald: 0-1, ATV 0:00, (AMR 3.000), OVR 515.16 5. Brian Blackfield: 0-1, ATV 0:00, (AMR 3.000), OVR 562.47 7. Mel O'Hallister: 0-1, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.000), OVR 522.00 7. Jean-Paul Ouilette: 0-1, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.000), OVR 516.09 BETA DIVISION 1. Blood River: 1-0, ATV 10:39 (AMR 2.000), OVR 504.46 2. Pulsar: 1-0, ATV 10:40 (AMR 3.000), OVR 484.01 3. Yoshii Nakamatsu: 1-0, ATV 12:34 (AMR 2.000), OVR 513.05 4. Lucas Molina: 1-0, ATV 18:47 (AMR 3.000), OVR 478.37 5. Reverend Johnny Gross: 0-1, ATV 0:00 (AMR 3.000), OVR 502.47 5. Billy Norris: 0-1, ATV 0:00 (AMR 3.000), OVR 508.67 7. Angela Wassermann: 0-1, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.000), OVR 476.21 7. Christian Priest: 0-1, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.000), OVR 570.31 GAMMA DIVISION 1. Kichi Hida: 1-0, ATV 6:33, (AMR 1.000), OVR 463.67 2. Monty Dhillon: 1-0, ATV 8:00, (AMR 2.000), OVR 527.19 3. Lance Heartilly: 1-0, ATV 10:02, (AMR 2.000), OVR 448.80 4. Big Scott Weathers: 1-0, ATV 14:18, (AMR 2.000), OVR 494.25 5. Indigo Rose: 0-1, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.000), OVR 491.73 5. Terrance Stevens: 0-1, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.000), OVR 483.48 5. Markus Clay: 0-1, ATV 0:00, (AMR 2.000), OVR 477.21 8. Diego Rodriguez: 0-1, ATV 0:00, (AMR 1.000), OVR 508.10 DELTA DIVISION 1. Rock Sheridan: 1-0, ATV 8:39 (AMR 3.000), OVR 404.69 2. Nocturne: 1-0, ATV 9:08 (AMR 2.000), OVR 432.49 3. Scott Stevens: 1-0, ATV 13:19 (AMR 3.000), OVR 425.10 4. Leon de Ramos: 1-0, ATV 13:45 (AMR 4.000), OVR 406.15 5. Mickey Steele: 0-1, ATV 0:00 (AMR 4.000), OVR 402.07 6. Diamond: 0-1, ATV 0:00 (AMR 3.000), OVR 479.08 6. Sterling Silver: 0-1, ATV 0:00 (AMR 3.000), OVR 447.45 8. George Stevens: 0-1, ATV 0:00 (AMR 2.000), OVR 400.39 PREDICTION STANDINGS (Reminder: The official scores will have the lowest two weeks dropped at the end of the season.) 1. Eternal Phoenix: 11 2. Croquemitaine: 8 3. SeanMcG: 6 4. Jman2k3: 5 5. Derek B: 4 WEEK TWO CARD ALPHA DIVISION (5) Brian Blackfield (0-1, OVR 562) vs. (1) De'siree Mitchell (1-0, OVR 500) [Career: First Career Meeting] (3) The Mastodon (1-0, OVR 522) vs. (4) George Mastachas (1-0, OVR 529) [Career: George Mastachas, 5 - 1] (2) Nuclear Templeton (1-0, OVR 533) vs. (5) Brandy McDonald (0-1, OVR 515) [Career: Tied 3 - 3] (7) Jean-Paul Ouilette (0-1, OVR 516) vs. (7) Mel O'Hallister (0-1, OVR 522) [Career: Tied 1 - 1] BETA DIVISION (7) Christian Priest (0-1, OVR 570) vs. (7) Angela Wassermann (0-1, OVR 476) [Career: First Career Meeting] HARDCORE MATCH: (3) Yoshii Nakamatsu (1-0, OVR 513) vs. (5) Billy Norris (0-1, OVR 509) [Career: Billy Norris, 2 - 0] FIRST BLOOD MATCH: (4) Lucas Molina (1-0, OVR 478) vs. (1) Blood River (1-0, OVR 504) [Career: First Career Meeting] (5) Reverend Johnny Gross (0-1, OVR 502) vs. (2) Pulsar (1-0, OVR 484) [Career: Reverend Johnny Gross, 2 - 0] GAMMA DIVISION (4) Big Scott Weathers (1-0, OVR 494) vs. (2) Monty Dhillon (1-0, OVR 527) [Career: First Career Meeting] (5) Indigo Rose (0-1, OVR 492) vs. (8) Diego Rodriguez (0-1, OVR 508) [Career: Tied 2 - 2] (1) Kichi Hida (1-0, OVR 464) vs. (5) Terrance Stevens (0-1, OVR 483) [Career: First Career Meeting] (3) Lance Heartilly (1-0, OVR 449) vs. (5) Markus Clay (0-1, OVR 477) [Career: First Career Meeting] DELTA DIVISION (6) Sterling Silver (0-1, OVR 447) vs. (6) Diamond (0-1, OVR 479) [Career: First Career Meeting] (2) Nocturne (1-0, OVR 432) vs. (1) Rock Sheridan (1-0, OVR 405) [Career: First Career Meeting] TABLES MATCH: (3) Scott Stevens (1-0, OVR 425) vs. (4) Leon de Ramos (1-0, OVR 406) [Career: First Career Meeting] (8) George Stevens (0-1, OVR 400) vs. (5) Mickey Steele (0-1, OVR 402) [Career: First Career Meeting] TRAINING AND PREDICTION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 19, 2024 AT 11:59 PM EASTERN US!

So, a heads-up to folks. I am intending to debut an “experimental” addition to the actual shows. As mentioned upthread in an in-character piece, I’ve been toying with implementing ELO ratings a la chess, and I believe I’ve gotten them to a point where I’m satisfied with the results and how they’re going to show up. I'm actually running two types: The first is an “official” score that’s updated every half season of main roster competition and after every Omega “season”. Each division has its own factors and by and large, the values seem to work out to where they should be. (Using that, for instance, would lead me to predict that Nuclear wins the League Championship via tiebreaker over Blackfield, as in the opening half of the season each are projected to 4.95 wins out of 7. Extrapolate that, it becomes a 10-4 record for each.) The official ELO also takes Omega Division bouts into effect. What I plan to use in the shows is an estimated win percentage based on ELO ratings updated weekly. This weekly set up does not account for Omega Division bouts, strictly the main roster. The idea is to give viewers watching on YouTube a more sports-like experience, with “real-time” power rankings and the like. (I mean…if the XFL can blatantly show Over/Under lines, betting favorites and the like on their broadcasts, surely The League can do similar without actually invoking gambling, right?) I’m keeping the actual factors a trade secret, but in the interest of trying something slightly different in the presentation for a season, I thought this might be an interesting quirk to add in. Before anyone asks: no. I’m not displaying that before the show because I do not want to be accused of influencing predictions because of them. 😝

With her 450 splash finisher? #JustSaying Edit: I’ll confirm right now that this (Mastachas/Blackfield) is the main. Priest is in the semi-main due to his OVR rating. I’m through roughly half the card. I think there’s only one or two PCs I might be missing stuff for, but this is me trying to think at work, never a good idea. Clubhouse leader for MOTN at this point? Just a 4* match somewhere in the lower half of The League.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR: I will not be participating in the prediction game this season. I have a feeling most of my energy is going to be needed to keep The League afloat as we head into year two of The League's return to GDS. 😛 SEASON ELEVEN, WEEK ONE CARD ALPHA DIVISION (7) Brian Blackfield (0-0, OVR 561) vs. (1) George Mastachas (0-0, OVR 524) [Career: First Career Meeting] (5) Mel O'Hallister (0-0, OVR 522) vs. (2) Nuclear Templeton (0-0, OVR 529) [Career: Mel O'Hallister, 3 - 1] (4) Brandy McDonald (0-0, OVR 514) vs. (3) The Mastodon (0-0, OVR 517) [Career: Tied 3 - 3] (6) De'siree Mitchell (0-0, OVR 496) vs. (8) Jean-Paul Ouilette (0-0, OVR 516) [Career: First Career Meeting] BETA DIVISION (2) Yoshii Nakamatsu (0-0, OVR 509) vs. (7) Christian Priest (0-0, OVR 570) [Career: First Career Meeting] (3) Billy Norris (0-0, OVR 507) vs. (6) Pulsar (0-0, OVR 479) [Career: Tied 1 - 1] (1) Reverend Johnny Gross (0-0, OVR 501) vs. (8) Lucas Molina (0-0, OVR 473) [Career: First Career Meeting] (4) Blood River (0-0, OVR 501) vs. (5) Angela Wassermann (0-0, OVR 476) [Career: Blood River, 3 - 1] GAMMA DIVISION (5) Markus Clay (0-0, OVR 477) vs. (6) Monty Dhillon (0-0, OVR 524) [Career: First Career Meeting] (3) Diego Rodriguez (0-0, OVR 508) vs. (8) Kichi Hida (0-0, OVR 461) [Career: First Career Meeting] (1) Big Scott Weathers (0-0, OVR 491) vs. (2) Indigo Rose (0-0, OVR 491) [Career: First Career Meeting] (4) Terrance Stevens (0-0, OVR 483) vs. (7) Lance Heartilly (0-0, OVR 445) [Career: First Career Meeting] DELTA DIVISION (3) Scott Stevens (0-0, OVR 420) vs. (1) Diamond (0-0, OVR 478) [Career: First Career Meeting] (2) Nocturne (0-0, OVR 429) vs. (4) George Stevens (0-0, OVR 400) [Career: First Career Meeting] TABLES MATCH: (8) Rock Sheridan (0-0, OVR 400) vs. (5) Sterling Silver (0-0, OVR 446) [Career: First Career Meeting] (7) Leon de Ramos (0-0, OVR 400) vs. (6) Mickey Steele (0-0, OVR 400) [Career: First Career Meeting] PREDICTION AND TRAINING/TP ALLOCATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, JANUARY 12, 2024, 11:59 PM EASTERN US.

All right. Last offseason update is upon us! I have one PC moveset I need to finish. That’s tonight’s major task. Any other PCs who want a moveset change, consider this your final call; I plan to start running GMPC bouts tomorrow (Tuesday) after work. Minor tasks on the agenda: slight update to the master spreadsheet, adding a spot for manager bios as well. In addition, finalizing that all places that need them for show purposes have correct, updated picture links. (This is mainly for said master spreadsheet and also my master Word document that has a few other handy reference notes at the beginning.) Once that’s done, I can start trying to figure out why these forums have started to treat pasting directly from an Excel sheet like I’m trying to insert a very long PNG file instead of text, leading to an extra step in the process on my end. Week One’s card will be officially posted tomorrow evening, with all the usual things that entails. EDIT: ROSTER PAGE HAS BEEN UPDATED WITH NEW AVATARS, STERLING SILVER'S BIO, AND ELIMINATING THE (PENDING) ON THE NEW ENTRANTS THIS SEASON.

Welp. I now have a voice in my head for De’siree as well thanks to that! 😂

Continuing the trend of “okay, current season’s rules are locked in, what can tinker with as improvements for Season Twelve,” the following are currently the only changes proposed for the summer/fall season of The League this year: Change to wear-and-tear penalty I mentioned this in the game thread and will expand on it in this thread at a later date. But in thinking things over I’ve decided that the idea I proposed in the game thread will in fact go live this coming offseason and will be in effect for Season Twelve. For the TL;DR crowd, I’m changing the consecutive season wear-and-tear penalties that affect body health from a cumulative 1% per season to a number that reflects how much overall body health a wrestler’s lost, to emulate folks wearing down at different rates and, in more recent news, the fact that if you’re wrestling injured you’re more likely to cause serious damage to yourself. (See also: Ibushi, Kota.) This should also have the effect of refreshing rosters a bit faster as I expect more people will need to sit out more often. That might lead to headaches for me as I try to figure out multiple injuries to account for but that’s a me issue and I’ll live with that. Main Roster OVR earnings The final formula hasn’t been approved yet but I am very heavily leaning towards a nerfing of OVR gains. This is likely to happen, it’s just a question of how the final formula will stack up. What I posted above is a good example of what I’m aiming for. Now, unlike the error I found before Season Eleven started, these changes will NOT be retroactive. They will only go into effect for Season Twelve and beyond. To compensate for what’ll be four seasons of higher OVR gains all around, wrestlers who have yet to make the Main Roster (whether they be third/fourth PCs, extra GMPCs, or brand new signees) will get a bump to their starting OVR. I have not determined how big a bump, and will likely wait for the end of Season Eleven to make that decision. Possible changes to Omega Division Now, it’s no secret that I try to sprint through Omega bouts. More than half the time I miss the results screen with the match rating, and for the life of me I have not figured out how to bring it back up after I’ve closed it accidentally. This is why Omega bouts only record winner, loser, and time (for tie breaking purposes). I open with those statements because in a training PM sent to me, one player mused that Omega Division standings seem to have little variance from season to season, due to the inability of the wrestlers to improve. While originally this was the design, as Omega was meant for an overflow of GMPCs to cycle in to the Delta Division when needed, the fact that some secondary/tertiary PCs will be on their third go-round in Omega this season got me to thinking that maybe I should change this. The final structure has not been decided yet—I’ve put a deadline on myself of having this done by Tag Team Turmoil so it can go into effect this Omega cycle—but my rough ideas are as follows, subject to changes and experimentation: XP: flat awards of 100 XP per win, 25 XP per loss. This is a quarter of the “base” awards used on the Main Roster. OVR: deciding between two ideas. Either a flat +0.5/win and -0.25/loss, or waiting until the end of the Onega season, getting an average time of all matches, and determining OVR changes with the new OVR formula as if all matches went that length, and a 2* rating, and then dividing the changes by 10. TP: wrestlers will continue to receive no TP while in Omega. The idea is to allow a little growth and change for Omega folks, while at the same time making the changes minimal and emphasizing the growth potential of making the Main Roster, even if only making it to Delta for a season. The extra step with dividing the OVR changes by 10 would take someone like Sin, who finishes 4-13, and reduces the OVR loss from -18 to only -1.8, while folks like Sterling Silver would see a 33-point OVR gain turn into only 3.3 points so as to not out-do the Delta Division. (The numbers presented above are examples and are not calculated results because my League spreadsheet is currently at home, and I am at work.)

Also along the same lines as EP… I also have a predictions thing ready. Not nearly as detailed as his, naturally, but it’s been sitting on my phone waiting since Omega was finished. So without further ado… “Bold” League Predictions League Champion: Nuclear Templeton, via tiebreaker over Brian Blackfield. Mastachas finishes third. Drops from Alpha: De’siree Mitchell, Mel O’Hallister. (JPO finishes 6th via TB and stays alive over O’Hallister, and I hate myself for actually writing that.) Beta: Priest and Nakamatsu advance, CP wins second straight division title with a 12-2 record. Gross loses out on promotion after being swept by Priest and Nakamatsu, and finishes 10-4 in third place. Pulsar finishes ahead of Wassermann but not well enough to avoid relegation himself, and will be joined by the returning Daniel Simmons in Gamma. Gamma: Monty wins his second division title. TB for second goes to Diego over Rose. Terrance and Markus fall to Delta, Weathers survives by a 1 match margin. Delta: Sterling Silver defies the odds, wins the Delta Division. Nocturne pips out Diamond in week 14 to promote via tiebreaker (Nocturne upsets Silver, Diamond loses to Leon to force said tiebreaker), opening zero spots for Omega Division next season due to six PCs waiting for Terrance Stevens, Markus Clay, and Erick Gibson…which means something has to give there! Sheridan, Steele and de Ramos are the first three at risk of automatic demotion if new PCs sign up in this case (Sheridan first as he is EP’s third character), but that could also be moot if Gibson, et al fail another medical check at the end of the season. It’s going to be crowded in Delta at the end of the season, and that is where most of the drama will occur. Omega: Will still be run despite no spots appearing to be open in Delta. Murdoch will win the Division but find himself unable to be promoted, and will end up spending a night in jail after assaulting the Commissioner in a fit of anger. Devil’s Delight, wrestling without her sister as a manager, barely manages to do better than Sin and is not a factor in the final standings. Commissioner Prydor, showing pity and a human side to himself, elects to give all Omega participants the equivalent of a half-season of Delta Division experience because no one is able to promote this season. This decision causes several GMPCs to leave and start their own League, with blackjack…and women who wear even less than Sin does in the ring. (For those of you who’ve reached this point, yes, I’m making a mockery of Omega Division predictions because it’s my show and I can get away with it! Though the half-season XP thing may be an actual change forthcoming.)

I’m of the belief that you should do whatever is easiest and least mentally demanding for you, EP. (He says knowing that he’s going to spend a fair bit of the season tinkering with the OVR and body health mechanics off-camera and creating three times the work for himself.) Speaking as a reader and not the Commish, I for one would not object to first-half and end-of-season only given how much detail and work you put into those and knowing how time-consuming that is.

With the deadline for new PCs having passed, it’s now time to reveal how the top four in the Omega Division placed, and who was at greatest risk. It’s that person who we’ll start with… 4. Rock Sheridan: 12-5, 12:10.917 Sheridan was the one at risk, due to his loss to Leon de Ramos in just over five minutes. His other losses came to fellow Omega graduate Mickey Steele, as well as Sakura Uematsu (9th), Vladimir Chavinski (13th), and in his final match against The Siberian Nightmare (14th). To his credit, though, Sheridan also managed a 4* victory, in his longest outing of the Omega Division (18:42) against Sven Ulafsson. The giant from Tacoma will be bringing some of the beef back to the Delta Division that went missing when Jun Onoo was demoted, and Monty Dhillon got promoted to Gamma, and fans can hope he’ll do better than the other giant to have graced The League, Otto von Schwarz, though given his record against those promoting from Omega (1-2) he may find a tough task ahead of him. 3. Leon de Ramos: 12-5, 12:26.667 Leon got the tie-breaking win over Sheridan, which gave him a little breathing room. The technical grappler from Lisbon tasted defeat just five times, falling to Kyler den Boen (6th), Sterling Silver, Lord Robert Abernathy (7th), Sakura Uematsu (9th), and The Siberian Nightmare (14th). Going 2-1 against Omega graduates (including a 4* victory over Mickey Steele, and the previously-mentioned five-minute win over Rock Sheridan) gives the appearance that he’s indeed ready for the increased competition against more established competition, though he has also shown signs of struggling as he took 21:25 to put away Joslin Baroni, a wrestler smaller than he. 2. Mickey Steele: 13-4, 10:47.154 The would-be detective thrived against the lower three-quarters of the Omega Division, sporting losses only to Vladimir Chavinski (13th) and the giant Otto von Schwarz (14th). Against those he’s promoting with, he went 1-2, losing to Leon de Ramos and Sterling Silver. Steele’s victory times ranged from 16:18 (a blood stoppage victory against Rock Sheridan), to seven minutes flat against “Dirty” John Murdoch. Steele also had one of the rare 4* matches in the Omega Division, in a 13:55 victory against Rhys Caddell near the end of the rotation. Steele will bring his character work, and his “girl Friday” Roxy Rose, onto the main roster as the runner-up from the Omega Division this season. 1. Sterling Silver: 13-4, 6:40.154 Silver was clearly determined to reclaim her spot in the Delta Division after a knee sprain forced her to miss the opening of Season Ten. Her eighth-round victory over Jimmy Anarchy set an unofficial League record, with a 2:58 time of victory. Somewhere, Kichi Hida looks up and takes notice, knowing that sub-three minutes is indeed possible. Silver went 2-1 against fellow Omega graduates, dropping a match to Rock Sheridan but putting both Leon de Ramos and Mickey Steele away in under five minutes each. Silver’s other losses were to Kyler den Boen (6th), Rhys Caddell (10th), and Joslin Baroni (11th). The roster is officially locked in at this point. While the link may still say "Official Season Ten Schedule" back on the first page second post, the actual schedule has been updated and is finalized for Season Eleven, in case anyone wants to get an idea of what their characters face this upcoming season. The final administrative work will be started this week, and the target date to have everything ready is January 9 (a week from Tuesday).

So while I do the actual tinkering with the proposed OVR changes, I’ll be posting things here for player feedback. These numbers factor in three full seasons of competition for the sake of comparison. Yes, I’m pulling back the curtain almost totally for this since I know there’s at least two players who like tinkering with numbers and data, given posts in the Game Thread. In order to get better feedback, I’m going to be as forthcoming as I can so that those interested can tinker with formulas and make their own proposals as we progress through the season. As always, I reserve the right to make the final decision. THE BASE FORMULAE: Current OVR changes for the winner: (1 + 3) * 1.30972 4 * 1.30972 = 5.23888 I display to two decimal places, so it’s noted in summaries as + 5.24 to OVR Current OVR changes for loser: That’s a long example of everything at work that I have automated to calculate…at least when it works properly. Proposal 1: As mentioned elsewhere, I’m looking to slow the OVR curve by being a bit stricter on lower match ratings, easily for those who lose those matches. After all, fans don’t typically care for “jobbers who got squashed in like three minutes flat,” right? This proposal, when applied to the results over the last three seasons, drops the OVR of people by an average of 33.5 points, with a range of -71.01 points (El Tornado) to the only gain in the list, of 2.25 points (Nuclear Templeton). This proposed formula also factors in divisions, so that Alpha Division numbers are generally higher than Delta Division ones. On the losing side: In terms of how things would look with the current Season Eleven roster, here’s a comparison of current OVRs versus if these formulae were applied from the very start: Name: Current > Proposed ALPHA DIVISION Mastachas: 523.67 > 521.46 Nuclear: 528.98 > 531.23 Mastodon: 517.28 > 502.42 Brandy: 513.85 > 511.35 O’Hallister: 521.57 > 504.26 De’siree: 496.34 > 477.24 Blackfield: 561.15 > 532.06 (biggest loss in division) JPO: 515.69 > 493.36 BETA DIVISION Gross: 501.14 > 473.24 Yoshii: 509.42 > 470.82 Norris: 507.48 > 493.38 River: 500.93 > 466.88 Wassermann: 475.81 > 440.31 Pulsar: 479.30 > 457.68 Priest: 569.90 > 512.49 (biggest loss in division) Molina: 473.12 > 438.14 GAMMA DIVISION Weathers: 490.53 > 461.90 Rose: 491.31 > 442.21 Rodriguez: 508.47 > 453.44 Terrance: 483.08 > 446.62 Clay: 476.82 > 436.22 Dhillon: 523.79 > 465.49 (biggest loss in division) Heartilly: 445.30 > 427.24 Hida: 461.45 > 420.91 DELTA DIVISION Diamond: 477.85 > 425.48 (biggest loss in division) Nocturne: 429.03 > 402.70 S. Stevens: 420.21 > 392.74 Silver: 469.55 > 428.98 *pending promotion from Omega and OVR penalties for missing Season Ten.

So…I may have found that my sheet has been semi-broken since almost the beginning of Season Eight. In prepping a copy of the current sheet to conduct experiments on for the proposed OVR rate change, I found that since about halfway through week one of Season Eight, my sheet had not been looking up a table correctly for finishes. So most of the matches were being factored as if they all ended 2-0 under European Rules, which is a more extreme factor than a standard pinfall/submission finish by about 40%. So what does that mean in terms of the current season? Well, since the original spreadsheet still has the lookups available, but most of the lines are not reading them correctly, I will be going back to fix those immediately. The resulting updated OVRs will be applied to all League wrestlers and will be in effect for Season Eleven, as they are what the original formula should have been if not for tables breaking. These updated figures will be published the next time I update the roster page on page one of this thread. I will summarize the changes below. The TL;DR is that folks with better records will see their OVR drop a few points, while those with losing records should see their OVR improve slightly. PC CHANGES: Christian Priest: 581 -> 570 Diamond: 474 -> 478 Kichi Hida: 463 -> 461 Lucas Molina: 477 -> 473 Monty Dhillon: 531 -> 524 Nuclear Templeton: 536 -> 529 Scott Stevens: 418 -> 420 NOTABLE GMPC CHANGES: Brian Blackfield: 575 -> 561 (this is the largest drop by 3 points, given his 39-3 overall record). Brandy McDonald: 519 -> 514 Devil’s Delight: 425 -> 432 El Tornado: 445 -> 454 (highest gain of any character, with a 10-32 career record) Reverend Johnny Gross: 499 -> 501 EDITED TO ADD: For the whole two or maybe three of you who may be interested, over in the rules thread I’ve put forth a rather lengthy post about formulas and possible OVR changes. It pulls back the curtain a bit to go over how things run when they’re supposed to work, and how I may change them in the future.