Editor6

2018's in the books. Remember this? SHOW OF THE YEAR, Y'ALL. Tommy Cornell won Wrestler of the Year for only the second time(!!), while PGHW won Company and Tag Team again (this time with Muruyama & Igaki, their second win). Match of the Year was Joey Morgan beating Jack Bruce (who won Veteran Wrestler of the Year) on the first show after Supreme Challenge 38. Sammy Bach was USPW's top guy on the Power 500 at #83. World champion Wolf Hawkins is at #155. Ross Henry made the biggest jump, going from #496 to #324. We say goodbye to Enygma today, as he signed with NOTBPW for what is likely his last big contract. A consummate pro, he put over Greg Gauge and Kirk Jameson clean on his way out. NOTBPW seems to be doing their yearly hiring spree early this time around. I expect Lauren Easter to go back, but Findlay O'Farraday (who just won the National title) re-upped with us. We're still waiting on Bulldozer Brandon Smith's decision. In developmental, Ace Kincaid (TAFKA Skip Beau) won the MAW Championship in October. Aces High recovered from his torn quad, went to LPW to rehab, won the belt, then decided he wasn't re-signing with us. (He hates me because I sent him to rehab for turning up high way too many times.) So the belt was vacated, and Paul Steadyfast won it in December. Nancy Ortiz (a regen) is the Women's champion down there. --- I don't get to talk about my OLLIE game much. But our shows are demonstrably better when Gino Montero (#381) is my champ and on top. Like, 5-7 points better, which is significant at Regional size. Since he regained the Campeonato del Universal in June, we consistently win the regional battles, also helped by our monthly events being on Canal Tres. --- Finally, TCW. It's been an interesting year figuring out which young guys might be the next stars, and the state of the company has led to some surprising things happening. For one, Freddy Huggins auto-pushed to main event level. So I gave him a nice run with the International title (which he'd never had), and now he's slumming just outside the main event storylines, as is Davis Wayne Newton. If my top three heels at the end of 2019 are Chord, DWN and Huggins, that's pretty good. Finding a new No. 3 babyface remains a challenge. Masked Cougar's over, but I'm not sure he's a top face in an ostensibly national company. Either Chance Fortune or Darryl Devine could do it, but they're both older than I'd ideally like and I still need them in the tag division (where I'm using Marc Speed to help get the young guys there over.) I also have an owner goal that says I can't hire anyone over 35, which I'm fine with, as we're too old as it is. But it makes things more difficult. I'm kicking around some developmental possibilities, either opening my own company or partnering with someone else. --- SWF has reunited both High Concept and The New Wave. They still have the Bumfholes together, too. WINNOW opened in December. Youth Energy Pro Wrestling closed in December.

<p><img alt="ELGPlD5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ELGPlD5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Let's review.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Editor6" data-cite="Editor6" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41174" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> <strong>USPW World Title</strong></p><p><strong> Sammy Bach (champion) vs. Wolf Hawkins</strong></p><p> Two ex-TCW guys in the main event. This is Bach's third title reign and has been his longest, but the "Alpha Wolf" holds it over Bach that he's always won when they've squared off. Should be a barnburner.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Well, they didn't have chemistry and still pulled an 85. That's how good they are. Still, I have no real reason to run this matchup again.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41174" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>The Great American Grudge Match (5v5 elimination)</strong><p><strong> Team American: Rich Money, James Justice, Primus Allen, Bulldozer Brandon Smith & Trent Shaffer</strong></p><p><strong> Team National: Steve Frehley, Rick Law, Joss Thompson, Enygma & Des Davids</strong></p><p> My annual inter-brand 5v5 Survivor Series-style match now has a name and a new stipulation for this year, which I may make permanent: The survivors on the winning team will get a World Title shot at a time and place of their choosing. If it's Primus, it'll be a while -- he randomly took an MMA fight and will be leaving a week after this.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Rich Money was the sole survivor, coming back from being down 3-1 and earning a title shot whenever he wants. The American Wrestling team has now won all three of these matches. (There's also now an issue between Frehley and Thompson, as I've headcanoned a miscommunication led to Joss being eliminated, then Frehley was eliminated right after to end the match.)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41174" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>4v4: Casey Valentine, Greg Gauge, Kirk Jameson & Lauren Easter vs. Alicia Strong, Spencer Spade, Jumbo Jackson & Ross Henry</strong><p> Valentine's group (currently The Devils You Know; soon to be rebranded as Necessary Evil) has had several rotating feud opponents since coming together more than a year ago. Their latest is Spade, who they've feuded over the tag titles with in the past and who took the Television title off of Gauge. Jameson is filling in for Lassana Makutsi (who's in rehab after too many soft drug incidents) and was already feuding with Jumbo. Lauren and Alicia have had issues on and off for months.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> This was the only elimination match with more than one survivor. (Jumbo and Henry here.) Jameson won't be staying with Casey's group long-term; one he finishes his issue with Jumbo, he'll move into a program with Des, who is managed by his former manager, Allison Addison.</p><p> </p><p> Claire Winters debuted in the Women's 5v5 match as Nadia's team's fifth. The preceding segment was her one line after being introduced.</p>

<p>USPW's Thanksgiving Thunder 2018 is right around the corner...</p><p> </p><p> <strong>USPW World Title</strong></p><p><strong> Sammy Bach (champion) vs. Wolf Hawkins</strong></p><p> Two ex-TCW guys in the main event. This is Bach's third title reign and has been his longest, but the "Alpha Wolf" holds it over Bach that he's always won when they've squared off. Should be a barnburner.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>The Great American Grudge Match (5v5 elimination)</strong></p><p><strong> Team American: Rich Money, James Justice, Primus Allen, Bulldozer Brandon Smith & Trent Shaffer</strong></p><p><strong> Team National: Steve Frehley, Rick Law, Joss Thompson, Enygma & Des Davids</strong></p><p> My annual inter-brand 5v5 Survivor Series-style match now has a name and a new stipulation for this year, which I may make permanent: The survivors on the winning team will get a World Title shot at a time and place of their choosing. If it's Primus, it'll be a while -- he randomly took an MMA fight and will be leaving a week after this.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>4v4: Casey Valentine, Greg Gauge, Kirk Jameson & Lauren Easter vs. Alicia Strong, Spencer Spade, Jumbo Jackson & Ross Henry</strong></p><p> Valentine's group (currently The Devils You Know; soon to be rebranded as Necessary Evil) has had several rotating feud opponents since coming together more than a year ago. Their latest is Spade, who they've feuded over the tag titles with in the past and who took the Television title off of Gauge. Jameson is filling in for Lassana Makutsi (who's in rehab after too many soft drug incidents) and was already feuding with Jumbo. Lauren and Alicia have had issues on and off for months.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>USPW Women's Title (Two Out of Three Falls)</strong></p><p><strong> Melody (Champion) vs. Killer Kass</strong></p><p> Kass has been smashing through the women's division ever since her return a year ago, but both Melody, the first target of her ire, and the title have managed to elude her. This program's ending here.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>World Tag Team Titles:</strong></p><p><strong> Dangerous By Design (Roger Cage & Richie Riggins) vs. The Rock City Stars</strong></p><p> Cage & Riggins pulled off the upset of the year when they beat Natural Storm in September. Then they did it again. But there's a very good chance they're not taking the Stars seriously.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>4v4 Elimination:</strong> Natural Storm, Andre Jones & Joffy Laine vs. All-American Perfection & The Dirty White Boys</p><p> <strong>National Title:</strong> Julius Moor (Champion) vs. Bradford Peverell vs. Findlay O'Farraday</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Editor6" data-cite="Editor6" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41174" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm running so many games.<p> </p><p> TCW, October 2018</p><p> </p><p> Phase Two of "The Re-Education of TCW" is complete, as Bryan Vessey turned on Nicky Champion to help Human Arsenal win the TCW World Heavyweight title at Destructive Energy. This was always the plan, but I wasn't quite sure when to do it... until Champion got cast in a movie. (It's a comedy.) So he'll be gone until the end of the year.</p><p> </p><p> But The New School of Tradition (Arsenal, Vessey, Bart Biggins, The Dynamite Express, Ota, Ernest Youngman) haven't vanquished all of their foes. Aaron Andrews (who finished up his program with Davis Wayne Newton) Brent Hill, and Devine Fortune (who lost the tag titles to the Dynamites thanks to Eric Tyler) will lead the resistance in his absence.</p><p> </p><p> The International Title scene's about to get nuts. Freddy Huggins is the champ, but he pushes to main event. So I figure it's time to get some shine on some of the young talent -- Youngman, Chris Flynn, Lenny Brown and Matt Hocking will be at the forefront.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>The People Versus Jay Chord:</strong> I can almost set my watch by the post-show email from Jay disparaging someone on the roster. Since he won't be near the title anytime soon, I decided that he's going to have to <em>deal with</em> most of them. Face and heel alike, from no-hopers like Guillotine to guys with legit potential like California Kid and Lenny Brown (who developed a negative relationship with Jay about a week after joining the company), Jay's gonna face a phalanx of people who want to shut him up.</p><p> </p><p> Relaunched Saturday Showcase as a B-show.</p><p> </p><p> Guide is leaving to reunite with Scout in SWF.</p><p> </p><p> GSW went under in late September. Ex-TCWer Killer Shark was their last champion. Lug Phelan and/or Raheem Stash may be coming in.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Already scuffling in a world without Nicky Champion.</p><p> </p><p> Right after he left, we fell back to Cult after creeping up to National for about three weeks. I went into the National Battles tab to see how our guys stacked up, and what I saw scared me a little and showed me just what a daunting task I have: Our top guy is Champion, obviously, with a score of 996. Andrews (865) and Chord (811) are next. Who's fourth? Bryan Vessey, at 642. That's a lower score than Mayan Idol, who's SOTBPW's fifth-most popular guy. Our fifth is Human Arsenal at <strong>538</strong>.</p><p> </p><p> It doesn't help that I inherited TCW's crappy TV deal with The Pop Network that still has two years on it. I set our maximum size to Cult so we don't get trapped in that cycle again. But oh boy, do I ever hope the young guys above have good rolls.</p>

<p>I'm running so many games.</p><p> </p><p> TCW, October 2018</p><p> </p><p> Phase Two of "The Re-Education of TCW" is complete, as Bryan Vessey turned on Nicky Champion to help Human Arsenal win the TCW World Heavyweight title at Destructive Energy. This was always the plan, but I wasn't quite sure when to do it... until Champion got cast in a movie. (It's a comedy.) So he'll be gone until the end of the year.</p><p> </p><p> But The New School of Tradition (Arsenal, Vessey, Bart Biggins, The Dynamite Express, Ota, Ernest Youngman) haven't vanquished all of their foes. Aaron Andrews (who finished up his program with Davis Wayne Newton) Brent Hill, and Devine Fortune (who lost the tag titles to the Dynamites thanks to Eric Tyler) will lead the resistance in his absence.</p><p> </p><p> The International Title scene's about to get nuts. Freddy Huggins is the champ, but he pushes to main event. So I figure it's time to get some shine on some of the young talent -- Youngman, Chris Flynn, Lenny Brown and Matt Hocking will be at the forefront.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>The People Versus Jay Chord:</strong> I can almost set my watch by the post-show email from Jay disparaging someone on the roster. Since he won't be near the title anytime soon, I decided that he's going to have to <em>deal with</em> most of them. Face and heel alike, from no-hopers like Guillotine to guys with legit potential like California Kid and Lenny Brown (who developed a negative relationship with Jay about a week after joining the company), Jay's gonna face a phalanx of people who want to shut him up.</p><p> </p><p> Relaunched Saturday Showcase as a B-show.</p><p> </p><p> Guide is leaving to reunite with Scout in SWF.</p><p> </p><p> GSW went under in late September. Ex-TCWer Killer Shark was their last champion. Lug Phelan and/or Raheem Stash may be coming in.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="miz468" data-cite="miz468" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41174" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So after making a few big signings and really building up some good top stars (IMO) I've decided I'm going to do a brand split with USPW after Independence Day Slam coming up in a few weeks. Looking to bounce some ideas off you guys...<p> </p><p> <strong>Belts</strong></p><p> </p><p> So for belts, I think I'll have National, Tag Team, and introduce a Cruiserweight title. This will be the wrestling focused brand.</p><p> </p><p> On the more entertainment focused brand I'd like to have the Television, Womens, and a Mixed Tag title. </p><p> </p><p> So... Thoughts on what to do with the World Heavyweight? If I have him on both shows, that leaves my entertainment brand kinda weak on titles when he's not there. I could obviously introduce another world title and have one for each brand. The other option is to have the World Heavyweight as the top belt on one brand and the National (currently floating, 85 prestige) be the top belt on the other. My main issue, and I know this is pretty, but National Championship doesn't sound as important as World Championship.</p><p> </p><p> Thoughts?</p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41174" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> <strong>Events</strong></p><p> </p><p> Last but not least is the question of events. Should I have one a month for each brand? Alternate event months for each brand? </p><p> </p><p> As most know, USPW has two "major" events: Independence Day Slam and Thanksgiving Thunder. I like to run a rumble match at Thanksgiving Thunder. I like to see IDS as their WrestleMania, but I've seen some say it's Thanksgiving Thunder. So... Do I make those two shows the only co-branded ones or do I give one to each brand and have it act as their respective season finales?</p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="CQI13" data-cite="CQI13" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41174" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>For the World title why not have the champ alternate? Meaning:<p> </p><p> Rich Money is the World Champion and on Brand A.</p><p> January? He faces a challenger from Brand A. Then in February someone from Brand B. This gives you time to build someone up on either brand to face him.</p><p> </p><p> You can co-brand the two big events. Or if they fall in a way where they can alternate give each brand one.</p><p> </p><p> Keep one event per month for the company (alternating brands).</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I have a brand split and here's what I've done:</p><p> </p><p> Both my World and Tag Team titles float, as above. Everyone's "assigned" to a brand, and when those titles change, the former holders become exclusive to their pre-assigned brand. The National and Television titles are brand-exclusive and both set to Midcard level. My Women's division, like yours, is all on one brand.</p><p> </p><p> I've made both Independence Day Slam and Thanksgiving Thunder combined events. IDS is the "season finale" biggest show. I use TT as Survivor Series, with a 5v5 cross-brand match, a 5v5 women's match, and a couple of 4v4s. New for 2018, I've created the Rumble For Independence at Declaration of Independence (also combined), with the winner getting the title shot at IDS. All other events are brand-exclusive, and I've added four or five for balance.</p><p> </p><p> Hope this helps.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Rayelek" data-cite="Rayelek" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41263" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Eric Tyler used to run the School of Tradition, if that's what you're looking for?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thank you! I KNEW there was something. The New School of Tradition it is then.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41263" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>For Hocking & Thomas, what are you picturing for Thomas's character? The Blue Chipper gimmick is a bit generic. Is it just good chemistry, or to have a jobber team?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> It's a weird situation. I need teams. Hocking's overpushed as an Upper Mid and Thomas is currently jobbing in my All-Action division. They'll probably be a jobber team for a while until they (hopefully) improve enough to get a push. I'm probably changing Thomas's gimmick in a few months (maybe Underdog?), if that helps.</p>

<p>Got a lot going on in this C-Verse game.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>July 2018 - USPW</strong></p><p> <strong>World</strong>: Sammy Bach (3; defeated Steve Frehley at Independence Day Slam!)</p><p> <strong>National</strong>: Julius Moor (defeated Primus Allen at Independence Day Slam!)</p><p> <strong>Tag Team</strong>: Natural Storm (7; defeated Spencer Spade & Ekuma and Casey Valentine & Lassana Makutsi at Independence Day Slam!)</p><p> <strong>Television</strong>: Greg Gauge (defeated Scythe, Atlas, and "Da Hustla" Jamal Byrnes at USPW National Throwdown, Week 3, April)</p><p> <strong>Women's</strong>: Nadia Snow (2; defeated Alicia Strong at Born In The USA!, Oct. 2017)</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Developmental - Legacy Pro Wrestling</strong></p><p> <strong>LPW Big Gold</strong>: Devin Washington (Devyn Retribution)</p><p> <strong>LPW Women's</strong>: Claire Winters</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Child Company - MAW</strong></p><p> <strong>MAW Championship</strong>: Avalanche (defeated Hal Harvard at Wrestling Classic)</p><p> <strong>Traditional</strong>: Miller Fforde (defeated Keith Vegas at Fan Festival. I retired the American title in Sept. '17 after it had gone undefended for 13 months; Hal Harvard held both it and the MAW Championship at the time)</p><p> <strong>Tag Team</strong>: Nate DeMarcus and Copperhead (defeated The Dynamite Express at Americana 2017)</p><p> <strong>RCI 2018</strong>: Syd Collier</p><p> <strong>Sam Keith Classic</strong>: George Wolfe & Avalanche (defeated The Ring Generals in the finals)</p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <strong>OLLIE</strong></p><p> <strong>Universal</strong>: Gino Montero (2; defeated Silver Tiger in a Title vs. Hair match at Revolucion in June)</p><p> <strong>Campeanato de Mexico</strong>: La Sombra Jr (4; defeated Dragon Americano at Revolucion)</p><p> <strong>Campeanatos de Parejas</strong>: Laberinto Jr & Hijo del Vigilante (defeated El Hijo Espada Roja & Phoenix IV at Revolucion)</p><p> <strong>Campeanatos de Trios</strong>: Phoenix II, El Hijo Espada Roja & TBD (Phoenix IV is out for a year with a herniated disc in his back)</p><p> <strong>Campeanato de las Mujeres</strong>: Mystery Pink (3; defeated Electric Dreamer at Revolucion)</p><p> </p><p> ---</p><p> </p><p> <strong>TCW</strong></p><p> <strong>World Heavyweight</strong>: Nicky Champion (defeated Aaron Andrews and Jay Chord at Total Mayhem 22)</p><p> <strong>International</strong>: Freddy Huggins (defeated Masked Cougar, Bart Biggins and Matt Hocking at Just Another Day?)</p><p> <strong>World Tag Team</strong>: Devine Fortune (defeated Eddie Chandler & Dazzling Dave Diamond at Just Another Day?)</p><p> <strong>All-Action</strong>: Masked Cougar (defeated Fumihiro Ota in tournament final at Total Mayhem 22)</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Editor6" data-cite="Editor6" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41263" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So I'm slowly putting together a group in TCW made up of old-school "traditional" heels. Mix of vets and young guys who fit the profile but need to get over.<p> </p><p> Currently the group consists of Human Arsenal and the Dynamite Express. I'll likely turn Bryan Vessey and have him join, and I'm looking at some young guys like Ernest Youngman and Sterling Whitlock.</p><p> </p><p> Eric Tyler's going to be their mouthpiece. I feel like there's some canon involving him leading or being part of a similar group in the past, but I can't remember or find it.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Bumping. The group will be Human Arsenal, Bryan Vessey, Bart Biggins, The Dynamite Express, Fumihiro Ota, Ernest Youngman, and <em>maybe</em> an eighth (but probably not unless someone surprising becomes available.)</p><p> </p><p> Also, I need a name for a face tag team of Matt Hocking (running a Dude gimmick) and Elliott Thomas (Blue Chipper).</p>

<p>Independence Day Slam! 2018.</p><p> </p><p> Card:</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="GKa5BMo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GKa5BMo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> That card is airtight. Didn't want to relegate the All-American Doppelganger Fight to the pre-show but it is what it is. Also wanted to give Katrina (Kate Avatar) her own solo entrance for the women's battle royal to make her arrival a big deal but, again.</p><p> </p><p> This made me happy:</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="FL43Siu.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/FL43Siu.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> YAS.</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="NzVRCZh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NzVRCZh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> LOOK AT THOSE SCORES. The only reason Scythe/Morpheus was a 50 is because I set that to Calm The Crowd and Morpheus is the second-worst worker on the roster that I actually still use. (The worst? Richie Riggins.)</p><p> </p><p> As is tradition, we followed this up with the Superstar Shuffle, which went down as follows:</p><p> </p><p> American to National: Joss Thompson, The Towers Of Power, Dusty Ducont (w/Elizabeth Cartier), Kirk Jameson, Des Davids, Dangerous By Design (Riggins & Roger Cage)</p><p> National to American: Natural Storm (after they lose the titles; the World and Tag Team titles float), Atlas, Ekuma</p><p> </p><p> The big move is Thompson, and it's because he's lost in the shuffle on American Wrestling and he'll be a bigger part of National Throwdown. He'll slot in as the No. 2 heel and give the brand a much-needed workrate boost. (Casey Valentine's not quite up to the task. He'll be a great No. 3, though.) His move also allows Trent Shaffer to be the No. 2 heel on American wrestling, and Primus will be No. 3 after dropping the National title that he held for 16 months.</p><p> </p><p> Also, as unbalanced as the brand switches were, they left me with perfect face-heel balance on both brands.</p>

Just a suggestion: Since you're going full "Bullet Club", it seems odd to leave Finn on RAW by himself. Bring him to Smackdown and put him in this spot.

Internal thought process: "We just ran Southwest. Do we really want to do it again two days later? Hey, we're International now. Let's check the Mexico venues." "Oh, good, the audience still speaks English. Let's try it." "Really? You want to do a traditional lucha match with OUR roster?" "Sure, why not? It's a six-man tag. Our guys can do six-man tags." It's not a 100, but it's still my second-ever A* match, under circumstances I would never have expected to pull this grade.

That went well, all things considered. Andrews took the pinfall in the main. Nicky will finish Jay off at Hotter Than Hell in July, then move on to my Human Arsenal/Eric Tyler-led "real wrestlers" group that I haven't named or put together yet. Davis Wayne Newton is next for Andrews. Chord's next program is up in the air. That's a good way to bring back the All-Action Title. Cougar is a former International Champion (!) so he's a great choice to be the first champ of this new era. -- Jeremy Stone and The Stomper died in May; Stone at the beginning, Stomper at the end. Duane took over as NOTBPW owner and Joel Bryant got the book a week later. High Impact Wrestling closed after less than two years, which was still long enough for Maxwell Bleak to become a Triple Crown champion (winning the TV, National Tag, and World titles.)

<p>So I'm slowly putting together a group in TCW made up of old-school "traditional" heels. Mix of vets and young guys who fit the profile but need to get over.</p><p> </p><p> Currently the group consists of Human Arsenal and the Dynamite Express. I'll likely turn Bryan Vessey and have him join, and I'm looking at some young guys like Ernest Youngman and Sterling Whitlock.</p><p> </p><p> Eric Tyler's going to be their mouthpiece. I feel like there's some canon involving him leading or being part of a similar group in the past, but I can't remember or find it.</p>

<p><img alt="9caosEB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/9caosEB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> With that, the main event for Independence Day Slam 2018 is set, as Steve Frehley will defend the USPW World Title against the man he took it from.</p><p> </p><p> Sammy Bach won the first-ever Independence Rumble, a 40-man Royal Rumble match. He eliminated Marat Khoklov to win the match. Enygma and Jumbo Jackson (?) were the other members of the final four.</p><p> </p><p> This also helps solidify some other matchups: Wolf Hawkins will transition into a feud with Rick Law before re-entering the title scene post-IDS. Bulldozer Brandon Smith and Findlay O'Farrady will end their program there, and a newly-heel Kirk Jameson will face former friend Bradford Peverell at the show as well.</p><p> </p><p> I'm not sure who's taking the National title off of Primus. Moor beat him two weeks prior (his first singles pinfall loss) to earn the title shot.</p><p> </p><p> Spencer Spade & Ekuma get All-American Perfection (Nelson Callum and Kip Keenan) next, but they're in a feud with the All-Americans, and I'm planning a match at IDS where the losing team breaks up.</p><p> </p><p> Nadia beat Alicia clean, but now the entire women's division is coming after her.</p>

Did I win?

Is it possible to cancel a wrestler's size/weight change? (I suspect not but I'm asking anyway.)

<p>I didn't do this.</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="XicSvaw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XicSvaw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> On the flip side, this <em>was</em> a title match. One less thing I have to think about going forward.</p>

<p>Well, I've added TCW to my ongoing USPW/OLLIE game. Yes, I'm a glutton for punishment.</p><p> </p><p> It's March 2018 in-game. (Next week, basically.) I jumped in about a week or so after Pee-Wee Germaine became the new owner. The story I'm going with is that GDL (the chemical company that Germaine's an heir to) bought a recently Cult-level again TCW from BriCo, but BriCo still has the action figure contract.</p><p> </p><p> So Germaine's secret is out. I made Wilson Carlisle my user character, giving them two new referees out of the deal. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> This roster is old and unbalanced, with more faces than heels in the main event and more heels than faces everywhere else on the card.</p><p> </p><p> Their first big idea? Bringing back the All-Action title with a 16-man tournament that will conclude at Total Mayhem 22. TCW had signed a few lightweight wrestlers about a year earlier (Ota, Roderick Remus, Rudy Velasquez). The favorites are International champion Masked Cougar and whoever wins the Remus-Velasquez quarterfinal match. With ACPW closing in December, I grabbed a few of their guys. I brought back Elliott Thomas, and signed Yellow Flash and California Kid from Mexico. I also brought over Ricky Storm, who had just been released by 21CW. I was pleasantly surprised to see that those last three had decent overness (high 40s to mid-50s) in the U.S. Turns out SOTBPW airs one of its shows in the U.S., and 21CW has U.S. PPV coverage.</p><p> </p><p> Aaron Andrews regained the TCW World title from Jay Chord at Malice In Wonderland, then defended against Marc Speed at The War To Settle The Score. Chord's gotten tangled up with Nicky Champion (who's been badly misused since joining TCW at about this time last year) and that's headed for a three-way at Total Mayhem where Champion will take the belt.</p><p> </p><p> The tag team division is a wasteland. Eddie Chandler and Dazzling Dave Diamond are the champs, but they hadn't defended since <strong>November</strong>. (No New Wave. Scout has left for SWF. Also no Canadian Animals, as Edd Stone's back in Canada with CGC.) Donnie J and Clark Alexander finally had enough and mounted a challenge, but they came up short. However, this inspired Chance Fortune to challenge Darryl Devine to a singles match in order to settle their differences and reunite as Devine Fortune, as Chance saw an opportunity. Devine will turn face, and they'll reunite and win the titles. Long-term, I signed The Dynamite Express from MAW. I also have Rich And Famous, who are overdue for a push.</p><p> </p><p> Also planning a makeshift battle of legendary tag teams for Total Mayhem -- Bryan Vessey & Brent Hill vs. Human Arsenal & Guide.</p><p> </p><p> Troy Tornado and Davis Wayne Newton have a program started. Lenny Brown came over from SWF, and he's gonna tangle with Nate Johnson first. Another newcomer, T-Bone Bright, will probably face off with Titan. </p><p> </p><p> ----</p><p> </p><p> Meanwhile, Sammy Bach won his second USPW World title, ending Rick Law's reign. But it isn't exactly clear who his next challenger is going to be.</p><p> </p><p> Similarly, Silver Tiger ended Gino Montero's first run as OLLIE Universal champion. That's headed for a hair vs. title match in a few months' time.</p>

<p>I admit to being personally responsible for the last one.</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="m1Mmk1A.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/m1Mmk1A.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="G8eweEE.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/G8eweEE.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <img alt="dOcCXwq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dOcCXwq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

I'd buy NJPW if the guys you want will help your popularity in Japan, which I imagine they would. I wouldn't bother with AAA because as you said, you're not ready to battle WWE on two fronts.

<p>2017 is over! And my USPW won Most Improved Promotion of the Year!</p><p> </p><p> PGHW captured most of the year-end awards: Wrestler (Mushashibo), Company, Match (Mushashibo vs. Masaru Ugaki), Tag Team (Kawashima & Koiso) and Veteran Wrestler (Kunomasu). SWF did well outside of the ring, claiming Manager (Krissy Angelle), Announcer (Duane Fry), Color Commentator (Emma Chase) and Referee (Darren Smith)</p><p> </p><p> Show of the Year was SOTBPW's Battala de las Mascaras, which was in January and somehow held on. That show was rated 94, with two 99 matches.</p><p> </p><p> Our best show was a January episode of American Wrestling that got an 89. The main event was Nicky Champion vs. Sammy Bach with a DQ finish after a Trent Shaffer run-in. This set up our highest-rated <em>event</em> of the year, Red, White, and Blue! in February (one of two 88s), which was headlined by Bach winning the World title in a triple threat match (as Champion was leaving the company.)</p><p> </p><p> Wolf Hawkins was our highest-ranked wrestler on the Power 500, coming in at #33. Of guys who were actually with the company the whole year, Joss Thompson was the highest at #147. Here are the others:</p><p> </p><p> 155. Sammy Bach</p><p> 160. Trent Shaffer</p><p> 171. Casey Valentine</p><p> 172. Enygma</p><p> 173. Rick Law</p><p> 174. Des Davids</p><p> 178. James Justice</p><p> 185. Rich Money</p><p> 186. Steve Frehley</p><p> 218. Jumbo Jackson</p><p> 219. Greg Gauge</p><p> 234. Greg Black</p><p> 235. American Machine</p><p> 260, 261. Natural Storm</p><p> 264. Nelson Callum</p><p> 267. Grease Hogg</p><p> 268. Primus Allen</p><p> 270. Spencer Spade</p><p> 272. Bulldozer Brandon Smith</p><p> 278. Lead Belly</p><p> 296. Lassana Makutsi</p><p> 307. Jim Force (!!)</p><p> 314. Kirk Jameson</p><p> 316. Bradford Peverell</p><p> 320. Julius Moor</p><p> 324. Findlay O'Farrday</p><p> 329. Andre Jones</p><p> 336. Kip Keenan</p><p> 345. Atlas</p><p> 352. Alicia Strong (I clearly haven't gotten booking the women down yet. She's plummeted in this save.)</p><p> 353. Danny Rushmore</p><p> 360. Dusty Ducont</p><p> 362. T-Rex</p><p> 368. Mick Muscles</p><p> 373. Nadia Snow</p><p> 377. Running Wolf</p><p> 378. Marat Khoklov</p><p> 380. Scythe</p><p> 383. Roger Cage</p><p> 401. 'Da Hustla' Jamal Byrnes (Hustle Muvva)</p><p> 414. Ekuma</p><p> 415. Lauren Easter</p><p> 419. Raven Nightfall</p><p> 431. Dean Waldorf</p><p> 433. Gorgon</p><p> 440. Marv Statler</p><p> 447. Amber Allen</p><p> 452. Melody</p><p> 461. Cali Slick</p><p> 468. Rockin' Ryan Turner</p><p> 474. Philippe LaGrenier</p><p> 475. Stan Manna</p><p> 483. Charlie Thatcher</p><p> 484. Tiffany Jade</p><p> 500. Krusher Karloff (who didn't work a match after Independence Day Slam)</p><p> </p><p> Richie Riggins was complaining for weeks that he was ready to leave developmental, so I finally relented at the end of the year and am testing him out in a tag team with Cage.</p><p> </p><p> Meanwhile, Steph Blake had been a problem all year with middling matches and a poor attitude. Things came to a head when she asked for a raise two weeks before the negotiation window opened. I'd already decided I wasn't bringing her back, so I said no and she was furious. Two days later she asked for her release. My Women's division is going to look very different in the next 12-18 months: Raven's 41, Melody and Gorgon are 37, and Blake was 36. Raquel Alvarado's 32 but has been a disappointment.</p><p> </p><p> In my adjacent OLLIE game, Gino Montero came in at #341. We also had Silver Tiger (384), Extraordinario Jr (390), El Critico (412), Marcos Flores (424), El Hijo Espada Roja (444), Luis Montero Jr (457) and Amo del Gato (458).</p><p> </p><p> The last title changes of the year were all in PSW. I say "all" because all three of their titles changed hands during their December show.</p><p> </p><p> The New Wave are no more, as Scout signed with SWF and is wrestling as Jeremy Finch. </p><p> </p><p> R.I.P. BCG, SAISHO and ACPW.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Editor6" data-cite="Editor6" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41174" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So that means the American brand gets one wrestler from the National brand. <strong>ONE.</strong> That's... less than helpful.<p> </p><p> I could have Jillefski be really vindictive and take Primus Allen because he holds the National title and American already has the TV title as brand-exclusive. Or Frehley or Hawkins, but that would wreck their program. Maybe Scythe? But he might get lost in the shuffle and I'm short of ideas for him as it is. (A trade is difficult to manage because the two rosters are unbalanced -- National has the Women's division.) Thoughts?</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> The solution was simpler than I had made it out to be. Jillefski took Primus and the National title to his American brand right before Spencer Spade told Dawn Gemmell that he'd decided which brand he was signing with. Then, on American Wrestling, Spade convinced Jillefski to put him into an already-scheduled Television title match with Des Davids and Philippe LaGrenier. Spade won... <em>then revealed that he had signed with Dawn's National brand.</em></p><p> </p><p> This did several things:</p><p> </p><p> + Kickstarted Spade's USPW career off in a major way. He wins a belt in his first solo match in the company and gets a face boost by helping Dawn get a measure of payback on Jillefski.</p><p> + Kept Primus undefeated in one-on-one matches. (All of his losses are in tag matches, and I believe he's only been pinned once in those.)</p><p> + Also freshened up both title scenes and gives Primus new challengers. There are a lot of hosses on American Wrestling that he hasn't tangled with yet.</p><p> - It <em>did</em> cost me my No. 3 heel (behind Wolf and Casey) on the National brand. That spot arguably now belongs to Nadia Snow, of all people. Hopefully either Greg Gauge or Lassana Makutsi can get up there via their association with Casey.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="iruleall15" data-cite="iruleall15" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41191" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>If this dudes skills are not the most bipolar of any new gen ive ever seen idk who is. He also has 30 heel rating...<p> </p><p> <img alt="1peaL_B5QS6TYkoVQz6YWw.png" data-src="https://image.prntscr.com/image/1peaL_B5QS6TYkoVQz6YWw.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I can't get over the 94 Basics and 91 Safety... but only 7 Psychology. (And an SQ of 1! Jebus.) This guy was born to wear a mask and job on WCW Saturday Night.</p>

<p>Card:</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="KsePPYI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KsePPYI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Results:</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="03yvQ9j.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/03yvQ9j.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Probably should have opened with the tag title match. Or a promo for the main event.</p><p> </p><p> Let's talk about this, though:</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Editor6" data-cite="Editor6" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41174" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Last year we had a 5-on-5 elimination match to kick off the brand split and set up the draft. This year, both brands will send a team of five, but I've thrown in a twist for myself: The winning team will get to pick as many workers from the losers' roster as they had survivors at the end of the match. So if Team American Wrestling wins 5-3, they get to take two members of the National Throwdown roster. I'm not booking a finish for this match because I want to see what happens, and I want to force myself to make some potentially difficult choices.<p> </p><p> Projected teams: Rich Money, Joss Thompson, Sammy Bach, James Justice & Dusty Ducont (American) vs. Steve Frehley, Wolf Hawkins, Enygma, Jumbo Jackson & Primus Allen (National)</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I replaced Dusty with Des Davids after Des took the Television title off of him.</p><p> </p><p> As for the match, as you see, Team American won. It was 5-4, with Joss as the lone survivor. So that means the American brand gets one wrestler from the National brand. <strong>ONE.</strong> That's... less than helpful.</p><p> </p><p> I could have Jillefski be really vindictive and take Primus Allen because he holds the National title and American already has the TV title as brand-exclusive. Or Frehley or Hawkins, but that would wreck their program. Maybe Scythe? But he might get lost in the shuffle and I'm short of ideas for him as it is. (A trade is difficult to manage because the two rosters are unbalanced -- National has the Women's division.) Thoughts?</p>