The Final Countdown

<p>Bash at the Beach Wrap-up</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>July 20th, 2003</strong></p><p><strong> Hours after Bash at the Beach</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> I made sure to heap tons of praise on The Unnatural and Eddie Guerrero for their great main event during my post-show speech. I also congratulated the guys in the tag title match, with special attention paid to CM Punk for his flawless performance. The world title match lived up to the standard Mysterio established, and the tag title and TV title matches both overachieved. On the strength of those three matches as well as several angles that the fans ate up, this event was right on par with last year's Starrcade as the best events we've put on. As admittedly great as last week's Vengeance show was for WWE, tonight's show was definitely better. If Vince thinks his little brand split is going to stop our rise, he can keep dreaming.</p><p> </p><p> O'Haire retaining the TV title for the 15th time now sets him up as the next world title challenger. It'll be interesting to see how that match goes and what Dustin can do with him, because while Sean is fairly talented, he's no Eddie Guerrero. His match with Mortis was surprisingly good though, so here's hoping we'll see another great title match next month.</p><p> </p><p> The good mood from another great night carried over into the locker room as well. I saw Hugh Morrus complimenting Kidman for his effort in the pre-show battle royal, and also saw CM Punk telling Paul London how impressed he was with his performance on his first PPV. There were some negative comments made to me privately, with Goldberg saying London can't connect with the fans (he just debuted, Bill; give him some time), and Scott Steiner going on a rant about how Elix Skipper should change his nickname to "Middle-of-the-night Time, because he damn sure ain't ready for prime time!" </p><p> </p><p> With TCW gone Dusty was willing to sign a full-time deal with us, and the signed contract arrived at the home office earlier in the day. He'll continue on in his role as the road agent for Renaissance; this is just insurance in case Vince gets any funny ideas about trying to steal him away.</p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Prediction scores (out of a possible 13 points):<p> </p><p> Dead_Jester: 12</p><p> Cro Cop Rules: 12</p><p> Wolfman84: 12</p><p> GingeyOne: 12</p><p> Rateddc: 12</p><p> michgcs: 12</p><p> </p><p> Smasher1311: 11</p><p> Uncrewed: 11</p><p> Warhawk8492: 11</p><p> evileddie10: 11</p><p> 123Kidd: 11</p><p> DannyH22: 11</p><p> cbacon87: 11</p><p> Kijar: 11</p><p> kinnikuniverse: 11</p><p> deanohbk: 11</p><p> crackerjack: 11</p><p> Theheel: 11</p><p> smw88: 11</p><p> </p><p> Happy0wns: 10</p><p> K-Nection: 10</p><p> ElectricX: 10</p><p> Beejus: 10</p><p> The Lariat: 10</p><p> Satyr24: 10</p><p> Nobby_McDonald: 10</p><p> </p><p> bonnie: 9</p><p> Ian carlisle: 9</p><p> James The Animator: 9</p><p> DHK1989: 9</p><p> DavidCorperial: 9</p><p> jscotty: 9</p><p> Texasrangers13: 9</p><p> </p><p> DGenerationMC: 8</p><p> JMike: 8</p><p> chrismday: 8</p><p> </p><p> The Lloyd: 7</p><p> </p><p> Chaossy: 6</p><p> KnowYourEnemy: 6</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Standings in UFS prediction contest after 2 shows:<p> </p><p> deanohbk: 19</p><p> Dead_Jester: 19</p><p> Wolfman84: 19</p><p> </p><p> Satyr24: 18</p><p> Smasher1311: 18</p><p> cbacon87: 18</p><p> Uncrewed: 18</p><p> Theheel: 18</p><p> GingeyOne: 18</p><p> Cro Cop Rules: 18</p><p> </p><p> DHK1989: 17</p><p> jscotty: 17</p><p> Nobby_McDonald: 17</p><p> The Lariat: 17</p><p> kinnikuniverse: 17</p><p> 123Kidd: 17</p><p> evileddie10: 17</p><p> crackerjack: 17</p><p> Rateddc: 17</p><p> </p><p> chrismday: 16</p><p> DavidCorperial: 16</p><p> James The Animator: 16</p><p> K-Nection: 16</p><p> Happy0wns: 16</p><p> Warhawk8492: 16</p><p> Danny_H22: 16</p><p> </p><p> DGenerationMC: 15</p><p> JMike: 15</p><p> bonnie: 15</p><p> Texasrangers13: 15</p><p> Beejus: 15</p><p> Kijar: 15</p><p> </p><p> michgcs: 12</p><p> </p><p> smw88: 11</p><p> </p><p> ElectricX: 10</p><p> Chaossy: 10</p><p> </p><p> Ian carlisle: 9</p><p> </p><p> The Lloyd: 7</p><p> </p><p> KnowYourEnemy: 6</p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Reminder that the predictions for the women's Grand Prix tournament are still open, so you can still submit new predictions or edit your existing ones until I post the Renaissance end of month update.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Punk and Storm are just too good at what they do! Also I may PM you some ideas for Colt because he does has some useful range as a worker and the age you snagged him at he will probably be an elite worker for you in a few years. Actually I think I've got the exact way you bring him in that would probably be interesting.</div></blockquote><p> I have come up with one potential idea for Colt, but it probably won't work timing-wise. I welcome any and all suggestions; that goes for anyone on anything. I'm not sure he'll ever develop into a top tier worker, but he's probably good enough to be a solid midcarder if nothing else.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hashasheen" data-cite="Hashasheen" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Yeah, that'd would work it. And you could also reorganize the rest of their titles too. Move the Junior Heavyweight title to main event, maybe invite a couple of women's promotions (if there are any!) so that the World Women's Title gets more spread?</p></div></blockquote><p> The only all-women's promotion currently active is my created developmental one, 5SSW.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Maybe pop Sting in a tag team to cover his bases for a bit, some kid with a high upside or strong starting point? I'd say John Cena if you had him, but I think he's with the WWE. Given how good your bases are covered, maybe do a loser leaves town match and send him to train guys down in Wildside?</div></blockquote><p> I've had that same thought as well, but I've never found a suitable young guy he's had good chemistry with.</p><p> </p><p> Cena's in WWE's developmental, yeah. I actually sent him there myself, because I didn't think he'd fit in my WCW and I didn't want him to spend his career working once a month in Pro Wrestling IRON.</p><p> </p><p> I don't think Sting would make a very good trainer in this mod, based on his skills.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="kinnikuniverse" data-cite="kinnikuniverse" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Man, and I thought I was gonna get a perfect score! With you throwing so many curve balls, are you secretly pedro martinez?</div></blockquote><p> Based on the prediction scores, I'd say this was actually a pretty straightforward show. I called an audible and had Paul London win partially because I wanted to have at least ONE match that the majority of people got wrong! (I also decided London winning would be the more interesting result for the story.)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Filler 6-man tag. Is this NJPW?</div></blockquote><p> Hey, at least it was just one match and not four or five! <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Well, hardys going for singles glory while staying as a team makes perfect sense. Are any of them even cruiser weights? I always thought jeff was the cruiser weight, not matt. Not that weight limits matter to bret!</div></blockquote><p> They're both small enough to qualify, but that doesn't mean they'll be used in the cruiserweight division.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>So, about rey vs eddie, how many PPVS left before starrcade?</div></blockquote><p> August through November = 4 PPVs before Starrcade.</p>

<p>July 20th, 2003: Bash at the Beach</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="Nx19ae2.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Nx19ae2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <strong>July 20th, 2003</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> From Brisbane Cricket Ground in Brisbane, Australia</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Attendance: 41,558</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Announce Team: "The Professor" Mike Tenay and Bret "The Hitman" Hart </strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="2nqjRO5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2nqjRO5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="nG8aWZm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nG8aWZm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Official Theme Song: "Deny" by Default </strong></p><p> </p><p> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Gderx0xRa8" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/3Gderx0xRa8"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Paul London vs. Brian Kendrick</strong></p><p> <img alt="VZZhIwN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VZZhIwN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><img alt="waBVEEI.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/waBVEEI.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>I trusted two newcomers to the main roster to get this show off to a hot start. I think that says a lot about my confidence in them both, and they delivered. Both London and Kendrick were solid here, showcasing some of their cool-looking modern offense without going overboard and doing more than was required of them. It helps that both guys can do some scientific wrestling rather than being one trick ponies with nothing but high spots. Kendrick in particular is pretty good in that area, and I think London picked up a few new tricks by working with him. There was a lot to like about this match, and it gets me excited to think what both of these guys might be capable of if we can get them over with the audience. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The story of Kendrick arrogantly believing London isn't worth his time carried over into the match itself, with lackadaisical pin attempts, lots of taunting and general disrespect towards his opponent. Finally he pointed to the corner and signaled that he was going to finish him with Sliced Bread. He put on the three-quarter facelock and began his journey towards the buckles. Before he could get there, London put on the brakes, broke free and pulled off a backslide for a sudden pinfall!</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 78</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="JJHE89M.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JJHE89M.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/ffZqipS.jpg</span><img alt="0qRNVUJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0qRNVUJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>We aired a brief segment where Eddie, Rey and Chavo were seen walking into a dressing room chatting (Rey and Chavo were in street clothes since they don't have matches on the show.) </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 77</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Minoru Tanaka, Volador Jr. and Aguila vs. The Empire (w/Eric Bischoff)</strong></p><p> <img alt="MLumza7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MLumza7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/lbbhIiU.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/1MyVk8f.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><img alt="ZZPLj6h.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZZPLj6h.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/CCq92jB.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/ncMyE2p.jpg</span><img alt="JYc2Jmc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JYc2Jmc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>This might have been something of a 'filler' match to get some deserving roster members on the show, but it was still bound to be decent at the very least. The face team's performances were fine and there were no real weak links here, but the Empire trio really stole the show. Knoble's mat work was really good, TAKA's speed-based stuff was even better, and Corino's tactics and general heel presence was slightly better still. I also thought Corino did a good job drawing some better-than-expected brawling sequences out of both Volador and Aguila. This wasn't awesome or anything, but it was a nice little match.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> With Corino and Knoble running interference, TAKA hit the Michinoku Driver on Aguila to win the match for his team. Any one of the Empire trio could've gotten the pin here, but I went with TAKA to heat him up for reasons that will eventually become clear. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 76</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>"The Hellraiser" Steve Austin vs. Chuck Palumbo (w/Tammy Sytch)</strong></p><p> <img alt="dIHv4ym.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dIHv4ym.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/3ZTpoTU.jpg</span><img alt="wZR2OGz.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wZR2OGz.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>I figured the best thing to do here was just let these guys go out and brawl. Austin's decently well-rounded but that's easily what he does best, and it's pretty much all Chuck is competent at. Even though the match clocked in at slightly under 12 minutes, Palumbo was still noticeably slowing down by the end due to the strenuous pace they were working. Even so, this was the best singles match he's ever had and probably ever will have because Austin was amazing and carried him through. It was also better than Steve's match with TAKA last month, which I would not have predicted. Tammy Sytch might have helped with that a bit, because she did some good work on the floor.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> While we gave Chuck a decent amount of offense, everyone knew what was coming here. The brawl in the ring and around ringside culminated in the inevitable match-ending Stunner.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 83</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Austin got on the microphone after the match. He cut a promo on The Empire and told Tammy to pass on a message to Eric Bischoff: as long as he kept 'em coming, The Hellraiser would keep knocking 'em down! Steve's delivery was fantastic here. I think everyone sees where this storyline is heading and what it's building up to, but he's such a good talker and the people love him so much that his segments are still hot.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 91</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="rrRBDgP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rrRBDgP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <strong>Mortis (w/Father Isaac) vs. Sean O'Haire {©} </strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/hSGqVHg.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/ptxupoY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/zbQxlTu.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>O'Haire won the title from Fit Finlay at January's Sin and made fourteen successful title defenses over the following seven months, and it all led up to this final defense. If he got past Mortis, he'd earn a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship. I wanted to test O'Haire a bit here, so I pulled all restrictions and asked these guys to give it everything they had. I was pretty impressed with the result. Sure, they didn't tell much of a story, but the action was very good. O'Haire stepped up to the plate and turned in a good performance, including some increased aerial skills as he came off of the top rope with a nice-looking clothesline. Mortis was great though, delivering like a top tier-player. It's a shame his personal issues keep cropping up, because otherwise he's good enough to be in main events.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> O'Haire's size and strength had been too much for all his previous challengers, but Mortis' unique offensive moves gave him fits all night. Any time the champion seemed to be building steam and heading towards a victory, Mortis would catch him with a move he had no answer for. The great counters weren't going to be enough though, because if Mortis wanted to prevent O'Haire from getting the title shot he needed to beat him inside the fifteen minute time limit. He started wrestling more aggressively and pushing for the win, which all culminated in setting up for the Flatliner. O'Haire was too close to the ropes though, and was able to grab onto them to block the move. The champion capitalized on that opening, pulling off a couple of big slams and then delivering the Widow Maker to get the win.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 85</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>He'd now hit the magic number of fifteen successful title defenses, and O'Haire made sure everyone knew what his focus was on. As he was handed the TV title, he slung it over his shoulder and motioned that he was coming for the big gold belt next.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 77</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/u0cJ04Z.jpg</span><p> <strong>Kaz Hayashi (w/Stacy Keibler) vs. "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson {©} </strong></p><p> <img alt="paNPh85.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/paNPh85.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="frhLUo7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/frhLUo7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><img alt="lAlFtSW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lAlFtSW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>As per usual, this one was called in the ring and Bryan Danielson was allowed to piece the match together as he saw fit. The kid really gets how to structure a match, and he showed it again here. He designed it so they'd both look great and get to show off their best stuff, with Bryan working Hayashi over with his mat wrestling and some suplexes while Kaz got to hit some nice aerial stuff. Both champion and challenger got their chances to shine, and both had great nights to boot. This was the best cruiserweight title match in almost a year.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Hayashi had Danielson set up for a senton backsplash off of the top rope, but Bryan got his knees up and blocked it. That looked to be the beginning of the end for Kaz, because after following up with a back suplex and missile dropkick, Bryan had him in prime position to lock on a submission. Keibler knew her wrestler was in trouble, and she did whatever she could to help him. She climbed onto the apron and shouted to get Bryan's attention, waving her "Objection!" sign and trying to distract him. But Bryan wasn't going to let her get to him this time. He shook his head and remained focused, and moments later the Cattle Mutilation was locked in. With nowhere to go, Hayashi had to tap.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 82</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/YIpiDFE.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/1tytiqE.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/FIVYBul.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>It was time for the segment we'd been teasing ever since the Hardys shockingly dropped the tag team titles to Christopher Daniels and Brian Adams last month at the Great American Bash. I kept all three scripted here, because I simply don't trust either Hardy to come up with good promo material on their own. It also was important that we get the message across properly so there weren't any misunderstandings.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Jeff agreed with Roddy's assessment that last month's loss had surprised them both and made them evaluate where they were at. (He didn't say it exactly like that, obviously, because he's Jeff Hardy.) Matt revealed that he and Jeff had talked about this a lot over the last month, and they'd reached an important decision.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> No, the Hardys were not dead as a tag team. In fact, Jeff guaranteed that they will not only wrestle together again, but they WILL become champions of the world for a seventh time! (They've won four in WWF and two in WCW, for the record.)</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> But that day won't be today, or next week, or next month. The bond of the Hardy brothers will NEVER die, but for the moment, they both have agreed to put the team on hold so they can test their luck as singles wrestlers. Matt predicted that the same risk-taking style that has brought them so much success as a team will lead them both to singles glory as well--and maybe one day it'll be Hardy vs. Hardy with the singles World Heavyweight title on the line! That brought a laugh from both brothers, who hugged and played to the fans to end the segment.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 92</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Sting vs. Rob Van Dam (w/Paul Heyman)</strong></p><p> <img alt="womNFVP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/womNFVP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><img alt="P2oAF93.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/P2oAF93.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dcrMvyP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dcrMvyP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Is Sting now the de facto face for main event heels to feud with when they debut (Goldberg) or turn (RVD?) Seems that way. It's pretty logical, with Sting's status as arguably the biggest WCW icon ever. Sadly, this isn't the same Sting everybody fondly remembers. His gimmick is getting stale, but the much bigger problem is he's just no longer physically capable of doing the things he used to do. That's why he's in the position he's in, instead of being one of the top featured players on the show. He had the single worst individual performance of the night, struggling to keep up and make anything look good. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> RVD was there to save the day though. Van Dam was awesome in this match, doing his usual flashy offense but showing even more arrogance than usual, with a dash of nastiness thrown in as well. Rob carried Sting to his best singles PPV match in about a year and a half.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Everybody loves Sting, but we all knew where this was headed. He got to hit some of his old favorites, including the Stinger Splash, but Van Dam countered the Scorpion Death Drop with a backwards high kick to the face. That staggered Sting, a flying single leg kick off the second rope dropped him, and the Five Star Frog Splash finished him. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 84</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Heyman called for the mic after the match, and he smugly stood beside a grinning RVD and went into classic Heyman hype mode.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> "Sting is a legend, and that is not hyperbole. There is no one who has ever meant more to WCW than the man called Sting. And tonight this legend, this mythic figure of World Championship Wrestling was given a, dare I say, EXTREME wake-up call? Tonight, July the 20th, 2003 is a night Sting will never forget, and neither will any of you. Every single person watching this show will forever remember where they were and who they were with on July 20th, 2003. You will look back on this night as the night that everything you thought you knew about professional wrestling changed. Tonight you saw Rob Van Dam on an international stage, under the bright lights of a multimillion dollar company, with no shackles in place to prevent him from showing the world who he truly is. Tonight was the night that Rob-Van-Dam returned to his natural state, and WCW will never be the same again!"</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Paul struggled a bit with the occasional word or phrase that didn't seem to make sense, but I don't think anyone noticed or cared. His promo skills are awesome, and obviously Rob is a huge star. This was an electric promo.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 100</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/mitTbCm.jpg</span><p> <strong>Alexander (w/Father Isaac) vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles {©} </strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/hSGqVHg.jpg</span><img alt="CsQnr5C.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/CsQnr5C.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><img alt="ICMDAHo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ICMDAHo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Alexander's intended to primarily be a tag team wrestler since joining Salvation and partnering with Mortis, but he was in a huge spot here with AJ thanks to his UFS win. I kept this match scripted because I'm not 100% sold on AJ as a ring general yet, but his psychology is progressing to the point that I might start letting him call his matches in the ring. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Alexander's performance was okay here. He's an above average technical wrestler who can do a bit of flying, and just in general is someone who is adequate at most things while not being truly great at anything. That's good enough for a solid outing, and that's what we got from him. AJ is far more than adequate though. He's developed into an exceptional worker, and he showed it once again tonight with an amazing performance. With AJ leading the way, this was arguably the best singles match of Alexander's career. By AJ's recent standards it wasn't anything special, but I'd still call it a good match.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Alexander got some offense in, but we made a point on commentary of stressing that he's been focused on advancing his tag team in recent months, while Styles has been on a major roll as a singles champion. That was the story that played out in the ring, as AJ did a little bit of technical wrestling and flying before ending this title defense with the Styles Clash.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 82</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/fn8zdsQ.jpg</span><img alt="JJHE89M.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JJHE89M.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/ffZqipS.jpg</span><img alt="0qRNVUJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0qRNVUJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Cameras were allowed into the locker room as Eddie Guerrero prepared for his world title match, with Rey and Chavo sitting nearby chatting. The Unnatural dropped in uninvited, and he offered his "sincere" apologies for showing up unannounced, but he said he was eager to hear if Eddie's friend and nephew had forgiven him for selfishly abandoning them on Monday. After all, Eddie needed to wrestle with a clear head if he hoped to realize his dream tonight. The last thing he needed was to be derailed by personal distractions!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Eddie stood up and got in Dustin's face, angrily calling him a hypocrite. He said that Unnatural talked about him supposedly "abandoning" Rey and Chavo by staying back in El Paso to get himself ready for tonight's match, but they both knew the score, and if either of them had a world title match he wouldn't be angry at them for doing the same thing. Rey and Chavo nodded their agreement, but Eddie wasn't done. He said that tonight was a big night, because he was going to accomplish the one thing he'd dreamt of ever since signing his first WCW contract in 1995. And he was going to celebrate his world title win tonight by sharing it with his friends and family--unlike Dustin, who celebrated HIS world title win by hitting his own father in the face with the title belt! Unnatural got a little half smile on his face and said he knew Eddie doesn't understand why he does the things that he does, but one day he will.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Dustin was good here, and Eddie's getting better at his trueborn WCW star gimmick. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 100</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/S0cu0uO.jpg</span><p> <strong>True Heroes vs. "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels and Brian Adams {©} </strong></p><p> <img alt="heiyf1p.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/heiyf1p.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="IyPxuzp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IyPxuzp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/GoltiY2.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/uY8UroB.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>For the first time since Starrcade, the True Heroes were competing for the tag team titles. The titles just haven't been the same since the end of their program with the Hardys, as Matt and Jeff struggled to even come close to recapturing that magic with any other team. This was far from the best team they've ever worked with, considering their lack of experience and Adams' limited skillset. Brian was really off his game on top of that, and he didn't look like he belonged in the same ring with the other three as he executed his one-dimensional brawling. Daniels worked his ass off and was really good, but the Heroes were going to need to really give it their all if they wanted to make up for Adams' presence.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> They succeeded. Storm's mat wrestling was awesome, their team work was on point, and Punk's all-around performance was flawless. I think tonight could be used as a compelling argument for Punk and Storm being the best tag team in wrestling today. Last month the Hardys had a forgettable match with this same team, but this match was fantastic. Easily the best match in Brian's career, the best tag title match since Starrcade, and even the best tag title match the Heroes have had with anyone other than the Hardys. This was pretty clearly the best match on the show to this point, though I felt there was still a reasonable chance Eddie and Dustin would top it. Still, this match blew away my expectations.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> They may have pulled off the monumental upset last month, but Daniels and Adams were severely outclassed in terms of tag team experience and chemistry. The Heroes showed they hadn't missed a beat, executing a flawless game plan by keeping the bigger Adams in the ring and wearing him down with their superior speed and technical skill. Finally, after knocking Daniels off the apron with a double dropkick, they treated Adams to a Heroic Finish.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="CsQnr5C.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/CsQnr5C.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/ptxupoY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/hSGqVHg.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Before Adams could tap out, The Unbound hit the ring and launched an unprovoked attack on the Heroes! Punk and Storm were awarded the win by disqualification, but the titles stayed with Daniels and Adams.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 91</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>"Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner vs. Goldberg (w/Eric Bischoff)</strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/k45HPCq.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><img alt="oWRzmsy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/oWRzmsy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JYc2Jmc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JYc2Jmc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Heading in, we all understood that this wasn't likely going to be a classic. After the great tag title match right before it, there was virtually no chance this could be match of the night. I knew what we were dealing with, so I told them to just focus on the story and let their characters and popularity carry it. The crowd was definitely up for it, but there wasn't much to say about the actual in-ring action. There wasn't much selling to be found, and the match didn't tell much of a story. My expectations weren't the highest, but I'd still say this match fell a bit short. It was slightly worse than Bill's match against Sting at Mayhem, where we had Sting's physical state and Bill's ring rust to deal with.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> It was a fairly standard brawl between two powerhouses, with neither man able to establish a clear upper hand. Eventually Eric Bischoff had enough with the stalemate. He climbed onto the apron and argued with referee Mark Johnson, who ordered him down.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ZZPLj6h.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZZPLj6h.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>It was all a ruse designed to allow King Corino to slip into the ring from the other side and surprise Steiner with a piledriver. He rolled out of the ring as quickly as he'd entered. Goldberg got to his feet and looked confused about why Steiner was suddenly flat on his back, but he shrugged his shoulders and hit the Jackhammer to finish the match.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 76</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Scott Steiner wasn't having any of Goldberg's post-match celebration. He hit Goldberg with a forearm to the back, and Bill turned around to return fire. They brawled in the ring, picking up right where they left off in the match, and had to be pulled apart. Tenay oversold the match we'd just seen, acting like it was a classic when everyone watching it obviously knew it wasn't, and it hurt his credibility during the brawl. Bill was great here though, and the brawl was much, much better than the match. I always knew the non-wrestling segments would greatly outpace the match itself in this feud, so no surprise there.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 100</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/haJKoFv.jpg</span><p> <strong>Eddie Guerrero vs. The Unnatural {©} (w/Father Isaac) </strong></p><p> <img alt="JJHE89M.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JJHE89M.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/fn8zdsQ.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/hSGqVHg.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>The pressure was on here. The bar had been raised by the title reign of Rey Mysterio Jr, who put on one classic title match after another. Not to mention the tag title match had overachieved, so Eddie and Dustin would need to be pretty damn good just to be match of the night, never mind reaching the level of Rey's matches. Nothing else on the show lasted longer than 15 or 16 minutes, so these two had plenty of time to tell their story, and the freedom to adjust on the fly based on how the crowd was responding.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> It seemed like an impossible standard to reach, but these two guys went out and did it. Both were great here, but I'd say Dustin was just ever so slightly better. He works his ass off, he's got his Unnatural character down pat, and he's more over than at any point in his career. Hats off to him, because he's earned it. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The story told was that Unnatural kept trying to make Eddie lose his composure and lure him into a brawl, but Guerrero kept his cool and refused to wrestle the match on the champion's terms. He showed off his great mat wrestling as well as his ability to effortlessly take it to the air, and Unnatural couldn't match him in either area whether we're talking in kayfabe or in actual performance. Unless something changed drastically, it looked like Unnatural was well on his way to losing the title in his very first defense.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Eddie had it all set up for his frog splash, but it turned out Unnatural was playing possum. He got up off the mat, raced over and executed a perfect superplex for a near fall. The champion pressed his advantage, connecting with some hard punches, an inverted suplex and then a running bulldog for another near finish. His old finish from "The Natural" days hadn't been enough to get the job done, so he embraced his Unnaturalness by going for Unnatural Selection.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Eddie had the move perfectly scouted though; he blocked it, countered into an inverted atomic drop, then snapped off a tornado DDT. The Unnatural's moment had passed, and Father Isaac knew it. He grabbed the belt off of the timekeeper's table and crouched low beside the apron, looking for a chance to try and slip it into the ring so Unnatural could use it as a weapon.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/ffZqipS.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Rey came running down the ramp, wildly gesturing to the side of the ring where Isaac was crouched down. Both Eddie and ref Nick Patrick looked over to where he was pointing and saw Isaac, catching him red-handed. Isaac froze, then hastily stood up and took several steps back when Rey approached him. Isaac professed his innocence, but Rey got in his face and started yelling at him in Spanish. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Amidst all the commotion, Unnatural delivered a sneaky groin shot on Guerrero while Patrick's attention was still outside the ring. One Unnatural Selection later, and the match was over.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 99</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Show Overall Grade: 98</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Satyr24" data-cite="Satyr24" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Which 3 Did ECW Steal?<p> Figured they would take a couple of ladies, Surprised there was no face turns though</p><p> Also Who the hell is billy kim?</p></div></blockquote><p> It was actually four. I don't remember the four off the top of my head, but I'll probably go in and rearrange it so at least the four best female wrestlers are on Raw, and the less talented on ECW (looking at you, Jackie Gayda.)</p><p> </p><p> Billy Kim was a California indie guy who I used as a jobber for awhile.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hashasheen" data-cite="Hashasheen" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Suckas got to know. Also, why not Raw and Smackdown or ECW and WWE?</div></blockquote><p> Yeah, it'd probably make more sense for Raw to be called WWE. I might as well make that change when I go in to rearrange the women's rosters.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Change it to floating?</div></blockquote><p> I didn't even think of that. I guess I could do it by temporarily controlling one of the members of the NWA?</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DHK1989" data-cite="DHK1989" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Another possible idea for ECW is to retire the European Title, and present Raven the revived ECW TV Title. <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> I was always going to set up the TV title as ECW's secondary belt, and when Raven got drafted there that became the logical way to do it. His injury complicates things somewhat though.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm curious of where Colt Cabana is in your universe? He was always a favorite of mine that never made it.</div></blockquote><p> I signed him to a developmental deal at the very beginning. He hasn't ever asked to be called up and I don't have any ideas for him, so he's still down there in Wildside. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="The Lloyd" data-cite="The Lloyd" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>F<p> General diary comments/questions/critiques: <strong>I haven't been a regular reader, so may have missed some things. But I think that's a fantastic card, from a fantastic writer!! Extremely interested in the Eddie/Unnatural match.. and I'd like to see your take on how the matches will turn out involving guys like AJ, Daniels and Bryan Danielson... If I wrote a historical diary from this time period, the temptation would be to put them over my current stars, especially in a company like WCW. The fact is though, WCW </strong><strong><em>did</em></strong><strong> have some talent, even towards the end. Sean O'Haire and Chuck Palumbo could have been huge for them. Of course there's also Sting and Goldberg. And then Big Poppa Pump was an incredible heel. I HATED that guy!!</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> Thanks fot the comment!</p><p> </p><p> I've tried to hold back from megapushes right away, work new guys into the roster and gradually build them up so their elevation feels more natural. I guess whether or not I've succeeded in that is not for me to say. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Sting has been hit very hard by time decline, sadly. I'm doing what I can with O'Haire, but it remains to be seen if he can reach big-time superstar status.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="codeydbw" data-cite="codeydbw" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Roman has consistently put on good PPV matches for years, saying that Roman is terrible is just factually incorrect. Come on man.</div></blockquote><p> I agree that Roman is talented and has had some really good matches, but it's not really possible for something subjective like an opinion on whether or not a wrestler is good to be factually incorrect.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Enjoyed both Honor Rising: Japan shows.<p> </p><p> First time really experiencing Flip Gordon and enjoyed him. I shouldn't have researched him though. He thinks the earth is flat and doesn't believe what scientists say about anything because he's not a scientist. <img alt=":confused:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> On the newest Being the Elite, Flip's talking to the Young Bucks about wanting to wrestle in the Tokyo Dome some day. Cody walks into the shot and tells him he's never going to wrestle in the Dome, he's not going to be booked for the All In show they're running later this year...and the Earth is ROUND, Flip!</p><p> </p><p> Honor Rising was a fun diversion, but I'm really looking forward to that Okada/Ospreay match at the Anniversary show, and then the New Japan Cup.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="25169" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Also, they said the winner of the Royal Rumble would main event/headline Wrestlemania quite a lot during the Royal Rumble and now they're saying the winner of the Elimination Chamber faces Brock in the main event of Wrestlemania. That's garbage. Pure garbage.</p></div></blockquote><p> That's what they always do when there's a brand split. Like last year, the winner of the Rumble was going to "main event" Wrestlemania. Instead he wrestled Bray Wyatt in a midcard match where they showed images of bugs on the mat and the ref had to pretend to be scared and leave the ring every time.</p>

<p>AI update: the WWE immediately moved three female wrestlers to ECW. Guess it couldn't figure out that we wanted the women's division to be only on Raw. <img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="James The Animator" data-cite="James The Animator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>At first, I read Kevin Kelly as Kelly Kelly. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> Also, seeing the first ever PWG show reminded me of a man you should give a second look: Mike Quackenbush. I've heard he's one of the most underrated wrestlers ever, as he was an excellent technician and high-flyer in his prime. That sounds like the kind of style Bret Hart would get behind. At this point, I'm legitimately hoping that Mantaur breaks Lou Thesz' record and becomes the longest reigning NWA World Heavyweight Champion of all time. The lack of a team name for Daniels and Adams also bothers me. Would you be against calling them the Prophecy?</p></div></blockquote><p> Quack's in-ring skills aren't good enough in this mod for me to even consider it.</p><p> </p><p> Mantaur isn't the NWA World champion. He's TNA's World champion and he holds the NWA National title. For some reason the NWA has two main event level singles titles. Fittingly, the actual NWA World title is doing much better thanks to Kazushi Sakuraba putting on some really good title matches. </p><p> </p><p> I don't feel like every single tag team necessarily HAS to have a team name. I'd also like to hold onto the Prophecy name just in case I feel like using it for a faction later on, though I have no plans to do it right now.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DHK1989" data-cite="DHK1989" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Vampiro as a curtain jerker on RAW. His bad attitude finally bit him hard. <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> I do wonder if the ECW Tag Team Championship will be revived. Wouldn't be fair for one brand to be left without one, unless the WWE Tag Tag Championship will float between brands.</p></div></blockquote><p> Couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.</p><p> </p><p> Reviving the ECW tag titles is a possibility. There's no real way for me to enforce belts floating between brands on an AI company, as far as I'm aware.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43111" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I appreciate it Smash, but things like that will just give me a bigger ego </div></blockquote><p> As if such a thing is even possible! <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> As long as you keep writing, I'll keep reading.</p>

July 2003: Pre-Bash at the Beach News and Notes http://i.imgur.com/nUYCk9q.jpg I had a long conversation with Mark Jindrak, and we both agreed that it would be in his best interests to leave the main roster and spend some time down in Wildside. He has a lot of potential, but he really just hasn't developed his in-ring skills as much as I'd hoped. That was always going to hold him back and prevent the possibility of a serious push, and I think he realized it and that's why he was so agreeable to the idea of going down to Wildside. He can focus on learning down there, and hopefully he'll come back to us as a more well-rounded worker that we can get behind. Goldberg came to me requesting a massive pay increase, one which would catapult him from the Eddie Guerrero/RVD/Corino second tier pay scale and right past the Mysterio/Austin level to become the highest paid person in the company. I didn't give him quite as much as he wanted, but I did agree to a pretty large increase that would make him the third highest paid, with the difference between he and #2 Austin being very small. He might have come in looking for even more, but he was happy with what I gave him. This was a necessary concession, but I have to be careful to learn from the past WCW's mistakes and not let our payroll get out of hand. We're making huge profits and this one move won't change that, but I'd hate to suffer a setback and then be stuck with high-priced guaranteed contracts that no longer make sense for us. Jinsei Shinzaki left after the go home Nitro. He's really talented, but he's so busy working tours for Michinoku Pro that he would constantly ask for time off every time I booked him. He's loyal to M-Pro so they were always going to be his top priority, and I decided it was best not to extend his per-date deal. No hard feelings on either side. Chigusa Nagayo signed a one year extension. Obviously I wasn't going to let her go anywhere as long as she continues to be such a key player on Renaissance. I decided to keep Brian Adams around, and we went back to a written deal as opposed to the PPA he'd been under for the last few months. http://i.imgur.com/7AiYO6E.jpg Vengeance was on July 13th, and they had a lot to live up to after a great King of the Ring. There were two really great matches on this show. The Rock challenged Kurt Angle for the ECW title in the main event. Can you imagine Rock as the ECW champ? He didn't win though. That match was great, but the semi main event where Jericho retained the WWE title against William Regal will definitely be appearing on some peoples' match of the year ballots (probably not in the top spot, but a contender for sure.) This was another great PPV from them, though slightly down from KOTR. Vince bought out and disbanded Dusty's TCW. I guess drawing 3000 fans once a month in Alabama and Georgia was a threat that had to be eliminated? Their brand split became official a few days after Vengeance, with everyone on the roster being assigned to either Raw or ECW. Raw will focus on appealing to the mainstream, while ECW is around to try and attract the cult fanbase. He may claim otherwise, but I think this is Vince reacting to our rise. Apparently the schedule is going to be four Raw-exclusive PPVs, four ECW-exclusive ones, and four big events that will feature both brands, which I'm assuming will be Rumble, Mania, Summerslam and Survivor Series. The initial rosters look like this: http://i.imgur.com/sDkxtEI.jpg 'Dominion' took place on July 10th. Koji Kanemoto again grabbed the headlines with the performance of the night, winning the Junior Heavyweight title from Taiyo Kea in a semi main event that blew away everything else on the show. Riki Choshu retained the Heavyweight title against Satoshi Kojima in a main event that was okay, but maybe the 6th best of the show at best. They're really missing the boat by not giving the ball to Kanemoto. The show was pretty good, but it could've been fantastic if Kanemoto was in the main event spot. This show had another title change too; Hiroshi Tanahashi and Shinya Makabe won the Junior Heavyweight tag titles from El Samurai and Jushin Liger, ending their long title reign. The new champs probably stretch the junior heavyweight size limit a bit, but it's not too egregious. The newly Cult promotion put on their 'Freedom of Golden' show on July 7th. They showed the strength of their main event scene, with Katsuyori Shibata retaining the Zero1 World title over new arrival Kensuke Sasaki in a fantastic match. One problem though: it was the semi main event rather than the show closer. The main event? Freaking Mantaur retaining the NWA National Heavyweight title over Shinya Hashimoto in one of the worst matches on the show. Russo's awful booking has now crossed the Pacific Ocean. It was still better than their last big show, June's Strength Fire. Guess who main evented that show? MANTAUR, with an even sloppier title defense against Fergal Devitt. Zero One either needs to refuse to bring that guy in or leave the NWA entirely, because this entire thing is a net negative for them right now. http://i.imgur.com/JO5PDMM.jpg TNA ran 'Desolation' on July 7th. The good news for them was that Mantaur was over in Japan stinking up the joint for Zero-One, so Russo couldn't use him this month. Instead Ruckus won a three way over Marc Mero and Matt Sydal, which was the best match on the show. This is the best show they've put on, beating out the previous high that they set in June. Maybe Jarrett can keep loaning Mantaur out so he's unavailable for their shows. http://i.imgur.com/ebDwXEW.jpg PWG held their first show, 'Goin' Crazy', on July 8th. Super Dragon and Scott Lost beat Excalibur and Benni Chong to become the first tag champs. There was also a match to crown the first World champion in the main event, but Ricky Reyes and Lil' Nate wrestled to a no contest. The other names booked on this first show were former WCW workers Billy Kim and Shawn Stasiak (Kim beat him, surprisingly), and Donovan Morgan and Shane Ballard. It was a very good debut show, especially for their level. To put it in context, it was far better than any show TNA has ever put on, despite the company having a fraction of the resources and visibility. It also blew away anything their supposed rival Ring of Honor has done. If this becomes their standard, PWG could be a group to keep an eye on in the future. <hr noshade size=3> That seems nuts to me. I've been doing this one for a little over a year; like not quite 15 months, I think? TGAAB ran for I believe over three years, and it stopped at around 2600 posts. Unless something unexpected happens, this'll blow right by TGAAB in terms of posts. Yeah, he definitely wrestles like a face with his crowd-pleasing offense, which I think can make him hard to root against. That's where I think Heyman comes in. Rob can be himself, and Heyman can get on the mic and tell the fans that RVD is a one of a kind athlete who is too good to even appear in front of the likes of them. Corino already has one over Austin, don't forget. (I bet Austin hasn't.) I feel the same way re: The Unnatural. Originally someone else was going to be taking the title off Rey at around this time, but I felt like it was now or never with Dustin. RVD badly needed a change of direction. Him beating the hell out of Flair and Roode and turning heel shortly thereafter had been planned since before Starrcade, but signing Heyman and working his arrival into the turn was an unexpected but welcome addition.

<p>July 2003: Road to Bash at the Beach</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="8OYgaFQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8OYgaFQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="font-size:18px;">The Backstories:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Lonely at the Top</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>The Unnatural's win sent shockwaves throughout the wrestling world, and a very familiar face showed up on Nitro the next night to congratulate him.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/9jPbDOB.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Dusty asked his son to join him in the ring, and though he looked disappointed when he came out with the rest of Salvation instead of by himself like he'd asked, he had nothing but positive things to say.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>Dusty Rhodes, 6/16/03</strong><p><strong> "Dustin, I know things ain't always been rosy between us. We've had our ups and our downs, and yeah, maybe I didn't like the things you did when you went up north and started paintin' your face, and maybe I don't like the people you're surroundin' yourself with now. But I've always been proud of ya, and that's why I had to be there in Pittsburgh last night to watch from the back as you made your dreams come true. It wasn't easy being the son of the American Dream, but you came out the other side and became champion of the world. You did it your own way, you made it happen, and I couldn't be prouder to say I'm Dustin Rhodes' daddy!"</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <em>The Unnatural's response? He stared at his father's outstretched hand, and bashed him in the face with the World Heavyweight Championship! He stood over an unconscious Dusty and told him that Dustin Rhodes was gone, and Salvation was his family now.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The new champion had a locker room full of people now gunning for him, and at the top of the list were Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio Jr. Both Eddie and Rey pled their cases to Arn as to why they deserved first crack at him, with Rey mentioning that Unnatural hadn't beaten him to take the title, and Eddie pointing out that he was supposed to get a one on one match from winning the Mayhem battle royal before Unnatural messed it up.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The two came on Piper's Pit on 6/23 and insisted that their friendship was fine despite competing for the same goal, but Unnatural interrupted to express his doubts. But he had a suggestion if they wanted to prove their friendship was rock solid and could withstand the stress of competing for the same prize: the next week they could meet one on one, and the winner could challenge him at Bash at the Beach!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Before said match, The Unnatural came to the ring and talked about it being lonely at the top, so he hoped Rey and Eddie would prove him wrong about the state of their friendship. He came to ringside to get a closer look during the match, which had been even up to that point. Rey yelled at him to go away and not get involved, and that momentary lapse of concentration was enough to make all the difference: Guerrero got the win and became the new #1 contender.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Eddie tried to smooth things over with Rey on the 7th. Rey admitted Eddie hadn't done anything wrong, but it was made very clear that he's unhappy with the way everything went down. Eddie's nephew Chavo came into the locker room and pleaded with them to get on the same page--he had a non-title match against The Unnatural later in the night, and he needed them to be ready in case the rest of Salvation tried anything. The champion himself later cut a promo where he wished Eddie luck in patching things up with his friend, but warned him not to forget about his family. Unnatural won the match cleanly and without controversy, but he attempted to send a message by continuing to beat on Chavo after the match. Eddie hit the ring to make the save, and Rey was seconds behind him; maybe there was still some friction there, but they'd set it aside to help Chavo out.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Eddie wasn't in the building for the go home show. Instead we aired some pre-taped footage of him training at home in El Paso, complete with comments. He talked about all the mind games The Unnatural had been playing, trying to divide him and Rey, but none of it was going to matter at Bash at the Beach. Once that bell rang, it was going to be just the two of them in there, one on one, and no mind games were going to save his title!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The mind games weren't done just yet though. After Rey Mysterio Jr. beat The Destroyer in the main event, he was attacked by the rest of Salvation. Chavo Jr. tried to make the save, but he couldn't overcome the numbers and was neutralized soon enough. After the dust cleared, Unnatural grabbed the microphone and called Eddie selfish for going back home and abandoning his friend and his nephew in their time of need. He was only in it for himself, only in it for the fame and riches that come with being the World Heavyweight Champion, and that's exactly why he, The Unnatural, could not, MUST not, allow him to claim it!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The build to this has been good, but the pressure's on these two guys. After the incredible string of classic main event title matches from Rey, they know that anything below that level will be viewed as a step back.</em></p><p><em> </em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Are you man enough to take down Big Poppa?</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>The ending of the tag match at Great American Bash left little doubt that things weren't settled between Scott Steiner and Goldberg, and sure enough, Steiner showed up the next night after a Goldberg squash to remind him that he might've pinned his brother, but he sure as heck didn't pin Big Poppa Pump, because he wasn't man enough to get the job done! Goldberg had to be restrained by The Empire that night but responded in force the next week, coming out for a wild show-closing brawl with Scott after Steiner's win over Jamie Knoble. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> 6/30 saw an in-ring promo where Bischoff announced he'd authorized Goldberg vs. Steiner one on one, and that match will take place at Bash at the Beach. That brought Scott out from the back, and he bragged that he was going to make Bill quit--not just quit the match, but quit WCW and crawl back into the hole Bischoff dug him back out of a few months ago.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> On the 7th of July we ran an angle where the two got into an altercation at catering. It wasn't a food fight played for laughs though; they brawled and brawled with no end in sight until some staff and other members of The Empire arrived to break it up. We pushed the idea that both guys had been sent home for the July 14th show so nothing more would happen before the PPV, and instead we aired a montage of both of them preparing for the match by working out and lifting weights. I don't know how good the action will be here, but the fans should be into it if nothing else.</em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Target Practice</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Steve Austin had stated his intention of tearing The Empire down brick by brick until Eric Bischoff had nothing left to do but give him Goldberg, and started with a win over TAKA at Great American Bash. The Empire struck the next blow the following night when Chuck Palumbo attacked Austin during his match against Kaz Hayashi. Palumbo put Austin down with the Thrill Ride as Bischoff watched on from the aisle and smirked. Austin took his frustrations out on Cash on 6/23, then called out Palumbo. Bischoff responded that if he wanted Chuck, he could have him, but not until Bash at the Beach.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Palumbo squashed Lash Leroux on the 30th, but he was surprised after the match by a Stunner out of nowhere! Tammy Sytch screamed for Empire back-up, but Austin escaped before the reinforcements could arrive. Austin cut a promo on the 7th, and he didn't mince words: as far as he was concerned, Palumbo was nothing but target practice provided courtesy of Eric Bischoff. Palumbo responded on the 14th, cutting a promo where he said Austin looking past him was going to be his undoing, and he would show Austin what target practice really is this Sunday!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Remembering Who You Are</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>The night after Great American Bash, footage of RVD's vicious post-match assault on Ric Flair and Bobby Roode revealed that Flair and Roode would both be on the shelf indefinitely, and Van Dam and Paul Heyman would address their actions the following week. Their attempt at doing so was interrupted by Sting, who said he thought better of RVD. He thought Rob had left the bingo hall antics behind when he joined WCW, but clearly he was wrong, and he pointed the finger at Heyman. Rob agreed that Paul was behind it. Paul had helped him remember who he was. He'd gone corporate when he came to WCW, especially after he won the World title and had the pressure of representing the company publically. He'd gone soft and forgotten what made him "the whole damn show" in the first place. But Paul helped him remember who he really was, and he wasn't going to let "corporate America" change him any more. Sting shook his head and began arguing with Heyman, which allowed Rob to blindside him with a Van Daminator!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> On the 30th Sting confronted them both, and he wasn't in the mood to try and talk sense into RVD this time. Now he wanted a fight! RVD just smirked, showing no concern about Sting's challenge or his anger, but Heyman accepted the challenge on his client's behalf. RVD would meet him in the ring at Bash at the Beach, where he would cleanly and decisively defeat WCW's Icon!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> July 7th saw Rob Van Dam prevail against a game Harry Smith. Afterwards Sting appeared on the video screen and told RVD that he could revert back to his old bingo hall roots if he wanted, but at Bash at the Beach he was going to show him what WCW style is all about!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Van Dam and Heyman responded with an in-ring promo on the 14th. Heyman went into hard sell mode by talking about all the accomplishments in Sting's career.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>Paul Heyman, 7/14/03</strong><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> "Sting is a nine time Heavyweight Champion of the World! Sting has headlined the biggest shows, he's sold out the largest buildings, he's fought against and defeated the very BEST that professional wrestling has to offer. But to sum up his legacy by talking about championships or wins and losses doesn't even scratch the surface. The truth is that Sting IS WCW. He is the heart and soul of this company. When others left, he remained. Even Ric Flair himself left once upon a time, but Sting stayed. Sting represents everything that WCW is. And that's exactly why Rob Van Dam must defeat him. Sting, Rob spent two years doing things the WCW way, playing by WCW's rules and trying to uphold the traditions that this company stands for. But placing those kinds of restrictions on Rob Van Dam prevents him from fulfilling his true destiny. He had success, sure. He was even the World Heavyweight Champion, because that's how good Rob Van Dam is--even at half strength, even when showing only a fraction of who and what he really is, he was still good enough to beat the best of the best in this company! And now that the true Rob Van Dam, Mr. PPV, Mr. Monday Night, the Whole Damn Show has returned? No one in WCW stands a chance, and we'll prove it starting by beating and humbling "the franchise" at Bash at the Beach!"</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Fight for Fifteen</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Sean O'Haire's thirteenth TV title defense came on 6/16 when his power led him past the speed of Shane Helms. On the 23rd The Unnatural and Father Isaac held a group meeting where they told the rest of Salvation that they saw great potential in Sean. The Unnatural did not want to have to crush his spirit by defeating him when he'd come so close to his ultimate goal. It would be kinder to deny him before he got close enough to reach out and touch it, so he tasked his brothers with taking the title away before his 15th title defense. It was a challenge O'Haire welcomed.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The Destroyer was the most physically imposing challenger O'Haire had faced in any of his previous defenses, but he came out on top of the wild brawl for defense #14 on June 30th. Mortis came to ringside after the match and warned him not to get ahead of himself just yet. He'd taken down one brother, but he still had one more to go. Mortis was the final obstacle O'Haire must clear if he wanted to get to The Unnatural, because he was going to use his UFS title shot at Bash at the Beach!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> O'Haire partnered with fellow champion AJ Styles to take on The Unbound on July 7th, but the action got so heated that all four men were counted out, settling nothing. On the 14th O'Haire got into an argument with The Unnatural in a backstage hallway. O'Haire said that it didn't matter to him whether it was Unnatural or Guerrero who was the champion after Bash at the Beach, because that belt would soon belong to him either way. Unnatural tsked at him and told him not to get ahead of himself, because there was still one major complication for him to get through before he could even consider becoming champion. On cue, Mortis stepped into the shot and placed himself in between the two men, serving as a literal obstacle six days before he'll become a figurative one.</em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">A Heroic Quest for Three</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>On 6/23, True Heroes staked their claim. Now that the Hardys were no longer champions they were free to challenge for the gold again, and they wanted a shot at Christopher Daniels and Brian Adams. It wouldn't be a straight road for either team though. Daniels and Adams had to defend their newly won titles that same night against Volador and Aguila, a match they won. As for the Heroes, Arn Anderson arranged for a #1 contender's match the next week between them and the Jung Dragons.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The Heroes came away with the victory, after which Christopher Daniels appeared on the screen. He gave them a sarcastic round of applause for their win, but he had some bad news to deliver.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><strong>Christopher Daniels, 6/30/03</strong><p><strong> "You think that the downfall of the Hardys will result in your resurgence, but you are mistaken! You are NOT the Heroes of this tag team division any longer, because new leaders have arrived! We shocked the wrestling world when we overthrew Matt and Jeff Hardy, and at Bash at the Beach we will make sure that you two DO NOT get your precious three-peat! And THAT...is GOSPEL!" </strong></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <em>The Heroes were back in tag action again the next week, this time getting an impressive win over Made in Italy. Daniels again appeared on the screen and taunted the Heroes, but this time there was a rebuttal. Punk pointed out that just like last week, Daniels was trash talking them from afar, and doing it alone. He joked that he hoped there wasn't already "trouble in paradise" for the new champs.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Daniels, alone again, talked trash at the Heroes on the 14th and said he could beat them alone if he had to. Punk smirked as he and Storm pursued the Fallen Angel into the parking lot to show him how foolish that line of thinking was--but it was a trap! They rounded a corner and were met by a chair-wielding Adams, and the champions soon had the Heroes down and out on the parking lot pavement. </em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">An Alexander for America?</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Not long after Mortis' challenge of Sean O'Haire became official on 6/30, his Unbound partner Alexander put his own UFS-related title shot into the mix. With Unnatural and Father Isaac standing in support, Alexander barged into an AJ Styles interview and told him he'd be challenging him for the United States title at Bash at the Beach. The two met in tag action the following week, with neither getting a clear upper hand as they fought to a double countout.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> AJ was on color on the 14th when Alexander defeated Billy Kidman, and he let us know that he wasn't underestimating Alexander, but he'd faced and defeated tougher opponents with the United States title on the line. He knew it wasn't going to be an easy match, and Alexander is pretty good--but he isn't phenomenal! </em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Getting a Chance</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>On the heels of their "objection" after Bryan Danielson's Cruiserweight title defense against Hayabusa at Great American Bash, Yang tried and failed to unseat Danielson for the title on 6/16. The group was undeterred on 6/23, demanding that Arn give Kaz his long-overdue shot. Not only had he beaten then-champion Christopher Daniels in a non-title match months back and never gotten a title match, just the previous week even the famed Steve Austin had tried and failed to pin Kaz! And if Chuck Palumbo hadn't gotten involved without their consent, it would've been just minutes before Hayashi pinned The Hellraiser! Arn's face showed what he thought of that implication, but he did have something to offer: a #1 contender's match for the tag team titles against True Heroes.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Danielson sat in on commentary for the match, and he admitted part of him hoped the Dragons would win and get the shot at Daniels and Adams just so we'd stop hearing them complain. Alas, Kaz and Yang were defeated by the Heroes.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> They wouldn't be down long. On July 7th, Bryan Danielson had just gotten finished with a submission win over Ernest Miller when the Dragons attacked him in the ring. They laid him out, and Keibler flashed a smile while Hayashi posed with Danielson's Cruiserweight title. Danielson dropped by Arn Anderson's office on the 14th to say enough was enough, and he wanted Hayashi one on one at Bash at the Beach. Arn agreed that was probably for the best, and he made the match official.</em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">What Happened to Brian?</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Paul London debuted from Wildside with a win over the departing Psychosis on 6/16. The next week, he asked for interview time and wanted to speak to Brian Kendrick. Kendrick refused, saying London wasn't even worth his time. London beat Norman Smiley on the 30th, and Kendrick joined us on commentary for the match. He told us the history between he and Paul: that they were both trained at Shawn Michaels' Texas Wrestling Academy, and they'd been signed by WCW and sent to Wildside at about the same time. But he claimed he'd always been better than Paul, who kept following him around and wanting to be just like him, even though Brian wanted nothing to do with him.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> After Kendrick beat Jinsei Shinzaki on July 7th, London came out and said he couldn't figure out what had happened to Brian. This wasn't the guy he'd met at the TWA or wrestled with and against in Wildside, and Paul wanted to know why he'd become so full of himself. The only way he was going to find out was by getting him in the ring, so he issued a challenge. Brian laughed and said if Paul wanted to prove he was worth his time, he could replicate what Brian had just done and beat Shinzaki next week. London succeeded in that task, which led Kendrick to warn him that he should be careful what he wishes for. He'd wanted to be Brian's friend, but Brian wanted nothing to do with him. Now he was getting the match that he wanted, but he was going to regret it, because Brian was going to prove that Paul isn't and never was worth his time!</em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Rounding it Out</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>King Corino was considered a huge favorite by all when his match against Minoru Tanaka was announced for the July 7th Nitro, and sure enough, he was victorious. It had been a much closer bout than expected though, with Minoru's kicks and submissions very nearly leading him to the upset. Corino was so frustrated by the close call that he left the figure four on well past the bell, nearly to the point that the referee would've overturned the decision and disqualified him. The Empire was in the mood for some more shenanigans after Jamie Knoble's win over Volador Jr. on the 14th, but when Aguila's presence wasn't enough to stop them, Minoru's made the difference. The next day we announced a six man tag on our website, with Minoru, Volador and Aguila taking on Corino, Knoble and TAKA of The Empire.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> We've also teased a major announcement from the Hardys, to be made on Piper's Pit. </em></p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Show Summaries:</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p> <strong>6/16:</strong></p><p> <img alt="0Tase81.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0Tase81.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -DDP made lots of friends when he brought in a cooler filled with drinks for the boys to enjoy (in moderation!)</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Psychosis was unhappy about putting the debuting Paul London over, but this was his last show with us for the time being so his protests didn't mean much to me. They had zero chemistry as opponents, which really hurt London's debut. Us trying to put Paul over as a blue chip prospect on commentary probably didn't come across well at all in this match.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Goldberg and Hallowicked didn't work well together either during their quick squash.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -During the Volador/Aguila vs. Hayabusa & Shinzaki tag match, we mentioned that the winning team would get a title shot against Christopher Daniels and Brian Adams next week.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"I know his debut wasn't the best, but I think London's going to become a really good worker." -CM Punk</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"I saw some of that dark match through the curtain when I was doing my push-ups, and it sucked! It's a good thing that Billy Kimchee or whatever his name is is leavin', cause he sucks!" -Scott Steiner</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"You need to give me some wins so I can be The Greatest again!" -Ernest Miller </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>6/23:</strong></p><p> <img alt="r6OD1ch.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/r6OD1ch.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -Johnny Parisi kept things light in the back, joking around and having fun with anyone who happened to pass by.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -RVD completed his heel turn on this show, and also began playing up his martial arts style in a cool manner. The shift in gimmick got off to an above average start, and the turn was a rousing success.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"Shane Helms? I thought you fired that skinny wimp! But you didn't, since he had a match nobody cared about. We're lucky everybody didn't change the channel to Raw and miss my main event because of that loser, so fire him now!" -Scott Steiner</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"I know he hasn't had much of a direction since the trouble with his dad, but I like the effort Harry Smith shows every time he gets a chance. The kid's going to be good." -CM Punk</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"That Italian kid? Mamaluke? From what I've seen, he looks like a damn good mechanic in there." -Steve Austin</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Lash Leroux and Cash both complained about their booking. There is at least some chance that Cash could get an opportunity, but Lash isn't going anywhere above where he's currently at. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>6/30:</strong></p><p> <img alt="IGMz8B2.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IGMz8B2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -DDP and Mike Awesome were having fun backstage, with DDP teasing him about his Destroyer mask and Mike taking it in good humor, and it seemed to entertain the rest of the boys.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Lash Leroux is unhappy about his current place in WCW, but he seemed to be in a good mood today and a lot of the other lower card guys took note.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Brian Kendrick was pretty weak as a guest color commentator during the London vs. Smiley match. Norman did not complain about putting young London over on his last night with us, which pleasantly surprised me.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Palumbo and Leroux had awkward timing during their squash match.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Danielson didn't do great as a color guy, but it did the trick as far as furthering his storyline with the Dragons, which was all I wanted anyway.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Rey vs. Eddie wasn't nearly as good as most people expected it to be, but I willingly held the match back a bit by protecting Rey with the distraction from Unnatural. That's what the story required, so I did it.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>7/7:</strong></p><p> <img alt="CmDMkM7.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/CmDMkM7.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -AJ Styles started up some silly sports trivia game, and it quickly caught on amongst the rest of the boys.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -I saw Sting working with Johnny Parisi before the show, and it looked like he was giving him pointers on how to generate babyface sympathy.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Eddie Guerrero created a new catchphrase during his backstage segment with Rey and Chavo, talking about how their "familia" had to stick together.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Something seemed to be wrong with Tony Mamaluke during the match, and afterwards our on-site doctor determined that he suffered some damage to his neck. He can work through it, but there's a good chance it'll be a nagging injury that bothers him for months.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"How many times I gotta tell you to fire that Jimmy Wang guy before you listen to me? He sucks, and everytime he comes out the fans ignore him and stare at Stacy Keibler's ass!" -Scott Steiner</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"I like Yang's work, dude. I wouldn't mind working a program with him sometime, or at least a TV match." -Rob Van Dam</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"I definitely wasn't wrong about Kendrick. He's going to be a big star." -CM Punk</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>7/14:</strong></p><p> <img alt="cPxuaX1.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cPxuaX1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -CM Punk came up with a new catchphrase on the fly as he and Daniels were arguing, and I think it'll help improve his already strong promos.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -"You should do more with Volador and Aguila. Especially Aguila. He's a really good flier." -CM Punk</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Lash Leroux and Shannon Moore complained about their booking.</em></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> Fan Scorecard:</p><p> </p><p> World Heavyweight Championship: Eddie Guerrero vs. The Unnatural {©}</p><p> </p><p> "Big Poppa Pump" Scott Steiner vs. Goldberg</p><p> </p><p> Sting vs. Rob Van Dam</p><p> </p><p> "The Hellraiser" Steve Austin vs. Chuck Palumbo</p><p> </p><p> World Tag Team Championship: True Heroes vs. "Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels and Brian Adams {©}</p><p> </p><p> United States Heavyweight Championship: Alexander vs. "The Phenomenal" AJ Styles {©}</p><p> </p><p> World Television Championship: Mortis vs. Sean O'Haire {©}</p><p> </p><p> Cruiserweight Championship: Kaz Hayashi vs. "American Dragon" Bryan Danielson {©}</p><p> </p><p> Paul London vs. Brian Kendrick</p><p> </p><p> Minoru Tanaka, Volador Jr. and Aguila vs. The Empire</p><p> </p><p> What will be match of the night?</p><p> </p><p> How many championships will change hands?</p><p> </p><p> What will happen during the Hardys' announcement in Piper's Pit?</p><p> </p><p> Who will be the next World Heavyweight Champion? (worth 3 points)</p><p> </p><p> General diary comments/questions/critiques:</p><p> </p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> The Grand Prix predictions are still open too. You can continue to post those or edit your previous choices until I post the next Renaissance update at the end of July.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="kinnikuniverse" data-cite="kinnikuniverse" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> I was checking on some entrance songs for the wrestlers when I was wondering: how are the motor city machine guns?</p></div></blockquote><p> They're both technically in ROH, but Shelley's only been booked there twice despite being there the entire year that they've been open. Sabin's gotten 5 matches there, so a bit better, plus he's in MLW and they book him every single month. He even holds the MLW tag belts, with his partner..the one and only GQ Money</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="JMike" data-cite="JMike" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> God dammit! The only one I missed was the Hokuto one because I was expecting a post rehab job! It makes more sense for Hokuto because she isn't drugging as opposed to Morris who was drugging, but god damn! But now I'm going big with her, huhuhu</p></div></blockquote><p> I did consider a return J.O.B. for her, but when I came up with the idea for The Darkness I knew she needed to win there.</p>

<p><em>The guys have the Stu Hart Classic, so it's only fair that the ladies of Renaissance have their own big singles tournament. We'll be reviving the Grand Prix, a round robin tournament AJW ran from 1985 through 2000. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The champions, Manami Toyota, Aja Kong and Devil Masami, will be excluded from the field automatically. Outside of them, the 12 top competitors on the brand will be chosen and split into two blocks of six. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Each woman will wrestle singles matches with thirty minute time limits against all five other members of her block. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -For the sake of simplicity, the blocks will alternate weeks. So there will be three Block A matches on one episode of Renaissance, three Block B matches the following week, and so on.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -A win is worth 2 points. A draw is worth 1 point. You get no points for a loss.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -The top point getter in Block A will wrestle the leader of Block B in a final match on our next PPV to crown the 2003 Grand Prix winner.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -In the event of a tie at the top of a block, head-to-head record will be used as a tiebreaker. If that can't break the tie (meaning its either two wrestlers tied who wrestled to a draw in their match, or more than two wrestlers are tied and none of them hold victories over all the others), a sudden death match will be held.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -The Grand Prix winner will become the new #1 contender for the World Women's Championship, in addition to a $100,000 cash bonus.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Block A:</span></strong></p><p> Akira Hokuto</p><p> Alexis Laree</p><p> Daffney</p><p> Kyoko Inoue</p><p> Meiko Satomura</p><p> Takako Inoue</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Block B:</span></strong></p><p> Chigusa Nagayo</p><p> Etsuko Mita</p><p> Melissa Anderson</p><p> Momoe Nakanishi</p><p> Nattie Neidhart</p><p> Sonoko Kato</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Fan Scorecard:<p> </p><p> Block A Winner: (2 points)</p><p> Block B Winner: (2 points)</p><p> Grand Prix Winner: (3 points)</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Prediction Scores (out of a possible 9 points):<p> </p><p> DHK1989: 8</p><p> chrismday: 8</p><p> jscotty: 8</p><p> deanohbk: 8</p><p> Satyr24: 8</p><p> </p><p> Nobby_McDonald: 7</p><p> Smasher1311: 7</p><p> DavidCorperial: 7</p><p> James The Animator: 7</p><p> DGenerationMC: 7</p><p> cbacon87: 7</p><p> JMike: 7</p><p> Dead_Jester: 7</p><p> Uncrewed: 7</p><p> Theheel: 7</p><p> Wolfman84: 7</p><p> The Lariat: 7</p><p> </p><p> kinnikuniverse: 6</p><p> K-Nection: 6</p><p> 123Kidd: 6</p><p> evileddie10: 6</p><p> bonnie: 6</p><p> Happy0wns: 6</p><p> GingeyOne: 6</p><p> Cro Cop Rules: 6</p><p> crackerjack: 6</p><p> Texasrangers13: 6</p><p> </p><p> Beejus: 5</p><p> Warhawk8492: 5</p><p> Rateddc: 5</p><p> Danny_H22: 5</p><p> </p><p> Chaossy: 4</p><p> Kijar: 4</p><p> </p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> I knew I forgot something yesterday! Here's the results from the first show in the UFS contest. Still plenty of time to catch up if you did poorly or even missed the show entirely--there's six main roster PPVs, another Renaissance PPV, and the potential 7 points from this Grand Prix left in the contest. There may be lots of points tied up in the Stu Hart Classic as well, unless I make that its own separate mini-contest like I did in 2002.</p><p> </p><p> I was pretty lenient with Bischoff's surprise. If you said anything along the lines of a partner or ally of some kind, I gave you credit for it.</p>

<p>Wow, that was really interesting and something I did not see coming. And yeah, I can actually see NJPW approving a scenario like this. The IWGP champion lost, but it wasn't clean and it advanced his Wrestle Kingdom feud (let's hope the AI actually books that match, yeah? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="CobheadJake" data-cite="CobheadJake" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="44489" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I am a little surprised you had Hangman stick with Kenny rather than Cody, IRL it'd be the other way around. Looking forward to seeing where you take this though.</div></blockquote><p> You're right, but I don't think it'll be hard for him to create an explanation as to why it went that way (he's probably got that all figured out already.) I also think it's easier here since the game started at the beginning of the year, meaning Kenny cutting Hangman off at NJPW's New Beginning and stopping him from challenging Jay White never happened.</p>

July 2003: Wrestlemarinepiad Wrap-up <hr noshade size=3> Hall of Champions: <hr noshade size=3> Devil's been a surprise for sure. You can probably count the number of workers who I prominently used both in TGAAB and here on one hand, and she's among them. Considering TGAAB ended in 1990, that says a lot about her longevity! The Aja situation is frustrating. I mean, she's still going in 2018! DDT is bat crap crazy! In real life. It'd be a bummer if they went under in the game, but I'm not THAT attached to them. Maybe she was watching some of the darker anime recently! BTW, on a serious note, I just read on Twitter today that LuFisto has cervical cancer. Apparently they caught it early and there's reason for optimism, but best wishes to her. (Not like she's reading this or anything, but it's the thought that counts right?) Work. Can an incident like that even happen in TEW? I've never seen it if so.

<p>July 6th, 2003: Wrestlemarinepiad</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="OZNpmFa.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OZNpmFa.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <strong>July 6th, 2003</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> From the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Attendance: 38,000</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Announce Team: Joey Styles, Tracy Brooks and Bret "The Hitman" Hart</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="jUhTewM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jUhTewM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="cyeakzQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cyeakzQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="nG8aWZm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nG8aWZm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Official Theme Song: "Minerva" by Deftones </strong></p><p> </p><p> <iframe width="560" height="315" src="<a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Un7lOuTJ8ww" rel="external nofollow">https://www.youtube.com/embed/Un7lOuTJ8ww"</a> frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Nattie Neidhart vs. Takako Inoue</strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/MAaFqtV.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/SKNBQrE.jpg</span> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Nattie and Takako got us started, and they did a good job of getting the huge sold-out crowd at the Saitama Super Arena into the show right off the bat. Nattie acquitted herself well here, but it has to be said that Takako was a slightly better performer. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The two women did some solid chain wrestling, trading holds and counters back and forth. Inoue laughed any time she got in a blow to Nattie's face, and was all smiles as she climbed to the top rope and pointed to her opponent's face. She was intending to deliver her Takako Panic diving knee drop right across the face, but there was nobody home because Nattie rolled out of the way in the nick of time. Takako staggered back to her feet and was dropped with a discus lariat to end the match. I debated going either way with this match, but decided to give it to Nattie because she's more than a decade younger and should hopefully have a brighter future (not that Takako is old or washed up by any means though.) </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 75</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Momoe Nakanishi vs. Shinobu Kandori</strong></p><p> <img alt="5P9dIaj.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5P9dIaj.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/gfF32sn.jpg</span> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Shinobu was off her game tonight. Maybe she was angry about the suspension, or maybe she was being lazy knowing this would be her last match for at least a month. At least she knew better than to try and make a scene out there, because it was Momoe who got the best of her in that very real backstage altercation before Unified. Regardless, it was up to Momoe to carry this one. Luckily she's very good, and she carried Kandori to a solid match that got the crowd hotter.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Maybe I should've just had Momoe squash her, but Kandori did get some of her judo throws in before the 'flash pin expert' struck again, scoring the pin with a La Magistral cradle. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 74</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="LEPRnye.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LEPRnye.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/cAw5Dl8.jpg</span></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Showing his fluency, Eric cut a promo fully in Japanese as he apologized to Etsuko. He said that recently she hadn't been receiving as much support as she should have, because with big new additions like Goldberg and departures like "that Houston Heat guy", he'd had a lot to deal with as the CEO of The Empire. But that was no excuse, and it would not continue. He said that the problem is that she'd been having to try and go it alone, which went against the entire purpose of The Empire. If he'd had his full attention on the matter, he was confident they would have been able to make Toshiyo Yamada see reason and accept her offer to enter the tournament together, and the two of them would've become the first tag team champions here tonight. Instead Yamada was content to keep playing second banana to Manami Toyota, and Etsuko had had to call up her old friend Mima Shimoda on short notice. That sort of thing would never happen again, because Eric had gone out and acquired a new asset to make sure Etsuko would never be stranded over here no matter how busy he might get stateside. It was his pleasure to introduce Etsuko's own personal "muscle"... </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="CwgRMYN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/CwgRMYN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>...Kaoru Ito! Joey and I were quick to push her credentials to the international audience watching at home. I mentioned she was a former World Champion in the same lineage as the title Manami Toyota now holds, wearing the belt for nearly a full year between 2000 and 2001, and Joey talked about her more recent accomplishments as a dominant former champion in our developmental territory 5SSW. But now she'd arrived on Renaissance to watch Etsuko's back. She's probably second only to Aja Kong in terms of a menacing presence on the brand, so I think she'll be great in her role as a brutish female enforcer. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 80</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Toshiyo Yamada vs. Sonoko Kato</strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/zVT0XcD.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/jDerrFK.jpg</span> </p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>It didn't take long to realize that these two just aren't a good fit as opponents. Their timing was awkward right from the beginning, with Yamada facing the wrong way as Sonoko launched a quick attack at the bell. They just couldn't ever get on the same page, and the result was a match nowhere near as good as you'd expect with the talent levels of both women. Yamada did what she could; she was quite a bit better than her opponent in this match. I can't be too upset with Sonoko for that though, because this was really her first big match with us after a long time as basically an enhancement talent.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Kato got plenty of offense here, as we presented her as a capable talent who could be a credible threat to the upper echelon of the roster. But Yamada was too tough to be denied. She knocked Sonoko senseless with an enzuigiri, but rather than going for the pin, she gave her a stiff stomp to the face. And then another, and another, and another, and another. Kato took kick after kick to the face without stirring or offering any form of defense, but Yamada showed no signs of stopping. Finally referee Charles Robinson called for a stoppage to protect Kato's health. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 67</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>The kicks didn't cease just because the bell had rung. Yamada continued to kick her unconscious opponent, a scowl on her face, as all three of us on commentary tried to figure out what had gotten into her.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/LyKOnBY.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Several staff members came out, but the real attention-grabber was her friend and partner Manami Toyota. Manami rolled in and tried to calm her friend down. As her friend talked to her, Toshiyo finally stopped the beating and turned away from Kato. Manami put her hand on her shoulder, but Yamada shrugged it off and walked to the back by herself. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 85</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Alexis Laree and Allison Corino vs. Daffney and LuFisto</strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/VwQDgVe.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/jng2E6d.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><img alt="Fr5nOJR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Fr5nOJR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="HxQ0KSv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/HxQ0KSv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>It was time for the only match of the night exclusively featuring non-Japanese wrestlers. The action was perfectly fine. Everyone was okay, with no real weak link to be found. Daffney was probably marginally the best with Allison slightly bringing up the rear, but I liked the fire she showed as she brawled with LuFisto. I'd say this match either met or slightly exceeded my expectations. It was better than the match before it at least, which I had much higher hopes for.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> While the in-ring work left nothing to complain about, this match was really about the story. It was all about Daffney trying to find the perfect time to spit her mist at one or both of her opponents. She thought she'd found that chance on Allison as the referee argued with LuFisto, but Alexis tackled her to the ground and the mist sailed high. Everything was going in the favor of the babyfaces.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> And then...</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="Hz5OM83.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Hz5OM83.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Akira Hokuto hit the ring! She casually walked in, shoved the referee out of the way and drilled Alexis with a Northern Lights Bomb! Allison tried to come to her partner's aid, but she was grabbed and thrown down with a double suplex from Daffney and LuFisto. Alexis and Allison had won the match via disqualification, but the three heels didn't seem to care. Daffney let out her maniacal high-pitched scream as Alexis and Allison were helped to the back.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 72</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Kyoko Inoue vs. Akira Hokuto (w/Daffney and LuFisto)</strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/vjvktnZ.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><img alt="Hz5OM83.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Hz5OM83.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jmNiTQv.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jmNiTQv.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="3S8ZZlj.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3S8ZZlj.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Daffney and LuFisto remained at ringside for Hokuto's match. Kyoko looked at them out of the corner of her eye as she walked down the ramp, but her focus was on her opponent. This was obviously a big match for Hokuto. It was just her third match since spending about ten months in rehab, and the first on PPV. She showed no signs of ring rust tonight. She looked in fine form out there, and Kyoko was right there to match her. They were both on point with very good performances, and it was clear this was going to be a contender for match of the night. If this match is any indication, Akira is back in a big way and good to go in whatever position we need.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Inoue did lots of damage to her foe's neck, looking to soften her up for her signature Victoria Driver, while Hokuto's gameplan was hard to decipher. She was surprisingly passive and reactionary, defending herself against Kyoko's attacks and countering rather than being very aggressive. It was almost as if she was biding her time and waiting for something.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Hokuto ducked a lariat and hit Kyoko with a dropkick to the back, knocking her through the ropes and onto the floor. Akira got up and started yelling at Charles Robinson, and then everything became clear. Daffney and LuFisto struck, picking Kyoko up and ramming her head-first into the ring post. They rolled her back into the ring, and Hokuto dropped a dazed Inoue on her head with a Northern Lights Bomb to win the match.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 86</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Daffney and LuFisto joined Hokuto in the ring after the match, and the three cut a promo. Well, Akira and Daffney cut a promo and LuFisto stood in the background. Daffney was fine, but Akira's performance really carried the segment. After Daffney pledged her allegiance to Hokuto (and LuFisto's as well), Akira welcomed us all to the beginning of 'the dark age' of Renaissance. Up until now things had been bright and colorful on Renaissance thanks to the likes of Kyoko, Chigusa Nagayo, Meiko Satomura, Manami Toyota and others, but now every woman on the roster had to face The Darkness. (That's the name of this new trio, if you haven't picked up on that yet.)</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 80</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/741TrEA.jpg</span><p> <strong>Melissa Anderson vs. Manami Toyota {©} </strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/OophliK.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/LyKOnBY.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Both women recorded promos earlier in the day, and we aired them just before the match. Melissa talked about wanting to live up to the Anderson legacy tonight. She knew most people thought her prime would still be years away, but if she had anything to say about it, her time started right now. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Toyota was not condescending about her opponent, but she was confident. She respected Melissa's talent, her potential and the family knowledge she could draw on to help her, but it takes wrestling in big matches yourself to truly learn what it takes to make it to the top. Melissa can get there one day and matches like tonight will help her do it, but she still has a lot to learn before she can become a world champion. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 94</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>It goes without saying that this was the biggest match in Melissa's career thus far. These two had a solid match on Renaissance back in February during the UFS, but we were pulling out all the stops and holding nothing back this time. Obviously there was the added prestige with the title on the line, but I also gave this match a ton of time. It clocked in at around 27 minutes, which made it the longest match on the show. That gave them plenty of time to start gradually and pace themselves towards an exciting finish, and I let them call it in the ring, knowing Manami would be able to steer the ship and tell a compelling story. Melissa was fine here, but Toyota once again proved she is worthy of her push. She was awesome here, turning in the strongest individual effort of the night so far. It wasn't enough to make up for the lack of a babyface/heel dynamic or a young worker who isn't near her level as a performer at this stage of her career. This match was better than their first one, but not by as wide a gap as I hoped or expected.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> In a clever nod to Melissa's kayfabe family, she pulled a page out of the Anderson playbook by picking a limb and going to town. In this case it was Manami's left arm that she went after, with some highlights including a hammerlock back suplex and a submission tease with a straight arm bar. Toyota fought her way to the ropes though, and continued to fight as she gave her challenger all she could handle. Melissa had a sound plan and executed it very well, but Manami's pre-match comments proved prophetic. There was no replacement for Toyota's 12-year experience edge, especially with so many of those years being spent having unforgettable, high-pressure matches against the best in the world and performing at an elite level. She got stronger as the match wore on, and was able to capitalize on the slightest dips in her challenger's performance. Toyota took control late and put a bow on this successful title defense with the Ocean Cyclone Suplex.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 81</strong></p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ZkoqX4B.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZkoqX4B.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <strong>Chigusa Nagayo and Meiko Satomura vs. Aja Kong and Devil Masami </strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/XvzeNmR.jpg</span><img alt="OCuJKqq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OCuJKqq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><span>http://i.imgur.com/EiVoLiY.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/iVkKXFP.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/gOVE3CN.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>We showed a video recapping the roads both teams took to get to this final match, with Nagayo and Satomura beating Daffney and LuFisto in the opening round and Our Generation in the semis, and Kong and Masami first taking care of Kyoko Inoue and Momoe Nakanishi and then surviving an epic clash against Manami Toyota and Toshiyo Yamada. Then the two teams commented on tonight's match. Kong and Masami were dismissive of their opponents, saying they posed no threat to them and this was going to be an easy victory. Devil also guaranteed that she would win the match by beating Meiko, thus avenging her loss at Unified. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> As for the babyfaces, they knew this was going to be a tough match, but they also knew they had what it took to come out on top. Meiko referenced her singles victories over both of their opponents, having beaten Devil at Unified and Kong on the go-home Renaissance. Chigusa was the best performer of the segment, as she gave a believable and passionate speech about Meiko's athletic ability plus her decades of experience being the perfect formula to stop the seemingly unstoppable force that was Aja Kong and Devil Masami.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 94</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>This one wasn't quite as long as the singles title match, owing to three of the four participants being among the oldest on the roster and consequently not having the greatest stamina. They still had a decent chunk of time to work with though, so there was no need to rush through anything. This match was a pretty big test for Meiko. I knew what the other three were capable of, even if they're getting older and Kong's declining physically (despite being the second youngest person in the match.) Satomura was more of a wild card though. I knew she was talented and I have high hopes for her to become one of the key stars if not THE key star on the brand in a few years, but she had yet to have a truly great match in WCW. I was very interested to see how she did here. I wasn't sure what to expect after a semi main event that didn't meet my expectations. On one hand I felt relieved that I hadn't swapped the match order around like I considered, but on the other I wondered if this match would underachieve too, leaving Inoue vs. Hokuto from the midcard as the easy match of the night.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> So the match was not perfect. Tracy's commentary was weak for one, as she interrupted the flow between Joey and I and detracted from the action. There also wasn't enough selling here. That couldn't be considered a great surprise. Masami is the best seller of the bunch, and even she is probably in the bottom half of Renaissance. Despite those problems, all four women brought their best tonight. Meiko was good, showing she can produce at a high level and renewing my hopes that she could eventually develop into one of the stars of the roster. Chigusa and Aja were great even with Chigusa's age and Kong's erosion, with Nagayo doing some solid technical stuff and also just getting the crowd into it with her presence and popularity. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> And Devil Masami? She was outstanding. She may be the oldest woman on the roster, but she still looks like a terror any time she gets to brawl, and she can mix it up on the mat pretty well too. Even at 41 she was the best performer not only in this match, but on the entire show. Yes, she was even better than Manami Toyota tonight. Whereas the semi main event didn't meet my expecations, this one met and exceeded them. They rewarded me for my decision to leave them in the main event by delivering the match of the night.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The heels had stranded Nagayo from her corner and really done a number on her. It looked like Masami might be able to finish her off with one big move, but she had other plans. She tossed Chigusa over to her own side of the ring and stood back, allowing her to tag out. She wanted to prove her point by beating Satomura, but Joey and I agreed that it was a big tactical error not to finish off a weakened opponent when you had the chance, especially in a championship match. Meiko made us look very smart by hitting the ring with plenty of energy and taking the fight to Devil, who quickly found herself on the back foot. Several quick strikes set up a dropkick to the knee, and Satomura hit the ropes to deliver her big Scorpio Rising kick. But she made the mistake of getting too close to Aja Kong, who punched her in the back of the head. That blow staggered her, and it allowed Devil to lock on her sleeper.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Chigusa forced her own exhaustion at bay to enter the ring and save her partner, who was fading fast. But Kong was there to greet her, leveling her with her Uraken spinning backfist. Nagayo could offer no aid to her partner after that, and try as she might, Meiko could not break free. Devil put her to sleep, and we had our first Women's World Tag Team Champions! </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 88</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <img alt="nG8aWZm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nG8aWZm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>I put down my headset and came into the ring to present the belts to our first champions. I knew Tracy's color would hurt the segment without me there to make up for it, but I thought my presence was needed here. Aja and Devil took the belts from my hands and motioned for me to get out of 'their' ring, which I did, giving them the spotlight. They cut a promo saying that there was no reason for them to celebrate or rejoice, because there was never any doubt that this would be the outcome. They'd merely done what they'd always known they would do, and now that they were the Women's World Tag Team Champions, they were going to decimate any team who dared to try and challenge them.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Grade: 94</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Show Overall Grade: 88</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="James The Animator" data-cite="James The Animator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I personally think that you might have undervalued Norman Smiley during contract negotiations. I always hear that he's done a solid job as a developmental coach in FCW/NXT, so I think you could have used him in that capacity.</div></blockquote><p> Most of my developmental workers already probably have better psychology than Norman, so he wouldn't have much value in that role even if he was ready to stop wrestling.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="smartman" data-cite="smartman" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think you made a coloring error there as you had Flair as a Face. Pretty sure RVD would think that very odd. And Allison Corino is #5 on your Hot Prospect list so why would you even think of not renewing her? I make sure to keep all of those people on the roster if I can. Plus, it keeps Steve happy, which is going to become more and more important as you cycle the new guys into the non-Austin/Goldberg major Main Event slots. Punk, AJ, Bryan D., and Corino are kind of the Four Pillars to carry WCW into the mid/late 2000's. Poor Lance and his lack of charisma. <img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> Yeah, good call with Flair. It wasn't so much a coloring error as an 'I forgot to update that section' error. He's not a personality anymore anyway, so I edited the post to correct that.</p><p> </p><p> I was always going to renew Allison. Bret was just commenting on how she hasn't had much to do story-wise so far but could be in line for more if she continues to improve.</p><p> </p><p> I wouldn't exclude Rey from that list of Four Pillars, especially now that he's signed a long-term extension. Don't forget that he's only 28 here; just four years older than Punk and AJ, and actually two years younger than Corino. All of that is assuming his health holds up though.</p><p> </p><p> Lance may not have the charisma or star quality to become a factor in things like national battles, but his excellent in-ring skills and psychology can still make him a great main eventer capable of bringing out the best in the rest.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="kinnikuniverse" data-cite="kinnikuniverse" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I agree with smartman, I think punk, AJ, AMDRAG and Corino are four pillars of heaven of WCW.... BUT THEY WILL PALE COMPARED TO KNOBLEMANIA!!!<p> </p><p> and when joe arrives and daniels gets over, you will have the ROH golden generation and knoblemania as your magnificent 7!</p><p> </p><p> Oh, and I might have a few ideas for merchandising, like rey masks, unnatural facepaints and a Pepsi commercial with CM punk talking crap about how Pepsi is straight edge. AND ACTION FIGURES! KNOBLE ACTION FIGURES!</p></div></blockquote><p> Knoble's popularity is seeing huge gains since joining The Empire. That feud with Austin and all those angles have been a godsend for many people, him included. If it keeps going up at this rate, he'll be a main eventer soon (assuming he isn't nearing his popularity cap.)</p><p> </p><p> Trust me, WCW is selling plenty of Rey masks. I'm pretty sure I even had Unnatural mention them in a promo awhile back. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="K-Nection" data-cite="K-Nection" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Unless something truly earth shattering happens it appears you might have officially hold WWE at bay. I mean they do have King Snow now so that might be something to be worried about <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> .<p> </p><p> You know I should have my wrestling fan card revoked but I never watched a lot of Steve Corino's stuff before this dynasty so I went back and watched a few of his matches (especially his work with Terry Funk). I really wish I had access to ROH in the mid 2000s because I'm constantly being reminded of how much great wrestling I missed over the years.</p></div></blockquote><p> Without the early years of ROH it's highly likely I would've stopped watching wrestling long ago. I've never been as interested in WWF/E since they completely botched the Invasion and subsequently got lazy with no legitimate competition to put pressure on them. There have been brief moments where they did something that really interested me, with the initial Nexus attack and the Pipebomb being the biggest, but there are a handful of others to a smaller degree. But I inevitably find the follow-through underwhelming and am left feeling like it's all a waste of time. I've continued to follow their progress and drop in and out as a viewer, but my interest level has taken a massive hit since Raw moved to 3 hours. </p><p> </p><p> Where was I going with this? I don't know. I just started typing and it got away from me. <img alt=":cool:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> But yeah, early ROH kept me around, and without it I doubt I ever would've come here. Today it's New Japan that captures my attention. So any of you who are enjoying this: root for New Japan to continue to do well. If they were to collapse, there'd be a good chance you wouldn't see me around here anymore. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="crackerjack" data-cite="crackerjack" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> What is Eric Bischoff's 'surprise' for Etsuko Mita? <strong>He will propose! And she.... will say yes!</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> Do you think Vince would let me license that 'Together' song they used for Macho and Liz? <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

<p>ROH World: <strong>Cody</strong> {C} vs. Tetsuya Naito</p><p> -Realistically I think there's no way NJPW would sign off on the IWGP champ losing a singles match outside the company, but I can't see you putting the title on Naito.</p><p> </p><p> ROH TV: Marty Scurll {C} vs. "<strong>Switchblade" Jay White</strong></p><p> ROH Tag: <strong>The Briscoe Brothers </strong>{C} vs. War Machine</p><p> Women of Honor: <strong>Nattie Neidhart </strong>{C} vs. Tenille Dashwood</p><p> Grudge Match: <strong>BJ Whitmer and Damien "Punishment" Martinez</strong> vs. Jay Lethal and Low-Ki</p><p> Rematch: "<strong>Filthy" Tom Lawlor</strong> vs. "The King of the Bros" Matt Riddle</p><p> Chris Sabin vs. <strong>KUSHIDA</strong></p><p> -This is probably wrong, but I think Sabin is pretty meh as a singles guy and love KUSHIDA.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Hirooki Goto</strong> vs. Silas Young</p>

<p>July 2003: News, July National Battle Report and Summer Roster Update</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>July 6th, 2003</strong></p><p><strong> Hours before the doors open</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> "So what's her explanation?" I asked, trying to control my anger as I waited for our female translator to explain. It wasn't her fault, so it wouldn't do to snap at her. The translator spoke with Shinobu Kandori, then turned to relay it to me.</p><p> </p><p> "She says she forgot," the translator said. I blinked and shook my head.</p><p> </p><p> "That's it? She forgot?"</p><p> </p><p> "Yes," the translator confirmed after another short conversation with Kandori.</p><p> </p><p> "Tell her to hurry up and put her gear on," I said. "Her match with Momoe Nakanishi is still on. After that, she's suspended for a month."</p><p> </p><p> Kandori's eyes widened as my decision was translated for her. She probably didn't expect me to go that far, but I've had enough from her. If this had been her first incident I would've been more lenient, but whenever there's a problem on the Renaissance side, it's usually a safe bet that Shinobu is behind it. Hell, this was the second straight Renaissance PPV where I had to deal with her hours before we hit the air. Maybe she really did forget about the morning TV show appearance we'd set up for the women to promote tonight's PPV, but she doesn't get the benefit of the doubt anymore. Maybe she'll start taking me more seriously now, but obviously there's going to be some tension between us now.</p><p> </p><p> There's a good chance Kyoko Inoue won't be happy about it either, since the two of them are close. That's unfortunate, but I feel I did the right thing. </p><p> </p><p> Not the best start to the day. Hopefully this isn't a bad omen.</p></div></blockquote> <p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/7AiYO6E.jpg</span> </div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>King of the Ring was held on June 29th. It was a surprise to see Kurt Angle entered in the tournament as the ECW Champion, but when you looked at the rest of the field, it seemed set up for him to steamroll through everyone else. Indeed, he beat Grand Master Sexay and Billy Gunn with little trouble. And then...he lost to Al Snow in the finals. What a surprise that was! Also on the show, Hunter beat reigning WWE Champion Chris Jericho clean in a non-title match (big nose is using his connections again, I see) and The Rock beat Shawn Michaels in the main event. Both of those matches were red hot, legitimate match of the year contenders, and on the strength of them this was the best show WWE has put on in years. It was considered pretty much dead even with Great American Bash, which itself was a fantastic show.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> There was some bad news from the show, as Raven broke the metatarsal bones in his foot during a European title defense against Leviathan, and the match had to be stopped and ruled a no contest. He'll probably have to take a couple of months off to heal up, so we'll see what they do with the title, especially with their brand split about to begin.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Hogan signed a multi-year extension. No surprise there; they need him and his star presence badly now that we're taking the fight to them. I did attempt to open negotiations with him, not out of any actual intention of signing him, but solely to give him more leverage and force Vince to pay him more money. That didn't happen though, because word got to Austin and he told me he was going to use his hiring veto to prevent me from even opening negotiations. I guess he still has some resentment for the way his first WCW run went when Hogan came in.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Scott Hall also re-upped. I wasn't about to risk bringing that guy and his baggage into my locker room, so they're welcome to him.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> They've signed Matt Cappotelli off their Tough Enough show and sent him to OVW so he can learn how to work. No word yet on the other winner, John Hennigan.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p> </p><span>http://i.imgur.com/nUYCk9q.jpg</span> </div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>We still can't get Main Event to give us a PPV deal in Australia because they're overloaded with other companies (all of whom we're more popular than and do far fewer buys than we would.) There is a plus though: we're moving our PPV events from Ten Network onto Seven Network, which offers an increase on what was already a very high-visibility slot. We aren't getting PPV money in the country, but at least viewership is high. I do think we'll need to keep Ten around as an alternate though, because I get the feeling Seven would object to certain riskier gimmick match types. I'd love if we can get Nitro and Renaissance onto Seven as well when it's time to renegotiate. </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Jim Mitchell, aka Father Isaac, signed a one year extension. Dustin is the star of the group and doesn't really need a mouthpiece, but it just wouldn't be Salvation without him.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> I decided not to renew Norman Smiley's contract. He's not a bad worker, but we weren't doing anything with him and I feel we need to let some guys go so our roster doesn't get any more bloated as the developmental wrestlers get called up.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Psychosis officially departed. He's a talented worker, but it just didn't work out this time for whatever reason.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Toshie Uematsu returned from rehab. She only worked one match on Renaissance beforehand, so we're pretty much starting from scratch. After her problems, she'll have to pay some dues before there's any chance of a push.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> I signed Allison Corino to an extension. She hasn't really been featured much on Renaissance, but working with these talented women has seen her skills continue to improve. If she can keep at it and keep getting better, she could be in line for a more prominent role eventually.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Also signing a one year extension was Daffney.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Billy Kim's pay per appearance agreement ran out. He did fine in his role as a jobber, but you need to rotate those guys in and out.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> With referee Marty Rubalcaba's contract expiring, I decided to let him leave and re-hire Mark Johnson to take his place as the 'B' referee on Nitro. Mark was a bit of a gimmick before, but he's a better ref than Marty. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p> </p><span>http://i.imgur.com/sDkxtEI.jpg</span> </div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>According to the web, Hiroshi Tanahashi is looking ripped after upping his workout routines. He already came across like a star before, so now it's even more pronounced. He's a great wrestler on top of that, so if they really get behind him and move him up out of the midcard he could be the answer to their recent problems. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p> </p><span>http://i.imgur.com/HLY8nvy.jpg</span> </div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>NOAH's 'For The Warriors Fell' took place on June 20th. Akira Taue retained the GHC title over Jun Akiyama in a strong main event, which was just slightly upstaged by Kenta Kobashi's win against Akitoshi Saito two matches earlier. Even with those two matches, this was on the same level as their last couple of PPVs, meaning it was nowhere near as good as the heights they were routinely hitting not that long ago.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i.imgur.com/syuSRKH.jpg</span> </div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>After a string of several great PPVs, AJPW took a step back last month. They looked to rebound with 'Down to the Last Man' on June 23rd, but it was actually well below even the last show. A lot of that is due to a mediocre main event in which Hiroshi Hase retained the Triple Crown over Genichiro Tenryu. The semi main where Taiyo Kea beat Shigeo Okumura was the best thing on the show, but even that was well below the usual standard the company's best matches have been hitting.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p> </p><span>http://i.imgur.com/1eeVS9d.jpg</span> </div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>Zero-One has risen to Cult size as defined by the Observer, becoming the fifth promotion based in Japan currently at that distinction (NJPW, AJPW, NOAH and Michinoku Pro being the other four.)</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> To give them a boost after their rise, Zero-One announced they were bringing Kensuke Sasaki in. Sasaki has been the hottest free agent in Japan since leaving All Japan in April. This is just a pay per appearance deal from what I've heard, so he could very well get snapped up by a competitor at any time.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> CIMA, a talented young student of Ultimo Dragon who's been working for Toryumon, X-LAW and (most prominently) Michinoku Pro, tore his ACL during a tag match against Samoa Joe and Chad Collyer on the current M-Pro tour. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p> </p><span>http://i.imgur.com/ebDwXEW.jpg</span> </div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>Independent wrestler Excalibur has announced he's opening a new indie, Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG) in the South West. They'll be running a hybrid modern style, focusing mostly on the modern in-ring style with a bit of daredevil antics mixed in. He took some shots at Ring of Honor in his announcement, mocking their 'respect for wrestling' style that has no identity. He kind of has a point since ROH really has no key feature to emphasize, but his comments did not go over well with ROH owner Rob Feinstein and booker Ian Rotten. ROH fired back on their website, and it seems the two groups are already hostile towards each other before PWG has even run a show.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Chris Parks, a big man who works for TNA and our own Wildside, shattered his knee working a match in Mexico for Toyrumon defending his NWA North American Heavyweight title against Genki Horiguchi. He'll be out for about a year, so obviously the NWA will need to crown a new North American champion. </em></p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:24px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;">National Battle Report: July 2003</span></span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ebDwXEW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ebDwXEW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><span style="font-size:18px;">USA</span></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>#1:</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="nUYCk9q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nUYCk9q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>World Championship Wrestling</strong></p><p> </p><p> <em>Top 5 Stars:</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> 1) Steve Austin (1000 points)</em></p><p><em> 2) Bill Goldberg (990)</em></p><p><em> 3) Rey Mysterio Jr. (791)</em></p><p><em> 4) CM Punk (760)</em></p><p><em> 5) Rob Van Dam (747)</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Total Points: 4,288</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>#2:</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="7AiYO6E.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7AiYO6E.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>World Wrestling Entertainment</strong></p><p> </p><p> <em>Top 5 Stars:</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> 1) The Rock (1000 points)</em></p><p><em> 2) Hollywood Hogan (851)</em></p><p><em> 3) The Undertaker (810)</em></p><p><em> 4) Triple H (804)</em></p><p><em> 5) Big Show (733)</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Total Points: 4,198</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ieBLbQ1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ieBLbQ1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><span style="font-size:18px;">British Isles</span></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>#1:</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="7AiYO6E.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7AiYO6E.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>World Wrestling Entertainment</strong></p><p> </p><p> <em>Top 5 Stars:</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> 1) The Rock (1000 points)</em></p><p><em> 2) Hollywood Hogan (879)</em></p><p><em> 3) The Undertaker (810)</em></p><p><em> 4) Triple H (797)</em></p><p><em> 5) Big Show (739)</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Total Points: 4,225</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>#2:</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="nUYCk9q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nUYCk9q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>World Championship Wrestling</strong></p><p> </p><p> <em>Top 5 Stars:</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> 1) Steve Austin (1000 points)</em></p><p><em> 2) Bill Goldberg (990)</em></p><p><em> 3) Rey Mysterio Jr. (780)</em></p><p><em> 4) Rob Van Dam (727)</em></p><p><em> 5) Scott Steiner (721) </em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Total Points: 4,218</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="1eeVS9d.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1eeVS9d.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Japan</span></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>#1:</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="nUYCk9q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nUYCk9q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>World Championship Wrestling</strong></p><p> </p><p> <em>Top 5 Stars:</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> 1) Steve Austin (998 points)</em></p><p><em> 2) Bill Goldberg (990)</em></p><p><em> 3) CM Punk (803)</em></p><p><em> 4) Rey Mysterio Jr. (801) </em></p><p><em> 5) Rob Van Dam (756)</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Total Points: 4,348</strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-size:18px;"><strong>#2:</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="7AiYO6E.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7AiYO6E.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>World Wrestling Entertainment</strong></p><p> </p><p> <em>Top 5 Stars:</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> 1) The Rock (1000 points)</em></p><p><em> 2) Hollywood Hogan (863)</em></p><p><em> 3) Triple H (815)</em></p><p><em> 4) The Undertaker (810)</em></p><p><em> 5) Kurt Angle (729)</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Total Points: 4,217</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Summer 2003 Roster Breakdown: (Faces in </strong><strong><span style="color:#0000FF;">blue</span></strong><strong>, heels in </strong><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;">red)</span></strong><strong> </strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">MAIN ROSTER</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Main Event:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>CM Punk</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Diamond Dallas Page</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Eddie Guerrero</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Lance Storm</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Rey Mysterio Jr.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Scott Steiner</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Sean O'Haire (World Television Champion)</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Steve Austin</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Sting</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Bill Goldberg</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Chuck Palumbo</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> King Corino</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Mortis</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Rob Van Dam</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Shane Douglas</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> The Unnatural (World Heavyweight Champion)</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Upper Midcard:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>AJ Styles (United States Heavyweight Champion)</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Bryan Danielson (Cruiserweight Champion)</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Hugh Morrus</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Jeff Hardy</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Matt Hardy </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Alexander</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Brian Adams (World Tag Team Champion)</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Christopher Daniels (World Tag Team Champion)</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Fit Finlay</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Jamie Knoble</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Kaz Hayashi</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> TAKA</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> The Destroyer</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Midcard:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Aguila</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Billy Kidman</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Chavo Guerrero Jr.</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Ernest Miller</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Harry Smith</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Hayabusa</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Konnan</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Mark Jindrak</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Volador Jr.</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Johnny Parisi</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Shane Helms</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Tony Mamaluke</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Yang</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Lower Midcard:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Lash Leroux</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Minoru Tanaka</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Brian Kendrick</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Cash</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Elix Skipper</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Evan Karagis</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Shannon Moore</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Opener:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Jinsei Shinzaki</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Paul London</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Chris Harris</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> David Flair</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Enhancement Talent:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>James Storm</strong></span> </p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Announcer:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Mike Tenay</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> </strong></span></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Color Commentator:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Bret Hart</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Bobby Heenan</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Road Agent:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Ricky Steamboat</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Bob Orton Jr.</strong></span></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Personality:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Arn Anderson</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Roddy Piper</strong></span></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">RENAISSANCE</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Main Event:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Chigusa Nagayo</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Manami Toyota (World Women's Champion)</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Aja Kong</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Devil Masami</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Upper Midcard:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Kyoko Inoue</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Meiko Satomura</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Toshiyo Yamada</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Etsuko Mita</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Lisa Moretti</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Takako Inoue</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Midcard:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Alexis Laree</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Allison Corino</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Melissa Anderson</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Momoe Nakanishi</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> Nattie Neidhart</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Akira Hokuto</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Daffney</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Shinobu Kandori</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Sonoko Kato</strong></span></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Lower Midcard:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>LuFisto</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Opener:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Mary Apache</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Katarina Waters</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Toshie Uematsu</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Enhancement Talent:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Sumie Sakai</strong></span></p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong>Kaoru Ito</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#FF0000;"><strong> Wesna Busic</strong></span></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Announcer:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Joey Styles</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> </strong></span></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Color Commentator:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Tracy Brooks</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> </strong></span></p><p> </p><p> </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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Road Agent:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Dusty Rhodes</strong></span></p><p><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong> </strong></span></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">On Vacation:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <strong>Bobby Roode</strong></p><p><strong> Ric Flair</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Out Of Action:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <strong>Buff Bagwell (spinal column injury)</strong></p><p><strong> Teddy Hart (broken pelvis)</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Active Tag Teams:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <strong>3 Count</strong> <em>(Evan Karagis and Shannon Moore)</em></p><p> <em>Aja Kong and Devil Masami</em></p><p> <em>Chigusa Nagayo and Meiko Satomura</em></p><p> <em>Daffney and LuFisto</em></p><p> <strong>Jung Dragons</strong> <em>(Kaz Hayashi and Yang)</em></p><p> <strong>Made in Italy</strong> <em>(Johnny Parisi and Tony Mamaluke)</em></p><p> <strong>Our Generation</strong> <em>(Melissa Anderson and Nattie Neidhart)</em></p><p> <strong>The American Outlaws</strong> <em>(Chris Harris and James Storm)</em></p><p> <strong>The Hardys</strong> <em>(Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy)</em></p><p> <strong>The Shooting Stars</strong> <em>(Billy Kidman and Teddy Hart)</em></p><p> <strong>The Unbound</strong> <em>(Mortis and Alexander)</em></p><p> <strong>True Heroes </strong><em>(CM Punk and Lance Storm)</em></p><p> <em>Volador Jr. and Aguila</em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Factions:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <strong>Salvation </strong><em>(Father Isaac, Alexander, Mortis, The Destroyer and The Unnatural)</em></p><p> <strong>The Empire </strong><em>(Bill Goldberg, Eric Bischoff, Etsuko Mita, Jamie Knoble, King Corino, TAKA, Chuck Palumbo and Tammy Sytch)</em> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Managerial Assignments:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <strong>Dawn Marie </strong><em>(Johnny Parisi and Tony Mamaluke)</em></p><p> <strong>Eric Bischoff </strong><em>(King Corino, TAKA and Etsuko Mita)</em></p><p> <strong>Father Isaac </strong><em>(Alexander, Mortis, The Destroyer and The Unnatural)</em></p><p> <strong>Paul Heyman </strong><em>(Rob Van Dam)</em></p><p> <strong>Ric Flair </strong><em>(Bobby Roode)</em></p><p> <strong>Stacy Keibler </strong><em>(Kaz Hayashi and Yang)</em></p><p> <strong>Tammy Sytch </strong><em>(Chuck Palumbo)</em></p><p> <strong>Torrie Wilson </strong><em>(Billy Kidman and Teddy Hart)</em> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">In Developmental:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <strong>Austin Aries</strong></p><p><strong> Colt Cabana</strong></p><p><strong> El Generico</strong></p><p><strong> Johnny the Bull</strong></p><p><strong> Kevin Steen</strong></p><p><strong> Kid Romeo</strong></p><p><strong> Lacey</strong></p><p><strong> Lisa Marie Varon</strong></p><p><strong> Lizzy Valentine</strong></p><p><strong> Madison Eagles</strong></p><p><strong> Mariko Yoshida</strong></p><p><strong> Mercedes Martinez</strong></p><p><strong> Nigel McGuinness</strong></p><p><strong> Reno</strong></p><p><strong> Shelton Benjamin</strong></p><p><strong> Shinsuke Nakamura</strong></p><p><strong> TJ Wilson</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Creative Meeting:</span></span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Franchise Players:</span></p><p> 1. Steve Austin</p><p> 2. Bill Goldberg</p><p> 3. Rey Mysterio Jr.</p><p> 4. Rob Van Dam</p><p> 5. CM Punk</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Next Big Things:</span></p><p> 1. Jeff Hardy</p><p> 2. Meiko Satomura</p><p> 3. AJ Styles</p><p> 4. Volador Jr.</p><p> 5. Alexis Laree</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Hot Prospects:</span></p><p> 1. Melissa Anderson</p><p> 2. Allison Corino</p><p> 3. Alexis Laree</p><p> 4. Volador Jr.</p><p> 5. Mark Jindrak</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Talk the Talk:</span></p><p> 1. Steve Austin </p><p> 2. Ric Flair</p><p> 3. CM Punk</p><p> 4. Dusty Rhodes</p><p> 5. Roddy Piper</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Show Stoppers:</span></p><p> 1. Rey Mysterio Jr.</p><p> 2. Jeff Hardy</p><p> 3. Rob Van Dam</p><p> 4. Eddie Guerrero</p><p> 5. Manami Toyota</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Ring Generals:</span></p><p> 1. Bryan Danielson </p><p> 2. Rey Misterio Jr.</p><p> 3. Eddie Guerrero</p><p> 4. Lance Storm</p><p> 5. AJ Styles</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Who's Hot:</span></p><p> 1. Bryan Danielson</p><p> 2. The Unnatural</p><p> 3. Chigusa Nagayo</p><p> 4. Etsuko Mita</p><p> 5. Meiko Satomura</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Who's Not:</span></p><p> 1. Elix Skipper</p><p> 2. Lash Leroux</p><p> 3. Evan Karagis</p><p> 4. Ernest Miller</p><p> 5. Cash</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Time Decline:</span></p><p> 1. Sting</p><p> 4. Diamond Dallas Page</p><p> 3. Fit Finlay</p><p> 4. Rick Steiner</p><p> 5. Aja Kong</p><p> </p><p> <span style="text-decoration:underline;">Hidden Gems:</span></p><p> 1. Jay Briscoe</p><p> 2. Kenny Omega</p><p> 3. Simon Diamond</p><p> 4. Scoot Andrews</p><p> 5. Jorge Estrada</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> I've been struggling to figure out what belt cuts I'm going to use to represent the new women's tag titles. For the moment I'm using the design of All Japan Women's tag belts for lack of a better option even though these are going to be treated as brand new belts with no previous lineage, but I'm open to other ideas. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Nobby_McDonald" data-cite="Nobby_McDonald" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> What is Eric Bischoff's 'surprise' for Etsuko Mita? A chocolate labrador puppy.</p></div></blockquote><p> Thanks, now I had to change it at the last minute because you spoiled the big surprise! <img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Chaossy" data-cite="Chaossy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> By the way, I was reading your replies to the fans and I saw that you mentioned that TNA could be a major player in the future. Maybe we can have a guest booker for TNA's premier event?</p></div></blockquote><p> Only if WWE is gone, or at the very least TNA surpasses them and becomes one of the top two.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="James The Animator" data-cite="James The Animator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> General diary comments/questions/critiques: <strong>Once Renaissance becomes a bigger deal in North America, you should consider getting Portia Perez and Rain, if you haven't signed them already.</strong></p></div></blockquote><p> It's not like Renaissance is technically a separate thing with its own popularity in-game. I could run there right now if I wanted to, but:</p><p> </p><p> A) Most of the women on the roster are more popular in Japan;</p><p> </p><p> B) I already run most of my shows in the US, so having Renaissance stick to Japan keeps me from being too concentrated in the States.</p><p> </p><p> Portia doesn't debut until 2004. Rain's skills aren't good enough for me to really consider her, and she's at least getting work elsewhere. She works in TNA and I think one or two other smaller promotions.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Beejus" data-cite="Beejus" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I can't really picture Bret saying "Wrestlemarinepiad". Hell I probably can't even say it.</div></blockquote><p> He can just leave that to Joey Styles. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="kinnikuniverse" data-cite="kinnikuniverse" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>AWW YEAH, WCW/NWO Revenge finally got the sequel it so deserves! Best wrestling game evar!! LOVE doing 40-man hardcore battle royales with CAWs with my friends! Those guitar riffs! (Chu-gga Chu-gga chu-gga chu-gga...)</div></blockquote><p> I loved doing those battle royals, having quick match turned on and making people tap out to the Lion Tamer.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Speaking of music and games, how about we do some fake WCW merchandise for fun? And also, can you do a list of entrance songs for the wrestlers?</div></blockquote><p> Don't look at me; I have no artistic skill.</p><p> </p><p> I toyed with the idea of making a theme music list, but it seemed like more trouble than it was worth.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Mootinie" data-cite="Mootinie" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Golden Lovers reuniting is cool as well, but I wish they'd run that in Japan. They tagged in DDT, not ROH, won't the history be lost on the large majority of that audience?</p></div></blockquote><p> Not sure what you mean here? The Honor Rising shows are at Korakuen Hall.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Derek B" data-cite="Derek B" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Ospreay vs Takahashi was fantastic again, those guys are totally insane. I'm not the biggest fan of flippy stuff for the most part, but this was just ridiculous. I have no idea how they can keep doing this when they are wrecking their bodies so often... they might not have the longest careers as a result but they might have some of the most exciting.</p><p> </p><p> Sanada vs Okada was great too. I've enjoyed Sanada since I saw some of his TNA run years back... when I heard he made it to NJPW I was pretty excited because I knew they could make the most of him and his star continues to rise. Los ingobernables de Japon are the most ridiculously cool stable around just now, they seem to have the ability to do no wrong in the eye of the fans now and I look forward to seeing another Okada vs Naito match at some point in the future.</p><p> </p><p> The G1 should be awesome again this year too. I am growing to love Minoru Suzuki more and more every time I see him too. The IC title is in insane hands with him and I hope he is in the G1 again this year too so that I get to see more of him. I love the NJPW booking as they don't overexpose matches... the G1 is going to give me so many exciting matches and I can't wait!!! <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> Ospreay vs. Hiromu was great, but I enjoyed Okada vs. SANADA more. The jrs do so much reckless stuff in their matches that I worried they were about to seriously injure themselves, and it took me out of the match a bit. With the main event I was just able to enjoy the story. The closing minutes of that match were so great, but that's no surprise with Okada. No one in wrestling puts together finishes like Okada.</p><p> </p><p> I've been subscribing to NJPW World since summer 2015, so I've experienced the last 3 G1s. They've all been incredible, and I see no reason to think it won't be the same this year. Minoru is a lock to be back in the G1 unless he gets hurt. I think the field will be pretty much the same as last year. Obviously Nagata is out and Jay White is in for sure, but I struggle to think of anyone else that might be excluded from last year's field. Maybe Kojima and/or Tanahashi depending on their health? I guess Tama Tonga could be dropped too since no other tag specialists really get in anymore.</p><p> </p><p> Now that the lineups have been announced, I'm now looking forward to the joint Honor Rising shows with ROH far more than I was before. Omega and Ibushi are teaming up against Cody teams on both nights, including a main event tag against Cody and Marty Scurll on night two that I think should be really fun.</p>

<p>July 2003: Road to Wrestlemarinepiad</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="klaxpOp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/klaxpOp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="font-size:18px;">The Backstories:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Crowning New Champions</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>By early June there were four teams left in the tournament to crown new Women's World Tag Team Champions. In an all-babyface battle on June 7th, the veteran leadership of Chigusa Nagayo played a crucial role as she led the way for herself and Meiko Satomura past Our Generation. June 14th was headlined by Manami Toyota and Toshiyo Yamada taking on Aja Kong and Devil Masami. It was a sensational main event; the best in Renaissance history, the best women's match in many years, and almost certainly the best women's match ever broadcast in the United States. It probably should have been the finals, but instead it was merely the semis. Regardless, Masami trapped Yamada in a sleeper, and Toyota could do nothing but watch her partner fade away since the team had already used their one allotted save. That meant it was official: it would be Nagayo and Satomura against Kong and Masami to determine who would become the champions.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> On June 21st it was revealed that the final match to decide the new champions will take place at the next Renaissance PPV, Wrestlemarinepiad (a mouthful, but it's an old All Japan Women's event and I figured I might as well make use of it) on July 6th. Both teams cut pre-taped promos to hype the announcement. Nagayo and Satomura were focused squarely on the prize, while Masami made sure to mention how happy she was to have the opportunity to get her hands on Meiko again after her stunning flash pin defeat at Unified.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> After a squash win on the 28th, Kong and Masami began bragging about how they were going to dominate the tag team division and would eventually retire with the belts due to lack of competition, but Nagayo and Satomura came out to warn them not to get overconfident. They were more than capable of winning the finals, which Kong and Masami knew VERY well after Meiko pinned Devil at Unified! That did not go over well with the heels.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The go-home show saw Satomura do it again, this time pinning Kong in a singles match that also saw Nagayo brawl with Masami on the outside of the ring. This match is currently slotted as the main event, but I'm second guessing that call after Satomura and Kong's match was good but not great. </em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">An Ultimate Opportunity</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>One week after their elimination in the semifinals of the tag team title tournament, Our Generation chatted about what was next. They agreed that they were going to keep their eyes on the prize and try and work their way into a title shot against whoever emerged as champions, but in the meantime Melissa hinted that she had "big plans" for the near future.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> We found out what that meant on June 21st when Melissa asked Manami Toyota to come to the ring. She talked about how much she respected Manami and how close she thought she came to pulling the upset in their UFS match back in February. Her team had kept her hopes alive, and she was happy to have done her part in their ultimate victory by winning her final match against Daffney. That meant she had another chance at Manami, this time for the title, and since she and Nattie were out of the running for the tag belts, she was going to use that chance at Wrestlemarinepiad. Champion and challenger shook hands to seal the deal, showing their mutual respect.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Toyota took on Melissa's Our Generation partner, Nattie Neidhart, in a non-title match on the 28th. Melissa accompanied her partner to the ring and offered her moral support. Things momentarily got tense when Anderson seemingly inadvertently got in the way when Toyota was preparing a flying attack to the floor, but Melissa did not get physically involved and watched on as Toyota defeated her partner.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The two women had a sit-down interview in the middle of the ring on the go home. Manami said she respected Melissa and thought she was a good young wrestler and might be able to become a world champion some day, but she was not at that point yet and Sunday was not going to be her night. Melissa also expressed her respect for the champion, but said that she didn't intend to leave Wrestlemarinepiad empty-handed. I planned for this to be the semi main event, since it's an all-babyface match and also to give the tag titles the spotlight and establish them as important. But do I dare leave the star performer on the brand out of the PPV main event? I'm not so sure. </em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">A Returning Darkness</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>The meaning behind the mysterious vignettes about the darkness that would soon envelop Renaissance became clear after Kyoko Inoue's win over Allison Corino on June 7th, when she was attacked by-- </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="Hz5OM83.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Hz5OM83.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> The returning Akira Hokuto! After laying Kyoko out with a Northern Lights Bomb, Hokuto grabbed the microphone and proclaimed that darkness had fallen on Renaissance. Hokuto returned to action with an easy victory over Mary Apache on the 14th, after which Kyoko confronted her and said she isn't afraid of the darkness and she isn't afraid of her either. The two women were on opposing sides of a tag match on the 21st, and Hokuto pinned Momoe Nakanishi to secure the win for herself and Etsuko Mita. It was announced the following week that Inoue and Hokuto will go one on one at Marinepiad.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Kyoko got her hand raised against Daffney on July 5th, but after the match Hokuto appeared on the video screen and told her she might be feeling great at the moment, but she would fall into darkness at Wrestlemarinepiad. Still unimpressed, Kyoko said she would see her there--and she'd leave the lights on for her. It's great to have Hokuto back from rehab, but she may need a bit more time to get back into the swing of things before she's ready for true main event consideration.</em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Payback is Beautiful</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>After Nattie Neidhart beat Toshie Uematsu on the 21st, she was suddenly attacked by Takako Inoue. Inoue flipped her hair and explained that she'd targeted Neidhart because she and Melissa Anderson eliminated her team in the first round of the tag tournament. Those belts would've looked great around her waist, but now that that was ruined, she would make Nattie pay by rearranging her face so she'll look uglier than her dad The Anvil!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Takako reared her head again the following week when Nattie took on Manami Toyota in a non-title match. She didn't directly interfere, but her presence at ringside couldn't have helped the concentration of Nattie, who would've been an underdog against the world champion no matter the circumstances. The two rivals met in tag action on the go home show, with Nattie and her partner Toshiyo Yamada prevailing over Takako and Sonoko Kato. Now they'll go one on one on the PPV. Nattie's probably the non-Japanese woman on the brand who's closest to becoming a top tier worker, and Takako is a reliable heel hand, so this should be pretty good. </em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">A Clear Path to Success</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Sonoko Kato took the mic after a squash on the 21st and said she was tired of not having the chance to show her skills in big matches, specifically on PPV. If it were up to the matchmakers she would surely be left off of this PPV just like the first two, but she was going to take matters into her own hands. And how was she going to do that? By defeating the regular partner of the current World Champion, Toshiyo Yamada! Yamada, looking annoyed, stepped out from the back and nodded her acceptance of the challenge. Yamada watched from the aisle on the 28th as Kato picked up another singles victory, but it was Yamada who got the win in a tag match against her rival on the go home show. Kato was previously glorified enhancement talent but she wanted a bigger role, and with her talent level I had to agree with her. She makes her PPV debut here.</em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">No More Mist!</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>Allison Corino was technically the winner over LuFisto on the 28th, but she didn't look much like a winner laying there with Daffney's mist covering her face at the end of the match that was ruled a disqualification. The mist attack did not sit well with Alexis Laree, who ran to the ring and chased them off. After checking on Allison, she said that she was tired of Daffney and her mist, and she was challenging the two of them to a tag match against her and Allison. Daffney accepted the challenge and threatened to cover them BOTH in mist when it was all over!</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> Daffney attempted to use her mist once again during a match against Kyoko Inoue on July 5th, but Alexis and Allison ran down and called the referee's attention to it. Daffney's tactic was stifled and she went on to stare up at the lights minutes later. Alexis and Allison are two of the more promising prospects on the brand so it's good to get them PPV time here, and obviously the chemistry of Daffney and LuFisto will help give this match a boost.</em></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Let's round out the show, shall we?</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <em>It's a match that has received no build, but we've also announced that 'flash pin expert' Momoe Nakanishi will take on former judoka Shinobu Kandori. It should be a decent match despite the lack of story (and also despite Kandori's occasional backstage problems.)</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> We've also promoted Eric Bischoff having a 'surprise' for Etsuko Mita that he will present in person.</em></p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="color:#FF0000;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Show Summaries:</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p> <strong>6/7:</strong></p><p> <img alt="YOSHvyb.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/YOSHvyb.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -All four women worked hard in the main event, but Chigusa was definitely the standout.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>6/14:</strong></p><p> <img alt="qkHbDlB.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qkHbDlB.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -I'm not sure what Katarina Waters did, but I guess she broke some unwritten rule, because Dusty brought her before the wrestler's court.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -This was Hokuto's first match since checking into rehab last August, so it was natural that she still had some signs of ring rust. I had that match called in the ring, which was a mistake since Mary Apache really isn't ready for that.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Handa and Sakai clashed horribly as a team. Sakai's enhancement talent and Handa was only here for one night, so no big deal.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>6/21:</strong></p><p> <img alt="lYleVYg.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lYleVYg.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -Sumie Sakai brightened the atmosphere backstage just by being so cheerful and greeting everyone politely.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -I hear that Joey Styles brought in a video game system for the women to play during their downtime.</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>6/28:</strong></p><p> <img alt="9A6aKNK.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/9A6aKNK.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -I hear Akira Hokuto had the rest of the locker room cracking up when she spiked her hair up like her old friend Bull Nakano and did a perfect impression of her.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Melissa Anderson kept the good mood going by bringing in the latest WCW video game, Revenge 2003, which includes many of the top Renaissance women as playable characters for the first time.</em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em> -Corino and LuFisto didn't work too well together as opponents. </em></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>7/5 (taped 7/1):</strong></p><p> <img alt="AfMgMJJ.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AfMgMJJ.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <em>Notes from this show:</em></p><p><em> -Manami Toyota entertained the girls with some anime-style drawings. I hear that the anime version of Aja Kong got huge laughs.</em></p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> </p><p> Fan Scorecard:</p><p> </p><p> Women's World Tag Team Championship Tournament Finals: Chigusa Nagayo and Meiko Satomura vs. Aja Kong and Devil Masami</p><p> </p><p> Women's World Championship: Melissa Anderson vs. Manami Toyota {©}</p><p> </p><p> Kyoko Inoue vs. Akira Hokuto</p><p> </p><p> Nattie Neidhart vs. Takako Inoue</p><p> </p><p> Toshiyo Yamada vs. Sonoko Kato</p><p> </p><p> Alexis Laree and Allison Corino vs. Daffney and LuFisto</p><p> </p><p> Momoe Nakanishi vs. Shinobu Kandori</p><p> </p><p> What will be match of the night?</p><p> </p><p> What is Eric Bischoff's 'surprise' for Etsuko Mita?</p><p> </p><p> General diary comments/questions/critiques:</p><p> </p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> This show officially begins the contest to decide the field for the next Ultimate Fan Series, so don't miss out!</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="James The Animator" data-cite="James The Animator" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think you should let Rock go to Hollywood. I wanna see what kind of wacky things WWE books with their biggest star not there anymore. Who knows, when the guest booker takes over, they could make a new top star for the Fed!</div></blockquote><p> I think the guest booker spots actually have the potential to help WWE a lot in the future, even if it stays at only three big PPVs a year. Brock Lesnar is a really interesting case study for that. The AI wasn't using him as anything special and actually jobbed him a lot, but the guest bookers would always do something with him that gave him nice overness boosts. Rateddc put the IC title on him at Mania, and now he autopushes as an upper midcarder and the AI actually books him pretty competently. He's only lost two matches since Mania--an ECW title challenge against Angle on PPV, and a six man tag on Raw where his opponents were Angle, Big Show and Regal, all upper card guys. He's had 7 wins mixed in with those 2 losses, so rather than killing the gains the guest bookers gave him, they AI has actually gotten him a little bit more over. If the guest bookers continue to book Brock well on PPVs, he could eventually wind up as a main event player for WWE--and his 100 star quality could make him a major factor in the national battles. If the guest bookers can succeed in helping guys like Cena and Orton get over too when they get called up, it could make a major difference in keeping WWE competitive despite the AI.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DGenerationMC" data-cite="DGenerationMC" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Let Rocky go, you want to win don't you?<p> </p><p> <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> Honestly? I don't know if I really want to completely "win" in the sense that I drive WWE out of business. Overtaking them for the #1 spot is a goal, and I even wouldn't mind if I knocked them down to Cult, but I think the game world will be more interesting if they can stay alive. If it got to that point I could always buy them out and do an invasion angle, which I think could be interesting. But if that happens I'll probably weave some kind of story that either gives a massive artificial boost to an existing company like TNA and turn them into a major player, or introduce a new promotion that comes in big. I guess what I'm saying is I don't want a monopoly.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jazz49ers" data-cite="Jazz49ers" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I say keep Rocky in wrestling. But maybe set him to be a movie star, so that every once in a while, he'll leave to film a movie?</div></blockquote><p> He's already set as a movie star, but I'm not sure if he's ever left to do a movie. I don't see any long gaps in between matches that would suggest he was gone for more than three weeks or a month, and I'm assuming the movie sabbaticals last longer than that.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Satyr24" data-cite="Satyr24" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>l Know i'm still kicking my self should of had faith in my boys<p> </p></div></blockquote><p> You still took first place in the contest, so it's not like it cost you. It's just fun to tease you about it. <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hashasheen" data-cite="Hashasheen" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div> So it's really up to you if you want Rocky to go away, but if it's a matter of game balance then there's really no reason why you couldn't have Vince nick one or two of your more suitable stars.</div></blockquote><p> That yearlong sim I did to test the viability of a WWE brand split suggested that WWE might try and do that themselves, if you look at the list of names they stole from WCW. (They're stealing Dustin over my dead body though!)</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="cbacon87" data-cite="cbacon87" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'd say do what you think is best for the game, as opposed to what's more realistic, at least in this instance.</div></blockquote><p> This is probably the way I need to look at it, yeah.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="cappyboy" data-cite="cappyboy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="26106" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Then you'll want to see this past week's RoH TV to be sure. They kick things off with Madison Rayne v Mandy Leon.</div></blockquote><p> Without having read the tapings or watched the show, I feel pretty confident saying that Mandy won the match. One woman isn't signed with ROH as far as I know. The other is or was allegedly dating the head booker. <img alt=":cool:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> My ideal finals based on those brackets would be Tenille vs. Mayu Iwatani. Mayu is awesome, and has become one of my favorites in the world as I've been really diving into Stardom over the past few months. Tenille vs. Kelly Klein seems more likely though, because they seem to still be pushing Kelly hard based on the commentary of that show they just streamed live (which was the first bit of ROH I've seen in many months.)</p>

<p>No story update just yet. The preview for the next Renaissance PPV should be coming in the next day or so, and after that it'll be time for news, the national battle report and a summer roster update. But something just happened in-game, and I wanted opinions on whether or not I should honor it.</p><p> </p><p> There's a pre-set narrative in the mod about Rock leaving wrestling behind to focus on Hollywood, as he did in real life. So now I have a choice: do I honor the narrative by going into the editor and setting Rock's status to 'left the business'? Or do I leave it alone and let him stick around?</p><p> </p><p> I don't feel like he would've stuck around with how lucrative he knew Hollywood could be, even if WCW really had still been around and a major threat like they are here. But if he leaves, they're going to lose their biggest weapon in the national battle by far, and my Austin/Goldberg combo is probably going to stomp them every single month. That's a major competitive advantage for me, so I wanted to hear what you guys think. Do I stick to reality and send Dwayne to Hollywood, or should he keep slumming it in WWE? I welcome any and all opinions and comments on this, whether you do it here in the thread or via PM.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DHK1989" data-cite="DHK1989" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Have you tried to do a working relationship between WCW and WWA?</div></blockquote><p> I don't see the need. It'd be a huge benefit to them, but there's really nothing for me to gain.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Beejus" data-cite="Beejus" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Personally, given how long GAB was an event compared to a lot of WCW's other shows, I always think of it as the SummerSlam to Starrcade's WrestleMania. I know most would point to Bash at the Beach or SuperBrawl as that more thanks to how the show became booked in the late 90s, but it has more longevity.</div></blockquote><p> Yep, I definitely view GAB as one of my major shows. It has more history than probably any WCW PPV except for Starrcade. I'm sort of viewing it as Starrcade is the obvious grand finale, and GAB, Bash at the Beach and Halloween Havoc are the next tier, with SuperBrawl just outside that mix.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Satyr24" data-cite="Satyr24" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>BATB in Australia........ in July, You do know that is winter right<p> Also 2 titles changes from my ufs picks, watch out the rest of the champs were on a roll <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> ...I did not know that, no.</p><p> <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> And you didn't even back them in the predictions! What a lack of faith from the manager of Satyr's Hopeful Few! <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="GingeyOne" data-cite="GingeyOne" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Yeah was just going to say this! A cold wasteland on the frozen beach!<p> </p><p> Great news for The Unnatural! Very happy for him!</p></div></blockquote><p> I just looked into it, and according to the web, the average lowest temperature for the coldest day in the year in the city I'll be running BATB is 45 degrees (F.) If that's your definition of a cold wasteland, you'd be absolutely miserable out where I live! <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="kinnikuniverse" data-cite="kinnikuniverse" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> I don't think you should limit it to Australia. I think you should instead do a "Bash at the beach" tour, where every nitro and BATB will be hosted in all kinds of beach towns, from Miami to the bay area to maybe even mexico. Hell, Nagoya and osaka has beaches, so that could be a solution!</p></div></blockquote><p> I feel like I'm pretty much committed to this for this year, but that's not a bad idea for the future.</p>

Really good PPV. I had a feeling Dalton and The Boys were going to lose. Should've trusted my gut. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

<p>ROH World: <strong>Cody</strong> {C} vs. Jay Briscoe</p><p> ROH TV: <strong>Marty Scurll</strong> {C} vs. Odinson</p><p> ROH 6-Man: <strong>Dalton Castle and The Boys</strong> {C} vs. SoCal Uncensored 2.0</p><p> ROH WOH: Brandi Rhodes {C} vs.<strong> Nattie Neidhart</strong></p><p> #1 Contendership for the Tag Titles: Best Friends vs. <strong>War Machine</strong></p><p> Fight Without Honor: BJ Whitmer vs. <strong>Low-Ki</strong></p><p> Grudge Match: <strong>Alex Shelley</strong> vs. Chris Sabin</p><p> <strong>Hammerstone and Matt Taven</strong> vs. The Young Bucks</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DHK1989" data-cite="DHK1989" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Speaking of Australia, where is Nathan Jones working currently in-game? Is he even signed anythere?</div></blockquote><p> He's in WWA. He beat Michael Modest to become their current world champion in March.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaysin" data-cite="Jaysin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Gedo, Will Ospreay, and Yoshi Hashi vs Bushi, Hiromu, and Naito- Lame ass Yoshi Hashi is continuing to get pushed. Going to be real upset if Naito loses to Okada and then goes onto lose to that chump. Naito and Hiromu are so much fun together though. </p></div></blockquote><p> I seriously doubt you have anything to worry about there. He's firmly entrenched as a midcarder, and I don't see that ever changing. Naito losing to YOSHI-HASHI in a non-G1 setting would surprise me more than SANADA winning the title from Okada.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="40971" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Also, Makabe challenging Suzuki for the IC belt and Suzuki replying with "Your short legs aren't enough to get you up the mountain." drives home how much of a BAMF Minoru is. Tired of the Suzuki-gun interference and cheating, but I love Minoru more every time I see him.</div></blockquote><p> They seem to have toned down the Suzuki-gun shenanigans in Minoru's big matches, which is good. Just let him be a merciless wrecking machine who stretches people because he enjoys it.</p>

<p>Great American Bash Wrap-up and Hall of Champions</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>June 15th, 2003</strong></p><p><strong> Shortly after the end of Great American Bash</strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> "Hell of a job, champ."</p><p> </p><p> Dustin looked up at me, smiled, then looked back down at the belt he held in his hands. He'd scrubbed off his face paint and changed into his street clothes, now fully out of his Unnatural persona.</p><p> </p><p> "I wasn't kidding in my promo when I said I didn't think this was ever going to happen," he said, still staring at the belt. "I'd accepted it, even."</p><p> </p><p> "I didn't think you'd ever win it either," I said bluntly. "When we first re-started, I didn't see you as anything other than a good veteran hand. But I'm happy you proved me wrong. You earned this."</p><p> </p><p> "Thanks, Bret. I appreciate it." I shook his hand and continued to make my backstage rounds.</p><p> </p><p> I made sure to congratulate both Rey and Eddie for their own contributions to the great main event. Fantastic PPV main events have become routine since Rey won the title. Dustin has big shoes to fill.</p><p> </p><p> Several of the boys were gathered around a table for a poker game that Tenay put together. Based on what I could see, it looked like Lance Storm was doing great again.</p><p> </p><p> Scott Steiner stopped me to complain about not getting enough time tonight, specifically singling out Yang and saying he could've had more time to entertain the fans if I just got rid of that guy.</p><p> </p><p> Ric Flair was talking about ring psychology with his protégé James Storm. He's only a tag team job guy right now, but maybe Ric can help him become something more.</p><p> </p><p> Bobby Roode stopped me to politely say that he thinks hardcore matches aren't really his forte and it'd be better if he just worked standard matches from now on. I told him I agreed, and hardcore matches weren't going to be a regular thing in our company anyway.</p><p> </p><p> This was another great night for us, but already I'm looking ahead. We've got the next Renaissance PPV coming up soon, and then there's Bash at the Beach in Australia. No rest for the weary. We need to keep this momentum going. If we can, WWE will be feeling the heat soon enough.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Hall of Champions:</span></span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="u9bsFuK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/u9bsFuK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;">NITRO BRAND</span></em></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">World Heavyweight Champion:</span></strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/haJKoFv.jpg</span></p><p> <strong>The Unnatural</strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/fn8zdsQ.jpg</span></p><p> <strong>Won:</strong> June 15th, 2003 in a triple threat match against Rey Mysterio Jr. and Eddie Guerrero at Great American Bash in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania</p><p> </p><p> <em>Previous Champions (since March 2001):</em></p><p> Rey Mysterio Jr.: December 29th, 2002-June 15th, 2003 (168 days)</p><p> Booker T (#5): May 19th, 2002-December 29th, 2002 (224 days)</p><p> Rob Van Dam: December 30th, 2001-May 19th, 2002 (140 days)</p><p> Scott Steiner (#2): July 15th, 2001-December 30th, 2001 (168 days)</p><p> Booker T (#4): March 26th, 2001-July 15th, 2001 (111 days)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">United States Heavyweight Champion:</span></strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/mitTbCm.jpg</span></p><p> <strong>AJ Styles</strong></p><p> <img alt="ICMDAHo.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ICMDAHo.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>Won:</strong> December 29th, 2002 from Shane Douglas at Starrcade in Sydney, Australia</p><p> </p><p> <em>Previous Champions (since March 2001):</em></p><p> Shane Douglas (#2): April 1st, 2002-December 29th, 2002 (272 days)</p><p> Rey Misterio Jr (#2): October 14th, 2001-April 1st, 2002 (169 days)</p><p> Kanyon: August 5th, 2001-October 14th, 2001 (70 days)</p><p> Rey Misterio Jr: May 13th, 2001-August 5th, 2001 (85 days)</p><p> Booker T: March 18th, 2001-April 30th, 2001 (44 days)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Cruiserweight Champion:</span></strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/u0cJ04Z.jpg</span></p><p> <strong>"American Dragon" Bryan Danielson (2nd reign)</strong></p><p> <img alt="lAlFtSW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lAlFtSW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>Won:</strong> April 20th, 2003 from Christopher Daniels at Clash of the Champions in Toda, Japan</p><p> </p><p> <em>Previous Champions (since March 2001):</em></p><p> Christopher Daniels: September 22nd, 2002-April 20th, 2003 (210 days)</p><p> American Dragon: August 11th, 2002-September 22nd, 2002 (42 days)</p><p> AJ Styles: April 21st, 2002-August 11th, 2002 (112 days)</p><p> TAKA: December 30th, 2001-April 21st, 2002 (112 days)</p><p> Jushin Liger: August 5th, 2001-December 30th, 2001 (147 days)</p><p> Shane Helms: March 18th, 2001-August 5th, 2001 (140 days)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">World Television Champion:</span></strong></p><p> <img alt="rrRBDgP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rrRBDgP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> <strong>Sean O'Haire</strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/zbQxlTu.jpg</span></p><p> <strong>Won:</strong> January 26th, 2003 from Fit Finlay at Sin in Denver, Colorado</p><p> </p><p> <em>Previous Champions (since July 2002):</em></p><p> Fit Finlay (#2): July 29th, 2002-January 26th, 2003 (181 days)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">World Tag Team Champions:</span></strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/S0cu0uO.jpg</span></p><p> <strong>"Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels and Brian Adams (1st reign for the team, 3rd for Adams individually)</strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/GoltiY2.jpg</span><span>http://i.imgur.com/uY8UroB.jpg</span></p><p> <strong>Won:</strong> June 15th, 2003 from The Hardys at Great American Bash in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania</p><p> </p><p> <em>Previous Champions (since March 2001):</em></p><p> The Hardys (Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy) (#2): December 29th, 2002-June 15th, 2003 (168 days)</p><p> True Heroes (Lance Storm and CM Punk) (#2): October 27th, 2002-December 29th, 2002 (63 days)</p><p> The Hardys (Matt Hardy and Jeff Hardy): July 14th, 2002-October 27th, 2002 (105 days)</p><p> True Heroes (Lance Storm and CM Punk): December 30th, 2001-July 14th, 2002 (196 days)</p><p> The Natural Born Thrillers (Chuck Palumbo and Sean O'Haire): January 14th, 2001-December 30th, 2001 (351 days)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="color:#FF0000;">ANNUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS:</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Mayhem Battle Royal (held every May):</span></strong></p><p> <img alt="DZfKm2b.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DZfKm2b.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>2003:</strong> Eddie Guerrero</p><p> <strong>2002:</strong> Diamond Dallas Page</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Stu Hart Classic Tournament (held every November):</span></strong></p><p> <img alt="1qogKhQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1qogKhQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <strong>2002:</strong> Rey Mysterio Jr.</p><p> <strong>2001:</strong> Rob Van Dam</p><p> </p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="2aDyraK.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2aDyraK.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#4169E1;"><em><span style="font-size:14px;">RENAISSANCE BRAND</span></em></span></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">World Women's Champion:</span></strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/741TrEA.jpg</span></p><p> <strong>Manami Toyota (4th reign)</strong></p><p> <span>http://i.imgur.com/LyKOnBY.jpg</span></p><p> <strong>Won:</strong> October 5th, 2002 from Etsuko Mita on Women's Wrestling Renaissance in Tokyo, Japan</p><p> <em>((This was formerly the WWWA World Championship, the top title in All Japan Women's Pro Wrestling. The title was renamed the WCW World Women's Championship upon WCW buying AJW, and its title lineage was kept intact.))</em> </p><p> </p><p> <em>Previous Champions (since January 2002):</em></p><p> Etsuko Mita: January 9th, 2002-October 5th, 2002 (269 days)</p><p> </p><p> </p></div><p></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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">The Ultimate Fan Series</span></strong></p><p> </p><p> <strong>2003:</strong> Satyr's Hopeful Few, managed by Satyr24 (Mortis, The Unnatural, Alexander, Christopher Daniels and Melissa Anderson)</p><p> </p><p> <strong>2002:</strong> The Agents of Chaos, managed by Beejus Pilgrim (Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner, Mark Jindrak and Dustin Rhodes)</p><p> </p><p> <strong>2001:</strong> The K-Nections, managed by Kevin Gaines (Booker T, Sting, AJ Styles and Alex Wright)</p><p> </p><p> <span style="color:#808080;"><strong><em>1989?</em></strong></span><span style="color:#808080;"><em> Championship Pedigree, managed by Bernie Klein (Hulk Hogan, Ted DiBiase, Tito Santana, Robert Gibson and The Rougeau Brothers)</em></span> </p><p> </p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Prediction Scores (out of a possible 12 points):<p> </p><p> ((+3 = correctly predicted The Unnatural as the next world champion))</p><p> </p><p> Beejus: 11</p><p> </p><p> deanohbk: 10</p><p> ElectricX: 10</p><p> chrismday: 10</p><p> </p><p> K-Nection: 9 (+3)</p><p> evileddie10: 9</p><p> michgcs: 9</p><p> GingeyOne: 9</p><p> Happy0wns: 9</p><p> Theheel: 9</p><p> Rateddc: 9</p><p> Dead_Jester: 9</p><p> Satyr24: 9 (+3)</p><p> </p><p> DHK1989: 8</p><p> Texasrangers13: 8</p><p> James The Animator: 8</p><p> Danny_H22: 8</p><p> jscotty: 8</p><p> Kainlock: 8</p><p> 2Sweet: 8</p><p> The Pitbull: 8</p><p> Nobby_McDonald: 8</p><p> Caveman KungFu: 8</p><p> </p><p> crackerjack: 7</p><p> kinnikuniverse: 7</p><p> bonnie: 7</p><p> JMike: 7</p><p> Uncrewed: 7</p><p> Warhawk8492: 7</p><p> DavidCorperial: 7</p><p> cbacon87: 7</p><p> Cro Cop Rules: 7</p><p> </p><p> DGenerationMC: 6</p><p> Kijar: 6</p><p> Wolfman84: 6</p><p> </p><p> </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="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Final Standings in prediction contest after four shows:<p> </p><p> <strong>Satyr24: 42</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Happy0wns: 37</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Rateddc: 36 (23:20)</strong></p><p> Kijar: 36 (23:01)</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> James The Animator: 35</p><p> </p><p> K-Nection: 34</p><p> </p><p> Theheel: 31</p><p> </p><p> kinnikuniverse: 33</p><p> </p><p> Warhawk8492: 30</p><p> michgcs: 30</p><p> chrismday: 30</p><p> </p><p> Smasher1311: 29</p><p> Dead_Jester: 29</p><p> ElectricX: 29</p><p> </p><p> crackerjack: 28</p><p> GingeyOne: 28</p><p> deanohbk: 28</p><p> </p><p> jscotty: 27</p><p> evileddie10: 27</p><p> </p><p> DGenerationMC: 26</p><p> Beejus: 26</p><p> </p><p> Uncrewed: 25</p><p> The Pitbull: 25</p><p> </p><p> DavidCorperial: 24</p><p> JMike: 24</p><p> Danny_H22: 24</p><p> </p><p> DHK1989: 23</p><p> </p><p> Cro Cop Rules: 22</p><p> </p><p> Nobby_McDonald: 21</p><p> </p><p> Wolfman84: 20</p><p> bonnie: 20</p><p> </p><p> cbacon87: 19</p><p> </p><p> Texasrangers13: 14</p><p> 2Sweet: 14</p><p> </p><p> The Lariat: 12</p><p> </p><p> Spirophore: 9</p><p> </p><p> Kainlock: 8</p><p> Caveman KungFu: 8</p><p> </p><p> KnowYourEnemy: 6</p><p> </p><p> WilburTrey: 5</p><p> Ian carlisle: 5</p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><p> <hr noshade size=3></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> I'll be contacting the bolded three via PM soon, and they will have the options of choosing between taking part in the WWE draft and booking Summerslam. If any of them request a different prize, Kijar would be the first alternate since he lost out via tiebreaker. I'll wait a day or so before I start sending the PMs out just in case I made a mistake with the point totals; if anyone thinks I did, let me know ASAP.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="KnowYourEnemy" data-cite="KnowYourEnemy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Sad to see Rey lose the title here -- I'm a massive mark for Dusty and Dustin, who have made a genuine huge impact on the business, and Cody, who could very well make an equally groundbreaking impact if his work on in ROH and the indies keep up. However, it was definitely the right move for The Unnatural to pick up the win -- it really gives momentum to The Salvation stable.</div></blockquote><p> Cody's quite the story, and should serve as an example to anyone in WWE frustrated with the way their careers are going. He bet on himself, left and is without question a bigger star now. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I've always been a fan of a stable member holding a title -- there are many ways to go, and the faction creates multiple scenarios to end a match. Also, if Spanky can hit 80 at this point in his career and he's "off his game", he's going to be huge in WCW.</div></blockquote> <p> I have high hopes for him.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Dusty and Dustin were huge stars in groundbreaking roles, and Cody would've been one had he been booked better -- WWE definitely dropped the ball, but I think that it's still difficult for fans to appreciate his heel work when they respect his older brother and father so much.</div></blockquote><p> Personally I'd say Cody and Minoru Suzuki are the two best heels in wrestling right now (in very different ways.) Cody in the last Being the Elite, sitting in the bath tub with his Cody beer, a Cody Rhodes poster on the wall, smoking a cigar and playing the harmonica while everyone else in Bullet Club is miserable over what he did to Omega? Genius.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="kinnikuniverse" data-cite="kinnikuniverse" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> Oh, and EAGLES FLY FREE!!!!!</p></div></blockquote><p> That was a bigger upset than Daniels and Adams! What a finish! <img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Smasher1311" data-cite="Smasher1311" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Ah, the infamous TFC drug test-related falls. How I missed them <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> At least I no longer test for steroids! <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I even made a joke out of that very early on with a tongue in cheek reference to what happened with Macho in TGAAB.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Very happy for the Unnatural, I didn't think you'd go this far with him, but as the breakout character of the diary, I'm happy you did (I also might have overstated the comment about him OBVIOUSLY being there to take the fall.)<p> </p><p> Great stuff like always!</p></div></blockquote><p> It was a reasonable assumption to make, considering I went out of my way to put emphasis on Eddie vs. Rey.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Beejus" data-cite="Beejus" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><p> I am for sure looking forward to what happens on the ride next month to Australia and Bash at the Beach! Your idea of making that an Australia-only PPV is something that I would find limiting though, personally I think that BatB is a bit limiting in general because if you don't have it in a beach town then the name makes no sense. Of course Australia is a wonderful island continent so the name will fit nicely no matter what you do there, but for me it just seems like there's a lot of places that aren't getting love if a company decides to just put all of it's shows in one region. (I say this as HtG sees Eric move every Nitro to Las Vegas, so take it for what you will <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> )</p></div></blockquote><p> Bash at the Beach is a name that only lends itself to certain areas, agreed. It is restricting in that way, but I feel like that PPV is too well established to change it. I think doing it in Australia annually should work out well. That's an area I want to visit at least once a year if not twice. Obviously I run most of my shows in the US, plus Japan is covered with Renaissance. </p><p> </p><p> I have the popularity to run in Mexico but doing promos would be an issue, so maybe I'll try and run a PPV there some day and then do Nitro the next night in California. Now my popularity in the British Isles has caught up, but a lot of the individual workers aren't as over there as they are elsewhere.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Hashasheen" data-cite="Hashasheen" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Speaking of moving PPVs around, is there a reason you didn't move WCW to Canada for a headquarter location in the prelude to the game, TFC?</div></blockquote><p> Two big reasons:</p><p> </p><p> -At the start, Canada was one of my least popular areas.</p><p> </p><p> -At the time, I don't think I could even get a TV deal in Canada. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="KnowYourEnemy" data-cite="KnowYourEnemy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="43035" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I think WCW drew pretty well in Australia about this time -- I'm not sure how that reflects in-game. I, for one, would love to see an [Australian] Commonwealth Title -- sort of like the WWE UK Title, but I'm not sure who would be over down under. Nathan Jones, maybe? Dennis Rodman, perhaps?</div></blockquote><p> Australia begins tied with Japan as WCW's second best area (the US obviously being first.) That helped me get great TV deals in Australia and Japan early on, which helped them both grow even further. I am currently more popular in Australia than anywhere else, even the US, but I'm still not eligible for National status there because of its lesser importance.</p>