Devilb0y

August 13, 2020

and apologies I keep forgetting, for my prize can I pick Koshiro Ino please, nice timing for it.

No problem at all! I've been catching up on your diary actually and I'm frankly surprised you have any time to read any others with how much work you put into your presentation!

August 13, 2020

Finally started catching up on this and I love your presentation so much. Do you make those full-body renders yourself? They give the wrestlers so much personality; they're awesome. I love your Swoop render too. Need to try and find that for my pictures!

Also great to see someone bring the Australian scene to life. I don't know it that well, though I always have one eye on the likes of Swoop McCarthy and Captain Wrestling II (and Will Beaumont now)

August 13, 2020

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Preview: TCW Presents Total Wrestling - April 2020, Week 3</span></strong></span></p><p>

(to be posted by 18/08/2020)</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="1U9n1C4.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1U9n1C4.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

We're half-way through the month already and hurtling towards Where Angels Fear To Tread; a show which threatens to be something of a coming out party for The Heritage, though some of TCW's finest stand in their way. And elsewhere we now know that Wolf Hawkins will seek revenge against John Blackfyre while Mighty Mo is likely to do the same against Troy Tornado. And in the midcard the Masked Patriot and the 1% have already come to blows.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>Sammy Bach & Masked Patriot vs Wolf Hawkins & Doc Hammond</strong></p><p>

<em>Tale of the Tape:</em> The two senior figures in The Syndicate take on Sammy Bach - who is in decent form after a convincing win over The Heritage last week - and Masked Patriot, nursing a slight injury after his run in with The 1% last week.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Television Title Match</strong></p><p><strong>

Joshua Taylor vs Matt Hocking ©</strong></p><p>

<em>Tale of the Tape:</em> Matt Hocking makes number five of his television title against the dangerous technical / striker hybrid: Joshua Taylor. This surely marks one of the most significant challenges Hocking has faced as champion.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Koshiro Ino vs Maverick</strong></p><p>

<em>Tale of the Tape:</em> Ino looks to shake off the ring rust and get back to the "American" way of working in this match against the technician: Maverick. Wouldn't want to be in his shoes, frankly.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>The Elite vs John Blackfyre & Mighty Mo</strong></p><p>

<em>Tale of the Tape:</em> Mo and Blackfyre join forces for the first time since Battleground III to take on the tag team specialists from The Syndicate: The Elite.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>One Man Army and The Roughnecks vs The Heritage (Jay Chord, Edd Stone & Greg Gauge)</strong></p><p>

<em>Tale of the Tape:</em> The Heritage look to bounce back from their loss last week against perennial nemesis One Man Army and the new tag team champions: The Roughnecks</p><p>

</div></p>

August 13, 2020

<p>Time for another prediction roundup and it was a week of pretty narrow calls, with lots of feuds either starting or being furthered by matchups this week. The Heritage boys vs Bach & Andrews could have gone either way, as could Wolf vs Mo, and the opener really boiled down to JT vs Doc Hammond.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>christmas_ape:</strong> 2/5</p><p>

<strong>eayragt:</strong> 4/5</p><p> </p><p>

So that makes our winner for this week <strong>eayragt</strong>! Congratulations are in order for a strong showing!</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">This Month Prediction Scores:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>christmas_ape:</strong> 1</p><p>

<strong>DarEatWorld:</strong> 1</p><p>

<strong>eayragt:</strong> 2</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">Overall Running Prediction Scores:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>christmas_ape:</strong> 10</p><p>

<strong>DarEatWorld:</strong> 1</p><p>

<strong>eayragt:</strong> 3</p><p>

<strong>Herrbear:</strong> 2</p><p>

<strong>kanegan:</strong> 2</p><p>

<strong>KnowYourEnemy:</strong> 1</p><p>

<strong>Xendarii:</strong> 7</div></p>

August 12, 2020

Booker's Notes

Show Notes

So Koshiro Ino is back. He's always been a favourite of mine, a kind of Japanese mixture of Sting and The Ultimate Warrior, but who is actually really good in the ring. His gimmick of "The Kobra" got an initial Poor rating (ooof) but hopefully that will improve, and at 43 time decline is a concern, but I plan to use him to shore at the midcard while occasionally providing TV main events, an area where TCW is massively depleted.
The Roughnecks get a title defense under their, well, belts. I'm trying not to write them as your typical Texas cowboy brawler tag team, though it's hard not to fall back on the old standards of "They like fighting and drinking".
Bach gets a much-needed win over Gauge in the tag match which sets up their match at Where Angels Fear To Tread quite nicely, though I'm quietly concerned that Edd Stone may not be up to carrying his side of the match in his main event with Andrews. We shall see how that one goes.
I hadn't realised quite how little I had used Mo in singles competition since I started, and quite how badly he has done in it when I have. Now marks the moment where that changes, I can promise you.

The new show format makes writing these much quicker and - hopefully - the same is true for reading them. Obviously this is up early this week, hopefully that doesn't disrupt the schedule too much; just had some free time on my hands. There's some fairly big news heading down the pipe which will, without giving too much away, mean I have more writing to do each week, so the schedule should normalise somewhat. Keep your eyes peeled

August 12, 2020

TCW Presents Total Wrestling - April 2020, Week 2

Connecticut Symphony Hall, New England - 8’769

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">(Pre Show)

The Elite def T-Bone Bright & Tana The Mighty

Rating: 61

Length: 10:24</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">(Pre Show)

Troy Tornado and The Behemoths def Benny Benson and Hammer & Anvil

Rating: 61

Length: 10:29</div>

”...you’re still talkin’ to a shadow, man.”

”You and I have unfinished business”

The Wolf and The Shadow collide at Where Angels Fear To Tread.

by Five Finger Death Punch

The brief stinger gives way to the shows intro sequence, which then cuts to a sweeping shot of the historic symphony hall in Connecticut, packed with colourful signs and raucous fans. As the sound of pyro rattles around the venue the camera feed cuts to our announce team for the night: Shawn Doakes, Ernie Turner and Jasmine Saunders.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">SD: Hello and welcome, one and all, to Total Wrestling. We’re coming to you live from Hartford where the superstars of TCW are set to showcase the best wrestling on the planet!

JS: There’s no better place to be than right here. We’ve got Wolf Hawkins taking on Mighty Mo one week removed from his shock tag title loss to The Roughnecks. And speaking of, they’ll be defending their titles against the clinical American Ultra tonight.

ET: And of course, the match of the night is gonna be The Heritage members Edd Stone and Greg Gauge taking on Aaron Andrews and Sammy Bach. Hopefully the refs can keep their powder dry and actually let The Heritage record a deserved win this time.

SD: And exciting undercard action as Masked Patriot looks to bounce back from his debut loss last week with a match against 1% member Davis Wayne Newton, and multi-man tag action featuring Joshua Taylor and Doc Hammond.

ET: This card is stacked!

JS: We don’t do things any other way, ET.

SD: One has to wonder: will we see John Blackfyre tonight? The tension between him and Wolf Hawkins is simmering away, and with a match agreed between the two at Where Angels Fear To Tread it seems likely that the two may reach boiling point.

ET: God, that metaphor was hammy.

JS: Says the man making references to “powder” like he’s a captain on a Napoleonic ship. Multi-man tag action first, let’s go Joshua Taylor!

ET: You’re supposed to be impartial…

SD: Let’s hit the ring!</div>

VS

Standard Tag Match (3 vs 3)

Ernest Youngman & Real Deadly (0-0-0) vs Joshua Taylor, Fro Sure & Jackson Laine(0-0-0)

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">”You and me, right now.”

</div>

The match proceeds as one would expect it to with the young stars getting a chance to show off their impressive move sets before yielding their time to the veterans in the ring. JT and Doc Hammond get a solid 6 minutes to work more or less all by themselves. After taking Remus’ head off with a stiff kick JT beckons Doc on and the two get into a wonderful catch wrestling match, exchanging hold after hold and nailing - and no-selling - a snug sequence of suplexes to really hammer home how tough both men are. Doc is eventually strapped into the Butterly Lock and is unable to respond to Tony Thorpe’s three count after JT flips out of a German suplex and cinches in the hold.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 64

(Doc: 64, Youngman: 53, Fro: 52, Jackson: 48, JT: 67, Remus: 55)

Length: 10:07

Winner: Joshua Taylor via submission (Doc Hammond)

SD: Convincing performance there fro Joshua Taylor, and doesn’t Doc look angry about it!

JS: If rumours are true Jack Bruce is looking to line up some workers for World Title shots in the near future and you have to believe that those two are high on the list.

ET: It should be Doc, let’s be honest. JT’s record recently is as patchy as a quilt.

</div>

The camera cuts to backstage where Edd Stone is walking with what looks like a fruit basket in one hand.

He comes to a door with a star on it and opens it without knocking, revealing a communal dressing room with Aaron Andrews doing split lunges in his ring gear in the middle of it.

As soon as he notices who has entered the room, Andrews stands up and narrows his eyes.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">ES: Heeeeey, champione, how’s it going?

AA: You’ve got about five seconds to explain what you’re doing here before I drop you, Stone.

ES: Relax, man. I just wanted to bring you this. Show you there’s no hard feelings. We might be opponents at the end of the month but there’s no reason we can’t be friends, right?

AA: Actually that’s exactly what that means, Stone. Take your fruit basket to someone on the same level as you. There must be a zoo around here with some chimps in it you could get on with.</div>

Stone sarcastically pretends to crack up laughing.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">ES: Oh MAN. I can’t believe how funny you are dude. People said you were kinda stiff for a surfer from Cali but we are just having so much fun!

AA: Back off, Stone. Now.

ES: So, listen, hermano; there’s no reason why this has to end in unpleasantness at the end of the month. You could just drop the title, take a quick vacation, give us Heritage boys some space to work and then come back better than ever. Maybe even get a nice little Television Title shot somewhere down the line. We don’t have to be enemies, Ace...</div>

Andrews laughs, steps forward and clocks Stone with a right hand that sends him tumbling back across the locker room, spilling the contents of the fruit basket all over the place. The Canadian swears and runs out of the room. The camera follows his flight before the show goes to an ad break.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 85

JS: Interesting ploy from Stone there.

ET: Giving Andrews an out that lets him save face was a noble choice. Not his fault that the so-called Ace chose to ignore it.

SD: Offering a guy you’re fighting later in the night a fruit basket might be a first for me.

</div>

Tag Team Titles

VS

Standard Tag Match (2 vs 2)

American Ultra (9-1-0) vs The Roughnecks (2-0-0) © (1st defence)

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Are those two still drunk from last week?

</div>

In terms of personality, The Roughnecks and American Ultra couldn’t be further apart. And it does seem as though the Texans may be a little worse for wear as Dave Diamond semi-jokingly pretends to be out of breath after running the ropes a few times. The Ultra showcase their technical skill with some nice chain wrestling but Marshall Dillon responds in typical fashion by answering a arm drag by standing up and flooring Marv Statler with a sick right hand. He then collapses into the corner and closes his eyes for a second, which incenses their opponents.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Hit the left one, Dave!

</div>

The Ultra dance circles around Dave Diamond and it appears as though the team from Texas may be dropping their title at the first time of asking until Marshall Dillon roars advice at Dave, telling him which of the two Dean Waldorf’s he can see to hit. The advice proves to be good as he catches the American Ultra member with a stiff right of his own before sending Dillon in, who counters a sunset flip attempt into a double-handed deadlift sit-out chokeslam, following by a Dead Hand lariat and the win.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 59

(Diamond: 52, Dean Waldorf: 44, Marshall Dillon: 59, Marv Statler: 45)

Length: 9:49

Winner: The Roughnecks via pinfall (Marshall Dillon over Dean Waldorf) - 1st Defence

SD: A definitive, if slightly laboured first defence for The Roughnecks there.

ET: If they turn up looking like this for The Behemoths there will be hell to pay.

JS: Who knows? Maybe their own brand of Texas Drunken Boxing will fool the big guys.

</div>

After another short word from a sponsor we catch up with Troy Tornado backstage, waiting outside Jack Bruce’s office, where the sounds of music and laughter can clearly be heard.

By the frustrated look on his face he has been waiting for some time. After thirty seconds or so the door to his right creaks open a smidge and Jack Bruce - his hair a tousled mess - pokes his head out. It is initially difficult to hear his voice over the sounds of various voices in various states of jubilation emanating from the room.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: What the…? Troy? How long have you been waiting out here?

TT: Longer than I care to admit. Get out here, right now, before I call the police and have that office investigated.</div>

Jack steps out of the room, sliding his suit jacket on over his naked torso and doing up his belt.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: Alright, alright. No need to turn narc on me. What do you want?

TT: Mighty Mo. Specifically, I want what he is evidently about to receive based on his match tonight with Wolf.

JB: I’m not sure I follow. What is Mo about to receive?

TT: I’m not an idiot, Bruce. I know you’re lining up World Title challengers for the next few months and I know you think Mo has what it takes. I’m telling you that I should be at the top of your list, not some guy on the rebound from failing in the tag division.

JB: Well that’s an interesting perspective. But no. You don’t get Mo, he’s spoken for. Now, if you don’t mind?</div>

Bruce doesn’t wait for Troy to respond as he slams the door again. The music starts up, the conversations resume and Troy is left looking more frustrated than ever in the hallway.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 88

ET: Such disrespect for a man who has been an absolute general for this company.

SD: Bruce doesn’t care what you were, only what you are to him now, harsh thought it seems. And Troy is - many people feel - a little long in the tooth.

JS: Still, the man is dangerous. And Bruce may have just forced a dangerous man’s hand here.

</div>

VS

Standard Singles Match (1 vs 1)

Davis Wayne Newton (0-0-0) vs Masked Patriot (0-1-0)

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Does your legal guardian know you’re here, behaving like this?

</div>

Masked Patriot’s schtick almost got the better of Wolf Hawkins last week, and this week it does the job as he is able to out-wrestle and roundly frustrate the Triple Threat in his singles debut. Even with his 1% chrony Nelson Callum at ringside he is unable to overturn the sheer power and enthusiasm of the Patriot, which is as infectious as it is ridiculous. Culminating in a moment where he nails Newton with the Patriot slam, pins him for the win and then offers him a handshake...

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 63

(Newton: 53, Patriot: 62)

Length: 10:17

Winner: Masked Patriot via pinfall

ET: Who hired this guy?

SD: Your boss. And he just put one of the most promising 1%ers to the sword.

JS: Say what you will about his personality but it’s contagious and popular with the fans here tonight.

</div>

Davis Wayne Newton looks down at the offered hand, then back up at Patriot’s smiling, masked face with a look of sheer disgust. Then his friends arrive…

by E-Dubble

And like a pack of dogs they descend on him, hitting a sequence of finishers from each member of The 1% before putting the boots to him on the ground. This continues for five minutes before the elite boys club decide they have had enough fun for one day and leave the Ultimate Patriot sprawled on the mat, yelling in pain and gripping an injured forearm.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 48</div>

SD: Damn the 1%. Patriot won that match fair and square, what the hell is this!?

ET: Payback Shawn. They don’t get mad, they get even.

JS: How very original. The Patriot will have something to say about this.

</div>

After Patriot is helped to the back, a familiar theme song rocks the arena...

by Motley Crue

And Jack Bruce struts out onto the stage in - fortunately for those in attendance - more clothes than he was wearing when confronted by Troy Tornado earlier. The fans greet his arrival with cheers as he makes his way down the ramp and enters the ring, politely tailing off as he indicates he wants to speak.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: TCW universe: when I took this job I promised that I was going to take this company to the top of the damn pile in the United States. And I’m a man who keeps his promises. But how do you go about doing that? It’s easier said than done, right? Well, I’ll tell you how. You build superstars, and when the opportunity arises you sign them. And folks, the opportunity has arisen. So without...</div>

Before he can finish his sentence Bruce is rudely interrupted by another theme song.

by Logic

Freddy Huggins strides out onto the stage in an enormous scarf and long sleeveless cotton coat that looks like it came straight from a runway in Milan. His interruption is showered with boos and he soaks them in, grinning widely and sarcastically accepting the “applause” as he also steps into the ring.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">FH: Oh Jackie baby, you’ve made a mistake. A biiiiiiig mistake. You went looking for stars but you missed the one that was standing right in front of you.

JB: Huggins, I’d really advise against this…

FH: And bubula, I get it. It’s hard to look straight at the sun, it’s so blinding. But here I am, ready to stun the crowds. So how about we forget about your little signing and discuss my future?

JB: Freddy, I’m serious, you don’t want to do this…

FH: I don’t care who you’ve signed, do you understand! Bring them out if you want and I’ll humble them so much they’ll be getting me coffee within the week.

JB: You want me to bring them out?</div>

Huggins nods, and Bruce then looks at the fans to see if they want to see who he was talking about. They respond with cheers.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB:Your funeral, Freddy. Ladies and gentlemen, your new signing...</div>

He points up at the stage as a theme song starts playing. A song the TCW universe hasn’t heard since 2014, and one they know very well indeed. Accompanied by an image that immediately lets the attentive in the audience know who they are about to see. The crowd issues a dull roar...

by Parkway Drive

...which rises to thunderous cheers of “KOBRA” as the new signee makes themselves seen…

White and black face paint with matching tassled boots and bicep bands. A frighteningly powerful physique and an unblinking gaze that could stop a clock, focused straight on Freddy Huggins in the ring. Koshiro “The Kobra” Ino is back. Huggins snatches the sunglasses off of his eyes and stares up at the mountain of Japanese muscle with his mouth open and outright terror playing across his face.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB:...KOSHIRO. INO.</div>

Ino runs down the ramp, leaps up onto the apron then mounts the second rope and points two fingers skyward as the crowd chant his name. A pose he holds for a moment longer before entering the ring and squaring off with Huggins. Ino has always been a man of few - or no - words, and so it proves to be here. Huggins offers Ino his own mic, and The Kobra simply smiles and laughs. Freddy then turns to Bruce, who shrugs, before making the incredibly unwise choice of trying to catch Ino off-guard with a right hand. The Kobra simply catches the strike, twists to bring Huggins to his knees and then tosses him across the ring. Ino crouches in the corner and motions for the Kobra Bite but Huggins is able to scout the move and roll out of the ring before he eats the running tackle, high-tailing it to the back as both Bruce and the Kobra look on with malevolent grins on their faces.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 76

SD: Holy crap! The Kobra is back and he just tossed Freddy Huggins around the ring like a ragdoll.

JS: The legend, inarguably the most successful Japanese athlete in US wrestling history, the man behind the ultra-popular NEO in Burning Hammer. He is, quite simply, a star.

ET: So guys are just walking in and attacking people now? Cool. Duly noted.

</div>

VS

Standard Tag Match (2 vs 2)

Sammy Bach & Aaron Andrews (1-0-0) vs The Heritage (Edd Stone & Greg Gauge) (0-0-0)

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Get in here, Stone

</div>

As if mirroring last week’s match, Andrews is perhaps too focused on hurting Edd Stone. Their relationship clearly has not been improved by the Canadian Party Animal’s gesture earlier in the night. However he appears to know this and utilises their animosity against them by luring them into sneak attacks from Greg Gauge, including one nasty moment where Bach is chasing Stone around the ringside and eats an enormous soccer kick to the face from Gauge on the apron.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Bach wasn’t born yesterday.

</div>

Gauge, in a bald-faced display of arrogance attempts to lure Bach into some kind of gentlemen’s agreement to have an honourable wrestling match with a proffered hand-shake that is clearly a ploy. And Sammy, good guy though he is, isn’t stupid enough to fall for it and instead hits a boot to the gut. Gauge responds with some great striking and suplexes of his own but is ultimately planted with an Adrenaline Shot for the pinfall victory.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 79

(Andrews: 81, Stone: 68, Gauge: 69, Bach: 68)

Length: 20:30

Winner: Sammy Bach via pinfall

SD: A warning shot for Greg Gauge there. If he thought his pay-per-view match with Bach was going to be a cake walk, he was wrong.

ET: Just a warm up. Watch and see how he performs on the night before you judge him.

JS: And Andrews is yet to really get a solid grip on Edd Stone, frustratingly for all of us..

</div>

VS

Standard Singles Match (1 vs 1)

Mighty Mo (1-3-0) vs Wolf Hawkins (14-2-0)

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Mo has a point to prove here

</div>

Mighty Mo comes out of the blocks like a race car, as he often does, and Wolf can’t deal with his sheer power in the early running as he eats a Plunge and very nearly a Hopes Fall within the first five minutes. The Alpha Wolf is only able to rally when Mo goes for a running corner splash which is countered, opening him up to some offense.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">You’ll never be on my level.

</div>

Wolf pokes the bear by taunting Mo after a period of his own dominance and Mo roars back to life, wiping Wolf (and referee Ray Johnson, albeit accidentally) out with a sequence of snug power moves that look to have him beaten. Even more so when he suckers Wolf into going for a Full Moon Rising which he - unbelievably - catches without falling over before planting Wolf with his finisher, the Hopes Fall spinebuster. The crowd and announcers sense the victory and go nuts, but…

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">So this is how you climb the mountain again...

</div>

Troy Tornado hits the ring with a chair to the collective and thunderous boos of the entire arena. He swings for Mo’s head, misses and eats a Hopes Fall of his own but the distraction has done its job as Mo turns around into a Full Moon Rising from the now-recovered Wolf who covers him for the thoroughly unearned victory.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 81

(Mo: 70, Wolf: 95)

Length: 25:03

Winner: Wolf Hawkins via pinfall

ET: Who’s relevant to the modern TCW now, Bruce? Troy just made himself a thorn in the side of the golden boy.

JS: I can think of easier ways to commit suicide, frankly.

JS: Mo is livid in the ring and is storming after Troy!

</div>

Mo sprints up and rank and after Troy, leaving a tired Wolf celebrating in the ring.

by HEALTH

When suddenly the lights in the arena go out. The crowd roars as they know what this means, and those cheers grow as an image flashes up on the big screen...

..and a disembodied but thoroughly recognisable voice speaks over the PA system.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JBF: Two weeks to judgement day, Wolf. Two weeks to steel yourself against the test. I wonder whether you’ll pass. And, if you don’t, what will become of you once I expose you to the whole world? Long way down from the top, man. And I’ll be with you the whole way. All the way down, down to where I live, in the shadows.

See you real soon, Wolf.</div>

In the ring Wolf wipes the sweat from his face and shakes his head, though it is hard for him to fully disguise the nervous glint in his eyes.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 76

ET: Big talk from the guy in hiding.

SD: John Blackfyre delivers another warning to Wolf Hawkins, in that ethereal way that only he can.

JS: Can you imagine what will happen if Blackfyre is able to claim the Alpha Wolf’s scalp at Where Angels Fear To Tread?

</div>

Overall Show Rating: 81

</div>

August 12, 2020

Hey guys,

Another question which I'm sure has been answered before, but I'm struggling to find.

Is there any downside to asking a wrestler to become more muscular? I know asking for a size change impacts stat growth but I don't think I've seen a situation where asking a worker to improve their physique has done anything other than make their Star Quality go up.

Side question: has anyone collected the potential effects of physique and size changes anywhere? They don't appear to be in the in-game FAQ (or if they are I can't find them).

Thanks very much!

August 12, 2020

<p>Finally getting some time to catch up on the other diaries on this board and man, your presentation is something else. Every time I see people like you or Eisen-verse putting together the stuff you do on docdroid it floors me. Great use of HTML.</p><p> </p><p>

And I love the content so far. Always been a fan of the Canadian scene in the C-Verse even if I haven't done too much with it. I'm surprised to see that Tim Westybrook looks like he never made it to CWA after the merger up north, I'll need to see where he landed. I've always loved Donte Dunn and Ricky DeColt so I'm hopeful that they get some love too!</p>

August 12, 2020

Editor's Notes

So, through the bluster of my fake-newsman-prose I'm hopeful that I got the point across: this month Jay Chord completed his shift from a toned Middleweight to a muscular Middleweight and in doing so his Star Quality has leapt from 92 to 99! There is now one active wrestler on the entire planet who has a higher SQ than Jay: Rocky Golden (that turncoat).

August 12, 2020

April 3rd 2020 - Eye On The Ring, Konrad Douglas

The TCW Heavyweights: Jay Chord

Following up on our well-timed profile of Jay Chord (almost as if we wrote it to coincide with this news story. Funny that), we have an exciting interview with "The Past & Present Superstar" to do with the recent shift we have seen in Chord's body. Rip's kid goes into nutrition, his new gym routine and finding time to work out with new buddies Greg Gauge and Edd Stone while the three take the road by storm.

Jay caught up with us by phone, the following is an excerpt of the interview which can be found on our website:

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">KD: Jay, thanks for taking the time to catch up with us today. I can't imagine how busy you must be.

JC: Pretty busy, yeah. We're off to the races, so to speak, as far as The Heritage is concerned.

KD: And how long have you known about this stable and the booking plans around it?

JC: About six months, give or take. Long enough to get in shape.

KD: And anyone with eyes can see that you've been hitting the gym. You were always in great shape, but you must be down to about 12% body fat now, right?

JC:...10% actually.

KD: Right, sorry. Well, you look amazing. How much of that had to do with having some workout buddies in Greg Gauge and Edd Stone?</div>

Over the phone I could hear Chord laughing lightly. It was odd to hear a relatively innocent chuckle from a man so famous on screen for laughing when he is about to attack someone.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JC: Well, I don't think Stone has ever lifted a weight in his life. He's not in bad shape considering, but he's more about speed and cardio than looking great. Greg was the main influence. He's Mr. No Days Off and I took his routine and physique as a personal challenge. There's no way I'm gonna be on the road with him, in the ring hundreds of time a year and not look like at least the joint-best member of The Heritage. So it became a kind of friendly competition between us?

KD: How friendly?

JC: Ha. Have there been heated moments you mean? There always are with people who push themselves as hard as Greg and I. But we respect each other and enjoy about 90% of our time together.

KD: And who would you say is winning?</div>

I couldn't see him, but I got the impression that Chord was gesturing to himself before speaking again.

Whatever you may think of Jay Chord the character it's hard to see the man behind it as anything but a consummate, almost frighteningly driven professional. His latest push is a reflection of his standing in the world of wrestling and he now has a physique to match that. Chord was always a star, now he has the look of a grade A superstar.

Debut Set For Next Week's Total Wrestling

Word reaching us through the grapevine is that next week's TCW Presents: Total Wrestling is going to be one you'll want to catch, with a debut of a "returning, familiar face" set to occur.

We don't yet know who it is, but we know that they were big enough to warrant a press release all to themselves. And, moreover, someone at TCW's web team has been working hard to get the fans whipped into a frenzy by designing an ingenious ARG on TCW.com which, when it was solved by the attendant internet fans, revealed the following image:

Now just what could that mean, I wonder?

Tune in on Tuesday to find out!

August 11, 2020

(I've tossed together a profile for Jay Chord as I've been wanting to do one for ages, but just a reminder christmas_ape that you won the predictions for March so if you'd like to nominate anyone else you're welcome to do so )

April 2nd 2020 - Eye On The Ring, Konrad Douglas

In Profile: Jay Chord

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Name(s): Jay Chord

Theme Song:

by Black Label Society

Signed: 2013

Notable Accomplishments: Son of the legendary Rip Chord, 2 x TCW International Champion, 1 x TCW All Action Champion, 1 x TCW Television Champion

Real Name: Jay Chord

Age: 29

From: Louisville, Kentucky

Billed From: New York, New York

Gimmick: Legacy of Greatness

Signature Moves: Cradle Piledriver, Super Top-Rope DDT

Ring Attire: Black and gold trunks, black elbow & knee pads, black wrist tape, white boots

Power15 Highest Placement: 1

Likes: Compliments, winning, getting recognised

Dislikes: Other people receiving praise, his father, losing</div>

Jay Chord is one of those guys who seem to get everything their way. He has the looks, he has the charisma and he has the god-given ability in the ring that ran through his father's veins too. If there is a flaw to the young man from Louisville it's that he knows - and has known for some time - exactly how good he is, which has rubbed a few of his colleagues the wrong way more than once. Although Chord has matured backstage as he approaches his prime that same attitude which has seen him become one of the hottest acts in America hasn't gone away. Rumours abound that he is still something of a backstage politician who keeps his friends close, and high on the card. So new-found allies Greg Gauge and Edd Stone must be thrilled to have him on their side.

Born in Kentucky, you wouldn't know it to listen to Chord. His ascent to stardom has seen him leave behind his thick "hillbilly" accent in favour of a more mid-Atlantic kind of sound; the product of elocution lessons no doubt. Topped off with him changing his billing from his home town of Louisville to his current residence of New York (a classic heel city if ever there was one) in 2017. And that constant tension between his present and his legacy is part of what makes Chord such a compelling character. He hates being compared to his father, yet he constantly talks about a need to emulate the success of his past; to live up to his name. He hates where he came from, yet his entire raison d'etre is wrapped up in fulfilling the promises of his heritage. It's a fascinating duality and he plays it brilliantly, almost neurotically, switching on a dime between someone who will utilise his surname for a title shot and someone who will knock someone out for mentioning his dad.

In the ring Chord is very close to being without peer. He's not yet 30 and he's already one of the very best workers in the world. He has a wide arsenal of impressive suplexes and submission holds to choose from but is just as comfortable getting into knock-down brawls with opponents. And his in-ring storytelling is second to none. On the mic he is exceptional, on the camera he is exceptional. It is not surprise that Jay is where he is, if we're being honest.

His finisher - the Cradle Piledriver - is a nod to the classic wrestlers of the 50s and 60s, those who influenced his father. It's an old school move for a man who in many ways is an old school heel, who doesn't want to be secretly loved by fans or considered cool, but who simply wants - or needs, even - to win at all cost. He has recently added an amazing looking Super top-rope DDT to his arsenal which looks impossibly painful - how anyone can take that move and not break their neck is unreal. Yet for all the venom in his character Chord is also one of the safest wrestlers in the world, being able to boast - as he is want to do - that he has never injured another wrestler.

One often hears talk of "Destiny" in wrestling, and it's usually bluster for the cameras. But with Chord it is more than that. He simply has to emulate his father's success, and then surpass it. Anything less than that would be a failure. The idea that Chord will be anything less than a multiple time World Champion when it is all said and done is unthinkable and, frankly, almost impossible.

August 11, 2020

Thanks for the feedback guys, good to know that it reads OK.

Let's have a look at those predictions for Week 1 of April! And it's a three way tie thanks to that tag title match and the schmoz of a finish to the main event. Rest assured, the fans in attendance probably didn't call / enjoy that ending much either. Congratulations to all three of you.

christmas_ape: 2/4

DarEatWorld: 2/4

eayragt: 2/4

There will be more matches on the card for next week which should hopefully split up the pack a little. I may also start throwing pre-show matches into these just to give it a bit of variety, although the booking in those tends to be a bit formulaic.

This Month Prediction Scores:

christmas_ape: 1

DarEatWorld: 1

eayragt: 1

Overall Running Prediction Scores:

christmas_ape: 10

DarEatWorld: 1

eayragt: 2

Herrbear: 2

kanegan: 2

KnowYourEnemy: 1

Sco xY2Jx: 1

TJ94: 2

Xendarii: 7</div>

August 10, 2020

Preview: TCW Presents Total Wrestling - April 2020, Week 2

(to be posted by 18/08/2020)

The Heritage have made themselves official and in doing so have drawn the ire of Sammy Bach, Aaron Andrews and Matt Hocking. The stage is partially set for Where Angels Fear To Tread, though there are many players as of yet unaccounted for. And rumour has it that a familiar face may be making an appearance next week. Tune in to find out who!

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Mighty Mo vs Wolf Hawkins

Tale of the Tape: These two have fought once before this year, with Wolf coming out on top of a close encounter. Having just lost his Tag Team titles to The Roughnecks, Mo will be looking to bounce back and make a singles statement here.

Sammy Bach & Aaron Andrews vs The Heritage (Edd Stone & Greg Gauge)

Tale of the Tape: Last week's match descended into absolute chaos. Will take two be any different? Less men means less potential rule infractions for the refs to keep an eye on, yet the animosity between these teams remains as deep as ever.

Davis Wayne Newton vs Masked Patriot

Tale of the Tape: A disappointing debut for Masked Patriot saw him push Wolf Hawkins to the edge but ultimately fail to walk away with a victory. This week he faces a very different kind of opponent: The Triple Threat - Davis Wayne Newton - and his 1% buddies.

Tag Team Title Match

American Ultra vs The Roughnecks ©

Tale of the Tape: Marshall Dillon and "Dazzling" Dave Diamond stunned the world last week when they captured the TCW Tag Titles. Now they make their first defence of the belts against the ruthless technicians American Ultra.

Ernest Youngman & Real Deadly vs Joshua Taylor, Fro Sure & Jackson Laine

Tale of the Tape: Joshua Taylor and Doc Hammond have history, add Roderick Remus and three of the most exciting young superstars in TCW and you have a recipe for an exciting opener!

</div>

August 10, 2020

Booker's Notes

Show Notes

Welp, The Heritage are official now. They have a name and everything. That big main event mess gives me some indication of how I want to push guys. Edd Stone continues to perform just below his overness level which means he may be reaching the upper limits of what I can expect him to achieve, meanwhile Greg Gauge is about 20 above his own - the sky is the limit for him. Meanwhile Bach and Hocking continue to turn in good grades while Andrews and Chord do what Andrews and Chord do.
I loved writing Masked Patriot's debut. He's like Captain America. A sort of mixture of the Hurricane and Mr. America if we're looking at real world analogues, but beneath it all he's actually a really solid worker that I've always liked. One to look out for.
The Roughnecks claim gold without anyone in Mighty Meaty needing to eat a pin. The reality of the tag division is that Mo is so far above everyone else in it that it isn't really fair for him to sit there anymore. Expect a singles push for him in the near future.
Oh, and I'm looking forward to / tentatively hoping for some feedback on the slight format changes. They aren't enormous but I think there's some value to moving away from the big wall-of-text match reports in favour of something a little easier to read. And I've shamelessly stolen the idea of post-segment announcer highlights from other diaries.

The stage is very close to being set for Where Angels Fear To Tread and we're only one week into the month. I like to get my ducks in a row early if I can help it, though there are one or two feuds we're yet to see. Stay tuned for that next week...

August 10, 2020

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-size:18px;"><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;">TCW Presents Total Wrestling - April 2020, Week 1</span></strong></span></p><p>

Ranch of San Antonio, San Antonio, TX. - 10’000 (SELLOUT)</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="1U9n1C4.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1U9n1C4.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>One Man Army def Marc Speed</strong></p><p>

<strong>Rating:</strong> 65</p><p>

<strong>Length:</strong> 9:58</div></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Troy Tornado def Bart Biggins</strong></p><p>

<strong>Rating:</strong> 56</p><p>

<strong>Length:</strong> 10:25</div></p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;">What is a Battleground without the occasional betrayal?</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="4DS6pyd.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/4DS6pyd.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<em>”WHAT THE HELL IS STONE DOING? IS HE ABANDONING THE ACE!?”</em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;">Yet, the chance to abandon one’s allies is also a chance to make new ones.</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="WGjJ6gq.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WGjJ6gq.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="7V9t4Nd.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7V9t4Nd.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<em>”THE HOUSES OF CHORD, KEITH AND STONE ARE UNITED, AND IT MAKES ME SICK”</em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#8B0000;">In winter the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. Fear the hunters. Fear the pack. Fear The Heritage.</span></span></strong></p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="XqEbgqN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XqEbgqN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

After the short video package to open the show the camera feed cuts to a swooping shot of the ten thousand fans in attendance here in San Antonio as the theme for Total Wrestling booms around the arena.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="6VXuibm.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6VXuibm.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p>

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/zuQGx1H1Qh8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Five Finger Death Punch - The Pride"></iframe></div></div> by Five Finger Death Punch</div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

Before the announce team can utter a word some familiar entrance music replaces the event theme...</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="orQGI7Y.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/orQGI7Y.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6XPcyNb.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6XPcyNb.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zgYJANV.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zgYJANV.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="150" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/w1YaNZcUPGc?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Black Label Society"></iframe></div></div> by Black Label Society</div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

The three legacy athletes, self-defined by the opening video package as “The Heritage” swagger to the ring with smug looks on their faces. They take to the ring and spread out as if they own the place; Edd Stone is the first to begin speaking.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>ES:</strong> Boy, did I screw up on Sunday. Just slipped right off the apron right as the Ace needed a tag. Sure was unfortunate.</p><p> </p><p>

But the thing is: we all know Andrews had a loss like that coming. The guy sits at the top of this company because he was the only one dumb enough to stick around once Rocky split. He has no pedigree, no class and no ability. He’s just the route of least resistance. Well, we’re here to make choosing Andrews as your top guy a lot more difficult.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>JC:</strong> You want a legacy of greatness? Look no further than the three men in this ring. Proven athletes with amazing track records and a family name which - regardless of what that never-was Sammy Bach might think - actually means something in this business.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>GG:</strong> Our sole purpose is to carry forward the names of our fathers. To elevate this business to levels it has never reached before, levels that the likes of Wolf Hawkins and Aaron Andrews could only dream of. Because, let’s face it: talented amateurs that they may be, they don’t hold a candle to characters of our pedigree.</div></p><p> </p><p>

The members of The Heritage are interrupted by an unsurprising theme song…</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="5A97zG3.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5A97zG3.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p>

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/aflaAveflvU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Fire From The Gods - Right Now (Official Music Video)"></iframe></div></div> by Fire From The Gods</div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

The World Champion Aaron Andrews - his forehead wound stapled shut yet still bloody - has heard enough.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>AA:</strong> Stone, you’ve got about five seconds to express some clever last words before I hit that ring and break up your little old boys club.</div></p><p> </p><p>

The Heritage laugh as one.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>ES:</strong> You couldn’t take me on your best day, broseph. Never mind the three of us. But I’m not really into charity cases to be honest. You want me to lace up, you gotta put something on the line.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>AA:</strong> Oh you think you’re up to a title shot? Is that what this is about?</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>AA:</strong> Alright, you and me, tonight....</div></p><p> </p><p>

Before the gauntlet can be fully thrown, another theme song hits.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="unZYIMj.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/unZYIMj.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p>

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="150" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/CmXWkMlKFkI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Mötley Crüe - Kickstart My Heart (Official Music Video)"></iframe></div></div> by Motley Crue</div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>JB:</strong> No, this isn’t happening tonight, no way.</div></p><p> </p><p>

Jack Bruce walks out onto the stage, next to Andrews, and stares daggers down at The Heritage in the ring.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>JC:</strong> Something the matter, Jack?.</div></p><p> </p><p>

All three of The Heritage members laugh again and exchange knowing looks.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>JB:</strong> Goddamn it, Jay. This wasn’t the deal.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>JC:</strong> What deal would that be, Jack?</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>JB:</strong> Don’t you make me say it, you son of a b****. You get a title shot. We agreed. There wasn’t anything about your friends getting them too.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>JC:</strong> The terms of the deal have changed, Jack. I’m happy to wait until Total Mayhem for my shot. Edd’s been kept down for too long, he deserves to be first in line. And it looks like Andrews up there is spoiling for a fight.</div></p><p> </p><p>

The Ace’s eyes narrow as he tries to figure out The Heritage’s game, meanwhile Bruce seethes and chews his lip with the crowd roundly booing the confirmation of what they already suspected: that he has promised Chord a title shot.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>JB:</strong> Damn you all. Fine. But not tonight. You want each other tonight? Then it’ll be the three of you against Andrews, Bach and Hocking. See if you can’t work things out like men that way. You can have your damned title shot at Where Angels Fear To Tread, Stone.</div></p><p> </p><p>

Bruce pauses for a moment, shakes his head and then storms off stage as the show goes to an early commercial.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Rating:</strong></span></span> 84</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Ymc7HJr.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ymc7HJr.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<em><strong>SD:</strong></em><em> How about that for a start to the show? A world title match agreed, the Heritage officially appear and the Ace is out for blood.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>ET:</strong></em><em> If I were Wolf Hawkins I’d be pissed with yet another guy jumping the queue ahead of me, but you can’t say Edd Stone isn’t good for it.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>JS:</strong></em><em> Betray the champ, get a title shot. It’s a troubling precedent to set.</em></div></p><p> </p><p>

Once back from commercial we return to the announce desk where Shawn Doakes, Ernie Turner and Jasmine Saunders are prepared to analyse what has transpired in TCW over the past few days.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="7kSPGz5.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/7kSPGz5.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="fzyOKYn.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/fzyOKYn.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JagOiTz.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JagOiTz.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>ET:</strong> Have I ever gone on record with how much I love Jay Chord?</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>JS:</strong> And that has nothing to do with you playing five card stud with Rip once a week I’m sure.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>SD:</strong> Folks, Battleground III is behind us but this hallowed field is pock-marked with the impact craters that the event has left behind. Scars and wounds which may never heal. We have already seen Jay Chord, Greg Gauge and Edd Stone - the so-called “Heritage” officially announce their arrival to the TCW, but it’s easy to forget in all of this that The Sinner Society are no more.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>ET:</strong> Yeah, but let’s focus on the positives, Shawn. Edd Stone finally got away from that lame idea of being a “good guy” and threw his hat in with a winning combination of talent. The Heritage are here to stay; every man in that group has “Future World Champion” written all over their face.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>JS:</strong> I hate it when he’s right. It physically affects me. But he is. We’ve talked about Stone, Gauge and - obviously - Chord as main event players for years now. And it’s finally happened in the most traumatic manner possible.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>SD:</strong> We now know that Edd Stone will face Aaron Andrews for his World Title at Where Angels Fear To Tread at the end of the month, but one suspects that the entire Heritage will be in action. And speaking of action we have an exciting opener for you as the debutant Masked Patriot takes on Wolf Hawkins, who - lest we forget - actually won his match against Team Ace on Sunday.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>ET:</strong> I met Patriot backstage earlier. Dude is a few sandwiches short of a picnic if you ask me. Dead man walking.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="T1nxS5x.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/T1nxS5x.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">VS</span></strong> <img alt="PeSGow6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PeSGow6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<strong>Standard Singles Match</strong></p><p>

<strong>Wolf Hawkins (13-2-0) vs Masked Patriot (0-0-0)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><em>”Rally to me citizens! I shall be your shield!”</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

Patriot’s schtick is so cartoony that the fans immediately buy into it. All stars and spangles and old glory, the masked figure is almost literally Captain America. And he draws particular applause for how he opens the match as he counters Wolf’s attempts at offense with a sequence of old school power-up spots, following each one with a cry to the fans that sounds straight out of a comic book.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>”The guy is like a literal cartoon. How can anyone take him seriously?”</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

Patriot looks like a joke but can actually go in the ring. His oiled, muscular physique isn’t just for show as he continues to land significant power moves on Wolf, who sells his offense by bumping like mad for him while vocally selling the frustration. In a stunning moment the Patriot manages to hit his signature Patriot Slam which looks like it has the match wrapped up…</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>”Thumbs up, soldier!”</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

...but Wolf, badass that he is, kicks out. Patriot congratulates him with a thumbs up but his good sportsmanship isn’t reciprocated. Wolf is able to rally and hits his brainbuster and Full Moon Rising running knee combo for the victory to spoil the Masked Patriot’s debut. To his credit, the Patriot stands and receives encouraging applause once Wolf has left the ring.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Rating:</strong></span></span> 81 </p><p>

(Wolf Hawkins: 91, Masked Patriot: 62)</p><p>

<strong>Length:</strong> 19:36</p><p>

<strong>Winner:</strong> Wolf Hawkins via pinfall</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Ymc7HJr.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ymc7HJr.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

</em><em><strong>JS:</strong></em><em> A joke who just took the best wrestler on the planet twenty minutes.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>SD:</strong></em><em> The cartoonish exterior hides a talented worker, we know that. I’m sure Patriot will bounce back from this</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

After a short break the camera feed cuts to what appears to be a dis-used area of the arena. Wolf Hawkins walks among half-constructed walls - still in his ring gear, lit only by the harsh glow from the light attachment from the camera.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="T1nxS5x.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/T1nxS5x.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>WH:</strong> Blackfyre? Get out here. Don’t make me come find you.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>??:</strong> Who’s hiding, Wolf? I’ve been with you since the start.</div></p><p> </p><p>

The voice is disembodied, seeming to come from everywhere at once. Yet the manner of speaking is unmistakably Blackfyre.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>WH:</strong> I’m not talking to a shadow. Show yourself.</div></p><p> </p><p>

The cheap LED strip light above Wolf’s head flickers for a moment, then a figure in a long black trenchcoat and cowboy hat steps out from behind some half-finished masonry. It’s John Blackfyre, and he’s laughing darkly.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="Mi8Yim3.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Mi8Yim3.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>JBF:</strong> Oh Wolf, you’re still talkin’ to a shadow, man. But if being able to see me makes you feel safe - misguided though you may be - then I’m only too happy to oblige.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>WH:</strong> You and I have unfinished business.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>JBF:</strong> You could say that, yeah.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>WH:</strong> I’m honestly a little surprised that you’re not trying to get out of your receipt for what you did to me.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>JBF:</strong> Wolf-man, I don’t act without purpose. Knew this reckoning was comin’. Been lookin’ forward to it.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>WH:</strong> No tricks? You’re just going to say yes?</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>JBF:</strong> I’ve been waitin’ to dance with you for months, Wolf. Anywhere, anytime, man.</div></p><p> </p><p>

Wolf leans in closer to Blackfyre, who tilts his head slightly and smiles a wide, toothy grin.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>WH:</strong> I’ll get Bruce to draw up the contracts then. And I’ll see you in the ring. Let’s see how clever you sound once you’ve eaten a few Full Moons.</div></p><p> </p><p>

Blackfyre just nods and leans back against the wall behind him as Wolf exits the frame and the camera fades to black.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Rating:</strong></span></span> 69</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Ymc7HJr.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ymc7HJr.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<em><strong>JS:</strong></em><em> I really need to find Blackfyre’s tailor. That is a look that I am INTO.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>ET:</strong></em><em> Black never goes out of style, which is fortunate for someone as behind the trends as you.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>SD:</strong></em><em> Says the man in a velvet jacket! Still, Wolf and Blackfyre come to a - bizarrely calm - agreement that they will face one another. A reckoning, as the Man In Black called it. But who for?</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="gKOTMwq.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gKOTMwq.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="gKOTMwq.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gKOTMwq.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<strong>Tag Team Titles</strong></p><p>

<img alt="p2dVlnl.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/p2dVlnl.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="keLjUvy.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/keLjUvy.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">VS</span></strong> <img alt="6ibAGCD.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6ibAGCD.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="BsFOSnh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BsFOSnh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">VS</span></strong> <img alt="DixNgBT.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DixNgBT.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6eKbZZR.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6eKbZZR.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">VS</span></strong> <img alt="ppctVM7.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ppctVM7.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="c92qrSW.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/c92qrSW.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<strong>Standard Tag Match (2 vs 2 vs 2 vs 2)</strong> </p><p>

<strong>Real Deadly (0-1-0) vs The Roughnecks (1-0-0) vs The Behemoths (2-4-0) vs Mighty Meaty (6-0-0) © (4th Defence)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><em>Those two mountains of muscle aren’t even trying to win the belts…</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

The Behemoths make it clear early on that they’re in this match to exact physical punishment on Mighty Meaty, who are effectively eliminated from the match early when Tana is put through the announce table with a chokeslam that ref Tony Thorpe somehow fails to see, and Mo is driven into the ring steps repeatedly, injuring his shoulder. The Behemoths then turn their attention to the match, specifically The Roughnecks.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>You want a partner in a slugging match, you’d struggle to do much better than Diamond and Dillon…</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

The Roughnecks square off with The Behemoths - not before cheersing an imaginary can of beer in the corner and then downing it and crushing the can against their foreheads. The Behemoths are big, but the Roughnecks have been brawling big, nasty types in Texas bars since before they could walk. The crowd roar when both Shark and Titan are floored by stereo lariats at the third time of asking, rising to a fever pitch when Roderick Remus charges the ring on his own, eats a Dead Hand from both roughnecks and is covered for the win.</p><p> </p><p>

The Roughnecks are new tag team champions!</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Rating:</strong></span></span> 63 </p><p>

(Diamond: 41, Doc: 68, Shark: 58, Dillon: 59, Mo: 71, Remus: 61, Tana: 59, Titan: 60)</p><p>

<strong>Length:</strong> 10:18</p><p>

<strong>Winner:</strong> The Roughnecks via pinfall (Marshall Dillon over Roderick Remus) - 1st Tag Title Reign</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Ymc7HJr.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ymc7HJr.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<em><strong>SD:</strong></em><em> New tag team champions! And boy do the Behemoths look upset about it.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>JS:</strong></em><em> Perhaps they should have tried to win the match rather than hurting the - now former - champions: Mighty Meaty.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>ET:</strong></em><em> Doesn’t matter who the champs are, they’ll be gunning for the Roughnecks now</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

Floyd Goldworthy at ringside has seen enough and grabs a mic.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="CUSt7PQ.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/CUSt7PQ.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="DixNgBT.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DixNgBT.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6eKbZZR.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6eKbZZR.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>FG:</strong> If you two country boys can stop drinking imaginary beer for five seconds, it’d be in your interest to pay attention. Those belts will come back to The Behemoths sooner rather than later. I would vacate them if I were you. Failing that, I’ve already sent the necessary emails to arrange for a rematch at the end of the month. If you would like to discuss… alternate methods of handing the belts over, I’m all ears.</div></p><p> </p><p>

In the ring the new tag team champions grin, clink the tag titles together like beers and then mount the turnbuckles to celebrate.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="6ibAGCD.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6ibAGCD.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="BsFOSnh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BsFOSnh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Rating:</strong></span></span> 64</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Ymc7HJr.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ymc7HJr.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<em><strong>ET:</strong></em><em> God, they’re going to be awful champions.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>SD:</strong></em><em> Goldworthy, ever the sports agent, has already arranged a rematch for The Behemoths. But what of the former champions?</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>JS:</strong></em><em> Neither look in good health to be honest. Mo’s shoulder seems badly injured.</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Hlk4HIh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Hlk4HIh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">VS</span></strong> <img alt="vlZrD5T.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vlZrD5T.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<strong>Standard Singles Match (1 vs 1)</strong> </p><p>

<strong>Ernest Youngman (0-0-0) vs Joshua Taylor (4-3-1)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><em>There are few men in the world who can hit as hard, and be hit as hard, as Joshua Taylor</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

Ernest Youngman looked impressive in his full debut at Battleground III despite eating a pinfall and he continues to put on a strong display of his submission, catch-style wrestling here. But Joshua Taylor has faced some of the best submission wrestlers in the world, both in TCW and during his time in Japan, and essentially embodies the Strong Style fighting spirit. Youngman looks good here, but Taylor looks great as he counters a leg lock attempt into an enziguri, grounds his opponent with a series of Dragon Screws and then cinches in the Butterfly Lock for the victory.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Rating:</strong></span></span> 64 </p><p>

(Youngman: 46, Taylor: 67)</p><p>

<strong>Length:</strong> 10:02</p><p>

<strong>Winner:</strong> Joshua Taylor via submission</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Ymc7HJr.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ymc7HJr.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<em><strong>JS:</strong></em><em> When you learn how to take punishment from Yoshimi Mushashibo, it toughens you up.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>ET:</strong></em><em> Such a shame to see JT like this, he’s lost his edge, man.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>ET:</strong></em><em> The man just deconstructed a promising youngster and looked amazing doing it. I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about.</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="orQGI7Y.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/orQGI7Y.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6XPcyNb.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6XPcyNb.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="zgYJANV.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/zgYJANV.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">VS</span></strong> <img alt="5A97zG3.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5A97zG3.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="AKLPPKc.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AKLPPKc.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="CD7v4zQ.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/CD7v4zQ.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<strong>Standard Tag Match (3 vs 3)</strong> </p><p>

<strong>Jay Chord, Edd Stone & Greg Gauge (0-0-0) vs Aaron Andrews, Sammy Bach & Matt Hocking (0-0-0)</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><em>The betrayal of Edd Stone is clearly playing on the Ace’s mind...</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

As soon as the match gets underway it is clear that all three if Hocking, Andrews and Bach are more focused on getting revenge on Edd Stone than on the match - a mirror of the earlier tag match, in fact - and it is to their detriment as the well-oiled unit of the Heritage punishes them for their hastiness. However, Stone does do a fair bit of selling for his opponent’s offence, particularly the Ace who plants the Canadian with a super backdrop that leaves Stone flopping on the mat like a fish.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>It’s almost like there are clear divisions here. Like these men have agreed whose scalps they are claiming...</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

It’s obvious Andrews wants Stone. Which leaves Gauge for Bach and Chord for Hocking as the match devolves into a chaotic tornado tag that referee Ray Johnson loses all control over. It is no longer clear who the legal man is as bodies spill out of the ring, leaving him with the impossible task of essentially keeping an eye on three singles matches at once.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>Bach can still fly when he wants to! The two acrobats sync up beautifully to go airbourne!</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

Hocking and Bach hit stereo flying moves with the veteran nailing a - frankly reckless - flying plancha to the outside to floor Gauge while Hocking hits a technically great springboard moonsault onto Chord. In the ring, Stone and the Ace continue to brawl with neither gaining a clear advantage.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #EAE4E4; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><em>This is complete chaos! At one point we were hopeful that a wrestling match might break out! What fools we were...</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p>

All six men are brawling outside and refusing to answer the referees count, forcing Ray Johnson to ultimately call the match as a no contest, much to the fan’s displeasure. This does nothing to stop the outright chaos at ringside which only begins to calm down once the floor is rushed by dozens of security who forcibly separate the two teams.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Rating:</strong></span></span> 77 </p><p>

(Andrews: 87, Stone: 65, Gauge: 81, Chord: 83, Hocking: 69, Bach: 72)</p><p>

<strong>Length:</strong> 25:07</p><p>

<strong>Winner:</strong> No Contest</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Ymc7HJr.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ymc7HJr.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<em><strong>ET:</strong></em><em> How in the hell can Johnson call that a no contest? The Heritage had them just where they wanted them!</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>SD:</strong></em><em> Who can even say who the legal man is? The match devolved into nothing more than a drag-out street fight, there was nothing anyone could do to restore it.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>JS:</strong></em><em> How on earth will these men be able to contain their animosity for each other going forward? This goes beyond wrestling. This is hatred.</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

As the six men are separated with Andrews, Bach and Hocking shepherded into the ring while The Heritage are dragged back up to the stage, the GM’s theme music hits the arena once more…</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="unZYIMj.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/unZYIMj.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p>

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="150" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/CmXWkMlKFkI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Mötley Crüe - Kickstart My Heart (Official Music Video)"></iframe></div></div> by Motley Crue</div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p>

Bruce emerges in - bizarrely - a silk dressing gown and with an entourage of women in various states of undress. It’s not all that surprising for his character, but it’s certainly the first time we have seen him in full “Jack Says Unwind” mode since his arrival in TCW.</p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>JB:</strong> Godammit man, I’m trying to relax back there. You guys want to kill each other? Fine. Makes my job easier if I can book a pay-per-view four weeks in advance. Bach, you and Gauge seem to despise one another just enough to make it entertaining. And Hocking: you’ve already beaten Jay Chord once this year, let’s see if you can do it again.</p><p> </p><p>

Congratulations boys, you’re all booked up. Now, all six of you: get out of my arena before I call the cops.</div></p><p> </p><p>

His music hits once more and he storms off the stage with his entourage in tow, his dressing gown billowing comically.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Rating:</strong></span></span> 76</p><p> </p><p>

<img alt="Ymc7HJr.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ymc7HJr.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p>

<em><strong>SD:</strong></em><em> Our GM has laid down the law here. We knew Stone was getting a title shot at Where Angels Fear To Tread through Jay Chord’s politics. Now we know the fate of Greg Gauge and Chord himself.</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>JS:</strong></em><em> Why earn high profile matches when you can simply bribe your way to them?</em></p><p><em>

</em><em><strong>ET:</strong></em><em> All three men deserve nothing less!</em></p></div><p></p><p></div></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-size:12px;"><span style="color:#0000FF;"><strong>Overall Show Rating:</strong></span></span> 79</p></div><p></p><p></div></p>

August 9, 2020

Jay Chord, Edd Stone & Greg Gauge vs Aaron Andrews, Sammy Bach & Matt Hocking
I doubt it will be entirely clean but it's hard to envisage the new stable coming up short so soon.

Ernest Youngman vs Joshua Taylor
Pretty much everyone in this diary is 'new' to me as a reader. I really like Joshua Taylor, I'm not sure if it's just how you've written him or something more tangible but he's a guy I look for when 'watching' the show.

Tag Title Match
Real Deadly vs The Roughnecks vs The Behemoths vs Mighty Meaty ©
I'm unsure of this pick to be honest. Mighty Meaty still seem to be on top but a multi-team match is always a good way to change titles without weakening the champs.

Wolf Hawkins vs Masked Patriot
Hawkins has been another compelling character for me in this diary.

Interesting predictions from someone who doesn't really know the roster yet! That's all I'll say for now .

Another quick heads up to say that I think the show will be finished by tonight and will likely go up tomorrow, so this is a last call for predictions!

August 8, 2020

<p>Just caught up on this now. I like how you're booking Freddy Huggins, the dude definitely has the skills to hang in the upper midcard in TCW, maybe even main eventing the odd PPV.</p><p> </p><p>

I wouldn't say that you're coming across as neglecting the midcard in TCW, but it's definitely easy to do. They really don't have much going on for them there beyond Greg Gauge</p>

August 8, 2020

Quick update to say that I'm experimenting with some new show structure changes for this next episode of Total Wrestling; just trying to keep the organisation of announce segments fresh and less formulaic (doing a twice-a-show rundown is fine but feels a bit stilted for me) and also move away from the match descriptions being a full play-by-play as I'm conscious that these may be a bit of a slog to read.

Show should still be up by Tuesday of next week so keep your eyes peeled, and if anyone has any feedback on the new structure (either as proposed, or once they read it) please do let me know. I'm still very new to all of this so I'm bound to get things wrong!

August 6, 2020

Month In Review: March 2020

A good, stable month for TCW which saw their popularity growth steady out at 76 (one below the needed value to jump to a Big level company). Internally there were concerns that the Battleground PPV would do badly for the company, with their roster still thin and full of an unhealthy mixture of relatively unknown - if talented - youngsters and old guard who are well past their best. But TCW pulled through with a decent showing and upper management will be looking forward to April and Where Angels Fear To Tread with some enthusiasm.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">In Short:

Signings: Masked Patriot, Marshall Dilllon, ???, ???, ???

Firings: -

Hottest Storyline: The Syndicate vs Aaron Andrews, Sammy Bach, Edd Stone & Matt Hocking (77)

Match of the Month: Wolf Hawkins vs Matt Hocking (80) - TCW Presents: Total Wrestling (March 2020, Week 1)

Popularity: - (76)

Momentum: >> (81)</div>

Power15

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">1. Jay Chord

Movement: >> (2)

Jay Chord announced himself on the World stage with the shocking debut of a new power stable at Battleground III. He, along with Greg Gauge and Edd Stone are now indisputably the hottest act in TCW right now.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">2. Wolf Hawkins

Movement: >> (4)

Wolf rockets up the rankings after a strong showing for The Syndicate at Battleground III, which finally scored a victory for them over Aaron Andrews. Yes, it took Edd Stone turning on his team to do it, but I doubt Wolf cares.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">3. Mighty Meaty

Movement: - (3)

Mighty Meaty's team put The Sinner Society to the sword - permanently - this month, although the tag team champions themselves had shockingly little to do with that. Still, a strong month for them sees them hold position in the Power15.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">4. Aaron Andrews

Movement: << (1)

Despite a strong start to the month the world champion's stock has taken something of a pounding with a high profile loss to The Syndicate, not to mention being left in a pool of his own blood by Jay Chord, Greg Gauge and Edd Stone. Andrews needs to bounce back, and soon.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">5. Greg Gauge

Movement: - (5)

Gauge holds position this month. A strong win with Jay Chord and a hot end countering a start to the month where he wasn't doing too much of note. Putting Fro Sure to bed also helped his stock some.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">6. Edd Stone

Movement: - (6)

Likewise, Edd Stone. His form has been brilliant recently but ultimately he did still lose the two biggest matches of the month: a singles bout with Wolf Hawkins and his 4 vs 4 bout at Battleground (admittedly, by his own choosing). Once suspects both men will be climbing the rankings before long though.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">7. John Blackfyre

Movement: >> (10)

What a month for Blackfyre. Wins all over the place, capped off with a stunning solo performance at Battleground III to rescue victory from the jaws of defeat when all seemed loss. The Man In Black is making a name for himself, as well as powerful enemies.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">8. Joshua Taylor

Movement: - (8)

JT looked strong in his match with Mighty Meaty and Blackfyre, and has found his way back to the light side - much to the fans approval. He may have eaten a pin in that match but the old Joshua Taylor is definitely back. TCW be warned.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">9. Sammy Bach

Movement: << (7)

Sammy continues to slip down the power rankings with yet more strong individual performances which nonetheless result in losses. One suspects he may be butting heads with Jay Chord's new faction before long, a potentially unwise choice for someone in need of wins.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">10. Matt Hocking

Movement: << (9)

A mixed month for Matt Hocking sees him slip a place to 10th. Yes, he defended his title against Killer Shark but he also failed when given opportunities against Wolf Hawkins and The Syndicate. He, like Bach and Andrews, must be out for revenge in April.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">11. One Man Army

Movement: - (11)

One Man Army earned himself a World Title shot earlier this month with a great performance in an over-the-top battle royale on Total Wrestling but ended it poorly with a loss to Jay Chord, as well as ultimately failing in his tilt for the title.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">12. Doc Hammond

Movement: >> (New Entry)

Doc is back in the rankings after The Syndicate's win at Battleground III. He may have spent much of the month falling short on TV, but Doc and Wolf performed when it really mattered.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">13. Fro Sure

Movement: >> (14)

Fro continues to look promising. His elimination of Jay Chord in the battle royale this month put the rest of TCW on notice - those who weren't already - that this is one to watch.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">14. Freddy Huggins

Movement: - (14)

Freddy got a nice elimination at Battleground and picked the right horse to run with as Jay Chord and Greg Gauge put it together when it mattered to score Huggins an important victory, one he desperately needed. To climb the rankings Freddy will need to segway this momentum into something bigger, though.</div>

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">15. The Behemoths

Movement: << (12)

The Sinner Society are no more. The tag titles seem like a long-forgotten dream. What is next for The Behemoths? Both giants desperately need some direction and - ultimately - some wins. They cling to the Power15 by their fingernails.</div>

Removals:

Eddie Peak (15)

August 6, 2020

Preview: TCW Presents Total Wrestling - April 2020, Week 1

(to be posted by 11/08/2020)

Battleground III is in our rear-view mirror. Jay Chord, Edd Stone and Greg Gauge have made their alliance known and it is certain to shake the foundations of TCW. We already know that the betrayed parties from the main event at Battleground will get a chance at revenge on Tuesday. But elsewhere we will also see a multi-man match for the tag titles, the debut of an exciting masked wrestler and Joshua Taylor taking on a promising youngster who had an impressive debut at the PPV.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Jay Chord, Edd Stone & Greg Gauge vs Aaron Andrews, Sammy Bach & Matt Hocking

Tale of the Tape: The remnants of Team Ace seek revenge against the men who betrayed them at Battleground. Their opponents are the definition of a super team; a collection of talent so profound that they are a terrifying proposition.

Ernest Youngman vs Joshua Taylor

Tale of the Tape: Youngman looked great in his debut at Battleground III but Joshua Taylor is a horse of a different colour. These two technicians will go at it in what promises to be an entertaining affair.

Tag Title Match

Tale of the Tape: Champions Mighty Meaty defend their tag titles for the second time in three days, facing a selection of tough opponents, including perennial rivals The Behemoths from the - now defunct - Sinner Society.

Wolf Hawkins vs Masked Patriot

Tale of the Tape: A masked figure emerges onto the scene in TCW but his first opponent is something of a show stopper: Mr. TCW - Wolf Hawkins. Can this debut be anything other than a nightmare for the Masked Patriot?

</div>

August 6, 2020

Another month in the books, another chance to review how our intrepid predicters got in, boldly putting their booking ideas out there for us to scrutinise!

eayragt: 4/6

christmas_ape: 5/6

kanegan: 3/6

TJ94: 5/6 (you missed predicting on one of the matches)

And it was a close one this week with lots of people picking a variety of different options, which is always nice to see. Our winners this week are christmas_ape and TJ94 with 5 out of 6 predictions correct each, so congratulations to both of you! A copy of Danny Fonzarelli's semi-biographical novel "The Book of Love" is on its way to you now.

And this makes our prediction winner for the month of March christmas_ape, who once again prove that they can see my booking ideas coming a mile off! An awesomely consistent month from you. So, as is tradition, if there is a worker, team, stable or anything else you would like profiled please share it here and I'll get it written up.

Onwards to April and Where Angels Fear To Tread. Total Mayhem is only 2 months away!

This Month Final Prediction Scores:

christmas_ape: 4

eayragt: 1

kanegan: 2

KnowYourEnemy: 1

Sco xY2Jx: 1

TJ94: 2

Xendarii: 3

Overall Running Prediction Scores:

christmas_ape: 9

eayragt: 1

Herrbear: 2

kanegan: 2

KnowYourEnemy: 1

Sco xY2Jx: 1

TJ94: 2

Xendarii: 7</div>

August 5, 2020

Great PPV, you're definitely properly into the swing of TCW and capturing the feel of it well. The second generation crew will be interesting going forward. I think they are often 3 of peoples favourites in TCW so will expect big things.

Thanks very much! I feel like I've got my head around a couple of guys I wasn't sure on character-wise now which is helping the writing.

I've deliberately not paid attention to any other TCW diaries to try and avoid stealing other people's ideas (which will 100% be better than mine), but I'm sure I'm not the only person who looks at a roster with Rip Chord, Dan Stone and Sam Keith's sons on it and says "That's a stable"

August 5, 2020

And just as a heads up for what's next:

We'll review the preview scores tomorrow to see who has won for the month, get the month in review and preview for next week up and then look at doing a profile of a worker, team or stable of the winner's choice.

August 5, 2020

Booker's Notes

Show Notes

Phew, that was a monster to write. Hopefully not too long for you guys to read; I really got into the narrative of a few of those matches. The John Blackfyre comeback and the Edd Stone turn in particular were really fun to write. I've known what I'm doing with Stone for over a month now and it's been torture to sit on!

So excited to finally reveal my plans for Jay Chord, Greg Gauge and Edd Stone. Suffice to say that there are big things in the future for these men with famous last names, as Sammy Bach put it.

I'm really pleased with the show grade. I had to book the show tactically by getting as many highly-rated angles as I could into it in order to salvage the match grades which I knew wouldn't be great. Although 72 for the opener and 76 for the main was better than I was expecting given the obscurity of Fro Sure and Jackson Laine and the time decline of The Elite.

Overness Changes

So somehow Aaron Andrews - who has been stuck at 82 overness since the beginning of the game despite winning all the bloody time - sustains his highest profile loss to date and gains popularity. He's gone up to an 85 overall now. Really re-defines losing your way up the card. Mo has had a similar rise - going from 68 in March to a 70 at the beginning of April. Although Mo at least won his own match, even if he didn't help much.

Jay's up to 76 now - right on the cusp of the main event - and Edd Stone isn't far behind him at 70. Gauge is the one in that group who needs a bit of love as he's still on 60, though he has been treading water for a few months now.

And after this win Wolf Hawkins is now my undisputed biggest star, up to an 87 overall.

Other notable increases: Blackfyre is up to 22 now. I don't book him at a level that is consistent with his overness so he should climb the ranks rapidly. Same goes for Fro Sure and Jackson Laine who, despite losses, are both at 30 and 28 overall respectively now.

August 5, 2020

Whether on the sands of a Roman coliseum,

The soil of Normandy,

Or the canvas of the squared circle.

Every battleground is a forge that produces steel.

Welcome To The Forge

Battleground III, March 2020

Theme:

by Bullet For My Valentine

Mississipi Bowl, Jackson, MS (45’900)

As the event theme by Bullet For My Valentine rings throughout the Mississippi Bowl a camera rolls up the ramp, showing the special set for the event with a mixture of dressing from conflicts throughout history - from Napoleonic battlefields with cannon to gladiatorial arenas, before stopping to focus on the enormous ‘BATTLEGROUND III’ logo hanging above the entrance way. Above it a video package plays for the fans in attendance and the feed cuts to it; it’s an introduction to the event with a deep, ominous voice over that lends a gravitas to the proceedings. Once finished the feed cuts to a close-up of TCW’s event announce team: living legend Jason Azaria flanked by Ernie Turner and Jasmine Saunders.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JA: Greetings from Jackson, a city which has perhaps seen more than its fair share of battles, yet none like this. Tonight the heroes of the TCW ring will clash in brutal, career-defining conflict; teams of men running from steadfast alliances to temporary ceasefires, all with one aim: to make this battlefield theirs. Welcome to Battleground III.

ET: I’ve missed you Jason.

JA: I’ve missed you too, Ernie. But not as much as I’ve missed calling our athletes in action. What a rogue’s gallery of performers we have for you tonight!

JS: Where else can we start other than our opener where Jay Chord and Greg Gauge - a frighteningly talented partnership - will team with Freddy Huggins and Roderick Remus as they look to settle the score with One Man Army’s ‘Freedom Fighters’: Benny Benson, Fro Sure and Jackson Laine.

JA: Huge amount of exciting young talent in both of those teams.

ET: Possibly, but, you know, there’s no way Chord is doing anything but walking away with a definitive win in that one. Same goes for The Sinner Society. The chips are down for them; they’re a wounded animal and that makes them dangerous.

JS: Interesting mixture of metaphors there, ET.

JA: And I think Mighty Meaty’s team might have something to say about that assertion. Joshua Taylor and the enigmatic John Blackfyre make up a dangerous - if odd - combination. And, of course, it’d be remiss of me to fail to mention our main event. Aaron Andrews and Wolf Hawkins remain at each other’s throats and have recruited some of the biggest names in TCW to aid in their clash. The Syndicate obviously need no introduction…

ET: ...but you should give them one anyway…

JA: A loose alliance of cold, calculating and above-all-else success-focused individuals who have made winning in TCW look like something they were born to do since their foundation.

JS: You’re an unbelievable sycophant, ET.

JA: But Team Ace have enough talent between them to provide stern opposition. The World Champion: Aaron Andrews. The Dark Rock God: Sammy Bach and two of the hottest young acts in TCW right now in Edd Stone and the Television Champion Matt Hocking. What a clash that’s going to be.

JS: I’m hearing word that Jack Bruce is on his way out to address the fans so we’re going to have to leave you there. Let’s see what our GM has to say!</div>

As if on cue, “Kickstart My Heart” rocks the Mississippi Bowl and brings the 40’000 plus fans in attendance to their feet to greet the arrival of TCW GM: Jack Bruce.

by Motley Crue

It wouldn’t be a pay-per-view without Jack Bruce showing off some designer threads and he doesn’t disappoint, heading down to the ring in a white double-breasted suit, a lilac shirt and a leopard print bandanna holding his hair back. He struts down the long, smoke-covered ramp, brushes his Italian loafers on the ring apron before entering and then - once through the ropes - mounts the turnbuckle to even more cheers. One of the crew at ringside hands him a mic and Bruce waits for the crowd to die down before speaking.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: I’m gonna keep this short and sweet, Jackson; I know you’ve sold out this place to see the best wrestling in North America and I’ll be damned if I’m gonna stop you. I just wanted to make sure you were all ready for the show?</div>

The crowd roar.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: Oh you’re gonna have to do better than that. I SAID WHO’S READY FOR THE SHOW!?</div>

The crowd roar again. Louder.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: WHO’S READY TO SEE MIGHTY MO?</div>

Cheers.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: SAMMY BACH?</div>

Even more cheers.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: WOLF HAWKINS?</div>

A mixture of cheers and boos.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: AARON ‘ACE’ ANDREWS?</div>

Bruce, in typical fashion, is whipping the crowd into a frenzy.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: That’s what I like to hear. Then let’s get this goddamn show started. Welcome to Battleground III.</div>

Bruce tosses the mic over his shoulder as his theme song begins playing again and the crowd give their loudest, longest pop yet.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 92</div>

VS

Team Chord vs The Freedom Fighters

It surprises no one when Team Chord all come out to Jay’s music - as if Jay would have it any other way - but the announce team and the cameras draw close attention to the interactions between Gauge and Chord, who seem to be operating well together. And as things get underway it’s obvious that at the very least these two have been putting some time towards learning to work as a team.

It doesn’t take long for the first fall after the match starts. Jackson Laine opens things up and the young powerhouse looks promising in the first few minutes, but Roderick Remus is able to counter a fallaway slam by hanging himself sideways on the ropes after Laine has tossed him over his head before diving for the tag to Chord who hits Jackson with a big surprise reverse suplex. The dazed Laine isn’t able to fight back as he is planted with the Cradle Pildriver for the first elimination.

Chord tags in Gauge to face off against Benny Benson knowing that the two have history and they immediately start trading stiff forearms in the centre of the ring. Benson hits a nice back kick to double Gauge over then goes for a running sunset flip which gets him a two count, then follows that up with a running front dropkick to Gauge as he sits up. The fans cheer Benson on, hoping to see him score revenge over Gauge but it proves to be in vain when Sam Keith’s son rolls out of the way of a top rope splash and then applies the Proton Lock to tap Benson out.

Things look grim for Fro Sure and One Many Army, though the announce team make sure to mention that in the #1 contenders Battle Royale earlier this month both men scored victories (of a sort) over their opponents. Both look stoney faced as they get set to face off against four men with the odds distinctly not in their favour. OMA opts to go first but Fro Sure insists on it being him instead and forces OMA back between the ropes before locking up with Greg Gauge. Once again, Gauge struggles to get a hold of Fro and finds himself frustrated after a sequence of stinging strikes, enough that he tags Roderick Remus in. The “Real Deal” laughs at Fro as he walks in, but when the younger competitor counters a diving cross body into a Sure Thing cutter for a pinfall it wipes the smile off of his face.

Freddy Huggins wastes no time in rushing into the ring and blasting Fro in the back of the head with a running attack which flattens the smaller youngster. Huggins struts around the ring like he owns the place, planting Fro with a scoop slam and then putting the boots to him while he’s on the ground. Sure fights back with his typically stiff, boxing-style strikes but is soon overwhelmed when Remus hits him with a hangman from the apron and Huggins capitalises with the Huggins Kiss for the pin.

One Man Army cuts a stoic figure as he enters the ring, knowing that his odds of fighting back from 3-1 down are very long indeed. Still, he looks determined, a quality which basically sums up OMA. And when Huggins ill-advisedly tries to lock up with the former New Wave member it becomes obvious that the surviving Team Chord teammates may have underestimated him. Freddy goes for a sliced bread which OMA counters into a massive front powerslam and then follows up with a Guided Missile to well and truly flatten Huggins before pinning him. But OMA doesn’t get more than a few seconds to catch his breath when both Jay Chord and Greg Gauge are on him like wolves, attacking him with a total disregard for the rules. He attempts to fight back, even managing to hit another Guided Missile on Gauge after dumping Chord out of the ring. But ultimately the numbers prove too much. OMA hits the ropes but is staggered when Gauge hits him with a knee to the back from the apron and Chord takes advantage; planting him with a Cradle Piledriver for the pin.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 72

Length: 9:50

Winner: Jay Chord & Greg Gauge via pinfall (Jay Chord over One Man Army)</div>

VS

Hammer & Anvil, Human Arsenal & Bart Biggins vs American Ultra, Troy Tornado & Ernest Youngman

In two teams that are billed as combinations of promising newcomers to TCW and wiley veterans it quickly becomes apparent who the dominant party is going to be as American Ultra’s team rush into a commanding 4-2 lead when Bart Biggins and Elliot Thomas - of Hammer and Anvil - are quickly eliminated by Troy Tornado and Marv Statler respectively. Ernest Youngman puts in a good showing against Human Arsenal with some wonderful submission wrestling which looks as though it may claim the youngster a significant scalp, but after a nice sequence of chain wrestling Youngman goes for a second rope elbow drop and is countered by a boot to the face, and as he falls to the mat he is wrapped up in the Ammo Dump and forced to submit himself.

The bulky form of Mark Griffin is usually fairly intimidating but the relative unknown seems nervous as he faces off against both American Ultra and Troy Tornado. And his fears appear to be well founded as the three begin systematically pulling him to pieces with the technical tag team effectively grounding him with a sequence of leg holds while Troy Tornado uses his ring smarts and experience to goad the powerhouse into several unwise and rash big move attempts. After one such instance - going for a big corner splash which Troy rolls away from - ‘The Anvil’ is clearly winded and Troy uses the opportunity to plant him with his Star Maker side slam for the pinfall.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 54

Length: 10:13

Winner: Troy Tornado & American Ultra via pinfall (Troy Tornado over Mark Griffin)</div>

As the ring is cleared the camera cuts to a dressing room backstage where Mighty Mo, Tana and Joshua Taylor are all warming up in their ring gear.

Mo in his white trunks and boots, Tana in his traditional colourful ie and wrapped feet and Taylor in his black and gold half-tights. Conspicuous by his absence is John Blackfyre, something which has not gone unnoticed by the rest of his team.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JT: You seen him yet?

TM: Searched the entire arena, bro. Can’t find one person who has seen him. Matter of fact, a lot of people aren’t even sure if he actually exists…

MM: Dammit, T, that’s not helping. Where is the guy, man?

TM: He’ll show, Mo. Kid is weird and dangerous as hell, but he isn’t a liar.

MM: I hope you’re right, T. I really do.</div>

The brief scene fades to black with all three men exchanging slightly worried looks.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 69</div>

VS

The Old School vs The 1%

The 1% have been set up as a force to be reckoned with in the midcard and as they stride to the ring in suits they certainly look the part. The fans get the sense that the Old School - despite being a team made up of old favourites from TCW’s heyday - are being set up as sacrificial lambs but quickly rally behind the fan favourites when they surge into an unexpected 4-2 lead early on as Danny Fonzarelli and the powerhouse T-Bone Bright cleans out both members of Rich & Famous in short order, with T-Bone in particular looking impressive when he opens the match by laying out basically the entire opposing team - who sell his offence like crazy.

Nelson Callum and Davis Wayne Newton regroup and it’s notable that Rich & Famous don’t actually leave the ring area despite being eliminated, something that Charles Hapstander fails to notice. And it proves to be a significant miss by the ref as both men contribute to T-Bone’s elimination when Jake Idol trips the former football player as he comes off the ropes, causing him to turn and shout and leaving him wide open to a great-looking Split from Callum which sees Bright eliminated via pinfall. Flying Jimmy Foxx and Chance Fortune take it in turns trying to weaken the two remaining 1% men while Fonzarelli shouts support from the apron but Foxx’s high flying offense works against him as he is dropkicked out of the air and then forced to submit with a Triple Threat Stretch from Newton.

Rich & Famous attack Fonzarelli at ringside while Hapstander is focusing on Davis Wayne Newton and Chance Fortune in the ring, so he does not spot the Love Doctor getting his arm wrapped around the ringpost and crushed between the ring steps (somehow, despite the noise it makes). Meanwhile Newton has put on something of a clinic with Fortune by isolating him from his corner. Callum tags in and applies his signature tarantula hold - The Honey Trap - to Chance and it looks as though the high flier is pretty much unable to continue. A supposition which is confirmed when Callum hits another Split for yet another pinfall to his name.

Fonzarelli rallies against Rich & Famous on the outside and sends them packing with his superior strength and then surges into the ring where - despite his injuries - he is able to overpower Callum, culminating in a big splash to the corner and a nice looking powerslam. The mouthpiece of The 1% attempts to fight back by thumbing the Love Doctor’s eyes and going for a Split but Fonzarelli proves far too heavy and Callum ends up eating a makeshift bulldog as a result. Newton can only watch on in horror as Fonzarelli picks Callum up into the Retro Rocket - a high-rise Powerbomb - and then covers their leader for the three count. However Newton doesn’t wait around for long, hitting the ring at speed and focusing on Fonzarelli’s injured arm with vicious intent. There’s little he can do but try to protect himself which leaves him wide open to the Triple Threat’s mixed offense and ultimately Fonzarelli is impressively pinned when Newton gets him up for the Triple Threat Plex and the pinfall victory.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 52

Length: 9:48

Winner: Davis Wayne Newton via pinfall (Davis Wayne Newton over Danny Fonzarelli)</div>

After a short message from our sponsors for the evening we catch up with Team Ace on an interview set backstage.

They are all in their ring gear: the Ace in his red and white tights and taped fists, Bach’s black tights and dark denim vest, Hockings white and gold trunk and cape combo and - of course- the 24 Party Animal’s stringer vest and black Adidas track pants. They have the look of a motley crew but no one - least of all TCW interviewer Haley Buck - doubts their competency.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">HB: Team Ace, in a short while you will face The Syndicate in a clash of stars as profound as anything we have seen in TCW in recent memory. How do yo...</div>

Sammy Bach’s unflinching gaze is accentuated by his white contact lenses which give him an almost vampiric appearance, which is enough to halt Haley Buck in mid-setence. With a slight smile he lifts the microphone out of her hands.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">SB: The Syndicate have been in TCW even longer than I have. It’s an institution in this company. Part of the furniture. But just because something is old doesn’t make it good.

For 12 years I’ve had to put up with a boys club at the top of this company. Men with famous last names coasting on past achievements, nepotism which elevates the unworthy to positions they never could have achieved without it. I’m done fighting this battle. Tonight: we finish it.</div>

The rest of Team Ace nod in approval with the notable exception of Edd stone, who appears to take issue with the “Men with famous last names” comment.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">AA: Every man here has earned his spot at the top of this card. This is about more than the World Championship; this is about the guys in this company who deserve a shot. And tonight the Matt Hockings, Edd Stones and Sammy Bachs of the world are getting theirs. And I’m honoured to be here with them.

MH: When the book is written this is going to be the moment where the historians will say that the future of TCW arrived. The Syndicate is the old guard, a bunch of prima donnas in their 40s - sorry Sammy - who have overstayed their welcome.

ES: Man, you guys are really hammering this home, huh? Who even cares about The Syndicate? Those guys sucks. So let’s go kick their heads off.</div>

The rest of the team pause for a moment then laugh; Aaron Andrews playfully slaps Stone on the back of the head which the Canadian doesn’t seem too thrilled about. But the moment passes without incident and all four walk off set looking like they’re in high spirits.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 92</div>

VS

The Roughnecks, Seth Whitehead & Long Crash vs Marc Speed, Maverick, Duke Freeman & Phillip Winner

The new team of The Roughnecks get a brief intro sequence before the match where Dazzling Dave Diamond calls out - in his typical charming southern drawl - the new boy Marshall Dillon. They’re theme song - “White Trash Millionaire” - draws a fair amount of recognition from the fans who seem excited to see some new blood. The pair are accompanied to the ring by two young men described as youth prospects: Seth Whitehead and Long Crash. The same is true of Marc Speed and Maverick who have Duke Freeman and Phillip Winner doing everything but carrying their bags to the ring.

As things get underway it’s obvious that the young guys are in this match for exposure and aren’t expected to get in any meaningful offense, and so it proves to be as the teams exchange pins: Marshall Dillon getting his debut off to a strong start with a hellacious lariat that puts Duke Freeman out for the count before Marc Speed evens the odds by tapping out Long Crash with a triangle chokehold. Dave Diamond and Dillon combine their roughneck brawling styles to flatten Maverick with a double clothesline from hell after Diamond is able to power out of an extended sleeper hold, eliminating him.

Speed gets another elimination when he and Seth Whitehead get into a chain wrestling contest - an unwise choice with Marc Speed despite Whithead’s reputation for it on the indie circuit - and after grounding his opponent with a painful-looking leg grapevine he transitisions into a full-mount and counters a tame strike attempt from a weakened Whitehead into another triangle hold which chokes him out.

Things ramp up when the bulky Phillip Winner gets into a hoss-fight with Marshall Dillon, something the 6’8 300+ lbs Texan doesn’t take lying down. The fans cheer their approval as the two big men slug it out in the centre of the ring but ultimately the contest is only ever going to go one way. Dillon drops Winner to a knee with a sickening open palm slap to the chest, plants him with a running big boot to the head and then makes the cover to narrow the teams down to The Roughnecks versus Marc Speed.

To his credit, Speed is quick to take the fight to the Texan tag team. He is able to hang Diamond up on the ropes with a drop toe hold that sees Dazzling Dave crash throat first into the second rope but the legal man Dillon proves sterner opposition, no selling another attempt at a drop toe hold by remaining standing, dragging speed to his feet and then hurling him into the corner where Dillon unloads on him with fists. The “Speedball” tries to slip out of the corner but Marshall cuts him off and tosses him back against the turnbuckles for more punishment before whipping him against the ropes and damn near taking his head off with another clothesline from hell, which grabs the Roughnecks the win.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 54

Length: 10:13

Winner: Marshall Dillon & Dazzling Dave Diamond via pinfall (Marshall Dillon over Marc Speed)</div>

As The Roughnecks celebrate in the ring the camera returns to our announce team.

Jason Azaria’s grey hair is still combined to pristine perfection despite the heat and chaos in the arena, meanwhile Ernie Turner looks like he is about to die of overheating in his purple velvet suit.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">ET: Does anyone have a fan? Or several cases of cold beer?

JA: Well we promised you amazing action and so far tonight haven’t we just delivered folks? The wonderful - and rowdy - fans in attendance here in Jackson certainly seem to think so! A win for Jay Chord’s team after a punishing opener that perhaps puts to bed Greg Gauge and Chord’s feuds with Fro Sure and One Man Army respectively. A strong victory for The 1% and equally impressive outings for American Ultra and The Roughnecks who all walked away with wins.

JS: The big questions lay ahead of us though, Jason. Will The Sinner Society be forced to disband as they go up against a team that has been a thorn in their side for months? Mighty Meaty seem to have had the Society’s number at every turn and they’ve added Joshua Taylor and John Blackfyre to their ranks. This could be the last time we see the Sinner Society function as a group.

ET: You say that as if it’s a done thing. The Sinner Society have been in this company longer than you, Jasmine. You don’t get that kind of tenure by accident.

JA: Of course, you’re both right. The Sinner Society will pose stern opposition to a team made up of some of the strongest fan favourites in the company - especially if John Blackfyre continues to remain elusive. Where could he be? But if we’re speaking of teams which embody the past and future of TCW then look no further than Team Ace; we’ve already heard from them tonight and they seem in great spirits ahead of their clash with The Syndicate.

ET: Yeah we’ll see how those positive attitudes hold up to an ass kicking our two.

JS: I’m loathe to agree with ET, but could there be a risk of complacency here as well? Are their heads in the right place for the encounter ahead of them?

JA: Only time will tell! We’re heading back to the action folks with the Sinner Society facing “The Team Tana Forgot To Name” - that’s literally what I have here in front of me folks. Don’t you dare go anywhere!</div>

Tag Team Titles

VS

The Sinner Society vs The Team That Tana Forgot To Name

The teams head down to the ring as - almost - complete units with the only notable omission being John Blackfyre, whose absence has visibly had an effect on the faces of his team mates. They seem concerned, to say the very least. The Sinner Society, by comparison, look - to a man - like they’re ready to break every rule in the book and perhaps a couple that aren’t in pursuit of victory. Nick Booth has even wrapped a chain around his forearm which Tony Thorpe has some trouble getting away from him.

The moment that Joshua Taylor and Nick Booth go to lock up the lights in the arena go dark...

by Rob Zombie

Some kind of chanting is heard as if a ritual is about to begin as industrial metal fills the Mississippi Dome. The white lights begin flashing, pulsing down the entrance ramp as a procession of bald, shirtless men covered head to toe in pure white body paint form a corridor with arms - holding real-looking spears - raised to create a kind of arch. Flames spout up from the stage and Blackfyre steps through them, hands clasped around his black, leatherbound Book of John in front of him. His head lowered so that his black stetson conceals everything but his mouth.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">ET: Sweet jesus... </div>

In the ring the white flashes of light intermittently illuminate his team mates who exchange a mixture of incredulous laughs and impressed nods as Blackfyre proceeds through the corridor of flesh. The Sinner Society look less amused.

It takes a further minute for Blackfyre to enter the ring during which time he hands his Book of John to a tentative Tony Thorpe before removing his long dark coat and his cowboy hat. Almost everyone in the arena expects him to insist on replacing Joshua Taylor as the opening fighter for his team, and almost everyone proves to be wrong as Blackfyre slaps Taylor on the shoulder encouragingly and hops through the ropes to join his team mates.

Taylor needs no further prompting and goes straight for the throat, locking Nick Booth up and proceeding to put on a technical clinic like only he can. Booth is bigger and stronger, but strength means nothing when your opponent is as wily as Joshua Taylor. Every time Booth scores any significant offence Taylor is able to rally back behind a perfectly timed hold or counter, including one awesome moment where he catches Booth’s kick attempt, ducks the ill-conceived enziguri attempt and then hits a sick-looking reverse Dragon Screw on the face-down Booth which leaves the Sinner Society lackey screaming in pain. Taylor puts him out of his misery with the Butterfly Lock and then beckons the next Sinner Society member to step in the ring.

Titan rushes Taylor, who ducks and pulls the second rope with him, sending The Behemoth spilling to the outside of the ring. Shark runs in next and JT responds to a thunderous forearm to his neck with an open-handed slap that brings the crowd to their feet. Getting into a striking contest with Killer Shark is unwise. Tony Thorpe appears to have lost sight of who the legal man is as both Titan and Killer Shark begin taking it in turns to attack Taylor, who does an admirable job of fighting back. Shark attempts to jump his man once again but is headed off by Mighty Mo, but the distraction gives Nick Booth - who still hasn’t left the ringside - the opportunity to hand Eddie Peak his chain which Peak uses to blindside Taylor, who is covered by Titan for the elimination.

Tana and Mo rush The Behemoths while Eddie Peak calls shots and Blackfyre descends to the floor to show Nick Booth exactly why hanging around at ringside is bad for his health with a snug superkick and a suplex which hangs him up on a metal guard rail. However the numbers in the chaotic encounter in the ring begin to tell. Mo is beaten down in the corner by all three remaining Society opponents and then Tana eats a Big Bite after missing a Big Fat Samoan Splash which sees him succumb to a shock pinfall and elimination. But the biggest shock of the night is yet to come. Blackfyre finishes his business with Nick Booth and makes his way back to the ring but is fairly casual in doing so; rightfully assuming that Mo and Tana can hold their own. However the elimination of Tana leaves Mo terribly vulnerable. He nails Killer Shark with a Plunge but has a handful of some kind of sand or dust tossed in his eyes by Peak while Thorpe is - once again - distracted, leading to a massive chokeslam from Titan which leads to a stunning elimination, leaving Blackfyre with long odds to overcome.

The three giants totally disregard Thorpe’s attempts to restore order by entering the ring together, circling Blackfyre like sharks who smell blood in the water. But the Man In Black gives nothing away, simply running a fist along his bearded mouth before grinning and beckoning them on. They are only too happy to oblige. The Behemoths descend on him with thumping overhand strikes while Eddie Peak laughs and puts the occasional boot in, seemingly uncaring of the fact that a DQ loss would still see the Sinner Society disbanded. But Peak’s laughter turns to shouts of anger when - in a sudden flurry of offense - Blackfyre superkicks Shark out of the ring, does the same to Eddie Peak and then plants Titan with a Batwing to eliminate him.

The one remaining Behemoth and the leader of the Sinner Society strategise together in the corner as a now fairly battered John Blackfyre attempts to catch his breath, his tattooed chest heaving and sweat covered. For some reason Peak finally decides to listen to Tony Thorpe and exits the ring, allowing Shark to fight one on one. It soon becomes clear why as - after a period of relatively even back and forth wrestling Shark grabs Blackfyre in a full nelson and advances him to the Sinner Society’s corner where Eddie Peak is waiting with a bag of what looks like sand in his hands. Thorpe yells at Peak who pays no attention and hurls a handful of the grains at Blackfyre - who ducks and in doing so sees Shark blinded. It seems as though Thorpe may call for the DQ until the Man In Black boots Shark in the gut and hits yet another Batwing to score an elimination, leaving just him and Eddie Peak.

The fans roar as an almost fearful-looking Eddie Peak steps into the ring with John Blackfyre, who cracks his knuckles and grins a bloody smile. The two clash in the centre of the ring with Peak using his size to manipulate the smaller man and for a time it appears like this will be enough as Blackfyre’s fatigue appears to be getting the better of him. In short order Peak hits a Peak of the Devil which looks as though it has finished the match before Blackfyre is able to just get a shoulder up at 2 and a half, followed by a Peak of Perfection which nets as near a fall as one can humanly have. It’s a move that very few men have ever kicked out of and Peak sits up in stunned disbelief as the crowd chant Blackfyre’s name.

Peak boots Blackfyre in the gut and positions him for another Peak of Perfection powerbomb; another would surely seal the win. He runs a thumb across his throat and yells as the fans then hoists his opponent onto his shoulders but Blackfyre fights back with desperate punches to the head. He drops to his feet, ducks a wild attempt at a strike which spins Peak around and then sends the crowd into raptures when he cinches in the Gloomweaver Clutch while Eddie’s back is turned. Locked in a deadly hold in the centre of the ring with nowhere to go and no one to help him the fans roar “TAP! TAP! TAP!” at the Sinner Society leader, who - after several agonisingly long seconds - is forced to submit. Losing both the match and the Sinner Society in the process.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JS: The Sinner Society are no more! The agents of chaos must disband forever! What will become of these heinous individuals now!?</div>

As an exhausted Blackfyre celebrates with and is congratulated by his team mates - who have returned to the ring, the camera focuses on Eddie Peak, cutting between his dazed expression and the members of the Sinner Society on the stage who stare on dejectedly before the show goes to a quick message from a sponsor.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 66

Length: 9:57

Winner: John Blackfyre via pinfall (John Blackfyre over Eddie Peak)</div>

Once the announce team have delivered the sponsor’s message we cut to a hype video package for the main event, depicting the clashes these men have had with one another in recent history, set to suitably fist-pounding metal.

by Five Finger Death Punch

We see Andrews all-out fight with Wolf Hawkins at The War To Settle The Score, the moment where Andrews beat Wolf for the title at Summer Showdown 2019 and the staredown after King of Kings in December where the two men wordlessly acknowledged that their paths - as King of Kings and Champion - were now destined to cross again.

We see Sammy Bach’s rough 2020 juxtaposed against his strong 2019, including audio excerpts of his speech at the Total Wrestling after his failed Main Event match with Wolf Hawkins at Total Mayhem where he promised that he would be back. But the segment ends strong, showing his victory over The Elite and the team of Wolf Hawkins and Jay Chord.

A quickfire segment showing the success of both Edd Stone and Matt Hocking this year. Wins over Joshua Taylor and Doc Hammond, and winning the Television Title from Greg Gauge respectively.

The segment ends showing The Syndicate doing what The Syndicate do best: dismantling opponents, by fair means or foul. Particular attention is paid to Doc Hammond, who is depicted as a calculating monster capable of permanently crippling his opponents should he so choose.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 74</div>

VS

The Syndicate vs Team Ace

The teams enter as units, both looking totally focused and ready for the other. The smiles on the faces of Team Ace are well hidden if they even are there at all but one gets the sense that for both teams this is all-business. The house lights lower, a single spotlight illuminates the ring as chief referee Ray Johnson checks each competitor for foreign objects - contrasting what Tony Thorpe didn’t do earlier in the night - and outlines the rules. The opening combatants are decided: Matt Hocking and Eddie Chandler. The ‘big hitters’ of each team wisely choosing to conserve themselves.

The bell rings and the action is underway. Eddie Chandler is a fine technician and has a bit of the Hocking about him, strutting around the ring and congratulating himself for an early arm drag after a lock up. The Shocking Superstar responds by laughing and landing his own arm drag, followed by some strutting of his own. This infuriates Chandler and the two launch into a slugging match in the centre of the ring, something neither’s in-ring style is really suited for. On the outside Wolf Hawkins tries to shout advice at Chandler but it appears like it comes too late. The Elite man whips Hockings to the ropes, ducks for a backdrop and then gets caught with a rapid fire sunset flip which scores a shock early pinfall.

Nate Johnson - Eddie Chandler’s tag team partner - storms the ring without a second’s thought and Hocking quickly rolls backwards to his corner and extends a palm behind him, which Sammy Bach slaps before diving across the ring with a springboard body splash from the apron which catches Johnson flush across the chest. The Elite aren’t making a great show of themselves; Bach sends Johnson reeling back into a corner with a series of withering chest chops which he continues until Johnson is sprawled against the bottom turnbuckle. Bach mounts the top rope and elicits a cheer from the crowd with a gesture before he grips the ropes and hits a sickeningly-stiff pendulum front kick onto Johnson who slumps over and gasps for air.

Bach gestures to The Syndicate this time, shouting “This is your boy?” as he drags Johnson back out of the corner by his head before planting him with an Adrenaline Shot which scores yet another pinfall. Barely five minutes gone and The Syndicate are two men down, a fact clearly not lost on Wolf and Doc who stand stony-faced on the apron. Wolf punches Hammond in the chest as if to say “Let’s do this!” and then steps through the ropes. He’s going to have to do it himself.

Bach appears a little over-confident as the two TCW superstars match up but the fans are very much into it, roaring Bach’s name as he locks up with Hawkins. However those cheers soon shift to concern as the Alpha Wolf begins to dominate proceedings with his own unique blend of striking and technical offence. Bach is struggling to keep up with Wolf and begins to take risks - despite the advice from Aaron Andrews and Hocking at ringside. Culminating in a moment where Sammy goes for another springboard body splash that Wolf meets in mid air with a bone-crunching Full Moon Rising to Sammy’s head. Bach crumples to the mat and it surprises no one when he is unable to kick out of the subsequent pin attempt.

Wolf calls another opponent into the ring. Edd Stone rolls his eyes while Aaron Andrews and Matt Hocking debate who will go next; Hocking insists it be him and cautiously hops over the top rope to applause from the fans. Hocking and Bach are similar kinds of wrestler but where Bach allowed his attitude to get the better of him Hocking demonstrates the kind of grit that has made him such a fan favourite, simply weathering the offense of Wolf where he can’t match it and waiting for opportunities to get his own in.

This time it is the Alpha Wolf’s turn to get frustrated after Hocking is able to slip yet another hold attempt and he expresses it with a stiff shin kick to the Matt’s midriff, which Hocking returns in kind. Both men begin exchanging kicks until their sides are a horrifying red colour and Wolf is the first to blink, opting to bounce off the ropes rather than sustain any more damage. Hocking scouts it and monkey flips his opponent before hitting a nice flipping jawbreaker over Wolf’s head as he sits up.

As they fight to their feet Wolf goes for another kick which is caught and turned into a fantastic Exploder suplex - effectively Doc Hammond’s finisher - which some of the announcers take delight in pointing out. Hocking seizes the opportunity and mounts the turnbuckle looking for his signature Hock Shock elbow drop. Wolf doesn’t move and is planted with with an elbow to the heart, yet is somehow able to get a shoulder up from the pin attempt. A frustrated Hocking remonstrates with Ray Johnson, who is having none of it and encourages them to fight on, and this is the gap Wolf needs: grabbing his opponent with a school boy which Hocking is able to roll through on only to be caught with a brainbuster as he stands. The crowd know what’s next: a Full Moon Rising later Hocking is out and the match is down to 2 vs 2.

Aaron Andrews enters the ring to thunderous applause from the attendant fans, and as he and Wolf circle each other a slow clap begins. However this is interrupted with boos when Wolf suddenly stops and tags in Doc Hammond. Ever the professional, Andrews indicates he doesn’t care who he fights and the two fresh men go at it.

The Ace suffers a fair amount of damaging offense in the early running, sustaining an indian deathlock and a boston crab in quick succession which put significant strain on his lower back. Visibly so as he begins to limp around the ring.

He hits Hammond with a quick snap suplex to break up the offense but has an attempt at another countered, which Doc follows up with a rear chinlock whose intention is just to hurt rather than submit. At one point Ace attempts to make a tag to Edd Stone but Wolf gets there first and clocks his partner with a right hand which sends the Canadian spilling to the outside of the ring, where he remains for some time. Much like Wolf earlier in the match it becomes clear from the Ace’s expression that he realises he needs to do this himself, and do it he does, rising from a European uppercut to his feet and nailing a painful-sounding open palm slap to Doc’s chest. The pair begin exchanging chops and slaps, leaving both men’s chests red and welted. Hammond nails a slap that atomises the sweat on Andrews’ face and the champ responds with a desperation headbutt that floors Doc.

Andrews mounts the turnbuckle but Doc surges to his feet before the Ace can attempt his finisher, however the champ had the reversal scouted and leaps over Hammonds head, rolls and then nails a running cross body as the Syndicate member turns. The Ace ascends the turnbuckle again and this time is able to nail his Into The Blue cross body onto the prone form of Doc for the pinfall.

Wolf steps back through the ropes, rolls his neck and cracks his knuckles. And Andrews, despite the damage he sustained against Doc, shows no interest in tagging out. As if in response Wolf launches an all-out assault on Andrews who first teeters under the weight of the offensive and then outright topples over. He is assailed with boots to the head, eye rakes, hair-pulling, literally every dirty trick in the book. And between it all is the usual devastating offense that Wolf Hawkins has come to be famous for. At one point Wolf hits a chop to the injured chest of Andrews that is so loud that it literally silences the fans, who watch in horror as the Ace collapses to his knees as a result. Wolf sense an opportunity and bounces off the ropes to go for a Full Moon Rising, and it looks like it’s all over for Andrews until he simply collapses forward onto the mat, dodging the finisher attempt, though it’s questionable how much he even knew about it.

Wolf picks Andrews up and puts him in position for a brainbuster. He gets him up and looks set to drive the champions head into the mat when Andrews summons enough strength to flip back out of the vertical position and plant Wolf with an awesome DDT which has the crowd roaring.

It is clear that Andrews needs to tag in the fresh Edd Stone if he is to have any hope of staying in this match. He crawls, agonisingly, one hand over the other to the corner where Edd Stone awaits with his hand outstretched.

Stone reaches…

Andrews reaches…

...and Stone pulls his hand away and drops down from the apron.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JA: WHAT THE HELL IS STONE DOING!? IS HE ABANDONING THE ACE?

JS: THE MAN HAS NO RESPECT FOR THIS MATCH OR THIS COMPANY!

ET: I ALWAYS KNEW THE KID WAS GOING PLACES!</div>

Andrews stares in disbelief on his knees as Edd Stone raises two middle fingers in his face then points them at the crowd and backs up the ramp while the announcers go insane speculating on what this might mean. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to Andrews, Wolf has gotten up behind him and is crouched in the corner gesturing for him to turn so he can hit him with the Full Moon Rising. The camera focuses on Andrews’ face, his dejected eyes close as if he knows what is about to happen. He turns and catches Wolf’s finisher flush on the nose.

Wolf makes the cover. RayJohnson indicates that Edd Stone is effectively eliminated from the match and then counts the three, leaving the Mississippi Dome in a mixture of stunned confusion and fury as Wolf Hawkins and The Syndicate are announced the victors.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 76

Length: 30:29

Winner: Wolf Hawkins via pinfall (Wolf Hawkins over Aaron Andrews)</div>

Wolf celebrates in the ring, standing over the prone form of Aaron Andrews with his hand raised by Ray Johnson. It’s clear the victory means a lot to him; to finally exercise some of those demons of his past with the Ace.

by HEALTH

But, suddenly, his music stops and another theme song starts playing. One we’ve heard before. And three men emerge out onto the stage.

by Black Label Society

Jay Chord, Greg Gauge and Edd Stone grin wordlessly down at the ring as they advance down the ramp. Wolf’s initial confusion turns to anger and he mouths “You want some? Come on then!” while Aaron Andrews is being helped to his feet by some of the trainees at ringside. The three of them circle the ring like wolves; Jay at the foot of the ramp, Stone and Gauge each taking a side. The battered forms of Aaron Andrews and Wolf Hawkins are both up in the ring now, cautiously checking over their shoulders on each other as they are forced to back up against one another against this new threat. But both men are weak. With a nod Chord, Gauge and Stone hit the ring and lay waste to the champ and Wolf Hawkins, hitting a Cradle Piledriver and a Party’s Over onto Wolf while Andrews is held in the Proton Lock by Greg Gauge. Then, as if to humiliate him further, Andrews’ lifeless body is held up while Stone plants him with a shot from his own title belt which leaves the Ace bleeding and unconscious on the mat.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JA: WHAT IN GOD’S NAME IS THIS? WHAT UNHOLY ALLIANCE HAS BEEN FORMED HERE TONIGHT? THE HOUSES OF CHORD, KEITH AND STONE ARE UNITED AND IT MAKES ME SICK!

ET: REMEMBER THE DATE, JASON AND FANS AROUND THE WORLD. AND REMEMBER THE NAMES: CHORD, GAUGE AND STONE.</div>

The commentary team continue to implore the three men in the ring for answers, but their only response is cool, ruthless indifference as they celebrate over the battered and bloody bodies of TCW’s finest.

<div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 72</div>

Show Rating: 79

</div>

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Posts posted by Devilb0y