Devilb0y

Quick update to say that I'm expecting to have the Battleground III show up by Wednesday, so this is your last call to get predictions in!

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DarEatWorld" data-cite="DarEatWorld" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49598" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I've always tended to immerse myself in the C-verse indies rather than the bigger companies. Not sure why but there you have it. As a result I've never felt particularly invested in the big SWF/TCW/USPW war. Until now... having read this more or less through in a couple of sittings (thank you train journeys), it turns out that I'm a TCW guy now. <p> </p><p> Or, put more simply, this is <strong>fantastic</strong>.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Oh man, that's so kind of you to say, thank you!</p><p> </p><p> I tend to split my time between TCW and SWF. I've never much cared for USPW and although I'd love to get into some puro and indie feds I don't really know where to start, so whenever a new game comes out I always go back to the old faithfuls <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />.</p>

I'm remaining tight-lipped

BATTLEGROUND III Volleyed and thundered; Stormed at with shot and shell, Boldly they rode and well, Into the jaws of Death, Into the mouth of hell Broker your alliances. Trust to the man beside you and form ranks against the coming tide. Through the smoke and ash victors will arise. This is a Battleground. TCW Presents: Battleground III by Bullet For My Valentine From the historic Mississippi Bowl comes a clash of forces so seismic that TCW can barely contain them. The Syndicate meet Aaron Andrews and a rag-tag team of superstars young and old in what promises to be a devastatingly violent affair. The tag team titles are up for grabs in an unconventional 4 vs 4 match as Mighty Meaty team with Joshua Taylor and the enigmatic John Blackfyre against Eddie Peak's gang. We will see the debuts of exciting youngsters like Ernest Youngman,Seth Whitehead, Long Crash, Duke Freeman, Phillip Winner. We will see the high-rolling 1% in action. And of course we will see the power duo of Jay Chord and Greg Gauge who appear to be on the same, deadly page. Join us on TCW Elite, the home of amazing wrestling. <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"> Quick Preview: The Syndicate (Wolf Hawkins, Doc Hammond, Eddie Chandler & Nate Johnson) vs Team Ace (Aaron Andrews, Sammy Bach, Matt Hocking & Edd Stone) Tag Team Title Match: The Sinner Society (Eddie Peak, Killer Shark, Titan & Nick Booth) vs The Team Tana Forgot To Name (Mighty Mo, Tana the Mighty, Joshua Taylor & John Blackfyre) The Roughnecks, Seth Whitehead & Long Crash vs Marc Speed, Maverick, Duke Freeman & Phillip Winner The Old School (Chance Fortune, Danny Fonzarelli, Flying Jimmy Foxx & T-Bone Bright) vs The 1% (Nelson Callum, Davis Wayne Newton, Jackpot Jordan & Jake Idol) Hammer & Anvil, Human Arsenal & Bart Biggins vs American Ultra, Troy Tornado & Ernest Youngman Team Chord (Jay Chord, Greg Gauge, Freddy Huggins & Roderick Remus) vs The Freedom Fighters (One Man Army, Benny Benson, Fro Sure & Jackson Laine)

Booker's Notes Show Notes I was pleased with the grade I got out of Bach & Andrews vs The Elite. Bach's overness has taken a bit of pounding since my game started - down to the low 70s from a mid 70s to start - and The Elite are both in heavy time decline, hence why they haven't featured much in my game. It's no exagerration to say that Andrews carried the match, turning in a performance grade of 81 compared to 71 for Bach and 58 and 56 for Chandler and Johnson respectively. Honestly I'm a little disappointed in that main event grade. Wolf's performance of 88 was dragged down a lot by Edd Stone's 70. Admittedly this is only slightly below Stone's popularity so I maybe should have expected it, but still, I want more from Stone. And Hocking once again showed that he can really carry the midcard. He outperformed Doc Hammond by 8 (count em: 8) points, scoring a 67 to Doc's 59. Onto Battleground III where my popularity is sure to take a pounding from those damned multi-man stipulations. Stay tuned!

It's that time again. Let's look at those preview scores! christmas_ape: 5/5 eayragt: 4/5 kanegan: 5/5 Sco xY2Jx: 5/5 TJ94: 5/5 Xendarii: 5/5 Another super-strong week from everyone who predicted. As you all pointed out: I like Edd Stone a lot but Wolf is unfortunately on another level, at the moment at least. Congrats to christmas_ape, kanegan, Sco xY2Jx, TJ94 and Xendarii for clean sweeps. An exciting count down DVD of the most exciting moments in TCW's All Action division is on it's way to you as we speak. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"> This Month Running Prediction Scores: christmas_ape: 3 eayragt: 1 kanegan: 2 KnowYourEnemy: 1 Sco xY2Jx: 1 TJ94: 1 Xendarii: 3 Overall Running Prediction Scores: christmas_ape: 8 eayragt: 1 Herrbear: 2 kanegan: 2 KnowYourEnemy: 1 Sco xY2Jx: 1 TJ94: 1 Xendarii: 7</div>

TCW Presents Total Wrestling - March 2020, Week 4 Virginia Park Fields, Washington D.C. - 10’000 (SELLOUT) <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">(Pre Show) Ernest Youngman & Roderick Remus def Hammer & Anvil Rating: 57 Length: 10:18</div> <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">(Pre Show) Dazzling Dave Diamond def Duke Freeman Rating: 51 Length: 6:20</div> <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">(Pre Show) Freddy Huggins & American Ultra def Dean Daniels, Long Crash & Seth Whitehead Rating: 53 Length:10:20 </div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> by Five Finger Death Punch A short promo package for Battleground III opens the show before the feed cuts to a wide, sweeping shot of the crowd, periodically illuminated in greens and reds by the flare of pyro from the Total Wrestling stage. “The Pride” fades slightly as the intro to the show is punctuated by the voices of our three faithful announcers... <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">SD: Folks, we’re almost there. One week out from Battleground III where the stars of TCW will clash in chaotic multi-man action. Welcome, one and all, to Total Wrestling! JS: While Team Ace was officially formed after a wild brawl to end last week’s show, we still don’t know who Mighty Meaty and Joshua Taylor’s final partner will be. And what was Jay Chord up to with Greg Gauge last week? We know they’ve formed a team with Freddy Huggins and Roderick Remus, but why are those two so close? ET: Because they’re smart, Jasmine. They know that the lone wolf dies but the pack survives. And let me tell you: wolves don’t come more dangerous than Greg Gauge and Jay Chord. JS: Hard to argue with that. I fear for what TCW will become if those two are able to see eye-to-eye. </div> Ernie Turner closes his eyes whimsically, as if imagining this utopian state of affairs. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">SD: And we’re going to see multiple members of these teams clashing tonight! In an attempt to perhaps blow off some steam the members of Team Ace and The Syndicate will face one another with Matt Hocking defending his Television Title against the calculating Doc Hammond, Wolf Hawkins looking to put Edd Stone in his place and the superstar team of Aaron Andrews and Sammy Bach taking on The Elite. ET: Clean sweep for The Syndicate there. SD: And that unholy alliance of Jay Chord and Greg Gauge will also be in action against two of their Battleground III opponents: Benny Benson - who Gauge knows all too well - and Fro Sure. JS: I’m sorry to interrupt Shawn but I’m getting word that Jack Bruce wants to address the audience and is heading out to the ring… SD: Then we’ll leave you there. Folks, don’t touch that dial! </div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> The feed is quiet for only a few seconds before Jack Bruce’s theme song hits and he struts out onto the stage in a dark green suit and white shirt, wearing sunglasses. by Motley Crue It’s noticeable that his applause, while still loud, have diminished since he first returned. And it’s hard to escape the conclusion that this must have something to do with the way that he has slightly stained his reputation in the past few weeks by making Jay Chord promises relating to his booking in exchange for signing a new contract. Still, the fans are - all told - still happy to see him. Enough so that when he raises his mic to his lips to greet them 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: What’s up, D.C.? Good to be back in the capital. Cheap pops aside...</div> The fans laugh collectively. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: We’ve got some business to attend to this morning. The mess at the end of last week was, well, it was frankly embarrassing. We’ve lost control of the roster...</div> A smattering of “Book of John” chants break out among the fans, as if to emphasize this point. Bruce doesn’t acknowledge them. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: Tonight is gonna go clean and by the numbers, I promise you that. We’re gonna get our frustrations out in the ring and then go about our business until Sunday, where these guys can cripple each other for all I care. But right now I’ve got two things to say. First: Mighty Mo has just put himself at the top of my s**t list. I expect better from him and frankly it’s about time I made an example of someone....</div> Some boos break out in the crowd. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: So, at Battleground, the match between Mo and his friends and The Sinner Society is gonna be for the tag titles. If they lose, the tag belts can be divided up amongst the Society; I don’t care how. So Mo: you’d better find yourself a fourth man and FAST.</div> More boos. The fans love Mo and really aren’t happy with him being punished for standing up for Joshua Taylor while the Sinner Society get off scott free. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: Second... well, for the second point I’m gonna need the champ down here right now. And in case it isn’t already obvious I’m really not in a mood to ask twice.</div> As if to make a point it’s about twenty seconds before the arena is rocked with the words “TEAR DOWN...” as Andrew’s theme song hits, bringing the fans to their feet... by Fire From The Gods Andrews is already in his ring gear - red and white long tights and taped fists - as he makes his way down to the ring, though his match tonight isn’t until much later on in the show. Clearly he is coming ready to fight, despite what Bruce has just said. About half-way down the ramp he bounces from one foot to the other and then sprints the rest of the way, sliding under the bottom rope and coming to his feet in a wide-armed pose. Bruce - to his credit - gives his champion some room before continuing. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: Appreciate your punctuality, Ace. But you’re not gonna like this next bit. Wolf, get out here too. Right now.</div> As if on queue Wolf’s music hits straight away, complete with the dark blue lighting, the green lasers and the fog machine. by Health Wolf strides out onto the stage in a suit with Doc Hammond in tow and almost immediately starts talking. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">WH: You’ve got some nerve, calling me out, Bruce. What’s the matter? Got another guy you wanna push above me on the card to get them to sign a new contract?</div> Bruce clenches his teeth and bites back a response as he seethes in the ring. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">WH: Oh, sorry, was I supposed to keep Jay’s contract negotiations secret? Not a chance.</div> Doc Hammond laughs callously beside him. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: You’re talking awful big for a guy who got dropped like a bad habit at The War, Wolf. Yeah, we all still remember Blackfyre putting your face in the dirt. How about you worry about your match at Battleground befo… AA: Am I seriously gonna have to turn peacekeeper here? Not my style, Jack. Me and Wolf don’t exactly see eye to eye, and I’m starting to have second thoughts about you too. So how about you get to the point so I can go back to getting ready for my match?</div> Bruce takes a deep breath and collects himself before continuing. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: Alright, fair enough. I’m getting a little heated. So let me put this calmly and in terms both of you should be able to understand. If either of you - or your team mates - so much as look at each other funny until your match at Battleground I will strip you of that title and put you both so far down the pecking order than you’ll be considering retirement by the time you get another title shot. You get me?</div> Wolf laughs dismissively while Andrews steps up to Bruce, almost nose to nose. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">AA: I’d like to see you try and strip me of this title, Jack. Better men than you have tried. I said I was having second thoughts about you before, and that was a lie - for which I apologise. I’m not beginning to doubt you; I’ve doubted you from the start. I’m sure you’re an a** now.</div> Bruce’s face cracks into a humourless grin which Andrews reciprocates before shoving Bruce to the ground. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">A: You won’t see me lay a finger on Wolf or his Syndicate boys outside of the ring until it’s my time to do so. And if you ever threaten me again I’m gonna bury you, dude.</div> Ace’s music hits and he exits the ring, leaving a furious Bruce on his backside. Meanwhile Wolf and Doc at the top of the ramp can hardly conceal their amusement as the show goes to commercial. by Fire From The Gods <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 87</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Benny Benson & Jackson Laine vs Jay Chord & Greg Gauge As Benny Benson and Greg Gauge get set to square up in the opener the commentary team draw attention to the fact that these two teams will make up a wider set of opponents in five days time at Battleground, as well as pointing out that Greg Gauge and Benson have recent history while Jackson Laine is the sometimes tag partner of Fro Sure, who has also made an enemy of Gauge in recent weeks. What was billed as a technical affair devolves almost immediately into a wild brawl with Benson and Gauge throwing uncharacteristic haymakers at each other in the centre of the ring. Gauge, as the slightly bigger man, comes out on top in that exchange and sends Benson spilling backwards but the plucky Canadian has made a career on being resilient and bounces back, goading Sam Keith’s kid into a failed running move into the corner which he counters into a victory roll, followed by a running low drop kick. Another kick attempt from Benson is countered into a wonderful grapevine leg hold from Gauge which sends Laine charging into the room to break it. An action which annoys Chord, who also charges in. And for several minutes all hell breaks loose in the opener as both sets of partners begin slugging it out in and around the room while Charles Hapstander attempts to restore order. Eventually Chord is able to accept a tag from Gauge and the pair go about isolating the weary Benson while both men periodically strike Jackson Laine off the apron to keep him out of the match. It looks as though Benny is a dead man walking when Chord signals for a Super DDT but Benson is able to shove Chord off and hit a nice frog splash from the top rope to keep him down before rolling across the ring for the hot tag to Laine, who comes in like a house on fire. First Chord is dumped out of the ring - but not before Gauge is able to slap him on the back for a blind tag - and then Gauge is beaten back into a corner and hit with a big belly to belly to send him flying to the other side of the ring. Laine begins to rally the fans to his side by signalling for a Death Spiral after he plants Gauge with a big lariat, but as he lifts him over his head Gauge is able to roll out of the finisher, land on his feet behind Laine and then hit a chop block to send the brawler crashing to the floor. Benson attempts to cross the ring to assist but is headed off by Chord who sprints around the outside to drag him off the apron, so Laine has nothing to do but tap when Gauge cinches in the Proton Lock for the submission victory. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 71 Length: 10:11 Winner: Greg Gauge via submission</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> As the ring is cleared we cut backstage to a small dressing room with a long, room-length mirror. Tana the Mighty is sat with his legs up on the small dressing table in front of the mirror while Mo paces behind him. Joshua Taylor - in jeans and one of his own t-shirts - stands against the wall with his hands in his pockets. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">MM: I gotta be honest with you here boys: I don’t know who else we can ask. Seems like damn near everyone on the roster is spoken for at this point. TM: You tried Benson? MM: He was literally just in a match against the guys he’s fighting at Battleground. TM: OMA? MM: He’s in the same match as Benson. Goddamit, T, are you paying attention? TM: Listen bro, I’m just trying not to sweat. JT: What have I gotten myself into?</div> Suddenly the lights at the mirror begin to flicker as if the bulb is about to go. A few seconds pass where it appears like the electricity has returned to normal before the room is plunged into darkness, and when they come back on a figure in black is sat cross-legged on the dressing table in front of the mirror, causing Tana to spill backwards out of his chair. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JBF: Evenin’ boys. TM: That’s some kinda goddamn magic trick man! MM: What was that you were saying about not sweating, T? Blackfyre, how can we help? JBF: Oh you know little old me, just wandering around seeing if I can find some kinda trouble to get into.</div> Mo, Tana and Taylor all exchange nervous, cautious glances. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JT: You’re looking for trouble with the three of us? </div> Blackfyre’s mouth breaks into a wide grin under his black cowboy hat, though his head remains lowered, hiding his eyes. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JBF: Easy partner. I meant we’re gonna get into some trouble together. Long as you all don’t mind the help. TM: Why would you help us? JBF: Don’t much like Eddie Peak. MM: So you’re looking to add him to the list of powerful people you’ve pissed off? JBF: No point in pissing off any other kind. You game or not?</div> Taylor, Tana and Mo exchange another glance then turn back to Blackfyre as one and nod. The Man In Black doesn’t respond and instead just breaks into a raucous laugh, throws his head back and then presses his right hand to his face which causes the lights to cut in the dressing room again. And when they come back on he has vanished, leaving his three teammates staring in disbelief at one another. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 63</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Rich & Famous w/ The 1% vs Human Arsenal & Bart Biggins Rich & Famous are clearly bristling after their loss to Aaron Andrews and Edd Stone last week, and with the rest of The 1% accompanying them it’s fairly clear from the offset that this is going to be an uphill battle for Arsenal and Biggins. Indeed, it seems pretty obvious from the withering double-team offense that Rich & Famous produce that their opponents will do well to even land an offensive move. Arsenal gets a bit of offense in when he is able to turn a drop kick into a calf crusher and then exact some further punishment on Jake Jordan while he is grounded, but ultimately it proves to be a blip in the proceedings. Jake Idol gets the tag and rallies back behind a distraction from Nelsum Callum and the two physical specimens are able to eventually put Bart Biggins away with a Wheelbarrow Bomb after a match that feels, in retrospect, like a showcase for the 1%. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 58 Length: 4:05 Winner: Rich & Famous (Jackpot Jordan via pinfall)</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Doc Hammond vs Matt Hocking © Doc Hammond rolls out to the ring in a dark green beanie with black warpaint smeared across his eyes, urban camo cargo pants and grey-black gloves, looking ready to carry out some wetwork. He cuts an intimidating figure and the announcers play up the fact that he ranks right alongside Jay Chord as the toughest opposition Hocking has faced since he won the Television Title back in February. The champion, by contrast, bounces to the ring with his typical swagger. His white and gold cape twirling behind him as he struts like a model on a catwalk. When he gets to the ring he takes the Television Title from around his waist and holds it high, advancing towards Hammond’s corner as if in challenge. Something Doc doesn’t take kindly to; the moment Hocking turns around Doc blast him in the back with a high knee and begins putting the boots to him to a chorus of boos. Tony Thorpe scrambles the belt out of the ring and calls for the bell as things get underway with Hocking desperately trying to hold back Doc’s onslaught with very limited success; when Hocking tries to strike Doc turns to his extensive - and painful - array of holds to punish the wild swings, and Hocking has no chance of getting away from Doc in order to utilise his high flying moveset. Doc decides to try and end things early when he applies the Welcome To Parris Island and Hocking shows once again that beneath the swagger he is a fighting champion as he flips Hammond off of his back and uses the opportunity to swing the match by nailing a springboard high kick and a hurricanrana in quick succession. Doc is dazed and crumples to the second rope, allowing the Television Champion to inflict further punishment when he leaps over the ropes to land flat on the ringside mats before striking Hammond flush across the cheek. Staggering back to his feet, Doc tries to grab Hocking by the hair and pull him into the ring but Matt has the move telegraphed and hits a hangman across the top rope before dragging Doc under the bottom rope to continue the attack. Setting him up for a suplex at ringside it looks as though there’s no room for a move, and this is confirmed as Hocking hits a painful snap suplex which sees Doc slam into the partition wall at ringside to audible gasps from the nearby fans. The match swings again when Hocking goes for a running clothesline from the apron which Doc counters into a crossface on the outside which - although it can’t submit Hocking - does plenty of damage. Eventually Thorpe is able to get the men back in the ring but not before Doc wraps Hocking’s now weakened arm around the ringpost a few more times, leaving the champion in visible pain. In the ring Doc again begins trying to ground Hocking so he can go for his signature submission hold once more, and after Hocking is able to break one such hold with a rope break he then goads Doc into another attempt which is countered into a texas cloverleaf of his own when he pulls Hammond’s legs out from under him. Breaking the hold himself, Hocking yanks Doc off the floor and plants him with another nasty looking snap suplex against the turnbuckles before ascending them and nailing the Hock Shock from the top rope for the pin. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 70 Length: 16:16 Winner: Matt Hocking via pinfall - 5th title defence</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> After a short ad break the camera cuts to backstage where the Sinner Society are sat around a cheap-looking wooden table in a dark room drinking beer and playing cards on a collection of mismatched chairs. Eddie Peak appears to have gotten the pick of the litter; he is lounging in a beaten up old armchair that looks like someone pulled it out of the trash a few minutes ago in his ripped white t-shirt and blue jeans, legs hanging over the arms. Meanwhile Nick Booth - looking like a Peak clone - is sat across from his boss flanked by The Behemoths; each sat on folding chairs which look like they can’t possibly hold the weight. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">KS: Eddie, you wanna deal before I die of old age? Booth, you’re the big blind. Don’t make me explain it again.</div> Peak smirks, sits forward and pats Killer Shark on the shoulder as he begins shuffling the cards. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">EP: Easy big fella, wouldn’t wanna strain those brain cells thinking of somethin’ clever to say.</div> Booth snickers and Shark shoots him a stoney glare. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">EP: Anyway, listen, I didn’t just gather us all round this table to make nice and break bread. I need to make sure we’re all on the same page visa vis Battleground. You know what’s at stake, right?</div> He is met by an uncertain silence from his stable mates. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">EP: RIGHT? T: We lose, we don’t get to be friends no more?</div> Titan is almost heartbreakingly slow-witted at times. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">EP: Correctamundo. No more Sinner Society, no more friends. No more Eddie Peak looking out for you boys to make sure you get what’s best for you. So you understand that we can’t lose, right? We can’t. Win at any cost, that’s what we gotta do.</div> Peak is silent as he stares at each member of the Sinner Society in turn, then he grins, takes a swig of beer and starts shuffling the cards again as the camera fades to black. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 65</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Aaron Andrews & Sammy Bach vs The Elite Aaron Andrews is in full-on face mode as he makes a point of coming out with Sammy Bach, and to Bach’s theme song - “Heresy” - no less. Clearly he appreciates the assist last week and the two make a show of their team spirit as the high five fans together and generally give off a genial vibe. The Elite, by contrast, are their usual cold selves. Both pairs of men face off in the centre of the ring while Charles Hapstander attempts to maintain order and the ringside mics pick up Nate Johnson shouting something at Sammy Bach, to which Sammy responds that he’ll “Tap his ass out” while being barely restrained by Andrews, who insists on starting the match. And start he does as, after some jaw-jacking with Johson, he floors the Canadian with a snug right hand which he follows up with an irish whip into a drop toe hold before rolling through from a rear chinlock to lie face-to-face with Johnson, who he pats on the head before standing again. Suffice to say neither member of The Elite appreciates this and quickly get even when Chandler storms into the ring to violently break a hold, allowing the two men to double team Andrews while Sammy desperately tries to direct the ref’s attention towards the ring. Chandler makes the tag and taunts the fans as he parades the Ace around their half of the ring and The Elite showcase their talent as a tag outfit by really putting the screws to the World Champion in their corner as they cycle through their arsenal of double teams. Culminating in Nate Johnson holding Andrews in an armlock from the turnbuckle while Chandler puts the boots to his middle section before Johnson hits a painful-looking arm-wrench dragon screw from the top to send the Ace rolling to the floor. All hope seems lost for the good guys until Ace is dropkicked heavily back into his own corner where Bach is able to cleverly get a blind tag before Andrews falls to the mat, and the Dark Rock God catches an on-rushing Nate Johnson unawares as he springboards over the collapsing Ace to hit a flying forearm. The match descends into a brawl as Andrews gets some revenge on Eddie Chandler with a nice dragon screw and german suplex combo of his own but the real high point of the match comes when Sammy Bach is able to counter a springboard move from Johnson into an amazing monkey flip which sends the Canadian smashing into a turnbuckle before he is dragged to the centre of the ring and forced to submit to the Bach On Your Back. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 77 Length: 19:39 Winner: Sammy Bach via submission</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> A short ad plays before the show comes back with another brief promo package before Battleground III which itself gives way to a close-up of our announce team for the night. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">SD: A strong performance there from Bach and Andrews. The appear to be operating like a well-oiled unit, which they’re going to need this Sunday at Battleground III. ET: Speaking of well-oiled units it’s great to see some much-needed team building in the Sinner Society. Sometimes you just need to crack a few beers with the boys. JS: Seemed more like an emergency meeting to me. ET: I know what an emergency meeting looks like, and that wasn’t one. JS: I’m not sure how you’d know; you never attend the ones Shawn and I go to. SD: And a strong - if bruising - victory for Greg Gauge and Jay Chord earlier. What an opener that was; I for one can’t wait to see these two teams face off again on Sunday. JS: And a - quite frankly - stunning Television Title defence from Matt Hocking too. Add Doc Hammond to the list of guys he has put down for the count with his unique combination of fighting grit and panache. ET: Why don’t you two can it? If you actually listened to your earpieces you’d know that we need to head backstage again. Bunch of amateurs… SD: Well folks I’m hearing in my earpiece that… yes… we need to head backstage because we’ve caught Wolf Hawkins on the way to the ring ET: I literally just said that. It’s like I’m invisible.</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> The camera feed cuts, as promised, to a corridor backstage where Wolf Hawkins is walking in his black and white ring gear. He cuts a determined figure, his dark eyes focused straight ahead as if the camera in front of him isn’t even there. Suddenly his vision shifts as a sweat covered Aaron Andrews walks past him in the opposite direction without even exchanging a word. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">WH: Hey ‘Ace’!</div> Andrews stops and looks over his shoulder. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">WH: You’re gonna wanna watch this next match. See what I do to your boy. I’ve beaten Hocking, beaten Bach, I’m about to beat Stone and we both know I had you beat last month. AA: You done? WH: No, but you will be after Sunday. See you round, ‘Ace’.</div> Wolf walks on, his theme song hits and behind him Andrews chuckles to himself. by Health <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 85</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Edd Stone w/ Vita vs Wolf Hawkins Wolf and Edd Stone have faced each other once already in 2020 with Wolf coming out on top and as the two men get underway the camera focuses in on the hard look in Stone’s eyes, a coldness that wasn’t there the last time they fought. Both men lock up in the centre of the ring and go toe-to-toe with some great chain wrestling to start things off with each scoring several holds and throws over the other including a great little exchange of arm drags followed by both men missing a dropkick attempt. The audience applauds the surprisingly respectful show of technical wrestling as the competitors rise to their feet but it is suddenly punctuated when Wolf boots Stone in the gut and roughly wrestles him back into the corner. The 24 Hour Party animal is able to swing things his way when he ducks a lariat attempt and nails a superkick which just about takes Wolf’s head off, but the subsequent pin attempt only gets a two count and Hawkins is quick to shake off the cobwebs. A snug deadlift german suplex returns the near-fall on Stone and when both men get to their feet there’s a brief pause in the action before they launch at one another with a flurry of forearms and European uppercuts. Stone gets the upper hand when he drops Wolf to one knee and then catches him with a great back kick as he surges back to his feet with an attempt at another lariat. Going for a Party’s Over, Stone wows the audience when he is able to course-correct in mid-air when Wolf rolls out of the way and still land on his feet, then hit a standing moonsault which gets another two count. Wolf looks like he’s in trouble as he swings desperately at Stone’s midriff while he is dragged to his feet and looks even worse when he has a move stolen out of his own playbook and is planted with a brainbuster. Stone signals for the Party’s Over again and this time manages to hit the modified shooting star press which brings the crowd to a standing roar as they will Stone to make the cover. After an agonising pause the Canadian party animal is able to drape one hand over Hawkins and Ray Johnson makes the count but somehow, someway, Wolf gets his shoulder up just before the three count. Stone rises to his knees and grabs his temples in frustration as the camera gets a close-up of the disbelief on his face. Mouthing obscenities Stone rises to his feet, dragging Wolf with him again, grabs him in a double underhook and then appears to be going for a Tiger Driver but Hawkins is able to hook his leg behind Stone’s to stop himself from being lifted up. Stone goes for it again and again Hawkins counters it; this time into a back drop. Wolf hits the ropes as if he’s thinking of going for the Full Moon Rising and meets Stone in the middle of the ring as he springs up for a hurricanrana that he is able to counter into a powerbomb, then hits the ropes again and this time does nail a dazed Stone with his finisher before collapsing onto his opponent for the victory. The second in as many weeks that has left him looking like he can barely stand. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 79 Length: 19:38 Winner: Wolf Hawkins via pinfall</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> As Wolf’s music plays and he is checked on by EMTs the entire Syndicate rushes down to the ring to help their leader to his feet. by Health With his arms around both members of The Elite, Wolf’s arm is raised by Ray Johnson. Meanwhile Edd Stone is helped to the back with an ice pack on the back of his neck by the ring crew. As he hits the top of the ramp the rest of his team appear - Aaron Andrews, Sammy Bach and Matt Hocking... ...and the three of them help him stand facing the ring. The show goes off the air with all eight members of the Battleground III main event staring at each other with barely contained hatred. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 71</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"> Overall Show Rating: 81 </div>

Ahoy hoy folks! Quick update to say that I'm expecting the show to be written by tomorrow, so I'll be posting Thursday evening British Summer Time all being well.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="TJ94" data-cite="TJ94" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49598" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I've been reading this dynasty when I can and it has been one of the most enjoyable on the forum. The way you are fleshing out the wrestlers feels very natural to how I feel they would act in the situations you're putting them in. Finding Wolf Hawkins and Blackfyre particularly enjoyable to see on any show they're put on. Keep up the great work!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thanks very much! Glad you're enjoying it and awesome to have you aboard.</p><p> </p><p> Wolf is always great to write. To me he's definitely in that late NWA / early WCW Ric Flair position where he's a heel but everyone kinda loves him, so as a character he can run the full gamut of the heel/face spectrum, normally sitting somewhere in the middle.</p><p> </p><p> As for Blackfyre, as was pointed out a few weeks ago, every fed needs an Undertaker. Someone to let you really cut loose with your writing. And he's mine <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />.</p>

I realised this morning that I completely forgot to actually post the preview scores from last week. Apologies for that! So... well, you all picked all of them correctly. Which is pretty amazing, to be honest. I tend to book my TV shows predictably about 80-90% of the time and leave the big stuff for the PPVs, but even so: kudos to all of you for an amazing week! I don't know how I'm going to split this Wolf Hawkins onesie (complete with ears and tail)... christmas_ape: 6/6 eayragt: 6/6 kanegan: 6/6 Xendarii: 6/6 Congratulations to all four of you! <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"> This Month Running Prediction Scores: christmas_ape: 2 eayragt: 1 kanegan: 1 KnowYourEnemy: 1 Xendarii: 2 Overall Running Prediction Scores: christmas_ape: 7 eayragt: 1 Herrbear: 2 kanegan: 1 KnowYourEnemy: 1 Xendarii: 6</div>

Thanks very much! I'm liking how Blackfyre and Stone are translating from my brain to the page. I'm definitely nervous about the Battleground III grade. I know for a fact that two guys in the main event are in serious time decline, not to mention being way less over than the main stars, so we'll see how it goes. Fingers crossed!

<p><img alt="3UrI0kw.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3UrI0kw.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>March 19th 2020 - Eye On The Ring, Konrad Douglas</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-size:18px;">TCW: A Debut In The Offing and Poaching From the Competition</span></span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Big news coming out of TCW this week as the upper brass have all but confirmed that the - and I quote - "Incredibly talented former star" will be making his or her debut a couple of weeks after Battleground III. Rumour has it that they have needed to relocate from the other side of the world which is why there has been a slight delay in them showing up on TV. Normally I'd find it slightly odd for a company to all but confirm that there <em>won't</em> be a big debut or surprise return at a PPV, but with the amount of signings TCW have made recently it's anyone's guess who is showing up where. And more to the point, there are rumblings from behind the scenes that something big is going to happen at Battleground III, though you didn't hear that from me.</p><p> </p><p> And on the topic of TCW leveraging the new financial strength that the TCW Network has granted them to make signings, there are reports coming out of the SWF that not one, not two, but three of their guys have been in serious talks with TCW over the last month or so. Neither company is saying who they are or what the outcome has been, and you have to assume that we won't know anything for certain until we see - or don't see - SWF guys start showing up in TCW. But the fact that the boys from Texas are even able to turn heads their way is a sign of how far they have come in 2020 so far.</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> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Preview: Battleground III</span></span></strong></p><p> Venue: Mississippi Bowl, Alabama</p><p> Theme: </p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/Sno_2g8Y-jI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Bullet For My Valentine - You Want a Battle? (Here's a War)"></iframe></div></div> by Bullet For My Valentine<p> </p><p> <img alt="IvVKCgc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IvVKCgc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Battleground III is lining up to be a really interesting show with pretty much every big name TCW has set to make an appearance.</p><p> </p><p> Where else can you start but the main event? Team Ace has taken shape in the form of Aaron Andrews, Sammy Bach, Edd Stone and Matt Hocking and they get set to take on The Syndicate. Jack Bruce has done a phenomenal job in shining the spotlight on Hocking and Stone who are both young guys who have been under-utilised on TCW's roster for some time now. But he could maybe be accused of not showing enough love for the dude's over 40 on his roster - of which there are several. Sammy Bach continues to feature in big matches but is usually a lock to lose at the moment, meanwhile The Elite have barely featured on TV. With all that said, this should be a great clash. There isn't a bad worker in the bunch and it's another chance for Andrews and Wolf to go at it in their historic feud.</p><p> </p><p> Elsewhere Mighty Meaty's feud with The Sinner Society rumbles on. Will they ever stop fighting? Probably not, if the last three months are anything to go by. Still, Mo and Peak have done a stellar job in carrying this feud forward with Shark and Tana providing ample backup. And the addition of Joshua Taylor lends some real quality to this matchup. We still don't know who their fourth partner will be, but word on the street is it could catch a few people out.</p><p> </p><p> On the undercard - and Jay will hate me for describing his match this way - we have the makeshift alliance of Jay Chord, Greg Gauge, Freddy Huggins and Roderick Remus going up against Fro Sure, One Man Army, Benny Benson and Jackson Laine. This has all the hallmarks of a technically great matchup with a bunch of talented young guys all going at it (plus OMA and Benson, sorry guys). Chord and Gauge seem to be awfully good friends after last week's show and you have to believe that they won't stay in undercard matches for long...</p><p> </p><p> Elsewhere on the card we've got the new 1% boys going up against T-Bone Bright, Chance Fortune, Danny Fonzarelli and Flying Jimmy Foxx. That should be fun, though that's a job squad if ever I've seen one. And rumour has it that we'll be seeing both American Ultra and The Roughnecks (Dazzling Dave Diamond's team with new boy Marshall Dillon) in action too, though how their opponents shake out remains to be seen.</p><p> </p><p> All in all, for a PPV which bookers often dread given how thin TCW's roster has been in recent years Battleground III is actually shaking out to look pretty good. Though, as always, if anyone can screw it up it's TCW.</p>

Super strong month there; I only find the time to skim a few other diaries and I'm still blown away by the quality you guys are putting out. Well done to everyone who won and thanks very much to anyone who voted for me <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />.

Preview: TCW Presents Total Wrestling - March 2020, Week 4 (to be posted by 31/07/2020) The Syndicate, Sinner Society, Team Ace and The Team Mighty Meaty Haven't Actually Named Yet all clashed in spectacular fashion last week to close out Total Wrestling, and as if in response to the chaos Jack Bruce has filled the final card of March with matches showcasing parts of the scheduled 4 vs 4 clashes for Battleground. The Syndicate VS Team Ace take centre stage as all four members of both teams will be in action. But elsewhere Jay Chord and Greg Gauge will team together for the first time in their history to face Jackson Laine and Benny Benson, who agreed to join Fro Sure and One Man Army's team earlier this week. Rumour has it that they have managed to recruit Roderick Remus and Freddy Huggins into their team, which makes them a formidable force headed into Battleground. And expect to see Mighty Meaty make an appearance as they search for the final member of their own team. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Edd Stone vs Wolf Hawkins Tale of the Tape: Stone threw his hat in with Team Ace last week and so will face The Syndicate at Battleground. As a singles match they don't come much bigger than this, can he overcome the Alpha Wolf of TCW one-on-one? Aaron Andrews & Sammy Bach vs The Elite Tale of the Tape: Sammy Bach also signalled his support for Andrews last week and this Tuesday the two of them team up to face The Syndicate's tag specialists: The Elite. Television Title Match Doc Hammond vs Matt Hocking © Tale of the Tape: Rounding out the clashes of Team Ace vs The Syndicate is a Television Title shot for the technician Doc Hammond. A deadly opponent and one of the most dangerous Hocking has faced since becoming champion in February. Rich & Famous vs Human Arsenal & Bart Biggins Tale of the Tape: Rich & Famous suffered a loss to Edd Stone & Aaron Andrews last week and will be looking to bounce back against the veteran team of Human Arsenal and Bart Biggins. Benny Benson & Jackson Laine vs Jay Chord & Greg Gauge Tale of the Tape: Chord and Gauge have exchanged words - or more than words in Chord's case - with One Man Army and Fro Sure in recent memory. Now they face their other two opponents for Battleground. </div>

Booker's Notes Show Notes Some better grades this time round. Bit of a shame to job Taylor so soon after his turn but I needed a good main event face for Wolf and I've attempted to get him some of his heat back by having members of Team Ace and Team Meaty come out on top of the big schmoz to close the show. Loved writing the Blackfyre stuff this week. He's such a fun character to get my teeth into, more from him in the very near future. And I'm very much enjoying revealing quite how Jack Bruce convinced Jay Chord to sign his new contract. That'll play a big part in the next few big shows, all being well... Edd Stone continues to turn in good performances and did a wonderful job with Andrews in the promo where he agreed to join Team Ace. That 94 is a credit to both of them. God bless unscripted entertainment promos! Both Stone and Andrews did a great job of dragging Rich & Famous to a strong match grade for the semi-main. Not to say Rich & Famous aren't good in the ring, they're just relatively unknown. So that 71 says a lot about the work of The Ace and the 24 Hour Party Animal. Onto the final week of March and then Battleground where, if I'm honest, I'm incredibly nervous about how the show will go given the booking restriction of only 4 vs 4s. We'll see how that turns out!

TCW Presents Total Wrestling - March 2020, Week 3 V. Thompson Arena, San Diego - 10’000 (SELLOUT) <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">(Pre Show) Freddy Huggins def Mark Griffin Rating: 62 Length: 10:11</div> <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 Fro Sure & Jackson Laine Rating: 63 Length: 10:29</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> by Five Finger Death Punch The camera feed begins on a stationary shot of the historic facade of the V.Thompson Arena in San Diego before cutting to a fly-over wire shot of the raucous crowd, already in good voice as Five Finger Death Punch’s “The Pride” booms over the PA system. We’re two weeks out from Battleground and you can feel something in the air. The feed then cuts again to our announce team: 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: Folks, we’re only two weeks out from Battlegrounds and things are getting hot in here. Welcome to TCW, welcome to Total Wrestling. ET: Referencing a Nelly song a mere 20 years after it was relevant. Nice job Shawn. JS: The men and women backstage are raring to get the show underway, and what a show it promises to be. He’s Shawn Doakes and here - as always - to lend are voices are Ernie Turner and myself - Jasmine Saunders. ET: Not crazy about the middle billing there. JS: First up is Mighty Mo versus Jay Chord; a main event anywhere in the world and only our opener here tonight. SD: Right you are, Jasmine. Every time these two meet they tear the house down, and it’s not without reason that wrestling pundits around the world describe both of these men as future World Champions in waiting. ET: Personally I’m excited to see John Blackfyre paying his dues against Maverick this week. That should take him down a peg or two. SD: You’re not the only one who feels that way, ET. Blackfyre himself had some choice words for our GM Jack Bruce after last weeks show, questioning why he was being lined up against - with all due respect - midcarders after his white hot re-debut at The War To Settle The Score. ET: Because a clock that’s dumb as a bag of hammers is still right twice a day… JS: Don’t believe that’s the saying, ET… ET: Bruce is finally making a good call and proving a point. That randomly attacking our biggest stars won’t get you to the top of the card. SD: Could be that you’re right, ET. And speaking of randomly attacking people: Aaron Andrews and the ascendant Edd Stone will face off tonight against 1% members Rich & Famous. ET: See? No preferential booking there. JS: Riiight. SD: And of course we also have both Tag Team and Television Title action tonight. But before we get started we need to quickly review a video recording of a meeting which took place earlier today between Wolf Hawkins and Jack Bruce. The future of the World Title and - potentially - the main event of Total Mayhem could be in the balance here... </div> The video feed fades to black. <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> The show cuts to a pre-taped video - obvious because it opens with a camera following Wolf Hawkins into the arena while the sun is still out. Wolf is in a light coloured suit and baby blue shirt with a water bottle in one hand and a gym bag slung over the other shoulder. The self-proclaimed “Face” of TCW has clearly been living up to his “No Days Off” moniker. He grabs a stage hand busy reading off of a clipboard. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">WH: Bruce. Where is he?</div> The stage hand gulps and points; Wolf merely turns away and keeps walking and the camera follows until he comes to a halt a few feet behind Jack Bruce who is in the middle of directing crew members carrying bits of the ring into the arena. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">WH: You and me need to talk. JB: Christ, can it wait Wolf? Busy day, you know? Not sure if you’ve heard but we have a show tonight. WH: Cute...</div> Wolf grabs Bruce’s upper arm and spins him round. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">WH: Make time, commissioner.</div> Bruce grunts and the pair wander off a little ways for some privacy, while the camera watches them from a safe distance. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">WH: Just so we’re clear, once I beat Andrews’ little team in two weeks I’m getting my title shot, right? JB: ...ah, it’s not that simple... WH: It’s funny, I think I must have done something to my ear in that last match with Ace. I thought I just heard you say ‘No’ to me.</div> Bruce’s face shifts from slightly sheepish to stern <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: I make the goddamn matches here, Wolf. You got that? You might think this is your show but outside of that ring your power amounts to exactly nothing above what I allow you to have. So no, you’re not next in line. Sorry. WH: Who’s ahead of me? Feel like I already know the answer to this. JB: ...</div> A long, knowing silence passes between them punctuated - eventually - by Hawkins sighing angrily. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">WH: So that’s how you got him to sign that contract. ‘Stick with us and I’ll make you a star’ huh? Is that how this works now? JB: That’s how it has always worked, Wolf. Stop being naive. WH: So I win at Battleground and then… what? You find me a nice little midcard setup? JB: Tell you what: you win at Battleground and I give you Blackfyre. How’s that for a start? And if you can beat that crazy kid, well, we’ll talk about your title shot then, ’King of Kings’.</div> Wolf clearly senses the slight sarcasm in Bruce’s tone and snorts derisively before turning and walking away. The feed cuts back to the arena where the entrances for the opening match are underway. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 93</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> Tag Team Titles VS Real Deadly vs Mighty Meaty © Before the match starts the announcers make a point of playing up the potential of Real Deadly; particularly focusing on the youth and energy Roderick Remus could potentially bring to the Syndicate. Meaty, meanwhile, haven’t defended their titles since they beat American Ultra in mid-February and there are questions around ring rust, as well as whether Mo is focused on tag team competition. As it turns out, not only are Mighty Meaty not rusty but they look great. In fact, both teams do and they proceed to put on an absolute clinic. Remus starts things off fast, using his athleticism and speed to cut a frenetic pace but Mo is able to match it and after sustaining a few withering aerial moves he is able to swing the momentum when he catches Remus and plants him with a release belly-to-belly. Hammond tags in and begins to dismantle Tana in his typical ruthless fashion; it may have been a few years since the New Wave but the Syndicate man still knows how to wrestle a tag match - arguably more so than anyone else in the ring. He focuses on Tana’s back to the point where it looks like the Samoan might not even be able to continue because he is in so much pain, and when Remus is tagged back in to give the Doc a break it appears as though the match may be over. However, in a moment of desperation Tana rolls with a running dropkick from Remus and turns it into a spinning roundhouse which buys him just enough time to collapse backwards into his corner where Mo gets the tag. And in typical Mo fashion the tag is exceedingly hot. Neither Doc or “Real Deal” can handle Mo’s freight train offense as he tosses both around the ring like ragdolls before planting Remus with The Plunge. Tana tags himself back in as Mo nails Hammond with a suicide dive to the outside and while those two are tied up at ringside he nails his own Big Fat Samoan Splash from the second rope onto the already prone form of Remus who he covers for the win. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 71 Length: 16:27 Winner: Mighty Meaty (Tana the Mighty via Pinfall) - 2nd title defence</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Bart Biggins & Chance Fortune vs American Ultra In an unconventional bit of booking we get one tag match immediately following another, but it is soon obvious why. As soon as the match starts it becomes clear that neither Biggins nor Fortune have much hope of laying a glove on either of the Ultra who set about dismantling their sacrificial lambs in no time flat, culminating in a sequence where Biggins is hit with a double suplex and a combined indian deathlock and crossface hold (despite not being the legal man) before the match comes to a merciful end when Chance Fortune eats a Wheelbarrow Bomb followed by a Dean Waldorf pinfall. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 39 Length: 3:40 Winner: American Ultra (Dean Waldorf via pinfall)</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> Following the match we cut to the backstage area where Jay Chord is standing outside a dressing room door, leaning against the wall. After a moment or two the door opens... ...and Greg Gauge stands in the doorway, looking as though he was expecting Jay. Chord leans in and the two begin whispering conspiratorially in hushed tones though the cameras are - frustratingly - unable to pick up any of the conversation and after a moment the pair head inside the room and shut the door. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 82</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> Back at ringside and - while the angle with Jay and Greg has been ongoing backstage Maverick has made his way to the ring and is awaiting John Blackfyre… ..who is suspiciously absent. His music is played… ...twice… ..but there’s no sign of him. After a few minutes of this Jack Bruce appears without his entrance music and has an unmic’d conversation with referee Charles Hapstander, who appears at a loss. Bruce - clearly frustrated - storms backstage and the cameras follow him, all the way to a communal dressing room. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: Blackfyre? You in here? ???: Just puttin’ my face on, boss.</div> The voice comes from a separate shower area, tiled and filled with old style shower partitions separated by waist-high walls. The lights in there are off and the entire room is revealed to be bathed in darkness as both Bruce and the camera operator round the corner of the dressing room to confront the entrance to it. Yawning black and ominous with only a few tiles on the floor actually visible. Bruce flicks the switch on the external wall and mutters under his breath when the lights don’t turn back on. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: You’ve got a match. Get out there now. ???: The nerves are just too much for little old me.</div> The voice seems to fill the room as Bruce cautiously steps into the darkness. The camera eventually switches to night vision mode to reveal, slumped in one of the shower partitions, the shirtless, slick form of John Blackfyre, his dark hair a tousled mess over his face. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JB: I’m not gonna ask you again. Get out there and fight Maverick. JBF: Did Wolf have to pay you to keep me away from him or is it just cowardice? Or maybe this is another stipulation of Chord signing his contract?</div> Bruce shouts and roughly drags Blackfyre to his feet, who very deliberately doesn’t resist and instead just laughs as he hangs in Bruce’s arms. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JBF: There’s a reckoning comin’, Jack. You wanna make sure you’re on the right side of it. Breath of god can burn the unrighteous awful bad. JB: You want Wolf? You two can have each other next month. And if you ever imply that I’ve been bought again, me and you are gonna go at it where the cameras can’t see us. JBF: You don’t wanna catch me in the dark, Jack. There’s worse things than me in there. I’m all that stands between you and all those ghosts from your past you got followin’ you around.</div> Bruce doesn’t seem to know what to say, but his face speaks of deep, seething anger. Blackfyre just grins and pushes some hair out of his face. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JBF: I’ll work your match, boss. And some time soon we’ll figure out why you’re afraid to let me near your top boys.</div> Blackfyre slinks out of the shower room - still shirtless and wet - while Bruce stands, stunned, watching him leave. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 71</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS John Blackfyre vs Maverick Blackfyre eventually, slowly, makes his way down to the ring to confront an irate Maverick - still shirtless, barefoot and wet. However, his opponent’s mental state proves to be almost completely irrelevant as the match is over almost before it starts. Maverick goes for a clothesline which Blackfyre ducks, before taking a wild swing at his opponent which The Man In Black counters into the Gloomweaver Clutch. He collapses with it into the centre of the ring and within ten seconds Maverick is unconscious and Blackfyre is declared the winner. As his theme song plays Blackfyre stares back up at the entrance way, grinning at someone - or something - that perhaps only he can see. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 29 Length: 2:03 Winner: John Blackfyre via submission</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> Television Title VS Killer Shark vs Matt Hocking © Shortly after the limp form of Maverick is helped to the back Killer Shark’s thrash metal theme song hits and he strides down to the ring in his blue and white singlet looking like he could rip a phone book in half. By contrast, Matt Hocking looks fleet of foot and more serious than he usually does during his intro. As the pair get underway the announcers play up Hocking’s chances - or lack thereof. Shark is 200lbs heavier than him and, although his form hasn’t been great in recent months he still remains one of the most dangerous men in TCW. And it soon becomes clear why: Hocking’s early offense is fast and based around staying away from the near-seven footer, but when a springboard cross body attempt is countered into a front slam which all but flattens the champion it looks like the match can only go one way. Hocking attempts to fight out of Shark’s grasp but is unable to extricate himself from the powerhouse’s terrifying strength. The ref issues a couple of warnings to break holds when Hocking is periodically able to grab a rope to by himself some breathing room, a concept which Shark seems to struggle to grasp, and Hocking begins to turn this to his advantage. The fans don’t love it but it’s hard to argue with the result as Hocking begins to try and goad Shark into illegal moves before complaining to referee Tony Thorpe. The young ref doesn’t seem to realise he is being played and is all too willing to pull Shark up for use of a closed fist, a low blow which definitely didn’t look like a low blow as well as the aforementioned holds. Shark eventually gets angry (or angrier, at least) and tosses Thorpe across the ring before hoisting Hocking up and planting him with The Big Bite, but with the ref out of it no one is there to make a cover. Shark doesn't seem to appreciate that this is his fault and instead drags Hocking to his feet, pulls him out of the ring and hits another Big Bite through the announcers table. Thorpe stirs enough to see this and immediately calls for the DQ which surprises absolutely no one except Shark, who storms off. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 67 Length: 6:09 Winner: Matt Hocking via DQ - 4th title defence</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> The camera cuts backstage as Hocking is being seen to by EMTs to find Jay Chord standing with an interviewer, a young woman with a pencil behind her ear who we haven’t seen before. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">??: Jay, thank you for taking the time to talk to us. People around the world want to know why you involved yourself in One Man Army’s title match last week. But, well, people are idiots. We all know why: he cost you your own shot. The question now is: where do you two go from here?</div> Jay laughs callously and seems pleasantly surprised by the interviewers candor. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JC: The reality is that there is no future in which One Man Army and I operate on the same level. He cost me something, so I cost him something. As far as I’m concerned that’s us even and he can go back to whatever little career he’s able to scrape out for himself. I have bigger fish to fry. ??: Bigger fish like the World Title? JC: Now that’d be telling. ??: Rumour has it that Bruce has plans to put you and a team of your choosing up against One Man Army in two weeks at Battleground. Any truth to that? JC: They do, do they? Let’s just say that I have plans for Battleground, and they don’t involve One Man Army. The man is - as was very evident last week - so far beneath me that I can barely see...</div> Suddenly the camera violently rocks to one side and there is an explosion of shouts as a figure emerges onto the interview set and begins laying into Chord... A furious One Man Army sends Jay Chord toppling through the curtain partition at the back of the set, revealing the backstage environment behind it and then begins choking him out with a torn section of the curtain. After several minutes he stands and stares down at the beaten form of Chord. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">OMA: We’ll see who’s beneath who in two weeks, Chord. I’m gonna make you wish you were on the injured list, kid.</div> The camera watches as OMA turns and walks away leaving a scene of carnage behind him before cutting back to the announce team. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 77</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> Back with the announce team now who are ready to run through what we’ve seen so far, as well as what is yet to come. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">SD: Thanks there to our new interviewer and press officer - Haley Buck - there. I hope she’s OK, One Man Army is an intimidating specimen and a dangerous man. ET: I’m sure she’s fine, which I don’t think will be the case for OMA once Chord and him face off at Battleground. Smart money would be on him wrangling in Gauge after that conversation they had last week. JS: Blackfyre is still bouncing around, looking for an opponent too. He wants Wolf and Bruce seems determined to keep them away from each other until after the pay-per-view. I still can’t believe the way he behaved earlier. SD: I have literally never seen anyone talk to Jack Bruce, or any commissioner they way he did earlier today. And then the way he just dismantled Maverick… scary stuff. ET: Dude gives me the creeps. SD: And speaking of Battleground teams, Aaron Andrews must be concerned about Matt Hocking after that match with Killer Shark. JS: I don’t see how he is capable of competing in two weeks after that. ET: Hocking was stupid to even take that match. JS: Andrews is in action with Edd Stone next against the dangerous 1% members Rich & Famous. A chance to put down a marker for potential team mates which, at present, he definitely needs. Sammy Bach is a ‘maybe’ and his only confirmed partner just got put through a table. ET: Looks like our beloved champ is running out of friends fast. SD: And that’s Edd Stone’s theme music! Back to the action!</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Rich & Famous vs Aaron Andrews & Edd Stone Stone and Andrews start things off looking like a unit that is at least the equal of Rich & Famous, though in the early running Andrews is visibly displeased with some of the more heel-ish behaviour Stone displays. Still, the pair display some promise in teaming together as they cut off Jake Idol in their corner of the ring and take it in turns to put on a clinic of holds and throws to keep their opponent from making the tag, that is until he nails Andrews with a back kick low blow from a rear waistlock which buys Rich & Famous some time. As they begin dismantling the Ace Stone is desperate for the tag, rushing into the ring several times which actually buys Rich & Famous the time they need to double team Andrews even further as the ref becomes distracted, culminating in an awesome-looking double superplex followed by a pinfall that the Ace somehow manages to kick out of. As Andrews kicks out of another pin attempt Jackpot Jordan opts to drop to ringside and grabs the World Title before bringing it back into the ring. Jake Idol holds the battered form of Andrews upright as Jordan winds up for the belt strike but the Ace is able to duck at the last moment and Idol is floored instead. Andrews turns and drops Jordan with a lariat before diving across the ring to make the tag to Stone, who flies in with a springboard splash to the still-prone form of Jake Idol. Referee Ray Johnson appears to be considered DQing Rich & Famous for their use of a foreign object when the ringside microphones pick up Edd Stone shouting “Don’t you f***ing dare” before ascending the turnbuckle. Seconds later he has nailed the Party’s Over and covered Jake Idol 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: 71 Length: 10:06 Winner: Edd Stone via pinfall</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> by Nothing More Edd Stone’s theme song booms throughout the V. Thompson arena as Rich & Famous stagger to the back and Aaron Andrews - after a polite handshake - steps out of the ring. However, Stone calls for a mic and pulls the Ace up short on the entrance ramp. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">ES: So, Ace, word on the street is that you’re looking for another partner. How’d my audition go?</div> After a second Andrews is handed his own mic. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">AA: Didn’t realise you were auditioning to be honest, but if you’re asking for a spot… ES: Ding, ding, ding! Champ’s smart. Yeah, I’m asking for a spot.</div> Andrews narrows his eyes a little but continues to walk back towards the ring, then slides under the bottom rope. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">AA: Didn’t realise you had any beef with the Syndicate, either... ES: It’s not about The Syndicate. It’s about me. Don’t get to the top without beating the best, right?</div> Andrews nods and considers the proposal for a moment longer before extending a hand. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">AA: You’re on, Stone.</div> Edd Stone grins and returns the handshake, and the camera lingers on the pair before the show cuts to commercial. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 94</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Wolf Hawkins vs Joshua Taylor The Alpha Wolf and Joshua Taylor haven’t met for quite a while and as such their matchup ends up feeling fairly fresh as a result. Taylor brings his typical blend of snug striking and technical prowess which perfectly compliments Wolf’s own skillset which is - frankly - about as broad as a moveset can be. The story of the match quickly reveals itself in Taylor’s opening strategy where he attempts to target Wolf’s legs, presumably to stop him from being able to capitalise on his speed while also making it difficult for him to hit the Full Moon Rising, and in the opening 10 minutes this works well with Wolf frustrated with a sequence of chain wrestling reversals which land him in punishing holds. At one point Taylor demonstrates a hint of his old mean streak with a grapevine leglock around the ringpost which referee Ray Johnson is quick to break up and admonish him for. Wolf is able to swing the match in his favour with a leapfrog and a clothesline before seizing on the fallen Taylor with his own ground-based offense, focusing around the head and - specifically - the eyes of his opponent. It seems as though - for the third time this evening - a referee is considering DQing a competitor when Wolf engages in a clearly illegal hold involving him raking his boot across Taylor’s eyes, but in the end Wolf is able to fake enough contrition to allow the match to continue. However, the brief pause in the action gives Taylor a chance to surge to his feet and flatten Hawkins with a powerful lariat of his own. JT drags Wolf to his feet, snaps in an inverted facelock and hits the Destiny then - keeping Wolf in hold rather than letting him fall completely - applies the Butterfly Lock. Hawkins desperately flails in the hold while yelling in surprise, and when the yelling stops after 10 seconds it seems as though the unthinkable might happen and the Alpha Wolf may have passed out. However he is somehow able to answer the three count and rolls back onto his shoulders to pin Taylor’s own shoulders to the mat and force a break of the hold and a near fall. The pair roar back to their feet and begin exchanging blows in the middle of the ring and the match appears to be hanging on a knife edge. Wolf eats a big Northern Lights suplex but surges back to his feet, bull-rushes Taylor and plants him with a brainbuster before hitting the Full Moon Rising and collapsing on top of his opponent for the pin and the victory. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 78 Length: 21:52 Winner: Wolf Hawkins via pinfall</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> Wolf is out on his feet as Ray Johnson raises his hand in the ring... …and from the back emerges another Syndicate member to help… Doc Hammond appears without music in his street clothes to check on Wolf, who looks like he is exhausted. So much so that he is barely able to react when someone else’s music hits… ...and Eddie Peak and Killer Shark rush the ring and begin putting the boots to Joshua Taylor while Ray Johnson attempts - in vain - to restore order. At first both Wolf and Doc seem content to let Peak and Shark have their prey, but when Taylor somehow begins fighting back and takes a swing at the Syndicate crew in his wild defence they join in the assault. It’s safe to say that at this point all hell breaks loose as two new faces emerge from the back, sprinting down the ramp… And dive into the fray, with Andrews laying into the Syndicate pair while Mo tries to even the odds with the Sinner Society. An all out brawl ensues with no one having any chance of restoring any kind of order. After a minute or so it feels like the numbers are starting to weigh against Andrews, Taylor and Mo who are all struggling, when another theme song hits… ...and Sammy Bach emerges, sending the announce team into overdrive. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">SD: Bach is here! Bach has made his decision! ET: The worst damn decision he’s ever made. JS: Once again Sammy Bach will answer the call!</div> With a roar from the crowd Sammy Bach hits the ring and between him, Mighty Mo, Andrews and Joshua Taylor the four are able to clean house, sending the Syndicate and Sinner Society members spilling out of the ring. The announcers bid the audience a good night as the show goes off the air cutting between the tired but victorious faces of the men in the ring, an apoplectic Syndicate on the ramp and a seething Sinner Society disappearing through the crowd. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 75</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"> Overall Show Rating: 81 </div>

Quick update to say that the March, Week 3 show is done (thank you very much, quiet week at work!) so it'll be going up prior to the weekend. I'll post it Friday evening, British Summer Time, so if anyone wants to get any predictions in before then this is your last chance to do so .

<p><img alt="3UrI0kw.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3UrI0kw.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <em>March 12th 2020 - Eye On The Ring, Konrad Douglas</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-size:18px;">TCW: New Faces and New Contracts</span></span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> We still don't know who the big free agent TCW have poached from either SWF or USPW is, but we do know that one or two familiar faces will be showing up on TCW TV in the coming weeks.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="BsFOSnh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BsFOSnh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="PeSGow6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PeSGow6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Masked Patriot comes in as a pretty hot act and should slow nicely into TCW's midcard with his high level of ring work. Meanwhile Marshall Dillon who, let's be honest, is a bit more of a basic slugger than TCW usually go for may have to rely a bit more on his promo work to get him by. Fortunately for the Texan word coming out of the company is that they have renegotiated an extension for another Texan brawler who they have plans to team him with.</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" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Yep, Dave Diamond - the guy who everyone thought would be gone once his contract was up given how he has been booked - got a one year extension. The dude is clearly past his best in the ring, but he's popular, a good promo and there's every possibility that he and Dillon could really carve a niche for themselves in TCW's tag scene which - if we're being blunt - is still a little bare.</p><p> </p><p> On top of the big name signing that everyone is talking about by, well, <em>not</em> talking about, rumour has it that TCW is in talks with a couple more big stars, one of which has worked at the company before. It's probably not Tommy Cornell, but the mind races at the thought of a former TCW star coming back. More on that as we get it.</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> <strong><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><span style="font-size:18px;">New Teams In The Offing</span></span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Well, I did say that TCW's tag ranks looked a bit thin, didn't I?</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="XZ5Q88E.png" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XZ5Q88E.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="DTft1vP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DTft1vP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> On top of the team of Marshall Dillon and Dazzling Dave Diamond (hereafter dubbed "The Roughnecks" if my sources are anything to go by) we're also going to be seeing Elliot Thomas and Mark Griffin repackaged into a kind of big bruiser and little guy gimmick, playing off of their size difference. Supposedly they're going by the clearly ironic name of "Hammer and Anvil", whether this is a permanent thing or just a way to change how the pair do the job for others remains to be seen.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><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" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Smoke on the street is that The Elite are going to be leaving The Syndicate soon. It's supposed to be a hip young stable and The Elite are... well, they aren't that. This might explain why TCW management are experimenting with some new combinations for Doc Hammond, most recently the talented Roderick Remus in a partnership called "Real Deadly". If The Syndicate want to re-invent themselves they could do a lot worse than Roderick Remus, that's for sure.</p>

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><strong><span style="font-size:18px;">Preview: TCW Presents Total Wrestling - March 2020, Week 3</span></strong></span></p><p> (to be posted by 28/07/2020)</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> <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"><strong>Joshua Taylor vs Wolf Hawkins</strong></p><p> <em>Tale of the Tape:</em> Joshua Taylor has turned over a new leaf in the last few weeks, aided by the outreach of the ever-positive Mighty Meaty. But his new-found positive attitude may not survive an encounter with the Alpha Wolf.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Aaron Andrews & Edd Stone vs Rich & Famous</strong></p><p> <em>Tale of the Tape:</em> Andrews is still looking for team mates to fill out his Battlegrounds team against The Syndicate and Edd Stone is a tag team specialist. But the pair may find Rich & Famous tough opposition, especially with The 1% in their corner.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Television Title Match</strong></p><p><strong> Killer Shark vs Matt Hocking ©</strong></p><p> <em>Tale of the Tape:</em> Hocking can never be accused of not being a fighting champion, but he gives up over 200lbs to Killer Shark. Surely he can't overcome the behemoth?</p><p> </p><p> <strong>John Blackfyre vs Maverick</strong></p><p> <em>Tale of the Tape:</em> Word coming out of TCW suggest that Blackfyre was discovered in the back of Jack Bruce's limo - by an outraged Bruce - at the end of last week's show and the pair exchanged words about the opposition the Man In Black has faced since his return to TCW. Is he being kept away from Wolf Hawkins? And if so, why? This match certainly seems beneath him.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Bart Biggins & Chance Fortune vs American Ultra</strong></p><p> <em>Tale of the Tape:</em> American Ultra go up against a pair of veteran high flyers in what should be an entertaining affair.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Tag Team Titles Match</strong></p><p><strong> Real Deadly (Doc Hammond & Roderick Remus) vs Mighty Meaty ©</strong></p><p> <em>Tale of the Tape:</em> Roderick Remus and Doc Hammond agreed to answer a social media challenge issued by Mighty Meaty earlier this week and will team together for the first time next week. Is this a new Syndicate member in the offing or a one-time thing?</p><p> </div></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Munit" data-cite="Munit" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49598" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Just caught up with everything and I'm craving some more ! Love what you're doing with Chord, hes obviously a future world champion if handled correctly.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> No comment <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Munit" data-cite="Munit" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49598" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I also love the fact that you had One Man Army get a little momentum before losing the world title shot. I didn't expect it.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> One Man Army and Doc Hammond are kinda my boys from the early days of TCW games in TEW, and I've gotten really lucky with time decline for both of them in this save, so I've got to show them some love in how they're written while I can.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Munit" data-cite="Munit" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49598" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'd love to see Ed Stone do a little better. How old is he again ? Also John Blackfyre in the Main Event scene is cool. Does he start off with a lot of pop?</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Stone is 33, still plenty of time for him to do something. All I'm saying is 'Watch This Space' <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />. And regarding Blackfyre: not at all! I'm having to balance giving him wins over midcarders to get his pop up as much as possible with how I want to book him, which is high on the card.</p><p> </p><p> Thanks for checking it out. I really appreciate you reading.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="kanegan" data-cite="kanegan" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="49598" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Just caught up with this and you are doing a wonderful job. It wants me to pick up a TCW game. I will be keeping tabs from now on, having already subscribed.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> That's awesome, thanks so much for checking it out. I know most people probably say this, but I'm honestly just flattered that anyone reads this at all. I'm sincerely super happy to have any and all of you along for the ride!</p>

<p>So it's time, once again to review our intrepid predcicters scores for this week! And they all did incredibly well; a couple of bankers in there but the only match which threw a slight curve was Sammy Bach coming out on top over Edd Stone; Stone is ascending the card but Bach is still one of the top dogs in the whole company.</p><p> </p><p> <strong>christmas_ape:</strong> 5/5</p><p> <strong>eayragt:</strong> 5/5</p><p> <strong>Xendarii:</strong> 4/5</p><p> </p><p> So that makes this week a two-way tie between <strong>christmas_ape</strong> and <strong>eayragt</strong> who both scored clean sweeps. You have both been subscribed to Freddy Huggins home yoga class streaming service as reward for your excellent work.</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 Running Prediction Scores:</span></strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>christmas_ape:</strong> 2</p><p> <strong>eayragt:</strong> 1</p><p> <strong>KnowYourEnemy:</strong> 1</p><p> <strong>Xendarii:</strong> 1</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> 7</p><p> <strong>eayragt:</strong> 1</p><p> <strong>Herrbear:</strong> 2</p><p> <strong>KnowYourEnemy:</strong> 1</p><p> <strong>Xendarii:</strong> 5</div></p>

Thanks very much! Glad to have you aboard.

Booker's Notes Show Notes Bit disappointed by the Bach vs Stone and AA vs OMA grades here, meanwhile Jay vs Mo once again demonstrates that with a bit of a push for Mo this could easily be a PPV main event at some point in the future... Glad to get the 1% on the screen. These guys will be a midcard force in the coming weeks and it is not coincidence that this four man stable have debuted a few weeks before the annual 4 vs 4 PPV... Blackfyre gets another win though, as was pointed out previously, I don't want to remove his mystique or kill his momentum by taking him from jumping Wolf Hawkins to fighting midcard jobbers. Suffice to say, he and Wolf aren't done. Overness Changes Aaron Andrews simply will not go above 82 overness no matter what I do with him. I suspect that this is his cap until TCW moves to a Big size. Wolf is now more over than Ace despite jobbing more often (83 overall in the US up from 80 at the start of the game) and Jay isn't far off either (76 up from 71 at the start of the game). Elsewhere Mo continues to hover at 68 (started at 67) which I think is down to him being a bit of a jobber to the stars at the moment, Edd Stone and Matt Hocking continue to rocket up (going from 60 to 70 and 54 to 67 respectively). Joshua Taylor and Sammy Bach are both in need of some love; JT has dropped from a high of 70 in February to 62 currently - his turn should help matters here - and Sammy is down from 75 at the game start to 71/72. Looking at the rising stars, Fro Sure is up to 29 across the US having started as a complete unknown in all but two regions. Jackson Laine is up to 27 overall having started in a similar spot and John Blackfyre is up from 16 to 20. All three should continue to be part of storylines going forward, though I'm having to be realistic with who I give them wins over at this point. Trying not to annoy half my roster by having them job to the young guys!

TCW Presents Total Wrestling - March 2020, Week 2 Theatre of Dreams, Portland - 9,537 <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">(Pre Show) Roderick Remus def Benny Benson Rating: 62 Length: 15:37</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 def Jackson Laine Rating: 57 Length: 15:34</div> <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">(Pre Show) American Ultra def Hammer & Anvil (Elliot Thomas & Mark Griffin) Rating: 50 Length: 9:45</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> by Five Finger Death Punch TCW has travelled to the North West for tonight’s episode of Total Wrestling; it’s a rainy night outside in Portland but inside the Theatre of Dreams the ten thousand fans in attendance are heating up nicely! The arena is illuminated by flashing lights and pyro as “The Pride” welcomes both attendees and viewers alike to the show, and 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, once again, to the hottest wrestling on the planet. We’re live in Portland tonight where we will see the World Title defended, superstars like Sammy Bach and Jay Chord in singles action and the in-ring debut of the ostentatious 1% stable. ET: Ostentatious? JS: Not surprised you’ve never heard that word before. ET: I’ve heard it before… JS: Sammy Bach faces Edd Stone tonight in a match which may well determine where his future lies in TCW. Stone has been ascendant recently, Bach: less so. ET:...I just choose to use smaller words because I’m not pretentious… SD: And in a clash of two of our hottest young stars Jay Chord will take on Mighty Mo; the first time they have met since January where Chord was victorious. JS: Mo has been quietly putting the Sinner Society to the sword without troubling the main event scene this year, but this could be his chance. ET: Honestly, it’s like I’m not even here. SD: And of course who could forget our World Title clash as Aaron Andrews meets One Man Army - the winner of last week’s battle royale to determine the number 1 contender? ET: God willing the ring will collapse and incapacitate both men. SD: First up: Chord vs Mo. This one is gonna be a slug-fest folks.</div> The crowd rise to their feet as “Beast Inside Me” begins playing, signalling the arrival of Mighty Mo. <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Mighty Mo vs Jay Chord Mo, in his usual white trunks and boots, looks like a million bucks in the early running of this one as Mo literally bounces off of him in an ill-advised attempt to floor the bigger man. It’s clear that Jay’s loss last week is playing on his mind and he is unable to really focus in on what he should be doing to beat Mo, which gives his opponent all the opportunity he needs to begin dominating Chord. First, Jay is sent flying across the ring with an enormous flapjack, then he is driven into the mat with a big stalling suplex and finally he topples over the top rope after a running lariat. Furious, Jay takes a moment to collect himself. When things get back under-way Jay is finally able to force Mo into a mistake by baiting a shoulder charge in the corner which he dodges. He follows this up with some fairly devious offense which focuses on debilitating Mo’s ability to see, something the ref does nothing about much to the frustration of the fans. Ultimately Mo has to go for high risk offense to try and swing the match back in his favour, and although he is able to nail a Hopes Fall spinebuster he isn’t able to make a cover. And when he goes for The Plunge it gives Chord an opportunity of his own as he flips out of it, hits a low blow which Ray Johnson somehow does not see and then nails a Cradle Piledriver for the win. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 79 Length: 14:41 Winner: Jay Chord via pinfall</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> As the ring is cleared the camera cuts to a corridor backstage where Greg Gauge is pacing the hallways, clearly looking for someone. Suddenly, he is pulled up short by a voice - clearly the voice of the person he is looking for. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">FS: Power walking around like that without warming up? You’re gonna pull a muscle man.</div> The camera swings to follow Gauge’s gaze to reveal… ...Fro Sure, swigging from a bottle of water and leaning against a steel column in his purple tights and white boots. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">GG: Hanging out alone back here is dangerous. Could get hurt. FS: I’ll take my chances. GG: Fair enough. How about we step outside and we see how those chances hold up? FS: In this rain? No chance man, it’ll mess up my hair. If you wanna go for a walk you go right ahead though, although I’ll warn you that the streets can get a little dicey at this time of night. Not sure the last time the son of Sam Keith went outside without a body guard.</div> Gauge’s eye twitches ever so slightly and he grins coldly, leaning towards Fro. The camera zooms in to catch the tension. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">GG: It’s cute that you think you’re on my level. I have a feeling we might see each other at Battlegrounds. I’d come prepared if I were you. FS: Always do, Gregory. Now get outta my face before I drop you.</div> The pair stare each other down before Gauge turns and walks away. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 63</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Jeremie Courtney, Maverick & Marc Speed vs John Blackfyre, Matt Hocking & Fro Sure As things get underway it’s clear that no one in the ring knows what to make of the dark form of John Blackfyre who looms like a spectre in the corner of the ring. Hocking starts things off and gets in some great looking high flying offense including a nice tornado DDT before tagging in Fro, who goes to work dancing around Marc Speed, getting in his own stiff strikes. The match springs into life when Blackfyre enters the fray, getting a few minutes of clearly very choreographed offense designed to make him look great in which he clears the ring with his signature scoop slam, rope walk and then a Bat Wing which he uses to plant Maverick. For some reason he is not willing to go for the pin immediately and instead drags the legal man back to his feet before locking in the Gloomweaver Clutch for the submission victory. And as soon as the match is won, before either Fro or Hocking are able to congratulate him, he has left the ring. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 55 Length: 10:12 Winner: John Blackfyre via submission (Maverick)</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> The camera cuts backstage again where Mighty Meaty are knocking on a dressing room door, though the name on it is obscured by their backs. Mo is back in his civilian clothes, a little sweat from his earlier match still beading on his neck. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">TM: You done your hair, bro? You’re looking a little puffy. MM: Puffy? Dude what the hell? TM: I’m just sayin’, man. We’re tryna make a good impression here.</div> The door swings open and it becomes clear whose dressing room it is. Joshua Taylor eyes both men and then sighs. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">TM: What’s up, Josh?</div> Tana grunts as Mo clearly elbows him in the ribs. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">MM: Hey Taylor, got a proposition for you.</div> Taylor narrows his eyes slightly. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JT: Alright, go on. MM: We’ve had our differences in the past. Haven’t always seen eye to eye. But you seem like you might actually have some interest in fixing your reputation round here… TM: ...Which, let’s be honest, can’t get much worse</div> Tana grunts again as Mo slaps the back of his head. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">MM: And we wanna give you the chance to do that. You want to get back in the good graces of the boys? Putting the Sinner Society to bed is step 1.</div> Taylor’s face drops a little, as if he can’t really bring himself to hold the gaze of either of Mighty Meaty. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">JT: Why would you guys trust me to do that? MM: Because we’ve been around long enough to remember when you weren't behaving like the biggest ass on the roster. That Taylor is still in there somewhere, and it’s time to let him out, man.</div> All three men stand in silence for a second as Taylor considers the proposal, then break into cautious smiles as a hand is extended which both Mo and Tana shake in turn before the camera cuts back to the ring. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 72</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS The 1% vs Bart Biggins, Dean Daniels, Chance Fortune & Human Arsenal The story of this match is, as Ernie Turner loudly and often proclaims, a clinic of team wrestling. The 1% look great and dismantle their opponents here, allowing them almost no offense throughout the entire match. While Nelson Callum appears to be more of their mouthpiece he is happy to start things off against Bart Biggins, who he effectively removes from the match with a Split half nelson suplex before the tag out to Jake Jordan. Rich & Famous take their time putting on a real showcase of their own tag team expertise, cutting first Biggins, then Chance Fortune off from the friendly half of the ring with some great double team action. And when Davis Wayne Newton is tagged in to take a run against Human Arsenal he is basically wrestling 4 vs 1 as all of his team mates have been severely damaged. While Arsenal is a respected veteran the Triple Threat takes little time in breaking down the former machine, hitting him with his unique blend of mixed offense before finishing things off with his Triple Threat Plex. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 56 Length: 9:32 Winner: Davis Wayne Newton via pinfall (Human Arsenal)</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> Aaron Andrews is warming up backstage in his red and white tights and taped fists, the World Title resting on a dressing table in the background, when there is a knock at the door. While he is initially tense as he stands to answer it, when we see who it is the atmosphere relaxes a little… <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">MH: Evening, Ace. What’s up? AA: Oh not much, just warming up for a World Title match.</div> His tone is playful enough as he goes back to stretching. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">MH: I’m going to cut to the chase: you need partners for Battlegrounds, and I want another shot at Wolf. I let myself down last week. AA: I like you, Matt, and you’re damn good in the ring. But I need to build a team that can work together and you, well, no offence but you’re kind of the opposite of a team player.</div> Hocking grips Andrews’ upper arm to stop him from exercising for a moment and fixes him with a deadly serious stare. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">MH: Give me this chance, Ace. I promise I won’t let you down.</div> Andrews stares back at Hocking and then, after a pause, nods. The camera feed cuts back to the announce team. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 83</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> Back at the announce table Ernie Turner is wearing a rain coat for some reason (presumably to mock the North West) while Shawn Doakes and Jasmine Saunders shuffle their notes. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">SD: Well, well, well, looks like we have some alliances forming here in TCW. Aaron Andrews approached Sammy Bach last week and now he has Matt Hocking on his team for Battlegrounds. Meanwhile Mighty Meaty have somehow managed to convince the ring general Joshua Taylor to help them. JS: That’s a massive get for them. ET: Such a disappointment. JS: Both the Sinner Society and the Syndicate must be watching wearily to see how the teams lined up against them shake out. And The 1% continue to look impressive though we don’t yet know who they will face. ET: Now there’s a set of young men with their heads screwed on straight. JS: I don’t envy whoever their opponents end up being; that’s a finely tuned machine if ever I’ve seen one. SD: And up next we have two huge matches. First Sammy Bach looks to get back to winning ways against Edd Stone, who is hoping to do the same. These two may well exchange positions on the card if Stone wins; a huge opportunity for the Canadian. ET: I’m expecting big things from him. SD: And then our World Title match. We haven’t seen One Man Army yet tonight but word has it that he has been training in solitude all week and has remained shut in his locker room for the entire night. The man is laser focused on the World Title. JS: Still hoping for that ring collapse, ET? ET: Praying to every deity I know. SD: And that’s Sammy Bach’s music. We’re set to get started here folks! Back to the action!</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> VS Sammy Bach vs Edd Stone In what - on paper - is an odd clash of faces, it is clear early on who is going to play heel in the match. Edd Stone has shown that his laid back personality might have some sharp edges beneath the cool and calm exterior in recent weeks and it is obvious to everyone watching that he is prepared to bend, if not actively break, the rules to defeat Bach. Not least because a victory here would be an enormous statement for his career. The early respectful lockups and chain holds give way to a more frenetic pace with Stone looking as though he is trying to embarrass the older veteran with some flashy aerial offense, something the fans loudly voice their displeasure about. The fans actually grow so sick of Stone’s antics that when Bach eventually snaps and drops the Canadian Party Animal with a running DDT they erupt in applause. Stone is staggered by the sudden surge of offense and can do little do defend himself as Bach opens up on him with strikes and throws, culminating in Stone’s head being driven into each turnbuckle in sequence before he staggers to the centre of the ring where he flops to the mat like a fish. Bach roughly picks Stone up by his head and signals for the Adrenaline Shot which Stone is initially able to slip out of, but after an exchange of strikes and sending Bach to the ropes with an irish whip the Dark Rock God is able to return the favour, turning a back-drop attempt from Stone into a double underhook which he uses to drill the Adrenaline Shot in the centre of the ring. Not content with what would be an inevitable pinfall victory at this point he grabs Stone’s legs and turns him over into the Bach On Your Back which the Canadian almost immediately submits to. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 68 Length: 24:33 Winner: Sammy Bach via submission</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> World Heavyweight Title VS One Man Army vs Aaron Andrews © A single spotlight descends on the ring as the contest to decide the World Heavyweight Champion gets under way. Referee Tony Thorpe explains the rules to both Aaron Andrews - in his typical red and white tights with taped hands - and One Man Army - in his camo pants and boots - and checks both men for illegal foreign objects. As the bell rings both men shake hands and then begin circling one another in the ring as the house lights go down to draw the focus on the match getting underway. OMA is the first to score a significant hit when he transitions out of a hammerlock into a running shoulder block and then a scoop slam. Andrews retreats to the corner and collects himself before the pair lock up again. This time Andrews is able to gain the upper hand when he counters another shoulder block attempt into a drop toe hold which he transitions into a calf crusher. This kind of tentative back and forth continues for several minutes. Andrews brings the match up a notch when he invites One Man Army into a striking match in the middle of the ring - perhaps ill-advisedly - by landing a thudding forearm across OMA’s neck. The response is equally painful sounding and both men go back and forth with forearm strikes and chops until welts are visible on both of their chests. Andrews is the first to fall to one knee and is punished with a swinging DDT from OMA. The match spills out of the ring briefly when - after a few more minutes of brawling - OMA hits a clothesline which sends both men over the top rope. Andrews is able to goad One Man Army into braining himself on a ringpost with a headbutt attempt which buys him enough time to mount the apron and hit an improvised Into The Blue on his opponent, who he then slides back into the ring. But OMA somehow powers back to his feet, lands a front kick to Andrews’ head and then - as the Ace staggers back to his feet - nails him with the Guided Missile. But, just as he is about to make the cover, someone walks down the ramp… One Man Army turns to face Jay Chord as he swaggers down to ring side and both men begin jaw-jacking, and Chord eventually mounts the apron. Tony Thorpe tries to get between the two men but ultimately is unable to and OMA and Chord get into a slight scuffle which eventually sees Chord sent spilling back down to ringside, but the distraction has done its job. A visibly annoyed Aaron Andrews hits OMA with a Gut Check as he turns around, then climbs the turnbuckle to hit the Into The Blue and score the pinfall victory. However, as the show goes off the air both Andrews and OMA sit tiredly in the ring with frustrated looks on their faces staring back up the ramp at the retreating form of Jay Chord, who is grinning. <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";">Rating: 77 Length: 24:41 Winner: Aaron Andrews via pinfall</div> <div style="font-size:0px; height:1px; width:900px; background-color:#000;"></div> <div style="padding: 15px; border: 1px solid #000000; margin:10px;background: #C2C2C2; max-width:100%;box-shadow: 0 1px 3px ";"> Overall Show Rating: 76 </div>