Eternal Phoenix

Well, folks. Here we are. At the end of things. There's plenty left to fight for in every division. It's been a great season and I've had a lot of fun with you fellas, but all good things much come to an end. I'll have a lovely season review for you after this week and most definitely before the new season begins. Until then, it's time for one last set of match predictions. ALPHA DIVISION Alpha has the least on the line this week. The League Championship was decided weeks ago. Half of the matches are irrelevant to the relegation race at this stage. Nuke/Mel and Mastachas/Blackfield are wars being waged for pride and pride alone. It's the other two where things get interesting. (y-1) Nuclear Templeton (11-2, OVR 583)* vs. (5) Mel O'Hallister (6-7, OVR 559) [Career: Mel O'Hallister, 3 - 2] Who bets against the champ? Not me, that's who. (2) George Mastachas (8-5, OVR 561)* vs. (4) Brian Blackfield (6-7, OVR 595) [Career: George Mastachas, 1 - 0] I dunno, man. Blackfield has been resurgeant in the second half, but I still think he's below the Top Two. LAST ONE STANDING MATCH: (6) The Mastodon (5-8, OVR 552)* vs. (3) Brandy McDonald (7-6, OVR 548) [Career: The Mastodon, 4 – 3. Career in Last One Standing matches: Mastodon 1 – 2.] Here is where things get interesting. The Mastodon is fighting relegation here. And it's true that a win would definitely help his chances. However, it's not all in his hands. If both Nuke and JPO win, then the results of this match are irrelevant. But even if Mastodon loses here, it's not over. Because De'siree beating JPO would again make this match irrelevant. So yanno, Mastodon isn't a JPO fan tonight. As for who wins? Toss it up. The record is basically even. Brandy has the better start and strong stamina to finish with. But Mastodon is literally like three times her size and by far the better striker. So I'm gonna say he needs it this time. (7) Jean-Paul Ouilette (5-8, OVR 543) vs. (z-8) De'siree Mitchell (4-9, OVR 523)* [Career: De'siree Mitchell, 1 - 0] Regardless of OVR, record, and rankings, this is Alpha's main event tonight. It's quite simple really. If JPO wants to stay in Alpha, he has to win and then hope Nuke doesn't. Riiight. With JPO's current form and the fact that she beat him before? He's going back to Beta. BETA DIVISION Everything but first relegation slot is on the line in Beta this week. With that said, though? Barring a huge shock loss, nothing will change. This is one of those "Top half fights the bottom half" weeks, and well, we know how that goes. The outcomes here are so obvious that I'm not even conna comment individually. There's nothing really to be said. (6) Angela Wassermann (4-9, OVR 500) vs. (2) Christian Priest (10-3, OVR 618)* [Career: Christian Priest, 1 - 0] (5) Billy Norris (6-7, OVR 540) vs. (4) Yoshii Nakamatsu (8-5, OVR 543)* [Career: Billy Norris, 2 - 1] (7) Pulsar (4-9, OVR 505)* vs. (3) Reverend Johnny Gross (9-4, OVR 540) [Career: Reverend Johnny Gross, 2 - 1] (z-8) Blood River (1-12, OVR 512) vs. (1) Lucas Molina (10-3, OVR 519)* [Career: Lucas Molina, 1 - 0] GAMMA DIVISION A lot on the line here in Gamma, too, even if one match is totally irrelevant. The second promotion and relegation slots are on the line, and all eyes turn specifically to two matches (because we love you, Rose, but you're not beating Monty). (4) Indigo Rose (8-5, OVR 532) vs. (y-1) Monty Dhillon (13-0, OVR 570)* [Career: Monty Dhillon, 1 - 0] Monty completes the dream season and heads to Beta, where like hell he'll do it again. Not with De'siree+Mastodon/JPO coming down and one of Molina/Priest/Gross still there. He will, however, be on the division title shortlist. (3) Diego Rodriguez (8-5, OVR 548)* vs. (6) Markus Clay (4-9, OVR 497) [Career: Diego Rodriguez, 3 - 0] Diego had it in his grasp, and it has almost slipped away. Two straight losses let Kichi back in the game, and now Diego has to win to even have a chance at promotion. unfortunately. Then he has to pray for the exact opposite of what Clay wants. Kichi to fail to get over the Heartilly hump one more time. Clay could always simply win to assure his chances of staying, but he's never beaten Diego. So for one night only, Diego because a rabid Lance Heartilly fan and Clay becomes a rabid Kichi Hida fan. (z-8) Terrance Stevens (1-12, OVR 496) vs. (5) Big Scott Weathers (6-7, OVR 518)* [Career: Big Scott Weathers, 1 - 0] Big Scotty pulled it off last time, but honestly this match is completely irrelevant. (2) Kichi Hida (8-5, OVR 498)* vs. (7) Lance Heartilly (4-9, OVR 466) [Career: Lance Heartilly, 2 - 1] This one's the big domino match, like JPO/De'siree up in Alpha. Kichi wins and she's promoted. Loses and has to hope Clay can beat Diego. If Lance loses, he's relegated. No escape. But a win gives him a chance to be a rabid Diego Rodriguez fan. Kichi's had trouble with the other two technicians in the second half, I know, but Heartilly's in piss poor form. And at times like this, if I don't believe in my gal, who will? DELTA DIVISION I am reliably informed that relegation is only on the table for Silver (because PCs and record), and hers is assured. So! It's the promotion race that's on the line here. Both slots are open for the taking. Like Beta and Gamma, there is one irrelevant match, as well. (3) Diamond (8-5, OVR 513)* vs. (4) Leon de Ramos (8-5, OVR 437) [Career: Diamond, 1 - 0] Arguably Delta's main event, here. Everything on the line for these two. Win, and they have a shot at promotion (and become a rabid Mickey Steele fan for the night; de Ramos would temporarily join Sterling Silver's fanbase as well). Lose, and good luck next season, bud. Diamond won last time, and I do genuinely think she's just a little better. She's earned a bit of my respect back this season. Unffortunately, she's not leaving the division. (1) Nocturne (9-4, OVR 464)* vs. (z-5) Sterling Silver (6-7, OVR 476) [Career: Nocturne, 1 - 0] Because Nocturne is gonna be Silver, who has nothing but pride left to fight for. A loss here doesn't doom Nocturne either, but it would make her dependent on Diamond winning or, failing that, Mickey Steele besting Rock. Fortunately, she shouldn't have to worry about that. (2) Rock Sheridan (8-5, OVR 440)* vs. (6) Mickey Steele (6-7, OVR 431) [Career: Rock Sheridan, 1 - 0] Rock, however, is quite simple. Win, and he's in Gamma next season. Lose, and he stays in Delta. Well. He won before, right? And like with Kichi, if I don't back him at a time like this, who will? (7) Scott Stevens (5-8, OVR 443)* vs. (8) George Stevens (2-11, OVR 420) [Career: Scott Stevens, 1 - 0] Scott pulled it off last time, but honestly this matche is completely irrelevant. I'm sure it's very important to both men and perhaps even their handler, but it's not gonna have any effect on the promotion race.

When asked for comment post match, Lucas Molina (being tended to by trainers backstage) laughed. "I suppose I deserved that. But you know, I think he just proved my point. All I said was that I'm someone he has to be concerned about, and he doesn't like that. Made you real mad, didn't I? Just had to prove that I'm some nobody, huh? See you in Alpha, Christian. Despite your best efforts, the division title's still mine to lose. Again." Then the trainers shooed the cameraman away so they could actually work.

No Quick Thoughts this week or next. Done with that, as this week the delayed show posting (not a shot, just a statement of fact) and two double shifts have taken the time and energy away. Also boss's promotion/relegation tracker thing is more or less what I was doing without the numbers and it's better, so eh. I'll hold my water for the big end of season review, yes indeed. I'm not even doing comments here with predictions. ALPHA DIVISION (5) Jean-Paul Ouilette (5-7, OVR 543) vs. (y-1) Nuclear Templeton (10-2, OVR 579)* [Career: Nuclear Templeton, 1 - 0] (4) Brian Blackfield (5-7, OVR 589)* vs. (7) The Mastodon (5-7, OVR 550) [Career: Brian Blackfield, 1 - 0] (2) George Mastachas (8-4, OVR 560) vs. (6) Mel O'Hallister (5-7, OVR 555)* [Career: George Mastachas, 3 - 2] (8) De'siree Mitchell (3-9, OVR 519) vs. (3) Brandy McDonald (7-5, OVR 547)* [Career: Brandy McDonald, 5 - 2] BETA DIVISION EUROPEAN RULES MATCH: (1) Lucas Molina (10-2, OVR 519)* vs. (2) Christian Priest (9-3, OVR 612) [Career: Christian Priest, 3 – 2. European Rules Records: Priest 2 – 0, Molina 0 – 1.] (4) Yoshii Nakamatsu (7-5, OVR 538)* vs. (6) Pulsar (4-8, OVR 504) [Career: Yoshii Nakamatsu, 3 - 0] (z-8) Blood River (1-11, OVR 512) vs. (3) Reverend Johnny Gross (8-4, OVR 536)* [Career: Reverend Johnny Gross, 2 - 1] (5) Billy Norris (6-6, OVR 538)* vs. (7) Angela Wassermann (3-9, OVR 494) [Career: Billy Norris, 6 - 1] GAMMA DIVISION (5) Big Scott Weathers (5-7, OVR 513) vs. (2) Diego Rodriguez (8-4, OVR 547)* [Career: Diego Rodriguez, 1 - 0] TABLES MATCH: (y-1) Monty Dhillon (12-0, OVR 567)* vs. (7) Lance Heartilly (4-8, OVR 465) [Career: Monty Dhillon, 2 – 1. Tables Records: Dhillon 1 – 1.] (z-8) Terrance Stevens (1-11, OVR 496) vs. (4) Indigo Rose (7-5, OVR 528)* [Career: Indigo Rose, 3 - 2] (6) Markus Clay (4-8, OVR 497)* vs. (3) Kichi Hida (7-5, OVR 494) [Career: Markus Clay, 1 - 0] DELTA DIVISION (2) Rock Sheridan (8-4, OVR 440)* vs. (3) Diamond (7-5, OVR 510) [Career: Rock Sheridan, 1 - 0] (4) Leon de Ramos (7-5, OVR 434)* vs. (1) Nocturne (9-3, OVR 464) [Career: Leon de Ramos, 1 - 0] SUBMISSION MATCH: (6) Sterling Silver (5-7, OVR 470)* vs. (8) George Stevens (2-10, OVR 417) [Career: Sterling Silver, 1 – 0. Submission Match records: Stevens 0 – 1.] (7) Mickey Steele (5-7, OVR 427) vs. (5) Scott Stevens (5-7, OVR 442)* [Career: Scott Stevens, 1 - 0]

The set up is simple. Lucas Molina. In workout sweats. Seated backwards on a steel chair, arms folded on the back. In a spotlight. In a wrestling ring. Simple. "You know, Pastor Richards has a lot to say for someone who's not about to get in the ring. But I don't mind. That's his job. What I mind is the insinuation. I made Christian Priest tap out in the middle of that ring. Last season i made him tap out in European rules, too. And before then, he had to punch me in the balls to get the job done." One disdainful pause if ever there was one. I'm a fair man. I'm an honest man. I don't make excuses when I get beat. This is wrestling. People make mistakes. Losses happen. But Priest? He has his hype man come out and make excuses. Call it a fluke. His ego can't accept it. How pathetic. How insecure. But...it does tell me something. Something important. Molina smiles. It's not a very nice smile. "I'm in his head. He's worried about me. I'm not Billy Norris. I'm not Angela Wasserman. And I'm certainly not Blood River. He has to be careful against me. Because he knows I can beat him. He knows I can put him in the Bodylock or the Crab and there will be no escape. He'll have to humble himself and tap out before I fold him in half. Oh, yeah. He knows. And he. Can't. Stand. It. It drives him crazy to know that a guy half his size can take everything he's got to dish out and then make him tap. It just might haunt his dreams. Molina's smile widens into an wryly amused grin. See you soon, Christian. And we're done here.

ALPHA DIVISION The title may already be decided, but there's still lots to fight for in Alpha. The race against relegation is in full swing, with crucial matches for all four in the fireing line. (7) The Mastodon (4-7, OVR 545) vs. (y-1) Nuclear Templeton (10-1, OVR 578)* [Career: Nuclear Templeton, 5 - 2] Speaking of, Mastodon takes another blow, as Nuke letting his foot off the gas is inconceivable. (4) Mel O'Hallister (5-6, OVR 554) vs. (6) Brian Blackfield (4-7, OVR 584)* [Career: Brian Blackfield, 1 - 0] This one's important. Both need it. Blackfield needs it more. But I think Mel's got just a little bit more in him this season. (3) Brandy McDonald (6-5, OVR 544) vs. (4) Jean-Paul Ouilette (5-6, OVR 543)* [Career: Jean-Paul Ouilette, 1 - 0] JPO in bad form. Brandy just schooled last season's champ. (8) De'siree Mitchell (3-8, OVR 518) vs. (2) George Mastachas (7-4, OVR 555)* [Career: George Mastachas, 5 - 2] There's getting caught lacking by Brandy, and then there's losing to De'siree. These are not the same. BETA DIVISION A lot on the line in Beta, too. Priest and Gross looking to move forward in their pursuit of Molina. Nakamatsu aiming to take him down a peg and avoid basically being removed from the promotion race. And on the relegation side, Pulsar trying to dodge and Blood River trying to aoid the nail in his coffin. (2) Christian Priest (8-3, OVR 607)* vs. (5) Billy Norris (6-5, OVR 537) [Career: Christian Priest, 1 - 0] Priest is back in form and ought to slap him like a child. (1) Lucas Molina (9-2, OVR 514)* vs. (4) Yoshii Nakamatsu (7-4, OVR 537) [Career: Lucas Molina, 1 - 0] Believing in my dude. Plus he did win pretty comfortably last time, as I recall. Sorry, Yoshii. Not your season. (3) Reverend Johnny Gross (7-4, OVR 533)* vs. (6) Angela Wassermann (3-8, OVR 493) [Career: Reverend Johnny Gross, 3 - 0] Gross is good. Wasserman is very not. (7) Pulsar (3-8, OVR 499)* vs. (8) Blood River (1-10, OVR 511) [Career: Pulsar, 3 - 0] River's not avoiding the nail. No. GAMMA DIVISION Gamma is close to settled at this stage, barring anyone either collapsing or catching absolute fire. Not a lot left to fight for. (y-1) Monty Dhillon (11-0, OVR 563)* vs. (5) Big Scott Weathers (5-6, OVR 513) [Career: Monty Dhillon, 1 - 0] The quest for perfection rolls on. EUROPEAN RULES MATCH: (2) Diego Rodriguez (8-3, OVR 542)* vs. (4) Indigo Rose (6-5, OVR 515) [Career: Diego Rodriguez, 3 – 2. European Rules Records: Diego 1 – 0, Rose 0 – 1.] As usual, this one can go either way. Rose is riding a tidal wave of momentum with 5 straight wins. Unfortunately, Diego's looked better overall and 4-5 tends to be where winning streaks get snapped in this League. If they do at all. At least this season, anyway. HARDCORE MATCH: (z-8) Terrance Stevens (1-10, OVR 494) vs. (3) Kichi Hida (6-5, OVR 488)* [Career: Kichi Hida, 1 – 0. Hardcore Records: Stevens 1 – 1, Hida 1 – 1.] Kichi makes mincemeat out of guys like Terrance, who is having a horrid season anyway. (6) Markus Clay (4-7, OVR 495)* vs. (7) Lance Heartilly (3-8, OVR 460) [Career: Markus Clay, 1 - 0] For maximum chaos, please. DELTA DIVISION Delta is still largely a dog fight. 5 & 6 have a ghost of a chance at promotion in the second slot, which is more than any other division this season can say. Realistically it'll probably be two of the top three, but de Ramos is also lurking. So all big matches this week. (1) Nocturne (8-3, OVR 461)* vs. (3) Diamond (7-4, OVR 509) [Career: Nocturne, 1 - 0] All I got is that Nocturne won before. But a loss ffor her here, and faster than she beat Diamond, would really bring chaos to the last two weeks. (2) Rock Sheridan (7-4, OVR 435)* vs. (6) Scott Stevens (5-6, OVR 441) [Career: Rock Sheridan, 1 - 0] Again, Rock beat him before. Surely he can do it again? He's not an erratic flyer like Silver, who a slow start can doom. (7) Mickey Steele (4-7, OVR 422) vs. (5) Sterling Silver (5-6, OVR 468)* [Career: Sterling Silver, 1 - 0] On that topic, I want to believe she can at least finish 5th. 4th may be out of reach, but 5th is doable. A win here all but seals it. (4) Leon de Ramos (6-5, OVR 430)* vs. (8) George Stevens (2-9, OVR 416) [Career: Leon de Ramos, 1 - 0] He did it before, he can do it again. Plus George's two wins were, embarrassingly enough, against Rock. Who is decidedly not a Lightweight technician.

Week 11 Quick Thoughts (Arise, my Shadows!) Delta Rock Sheridan def. Leon de Ramos Nocturne def. Mickey Steele Scott Stevens def. Sterling Silver Diamond def. George Stevens. Rock continues to excel as a rookie. Nocturne takes care of business. Stevens surpassed his win total from last season with three matches to go. Progress is always to be celebrated. And Diamond keeps pace with Rock. Leon’s promotion hopes get much dimmer. Silver’s are gone and her hopes of remaining in Delta are fading fast. That’s about it. Gamma Big Scott Weathers def. Lance Heartilly Indigo Rose def. Markus Clay Diego Rodriguez def. Terrance Stevens Monty Dhillon def. Kichi Hida Big Scotty is probably sticking around in Gamma. Alert the media, he’s not getting relegated for a third straight season. Also not getting relegated is Rose, whose second half has been a revelation. Diego handles business, and with Monty doing with same over Kichi, has very likely secured the second promotion spot. Heartilly is hanging on the edge. Clay is arguably with him, which makes their upcoming match rather appropriately timed. Stevens has received the nail in his coffin, so to speak. And Kichi will likely finish with 8 or 9 wins, which is good enough that she can call herself the Queen of Gamma next season, barring Diego suddenly falling apart while she catches absolute fire. Beta Lucas Molina def. Pulsar Yoshii Nakamatsu def. Angela Wasserman Billy Norris def. Blood River Christian Priest def. Reverend Johnny Gross Molina, Nakamatsu, and Norris handle their business. Molina maintains his lead over everyone, while Yoshii remains hopefully mistakes get made and Norris is just stuck in no man’s land without a prayer of promotion or relegation. Priest defeats Gross and avoids a most dire fate. Being effectively two back with three matches remaining. Pulsar and Wasserman are battling for the second relegation slot. The first, River has just about sewn up. And Gross finds himself in the awkward position of rooting for Norris this week or Molina the next. (Because like hell Wasserman can beat Priest) His loss combined with the tiebreaker has him out the outside looking in. And with one Alpha veteran coming down and Monty f’n Dhillon coming up next season, it’s not gonna get any easier for him then, either. Alpha Mel O’Hallister def. The Mastodon Nuclear Templeton def. De’siree Mitchell Brandy McDonald def. George Mastachas Brian Blackfield def. Jean-Paul Ouilette Like I said last week, Nuke’s the champ. It’s just official now. There’s nothing left to talk about at the top of the rankings. It’s the relegation race that’s still firmly undecided. Mel took a step away, while Mastodon took a step towards. Blackfield? Away. De’siree? Towards. And JPO can’t get cocky either. 5 wins will not be enough to escape the frame here, so he’s got to grab a win in the last three if he wants to be safe. Unfortunately, lately he’s looking like the JPO everyone expected to see this season, rather than the guy from the first half of it.

YouTube really, REALLY thinks I'm a potential FanDuel user. I am not. It is annoying. Less annoying than MANLY MAN soap ads, but those are a high bar to clear. Those in fairness, 99.99% of Youtube's ads are extremely annoying. So the floor ain't that low either.

Truthfully, I just don't have the usual commentary in me. Too busy with other activities. ALPHA DIVISION (3) Jean-Paul Ouilette (5-5, OVR 541)* vs. (8) Brian Blackfield (3-7, OVR 578) [Career: Brian Blackfield, 2 - 1] (4) Brandy McDonald (5-5, OVR 540) vs. (2) George Mastachas (7-3, OVR 555)* [Career: George Mastachas, 4 - 3] (1) Nuclear Templeton (9-1, OVR 572)* vs. (7) De'siree Mitchell (3-7, OVR 517) [Career: Nuclear Templeton, 6 - 1] (6) The Mastodon (4-6, OVR 544) vs. (5) Mel O'Hallister (4-6, OVR 547)* [Career: Mel O'Hallister, 3 - 2] BETA DIVISION (2) Reverend Johnny Gross (7-3, OVR 532)* vs. (3) Christian Priest (7-3, OVR 602) [Career: Reverend Johnny Gross, 1 - 0] HARDCORE MATCH: (5) Billy Norris (5-5, OVR 532)* vs. (8) Blood River (1-9, OVR 510) [Career: Billy Norris, 3 – 2. Career in Hardcore Matches: Norris 0 – 2, River 1 – 0] (4) Yoshii Nakamatsu (6-4, OVR 534)* vs. (6) Angela Wassermann (3-7, OVR 493) [Career: Yoshii Nakamatsu, 3 - 0] (1) Lucas Molina (8-2, OVR 510)* vs. (7) Pulsar (3-7, OVR 499) [Career: Lucas Molina, 1 - 0] GAMMA DIVISION (3) Kichi Hida (6-4, OVR 487) vs. (1) Monty Dhillon (10-0, OVR 560)* [Career: Monty Dhillon, 3 - 2] (2) Diego Rodriguez (7-3, OVR 537)* vs. (8) Terrance Stevens (1-9, OVR 492) [Career: Diego Rodriguez, 2 - 1] (4) Indigo Rose (5-5, OVR 510)* vs. (5) Markus Clay (4-6, OVR 494) [Career: Indigo Rose, 3 - 2] (6) Big Scott Weathers (4-6, OVR 509)* vs. (7) Lance Heartilly (3-7, OVR 460) [Career: Big Scott Weathers, 1 - 0] DELTA DIVISION (8) George Stevens (2-8, OVR 415) vs. (3) Diamond (6-4, OVR 505)* [Career: Diamond, 1 - 0] (6) Scott Stevens (4-6, OVR 438) vs. (5) Sterling Silver (5-5, OVR 468)* [Career: Sterling Silver, 1 - 0] (1) Nocturne (7-3, OVR 457) vs. (7) Mickey Steele (4-6, OVR 422)* [Career: Mickey Steele, 1 - 0] FIRST BLOOD MATCH: (2) Rock Sheridan (6-4, OVR 431)* vs. (4) Leon de Ramos (6-4, OVR 429) [Career: Rock Sheridan, 1 - 0]

You might be encountering the pop increase per area per month limit, maybe? If you ran the event in the same month as your purchase? Also non broadcast events have significant limitations on how much they can grow op to begin with compared with broadcasted events.

If we've learned anything through the adventures of Kichi Hida, it's that size only matters up to a point. And besides, she's a Lightweight, not a Small. Those are usually easily a 150 lbs on the low end and 200ish on the high. It's not like she's the size of Silver or Joslin. That'd be bananas. In the real world, she'd be noticeably big as hell for a woman. Like if Hikaru Shida was built like Kris Statlander. With that said it's a reasonable expectation that she wouldn't. I've just gotten used to Kichi embodying the spirit of "clobbering time" whenever the bell rings. She is literally half Mastodon's size, that's a fact. And even Blackfield is a size category higher. So if you're just thinking about size and strength then yeah, it's absolutely a reasonable expectation. Then again there's double squashing Jun Onoo (who's Mastodon sized) last season and even smacking around Big Scotty in round one this season. Look, I'm trying to say I don't think you were being silly. You were just looking at it from a different perspective than me, and that's okay.

Week 10 Quick Thoughts (Goodbye for now for Frieren and Maomao. Anything else would be embarrassing later.) Delta Leon de Ramos def. Mickey Steele Nocturne def. George Stevens Rock Sheridan def. Sterling Silver Diamond def. Scott Stevens An exciting night. Crucial victories for what’s turning out to be the top four. And match of the night honors. I don’t know if anyone’s tracking it (I’m certainly not), but it seems like Delta’s gotten more MOTN than usual this season. This crew may well have more than any other division at this point. I dunno, seems like an interesting factoid to me. It’s still anybody but George’s division, though. Even if Scott and Steele’s chances have shrunk significantly. Gamma Indigo Rose def. Lance Heartilly Markus Clay def. Terrance Stevens Kichi Hida def. Big Scott Weathers Monty Dhillon def. Diego Rodriguez Rose is all about ensuring she remains in Gamma. Stevens is totally hapless at this point, but respect to Clay for the W. Adrenaline Rush, Adrenaline Rush, come on for Kichi. Seriously, boss, you didn’t expect domination after some of what Blackfield and Mastodon have pulled in the past? Not to mention what Kichi’s done from time to time without it. And Diego’s division title dreams fade away to nothing as Monty’s undefeated season rolls over him. The race here is Kichi relying on winning out and Diego dropping just one of his remaining four. But of couse, she’s got Monty this week. So Diego’s about to get some breathing room if he can win against Stevens. Beta Angela Wasserman def. Blood River Billy Norris def. Pulsar Reverend Johnny Gross def. Lucas Molina Christian Priest def. Yoshii Nakamatsu River seems as hapless as Stevens. Just can’t do anything right. A little credit to Wasserman for taking advantage, but yeah. Norris firmly establishes himself as the mid table man. Not a jobber but not in the upper four’s class either. Gross weakens Molina’s position and Priest completes what Gross started. Nakamasu’s unfortunate dismissal from the upper rankings. The big dogs are hitting their stride as the season rolls on. The question is, was Molina’s 6-1 enough to keep them at bay, or will he too falter and fall like Yoshii? Well. First Gross/Priest II has to happen. Then we’ll see. Alpha The Mastodon def. De’siree Mitchell Mel O’Hallister def. Brandy McDonald George Mastachas def. Jean-Paul Ouilette Nuclear Templeton def. Brian Blackfield Look, Nuke’s the champ. I know it. You know. Everybody knows it. Mastachas is the only one who can catch him, and that’s deeply unlikely. Instead, let’s focus on how even 3 and 4 are only two matches better than 7 and 8. The fight against relegation is only heating up. I’m sure nobody expected Blackfield to be washing out this hard, but here we are. He’s surely got some offseason thinking to do. Despite what I said above, JPO and Brandy are sticking around. Two up with four to go? Unlikely they slip down enough to get tossed. Mel and Mastodon, however, need to watch their backs. De’siree and Blackfield need to step it up a level. We’ll see how it goes.

ALPHA DIVISION Mastachas is only theoretically in the race for the title. Ouilette has an even more tenuous spot. So, with Nuke basically crowned already, all eyes turn to the relegation race to the bottom. Blackfield, Mel, Mastodon, and De'siree all have the same record, and two of them face off for the second time this week. Let's see how it goes. (5) Brian Blackfield (3-6, OVR 577) vs. (1) Nuclear Templeton (8-1, OVR 567)* [Career: Nuclear Templeton, 1 - 0] At this point, Nuke losing to anyone at all for the rest of this season would be shocking. (3) Jean-Paul Ouilette (5-4, OVR 541) vs. (2) George Mastachas (6-3, OVR 551)* [Career: George Mastachas, 1 - 0] JPO's having a good run, but Mastachas is beyond him. (6) Mel O'Hallister (3-6, OVR 542) vs. (4) Brandy McDonald (5-4, OVR 539)* [Career: Brandy McDonald, 3 - 2] Uh. It's his turn? Seriously, these two just keep swapping wins and losses. Plus Mel needs it more. (8) De'siree Mitchell (3-6, OVR 515) vs. (7) The Mastodon (3-6, OVR 539)* [Career: The Mastodon, 5 - 2] Look at that career record again. Look at the * that indicates who won last time. Yeah. BETA DIVISION Beta, on the other hand, has a thriving prootion race even if it's a little hard to see how anyone stops Molina. (Before the bias accusations come in, he's 8-1, and just avenged that loss last week with authority.) Priest/Nakamatsu is a revenge chance for Priest and a chance for Yoshii to kick Priest virtually irreparably down the rankings while pushing himself up. Molina/Gross is much the same, subbing Gross for Priest and Molina for Yoshii. Wasserman/River even has deep relegation implications. Important night in Beta, folks. (4) Christian Priest (6-3, OVR 599) vs. (3) Yoshii Nakamatsu (6-3, OVR 533)* [Career: Yoshii Nakamatsu, 1 - 0] This is a finesse vs. power matchup, and last time finesse won pretty handily. That, however, was 9 weeks ago. Priest has turned a corner, it seems, while Yoshii has started to slow. Plus it still feels like a glitch that he won in the first place. (1) Lucas Molina (8-1, OVR 510)* vs. (2) Reverend Johnny Gross (6-3, OVR 529) [Career: Lucas Molina, 1 - 0] Molina, on the other hand, has been dominating everyone for the past several weeks. In fact, that one loss was in Week 3. Gross, on the other hand, hasn't lost since Week 4. Both have plowed through just about everyone else in the division in the process. The difference here is that Molina beat Gross before debuting any of his new signature submissions. The same ones that seem to have turned him into a dominant wrecking machine. (6) Pulsar (3-6, OVR 498)* v's. (5) Billy Norris (4-5, OVR 528) [Career: Pulsar, 2 - 1] Coinflip+superior stamina. Erratic high flyers, man. (7) Angela Wassermann (2-7, OVR 489) vs. (8) Blood River (1-8, OVR 509)* [Career: Blood River, 4 - 1] River may be in total freefall, but look. It's like Rock Paper Scissors. River beats Wasserman. Wasserman beats Pulsar. Pulsar beats River. Why is it like this? Man, I don't know. It just is. GAMMA DIVISION I can't say that there's no headline matchups in Gamma this week, because the top two are colliding. But yanno...nobody's stopping Monty this season, man. Just not in the cards. So Gamma's just a little devoid of excitement as far as match up implications goes. (1) Monty Dhillon (9-0, OVR 555)* vs. (2) Diego Rodriguez (7-2, OVR 536) [Career: Monty Dhillon, 1 - 0] Another week, another time Monty powerbombs the shit out of some sucker. (3) Kichi Hida (5-4, OVR 483)* vs. (4) Big Scott Weathers (4-5, OVR 508) [Career: Kichi Hida, 1 - 0] Kichi seems to have lost her knack for handling technicians that she showed in the first half, but 1D brawlers she eats for breakfast. (6) Markus Clay (3-6, OVR 492) vs. (8) Terrance Stevens (1-8, OVR 493)* [Career: Markus Clay, 5 - 2] Look at the career record. Look at Steven's record. It's saying "That win was a fluke" to me. (7) Lance Heartilly (3-6, OVR 460)* vs. (5) Indigo Rose (4-5, OVR 508) [Career: Lance Heartilly, 1 - 0] IMO Rose needs one win, possibly two, and she's out of relegation danger. This should be one of those wins because she's better at everything Heartilly does. DELTA DIVISION It's chaos in Delta, as even 6 and 7 in the rankings have a real chance at promotion this late in the season. Well. As far as the mathematical odds go, anyway. (3) Diamond (5-4, OVR 500) vs. (6) Scott Stevens (4-5, OVR 437)* [Career: Scott Stevens, 1 - 0] I don't know. I don't f'n know! Take the pick and go away! (4) Sterling Silver (5-4, OVR 466) vs. (2) Rock Sheridan (5-4, OVR 426)* [Career: Rock Sheridan, 1 - 0] The week where we find out if the wheels are actually coming off for Rock, or he's just weak to Nocturne and George. Gotta back my guy, right? (8) George Stevens (2-7, OVR 415) vs. (1) Nocturne (6-3, OVR 453)* [Career: Nocturne, 1 - 0] It's kinda...she did it before? There's no reason she can't do it again? (7) Mickey Steele (4-5, OVR 421) vs. (5) Leon de Ramos (5-4, OVR 424)* [Career: Leon de Ramos, 1 - 0] Like I just said. There's no reason why he can't simply do it again.

#JusticeForJoslin

Week 9 Quick Thoughts (You thought there’d be a little factoid here, but it was me, Dio!) Delta George Stevens def. Rock Sheridan Sterling Silver def. Leon de Ramos Scott Stevens def. Nocturne Mickey Steele def. Diamond Gah, what a logjam for second. Tiebreakers may well settle the second promotion spot at this rate. Though with that said, Rock’s remaining schedule consists of people he’s already beaten. The rest of the 5-4 club can’t say that. So this is gonna be interesting going forward. Especially with Sterling making her push. What a story her season has been, eh? Gamma Lance Heartilly def. Terrance Stevens Indigo Rose def. Big Scott Weathers Diego Rodriguez def. Kichi Hida Monty Dhillon def. Markus Clay Kichi’s season is going like her matches. Hot start, not so hot finish. Monty vs. Diego next week settles the division title, so it’ll be up to Diego not to slip up after that and allow Kichi any openings. Rose is shoveling her way out of her initial hold. Promotion is impossible, but another win or two and she’s guaranteed to stick around for another season. Beta Angela Wasserman def. Pulsar Lucas Molina def. Billy Norris Reverend Johnny Gross def. Yoshii Nakamatsu Christian Priest def. Blood River Lucas is apparently unstoppable. I say apparently because rematches with Gross, Priest, and Nakamatsu are on the horizon. That loss put Yoshii in a bad spot, promotion wise. But Gross’s comeback is also an excellent story. Priest appears to be finding his feet, as well. The proof of that, however, awaits in the rematches with the three ranked above him. Gotta win, and win fast. That is very unlikely with Molina (European Rules, bay bee, nature of the beast), but with the other two he’s got a shot. Sorry, Billy. I knew from Week 1 this wasn’t your season. But take heart! You won’t get relegated! Alpha De’siree Mitchell def. Mel O’Hallister The Mastodon def. Jean-Paul Ouilette Brandy McDonald def. Brian Blackfield Nuclear Templeton def. George Mastachas The relegation field has gone from clear and obvious to absolute chaos. Gonna be a dog fight down there. Speaking of, three of those four have what I think is the same fundamental problem. They’re too small and lack strength. Blackfield, Mel, and De’siree don’t have the raw size and strength to consistently keep pace with big ass dudes who can shrug off their best blows and break out of their best moves. Blackfield additionally has never been in a division where damn near everyone has a submission finish and ain’t shy about using it, which is a reason Mastodon is slipping. A third issue is the length of Alpha’s matches can lead to three of them (Blackfield, Mel, and Mastodon) running out of gas. JPO and Brandy skate past these problem in different ways. JPO has a very good manager and his pinfall finish is done to a grounded opponent. It's dodged and being a strike, can't be powered out of. Useful. Brandy both starts fast and has the stamina to not fade in Alpha’s longer matches. And even with those advantages they’re clearly a step behind Nuke, Mastachas, and sometimes even Mastodon. I realize this wasn’t exactly a Quick Thought, but it’s been on my mind since about this time last season (while considering just how Blackfield might fit into Alpha) and it finally crystallized this week.

C'mon, man. You know defeated wrestlers automatically teleport backstage to the trainer's room when they get out of sight of the cameras. Even if that's not true, wrestlers have been having vision and especially hearing gaps forever. More seriously, though, I'd think of it as Willow's powerbomb is just that strong. Riho could do nothing but limp slowly to the back. And in full seriousness I do think it would have hurt Willow's finish if tiny little Riho could shrug it off enough in a maybe a minute or two to rush to the rescue. Small wrestlers who eat powerhouse finishers should not in condition to do anything useful afterward outside of match conditions, where it can be excused via adrenaline.