unwound

Excellent news. Had a good run with this on '16 so looking forward to giving this another go on the new game! Great work.

Winner: Drew McIntyre Runner-Up: Samoa Joe Final Four: Kevin Owens, Daniel Bryan Most Eliminations: Samoa Joe Iron Man: AJ Styles

Smackdown Women's Title Match: 'The Queen' Charlotte Flair © [vs] 'The Queen of Spades' Shayna Baszler w/ Duke and Shafir Comments: Much prefer Charlotte but I think the numbers game will win out here Grudge Match: 'The Bulgarian Brute' Rusev [vs] 'The All Mighty' Bobby Lashley w/ Lana Comments: Gotta back RuRu here RAW Tag Team Titles Match: Hawkins & Ryder © [vs] The New Day (Big E & Xavier Woods) [vs] The OC (Gallows & Anderson) Comments: Like all three teams but I think these are the best of the three. NXT Title Match: 'The Extraordinary Man' Finn Balor [vs] Adam Cole 'Bay Bay' © The rest of the Undisputed Era will be locked in a Cage on the Stage! Comments: Should be a good 'un WWE Universal Title Match: 'The Monster Among Men' Braun Strowman [vs] 'The Fiend' Bray Wyatt © Comments: Much prefer Braun but think the Fiend holds on until Mania Bonus: 1). Which Match will be the Match Of The Night?: Balor vs Cole 2). What will the Overall Rating of the show be?: 90 3). How many Championships will change hands?: 2

Looking forward to this one! Winner: ???? - Ronda Rousey - just a gut feeling she may make it back for this one, she's got some unfinished business... Runner-up: Asuka Final four: Bayley, Naomi Most eliminations: Asuka Iron Lady: Io Shirai - thinking out of the box but a good chance for an NXT star to shine

Went into WM with little expectations, gotta say with what they had to work with...it turned out alright. Only the NXT Women's match I was slightly disappointed with the result, but overall I can't complain too much over the two nights. Never thought I'd say an Undertaker match in 2020 would be the highlight of Mania, but I thoroughly enjoyed the Boneyard match!

Very excited about the most recent addition. There are a couple of storylines I've booked in the past where being able to have this kind of feature would have taken it to the next level, so looking forward to being able to bring in some proper wrestling kino!

Velveteen Dream [vs] Alexander Wolfe w/ Imperium Chad Gable & Eric Young [vs] The Colons 'The One and Only' Ricochet [vs] 'Glorious' Robert Roode w/ Dolph Ziggler Akira Tozawa [vs] 'The Viper' Randy Orton Deonna Purrazzo [vs] Peyton Royce w/ Billie Kay Roman Reigns & The Usos [vs] Drew McIntyre & Damnation

Disclaimer: I'm opting out of the giveaway but respect to the OP for a top initiative. For me, probably my highlight was the AJ Styles/Samoa Joe/Christopher Daniels triple threat match at Unbreakable 2005. ECW One Night Stand had given me a nudge to get back into wrestling after four years away, and had just started to check out ROH and TNA on The Wrestling Channel here as well as starting to try and keep up with WWE. It reminded me of just how good pro wrestling can be when it's at its very best, and that match has always stuck with me - as a kid who started out watching WWF in the late 90s, I always enjoyed the car-crash entertainment of it all but coming back to it the appreciation for the workrate and the pure ability got me back into it for a second time. Honourable mentions to Daniel Bryan and Becky Lynch getting their big, well-deserved Mania moments in the main events at WM30 and WM35 - two of my favourite wrestlers of recent years.

<p>Been catching up with this and great to see you back with another Three Brands diary, the first one back in the day was class! Great stuff. Gonna jump straight in with a prediction...</p><p> </p><p> Cedric Alexander [vs] <strong>'The Swiss Superman' Cesaro</strong></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae</strong> [vs] Samoa Joe & Io Shirai</p><p> <em>Teamwork should make the dreamwork for the Wrestlings, despite the formidable opposition</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Apollo Crews & Drew Gulak</strong> [vs] Technique (Ruas & Bononi) w/ Taynara Conti</p><p> <em>I dig this team</em></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Montez Ford </strong>[vs] Mike Kanellis</p><p> <em>This guy can bring in the dimes!</em></p><p> </p><p> WWE Women's Tag Team Titles</p><p> <strong>Ember Moon & Kayden Carter ©</strong> [vs] Aliyah & Vanessa Borne</p><p> </p><p> 'The Bulgarian Brute' Rusev [vs] <strong>Adam Cole 'Bay Bay'</strong></p><p> <em>Can see Cole winning by nefarious means.</em></p>

Loved playing ICC1 and 2 back in the day, last one I played was 2016 which was great fun and built a great Warwickshire side. Agree with you on FM, got back playing into Championship Manager 01/02 recently and it's fun to just be able to blast through seasons. Been using the scouts to find players as against going back to the old favourites (Mike Duff and the gang) which is making for a nice challenge. There is a modern database but I've not checked that out yet. Giving Eastside Hockey Manager a go with the latest rosters having not played it for ages.

Excited to see this continuing through to TEW2020! Great news.

<p>Put Savio Vega and Konnan together in a New Generation save, gave them the LAX moniker and they had a good run as one of my top tag teams. Won the belts a couple of times and more than held their own in a division containing Harlem Heat, the Steiners, New Age Outlaws, the Miracle Violence Connection amongst others.</p><p> </p><p> On more recent mods, put Zack Ryder and Tye Dillinger together as "BroTendo" as a filler face team and they ended up becoming a division mainstay. Gave them Carmella as a manager after she dumped Enzo and Cass for them, they ended up winning the SmackDown tag belts for a short while too. RANCH IT UP</p><p> </p><p> Neville's been a tag division godsend as well, first off with Drew McIntyre before Drew got a solo push, then with Hideo Itami. Cesaro and Zack Sabre Jr. as "Team Technique" were another success.</p>

<p>Probably give 2016 pre-brand split WWE another run and book NXT lore for that full immersion first off. Been working on importing workers, adding narratives etc. so I can revisit that time period, it's a nice fairly clean slate and I can hold off on the brand split 'til after Mania.</p><p> The idea of doing a seasonal show a la Chikara/Lucha Underground appeals also in various timelines, starting completely from scratch, having that blank canvas and building that lore and history is always a big appeal for me.</p><p> Liking the sound of the planned May 2013 mod so I'm sure I'll give that a go, likewise if some of the old favourites appear or convert well (COTT, Rising Storms, Ruthless Aggression, Montreal Screwjob) they'll be on my list. Fancy a proper crack at ECW '97, WWF '94 or TNA/ROH 2004 and changing things up a bit.</p><p> Hyped for the new game!</p>

<p>WWE from mid 2016, progressed a fair bit since then:</p><p> "Kevin Nash as 205 Live GM? Ugh." (Take a shower, hit the weights, get a clue)</p><p> "The Talking Smack guest hosts whilst Renee was on holiday. For every great (Joe Rogan, Eric Andre, Henry Rollins) there's one that's absolutely trash (Logan Paul? Who the heck was that English guy, Partridge? Pitbull?)" (Put some respect on Alan Partridge's name mate, iconic character in the UK and the home fans loved it. Logan Paul...yeah, I won't defend, but I won't tolerate any Mr Worldwide slander)</p><p> "The #SquadGoals stable. Dolph, Kenny, Mikey and Dana can get in the bin. Awful, cringeworthy, garbage." (Anything that works the boomers into a shoot is doing stellar work with me)</p><p> "Why doesn't creative tell Baron Corbin to just shave it all off bro?" (Because that balding/long hair combo makes him look more like a proper villain?)</p><p> "Giving TJP "The Bunny" costume...for what purpose?" (Look, I don't want to see him dabbing mid match and deep down I know you don't either)</p><p> "Asuka as Becky Lynch's attacker? Turning Asuka heel? Having her lose the streak and title on a B PPV in England?" (It was her or Sasha, she's a great villain, and sometimes you need to just mix it up a little)</p><p> "Bring back CM Punk! Bring back Cody Rhodes! Bring back Damien Sandow!" (No, no and thrice no)</p><p> "Mauro, Taz and Matt Striker on the same commentary table? *reaches for the mute button*" (Look mate it's better than JBL or Josh Mathews isn't it?)</p><p> "Bobby Roode vs Jinder Mahal? Yikes." (Just wait until the double turn, then you'll see...)</p>

<p>WWE October 2016 (Started June 2016)</p><p> WWE Championship: Dean Ambrose (cashed in MITB briefcase on Seth Rollins at Battleground, July 2016)</p><p> WWE Intercontinental Championship: Finn Balor (defeated The Miz at Summerslam, August 2016)</p><p> WWE United States Championship: Cesaro (defeated Rusev at Night of Champions, September 2016)</p><p> WWE Tag Team Championship: Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson (defeated The New Day at Night of Champions, September 2016)</p><p> WWE Women's Championship: Sasha Banks (defeated Charlotte on post-Summerslam episode of RAW, August 2016)</p>

- Night of Champions 2016 is in the books! - Dean Ambrose retained his WWE Championship in Las Vegas after Roman Reigns destroyed Seth Rollins with a spear, in the match of the night - John Cena defeated Chris Jericho; Randy Orton defeated AJ Styles with the help of the New Day after Styles cost the New Day their Tag Team Championships against the Club earlier in the evening - Sasha Banks retained her Women's championship defeating Charlotte Flair; Finn Balor retained the IC title over the Miz in a superb match - A new US champion was crowned; Cesaro defeating Rusev, Paige was on hand to stop Lana from causing any issues in the match - Bray Wyatt's been targeting anyone and everyone since his return and has brought the spooky to another level; Dolph Ziggler his unfortunate victim this time out - Samoa Joe's rise up the card continued after defeating Alberto del Rio whose stock is falling - Hell in a Cell up next in October - rumours abound Ambrose/Rollins and Balor/Miz will be in the cell, with a falls-count-anywhere match between Banks and Flair being mooted and a six-pack number one contendership match for the WWE Championship - NXT Takeover: Fall Brawl headlined by a fantastic Nakamura vs Gargano match which Shinsuke won to retain the NXT Championship. Also impressing on the card was Bobby Roode vs Chad Gable, big wins too for Candice LeRae, Kassius Ohno and Murphy - Mickie James signs a contract to return to WWE; Mike Bennett heading to NXT. Several workers being monitored closely for NXT and the cruiserweight division, as well as free agents for the main roster as speculation builds over a post-Wrestlemania brand split on the main roster, with many callups expected - In other news: Jerry Lawler retires from the business; AJPW hit by a scandal uncovered by the Japanese press; Cody Rhodes wins the TNA World Heavyweight Championship

<p>Summerslam 2016 is done and dusted, delighted with how it went. AJ Styles saw off John Cena in a 2/3 falls epic to end their feud, and Dean Ambrose retained his WWE Championship in a triple threat match with Rollins and Reigns. (Ambrose cashed in on Rollins at Battleground, he is doing exceptionally well right now). Ambrose and Rollins is going to be the main feud going forward towards HIAC; Styles will feud with Orton, who controversially lost to Lesnar at Summerslam.</p><p> Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn had a fantastic match at Summerslam after Zayn had surprised him at Battleground, Owens winning an incredible Last Man Standing encounter. The feud has done wonders for both guys and I think Owens will be right in the mix come WM season for sure. Zayn might go into the secondary title pictures very soon.</p><p> Samoa Joe made his debut at Summerslam and he's going to go on a bit of a tear I think now, get him up the card as far as I possibly can. Some big hossfests potentially with him; Rusev, Lesnar, Big E, Wyatt. Looking at Nakamura and Bayley as my next NXT callups, around Survivor Series or so.</p><p> Balor defeated Miz for the IC title, Becky Lynch sorted Maryse out so she couldn't interfere. Considering this feud for a HIAC match in a couple of months. Balor is going brilliantly since his callup. Cesaro was cheated out of the US title by Rusev, but will definitely be going for another round at Night of Champions.</p><p> Sasha Banks lost out in a valiant effort to Charlotte Flair in the women's championship match at Summerslam, but will win the rematch on RAW to take the title. Not going to hot potato it like in real life, I don't think. Becky Lynch and Paige are waiting in the wings for their chance down the line, and Emma's back in the division and doing fairly well so far.</p><p> Tag team picture is looking strong, New Day still the champs having defended against both the Club and the Usos at Summerslam, will look to put the belts on the Club though soon and give the New Day something else to do. Thinking the Wyatts. Put Drew McIntyre in a team with Neville and they're getting over very nicely and quickly becoming key players in the division.</p><p> Had to let Braun Strowman go as he was unsafe and had terrible selling, injured Enzo Amore (although nothing too serious) and then nearly did the same to Jack Swagger the week after. Can't be having that unfortunately. Rowan will pick up the Wyatts work for a month or so to help Bray until Harper's back from his injury layoff in October. As for other departures, Ryback's on his way and JBL's gone too, replaced by Taz. An upgrade, I'd say.</p><p> Been getting a lot of positive emails about Apollo, English, Big Cass and Enzo, Breeze, Swagger and Mahal, all are improving when given a chance. Hoping the post-WM brand split will give those guys (as well as a few more) more than they're getting right now in the mid and lower card. Very excited about this save and the long-term.</p>

<p>In the very early stages of a June 2016 save with WWE and having a huge amount fun with it. Turned off the face and heel divide; I can work it out in my own mind, it's easier that way.</p><p> MITB was a tremendous success with Seth Rollins defeating Roman Reigns to win the WWE Championship; John Cena defeating AJ Styles in the main event and Dean Ambrose winning the MITB briefcase.</p><p> Ambrose may well cash in at Battleground or in the leadup to Summerslam; regardless, he's walking out of Brooklyn with the strap. He's improving very quickly particularly with his mic skills.</p><p> Going to do the Lesnar/Orton thing as the latter is back from injury in a week's time. Hype at Battleground, match at Summerslam. Thinking about a sequel at Mania if it goes down well.</p><p> Owens/Zayn's going to be the post-MITB feud I'm most excited about, they took each other out on the ladder at MITB allowing Ambrose to pick up the case.</p><p> The Club are putting big pressure on Cena, who's responding with a couple of veterans as backup - Beeg and Kane. Going to do Cena vs Styles II and III at Battleground and Summerslam with Styles going over in the final one for sure. Anderson and Gallows to see off the old warhorses.</p><p> Got the Usos and the New Day in a feud at the moment based on oneupmanship; two teams with great respect just wanting to see how far they can push the other along. The Club will come into this post-Battleground and planning on giving them the belts as they're getting over nicely under AJ's tutelage.</p><p> Charlotte defeated Nattie by shenanigans to retain the Women's title in a strong match. Sasha up next for Charlotte once the former's over her slight jaw injury although Becky Lynch and Paige (#1 and #2 in my hot prospect list) picked up a tag-team win at MITB and are very much in my long-term plans. Asuka and Bayley are looking good in NXT and when the time is right they will have a huge part to play too. Maybe Emma when she's back from injury, who knows.</p><p> Miz defeated Jack Swagger thanks to Maryse's interference to retain the IC title. Goldust is putting himself forward at the next challenger, think they can put on a good match. In the long-term, new call-up Finn Balor (no Demon stuff here, just Real Rock) is going to get the big push towards the belt. Will pair him up with his pal Becky so she can sort Maryse's interfering ways out once and for all.</p><p> Rusev saw off a spirited challenge for his US title from Zack Ryder. Apollo Crews his next challenger to build him up a little. Feeling a Rusev/Cesaro program down the line or throwing someone like Zayn or McIntyre in the pot.</p><p> Wyatt and Neville are back from injury in a week. Good stuff.</p><p> Ryback got himself suspended for roids, his contract is up in three months or so, so he'll be jobbing until his contract is up. Plenty of menacing lads on the roster that can fill his spot, although some are a more long-term project.</p><p> Brought back Drew McIntyre to fill out the midcard and see how well he can do second time around. Shelton Benjamin's back to help out the lower card, and Hawkins and Mahal are in to eat pins for now at least.</p><p> As for NXT? Balor may be gone but I've been busy bringing in the next wave. Bobby Roode is working there now, and I've signed Eric Young and DIY full time to work there too. Also brought in Candice LeRae, Roderick Strong and Kassius Ohno. Joe's coming up after Summerslam, to do what I'm not sure. But it feels like the right time for him.</p><p> Sent Bryan down there to train the next generation with Regal. McGuinness and Corino too. They can't possibly fail!</p><p> Been getting some of my future NXT stars involved in some main roster segments for the night, as well as hyping some up at MITB. Want them to get to a respectable level when they're called up. Also, monthly TakeOvers! Following on from The End, it's Bash at the Beach in July. Let's see what Joe "AI booker" Belcastro can do.</p><p> And the big news of the month...Vinny Mac is settling down to a quiet life in a months' time. Did his thank you and farewell at MITB. He did it his way.</p><p> Holding off on the draft until after WrestleMania 33, already got it planned as to who's going where. Likewise, bringing in a Cruiserweight division at that time also.</p><p> Having real fun with this save and I'm barely a month in!</p>