Slim Jim

That's not what was said. He actually said that in the current testing the new finance system is working really well. The later mention of finances as a 'trickier element' was about balancing the game when testing with the fully updated database, something that cannot be done until the database has been fully updated. Creation of the new default data was under Sept-Dec so hasn't even started yet. So no, finances are not delaying the release.

<p>I am turning War to Settle the Score into a KOTR-style tournament in my HGC/TCW C-Verse '97 game and have just drawn up the Last 16 brackets. I'd be interested in seeing how other people would book through it (and particularly who they would have win it). I can see good arguments for probably a dozen of the entrants.</p><p> </p><p> I have added seedings in [ ], heels in red and faces in blue. Small blurb on each one's position in the game world afterwards.</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="color:#FF0000;">Vengeance [1]</span> vs <span style="color:#0000FF;">Jeremy Stone [16]</span></p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;">Freddie Datsun [8]</span> vs <span style="color:#0000FF;">Sean McFly [9]</span></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;">Bruce the Giant [5]</span> vs <span style="color:#FF0000;">Dread [12]</span></p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;">Jack Bruce [4]</span> vs <span style="color:#0000FF;">Ricky Dale Johnson [13]</span></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;">Christian Faith [3]</span> vs <span style="color:#FF0000;">Runaway Train [14]</span></p><p> <span style="color:#FF0000;">Mr Hollywood [6]</span> vs <span style="color:#0000FF;">Dan Stone Jr [11]</span></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;">Sam Keith [7]</span> vs <span style="color:#FF0000;">Puerto Rican Power [10]</span></p><p> <span style="color:#0000FF;">Liberty [2]</span> vs <span style="color:#FF0000;">Nemesis [15]</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Bruce The Giant</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">Debuted in TCW in September 1998 as the surprise partner of a young Tommy Cornell to even the odds against his tormentors. While not intended to be a long-term partnership, their excellent tag team chemistry changed that and they are the current reigning tag team champions of their brand. Bruce was originally brought in as a threat to the dominant Vengeance, and was on the shortlist to end his 18-month World Heavyweight title run. Is now the time to pull the trigger on a singles run for The Giant?</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Christian Faith</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">Seemingly an SWF-lifer, the former Supreme champion jumped ship in August 1998, one month after dropping the SWF title. The 15-year veteran (though still only 33) set about vanquishing the dark forces of Nemesis, Geidroyc and the Darkness Warriors, before moving into a star-making feud with Rich Money, which positioned the youngster to dethrone Vengeance. Money has since left under the cloud of a scandal and after news of the scandal, Faith was chosen as the guy to take the TCW World Heavyweight title, most recently retaining against Freddie Datsun.</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A*</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Dan Stone Jr</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">The Stones and DeColts moved south to join TCW in November 1997, as the company looked to expand. Dan Stone Jr has emerged as one of the most consistently impressive members of that group of signings, alongside his brother Jeremy. His 21-month tenure has seen a Stone-DeColt feud, and a dissolution of the Stone Family bond after the arrival of Sean McFly. A one-time TCW tag team champion, Stone has yet to make a real mark on the championships of TCW. He recently turned face once again, and perhaps now is the time for him to take the next step?</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: B+</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Jeremy Stone</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">Signed alongside his siblings in November 1997, the eldest of the Stone children has shown himself to be a superb hand in his 21-month run. He has passed on a lot of his expertise and knowledge to his siblings and the DeColt Boys, helping to establish all the Canadians as important parts of the TCW roster. He had an excellent six-month run as TCW Junior Heavyweight Champion, putting the title on the map before dropping it to Sean McFly. Still not quite stepped up to Main Event level but is only one more strong run away from it.</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: B</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Liberty</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">The homegrown star for the future and the inaugural TCW International Champion in January 1997. He has since made that title his own, and is currently on his second run with the belt, which is arguably more important in the eyes of the fans than the World Heavyweight title after the Rich Money scandal. His feuds with Sam Strong, Rip Chord, Nemesis, Dusty Streets and Dread have seen him improve dramatically, and his natural star power has helped him elevate fellow next-gen stars Jack Bruce, Ricky Dale Johnson, Freddie Datsun and Puerto Rican Power. Always a front-runner for accolades, he would perhaps be the obvious choice to be the first winner of this tournament.</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Ricky Dale Johnson</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">One of TCW’s (claimed) homegrown stars, despite his run in TWL, it was not until he joined the then-HGC that he was given national prominence. Pushed as one of the three young-stars alongside Liberty and Jack Bruce against the three star veterans Rip Chord, Sam Strong and Nemesis, RDJ clicked with the fans instantly. He rose alongside his peers in popularity but has not improved in the ring to the same extent, nor on the microphone. Despite his push cooling due to new signings, RDJ’s popularity with the fans has not waned, even as he has been used to help others (such as Rich Money) take the next step to the Main Event. An outsider on paper but maybe the fans’ choice?</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Sam Keith</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">The recently fired ex-Head Booker of SWF joined TCW in July 1999 and embroiled himself in a feud with Jack Bruce that has shown no signs of ending soon. A veteran and a champion in four countries already, he is undoubtedly one of the best talents in the world and a seasoned and reliable figure. Signed in the wake of Rich Money’s departure, it is easy to see him as a direct replacement for the disgraced former champion. His perceived failure at SWF was a result of a systematic attacks and pillaging from TCW. He has a chip on his shoulder and something to prove but is an SWF ‘failure’ the right choice for this tournament?</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Sean McFly</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">Debuted in January 1999 after a strong run in SWF, his departure from that company was the penultimate nail in the coffin (before the poaching of Sam Keith). He was brought in strong and quickly became the SWF Junior Heavyweight Champion, and he has made that title as valuable as the World Heavyweight title. His matches have been consistently excellent, and he has been generous in letting others take victories from him along the way. With a sustained push on top, McFly could easily break into the top pack of TCW stars – is now the time?</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: B+</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Dread</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">A legend in his own right, Dread returned from almost 12 years in Japan in June 1998 as an ally for the newly heel Sam Strong. He was initially cast as a roadblock to get to the legendary Strong but as he produced consistently impressive results, he slowly morphed into a star in his own right once again. At 37, he does not have many years left but was ranked #13 in the world in 1998. There is still something left in the tank but if he is to get one last big run, it needs to start sooner rather than later. His team with Runaway Train has put him back on a dominant path, and he comes into this tournament with a lot of momentum.</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Freddie Datsun</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">Datsun joined TCW as an everyman babyface in February 1997 so he is in many people’s eyes a homegrown talent despite his success in DAVE. He found himself in the now-defunct TCW Hardcore division in his early days, feuding with veterans such as Mike Barstow and The Demons of Rage. He was selected as fodder for Vengeance early in the monster’s title reign, and took the opportunity with both hands, getting himself over massively with the fans. He moved into the stratosphere with a surprise heel turn and feuds with Jack Bruce and Liberty. He looked on course to dethrone Vengeance in his second feud with the champion but plans were changed very last minute in favour of Rich Money. Maybe Datsun deserves a chance to prove he was the right choice after all…</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A*</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Jack Bruce</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">With the company from the start, Jack Bruce is a homemade superstar. He benefited from feuds with Sam Strong and Rip Chord early on, as well as a now-legendary feud with Liberty over the TCW International title. He was also lucky to have Rip Chord take him under his wing, which has seen him develop phenomenally as an in-ring talent. Combined with his natural entertainment skills and Star Quality, Bruce is the whole package now. He was angered to be turned heel but has thrived in that role for over a year now. It might be time for him to return to the throne as the top babyface in the company and this could be a vehicle for that turn.</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Mr Hollywood</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">An undoubted superstar plagued by demons. Butler signed for TCW in November 1998 and immediately spent three months in rehab. On his return, his drinking is having less of an obvious impact on his work but is still lingering in the background. He is in the conversation for best allrounder in wrestling and it remains a surprise that he has never held a championship in his 12-year career. His heel run as ‘Mr Hollywood’ has been a resounding success and he looks on course to dethrone Liberty as the TCW International Champion in their current feud. Has he finally put his demons behind him?</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Nemesis</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">A talented veteran, who is still working for DAVE alongside his TCW commitments. He was a reliable and valuable asset in the early days of TCW before moving into position as mentor to younger talents, helping to get Giedroyc, the Darkness Warriors, BLZ Bubb, Larry Wood and others over by association. He suffered a Compound Orbital Fracture in February that saw him relegated to the commentary booth. Now back in the ring, he is looking for one last run before time catches up with him. A strong run here could catapult him towards a first ever World title…</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: B</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Puerto Rican Power</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">The big Puerto Rican took a chance and joined TCW’s development system in January 1997. After 6 months there, he stepped up to the main roster, where he was involved in the TCW Hardcore division and then a reasonably successful tag team with BLZ Bubb. He received a TCW World Heavyweight title shots against both Rip Chord and Sam Strong in his native Puerto Rico, both B rated despite his D+ average rating for 1997. His impressive performances in those matches saw him receive a strong push in 1998, becoming TCW International Champion and feuding with Jack Bruce and Liberty. Since the end of that feud and dropping the title in March 1999, he has floundered slightly with a short feud with Shawn Gonzalez the only thing of note since then. He needs to re-find some momentum to take the next step to the upper end of the Main Event.</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Runaway Train</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">Signed to development in January 1997, and a former developmental champion, Runaway Train joined the main roster late in 1997 as a monster heel and a threat to rising stars Jack Bruce, Liberty, Ricky Dale Johnson and Rich Money, alternating feuds against them and lower card fodder to maintain his dominant aura. He became an onscreen ally of a heel Sam Strong and saw his stock begin to rise, eventually winning the TCW All Action title, a replacement for the old Hardcore title. His smash-mouth brawling style was contrasted against more agile competitors, leading to some entertaining bouts, before dropping the belt to Steve DeColt. He came up short against Vengeance in a brief World title feud and has since found success in a tag team alongside Dread. At 34, his time as a top act might have passed unless he can break out very soon…</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: B+</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Vengeance</strong></p><p> </p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;">Signed to TCW’s development territory in January 1997, he began appearing concurrently on the main show almost immediately, with a record of 41-0 in TCW, including taking the TCW World Heavyweight title from Sam Strong in November 1997. He feuded with the very best TCW had to offer through his run, and only lost twice in 1998 (51-2), once in an eight-man tag and once as the unpinned participant in a Triple Threat. In 1999, he has been beaten in another eight-man tag and a Fatal Fourway, as well as a 30-minute time limit draw with Freddie Datsun, and finally in a clean loss to Rich Money to end his 18-month title reign. That loss saw the monster snap and he has formed Vengeance Unlimited, turning heel once again, alongside BLZ Bubb and Morpheus. Is this the start of another monster run after his stunning defeat at the hands of the now-disgraced Money?</div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Average USA Popularity: A*</strong></div><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-size:14px;"><strong>So...</strong></span><span style="font-size:14px;"> how would you book through that tournament?</span></p></div><p></p><p></p>

<p>Into July ‘99 of my CV97 game.</p><p> </p><p> Vengeance won the World Heavyweight Championship (HGC/TCW) in Nov ‘97 and had held it since then. I had been building up and cooling off challengers, waiting for the right guy. Jack Bruce, Liberty and Ricky Dale Johnson had been my three day-one prospects but none found themselves in the right place at the right time with the right story. Then Freddie Datsun made a semi-organic charge and I almost pulled the trigger but then backed off. At various points I considered going back to a veteran (Strong, Chord, Dread, Nemesis). Eventually it came down to Bruce The Giant, Christian Faith or Rich Money. Bruce and Faith came to me as stars and still felt ‘SWF’ to me so I went with Money who had improved hugely in the last 18 months and was just hitting A* popularity. He beat Vengeance, and was lined up for his own year+ run.</p><p> </p><p> Two weeks later he gets taped making homophobic remarks and becomes toxic.</p><p> </p><p> Fortunately I have a lot of other options (Mr Hollywood, Sean McFly, Jeremy or Dan Stone, Steve DeColt and the newly signed fired Head Booker or SWF Sam Keith added to those above) but god damn it. What a waste of a rub.</p><p> </p><p> I’ll probably hotshot the belt to Faith and release Money. And I suppose Faith’s win can play into the snap and heel turn of Vengeance.</p>

On the Star Quality debate, I like the idea of it being a weighted average of other stats. Someone like Mick Foley had Star Quality because of his charisma and entertainment skills but in spite of his looks (in TEW terms of looks at least; I actually think how he looks played into his gimmick so well that it was a positive). I would argue that wrestling skills shouldn’t be one of the factors that goes towards it. ‘Vanilla midgets’ are basically the definition of guys that lack star quality. They are great in the ring but they don’t have ‘it’. The only exceptions to that I could see making any sort of sense would be Flashiness and Psychology. I think it’d work well as a combination of the following: Charisma Looks (the most important two, weighted towards whichever is higher) supported by: Gimmick rating (Kane had more Star Quality than Isaac Yankem) Popularity (if other people think someone is a star, it influences the opinion of even more people) Psychology Flashiness (I think Star Quality is more about the intangible sense you get of a worker so I’m resistant to include in-ring stats but I think if you flicked onto a match with someone with very high psychology or flashiness your reaction would be more likely to be that they were a star) Overall entertainment stats (or maybe just Mic/Acting so Charisma doesn’t get a double impact) Athleticism or Power (whichever is higher, physically impressive people seem more like stars, maybe even add Toughness to the options) I know that seems complicated but the game would take care of the calculation and having more variables makes SQ seem more intangible despite just being a formula and numbers (which it will always be underneath) and makes it more fluid because someone can become more star-like with the right gimmick and successful push.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Adam Ryland" data-cite="Adam Ryland" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46105" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>It will not be the same rate.<p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> No, because the game has no way of knowing what a company's schedule might have been in the past or might be in the future.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p> No, because the game has no way of knowing what someone's popularity or career trajectory would have been in the past, nor what it is likely to do in the future. Skill changes can be estimated as they always follow broadly the same trajectory, popularity doesn't follow any such pattern as it depends entirely on booking and employment.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Will it take potential into account? So if a rookie in a ‘99 database has Excellent potential, will an auto-aged database to 2009 have improved him more versus someone set to Very Low potential?</p><p> </p><p> Can it bring a retired wrestler back to their prime? And if so does that require them to have some residual talent so the game can figure out their appropriate attributes and strengths?</p>

<p>Into March 1999 on my C-Verse '97 game with HGC (renamed to TCW) and I'm a behemoth. Such a stacked roster that even with two brands, I have more than enough world class talent to fill every card. Current champions:</p><p> </p><p> <strong>TCW World Heavyweight:</strong> Vengeance [16 months]</p><p> - Both brands</p><p> - Vengeance has become an incredible worker, thanks in part to mixing it up with a broad variety of veterans. He got two A* matches in 1998, vs Rip Chord and vs Nemesis. He is A* globally, so obviously the biggest star in the world. He has only lost 3 matches since the start of the game, one triple threat vs Liberty and Jack Bruce where he wasn't pinned, and two eight-man tags, neither of which he suffered the fall. He has won 104 matches.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><strong>Previous Champions:</strong></p><p> Rip Chord [Feb Wk1 1997 to May Wk4 1997]</p><p> Sam Strong [May Wk4 1997 to Nov Wk4 1997]</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>TCW International:</strong> Liberty [x2 / 1 month]</p><p> - Total Brand</p><p> - One of my biggest names, on the shortlist to dethrone Vengeance. He has improved his performance skills a great deal and can hang with the best. He had programmes against Rip Chord, Sam Strong and Dread so has some strong pedigree. He and Jack Bruce helped make each other stars.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><strong>Previous Champions:</strong></p><p> Puerto Rican Power [Oct Wk3 1998 to Feb Wk3 1999]</p><p> Jack Bruce [May Wk4 1998 to Oct Wk3 1998]</p><p> Rip Chord [Mar Wk4 1998 to May Wk4 1998]</p><p> Jack Bruce [Jun Wk4 1997 to Mar Wk4 1998]</p><p> Liberty [Jan Wk4 1997 to Jun Wk4 1997]</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>TCW United States:</strong> Brent Hill [7 months]</p><p> - Showcase Brand</p><p> - A title that I created along with the brand split to sit at the top of the Showcase brand when the World Champion was on Total. Brent Hill was the first champion and his current gimmick is being the only United States Champion in TCW history. He's owning it right now, although the level of his opponents has varied due to big stars being embroiled in blood feuds instead. He will keep the belt for a while longer, I am toying with him breaking Vengeance's record for holding a title but that depends on how long Vengeance goes with the World title.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><strong>Previous Champions:</strong></p><p> N/A</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>TCW Junior Heavyweight:</strong> Sean McFly [2 months]</p><p> - Total Brand</p><p> - The title has moved ahead of the International title on the Total brand by prestige but in the 'official' rankings (in my head) it is below International. It is a great division to book, and has been largely centred around the Stones for the last 8 months. That will come to an end at the March PPV, where McFly will retain against Jeremy, Dan Jr and Duane.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><strong>Previous Champions:</strong></p><p> Jeremy Stone [Jul Wk4 1998 to Jan Wk1 1999]</p><p> Steve Flash [Feb Wk3 1998 to Jul Wk4 1998]</p><p> Brent Hill [Jun Wk4 1997 to Feb Wk3 1998]</p><p> Mr Lucha [Jan Wk4 1997 to Jun Wk4 1997]</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>TCW All Action:</strong> R.K. Hayes [3 months]</p><p> - Showcase Brand</p><p> - Freddie Datsun made himself and this title, which was very highly regarded before Hayes took the title in a shock vs Steve DeColt, who was screwed by Jack DeColt. He is continuing to damage the prestige as he rolls through my undercard, as I build his popularity in the US. He will hold onto the title until he's rebuilt the prestige a little. Vengeance has been on the same brand with the World title until the last couple of weeks. Now he's gone, Hayes needs to step up.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><strong>Previous Champions:</strong></p><p> Steve DeColt [Oct Wk3 1998 to Dec Wk2 1998]</p><p> Runaway Train [Jun Wk3 1998 to 1998 to Oct Wk3 1998]</p><p> Johnny Martin [Feb Wk1 1998 to Jun Wk3 1998]</p><p> Puerto Rican Power [sep Wk4 1997 to Feb Wk1 1998]</p><p> Freddie Datsun [May Wk2 1997 to Sep Wk4 1997]</p><p> Charlie Homicide [Jan Wk4 1997 to May Wk2 1997]</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>TCW Total Tag Team:</strong> El Bandido & Elliot (Bryan) Holmes [3 months]</p><p> - Total Brand</p><p> - The International Express (Bandido & Holmes) were the first team I discovered with great tag team chemistry in this game and are now A* in Experience. They aren't quite on the top level for popularity but they can be serviceable against Main Eventers. Holmes changed his name because originally I had Bryan Vessey. They were perennial challengers for a while until I decided to give them a chance with the belts. It was supposed to be transitional but they've already gone two months longer than the plan and are doing well. They will probably drop to Bruce the Giant and Tommy Cornell soon, unless I go with Bruce the Giant as the man to dethrone Vengeance. I would like to stop bouncing the titles around from team to team. I didn't plan to have Tyler & Martin drop them for a while but I sent Eric Tyler to rehab and since then have used them as a prop in storylines.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><strong>Previous Champions:</strong></p><p> Mr Lucha & Whippy the Clown [Oct Wk3 1998 to Dec Wk3 1998]</p><p> Dan Stone Jr. & Duane Stone [Aug Wk3 1998 to Oct Wk3 1998]</p><p> Rich Money & Ricky Dale Johnson [Apr Wk3 1998 to Aug Wk3 1998]</p><p> Joel Bryant & Robert Oxford [Feb Wk4 1998 to Apr Wk3 1998]</p><p> Alex DeColt & Jack DeColt [Oct Wk3 1997 to Feb Wk4 1998]</p><p> Duane Stone & Steve DeColt [sep Wk4 1997 to Oct Wk3 1997]</p><p> Eric Tyler & Johnny Martin [May Wk4 1997 to Sep Wk4 1997]</p><p> Larry Vessey & Bryan Vessey [Jan Wk4 1997 to May Wk4 1997]</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>TCW Showcase Tag Team:</strong> Joel Bryant & Robert Oxford [4 months]</p><p> - Showcase Brand</p><p> - A fantastically reliable team, who have held both sets of belts. They are currently dominating the Showcase tag team scene. I have a lot of fresh teams ready to come up after Total Mayhem (New Wave, Savage Fury, Nation of Filth, Peak Brothers, and beyond that in the future The Fly Boys, McWade Brothers, Flex & Pecs, as well as some self-created teams) so they will hold off all challengers until then and help train the new teams that join their brand. Chances are they will drop the belts towards the end of the year then switch brands to train the new teams that end up on Total.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:right;"><p><strong>Previous Champions:</strong></p><p> Alex DeColt & Jack DeColt [sep Wk4 1998 to Nov Wk4 1998]</p><p> Eric Tyler & Johnny Martin [sep Wk2 1998 to Sep Wk4 1998]</p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <strong>Current Feuds:</strong></p><p> Vengeance vs Freddie Datsun</p><p> - There is a chance Datsun dethrones Vengeance. He has been a workhorse since the start of the game but has kicked into another gear since turning heel. Unfortunately for him I want to turn Vengeance heel again and have a face take the title so I'm leaning heavily against him but not ruling it out until I come to booking the next PPV.</p><p> </p><p> Sam Strong vs Jack Bruce</p><p> - Strong had been heel before taking a three month hiatus but has returned as a face on a nostalgia run. Jack Bruce has turned heel (not that he was happy about it) and will 'kill' Strongamania at Total Mayhem in May. I will probably give Strong a retirement match at Total Mayhem 2000 before forcing retirement on him. I haven't even started thinking who is getting that honour yet but it will be a youngster rather than a final match vs Rip Chord or similar.</p><p> </p><p> Liberty vs Puerto Rican Power</p><p> - Feuding over the International title. PRP originally took issue with Liberty being given everything because he's an All-American poster boy so there has been an 'international' edge to this, despite it really being USA vs Puerto Rico. PRP has taken the role of representing anti-America. They have both improved a lot since the start of the game so they are pulling ratings but Liberty is winning out at Total Mayhem because he is a cornerstone that I have put a lot of time into. PRP will be okay, he'll bounce back. He might dethrone Brent Hill for United States title if he sticks with this gimmick.</p><p> </p><p> Christian Faith vs Mr. Hollywood (Mr Supreme)</p><p> - Faith made an instant impact when he joined TCW, and took out Giedroyc and his sinister group (Darkness Warriors and Larry Wood). After disposing of them, Mr. Hollywood ('re'-)debuted (fresh from getting clean in rehab) as the 'true' hero that TCW needs. A fairly cookie-cutter feud but gives both a high profile feud for Total Mayhem.</p><p> </p><p> Ricky Dale Johnson vs Rich Money</p><p> - Former tag team partners that came up together from the start of the game until Money betrayed RDJ for (obviously) money. Both wanted to challenge Vengeance but screwed each other out of it then lost a triple threat. Since then they have been feuding back and forth. I want to stretch it out to Total Mayhem so Money will hire goons to 'injure' RDJ. My only issue is that sets up RDJ's redemption and I want Money to go over. I might have to suck it up and recover Money's position afterwards, he's more talented anyway. RDJ hasn't developed all that well but is very over.</p><p> </p><p> Rip Chord vs Angry Gilmore</p><p> - Tom Gilmore snapped from his nice-guy, baby-kissing, hand-shaking rookie persona that I gave him to become Angry Gilmore after Rip lost a #1 Contender tag match for them. Since then, Gilmore has promised to retire Chord and will do so at Total Mayhem. Until then, Rip is on a retirement tour (unofficially), with Gilmore ruining his matches and sneak attacking/cheapshotting him. One on one he has so far deliberately got counted out and disqualified. Next step is a rage DQ. If Rip is up to it, I want to end it with an Ironman match but that's probably unlikely so will go Last Man Standing.</p><p> </p><p> Those are the headline feuds but also got the Stones imploding on one brand and the DeColts on the other, as well as tag team feuds and Brent Hill's solo story of being the only US Champion (currently feuding with Johnny Martin).</p><p> </p><p> So much talent, so little time!</p>

I sometimes put all the WCW/ECW guys into a stable when I book the Invasion but that’s the only time I’ve needed 20, and even then I can happily live without doing so.

<p>I’ve just booked Summerslam ‘01 (having moved it to July). I am very tempted to have WWF lose all their titles.</p><p> </p><p> Hardcore: Taz beat Rhyno on his ‘in-ring’ return; both are joining ECW when they debut at the Invasion PPV in September.</p><p> LHWeight: Tajiri is the current champ and will also be joining ECW.</p><p> European: William Regal has been the champion since the start of June but is exploding in popularity. I was tempted to have him drop the belt to someone lower but now might have him join WCW with it.</p><p> Tag Titles: The Dudleyz are the champs and just defeated APA, E&C and Hardyz in a TCL (the order wasn’t quite TLC) gauntlet match. They will also join ECW.</p><p> IC: Jericho is the champion and just turned on Taker in a tag match against Booker T and Triple H to give Trips the win and join WCW (part of the plan to have Triple H look like he’s siding with WCW).</p><p> World: Big Show/The Giant beat Austin at Summerslam after interference from Booker and DDP.</p><p> </p><p> If I resist any title changes between now and Invasion, I could have all the male titles with either WCW or ECW.</p><p> </p><p> The only one left is the Women’s title held by Trish but I have Jazz ready to go from development so she could take the belt to ECW.</p><p> </p><p> I quite like the idea of Vince losing all his gold for a while.</p>

I’m on another cycle of rebooking The Invasion. It’s something I come back to every so often. I’m going for a slightly slower build this time but only by a couple of months before lighting the powder keg. Shane began showing up again at the end of May, mostly talking to Stephanie/Triple H or Vince. It would be tense but amicable, talking about looking for coverage for WCW, looking forward to the challenge. Steph was more receptive, Vince very hostile but unable to ban Shane as he still had WWF stock. I’ve spent the last couple of months shaping the roster to what I want going forward. I ran KOTR in May, which Big Show won. He faced Austin and Taker at Judgment Day but Austin beat Taker so Big Show is getting a 1-on-1 shot at Summerslam (which I’ve moved to July). Judgment Day was the first shot of the Invasion. Terry Funk was the first to show up, warning WWF Commissioner Mick Foley to lay low during the PPV. Later in the night, tag champs The Hardyz got taken out backstage by unseen attackers before losing to The Dudleyz. Then a group of ex-WCWers jumped IC Champ Kane backstage, who lost his title to Jericho as a result. There were no shenanigans before the Main Event but during the match, Booker T and DDP interfered to take out Taker, allowing Austin to retain. The next night on Raw, Vince calls out Shane, Stephanie and Triple H, the siblings come out joined by Booker T. Triple H doesn’t appear until Vince demands it again, and he comes out looking pissed off. Taker and Jericho interrupt, and accusations start flying, mostly towards Triple H for being bitter at being overshadowed by Austin and losing his IC title to Kane. Taker/Jericho claim to be defending WWF. This will lead to Taker/Jericho vs Triple H/Booker at Summerslam where Jericho turns on WWF. Big Show demands and gets his 1-on-1 shot vs Austin at Summerslam, where he will win but then turn and become The Giant, joining Shane. So after Summerslam, Shane will have WWF Champ The Giant, IC Champ Jericho, WCW Champ Booker T, US Champ DDP (title change offscreen), as well as the rest of the former WCW roster. Triple H is actually WWF loyal but accused of being a traitor. I’m not having anyone that wasn’t previously in WCW join Shane and I’m treating Booker/DDP as on the same level as WWF Main Event guys. The WWF is going to struggle with being a unit with their four top guys (Austin, Taker, Triple H and Rock) not trusting each other and having splinters in the roster as WWF guys take sides with the four figureheads. During The Invasion PPV, ECW are going to debut, taking the WWF Tag titles and Hardcore title with them through Dudleyz and Rhyno. They won’t be joining Shane, they’ll be a wild third force (like The North vs Lannisters with the Night King Heyman) so it’ll get chaotic as all hell. I think that was the main thing missing in real life, there was no jeopardy for WWF. I want them pushed right to the brink. The plan is to end things at Wrestlemania, by which point Vince, Steph and Triple H will have a loyal WWF crew (inc. Taker), Austin & Rock will have rallied the rest of the WWF guys, WCW will splinter after the arrival of Flair to help Shane but Hogan, Bischoff, NWO dividing WCW loyalties, and Heyman’s ECW old guard and probably Raven’s new wave of extremists will be existing in fragile harmony. Obviously Vince wins because even in a game I like to maintain some semblance of reality. I think I’ll swerve a McMahons rule ending and have Vince make a deal with either Flair or Bischoff to give WCW Smackdown (rebranded as Nitro) and give Heyman Heat. Heyman takes his guys and enjoys his sub-brand. Everyone else is drafted by WWF/WCW and exists as two brands under Vince’s new WWE name as Raw and Nitro, with Starrcade added in September (giving 6 ‘big’ PPVs, one every other month) and other WCW shows added where wanted (Halloween Havoc, for example).

<p>I feel like the calendar would be one of the first things Adam looked at when rebuilding the game from scratch as it is mentioned/requested so often. I also think if it wasn’t possible he would have shut down the conversation already and let people know that it still wasn’t possible. I don’t really mind the 48 week system, I generally stick to a regular schedule and the 4-week structure works with that.</p><p> </p><p> Having said that, I’d love a proper calendar, it’d be much more immersive. Like someone else said, the option to say an event must be on a certain day of the week, and then either the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, last (which would be 4th or 5th depending on month) week of the month, or a specific date regardless of day, that’d be a nice touch.</p><p> </p><p> I guess we wait and see. It’d probably be the biggest feature reveal due to the history that’s gone with it.</p>

<p>Really enjoyed the changes this week. Such a massive leap forward, which is mad considering how complete I thought TEW16 was.</p><p> </p><p> Couple of Qs:</p><p> 1) I assume I know the answer to this but just to clarify, booking multiple cards for the same show as a block book on one night, do you book show 1, simulate show 1, then book show 2, simulate it, book show 3, etc. in the same way as booking Raw/Heat on the same day in TEW16?</p><p> </p><p> 2) Is there a time limit for booking or would the game let me book 4 3-hour Raws and then 4 2-hour Smackdowns if I had them scheduled the same day and both set to block book? Obviously I wouldn’t but just curious if one could...</p><p> </p><p> 3) How much ‘thought’ does the AI put into counter-programming? Will it just choose the time slot to maximise its rating or will it counter-program to hurt a smaller rival if it knows it’ll win or even book head-to-head with a bigger company to try and hurt their ratings even if they still lose?</p>

Love the new feature. The old way was a chore for me. I’d auto-assign after every show to avoid the complaint emails. I also like that this will replicate things like Kofi Kingston’s current run (a fairly over Upper Midcarder on a hot streak) and Big Show/Kane (established big names whose momentum is in the dirt). A couple of poor showings from Kofi and he would rightly drop down a level but keep the wave going and he might solidify himself as a top guy. Or give Big Show a strong push and he could quickly become a big draw again (not that you would because the long term benefit is pretty negligible). I think it’s also a neat way of handling known workers that leave somewhere they’ve become stagnant and quickly catch on somewhere new. Someone like Cody Rhodes was being suffocated by his poor booking/momentum but had enough popularity that once he left and became a hot act elsewhere, the impact on his perception was huge, despite not being any more well known. As for roster organisation, I really feel this is a wait-and-see feature. Maybe there’s a new addition to mitigate it, maybe it means using divisions more proactively, maybe it’s only in very rare cases that you’ll have a lopsided roster in the new system. At the very least I’m sure you can still filter by popularity anyway.

<p>Big fan of the changes to training facilities.</p><p> </p><p> A couple of questions:</p><p> </p><p> Can workers in a database that won’t have debuted at the start of the game be set to graduate through these facilities in the pre-game editor?</p><p> </p><p> If a facility is set to be attached to a child company, would the graduates develop loyalty to the child company or the parent company? It would be nice if they’d be loyal to parent company so, for example, Performance Center grads would move directly to NXT but be loyal to WWE rather than graduating to WWE and needing to be sent down to NXT.</p>

<p>Haven't seen this wording of a weight gain/physique change before. And he's had a huge jump in Star Quality (B to A). It works very well for me as he's about to make a big impact on my main roster.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <span>http://oi65.tinypic.com/73i3ba.jpg</span></p>

<p>I went with Daniel Bryan. Just realised I left him out of that write-up.</p><p> </p><p> He's trying to prove that he can still go full-time and should be in the WWE/Universal title picture but Shane isn't convinced. He won the GRR, and will be refused a place in the MITB match because it's too dangerous. He is feuding the Miz at the moment, who is taunting him for not being able to go any more (+ all their history). He will eventually ascend back to the top, probably with the Universal title as the WWE title picture is going to be taken up by the AJ/Cody/Bullet Club business for the foreseeable future. I might run a story where his contract runs up with Smackdown and he refuses to re-sign with Shane, then tease his eventual signing with Raw (weary of Stephanie and Triple H) while he appears on NXT and 205 because he 'just wants to wrestle'. Hmm, could have him win the 2018 Cruiserweight Classic, or the NXT title but that's unlikely unless circumstances present themselves at the right time down the line...</p>

<p>Booking a real world game post-Mania. I pushed the 'Superstar Shake-up' until after Backlash so I could use April to get things more where I wanted them before the draft.</p><p> </p><p> Roman beat Brock at the Greatest Royal Rumble. It seemed more realistic and opens up more potential for stories going forward for me. I'm booking him as a whiny, entitled heel rather than being cool/cocky because that would risk (in real life) turning the crowd onto his side. Instead he demands adulation as a future Hall of Famer and the top guy in the company, then abuses the crowd for not cheering him, etc. He's moving on to face Braun, obviously. There was only a week between GRR and Backlash so they went on first at Backlash and brawled to a messy draw to kick off the feud. I'll keep the belt on Roman and have him duck Braun until Summerslam where Braun will dethrone him.</p><p> </p><p> My first signing was Cody Rhodes, who inserted himself into the AJ/Nakamura feud on Smackdown. He ruined their match at GRR so the rematch at Backlash was made a cage match to keep him out, with Nakamura winning the belt. Instead he had three segments backstage, first with AJ, then with Finn, then with Anderson & Gallows. You can see where this is going. Cody is 'officially' joining Smackdown in the Shake-Up and Anderson & Gallows will be drafted across. Cody is going to win the MITB, and AJ will reclaim the belt from Nak in July to set-up a final, feud-ending Ironman match at Summerslam, which AJ will win and after which Cody will cash-in to become the new champion, with the help of the Bullet Club. I've already signed Omega, Young Bucks and Adam Page in anticipation for it. Not decided what I'm doing with them yet, maybe keep them off-screen/in the Performance Center. Also not decided on a name yet because I don't want to use 'Bullet Club' for realism sake (and yes, I realise this whole scenario is already taking huge liberties with realism...). I'm essentially going to re-run Cody/Omega but in WWE, which is probably exactly what they'd do, except I've got AJ and Finn to add to the mix. Once the whole thing is done, hopefully Cody, Omega & Finn will be firmly established Main Eventers along with AJ.</p><p> </p><p> I went with the same basic principle as real life for the Smackdown Women's title, with Carmella cashing-in the Smackdown after Mania to win the belt. Charlotte won it back at GRR and won the rematch at Backlash. It was a very rushed feud after how long Carmella had the MITB build-up but I want the belt on Charlotte and I'm turning her heel. I have already turned Natalya face in preparation for Charlotte's heel run. I'm going to build her up to take the belt from Charlotte down the road because I'm a fan and think she deserves a good run. I'm thinking Survivor Series in Montreal but having her go over clean and not running a screwjob finish, because again, it seems like something WWE would do as a 'swerve'. In the meantime, two or three of Kairi Sane, Becky Lynch, Naomi and a face Lana can have their turns at trying to dethrone Charlotte. Probably Lana first because she's just turned face and is riding some momentum which I don't mind feeding to Charlotte. Becky & Naomi can be built up more because I see more long-term in-ring future for them. Kairi I might hold off on because I don't want to kill her off too early.</p><p> </p><p> The Raw Women's title isn't doing much right now. I finished off the Alexa/Nia feud with Nia still having the belt. I've brought Kharma back and I'm toying with running that feud now or saving it a couple of months for Summerslam, the other option is Absolution. Although as I say that, I realise I haven't done the Shake-Up for the women so maybe one of the Smackdown heels. The big Women's feud on Raw is Ronda vs Steph. I used Ronda in a tag match to continue building her skills/hiding her flaws and put her with Bayley. Turns out they have excellent chemistry, and backstage Steph took Sasha on as a protege, so I've run with circumstance and had Steph bring Sasha and Bayley into the feud. At Backlash, Ronda tapped Steph out super-fast (as the Internet wanted all along <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/rolleyes.png.4b097f4fbbe99ce5bcd5efbc1b773ed6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />) so on the next Raw, Steph is bringing in her replacement: Asuka. That tag/fourway feud will run for as long as I can stretch it. Summerslam hopefully for two singles pay-offs. Then Ronda can go for the belt because she's already getting over very easily and improved pretty much across the board in her first month. If she keeps that up, she'll be my most over wrestler, male or female, by Summerslam.</p><p> </p><p> Triple H and Kurt continued their side of the feud too but Triple H has said he's just an executive now so has brought in EC3 (or will be in the Shake-Up) to face-off with Kurt. I think I'll get a couple more matches out of Angle before letting him settle into retirement. With Triple H and Angle, EC3 should get over nicely.</p><p> </p><p> Seth continued feuding with Finn and Miz after Mania, and Joe for GRR. I ran a tag match at Backlash, where Finn pinned Miz to retain the IC title for Seth. That is leading to tension, with Finn turning heel in the near future to feud one-on-one with Seth. Miz is off to Smackdown. Joe is the odd-man out.</p><p> </p><p> The Bar are tag champions once again. I want to feud them with Lesnar/Batista because I found in a post-show tag match that they have great chemistry. Trying to reason the storyline to myself that takes Brock from losing to Roman, giving up his rematch clause, and focusing on The Bar instead. The Bar will win the feud, of course. Probably setting up Batista vs Lesnar for Summerslam with Batista going over and Lesnar leaving. Then have Batista as a part-timer until Mania 35, where he'll go into the HOF.</p><p> </p><p> Rusev won the US title instead of Jinder in the only Mania retconning I did. In the rematch, Orton broke his Orbital Bone so is on the shelf. Rusev beat Jericho & Wade Barrett at Backlash, with Jericho now disappearing and Barrett moving to Raw. So Rusev is open for challengers, maybe The Miz, Ziggler, Owens or Zayn (the latter two rehired by new Smackdown GM Paige to the chagrin of Shane). I think I'll go with Daniel Bryan vs The Miz, and I want KO and Sami above the US title so probably a boring, reductive feud with Ziggler unless I can find anyone worthy in my NXT call-ups. I'm considering Adam Cole/Undisputed Era, but he's just won a belt down there so probably not. Also considering Killian Dain, or signing someone (Rey Mysterio, John Morrison, Alberto Del Rio, Austin Aries, Nick Aldis are all on my radar right now).</p><p> </p><p> Smackdown tag belts are still on Bludgeon Brothers, with Usos going back to Raw. I don't want to feud them with New Day so my options are Slater & Rhyno, Rusev Day (possibly combine with a US title feud), or heel teams Primo & Epico, Anderson & Gallows, KO & Sami. Possibly short feud with Slater & Rhyno then turn them to open up opportunities.</p><p> </p><p> I'm probably two-three months from being where I'd really want to be, roster-wise but things are starting to fall into place.</p>

Booked through to Backlash and having a great time with this mod - excellent work, thanks!

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="MOS182" data-cite="MOS182" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="44606" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Was Ekberg your title holder? You can have intern belts, just put the fight for the title without the current title holder and it'll work.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Fortunately not yet. His path to the title was going to be Fezzik -> Foster -> Champion but Foster got popped for drugs so I decided to clear the backlog of people challenging Ekberg. He'd been seeing off a bunch of mid-ranked to bargain basement guys that had called him out. He only had two left to destroy before going for the belt. He'll probably return to a title fight, it was only a sex-tape scandal... although must have been pretty bad for him to be toxic for 16 months.</p>

<p>I have started using December Week 4 as my biggest show of the year (within my own planning), and I was about to book the main event I had been building towards - Lars-Gunnar Ekberg vs Carter Potter (Nuclear heat). Ekberg is the biggest star in the world, and 17-0. Easily High Level International Main Event.</p><p> </p><p> Ekberg gets hit with a scandal, and is toxic for 1 year and 4 months. I considered keeping him and riding it out but I have a back-up so fired him.</p><p> </p><p> Fine, I'll run Katou (26-2) vs Van Der Moot (20-0) for the LHW belt, also a High Level International fight.</p><p> </p><p> Next day, Van Der Moot announces his hiatus.</p><p> </p><p> Argh.</p>

I have had that happen to a few of my ‘dominant’ champs, including Foster and Dean. When they were beaten, their performances declined noticeably. Foster at least briefly won his belt back but lost it on his first defence, then lost again, and finally won an easy fight only to get popped for drugs and have it ruled a no contest. Now he’s sitting out a year on suspension. Perhaps it is merely anecdotal and the champs I’ve had it happen to have reached ‘their time’ and the slippery slope of age has claimed them, but maybe there is an element of loss management? Perhaps some guys need that confidence and momentum built back up before difficult challenges? That would be quite a nuanced psychological step for the AI so I’m probably reading too much into limited data.

<p>Braulio Moura has schooled Dean for me.</p><p> </p><p> As for the Super Heavyweight division, I'm into Aug '04 and I have just adjusted the weight limits for my SHW/HW divisions, so SHW starts at 251lbs rather than 266lbs. Partly because my HW division was bloated, partly because I felt the 206-265 spread was too wide, partly to give more depth to the SHW division and partly because Kel Ryan was out of fresh challengers after running through Palmer Lette. It has brought Rav Kapur, Gladstone Lopes, Mugur Boc and Mason Archer into the division, as well as aging Tim Boyer, Stafford Alois and Armen Sarkisian. Only Kapur looks like he will give Ryan trouble but it will help cement Kel Ryan as a legend of GAMMA if he ticks off a few more names.</p>

<p>GAMMA, current champions (Oct '03):</p><p> </p><p> SHW: Kel Ryan - the guy cannot lose. His next fight is against Jutaro Honma and the winner will face Palmer Lette in his debut. If he comes through those, I might throw him against Wally Bryant (who is undefeated because of careful pairings because I find it amusing).</p><p> </p><p> HW: Spencer Rubenstein - a surprise, for sure. Quite a disappointing division. Foster dropped the belt to Alois, then won it back, then dropped it to Fezzik, who dropped it to Rubenstein. It was supposed to be a 'big name' but winnable first defence before I put him against my actual HW division but Rube had different ideas. Now on course for a double title fight against Affonso Villar. Lars-Gunnar Ekberg is the breakout star in the division, the dude is a monster. Running through everyone.</p><p> </p><p> LHW: Affonso Villar - love this guy, glad he won the belt on his debut. Marlon John was never supposed to be champion. Rubenstein will get a chance to win back his LHW title when they meet. If Villar wins then I'll have them go at it again for the HW down the line. Asanovic, Soldo, Watson, Van Der Moot, and Katou are all lining up, with Fantoni and Catt both undefeated and rising the ranks. A great division for depth.</p><p> </p><p> MW: Braulio Moura - shocked Matthew Dean. Buddy Garner had two more attempts at Dean and continued to come up short, then a loss to Isaiah Monroe seems to have ended his time near the top. Dean will have a rematch with Moura in December, and is the favourite again. Osmosis Benn is on a huge run so will face the winner. Also signed Fjodor now, and the rehabilition of De Vries is going well (after 4 consecutive losses inc. the pre-game record, he's now 3-0).</p><p> </p><p> WW: Manuel Silva - stole the belt from Regueiro in a close contest. Has retained well against Medtner and Gallego. Regueiro, Brubaker and Chambers are all contending for the next shot but it'll probably be Van Der Capellen.</p><p> </p><p> LW: Philip Ziskie - an unexpected dominant champion. Always looked like a star but has controlled his division beating Li-Kong Ho, Jonathan Huang, Fiyero Lermontov and Helio. He has Sukarno and Takeuchi in his future so if he still has the belt after that, he'll have earned it (and that's assuming he gets through Luis Basora first). After them, there is still Lars Bohlin, Atep, Brandon Sugar, Lukas Mellberg, Branco, Georges Nouri... and I guess Sean Morrison but I don't like the guy (nor need him) and double-drug-suspension Jake Keane.</p><p> </p><p> FW: Easton Frye - came out of nowhere to find himself #2 and challenging Sammy Gaffigan to win the belt. Now has Masahiro Maeno, Lamont Banner and Gaffigan chasing him, and Gerrit Dudok is impressing as he rises the ranks.</p><p> </p><p> BW: Apolonio Redondo Jr - undefeated, just won the belt in his third GAMMA fight, from Roddy Wickham. Jez Worplesdon has been hugely protected in this division, and is now 12-1 (5-0 since the game started) and a star, so probably going to be his first defence. Lot of people taking Ws off each other in this division. Supachai Thamsatchanan is undefeated so is the next guy in line. A few other names that need to put a run together to get a shot.</p><p> </p><p> The women's divisions are still taking shape but I have essentially taken over the entire male MMA world so hopefully the female side of things will catch up soon enough.</p>

<p><img alt="ibPL3t2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ibPL3t2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Sable has only been in my WWF a month, Alex Wright has been with me maybe two. Obviously helping each other settle in.</p><p> </p><p> Mero is still in WCW as Johnny B. Badd. He's 35, Sable is 28, and Alex Wright is 20. A 20 year old with Attitude Era Sable...</p>

<p>Playing WWF '94 and just finished the Royal Rumble in 1996. Heading into Wrestlemania 12, here is what is happening:</p><p> </p><p> Undertaker won the title from Bret Hart at Mania 11, after winning the Rumble. He won the return match, and then had a brief feud with Jake Roberts. At Summerslam he had a one-off match with Great Muta, which he won. After that, I ran an 'In Your House' PPV in England so British Bulldog got a shot but lost, which also allowed me to turn 'Taker heel. Then 'Taker had a feud with Mankind, beating him in a regular match, then a Street Fight and finally, because Mankind wouldn't give up, in a Buried Alive match at Survivor Series. Sting also debuted at SS and I rushed into a Taker/Sting feud, thinking I'd have Sting go over at the Rumble after shenanigans stopped him winning the belt at the final IYH PPV of '95 but he was only at B+ and Taker was A* so I nixed that and 'Taker will go on to face Rumble winner Shawn Michaels at Wrestlemania, where he will retain.</p><p> </p><p> Bret Hart and Jake Roberts have been feuding in the background since both wanted shots at 'Taker after he won the belt but it kicked off properly in the build up to Survivor Series. Jake didn't wrestle, instead his Snake Pit of Raven, Waylon Mercy, Haku & Barbarian lost to Bret, Owen, Neidhart & Bulldog. Since then the pure, clean cut babyfaces of the Hart Foundation have been feuding with the dark, sinister Snake Pit and Jake will lace up one more time at Wrestlemania to face Bret, while either the others will have a 3 vs 4 Handicap match or if there's time, Owen & Neidhart vs Haku & Barbarian, Bulldog vs Raven & Mercy.</p><p> </p><p> Great Muta debuted in May (on a huge salary because of competing with Japanese companies) and got a huge push out of the gate, which included winning the '95 KOTR. This granted him a shot against Taker at Summerslam, where I considered giving him the belt but he wasn't quite over enough. Instead, he went after Diesel and the IC title, which he won in September. As Diesel (and The Klique) were busy with the Million Dollar Corporation, he didn't take his rematch clause, so Muta was challenged by Steve Austin, who had debuted at Rumble '95. Their feud ended at Royal Rumble after Austin won the belt in Dec '95 and then retained. Austin is now #1 Franchise Player and is going to turn heel with the arrogance. At Wrestlemania, he will probably be facing Booker T, who joined in Nov '94, and has been the stand-out star in the pseudo-NOD with Faarooq, Kama, D'Lo and Stevie Ray. Austin will win but it will break-up the stable so Harlem Heat can go into the tag ranks properly after 'Mania.</p><p> </p><p> Triple H first debuted in the Royal Rumble '95 but then went to development until the night after Wrestlemania 11, when he debuted on Raw as Ted DiBiase's chosen one, winning the Million Dollar title against Virgil, who had been duped into thinking he would be winning against a 'rookie'. Shawn Michaels and Sean Waltman were both away in rehab but Diesel and Razor started a feud with the Million Dollar Corp, making fun of the DiBiase lackeys and Triple H's belt (compared with Diesel's IC title). Razor beat Triple H in the first round of KOTR, but at the IYH PPV in June, Ted had Diesel & Razor sign a dodgy contract which meant the IC and Million Dollar titles were on the line in a 4-on-2 handicap match, where Triple H scored the pin to win the IC title. He lost it back to Diesel at Summerslam in July in a cage match to keep out the various allies. HBK returned from rehab in August and beat Triple H for the Million Dollar belt at Saturday Night Main Event in September but lost it back to him at IYH Oct in a 6-Man Tag match. 1-2-3 Kid (as The Kid) returned in time for Survivor Series, which was when the quartet (Diesel, Razor, HBK & The Kid) named themselves The Klique, to beat MDC when Triple H turned on them and joined The Klique. Since then, the 5-man Klique has been feuding with Jarrett, Bossman, Sid Vicious, IRS, Barry Windham, Brian Lee (Underfaker) & DiBiase, and now Reis Studd (The Yeti from WCW, who has been in development since the start of the game and is passable). Jarrett & Sid have been sidetracked feuding with the Steiners for the tag belts, and now HBK is due to face Taker at Mania, so Diesel, Razor & Kid will face Bossman, IRS & Windham, while Triple H will defend the Million Dollar title in a triple threat with Brian Lee & Reis Studd, where Studd will take the title. After Mania, Diesel & Razor are going into the tag ranks, HBK will finally topple 'Taker for the belt, Kid will chase Austin for the IC title. I'm thinking of throwing Triple H against the newly debuted DDP. Million Dollar Corporation has run its course so I am thinking of having DiBiase disband them, maybe to focus his money and efforts on someone/something else so I'll send him on holiday until I find what that is. That will probably be the end for Sid & Brian Lee in WWF, after I've leeched their popularity. Maybe the end for IRS & Windham too.</p><p> </p><p> Michael Hayes brought back the Freebirds with Terry Gordy & Steve Williams (due to his tag experience with Gordy). Gordy has been in rehab since Dec '94 so missed all of '95 and is back in 3 months so after Mania. In the meantime, Bradshaw was lucky enough to be Gordy's replacement and has done a great job with it. He wasn't particularly talented at the start but is now better than he ever was in real life. He held the tag belts for a few months (mostly with Williams) in '95. Survivor Series '95 presented a problem as I needed a 4th Freebird and Gordy was in his second rehab stint (I had thought he'd be back and clean) but as luck would have it, Stan Hansen became available. As a Southerner, a friend of Williams, a former partner of Gordy, and the idol of Bradshaw, he seemed a good fit and has been riding with the Freebirds since then. Now Bradshaw is set to turn face, after having enough of Hansen's 'tough love' and 'training', challenging the veteran to a Retirement match at Wrestlemania, where he will end Hansen's career (he is top of my decline list). I am debating whether to bring back the Freebirds when Gordy gets out of rehab but might cut my losses with it, and have Bradshaw run through Williams and Hayes who are angry at him 'killing' the Freebirds. Maybe sometime in the future when Bradshaw is heel again, I'll have a nostalgia face-run for Hayes & Gordy because 'the Freebirds will never die'. As part of creating the divide between Bradshaw & Hansen, Sting, Luger and Jim Duggan are feuding with them for the IYH Feb PPV. Luger & Duggan have been working as Team USA since '94 because of the chemistry, and Sting has now joined his friend Luger. Duggan is due to retire so Sting will take his spot in Team USA until I pull the trigger on a proper singles run (which will be when Luger's contract is up later this year).</p><p> </p><p> The Steiners were one of my first hires in mid-'94, and have been the cornerstone of my tag division since. Scott is very over but as he didn't want to split in real-life, I have happily kept him with Rick. They have had feuds with the Freebirds, the Hart Foundation, the MDC, the Snake Pit and the Smoking Gunns. They are now back to the MDC but a different pairing in Jarrett & Sid. They are on their 4th title run as of Dec '95 and will hold them through Mania.</p><p> </p><p> I debuted a Junior Heavyweight title in May '95, which Chavo Guerrero Jr won, and it started as part of a little division on Superstars (my B-show). Chavo dropped the belt to Chris Jericho, and for about 6 months I had a Junior Heavyweight spin-off B-show but I dropped that in Jan '96. The back-end of '95, Jericho started feuding with Ricky Steamboat, which has transitioned both Jericho and the belt onto Raw. Now Jericho is on course to end the feud in a ladder match with Steamboat at Mania. He's still part of the midcard but will probably be Upper Midcard by the end of the feud at this rate, which is higher than I planned for him at this stage.</p><p> </p><p> A weird one is Yokozuna. I asked him to drop a weight, which he did, going from Obese Super Heavyweight to Flabby Big Heavyweight in '94. Off his own back, he is now down to Toned (I moved him down from Big Heayweight to Heavyweight to reflect that). I think he went via Average on his own as well. I have never seen that before but it's interesting because he's lost his unique selling point but is obviously healthier than he was in real life. I have him working as Rodney Anoa'i now because the Yokozuna moniker didn't fit any more but I'm struggling with how to use him. I have a few Samoans in development but don't have much space on my roster and don't really want a racially-based stable after finally breaking up NOD.</p><p> </p><p> I have a lot of future stars in development. The Rock, Edge & Christian, Hardyz, Dudleyz, Eddie Guerrero, as well as Road Dogg just debuting as Billy Gunn's new partner after he turned on Mike Barton (Bart Gunn) who is going to compete in an MMA fight. I need to create space on the roster so a lot of the older guys are going to leave after Mania, and then I need to figure out how and when to debut these guys and fit them onto the roster.</p>

Thanks for the suggestions, folks. Ended up going with 1040 Rebate (the form code for a tax return in the US, apparently, and Bossman as the guy that delivers your 'rebate').