DarK_RaideR

<p>Chapter 4: From a Group of Characters to a Group with Character</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"><span style="font-size:14px;">Chapter 4: From a Group of Characters to a Group with Character</span></span></strong></p></div><p></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Τhe three years from 2006 to 2009 saw NextGen Wrestling go through several changes as they slowly established a fanbase beyond their South East Europe headquarters while also rebuilding their roster to reflect their new multinational profile.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="iyN2viL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iyN2viL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>“By 2006, we would split our show locations in half; we’d hold a show in South East Europe, the next one in Central Europe and repeat the pattern until the end of the year. This helped us penetrate the mainland market while also keeping in touch with our core audience and making enough of a profit to sustain the losses we’d take doing shows for 300 people in Germany every other month.”</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Through a smart mix of press releases and promos, NGW made sure to keep fans in each location up to speed with what had transpired elsewhere the month prior. This helped contain the discord of running shows in two separate regions without TV coverage yet, but it didn’t completely eliminate the problem. In November of 2006, a change in the point system to define title contenders was announced: pre-show matches would no longer count. Until then, wrestlers could earn points while working “dark” matches.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="IWKjKhC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IWKjKhC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Silver:</span> <em>“I could keep fans to date as far as storylines and feuds went, but the point system began feeling weird, especially as the roster size grew. People would rack up points beating jobbers in dark matches and so some challenges felt out of the blue, didn’t have any build up leading to the title match. This was but one of the many small changes made during that time. We also hired Garry Garret as our head referee, [Jacob] Bailey’s original ten year contract was about to expire and after his jail sentence, the rules me and Leon [Harrison] had put up for ourselves prevented us from keeping people with any kind of criminal record around.”</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="iZdfJvS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iZdfJvS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="gtAXlbR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gtAXlbR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="yWLqNGq.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/yWLqNGq.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="UPg1dYS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UPg1dYS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <img alt="RONM5E6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/RONM5E6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="cCPsTjD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cCPsTjD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="lWDkCJs.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lWDkCJs.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="nQjGF52.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/nQjGF52.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">NextGen Wrestling wasn’t just about minor tweaks but also a revolving door policy when it came to hiring and firing people, tag teams especially. The Evil Henchmen, Nigerian Hit Squad, Fashionistas and French Foreign Legion all came and went in this time period, while some of the promotion’s long standing teams also got caught in the crossfire.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="sbFUnpv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sbFUnpv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Laura “Viper” McKenna, Wrestler and Manager</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>"Henrick [Van Bon/Ruud Van Anger]’s contract ran out and wasn’t renewed. I was dating Frank [Van Heer/De Pain] at the time and that probably contributed to him getting an extension, but Double Dutch were no more. I was managing Petter Eriksson and we’d also wrestle in tag team matches as Fitness Fury, winning our first tag gold in 2003. When British Samurai first joined the company, he was a singles wrestler but never wrestled Petter [Eriksson]. Me and him were kept from interacting with each other, until May of 2006. That’s when NGW acknowledged him as being my mentor and trainer, leading to the formation of the company’s first ever stable, the Terrific Three."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="eHOPOA2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/eHOPOA2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>British Samurai, Wrestler</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>"The Terrific Three were really based on my real-life link to Laura [McKenna] and her long-standing on-screen connection to Petter Eriksson. Other than being the first ever stable in NGW, we also produced the first ever long running storyline in the promotion’s history. A month after our group came together, me and Stig [svensson] headlined the show in a submission match and I failed to beat him for the title, when my entire character was supposed to be a technical wrestling wizard in the first place. That set the tone going forward, I’d always make it to a title shot and come up short whereas Fitness Fury would get win after win and go on to become two time tag team champions in April of 2008, causing me to snap and attack them."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="AhotWa7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AhotWa7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Petter Eriksson, Wrestler</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>"After the Terrific Three broke up, Samurai would feud with McKenna in a master versus apprentice feud. This lasted for the rest of the year and all of 2009, he beat her three times before McKenna finally made him tap out in a submission match at the final show of ‘09."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">The rise and fall of the Terrific Three was NGW’s main storyline between 2006-2009, but it wasn’t the only one, just like the Terrific Three were the first but not only group to be formed in that time period.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="EgqYnDk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EgqYnDk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Stig Svensson, 2009 Independent Wrestler of the Year</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>“I’d won the main title in February of 2005 and kept it until May of 2007. Still got the record for most title defenses in a single reign to this day, a total of 25 successful title defenses before losing the belt to Marat Kholov. His rise to the top brought in a bunch of talent from Eastern Europe to form a group called The Eastern Block. Those people were Cub Balowitz, Aleksander Knyazev, the Ivanoff brothers and ‘Big Bad’ Jakub Krawcyzk.”</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="XUP0GnO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XUP0GnO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Christopher Lister/Toby Juan Kanobi, Wrestler</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>"I think many of the stables formed in that first phase were the seeds for the groups you see today. The Terrific Three evolved into Rock and Roll and then the Outcasts. The Eastern Block would later morph into the Czars. And our alliance out of necessity would later become the League of Heroes."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="KRd8pBF.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KRd8pBF.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Nelson Frye, Wrestler</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>"Me and Christopher [Lister] had outgrown the tag team division, so we amicably put our team on hiatus to focus on being singles wrestlers. With Marat [Khoklov] as champion, there was a big need for babyface challengers to his title, people who felt like they actually had a chance of beating the giant from Moscow. He got on the chase first while I took a break to put on some muscle mass. We were both gunning for the title while Stig [svensson] put on a mask and brought back his Captain Hero character. He claimed it would take a superhero to defeat [Marat] Khoklov and it did; Captain Hero defeated Marat Khoklov for the title in January of 2009. Meanwhile, various Slavic characters had formed the Eastern Block around Marat [Khoklov] so to rival them, Captain Hero put together the League of Heroes, with me and Robert [Howard] as the tag team to fight against the Ivanoffs and Adam [Matravers] with Akuma to fend off the younger members of that group."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Adam Matravers and Marihito Masuko would not only fight against the young lions of the Eastern Block, but also against a wide array of prospects over the NGW Young Lion title. One of those prospects would later become Masuko’s nemesis, a young Mexican by the name of Champagne Lover.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="wuo51A1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/wuo51A1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Champagne Lover, Wrestler</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>"My first match with Akuma, who was still Marihito Masuko back then, was in February 2008. I was the NGW Young Lion champion and successfully defended the title, but the match was so good it stole the show. We both use a very flashy high flying style and we instantly clicked, both in the ring and as friends backstage. That’s when the first thought of a feud between us was made. At first we fought over the NGW Young Lion title, then when The Fashionistas joined the company we teamed up to form the Beautiful People. They’d run interference in my matches if needed and they also gave me some backup to take on Akuma and his League of Heroes allies. Later on, Richard Blood would turn heel and join us too. I’d hold the title until the end of 2009 when he finally beat me, but the next year I won it back from him and Marat [Khoklov] unmasked Captain Hero, leading to Masuko’s transformation into Shiro Akuma."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Silver:</span> <em>"In the first couple of years, I’d book the shows individually, month after month. I didn’t know if we’d be around in six months or a year, I didn’t know what the roster would be like, so I couldn’t make any long term plans. As NGW grew, I started convening with Leon [Harrison] at the start of each year to hammer out feuds and storylines for the entire year. This meant things would wrap up every December and that slowly made our final show of the year into a de facto season finale. It was the end of the year and the end of the storylines, so I thought it was fitting to call it End of the World. After that was agreed with Leon [Harrison] it only made sense to finally name the rest of our monthly shows as well and 2009 was the first year we promoted NGW shows that would bear an event-specific name each month."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="iaAyx6u.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iaAyx6u.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="KgdqMk2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KgdqMk2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="qwZB6cD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qwZB6cD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Not everything would work out as Silver and Harrison had planned it at the start of each year though. Tour calls from Japan would cause several booking clashes keeping several stars out of the spotlight, most notably Golden Scorpion who was out of the main event for most of those years as he toured with Hinote Dojo and BHotWG. The creation of an all-female promotion from Burning Hammer expanded the issue to the women of the roster. Things would get worse when Viv “The Violence” Jacobs was offered an exclusive deal that would drive her out of NGW. Geena the Warrior Princess would be next when NotBPW called, looking to bank on her skill and the name she had built for herself in Canada while working for CWWF.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Silver:</span> <em>"When Viv [Jacobs] got the call from Burning Hammer of the Wrestling Goddesses, she was the reigning NGW Young Lion champion, so I barely had a chance to have her drop the title to Golden Delicious [Melanie Flyman]. It was worse with Geena though; she’d held that title back in 2005 and was doing great but she’d hit 30 and was no longer eligible to compete for it. I had plans to have her beat Marat [Khoklov] and become the first ever woman to hold our main title, but she left for Canada just before her big title match. She was a big deal and Viv had been a cornerstone of NGW, so it made sense to induct them both to the Hall of Fame. When Burning Hammer of the Wrestling Godesses was dismantled in 2008, Viv returned as a Hall of Famer, the only one to be still active so it kind of became her new gimmick. About that time we also signed Edward Cornell, Tommy’s younger cousin and I was like ‘wait, shouldn’t Tommy also been in the Hall of Fame already?"</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="SoeMY3z.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/SoeMY3z.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Edward Cornell, Wrestler</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>"I joined NGW immediately upon turning pro and Tommy [Cornell] had already gone on a tear during his stint with the company. SWF had re-signed him and was pushing him hard, so there was a lot of pressure on me to be the next ‘Rough Justice’. I think my arrival served as a reminder to induct Tommy to the Hall of Fame, but we also made something out of it when I turned it into my first storyline, trying to live up to the expectation. I’d be jealous and furious of big Tom and try to prove myself. It was a long chase and it wouldn’t be until a full four years later that I finally got my first taste of gold when I won the NGW Young Lion title."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="DTAxGxv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DTAxGxv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Standing at 6’9” and weighing a muscular 370 pounds, Menace lives up to his ring name and was thus given a run with the company from March 2007 to October of 2008. Despite his monstrous aura, Menace is one of the few openly gay professional wrestlers and apparently his openness about it was a factor in Leon Harrison also opening up to the public about his own homosexuality.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Harrison:</span> <em>"Having Menace around was inspiring; not only was he unapologetically gay, he somehow managed to not let that take anything away from his monster heel character. We had fans and critics saying we were using the whole occasion to try and present NGW as ‘edgy’ and ‘cool’ but that had nothing to do with it, nor should it. I’ve been a Brighton barfly and party animal since my teenage years, anyone who knew anything about me wasn’t really surprised."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="xAP54XD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xAP54XD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">2008 was the year NGW also reached out to strike a talent trade deal with British Strong Style promotion Ring of Fire. Facilitated by NGW former employee Keith Adams, who was now working for ROF, the deal allowed each promotion access to new talent and further reaching exposure for their existing talent while also offering up the potential of fresh new matchups.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="YsFPRIU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/YsFPRIU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="GJoepta.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GJoepta.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Not every wrestling promotion was doing as well as NGW and ROF, of course. 2006 saw the end of Manuel Prieto’s Federation Femenil de Lucha Libre, Mexico’s first ever all-female promotion founded a year earlier. The downfall of the Mexican scene continued in 2007 when lucha libre giants Mexico Premier Wrestling Federation admitted defeat and went bankrupt. Further up north, Supreme Wrestling Federation bought out the second victim of the East Coast Wars in Rapid Pro Wrestling.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="VR99xLd.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VR99xLd.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> The three years between 2006 and 2008 also saw several new promotions start their respective journeys and with all of them still being around, it is safe to say they have all learned from the mistakes of their predecessors. Melbourne Wrestling Federation in Australia and Lucha Libre Mexican Wrestling opened up shop in 2006, followed by the Guru’s Insane Pain Wrestling Federation in Manitoba Canada and ZEN in New Zealand the year after. 2008 would see Powerbomb Championship Wrestling hold its first show in Mexico while The Juicer would provide some competition to his former NGW employers when he opened the hardcore Attack Championship of Wrestling in Scandinavia.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="AEh08bv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AEh08bv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="1fvkIAZ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1fvkIAZ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="4seADDT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/4seADDT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="utcgiyA.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/utcgiyA.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span><img alt="uCwk57E.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/uCwk57E.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="iU2qZQL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iU2qZQL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="hu5Fxq3.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hu5Fxq3.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="EG7wMeC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EG7wMeC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="bnP2GL6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/bnP2GL6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="lDgr2PS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lDgr2PS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span><img alt="3zMgsNw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3zMgsNw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="9hU2Jie.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/9hU2Jie.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Wrestling companies weren’t the only ones to go out of business in that time period. Tribal Warrior, BLZ Bubb (a.k.a. Tyson Baine), Reese Paige and Thunder Hike all added their names to the ever-growing list of wrestlers whose careers were cut short due to injury. Meanwhile, tag team specialist Robert Oxford, gaijin legend Pistol Pete Hall, big man Dread, the golden bull El Toro de Oro as well as female competitors Lioness Musashibo and Vixxen all hung up their boots when they retired from active competition, while Mexico wept for the loss of its beloved heroes Fray Valiente and Extraordinario who passed away at the age of 68 and 62 respectively.</span></p>

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="aMXABmX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aMXABmX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> Jake Sawyer leaned in closer to the mirror and re-adjusted his bow tie. He was a consummate professional who'd take great care to look the part, but he was also extremely conscious when it came to his appearance, even for a man who had lived all 40 of his life years in Los Angeles. Every day he'd carefully shave his face before trimming his pointy soul patch and twirly mustache, followed by a methodical application of facial moisturizer and beard oil. He'd comb his hair as soon as he got out of bed and at times even use a hair net while asleep. His tuxedoes were well kept and off to the dry cleaner's after each show, his shoes meticulously shined before worn and then given a freshener right before he'd walk out of the curtain. His manager character wasn't a long shot from his actual self, whether he'd tweak it to be more of a rich snob or a southern gentleman to fit whatever promotion he was working for.</p><p> </p><p> When he started off in the indy circuit, he'd been hailed as the man who'd bring back the lost art of the male manager. He was oldschool, but at the same time felt fresh in a scene dominated by good looking females. In early 2008, he finally made it to the big leagues when TCW gave him a chance. Tried to make him the new Herb Stately when they teamed him with big monster heels who couldn't or shouldn't get on the mic themselves. Jake did his part. He played the role. He cut the promos. He ran interference. He took the bumps. All he got for it was a release note just four months after he signed a contract, no explanation as to how or why.</p><p> </p><p> Jake was devastated. He felt like he blew his one big chance, especially when no booking calls followed his release. He had everything, including some television exposure and a low price, but no one would hire him for some reason. Disappointed, as time went by he had to make ends meet so he took whatever odd job he could land. Commercials and short cameos at first, but as he grew older even show business rejected him. Best gig he'd get would be playing host at a semi-fancy L.A. restaurant; he'd get to wear his suits and the wrinkles on his face were a bonus implying class and experience. A restaurant job. Where failed actors go to die, once they're too old to be a barista or whatever they call coffee-makers these days.</p><p> </p><p> When Sheik Ali Al-Avatar called him, Jake thought it was a prank call at first. How could he not, Sheik took method acting to the next level. He was out of touch with the wrestling scene after 8 years on the sidelines; time was not on his side and flying in from L.A. to Florida? Yet when the Sheik told him he was already managing a monster heel in Annihilus and needed him to run a stable of badass females, something clicked. Jake had a thing for the ladies and this approach felt like something familiar he could pull off while also being a long shot from managing monster heels to feel fresh. He didn't want to be a sad shell of his past self looking for one last go as the new Herb Stately. He wanted to be the slick sports manager of stars. With his wardrobe and a group of no-nonesense ladies around him, he'd switch to the other end of the spectrum. He wouldn't be oldschool anymore, he'd be on the cutting edge, bring a hint of MMA to the wrestling ring.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46150" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Piledriver Wrestling Presents</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="xrIBjB8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xrIBjB8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> </strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">The Night Of The Champions</span></strong></p><p><strong> Saturday, Week 4 December, 2018</strong></p><p><strong> Live from the North Carolina Biker Museum, NC</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Main Event</strong></p><p><strong> COTT World Heavyweight title</strong></p><p> Scythe © vs Logan Diaz</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Co-Main Event</strong></p><p><strong> Piledriver Championship triple threat match</strong></p><p> Masked Patriot © vs Lenny Brown vs Xavi Ferrera</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Piledriver Women's title match</strong></p><p> Claire Winters © vs Tracy Brendon</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Piledriver United States title match</strong></p><p> Buck Winchester © vs Nate DeMarcus</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Three Way Elimination match</strong></p><p> Riley McManus vs Syd Collier vs The Architect</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Special Singles match</strong></p><p> El Sultán (with Sheik Ali Al-Avatar) vs Jebediah (with Lisa Bowen)</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Piledriver Tag Team titles match</strong></p><p> The Death Squad © vs The Heartbreak Express</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Opener</strong></p><p><strong> Golden Graduate Tournament Six Man Elimination match</strong></p><p> Six graduates of the Piledriver Wrestling School will participate in the first ever Golden Graduate tournament, to be held annualy every December. Featuring the likes of "Killer" Carl Bernard, Jules Knight and others!</p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote>

smw88, you have a thing for hot yet gritty females. Many of those half body shots would be just the thing for WMMA workers.

I tend to write shows as I run them, meaning once I've posted a show, I gotta move forward to book the next and post the finalized card. I'm out of time for now, but I'd like to do a proper narrative before the big final show of the year instead of just rushing things to post a simple card. Is there any particular worker you'd like me to shine a light on?

<p>War for Territory #12</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><img alt="OUphkmR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OUphkmR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><strong> Piledriver Wrestling Presents</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">War for Territory #12</span></strong></p><p><strong> Saturday, Week 2 December, 2018</strong></p><p><strong> Live from the Delaware Auditorium, DE</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="3XM4dah.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3XM4dah.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="WuYw4C6.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WuYw4C6.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="1F1k6Ha.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/1F1k6Ha.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><strong>w</strong><img alt="lh2JDXB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/lh2JDXB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> The Death Squad & El Sultán (with Sheik Ali Al-Avatar)</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="GIRKb76.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GIRKb76.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="k2Enuj8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/k2Enuj8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="PSW6j5L.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/PSW6j5L.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="amsxoxV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/amsxoxV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><strong>w</strong><img alt="orMSYPb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/orMSYPb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> The Heartbreak Express & Jebediah (with Lisa Bowen)</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> A passable opening six man tag match to get the crowd going, this one plays up the rivalry between the Death Squad and the Heartbreak Express in light of their upcoming title clash, with Jebediah adding some much needed power to the babyface team. El Sultán, for all his in-ring skill and funny antics, proves that two sheiks are just too much for one ring and ends up being the weakest link of his team after an argument between him and the Sheik allows Jebediah to slam him on the mat and deliver the Sundown Splash for the pin.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Winners: The Heartbreak Express & Jebediah, by pinfall</strong></p><p> <img alt="M4SOg7D.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/M4SOg7D.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> As the winning team is celebrating and the Heartbreak Express do the 'title belt' gesture around their waists, Lisa Bowen gets on the mic to announce that from now on, she will also be managing Jebediah and their first stop will be claiming the Piledriver United States title!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><img alt="IqChfad.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/IqChfad.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="V6GDKvw.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/V6GDKvw.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="ejbjbKm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ejbjbKm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="GIRKb76.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GIRKb76.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="SJYcxhu.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/SJYcxhu.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> Piledriver United States title match</strong></p><p><strong> Buck Winchester © vs Riley McManus</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> Winchester won the US title off a roster original in Logan Diaz and his first defense is also against a man who has been with the company since day one, Riley McManus. Both men have proven their ring acumen and indeed the match delivers on the hype, even if McManus seems to be a bit unfocused at times. Riley takes Winchester's best shots and once he manages to lock up with him, his technical skill puts him in control. By the time he lifts up Winchester for the rope bounce to deliver the Slingshot Suplex it feels like a done deal, but something prevents the rebound.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="BX7IQui.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/BX7IQui.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="EpQsPaC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EpQsPaC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> That something is MAW loyalists Syd Collier and the Architect, having snuck to ringside unnoticed, each grabbing one of Winchester's feet. McManus' grip slips and he falls back first onto the mat, hopping back up to chase the interlopers away before he turns around to walk right into Winchester's dreaded new finisher, the Texas Backbreaker.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Winner: Buck Winchester, by pinfall after Syd Collier and the Architect interfered</strong></p><p><strong> Buck Winchester makes defense number 1 of his Piledriver United States title</strong></p><p> <img alt="87E3trK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/87E3trK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> After retreating to a safe distance, Collier and the Architect get on the mic to taunt McManus, who snaps back at them before giving chase to the backstage area.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><img alt="M4SOg7D.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/M4SOg7D.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="pmHS2Ce.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pmHS2Ce.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="2FjO0qV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/2FjO0qV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="GIRKb76.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GIRKb76.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="FHUEpiU.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/FHUEpiU.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="MzjfHKV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MzjfHKV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> Scythe & Reaper vs Masked Patriot & Logan Diaz</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> Prior experience says Scythe and Reaper don't exactly click as a team but lucky for them (and to the dismay of fans) neither do Patriot and Diaz, apparently! Fortunately, the booking of the match is such that it emphasizes characters and storytelling. After a long feud with Scythe & Reaper, Patriot joins their latest victim in Diaz to seek revenge and emotions don't take long to reach boiling point, leading to a double countout as all four men get caught up in a heated, personal brawl at ringside.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Winners: Double countout draw</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="rCrbMWQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rCrbMWQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="xBTlc19.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xBTlc19.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="UVs32af.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/UVs32af.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="GIRKb76.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GIRKb76.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="8sEkkAa.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8sEkkAa.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> COTT Women's title match</strong></p><p><strong> Foxxy LaRue © vs Eri Sato</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> Both women employ a very physical wrestling style, which makes for a hard hitting match with little grappling or high flying. Still, Sato's slick, martial arts based style is a contrast to LaRue's rough and tumble street fighting jam but all it takes is a Flash Head Kick to end the exciting match at 13:36.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Winner: Foxxy LaRue, by pinfall</strong></p><p><strong> Foxxy LaRue makes defense number 7 of her COTT Women's title</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="87E3trK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/87E3trK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="aMXABmX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/aMXABmX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> A pre-recorded message airs next, with "Playboy" Jake Sawyer hyping up the Piledriver Women's champion "Ice Cold" Claire Winters as he warns Tracy Brendon she'll come up short.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><img alt="ozLd3Bm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ozLd3Bm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="uN4bdE9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/uN4bdE9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="GIRKb76.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GIRKb76.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jW5DSzO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jW5DSzO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p><strong> 30 minute time limit</strong></p><p><strong> #1 contender for the Piledriver Championship title rematch</strong></p><p><strong> "The Athlete" Xavi Ferrera vs Lenny Brown</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> After a thrilling match at Thanksbeating last month, Ferrera and Brown meet again in the main event with ten more minutes on the clock after their initial time limit draw. Things are off to a sluggish start once more, but at least Ferrera isn't avoiding his opponent this time, just playing mind games as he tries to interrupt the match flow and frustrate Brown. Things take a bit to pick up, but once they do it's a series of fluid sequences that lead to several false finishes; Ferrera comes up empty after a Ferrerarana when Brown kicks out at two. A second attempt from Ferrera is countered into Brown's signature pop-up rana but once again, it's a two count only. Lifting Ferrera into a fireman's carry position, Brown looks for the Star Treatment but Ferrera manages to wiggle free and create some space with a dropkick, before climbing the top turnbuckle for the High Impact Frog Splash. Brown barely rolls out of the way and hops up to execute an awesome flying avalanche for yet another two count. Both men struggle to get back on their feet by this point and almost collapse onto each other as they trade blows in the middle of the ring when the bell rings to signal the end of thirty minutes.</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Winner: Time limit draw</strong></p><p> <img alt="mwL0z0W.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mwL0z0W.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> <img alt="uN4bdE9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/uN4bdE9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="jW5DSzO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/jW5DSzO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tfOP87H.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tfOP87H.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> Neither man is happy with the outcome and both rile up the fans into chants of "five more minutes" until finally, Lee Wright's music hits the speakers and he comes out with a mic in hand. Both men have a chance on the stick to plead their cases, but Wright says he cannot extend the show's duration. What he can do however, since neither man has managed to become the #1 contender is to give them both a shot; at Night of the Champions, it will be Xavi Ferrera versus Lenny Brown versus Masked Patriot in a Triple Threat match for the Piledriver Championship!</p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><img alt="87E3trK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/87E3trK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Show Rating:</span></strong></p><p><strong> </strong><img alt="87E3trK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/87E3trK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Historian" data-cite="Historian" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>1. Poor Rip Chord. An alcoholic, shell of his former self AND he got caught with prostitutes? What a tough life!<p> </p><p> 2. SWF lost almost 120 million!?!?! (if I'm reading correctly) . How did they stay afloat?</p></div></blockquote><p> It was a terrible year and a sad end for Rip Chord, but HGC hit International size in 2008 and have been the #1 promotion worldwide since, so bringing him back that exact year as color commentator isn't actually that bad, even if he never got to run the Mid Atlantic Boot camp or set up MAW.</p><p> </p><p> As for SWF, well... they're SWF. Run by Richard Eisen and booked by Sam Keith. Sure, they're #3 in the world behind NOTBPW and keep bouncing between Cult and National, but they're profitable, put on well-rated shows and still pack quite the roster!</p>

<p>Chapter 3: Growth and Expansion</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Chapter 3: Growth and Expansion</span></strong></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> After a full three years of classifying as a “Small” sized promotion, NGW was about to make the jump to a full blown Regional company by the end of 2004.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="iyN2viL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iyN2viL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>“We grew faster than expected, thanks to a boom in both industry and economy. Just as we began to think about expanding towards Central Europe, Ultimate Combat Ring folded after the summer of 2004 and that really left the way open for us.”</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="i68800U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/i68800U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Just like EWCW before it, UCR tried to cater to too many tastes at the same time, leading to a massive roster and a product that felt lacking in identity. Others also sought to exploit the gap in the market, with Moscow’s Eastern European World Wrestling opening its gates in early 2004. They would survive until October of the next year. NGW was once again the sole player in the European scene.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="CEJazV9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/CEJazV9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Silver:</span> <em>"With the collapse of High Impact Wrestling and especially UCR, the market was flooded with talent who already had the exposure and experience of working for a larger promotion. I knew we’d need to expand the roster as we got ready to penetrate the mainland market, so I went on another signing spree. Eddie Chandler, the late Akio Koruba, Golden Delicious a.k.a. Melanie Flyman, Travis Cool, Beast Bantom, Giovanni Bruno, Griffin, Marihito Masuko a.k.a. Shiro Akuma, Petey Barnes, Ripper LeStat, Toby Juan Kanobi a.k.a. Christopher Lister, The Evil Henchmen, Herschel the Hammer, Inky the Squid Boy, Jeri Behr, Kalu Owusu, The Juicer, and Captain Hero/Stig Svensson all got signed that year. I’d turn the tables and start trimming the fat a year later when I cut the Juicer, Griffin, Herschel the Hammer, the Elimination Agents, Petey Barnes and Ripper LeStat from the roster by the end of 2005.”</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="EgqYnDk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/EgqYnDk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Stig Svensson/Captain Hero</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>“I began my career in 1990 and wrestled for EWCW, ALPHA and UCR but not NGW until 2004. Up to that point, they were probably too small to afford me and I was in high demand so I had no reason to back down on my requests. After UCR folded though, I had no alternative for employment and NGW had gotten profitable enough to approach me for negotiations. I signed with them and in September of 2004, I main evented that month’s show to get a DQ victory over ‘Rough Justice’ Tommy Cornell. Everyone else had lost clean to Cornell by that point, so this was a pretty big deal and it set up our rematch in February of 2005, when I beat him for the title before he left to wrestle for SWF.”</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ISWyN1q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ISWyN1q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="XUP0GnO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/XUP0GnO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Christopher Lister/Toby Juan Kanobi</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>“I wrestled for UCR as Toby Juan Kanobi, a sci-fi geek character obsessed with Star Wars. The gimmick wasn’t copyrighted and it was already a success, but NGW still chose to have me drop it and wrestle under my real name instead. This let fans focus on my in-ring skill and got me over through my matches, as I wouldn’t get much time for angles just yet. Meanwhile, Nelson Frye had gotten a bit outshined by the influx of big names so he was used in the tag team matches at the time. When we first worked a match together in December of ‘04, it was as if we had been teaming for years so we decided to build on that and by March of the next year we won the Tag Team titles. It wouldn’t be until a full year after that we finally came up with a team name, Cream of the Crop.”</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="MGCPelQ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MGCPelQ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Melanie Flyman/Golden Delicious</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>“I’m Australian and there’s barely any wrestling down under, let alone anyone to employ female wrestlers, so I took the job with NGW and moved to Europe but was still open to offers from around the world. One of those came in August of 2004 from Power Slam Wrestling Forever. That promotion was run by a man called Ken Flanagan. Ken was a shady man from Wales, rumored to have connections with the Cardiff mafia, but I’d never heard of a thing such as any mafia in Wales so I signed without giving it much thought. After my first ever PSWF match, I got back to the showers and caught a red blip from up high. Turns out there was a hidden camera in the showers. I was so shocked and angry, I quit on the spot. From what I heard, other women had similar issues working for PSWF and eventually things went to court, with 17 of us, Viper McKenna and Megumi Nakajima among them, accusing Flanagan for all sorts of cringe-worthy workplace crimes. The courtroom was where I first heard he had a prior criminal record regarding underage girls, too. He got convicted, of course, and PSWF went down in a whirlwind of debt, bad publicity and no workers willing to work for them. It was a rough experience, but it made me appreciate the working conditions in NGW. After that, I was extremely alarmed and did my research before taking any bookings."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="N1zhldv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/N1zhldv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Shiro Akuma/Marihito Masuko</em></p></div><p></p><p><em>"I entered the business in 2000 and went on a 2 year excursion to the United States but no one would sign me. Said I was too small. After I returned to Japan, the song remained the same. No one was interested. I spent 2 more years at home, a total of 4 years as a professional with zero matches on my resume. NGW took a wild gamble on me and it paid off for the both of us. Within a year, I got a tour offer from Hinote Dojo. In the next couple of years, BHotWG would also call me for their tours. I found myself covering much lost ground for those 4 years, but I was determined to show everyone how wrong they were to overlook me all this time."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">For all the joy of a growing fanbase, consistent profits, good shows and a talented roster, not everything was sunshine and rainbows in NGW.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="OaZjc1B.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OaZjc1B.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Harrison:</span> <em>“Inky the Squid Boy got into an incident with the police in December of 2004. Not as bad as [Jacob] Bailey, he wasn’t imprisoned, but now he had a track record. I’d told John [silver] since day one, I wanted to keep NGW clean of people who have trouble with the law, no exceptions, so when Inky’s contract came up for renewal the year after, we had to let him go alongside the Juicer, Griffin, Herschel the Hammer, the Elimination Agents, Petey Barnes and Ripper LeStat."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="TBw7j7K.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TBw7j7K.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="TCz02hB.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TCz02hB.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="04N0aQ1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/04N0aQ1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Silver:</span> <em>"The only people I brought in after Inky and the others were let go were Tara Green and Mark Stanford, our first ever team of announcers. Oh, and Wael Hossam, he’d worked several one-night deals with us before and could really go in the ring, so I offered him a permanent deal. I also came up with a point system, two for a win and one for a draw, that would determine top contenders in this new, shifting and crowded landscape. It was a way to make wins and losses matter so we didn’t have to go into sports entertainment territory. People on the top spots could challenge for the championship, the tag titles or the newly introduced Young Lion title if they were eligible for it."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="6idJQCy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6idJQCy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">The NGW Young Lion title was inspired by similar prizes used by Japanese promotions to reward top rookies who cannot yet compete for any other title. In NGW, it was used as a midcard title that wrestlers under 30 years of age could compete for. Despite the hype surrounding it though, the new belt would soon be forever linked to one of the promotion’s most tragic moments.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="vFsWrO5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vFsWrO5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Silver</span>: <em>"I wanted the Young Lion title to emphasize how the company was about young exciting wrestlers, so it was meant to put a spotlight on that. I beat Travis Cool to become the first ever NGW Young Lion champion in March of 2005 and my first defense was against Akio Koruba, who I defeated by countout. That was in order to make him look strong for our eventual rematch, but in December of that year he got bitten by an infected rabid badger and never saw the next year. It was a shock for everyone, he was only 24 at the time. That’s when I came up with the idea of an NGW Hall of Fame, I was looking for a way to honor his memory and he became the first person to be inducted. Ever since, until the title’s retirement in 2012, every time the belt was on the line, his presence hung heavy in our souls. He became synonymous with the belt, even if he never actually held it.”</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="GIymxZ1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/GIymxZ1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="M35hCSK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/M35hCSK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="iUnbZKz.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iUnbZKz.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="9lCj2xT.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/9lCj2xT.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <img alt="M2IqTK8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/M2IqTK8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6r6RUDz.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6r6RUDz.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="TNYBEzh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/TNYBEzh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Koruba’s tragic death was not the only sad moment in store for the pro wrestling community. Several major stars were forced to retire between 2004 and 2005 due to severe injuries. Bruce the Giant retired just as he was hitting his peak after completely tearing his lateral collateral ligament in a match against Robert Oxford. Christian Faith ruptured his patellar tendon in a Hollyweird Grappling Company ring. 20 year old Rick Law ruptured his upper thoracic spinal cord wrestling for DAVE. Also at 20 years of age, Remo Richardson retired after rupturing his C6 cervical spinal cord. Japanese hardcore and high flying legends Ruy Kajahara and Optimus respectively retired at the age of 45 both. A year younger, Larry Vessey also hung up his boots. Living legends Whipper Spencer Marks and Fray Valiente left the industry completely.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="mjjkYUF.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mjjkYUF.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Perhaps the saddest of all retirements has to be that of 54 year old Rip Chord. After finding himself involved in a prostitution scandal, Chord saw his career go downhill and Hollyweird Grappling Company refusing to extend his contract. With no in-ring job offers, Chord announced he will be retiring from active competition and it would be a full three years before HGC would bring him back on board as their color commentator.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="mJqiti5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/mJqiti5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Supreme Wrestling Federation had their fair share of problems as well and that didn’t just involve competition or losing talent to injury. In May of 2005, a federal investigation revealed the company’s accounting department had embezzled an estimated $119.789.000.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> The first half of the decade had seen NGW grow into a proper Regional promotion and with the collapse of its competitors, it was now starting to expand towards mainland Europe as it held its first shows outside its home base in 2005, eventually selling out Germany's Bremen Hall by December of that year. After its explosive start however, things would slow down and it wouldn't be until 2012 actually that they were big enough to classify as a "Cult" sized company. Those seven years have their own story to tell; join us next episode for a look into that period!</span></p>

Gotta hand it to you, the promotion and hype build up are exceptional.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Theheel" data-cite="Theheel" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46150" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Why do I sense Diaz signed a contract with somebody else. But since he’s on the next card I guess not</div></blockquote><p> Wrestling's at its best when it's unpredictable <img alt=":cool:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

<p>What Morris lacks is character. Vasquez too. Hope they return from TGL with some of it.</p><p> </p><p> Solid narratives, both of them. Keep up the good work.</p>

<p>I'm calling it now, Samoan Mafia vs Gangsta Nation feud:rolleyes:</p><p> </p><p> As CobheadJake said above, I'm interested to see a narrative connected with Vasquez's move to TGL. I'm getting serious Naito vibes off his story, the guy who was pushed too soon, didn't click and went away to reinvent himself.</p><p> </p><p> Cancelling the deal makes no sense from a mechanical point of view as you're giving up on income from Japanese sponsors and merchandise while your popularity there withers, but I understand the narrative aspect of it. In my LondonVerse diary as NY-based ESW I purchased a lucha libre promotion for their TV deal and the identity schism ended up killing my save and diary, so I'm in full support of your decision to go with the company's organic development.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> P.S. The Sickle out-performed both Southern Stars? <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Historian" data-cite="Historian" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Wait wait wait. You had Cornell!?!?!?! PGHW...WLW... CZCW... All casualties? That makes me so sad.<p> </p><p> But Cornell!?!?!?! Man y'all had a roster!</p></div></blockquote><p> PGHW rose to National size twice in 1999 and immediately fell back to Cult, presumably due to losing the National Wars. All this bump and grind messed up the AI with hirings, firings, broadcaster deals and financial policy, leading to the BHotWG buyout.</p><p> </p><p> WLW start as a touring company and they couldn't survive the expenses while being Small or Regional, leading to bankruptcy.</p><p> </p><p> CZCW seemed to be doing fine, I really don't know how it came to be.</p><p> </p><p> As for Cornell, he was young, unknown and far from the star we know since TEW05. At the time, he was also injured and unemployed, so of course I signed him. If I had Beauchamp, Cornell, Golden Scorpion, British Samurai and Khoklov before even hitting Regional size, damn right I had a roster!</p>

War for Territory #12 card Piledriver Wrestling Presents War for Territory #12 Saturday, Week 2 December, 2018 Live from the Delaware Auditorium, DE Main Event 30 minute time limit #1 contender for the Piledriver Championship title rematch "The Athlete" Xavi Ferrera vs Lenny Brown Co-Main Event COTT Women's title Foxxy LaRue © vs Eri Sato Special Tag Team match Scythe & Reaper vs Masked Patriot & Logan Diaz Piledriver United States title match Buck Winchester © vs Riley McManus Opening Six Man Tag match The Death Squad & El Sultán vs The Heartbreak Express & Jebediah

Thanksbeating 2018 Piledriver Wrestling Presents Thanksbeating 2018 Saturday, Week 4 November, 2018 Live from the Delaware Auditorium, DE Masked Patriot is shown backstage when Miss Atlantic Wresting walks up to him, saying she's got his back. Calling herself 'a true patriot' unlike others like Winchester who were patriotic in name only, Ms MAW points to her star-spangled mask and offers a handshake. The Piledriver champion seems reluctant at first, but then stands up to exclaim that the power of America is inside everyone, man or woman, before shaking her hand in return. w The Heartbreak Express (with Lisa Bowen) w "Killer" Carl Bernard & El Sultán (with Sheik Ali Al-Avatar) Bernard is sent in first to wreak havoc and soften up the opposition, but the Heartbreak Express use the opportunity to showcase the art of tag team wrestling as they work together to take the big man down. Their double team moves take him down for a two count and force him to tag in El Sultán, who plays along to Sheik Ali Al-Avatar's antics and even tries to lock in the Camel Clutch, despite being blatantly not Middle Eastern himself. For all his comedy antics, Sultán proves himself a solid all-rounder in the ring but once Jumpin' Johnny Needham manages to pick up the pace and lure him into a high flying battle, Sultán quickly finds himself on the receiving end of a Moonsault before he takes the pin. Winners: The Heartbreak Express, by pinfall Once the match is over, the Death Squad come out and Bowen urges her client to a speedy retreat as they signal that the two teams will only clash when it's time for their official title match. Sheik Ali Al-Avatar gets on the mic to promise annihilation at the Night of the Champions, but the menacing monsters behind him alone are enough to get that message across already. The competitors for the next match make their respective entrances but before the opening bell, Daniels has a word to say about Brendon challenging the champ. Of course, Brendon won't just sit and hear it; grabbing a mic of her own, she snaps back at the young upstart who needs a bit of help from her manager to avoid the burn. Brendon simply dropkicks Sawyer in return, who rolls out of the ring in pain and the match is underway! w Tracy Brendon vs "Devious" Dee Daniels (with "Playboy" Jake Sawyer) Sparked into action, Daniels takes the opening and stomps on the fallen Brendon after she's dropkicked Sawyer out of the ring. This advantage has Daniels in control early in the match as she seeks to pummel Brendon, but the veteran quickly turns things around and uses her mastery of chain wrestling to reverse a clothesline lariat into a slingblade. Brendon makes her return from there, chaining stikes and aerial moves into a slick arsenal that builds up to her Idaho Crunch finisher for the finish. Winner: Tracy Brendon, by pinfall Piledriver United States title match "Glorious" Logan Diaz © vs Buck Winchester Winchester comes into the match with all the momentum in the world after having ousted Bradley Blaze from Piledriver Wrestling. Both men have been with the promotion since its first show, so to see them meet again in the ring now feels special for long-time fans of Piledriver Wrestling. As expected, the match is extremely physical, with Diaz taking Winchester's stiffest moves and answering with his own moves that almost seem like he's trying to drive the challenger through the mat. Momentum swings back and forth in a dramatic, smashmouth exchange and just before the fifteen minute time limit, Winchester attempts the Neckbreaker, only for Diaz to reverse it into a slam that drives him to the mat. Diaz pulls up Winchester and grabs him to deliver the Belly to Belly Suplex when the lights flicker... ...and suddenly, both Scythe and Reaper stand on opposite sides of the ring! Diaz lets go of Winchester and Scythe nods as Reaper gets in the ring. Alvin Lavin tries to prevent any interference, but Scythe simply gets in his face to intimidate him from throwing the match as Diaz and Reaper trade blows. The exhaustion and damage Diaz is carrying means he slowly loses ground until Reaper drives him down with a spinebuster and gets out of the ring. Caught between Scythe and Reaper, the ref has little else he can do but make the count as Winchester delivers his scary new Texas Backbreaker finisher on Diaz and covers him for the win. Winner: Buck Winchester, by pinfall after Scythe and Reaper interfered Buck Winchester wins the Piledriver United States title Still not satisfied with costing Diaz the match and title, Scythe and Reaper enter the ring as Winchester leaves, wanting none of it. Under a thunderstorm of boos, Scythe and Reaper put the boots to Diaz and finally leave him be, bloodied and bruised in the middle of the ring as they raise their hands to the sky. #1 contender for the Piledriver Championship title "The Athlete" Xavi Ferrera vs Lenny Brown Lenny Brown's debut match for Piledriver Wrestling and it's already a big one as he seeks to defeat "The Athlete" Xavi Ferrera, who's been on a hot streak lately. Ferrera does a great job of being the cowardly heel at first, completely shooting down fan expectations for a huge match (at least right out of the gate) and even once he does lock up with Brown, he only stays in the fight as long as he's got the upper hand. Being new to the promotion, Brown has a lot of surprises up his sleeve and every time Ferrera finds himself on the receiving end of a move he was unprepared for, he once again rolls out of the ring signalling for a timeout. When a frustrated Brown chases him at ringside, Ferrera springs his trap and attacks, finally taking the match into competitive territory. The fight returns to the ring and the two men pick up the pace but the slow start comes back to haunt them when the bell rings out of nowhere to signal the twenty minute time limit. Winner: Draw Show Rating:

Chapter 2: Road to Regional Chapter 2: Road to Regional At the start of the new century, NextGen Wrestling had been through a lot already but the future was looking bright. Meanwhile, the arrival of the new millenium had been anything but kind to some major promotions. The East Coast War claimed its first victim in Xtreme Federation of Wrestling, who were bought out by the Supreme Wrestling Federation. More shockingly, the Eisen expansionism also led to the dismantling of California’s Coastal Zone Championship Wrestling while things were no different in Japan, where Burning Hammer of the Wrestling Gods took over Pride Glory Honor Wrestling and were lying in wait for new promotion World Level Wrestling to take a wrong step so they could move in and buy them out too. NGW and UCR were, at the time, the only two promotions in Europe but due to their massive difference in size, importance and popularity, were never really considered to be competitors. When 21st Century Wrestling was founded in 2000, their presence was barely felt outside of the UK but in early 2001 things changed when ALPHA opened shop in the Scandinavian peninsula. Promoting loud and beefy giants, ALPHA put together an interesting roster than included, among others, NGW alumna Corrine White and Petter Eriksson, who began to appear for both companies. ALPHA was one of two promotions to go live that year and not make it far, as they went bankrupt in November of the following year. The other one was Pro Wrestling SAISHO in Japan, essentially offering graduates of the PGHW dojo a stage after the promotion’s dismantling until it too went bankrupt in 2003. Referee Eugene Williams gave women’s wrestling another go after Los Angeles Wrestling was shot down by its own media owners when he launched the all-female World Wrestling Association in September of 2001. To this day, WWA are still producing shows as does another company that began its journey in 2001, Giant Redwood’s United States Pro Wrestling. Counter-culture promotion Parental Advisory Wrestling was still around, established in 2000 but wouldn’t go bankrupt until 2002. Before that, women’s wrestling took a heavy blow when CWFF went out of business NGW had made it to the next level of a Small sized company, well past being simply just a Local promotion. With profits coming on a regular basis and even growing with each month, the people in charge went out on a spree to sign up several new workers. Silver: “I signed Karen Bilous and Ai Okasawa, the latter of which had trained in the 5SSW dojo but had no place in Japan to ply her trade so she came to Europe. Ai was good, but too small for ALPHA. UCR gave her a chance, but she got lost in the shuffle. By the time I signed her, fans in Europe knew her well enough and she had a chance to shine in our ring. I also got Dark Falcon and Super Falcon, hoping for a feud between them since they’re friends and fellow high flyers tailor made to fight each other. It’s a good idea on paper, but they were so awkward in the ring I had to cut them loose after their first match; it just wasn’t going to happen.” After the first year as a Small-sized promotion, NGW dared to dream big. Rivals 21CW and ALPHA had gone bankrupt and High Impact Wrestling in the UK Midlands barely registered as competition. Things were hot in Japan though, with WLW going out of business and Burning Hammer launching their own joshi promotion that signed Ai Okasawa and Karen Bilous away from NGW. Still, the promotion went for bigger and better, adding three huge names to its roster. Tommy Cornell, Wrestler, NGW Hall of Famer Silver: "Tommy [Cornell] was working for SWF when he picked up a Femoral Stress Fracture in late ‘99 and in typical Eisen fashion, they fired him while he was sidelined. We were just lucky to find him available, about to return to action and sign him before anyone else did. Remember, he was nothing more than a bright prospect at the time, one going through a very rough patch indeed. Injured and out of a job, he also went through a divorce with pregnant-still Jennifer Moran, who gave birth to their son a few months later. It was the talk of the wrestling community for a while and while all the buzz and mystery surrounded him, Tommy resurfaced at NGW's November 2003 show and beat Nelson Frye on his first night to become NGW Champion. He would go on an undefeated streak while regularly touring Japan with Hinote Dojo and BHotWG, before the Eisens called to apologize and offer him a contract in 2005." Steroid issues would once again plague the wrestling world when luchador Mexican Beast was caught in possession late in 2003. This wasn’t the only sad news for the community that year though. Sam Strong, Sebastian Krause and the Idaho Punisher were among the big names who announced their retirement after sustaining serious injuries. NGW had survived and thrived while other promotions left and right rose to usually fall within a few years. The roster had expanded to include a budding tag team division, complete with tag team titles for the top duo. Harrison and Silver proved they had an eye for talent, signing several names who would be future superstars. They were about to grow into a Regional promotion and make the step to gradually expand beyond the South East of Europe as the industry experienced a boom and the 2004 Summer Olympics were to be hosted in Greece. Join us next episode to learn more!

First of all, a big thank you to all readers and commenters. Steve Flash is still with NOTBPW but they're not pushing him as anything. Guess they're keeping him around as a locker room leader and all around good personality. Nemesis switched to being a manager for both NOTBPW and DAVE; the former cut him loose in 2005 while the latter still do employ him (which means DAVE is alive and well in 2013!) Short answer: yes. Don't wanna give away too much yet, once I'm caught up and done with the documentary, I think I'll take a look at the rest of the world and provide an overview of what it looks like beyond NGW, then do an extensive presentation of NGW's roster, title history, Hall of Fame etc so I'm saving the exact info on Beauchamp and the others for that. I'm working on the second episode and it's hard to keep track of everything (and present it all) while keeping up the documentary narrative instead of just going "this is what happened in 2001, this is what happened in 2002.." etc" but I do enjoy the format. Make sure you pay attention to everything, there's snippets of game world evolution all around.

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="ElSheriffo" data-cite="ElSheriffo" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Always love reading long term saves just to see where they go, especially alternative future, as I like seeing surprise success stories. Sucks about Steve Flash though, especially as he was an MVP for me in my foray into a RtG CV97 game <img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />. I'm no expert either but at least if its lumbar he should still be able to use his arms, if that helps <img alt=":confused:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/confused.png.d4a8e6b6eab0c67698b911fb041c0ed1.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> I was going to mention colours on the Physical tab paper doll, but decided to check the Editor instead so I could deliver the exact numbers for you. Here's what Steve Flash looks like after the injury</p><p> </p><p> Head Condition: 79,7%</p><p> Body Condition: 77,7%</p><p> Arms Condition: 80,9%</p><p> Legs Condition: 0,0%</p><p> </p><p> So I kiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinda assume he can't walk?</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> <strong>Edit:</strong> I re-checked my narrative above and it's actually Nemesis who was sidelined by wrestling against Dan Stone Jr. Steve Flash wrestled DSJR as his next-to-last match (coincidence?) and picked up his career terminating injury in a match for Rapid Pro Wrestling where he teamed with Silver Shark to take on Brent Hill and Alex Braun.</p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="smw88" data-cite="smw88" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>looks really interesting, how do you have the time to run so many diaries! I am lucky if between work and family I get a few hours a week to do anything gaming wise (of which TEW is I'm afraid to say only 1 thread drawing on my time)</div></blockquote><p> I admit I had quite the slow desk job when I first ran this save <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> TEW is one of the few games I can bear to play these days though, my system is pretty old and I just lack the free time and focus in chunks big enough to justify bothering with another game, so it's usually snippets of TEW in my frequent moments of free time. The creative part is a different process, I get to think of stuff when I'm bored or before I fall asleep. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Historian" data-cite="Historian" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>FLASH RETIRED IN 1998!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! THE GAWD STEVE FLASH!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!<img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />:eek:<img alt=":eek:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/eek.png.0e09df00fa222c85760b9bc1700b5405.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt=":mad:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/mad.png.69834f23b9a8bf290d98375f56f1c794.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />:mad:<img alt=":mad:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/mad.png.69834f23b9a8bf290d98375f56f1c794.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />:(<img alt=":(" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/frown.png.e6b571745a30fe6a6f2e918994141a47.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />:(</div></blockquote><p> He totally ruptured his upper lumbar spinal cord, while wrestling Dan Stone Jr of all people! Silver lining, Steve just took a bump the wrong way and Dan didn't have to live out the rest of his days as the man who botched to cripple Steve Flash. I'm no medical professional and I'm too scared to google what an injury like that could even be like, but I just can't shake the mental image of a wheelchair-bound Steve Flash ever since.</p>

You had me at White Canvas Grappling. Good luck with this project!

<p>Sixteen years into the CVerse97 already, I can be pretty certain this one isn't gonna fizzle out 'cause I got one hell of a story to tell, so here's the gist of it.</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41210" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><span style="font-family:'Courier New';">From a small time company run by two friends who wanted a stage to showcase their skills back in 1997 to a cult-like phenomenon that dominates the pro wrestling landscape in Europe sixteen years later, NextGen Wrestling's always had some of the finest wrestling on display in the continent. What many may not know however is it also has a fascinating story behind its rise. A story we are here to tell.</span><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="New_Generation_Wrestling_UK_Logo.png" data-src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/70/New_Generation_Wrestling_UK_Logo.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <strong><span style="font-size:24px;"><span style="font-family:'Lucida Console';">Next Gen Wrestling</span></span></strong></p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><a href="http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=241" rel="external nofollow"><span style="font-size:14px;">Link</span></a></div><p></p><p></p>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Historian" data-cite="Historian" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46150" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You got Bad, Bad Lenny Brown now!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!?!?!</div></blockquote><p> I'm bad, but not (yet) nationwide <img alt=":cool:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/cool.png.f00d2562b2c1d873a09323753efdb041.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> "Devious" Dee Daniels has been around for a while, essentially replacing Talia Quinzel and Deborah Young as a client of Sawyer Sports Services (besides Claire Winters, obviously) after they left to wrestle for AAA. Daniels' actual name is Di Turncotte, she's a Cherry Bomb regen and a Supreme Wrestling University graduate I snatched up and re-packaged for Piledriver Wrestling. She's been working dark matches for a while before that, but was rushed to the main show after I was short on female heels and couldn't get any decent ones in the market.</p>

<p>Chapter 1: Humble beginnings for future superstars</p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><span style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"><strong>Chapter 1: Humble beginnings for future superstars</strong></span></span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="VqnREXC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VqnREXC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>John Silver, NGW co-founder</em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p><em> "I was in the UK to train and just happened to visit Brighton on a weekend off. Leon was working a local show and then would hit the pubs to party. The exact details of how we met are a bit fuzzy thanks to the booze, but we both shared a passion for pro wrestling. He would never fit in the rough, macho world of MoSC and I knew if I joined EWCW I'd get lost in the shuffle. So, I pitched the idea of starting our own promotion to him."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="iyN2viL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iyN2viL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Leon Harrison, NGW co-founder</em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p><em> "EWCW was based in Austria and MoSC was north-west of that, so John figured the south east was a virgin market. We started off in Greece with $1.000 in the bank. I had to spend some more to make the move there, so we agreed to make me head of the company as kind of a moral compensation. John was Greek anyway, so he took up creative in order for me to focus on the business part."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">NGW held its first ever show on the last Friday of January 1997 in front of an audience of 8 paying spectators, most of them friends and relatives of Harrison and Silver. With them were wrestlers Tony Mahr and Stevie Stoat, while the matches were refereed by Jacob Bailey.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ozq7xAM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ozq7xAM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="LdHFz7R.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LdHFz7R.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="a7nMpjP.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/a7nMpjP.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Left to right: Tony Mahr, Stevie Stoat, Jacob Bailey</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="VqnREXC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VqnREXC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>"Mahr beat Leon and Stevie beat me, end of show. We knew we'd be losing money for the first God knows how many shows, so we kept everything as bare bones as possible. We did six shows in our first year, held one every other month so we could cut our losses and sell some merch in the meantime. Only had a single title at first, one we simply called the NextGen Championship. Stevie [stoat] was our first champion, won it in our second show by defeating Tony Mahr."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="iyN2viL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iyN2viL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>"It was a mess, from day one. First, our ref got caught for reckless driving, resisted arrest and got 3 years of jail time for it, so we brought in a replacement in Neil Fearn. Then Stevie Stoat was involved in a few injuries while wrestling myself and Tony Mahr, so he got real hard to work with. Remember, this was during the time that Steve Flash ended his career due to a spinal injury, so things were tense. And so, he lost the title to Tony [Mahr] and left, meaning we had to bring in some fresh faces."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">These "fresh faces" would be 'Irish Fire' Phil Templeton, the athletic super junior Hugo Lopez from Portugal as well as a young Tom 'Angry' Gilmore. Also debuting on the promotion's first year were Viv "The Violence" Jacobs and Corrine White, a no-nonsense duo of brawlers under the outspoken title of "Lesbians With Attitude"</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="tZRr8Yg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tZRr8Yg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="r957Nho.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/r957Nho.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="VdWqW85.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VdWqW85.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="KgdqMk2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KgdqMk2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="raT1cfr.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/raT1cfr.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Left to right: Phil Templeton, Hugo Lopez, Tom "Angry" Gilmore, Viv Jacobs, Corrine White</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="VqnREXC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VqnREXC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>"We were still finding our place as far as the product is concerned, but our general mission statement was to hire young talent, so we had a more traditional/mainstream package than MoSC but also more modern and cutting edge than EWCW. That's how the name came up as well. Our pool of available talent was extremely limited, so we decided to take in female workers as well and promote inter-gender matches, which at the time I think no one else did. This side of the Atlantic, there wasn't even a thing such as a Women's Division or an all-female promotion. It gave women a chance to get in the ring, it made us a hit with young fans looking for something fresh and it also allowed us to have variety in our matchups with as limited a roster as possible."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="iyN2viL.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iyN2viL.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <em>"Surviving on such limited finances was a constant struggle and it didn't help that all you'd hear at the time was promotions going out of business but no new ones opening their gates. I mean, everyone expected BBW in Japan and AMW in the States to go bust sooner or later, but when BHotWG bought out 5SSW, I remember thinking to myself if we ever get too deep in debt, that might happen to us as well."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Things would only get harder for the upstart promotion after its first year. Financial turbulence led to shows being held whenever the funding for them could be scraped together, which was every other month. More new faces came in, but things were less than ideal in the NGW locker room.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="8OX0co0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8OX0co0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Pn03OJb.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Pn03OJb.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Ivsuqgm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Ivsuqgm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Voice of John Silver:</span> <em>"Viv and Corrine where raising all kinds of hell backstage and then Phil Templeton showed up completely hungover for our first show of the year and despite the fine, things didn't get better for him. I gave him a year to get his habit in check and when he didn't, it cost him his job. Meanwhile, I brought in a young Joey Beauchamp from Oxford and Newcastle native K'Lee Hawkins. Imagine my frustration when K'Lee also turned up drunk for his first day on the job! I fired him on the spot and soon replaced him with "the Welsh Warrior" Red Dragon."</em></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">While the fledgling promotion was struggling to stay afloat amongst financial issues and backstage incidents, the bigger pro wrestling landscape was shifting drastically. Female wrestling legend Chiba Chiba returned to action, following the surpise return of "Pistol" Pete Hall the year prior and his spectacular year in Japan with BHotWG.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="latest?cb=20180725035722" data-src="https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/tew/images/0/0a/Steve_Flash.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20180725035722" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="R3zb5jj.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/R3zb5jj.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Steve Flash left the hospital to officially announce his retirement from the ring and later that year John "Nemesis" Campbell would follow after he ruptured his patellar tendon wrestling against Dan Stone Jr at NOTBPW October Obliteration. Several other big names also hung up their boots during 1998, thankfully not due to injury, such as Brute Alexei, Saionji Omura and "the Yokohama Fireball" Yasunari Koga.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="inHRlJp.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/inHRlJp.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="OUphkmR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/OUphkmR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Canada's 4C would grow to classify as a "Small" sized promotion that year, only for expenses and competition to lead it to bankruptcy the year after. Piledriver Wrestling would also close within 1998 while EWCW in Europe finally collapse to be replaced soon after by Luis Figo Manico's UCR.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="i68800U.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/i68800U.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="dQ5xJel.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dQ5xJel.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> That would be just one of six promotions to enter the business that year; Pylea, also known as El Pavo Real, pulled the trigger first to jumpstart Mexican Hardcore Wrestling, an innovative lucha libre promotion that would fold the year after. Australia's Athletic Empire fared somewhat better, making it to November of 2001 before declaring bankruptcy. Not everything was so short-lived though. Three major promotions still active to this day got the start in 1998. Southern Class Championship Wrestling was the first, followed by South of the Border Pro Wrestling in Mexico and Ring of Fire in the UK.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="sgmJBr5.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sgmJBr5.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="tSXNMot.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/tSXNMot.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="xAP54XD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/xAP54XD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Voice of John Silver:</span> <em>"As excited as I was to be running NGW at the time, I was also disappointed that we lacked the finances to really pull off what I had in mind. Those first few years were the grind, everything felt generic and repetitive, we were trying to survive and establish ourselves while the industry was going crazy. Best thing we could do was sign young prospects and get the best of them before the bigger promotions caught wind of them. Gilmore was the first such example. He did several tours of Japan, then got some bookings with CZCW and DAVE, by the time his contract came up for renewal he was too big for us. I was on the hunt again and that year we signed a few more big names that are still with us to this day: Petter Eriksson, Nelson Frye and Geena the Warrior Princess."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="AhotWa7.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/AhotWa7.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="qwZB6cD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qwZB6cD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="KRd8pBF.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KRd8pBF.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Nelson Frye, Wrestler, Independent Wrestler of the Year 2011</em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p><em> "I met [John] Silver in London, he walked up to me after a show I did in early 1999, introduced himself as a fellow wrestler and offered to buy me a beer if I'd give him some time to tell me about his company. I didn't have a steady deal with any promotion at the time and free beer sounded good, but he offered me a job and I liked the way he described NGW. The setup made sense and he had a real passion in his voice when talking about the promotion."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="ozq7xAM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ozq7xAM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">NextGen Wrestling was on the rise, but one of its original roster members was headed in the opposite direction. Former champion Tony Mahr ended his engagement in March of 1999. The emotional toll began to affect his performances and in January 2000, he was fired on the spot after he was caught drinking strong liquor backstage before an NGW show. Six months later, Mahr would be caught in possession of illegal steroids on his way to an independent wrestling show. Mr. Mahr refused to be interviewed for this documentary or make a statement regarding his time with the company or the incidents following his release.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="NMqO9RO.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NMqO9RO.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="pm9wFaC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pm9wFaC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> What made Tony Mahr's steroid arrest even worse for his chances of future employment was the so-called "Holly-weird Substances Scandal" that had seen the light of day in the Easter of 1999. Following the reports of whistleblower Jive Soul Bro about rampant substance abuse in the locker room of Hollyweird Grappling Company, pro wrestling as a whole had been in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. As for the manager himself, Jive Soul Bro was reportedly blackballed from all the major promotions since, save for his former Eisen employers who were all to happy about offering a job to the man who had dealt a significant blow to the reputation of their biggest competitors.</span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family:'Courier New';"> Voice of Leon Harrison:</span> <em>"I'd won the title from Tony [Mahr] just as he started looking a little off and went on to feud with Joey [beauchamp] throughout 2000. He beat me for it, then I won it back, then he won the title again and kept it until the middle of 2001 before losing it to Nelson [Frye]. I think that would be best described as a restructuring period, or maybe a transitional one. Neil [Fearn] was replaced as our referee once Jacob Bailey got out of jail and assumed his duties again, we'd never terminated his contract all these years. Hugo [Lopez] also was released, his ego couldn't take the role he was expected to play in the company and we finally gave up on Corrine White. Viv [Jacobs] stuck around though, she had gotten her act straight backstage and was getting better all around too. To replenish the roster, we brought in Keith Adams and Golden Scorpion."</em></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="iaAyx6u.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/iaAyx6u.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Golden Scorpion, Wrestler, NGW Hall of Famer</em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p><em> "I was looking to sign with BHotWG and be a part of their spectacular junior division, but once the [Haruki] Hooded Kudo prositute scandal broke out in early 1999 and then Elemental retired, they were in damage control mode. World Level Wrestling wasn't around yet, Youth Energy Pro Wrestling would open around the end of that year, Mexico was full of masked high flyers, so I figured my odds of being different and successful meant I had to make the move to Europe and join NGW."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="O9boXCy.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/O9boXCy.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ZES4WG1.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZES4WG1.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Australia's YEPW wasn't the only promotion to enter the business in 1999. Eugene Williams also launched his short-lived Los Angeles Wrestling company and Eddie Chandler made the move to promoter of women's wrestling when he brought Canadian Women's Wrestling Federation to the world.</span></p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46461" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="qwZB6cD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qwZB6cD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>Geena the Warrior Princess, Wrestler, CWWF alumna</em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p><em> "Eddie [Chandler] had been inspired by the success of AAA in the States and what NOTBPW were doing with their Women's division. I was one of the first people he called and I took the gig since the dates wouldn't clash. Sure, the long flights were an issue but I was working for a bigger company and had the chance to visit home every once in a while so it was worth it while it lasted."</em></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">The turn of the century didn't just witness the birth of promotions but also the death of them. Aside from the aforementioned 4C and MHW, Australia's Adelaide Pro Wrestling also shut its gates, as did New York Championship Wrestling with a shocking announcement to fans of oldschool traditional grappling around the world.</span></p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="m81sW3t.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/m81sW3t.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> <em>1988 - 1999</em></p></div><p></p><p></p><p> </p><p> <span style="font-family:'Courier New';">Coming up next: NGW in the 21st century; the promotion's growth and competition, the first ever Ladder match, how the tag team division began and some insight on that time when an unknown promotion in Europe managed to sign "Rough Justice" Tommy Cornell to wrestle for them. All that and much more in our next episode, Road to Regional!</span></p>

From a small time company run by two friends who wanted a stage to showcase their skills back in 1997 to a cult-like phenomenon that dominates the pro wrestling landscape in Europe sixteen years later, NextGen Wrestling's always had some of the finest wrestling on display in the continent. What many may not know however is it also has a fascinating story behind its rise. A story we are here to tell. Next Gen Wrestling

<p>Thanksbeating 2018 card</p><p> </p><p> Silly me, forgot to put up the show card for Thanksbeating 2018 up before the weekend. Guess the show itself will have to wait a bit so people can get their predictions in, I'm interested to see where everyone's head is at.</p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="46150" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Piledriver Wrestling Presents</strong></p><p><strong> </strong><strong><span style="font-size:14px;">Thanksbeating 2018</span></strong></p><p><strong> Saturday, Week 4 November, 2018</strong></p><p><strong> Live from the Delaware Auditorium, DE</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> Main Event</strong></p><p><strong> #1 contender for the Piledriver Championship title</strong></p><p> "The Athlete" Xavi Ferrera vs Lenny Brown</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Co-Main Event</strong></p><p><strong> Piledriver United States title match</strong></p><p> "Glorious" Logan Diaz © vs Buck Winchester</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Women's match</strong></p><p> "Devious" Dee Daniels vs Tracy Brendon</p><p> </p><p> <strong>Tag Team match</strong></p><p> The Heartbreak Express vs "Killer" Carl Bernard & El Sultan</p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote>

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Historian" data-cite="Historian" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="45989" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="hF8COmK.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hF8COmK.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> Available on the Synergy Network & Southern States TV</p><p> Week 3, November 2021.</p><p> Filmed at: Sunrise Sunset [Hawaii, USA]</p><p> In Attendance: 2,000 [sELL OUT]</p><p> Rating: 2.59 [1,948,370 viewers]</p><p> Commentators: Michaels Riggs, Ricky Dale Johnson, Duke Hazard</p><p> </p><p> <img alt="sJZ2XvW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/sJZ2XvW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="5A4kM46.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/5A4kM46.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="apAduk2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/apAduk2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> MR: </p><p> </p><p> RDJ: </p><p> </p><p> DH: </p></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p> That's some real insight there from the commentary team... <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />:rolleyes:</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> Main Event</p><p> Grudge Match</p><p> “Mr. Colorado” Ross Henry versus <strong>“The Blueblood” Paul Huntingdon</strong></p><p> <em>Too soon for Ross to end the feud here. Huntingdon picks up a shady win or loses via DQ after Killer Shark attacks</em></p><p> </p><p> North American Tag Team Championship</p><p> The Fat Cats versus <strong>Clyde Puder & Jakob Yoder ©</strong></p><p> <em>Fresh champs retain</em></p><p> </p><p> United States Championship Match</p><p> Cameron Vessey w/ Lisa Bowen versus “The Canadian Wrestling Machine” David Stone ©</p><p> <em>Unless there's a special stipulation like an Ironman or I quit match, by this point I just can't see this ending as anything but another draw</em></p><p> </p><p> The Keith Brothers versus <strong>The Fallen w/ Father Grim</strong></p><p> <em>Evil Dead and/or Father Grim will get in the mix</em></p><p> </p><p> North American Women’s Championship</p><p> Alicia Strong versus <strong>Jaime Quine ©</strong></p><p> <em>Never really could get behind Alicia Strong. Fight me.</em></p><p> </p><p> 30 Man Over-the-Top-Rope Battle Royale</p><p> Winner Receives a North American Heavyweight championship Shot at Christmas Chaos</p><p> Featuring: Des Davids, Mighty Cavanagh, Brandon Smith, <strong>Evil Dead</strong>, Matty Faith, Ranger, and twenty four more of the finest CWL wrestlers!</p><p> <em>Davids and Cavanagh got their hands full, as do the Mission. Evil Dead is a big monster heel type that should do good in such a match, plus he could go on to have an extended big man feud with Diaz thanks to the Fallen around him to help stretch things without milking that cow dry.</em></p>