TCW: A Quiet Retirement

[foolinc]

Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

 

Andrews & Minnesota vs. The Machines

 

Art Reed & Koshiro Ino w/ Blonde Bombshell & Baroness Emily vs. Sammy Bach & Frankie Perez

 

Harry Allen vs. Scout

 

Rick Law vs. Tommy Cornell

 

Chris Rockwell & Wolf Hawkins vs. Sam Keith & Troy Tornado

[Regis]

Prediction Key:

Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

No, seriously.

 

Andrews & Minnesota vs. The Machines

The Machines are in the Syndicate, and A&M have annoyed the School of Tradition.

 

Art Reed & Koshiro Ino w/ Blonde Bombshell & Baroness Emily vs. Sammy Bach & Frankie Perez

Reed picks up the win, cementing his contendership and keeping the champ strong as well.

 

Harry Allen vs. Scout

The Guns don't have the experience, and need more of a boost to take down the champs.

 

Rick Law vs. Tommy Cornell

It's not Badge Of Honour, and we don't want Rick getting an ego.

 

Chris Rockwell & Wolf Hawkins vs. Sam Keith & Troy Tornado

Always bet on the champion, especially as Rockwell and Hawkins cannot co-exist.

[Marcel Fromage]

Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

Draw - I'd enjoy watching this one

 

Andrews & Minnesota vs. The Machines

Although they won't look like winning until School of Tradition interfere and hand them the match

 

Art Reed & Koshiro Ino w/ Blonde Bombshell & Baroness Emily vs. Sammy Bach & Frankie Perez

Ino gets what he's looking for

 

Harry Allen vs. Scout

A bit of a boost for the Young Guns

 

Rick Law vs. Tommy Cornell

Rick heads back to his own show with his tail between his legs

 

Chris Rockwell & Wolf Hawkins vs. Sam Keith & Troy Tornado

This one could get interesting...

[Guest cmdrsam]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/bookbanner.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/book_open-2.jpg

Sunday July 21st 2008

Professional wrestling is a business, and people always forget that. Usually we want the audience to forget – for all the soap opera elements that creep in, pro wrestling is at its best when you can let yourself forget for a little while that you're watching something pre-ordained and think of it as a sporting event. With the rise of GAMMA and its fellow 'legitimate' fighting companies, plus the increasingly vicious interviews boxers give to hype their matches, the line has actually stayed pretty close.

 

Our goal is to make you interested enough to buy tickets. To buy Pay-Per-Views. In the last fifteen to twenty years, our goal has expanded – now we want you to develop an attachment to as many of our stars as possible, above and beyond the attachment needed to keep you interested in attending and watching our shows. Why? Because in the last fifteen to twenty years, it stopped being the case that individual wrestlers sold their own gimmicks and merchandise and took all the profits. Now they're marketed through the company, and the worker makes less money per item but can market vastly more items with far less effort. TCW's merchandise department makes, I'm told, around $700,000 profit per month – that's after manufacturing costs, storage, postage & packing on internet orders, running the department and, of course, the cut each wrestler takes (which is another $350,000 or so).

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/Merchandise/bloodstoneshirt1.jpg

Moneymaker: Our best seller in Canada, circa mid-2008

 

But our goal is to make you, the fan, or for that matter the guy who slumps into the chair after work and happens to catch an episode of Total Wrestling and the dad sitting in the room whose son, hooked on wrestling, insists on watching every show on TV that week, want to pay to attend a show or catch the Pay-Per-Views. Title matches are, so long as they look competitive, an easy sell.

 

Grudge matches are a fairly easy sell, so long as the grudge is believable and the fans can relate.

 

Once in a while, though, you get a chance for a dream match. And they're the easiest sell of all. There can be very few Canadian fans who don't want to see Dan Stone Jr face off with Steve DeColt. The biggest stars of their respective companies, sons of two legendary wrestling families, whose fathers' interaction is still talked about by those fans' parents and grandparents today. Burning Hammer of the Wrestling Gods spent a year developing Optimus into the 'new Elemental' before they faced off. That was something of a dream for their fans.

 

And when they came back to it, seven months later, the match was a true dream match, because Optimus had been made by the first one.

 

(Actually, Burning Hammer is excellent at this. Look at Sam Strong's last-but-one match for them, against Tadayuki Kikkawa, just entering the real Japanese big time and claiming his first title shot against the undefeated Strong.)

 

We've been sitting on a dream match since before I arrived. Sam Keith and Tommy Cornell – the biggest star, arguably, of the SWF in the past decade against the biggest star, unquestionably, of TCW. It writes itself. And people have been speculating about it since Sam arrived.

 

We've teased it now for nearly three months, starting in only minor ways. And before confirming – with Cornell turning, brutally, on Sam last week – that it's definitely coming – we locked Sam in against someone else.

 

We have another month to ramp up to their first meeting. Handled just right, this could be the biggest seller of the year.

 

But that brings me to the other half of the equation.

 

We don't want you to just buy one Pay-Per-View. We don't want you to buy tickets to just one TV taping or one house show. We've got to keep making money, after all. We want you to watch Tornado/Rockwell/Hawkins at Summer Showdown and say I gotta see more of these guys. We want you to watch Cornell/Keith and come away wanting more.

 

We need wrestlers who, once we've persuaded you to take a chance on us, will hook you.

 

I believe we have them, but we can always use more. Sam Keith nor RDJ will wrestle forever, after all.

 

 

 

This is the reason why I like your work sir. Very good stuff.

[Bigpapa42]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Phantom Stranger" data-cite="Phantom Stranger" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="23671" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Ditto on both counts. I can just about manage it on games with storylines (if I want to replay, say, Vice City to check whether I missed any injokes in San Andreas) but sandbox games, I just want the better sandbox.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Agree again. I've gone back and played storyline-based games like the GTA series, especially ones where you can change up how you approach things to some degree (Fable, etc). The only time it really seems to work with sandbox games is when I go far back enough in the series that its pretty much a different game - like being able to play EWR at this point (which might be partly because I didn't play back in the day).</p><p> </p><p><strong> Johnny Bloodstone</strong> w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins</p><p> </p><p> Andrews & Minnesota vs. <strong>The Machines</strong></p><p> </p><p> Art Reed & Koshiro Ino w/ Blonde Bombshell & Baroness Emily vs. <strong>Sammy Bach & Frankie Perez</strong></p><p> </p><p> Harry Allen vs. <strong>Scout</strong></p><p> </p><p> Rick Law vs. <strong>Tommy Cornell</strong></p><p> </p><p> Chris Rockwell & Wolf Hawkins vs. <strong>Sam Keith & Troy Tornado </strong></p>

[Phantom Stranger]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="cmdrsam" data-cite="cmdrsam" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="23671" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This is the reason why I like your work sir. Very good stuff.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Sincerely thanks.</p><p> </p><p> And to cross the streams and go real for a moment, some news that tickles me:</p><p> </p><p> <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8339957.stm" rel="external nofollow">http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/8339957.stm</a></p><p> </p><p> EDIT: Card for the final Total Wrestling before Summer Showdown posted on previous page.</p>

[Hyde Hill]

<p><strong>Johnny Bloodstone </strong>w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins</p><p> </p><p>

Andrews & Minnesota vs. <strong>The Machines</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Art Reed & Koshiro Ino</strong> w/ Blonde Bombshell & Baroness Emily vs. Sammy Bach & Frankie Perez</p><p> </p><p>

Harry Allen vs. <strong>Scout</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Rick Law vs. <strong>Tommy Cornell</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Chris Rockwell & Wolf Hawkins vs.<strong> Sam Keith & Troy Tornado</strong></p>

[Tigerkinney]

<p><strong>Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell</strong> vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Bloodstone's more established than Deeley, then again you might want Deeley to have a strong debut, but I see it being more of a strong in the loss debut.</em> </p><p> </p><p>

Andrews & Minnesota vs. <strong>The Machines</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<em>The Machines have suffered a few upset losses of late and have been out of sorts, then again Andrews & Minnesota will always have to be looking over their shoulder with the School of Tradition ready to pounce. I'd go for The Machines to end the rot, thanks to some School based inteference.</em> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Art Reed & Koshiro Ino</strong> w/ Blonde Bombshell & Baroness Emily vs. Sammy Bach & Frankie Perez</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Could go either way, this is a real coinflip of the match, I'll stump for the faces in this one.</em> </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Harry Allen</strong> vs. Scout</p><p> </p><p>

<em>Flash pin win, Scout looks relatively strong in defeat but the win boosts the Guns confidence heading into their title shot with the New Wave.</em> </p><p> </p><p>

Rick Law vs. <strong>Tommy Cornell</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<em>This isn't badge of honour and Cornell's the opponent.</em> </p><p> </p><p>

Chris Rockwell & Wolf Hawkins vs. Sam Keith & Troy Tornado</p><p> </p><p>

<em>This has schmozz draw interference laden slobberknocker written all over it...that or I just can't decide who I think will win. </em></p>

[Phantom Stranger]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TCW.jpg</span><p>

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4GAXzWf5ag" rel="external nofollow"><span>http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Bigpapa42_2006/Wrestling/Main/Other/Playegg_28207.jpg</span></a></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>TCW Presents Total Wrestling</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Tuesday Week 4 April 2008</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Live on GNN Total Sports (Rating 3.44)</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Held at the Evanovich Riverside (Tri-State)</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Attendance: 10,000</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Announcers:</strong></p><p><strong>

</strong><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JasonAzaria_alt1.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/HoratioDangerous_FIN6a.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ShawnDoakes.jpg</span></p><p><strong>

Jason Azaria – Horatio Dangerous – Shawn Doakes</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/WolfHawkins_alt3.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

As the show begins, Wolf Hawkins stands alone in the centre of the ring. He lifts a microphone to his mouth.</p><p> </p><p>

“I hear the comparisons,” he says. “Everywhere I go. There goes Wolf Hawkins. Tommy Cornell's lapdog. He's going to try and copy Tommy's career.</p><p> </p><p>

“You know what? That's just not how it is. </p><p> </p><p>

“Tommy Cornell was discovered by a sharp-eyed talent scout. I was discovered by Tommy Cornell. So far, yeah, so similar.</p><p> </p><p>

“Tommy's first title was the World Heavyweight Championship. He's never held any other belt. </p><p> </p><p>

“Until the Hard-Hitting Championship was introduced, though, I'd held every other singles belt in TCW. Probably would have held the tag belts at some point too, if Stevie Grayson could wrestle worth a damn.</p><p> </p><p>

“So there's one difference. </p><p> </p><p>

“Tommy got betrayed by the owner of the company he worked for. Fighting hard and working for it with everything he had left him in the lurch.</p><p> </p><p>

“Tommy Cornell is not going to do that to me. So there's another.</p><p> </p><p>

“I'll admit I could do with a couple things in common, though. Here's one of them, that just recently happened:</p><p> </p><p>

“Tommy Cornell earned his first World Heavyweight Championship shot around my age. And I've just earned mine.</p><p> </p><p>

“Now Troy, I've beaten more than he's beaten me. I know I can beat him, and if I didn't two weeks ago, it's time to get the ball rolling again on Sunday.</p><p> </p><p>

“Chris Rockwell, I've only wrestled once. Neither of us beat the other.</p><p> </p><p>

“So it's time to make another similarity. Twelve years ago, Tommy Cornell wrestled a big match. He came out the loser, but when the dust cleared, here and now, Tommy Cornell is the biggest name in professional wrestling. And his opponent...” He pauses, smiling, just long enough for the crowd to realise he's talking about Nemesis, “His opponent... is gone from this business.</p><p> </p><p>

“I intend to win my first World Heavyweight Championship on Sunday. But say, just for a moment, I don't... If that happens, and maybe even if it doesn't, then by the time I am the biggest name in professional wrestling, I will have ended the careers of Troy Tornado and Chris Rockwell.”</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg</span><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JohnnyBloodstone_alt2.jpg</span> w/ <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BlondeBombshell.jpg</span> vs. <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ShooterSeanDeeley.jpg</span> w/ <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/LauraCatherineHuggins.jpg</span></p><p>

Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

After this show aired, a lot of the dirtsheets carried comments from Archie Judge, TCW's premier road agent, to the effect that Bloodstone and Deeley had about as little chemistry together as it's possible to have.</p><p> </p><p>

This confused a lot of the people who'd watched the show. Maybe they do; regardless, they put together a hell of a match, triumphing over that adversity with sheer skill. True, a match fought almost entirely on the mat is not one to everybody's tastes; nonetheless, if you have any appreciation for the sweet science of the submission hold, you are going to enjoy this contest. </p><p> </p><p>

Bloodstone lets Deeley showcase his work, threading in just enough fightback to stay in control, and then abruptly changes up gear after Laura Huggins looks like she might interfere. The Bloodstone Mutilation follows swiftly afterward, and the youngster holds for a few moments but, ultimately, taps out.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Johnny Bloodstone defeated Sean Deeley</span></p><p>

Rating: <strong>B</strong></p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg</span><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/AaronAndrews.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JoeyMinnesota_alt.jpg</span> vs. <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BrentHill_alt2.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/HumanArsenal_alt4.jpg</span></p><p>

Andrews & Minnesota vs. The Machines</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Minnesota and Andrews are definitely settling into a good routine together, making their tags and double-teams count almost – almost – as much as the Machines do with theirs. It becomes a question, then, of individual talent, fire, and will to win, and the teams seem, on that score, evenly matched.</p><p> </p><p>

Brent Hill starts to receive a lot of focus from Andrews and Minnesota, but manages to take it to Joey just enough to turn the tide.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/EricTyler.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Joey tags. Andrews comes in – Eric Tyler, appearing from off camera, snags his ankle – Brent Hill gets a DDT, and the King of the Hill follows as Minnesota, on the outside, spinebusters Tyler.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">The Machines defeated Andrews & Minnesota</span></p><p>

Rating: <strong>C+</strong></p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg</span><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JohnnyBloodstone_alt2.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ArtReed.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BlondeBombshell.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Back from commercial, and Johnny Bloodstone and Art Reed sit in their dressing room. The Blonde Bombshell rests on Bloodstone's lap.</p><p> </p><p>

“...likes his kicks,” Bloodstone is saying. “But you can block those easy, and if you catch them, sweep the other leg and put the Dread Lock on. Frankie shouldn't be too tough. Sammy, now – Sammy's got a springboard bulldog that's tough to scout. He likes to-”</p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SamKeith.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

A knock at the door is immediately followed by Sam Keith's head emerging from behind it. “Hope I'm not interrupting anything,” he says. “Can we talk?”</p><p> </p><p>

The Bombshell moves immediately; Bloodstone straightens up a moment later. “We can... talk,” says Reed, holding out a warning hand to his friend. “What do you want, Sam?”</p><p> </p><p>

“I want to...” Sam sighs. “Look. I know you guys have no reason to be friendly. And I know, coming round like this, it looks like I'm looking for backup.</p><p> </p><p>

“And... I guess, in a way, I am. But I'm coming to you two because you know I can offer you something. I gave you the Dread Lock, Art. I taught both of you some of your moves way back when you were starting. You... You know what I can do for you.”</p><p> </p><p>

“What we don't know,” the Bombshell says softly, “is that you aren't Syndicate.” Reed's face wrinkles apologetically; Bloodstone nods. “Could be a setup,” he says. “Cornell said he'd fire you if you left.”</p><p> </p><p>

“He can't,” Sam, for the first time, musters a smile. “I'm a champion right now, and by Board edict champions cannot be fired.”</p><p> </p><p>

“It's true,” the Bombshell nods. Reed and Keith both look at her curiously; Bloodstone smirks. </p><p> </p><p>

“You think any girl I would get with wouldn't know wrestling inside and out?” he asks.</p><p> </p><p>

Sam nods. “Anyway... how about it?”</p><p> </p><p>

“We'll think about it,” Bombshell nods briskly. “Now, if you'll excuse us?”</p><p> </p><p>

There's no dissent from the men. Sam nods. “Good luck in your match, Art,” he says, then withdraws.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg</span><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ArtReed.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/KoshiroIno.jpg</span> w/ <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/QueenEmily_FS2.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BlondeBombshell.jpg</span></p><p>

Art Reed & Koshiro Ino w/ Blonde Bombshell & Baroness Emily</p><p>

vs.</p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/FrankiePerez.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SammyBach_alt1.jpg</span></p><p>

Frankie Perez & Sammy Bach</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Well, more errors in communication, this time with Reed and Ino working matches seeming to be aimed at different paces. Nonetheless, the contest is by no means bad – Perez and Ino return to their ferocious rivalry, Bach reminds everyone of just how entertaining he and Ino made their battles earlier in the year over the All Action Championship, and Reed's hunger for a belt or even a belt opportunity is made very clear indeed. </p><p> </p><p>

Bach makes himself known early on, tagging in against Perez' wishes, and making his mark against Art Reed – before Reed counters the Bach on your Back, almost locking in the Dread Lock before Frankie breaks it up – and then tosses Sammy from the ring to continue.</p><p> </p><p>

Ino comes in, misses the Kobra's Bite and eats the P-Clutch. Art Reed makes the save.</p><p> </p><p>

Sammy Bach superkicks Reed out of his shoes, blocks the Bite, and clamps down the Bach on your Back, finally getting the submission.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Frankie Perez & Sammy Bach defeated Art Reed & Koshiro Ino</span></p><p>

Rating: <strong>B-</strong></p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg</span><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/KoshiroIno.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/QueenEmily_FS2.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SammyBach_alt1.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Ino rolls to a seated position after Bach releases the hold and nods to Baroness Emily, who shakes her head. Ino frowns and nods again, and she reluctantly raises the microphone. “Sammy Bach,” she says. “In recognition of the fact you defeated him tonight... My client would like to offer you a match for the TCW International Championship at Summer Showdown.”</p><p> </p><p>

Sammy smiles, like a cat with the cream, and nods.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg</span><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/HarryAllen_Grunge3.jpg</span> vs. <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/Scout.jpg</span></p><p>

Harry Allen vs. Scout</p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JoelBryant.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Not the greatest of contests; Scout and Allen put together a by-the-numbers bout for roughly fifteen minutes, at the end of which Joel Bryant interrupts things with a bout of chairshotry for everybody.</p><p> </p><p>

That ends it, naturally enough, at a draw, Sam Sparrow calling a halt to proceedings. About the best thing about it was a headscissors spot Allen hit; three full revolutions and then down to the mat with a headlock applied.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Harry Allen drew with Scout</span></p><p>

Rating: <strong>C</strong></p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg</span><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/RickLaw.jpg</span> vs. <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TommyCornell_alt5.jpg</span></p><p>

Rick Law vs. Tommy Cornell</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

The outcome to this one is, honestly, pretty predictable seeming – and Law just won't accept that. He starts right from the bell with an unexpected big boot that actually connects with the former champion, then promptly leaps forward, dropping a leg, and hits the champ hard across the neck. </p><p> </p><p>

And that starts things out; Cornell rallies, then gets caught with a Squad Car Slam and a pin for two, followed by a slugfest that the big law enforcer wins.</p><p> </p><p>

Tommy changes tack and goes after Law's arm, seeking to cut off his signature Long Arm of the Law – the first real sign that Cornell is worried, as he goes from an offensive strategy to a defensive one. A 'Badge of Hon-or!' chant actually starts up, much to the surprise of the announce team.</p><p> </p><p>

Tommy begins to pull things back and the dynamic changes, Law now the underdog once again. He takes the fight back to Cornell, forcing him to the corner and attempting a southpaw ten-punch stood over him, but Cornell hooks a leg and forces his way out, swinging Rick almost 360 with a second-rope screw legwhip. The Rough Ride attempt is blocked and another big boot brings Cornell down; he backs off, protesting a cut over his eye, hands over his face, and as Sam Sparrow investigates, Acid dropkicks Law in the back of the head. An uncut Cornell straightens up, hits the Rough Ride, and immediately goes to the Guilt Trip, which Law fights for a little while before submitting.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Tommy Cornell defeated Rick Law</span></p><p>

Rating: <strong>B</strong></p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg</span><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TommyCornell_alt5.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Cornell grabs a microphone. “Midden!” he yells. “Midden, you little toerag, get your arse out here so we can have a word!”</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/MayhemMidden.jpg</span></div><p></p><p></p><p>

The Board's Representative duly obliges, clad as always in his leathers and bandanna. </p><p> </p><p>

“I want Keith,” Cornell growls. “I want him on Sunday. I want careers on the line. I want him gone!”</p><p> </p><p>

“He's already got a match,” Mayhem Midden replies placidly from the top of the entrance ramp. “Calm down, Tommy. You'll get your chance soon enough.”</p><p> </p><p>

“Damn right I will,” Cornell says. “Alright, fine. I want into the Hard-Hitting Championship match. I'll take his belt and I'll fire him.</p><p> </p><p>

“I thought you might say something like this,” Midden returns. “I've been meeting with the Board about this.</p><p> </p><p>

“So no, Tommy, you don't get to be in the title match. And for that matter, even if Sam Keith loses the Hard-Hitting Championship, you can't fire him. Not immediately.</p><p> </p><p>

“Because, you see, he's signed for a match beyond that point.” Midden grins. “At Hotter Than Hell it's going to be Sam Keith and Tommy Cornell, one on one. And you can't fire someone who the Board have booked to compete until after that competition.</p><p> </p><p>

“Now, I appreciate that you want to fight, Tommy. And I know how you crave your PPV bonus paychecks.</p><p> </p><p>

“So I've made arrangements for you to have a match.”</p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/EddiePeak.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

<em>Crashing Around You</em> by Machine Head starts to play, and Tommy Cornell pales as Eddie Peak steps out to stand beside Midden. In street clothes, arms casually folded across his chest, muscles hidden slightly by a baggy <em>ALPHA-1</em> wife-beater, he doesn't look nearly as threatening.</p><p> </p><p>

And then he smiles, and the grin... God. It's <em>all</em> in that grin, those eyes, those teeth. The Great White Shark smells distracted, frantic, angry blood.</p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg</span><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/LobsterWarrior_PS.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/WolfHawkins_alt3.jpg</span> vs. <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SamKeith.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TroyTornado_nacht6.jpg</span></p><p>

Chris Rockwell & Wolf Hawkins vs. Sam Keith & Troy Tornado</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Not a contest that reached the peak those involved would have hoped for, this match was nonetheless not bad by any standard. </p><p> </p><p>

Tornado clearly didn't trust Keith, but Rockwell and Hawkins' mistrust was mutual, and despite everyone involved doing absolutely everything they could, that was pretty much what you'd point at to explain the contest; Keith could rely totally on Troy to have his back and used that to keep the advantage. </p><p> </p><p>

Eventually, then, one of the Rockwell/Hawkins team was going to hit difficulties – and it turned out to be Chris Rockwell, tugged down into the Proton Lock. Tornado hit the ring to block a break-up, but Hawkins shrugged and stayed where he was, watching as Rockwell was forced to tap. </p><p> </p><p>

As Troy turned to congratulate Keith, Hawkins smashed into him with the Full Moon Rising.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Sam Keith & Troy Tornado defeated Chris Rockwell & Wolf Hawkins</span></p><p>

Rating: <strong>B</strong></p><p> </p><p>

</p><div style="text-align:center;"><p><strong>Show Rating: B</strong></p></div><p></p><p></p>

[Phantom Stranger]

<p>Only one winner this time, out of a diminished field of six.</p><p> </p><p>

Bigpapa42 walks way with the Eric Tyler shirt:</p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/Merchandise/tylershirt.jpg</span></p>

[Bigpapa42]

Woohoo! Victory is mine!

[Nedew]

I'm liking the balance Midden adds to the "Cornell owns everything" angle, and you killed two birds with one stone as you got to shoehorn both Tommy C and Eddie P (everyone's favourite rap duo, or something) onto the PPV with one fell swoop. Nicely done, good show.

[Phantom Stranger]

I'm liking the balance Midden adds to the "Cornell owns everything" angle, and you killed two birds with one stone as you got to shoehorn both Tommy C and Eddie P (everyone's favourite rap duo, or something) onto the PPV with one fell swoop. Nicely done, good show.

 

I cringe at the thought of them rapping, but thank ya kindly.

 

I'm developing a soft spot for Midden, and he's likely to start evolving as a character soon. He may headbutt more managers first, though.

[Phantom Stranger]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/bookbanner.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/book_open-2.jpg

Wednesday 24th July 2008

Well, I didn't get much sleep last night. Back at the hotel after the show Adam Golden asked to speak with me.

 

Adam – you'll know him as Rocky – wanted to talk to me about the amount I'm pushing 'newcomers'.

 

I was hoping to dodge this. Yes, I want Johnny Bloodstone and Chris Rockwell good and strong near the top of the tree where their skills deserve, but I don't want to hurt other folks, and I certainly don't want to give people the impression that I want to put the new guys over them exclusively. I saw firsthand what that does to morale during the dying days of the APWF.

 

So I tried talking to him about how I'd been phasing these guys in, but not phasing anyone out, and I got about three sentences into the stock spiel I've been giving him about the need to develop before he advances – and he cut me off.

 

“You realise that, right now, Troy Tornado is the only guy who was here a year ago who has a title?”*

 

That had me gulping air for a bit. The All-Action Division was held by someone who, under those terms, was an 'outsider' when I came in. But Wolf, the Machines, and of course Tommy – they all had plenty of time logged with the company.

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/EddStone_alt13.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/Guide.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/Scout.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/KoshiroIno.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SamKeith.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TroyTornado_nacht6.jpg

Parade Of Champions: Promotional shot of all TCW champions, July 2008

(Photo Courtesy Pro Wrestling Almanax)

 

And I thought about what I have planned, and who I figure to take each belt...

 

Well. A couple of them are going back to people who've been here a while. Others aren't, or aren't planned to – anything can happen; a sudden injury, a retirement, or just a run of fan support can change where a title goes. If Rocky gets the crowd behind him, he might have one of the mid-level straps in his future.

 

Or he might not; he really does need to improve before I'll get behind him. But...

 

Rocky isn't one of the guys the TCW locker room look up to, follow, confide in. He might just have his eye on the main chance.

 

Thing is, he might not.

 

And he'd do well in the SWF. Not great – he's no Remo, and they currently seem incapable of using Remo properly, even – but he can talk up a storm and he's got a way with him. Tommy wouldn't want him on their side. He's got a following, too, despite the number of beatings he's taken recently.

 

And if it's not just him... if this is how the crew are feeling... We might be due to lose good people.

 

Floyd Goldworthy just re-signed, but that's no indication. Floyd isn't in this for titles, likes playing the chicken**** scared of his own client, and seems more or less content to earn a decent wage and hang out with the various wrestlers he's managed over the years – Painful Procedure, the Buffalo, and others – who've got him this far. He's in TCW, as much as anything, because it's comfortable and familiar.

 

So if I've been brewing a backstage rebellion... how do I turn that around?

 

* - I didn't realise until I got home and checked, but this isn't actually true. The New Wave debuted in May 2007, after DaVE closed in April. On the other hand, Sam Keith came in in October, Koshiro Ino in December, and Edd Stone in September. So Adam was mostly right.

[Guest cmdrsam]

Another fine show sir. Well written, easy to follow. Some how cant help to feel a swerve coming. But I as well as the rest will have to wait and see.

[Phantom Stranger]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/badgebanner.jpg

 

Perhaps the riskiest match of his TCW career to date comes here as Johnny Bloodstone will face off with the American Buffalo. It's not often that a wrestler is relieved not to have a PPV match, but after the mauling that's likely to ensue, Johnny will likely be glad of the time to recover.

 

The School of Tradition, as Deeley & Bryant are calling themselves, will be in six-man action alongside their leader Eric Tyler, facing off with Art Reed, Danny Fonzarelli and Rocky Golden. Certainly the School will be more united - but the men they're up against hit hard.

 

The Machines are back in action, representing the Syndicate, against a team of Chance Fortune and Fox Mask. They've taken some losses recently, but this certainly seems like an opportunity to bounce back.

 

And next up... A Three-Way Championship Contract Ladder match! The contract to face Edd Stone for his All Action Championship at Summer Showdown will be suspended above the ring. Competing for the chance is unlikely underdog Kazuma Narato, brutal Frankie Perez, and an unidentified wrestler who Mayhem Midden assures us 'has what it takes, and proved it in Japan'.

 

Tommy Cornell and Wolf Hawkins have challenged Kingman & Alexander, and that contest is scheduled for Badge of Honor. We're told that this has something to do with Kingman & Alexander snatching a win from the Machines.

 

And in our main event, World Heavyweight Championship contender Chris Rockwell will square off with Rick Law.

 

Prediction Key:

American Buffalo w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell

 

Art Reed, Danny Fonzarelli & Rocky Golden vs. Eric Tyler & the School of Tradition (Joel Bryant & Sean Deeley) w/ Laura Huggins

 

Chance Fortune & Fox Mask vs. The Machines

 

#1 Contendership for the All-Action Championship

LADDER MATCH

Frankie Perez vs. Kazuma Narato vs. ????

 

Kingman & Alexander vs. Tommy Cornell & Wolf Hawkins

 

Chris Rockwell vs. Rick Law

[Regis]

Prediction Key:

American Buffalo w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell

No damn way the Buffalo goes over here.

 

Art Reed, Danny Fonzarelli & Rocky Golden vs. Eric Tyler & the School of Tradition (Joel Bryant & Sean Deeley) w/ Laura Huggins

Only Reed could tip this; Fonzie and Golden are generic disposable face jobbers to the stars.

 

Chance Fortune & Fox Mask vs. The Machines

Speaking of jobbers...

 

#1 Contendership for the All-Action Championship

LADDER MATCH

Frankie Perez vs. Kazuma Narato vs. ????

Always bet on ????

 

Kingman & Alexander vs. Tommy Cornell & Wolf Hawkins

You poor buggers. One day, my friends, one day...

 

Chris Rockwell vs. Rick Law

By DQ or something like that, but Law takes it anyway.

[Nedew]

I've gotta say, that's a pretty stacked card for a B-Show.

[Phantom Stranger]

I've gotta say, that's a pretty stacked card for a B-Show.

 

Looking at it, you're right - although I wouldn't trust it to get me Happy Grades for an A-Show.

 

I have a weird priority set for Badge of Honor, as may be becoming clear...

[Zeel1]

American Buffalo w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell

Picking Buffalo here would sort of be like picking A-Train to beat Shawn Michaels..

 

Art Reed, Danny Fonzarelli & Rocky Golden vs. Eric Tyler & the School of Tradition (Joel Bryant & Sean Deeley) w/ Laura Huggins

This team just has a lot more going for them. I suspect Golden's "where has the fire gone?" woes to continue here, with the face team getting a whole bunch of momentum at the end, only to throw it all away by tagging Prince Adam in..

 

Chance Fortune & Fox Mask vs. The Machines

So how much did Fortune improve? I suspect the CZCW crew had a pretty good time booking a national name that fit with their company the way Fortune did, even if isn't really at the level of skill he should be at, at the start of the game.

 

#1 Contendership for the All-Action Championship

LADDER MATCH

Frankie Perez vs. Kazuma Narato vs. Giant Tana

1. Because Frankie Perez's Head Kicks would have little effect on Tana - he is Samoan, after all. 2. This is clearly the specialty match of a spectacular cruiser such as Tana - CLEARLY - whereas big, fat, plodding guys, such as Narato, probably wouldn't know their way around a ladder, even if they were the protege of Tim "The Tool Man" Taylor. After an easy three minute match, Tana then delivers three stunners each to both men, just to prove once again, that he is the man who you best beleive is The Jaggernaut, bitch!

 

Kingman & Alexander vs. Tommy Cornell & Wolf Hawkins

...By chance, have any of you ever gone to Newgrounds? And if so, have you ever seen the Madness videos? And if so, do you know of that demented, evil, immortal clown known as Tricky that brutally destroys people, and alters reality everytime he shows up? Yeah, if Barry frickin' Kingman were to ever be on the winning side of a match against Tommy Cornell, he'd probably show up, and go all CTRL+ALT+DLT on PS's save game. It's in his best interests to let The Syndicate win this one.

 

Chris Rockwell vs. Rick Law

This show, so far, has been like a more of expensive version of my Laying Down The Law Challenge. After you get past all the flair and hype, it's pretty much just an excuse to give the big guy a huge winning streak.

[Bigpapa42]

Damn, that is a stacked card for a B-show. I would say it almost makes it unnecessary to have it as a B-show. But you know what you're doing, so not gonna question it. As for pulling out good grades with the B-show, its cool and annoying at the same time. By the end of Gen-S, I was pulling B and B + shows with the B-show regularly but it was entirely due to fairly strong main events and "video" segments with top star.

 

American Buffalo w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell

AB is going to stampede his way into being submitted.

 

Art Reed, Danny Fonzarelli & Rocky Golden vs. Eric Tyler & the School of Tradition (Joel Bryant & Sean Deeley) w/ Laura Huggins

I like the eclectic mix of Team A, but Tyler and his School take this one.

 

Chance Fortune & Fox Mask vs. The Machines

This should be one-sided.

 

#1 Contendership for the All-Action Championship

LADDER MATCH

Frankie Perez vs. Kazuma Narato vs. ????

I do like Zeel's suggestion of Giant Tana showing off his high-flying chops. But I'm going with Fat Frankie.

 

Kingman & Alexander vs. Tommy Cornell & Wolf Hawkins

Cornell SMASH!

 

Chris Rockwell vs. Rick Law

"Rockwell fought the law... and the law... won!"

[Tigerkinney]

American Buffalo w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell

 

Can't see Buffalo amounting to anything more than the midcard monster roll he currently finds himself occupying, whilst Bloodstone is gradually being groomed for an eventual main event run.

 

Art Reed, Danny Fonzarelli & Rocky Golden vs. Eric Tyler & the School of Tradition (Joel Bryant & Sean Deeley) w/ Laura Huggins

 

Three directionless babyfaces against a midcard stable with something of a purpose, until the likes of Golden actually find a direction I'll go with the proper stable.

 

Chance Fortune & Fox Mask vs. The Machines

 

Time for the Machines to beat up on the random jobber pairing of the week.

 

#1 Contendership for the All-Action Championship

LADDER MATCH

Frankie Perez vs. Kazuma Narato vs. ????

 

I wonder if Regis really has been paying attention, because (i'm pretty sure I have the right diary here) Frankie P has been getting a pretty decent push, sure he hasn't been beating the top talents but he's been pushing them hard and the B-Show is where he can pick up wins. Then again Quadruple Question Mark is always something of a wildcard.

 

Kingman & Alexander vs. Tommy Cornell & Wolf Hawkins

 

I don't think I could top Zeel 1's comment when it comes to this match

 

Chris Rockwell vs. Rick Law

 

Zeel put up another good point, about his TCW diary and Phantom's TCW diary using Rick Law in the same way, just dressed up differently.

[foolinc]

American Buffalo w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell

 

Art Reed, Danny Fonzarelli & Rocky Golden vs. Eric Tyler & the School of Tradition (Joel Bryant & Sean Deeley) w/ Laura Huggins

 

Chance Fortune & Fox Mask vs. The Machines

 

#1 Contendership for the All-Action Championship

LADDER MATCH

Frankie Perez vs. Kazuma Narato vs. ????

 

Kingman & Alexander vs. Tommy Cornell & Wolf Hawkins

 

Chris Rockwell vs. Rick Law

[Hyde Hill]

American Buffalo w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Johnny Bloodstone w/ Blonde Bombshell

 

Art Reed, Danny Fonzarelli & Rocky Golden vs. Eric Tyler & the School of Tradition (Joel Bryant & Sean Deeley) w/ Laura Huggins

 

Chance Fortune & Fox Mask vs. The Machines

 

#1 Contendership for the All-Action Championship

LADDER MATCH

Frankie Perez vs. Kazuma Narato vs. ????

 

Kingman & Alexander vs. Tommy Cornell & Wolf Hawkins

 

Chris Rockwell vs. Rick Law

[Phantom Stranger]

This show, so far, has been like a more of expensive version of my Laying Down The Law Challenge. After you get past all the flair and hype, it's pretty much just an excuse to give the big guy a huge winning streak.

 

The thought has occurred to me as well.

 

Rick Law, though, is good. It took me a while for that to really sink in - he's lowish down the card for a good bruiser, at least early on, and you just kind of assume that RDJ, Rahn, Baine, Golden, Ino, Peak, and Law are arranged in something vaguely approximating a hierarchy.

 

And then you scroll down your roster looking at the averages. It's striking when you compare Law and RDJ, particularly as the two are just one keystroke down away - I'm not sure, pound for pound and looking at the averages, which is better. RDJ is more over, solid, requires little proving - Law needs to be pushed to be in that place, but he's younger.

 

He's a good hometown hero to build as a new brawler, particularly with Rahn likely to retire at some point (or be stolen by the SWF and jobbed repeatedly to Big Smack Scott, of all people) and Golden and Baine needing more work.

 

Eddie Peak? See Law. Less rounded (not that Law really counts that way) but sharper in what he does do well. They're both surprisingly good fits for a company that claims to be all about the wrestling skill.