TCW: A Quiet Retirement

[Phantom Stranger]

Am I right in thinking BoH is a b-show for you? You obviously still have a few main eventers showing up, and Rick Law takes it home for you each week, but there's the definite emphasis on youth/inexperience earlier in the card.

 

Yeah, BoH is a B-show, which is why there've been main events like Art Reed/Acid in the past - it was appropriate to make it the main event and I don't have to worry about it. The BoH writeups may become a little simpler with two A-shows, just to help maintain the pace.

 

I can think of a couple of candidates- they're young and not necessarily that good, but they're okay.

 

Davis Ditterich is a decent indy guy with some skill, and he tends to improve pretty quick so he should be up to snuff quite soon if he isn't already. Mind you, he starts at a C- and if he hasn't already gotten work he may not have gotten much higher.

 

Same with Remmington Remus- solid announcer but doesn't get work much so he doesn't always improve very quickly.

 

Honestly, if I wanted to give someone with even a C in announcing a go as lead announcer, I'd go with Shawn Doakes, who we already have on the books. Davis and Remmington are both unemployed, and are unlikely to be able to handl en A-show like Showcase's main event without dinging me heavily - and I probably can't afford that ding.

 

Colour talent will almost certainly be someone new to colour commentary on the national scale, but as JC notes, there aren't many excellent announcers, and when you limit the list to ones who speak English it's a slimmer list. It's pretty likely, barring contracts running up, that Jason will have to be lead announcer there; however, I know from updating the data for the port that Peter and Duane are both Pretty Damn Over and may well walk out on the SWF if it doesn't hit National. I can't recall in Tommy London's case.

 

I go away for 2 weeks and oh how things change.

 

Continued excellence PS.

 

What I'd love - which won't really work - is a revolving chair of announcers or colour commentators as TCW tries to find the next new voice.

 

Also, congrats on the success with everything in the game.

 

Yeah, honestly that would be pretty awesome, and part of my plans for Showcase involve a third chair that'll change every few months. But equally, as you say, it'd be very difficult to make TEW do a program like that without grades crapping out everywhere.

 

There are few certainties. One of them is that this marks another slide down the totem pole for Kyle Rhodes, bless 'im.

[Phantom Stranger]

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Hello and welcome to an almost all-tag edition of Total Wrestling.

 

TCW has long played host to the best brawlers and the greatest technical experts on the planet, and that sounds very like the recipe for the first match scheduled for this week's Total Wrestling. Ricky Dale Johnson and Danny Fonzarelli square off against two of the newest additions to the School of Tradition, the British Lions, in tag team action.

 

In No Holds Barred action, the Hard-Hitting Championship will be on the line. Can Sammy Bach retain, or will Sean Deeley take advantage of normally-illegal holds to snag the championship away undefended?

 

Tag team champions the Easy Riders have offered the Balcony Express a chance to strut their stuff. There are those who claim that the Riders are dodging strong competition, but as they've beaten both the New Wave and the Keith Brothers, some people might say they don't need to.

 

A new tag team will also be stepping into action, but you know them both well. Calling themselves Global Tradition, JD Morgan and Joel Bryant represent the School of Tradition and have to be considered one of the most experienced, most titled new tag teams of all time. They go into action on their debut against the Rising Stars. Can they pull off what now has to be seen as the perfect debut upset, or will they lose out to Andrews and Minnesota's desire?

 

Remo Richardson and Frankie Perez, the two current anchors of Phil Vibert's attempt to drain TCW's bank accounts, have business in the squared circle tonight. Against them, Remo's enemy Chris Rockwell and Rockwell's one ally, Rick Law. There is nothing about this contest that doesn't sound lethal.

 

And as we come closer and closer to Cage Wars, the Syndicate look to get back on their feet - Tommy Cornell has made the main event, and he will be teaming with Wolf Hawkins against World Heavyweight Champion Johnny Bloodstone and Cage Wars captain Sam Keith. The amount of gold worn by the competitors in this match is staggering, and Johnny Bloodstone will have to be wary - Wolf Hawkins can challenge at any time for his title.

 

Prediction Key:

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

 

NO HOLDS BARRED

TCW Hard-Hitting Championship

Sammy Bach © vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

 

Balcony Express w/ Randall Hopkirk vs. Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch (non-title)

 

Global Tradition w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rising Stars

 

Chris Rockwell & Rick Law vs. Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson w/ Phil Vibert

 

Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

 

 

OOC NOTE: Visiting the family for much of this week, so while I'll be checking in on the board I won't be at the computer with TEW installed. Show won't be up earlier than Friday and Saturday is more likely.

[Bigpapa42]

Prediction Key:

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

 

NO HOLDS BARRED

TCW Hard-Hitting Championship

Sammy Bach © vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

 

Balcony Express w/ Randall Hopkirk vs. Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch (non-title)

 

Global Tradition w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rising Stars

 

Chris Rockwell & Rick Law vs. Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson w/ Phil Vibert

 

Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

[Dragonmack]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

 

NO HOLDS BARRED

TCW Hard-Hitting Championship

Sammy Bach © vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

 

Balcony Express w/ Randall Hopkirk vs. Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch (non-title)

 

Global Tradition w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rising Stars

 

Chris Rockwell & Rick Law vs. Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson w/ Phil Vibert

 

Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

[Regis]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

Let's push the boat out here - Danny Jobberelli's credit is almost non-existent, and the SoT can interfere.

 

NO HOLDS BARRED

TCW Hard-Hitting Championship

Sammy Bach © vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

No hot-shot title changes.

 

Balcony Express w/ Randall Hopkirk vs. Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch (non-title)

JOBBERS!

 

Global Tradition w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rising Stars

JOBBERS TO THE STARS!

 

Chris Rockwell & Rick Law vs. Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson w/ Phil Vibert

Not Badge Of Honour. Also, they'll cheat.

 

Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

Draw. Because why not?

[Zergon]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

I doubt British Lions could get a win over RDJ even if it would be a hanticap match

 

NO HOLDS BARRED

TCW Hard-Hitting Championship

Sammy Bach © vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

Bach just got the title so he isn´t losing it here

 

Balcony Express w/ Randall Hopkirk vs. Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch (non-title)

Balcony Express would need to get wins over lesser teams before going over Easy Riders

 

Global Tradition w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rising Stars

Same than the last match, Global Tradition needs to go over lesser teams first though I doubt that they would ever go over Rising Stars anyway

 

Chris Rockwell & Rick Law vs. Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson w/ Phil Vibert

Could go either way so I just picked the team that I like more

 

Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

trouples between Hawkins and Cornell continue here

[Tigerkinney]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

 

RDJ's too big of a name for impressive losers British Lions to go over

 

NO HOLDS BARRED

TCW Hard-Hitting Championship

Sammy Bach © vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

 

Bach's only just won this, I doubt he'll lose it on his first defence.

 

Balcony Express w/ Randall Hopkirk vs. Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch (non-title)

 

Non title for a reason, as the Balcony Express are currently jobbers.

 

Global Tradition w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rising Stars

 

Too old guys with 'jobbers to the stars' written all over them and why de-rail Minnesota and Andrews current push by having them lose to opponents now lower on the totem pole.

 

Chris Rockwell & Rick Law vs. Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson w/ Phil Vibert

 

Whilst it could go the way of Vibert's boys, I see Rockwell & Law getting the win here, it's only a matter of time before you truly get behind Law and pull the trigger on him becoming a bonafide main event star.

 

Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

 

Cornell & Hawkins are having problems, Bloodstone & Keith are not...logic tells me the team having problems in a relatively even contest will lose the match.

[Oregano Jensen]

Prediction Key:

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

 

RDJ's too big. The Lions will be there some day... some day.

 

NO HOLDS BARRED

TCW Hard-Hitting Championship

Sammy Bach © vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

 

A surprisingly legit first opponent for Bach, but they're not taking the title off him this soon.

 

Balcony Express w/ Randall Hopkirk vs. Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch (non-title)

 

Balcony Express = Balcony Express.

 

Global Tradition w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rising Stars

 

I feel like Global Tradition might have some potential... but not against the duo at the head of the company's biggest storyline.

 

Chris Rockwell & Rick Law vs. Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson w/ Phil Vibert

 

Rockwell's anger gets in the way. Again.

 

Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

 

The valet wins it! The valet wins it!

 

Oh, wait.

 

Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

 

I have no confidence in Cornell-Hawkins as a duo at this point. Either one individually? Sure. But not together.

[Beeker]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

- RDJ shouldn't be losing to the Lions but... I can see Fonz doing the job and it establishes the Lions are proper School of Traditionalists.

 

NO HOLDS BARRED

TCW Hard-Hitting Championship

Sammy Bach © vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

- Much as I might book Bach to immediately drop the title, he's worked too hard to gain it to immediately lose it.

 

Balcony Express w/ Randall Hopkirk vs. Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch (non-title)

- Easy SQUASH. The Express are as much the part of the band as Gary Cherone and Wolfgang Van Halen are 'integral' members of Van Halen.

 

Global Tradition w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rising Stars

- Rising stars continue to rise, while the (International) School of Tradition can't get on the same page, on their first day in class.

 

Chris Rockwell & Rick Law vs. Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson w/ Phil Vibert

- This isn't BoH, Law isn't main eventing, he likely somehow pulls an A, but this time in a lose. Vibert managerizes a win!

 

Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

- Hawkins n' Cornell at odds? Oh noes! (there are other reasons but that's my favourite, silliest one.

[Phantom Stranger]

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TCW Presents Total Wrestling

 

Tuesday Week 2 February 2009

 

Live on GNN Total Sports (Rating 7.86)

Rebroadcast on Continental Sports X1 (Rating 0.02)

 

Held at the Nevada State Armory (South West)

 

Attendance: 24,706

 

Announcers:

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Jason Azaria – Horatio Dangerous – Shawn Doakes

 

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British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

While it isn't the best match TCW have opened a show with or even close, the battle of the brawlers and the technicians goes down pretty well with the local crowd. Walter Morgan gets a bigger fan reaction here than does Danny Fonzarelli, and that does rather set the tone for the match; RDJ is able to hold his own – though, sometimes, not much more than that – but Fonzarelli is often overwhelmed, having to punch his way out of trouble.

 

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And, of course, sometimes RDJ comes in to make the save for his friend. That draws the match out... and out... but eventually, Eric Tyler appears at ringside, and as RDJ gets ready to climb back into the ring, Tyler yanks him from the apron.

 

Ray Johnson turns to watch, but with a shriek of indignation from Laura Huggins, swivels back to find Fonzarelli down in O'Curle's Celtic Crossface. Johnson moves to cover for Fonzarelli as Tyler capitalises, keeping RDJ off-balance before piledriving him on the outside.

 

Meanwhile, O'Curle releases the hold, stomping on Fonzie's head two or three times, and tags out. Walter Morgan slaps down the Wigan Wrench, and Danny Fonzarelli has to submit.

British Lions defeated RDJ & Fonzarelli

Rating: B-

 

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Shawn Doakes introduces a clip shot on Sunday morning at TCW's main training facility. Tommy Cornell and the rest of the Syndicate are stood around the practice ring – or, in this case, two practice rings side by side, with the Cage Wars roofed cage over them both.

 

Cornell is looking at Edd Stone, hands on hips.

 

“There's got to me something you can make from this cage,” he says. “You come up with crazy stuff all the time, man. What do you want to do?”

 

Edd looks around and shrugs. “I dunno, man. If you put me in a match situation, I'll do what seems right. But I don't come up with stuff before it happens. Edd Fu is the only legit fighting style that comes from true Zen, man. It's the moment. You can't disrupt the moment with plans.”

 

Cornell sighs; Hawkins whispers something, however, to Jack Marlowe, who abruptly charges Edd from behind. Without looking, Edd leaps, backflipping over the lariat, and promptly superkicks Julian Watson.

 

He stares at the downed Enforcer for a second, quietly musing “Weird... it's usually a lamp.”

 

And then Marlowe kicks him in the gut, puts him in a front facelock and charges him toward the cage wall. Edd instinctively moonwalks up the cage side, flipping forward, obviously trying for a neckbreaker, but Marlowe turns with him, keeping him in the air. He takes a few steps forward and scores with the Jackhammer.

 

“Good improv,” Hawkins nods. “But good counter, Jack.” Marlowe nods his appreciation as Watson gets to his feet.

 

Cornell stares down at Edd. “I might be better off making Jack our fifth man,” he mutters. “I'm going to get the pair of you a match, and we'll sort out who deserves to be in there...”

 

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Sammy Bach © vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

Smooth and slick, though hardly the pinnacle of either man's career. Bach pulls out a lot of dirty tricks here, but Deeley has them blocked, a slight smirk on his face and a hint of Eric Tyler's mannerisms to each counter he deploys.

 

“Trained by one of the wiliest men in wrestling,” Doakes smiles. “Which means this comes down to who can pull out something the other guy can't top... Just like it should.”

 

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Deeley and Bach continue to put on an even contest, and after a while Sean has an advantage; Bach promptly feints a baseball slide toward Laura Huggins, and while Ray Johnson's distracted by that, Jack Bruce enters the ring behind Sean.

 

Deeley's down in a New York Minute. Bach abruptly reverses course, entering the ring to apply the Bach on Your Back. Ray checks, but Sean appears to be out cold, and when his arm drops for the third time, Johnson awards it to the champion.

Sammy Bach defeated Sean Deeley

Rating: B

 

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Bruce re-enters the ring and Bach and he do some more damage to Sean, then Sammy bails, grabbing Laura Huggins and dragging her into the ring.

 

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Jeremy Stone appears in the ring, chair in hand. Down goes Bruce! Down goes Bach!

 

He stands Sean Deeley up. The youngster regards him unsteadily, and Stone yanks him in closer and delivers a Stone's Throw that sends him almost out of the ring. Encouraged, Bruce and Bach get back to it, but there's a roar from the crowd.

 

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Troy Tornado comes into the ring, ducking a superkick from Bach and responding with a Savate Kick. As Jeremy Stone turns toward him, Troy boots him in the gut. Stooping, he plucks the chair from the mat and hurls it into Stone's face, dazing the Canadian – and something Azaria labels as the Waldorf Salad Toss takes him down. Jack Bruce closes in, and the two men throw fists as TCW goes to commercial.

 

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Balcony Express w/ Randall Hopkirk vs. Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch

There isn't much of a fight to this one; the Riders have the power, the momentum, and the experience. The Express do their level best, and they kick out strong the first couple of times, but this is pretty much an opportunity for the Riders to show off their strength. Marv Statler takes the Emergency Stop after five minutes and is pinned clean.

Easy Riders defeated the Balcony Express

Rating: C-

 

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Another slick video package starts to play, running through highlights of the TCW womens' careers to date. It's clear that TCW have taken this seriously enough to pay other companies for major footage; this one doesn't focus on the big moves, it focuses on the big wins. Title belts are raised with triumphant smiles. Bloody faces stare at the camera in victory. The evidence of four hard-earned careers is clear here.

 

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Global Tradition w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rising Stars

Global Tradition look a little nervous together; might just be the quality of their opposition. Certainly, as they get to work, they put up a hell of a fight, but the Stars actually have a slight experience advantage in working together this time around, and they also have youth and power on their side.

 

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Another School of Tradition tag team get involved while Joel Bryant keeps Johnson's attention with a feigned injury; Acid Dragon hit the ring, both of them going after Aaron Andrews.

 

And Joey Minnesota just stands on the apron, smiling slightly. Andrews blocks the Dragon Drop and retaliates with a standing hot shot, draping UK Dragon's neck across the top rope and blasting him with a forearm as he rebounds. Acid tries for a missile cross-body; Andrews catches him, shifts the weight, and delivers a massive spinebuster. As the masked warriors roll out of the ring, injured, Andrews turns slowly to face Bryant, slowly rising to his feet with a resigned look on his face.

 

The Game Breaker is not far behind, and that secures the pin.

Rising Stars defeated Global Tradition

Rating: B

 

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Chris Rockwell & Rick Law vs. Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson w/ Phil Vibert

Vibert's men have a very clear strategy from the off; don't let Rockwell tag out It works pretty well for a long time, but eventually Law gets in there, cleaning house on Perez and going toe to toe with Remo; Remo forces him further back steadily, but Law stays on his feet – more than many have managed – and starts to fire back.

 

The duo turn the contest around on Law, both of them in the ring at the same time, and as Law reels, Frankie calls for his title belt. Vibert throws it in and Chris Rockwell, recovered, dives into the ring, snatching the belt from Perez.

 

Which is probably fine. Where he went wrong was in driving Perez back to his corner and looping the belt around his neck, the steel hanging directly in front of his face.

 

Remo starts to measure Rockwell from behind, but he's not paying attention, choosing instead to measure Perez – a superkick drives the belt into his face! Sam Sparrow is calling the DQ even as Remo delivers the Destroyer on Rockwell in revenge.

Frankie Perez & Remo Richardson won by DQ

Rating: B

 

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Smiling, Vibert yanks the microphone from Dangerous' hands with a grin. “Remo Richardson, everyone,” he calls into the microphone. “Now, Chris, don't think we're done with you just because of this – you don't fluke out a win over the supreme specimen and just walk away.

 

“But he's not the only one we're going to see at the War, is he?” A grin. “Johnny Bloodstone, I've got someone every bit as skilled, every bit as ready, champing at the bit to take that belt from you.

 

“Get used to it, kid. It's not going to be yours much longer.”

 

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Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Cornell & Hawkins

What's most surprising about this match, probably, is simply that Wolf Hawkins and Tommy Cornell coexist perfectly. There's no issues, no anger, no conflict.

 

Both men are, pure and simple, focused on making a statement, on taking these two apart; and if Wolf Hawkins perhaps does more of the work, it's barely noticeable. What is noticeable is that he's probably the first Shot at the Top winner ever not to be carrying the briefcase with him, which may well be a gesture of goodwill toward his mentor.

 

That turns this into purely being two excellent teams at the top of their game, and in those situations either side can win out. In this case, it's Wolf Hawkins nailing the World Heavyweight Champion with the Full Moon Rising from behind that gets the pin – and as the show closes, in the background of Hawkins' celebratory pose, Tommy Cornell's jaw starts working uncomfortably again.

Cornell & Hawkins defeated Johnny Bloodstone & Sam Keith

Rating: A

 

Show Rating: A

[Phantom Stranger]

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

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/SamKeith.jpgWednesday 10th February 2009

They had me attend another creative meeting the other day with Tommy, Horatio and the rest. With another show on the slate, discussion turned to possible roster additions. There's been some talks with Burning Hammer of the Wrestling God about creating a Canadian Elemental.

 

The names of a few other masked wrestlers came up, good guys in development or working elsewhere. I won't throw anyone under the bus, but one of the younger guys in the room brought up that its supposedly tougher to have a guy wearing a mask get over with American audiences. RDJ brought up the Masked Patriot gimmick. This turned into a lengthy discussion about masks that I essentially stayed out of.

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/SamKeith_alt1.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/MrLucha1977.jpg

The match that made Sam Keith: Sam faces off against Mr. Lucha in 1984

(from Sam Keith's personal collection)

 

Masks… We all wear masks in this business.

 

Our masks are our characters. I don't mean gimmicks. People always talk about gimmicks as if they define a wrestler's character. They don't. A gimmick is really just the particular aspect of a character you choose to emphasize. A gimmick is usually simple and easily understood.

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/Dangerous/HoratioDangerous.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/ElPatron1977_alt.jpg

1978, Texas; El Patron makes his presence known in the TWL by destroying rookie Horatio Dangerous

(from Horatio Dangerous' personal collection)

 

A proper character is dynamic and layered, and it evolves over time. There are a lot of workers in this business who have never really had a chance to show or develop their character and that's a shame. A wrestler's character is what people remember. Ring work matters, but when you look at the true legends of this business, its character that matters most and is most remembered.

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/ElementalII.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/Optimus.jpg

Japan's most famous rivalry enters its second generation; Optimus takes on Elemental II for the first time, 1988, at the Fukui Dome

(photo reproduced by kind permission of BHOTWG

 

It ain't so easy to make a character work if its completely different from the person themselves. Its tough to get a redneck hillbilly from Arkansas to play a convincing English gentleman, and vice versa. You are asking them to be an actor to do that, not a wrestler. Characters work best when you take certain elements of a wrestler own personality and emphasize those elements, while de-emphasizing others. The elements you emphasize depends on the kind of character, particularly whether they are babyface or heel. Fans may not recognize it, but a well-developed character this is protected and evolved can work for decades. Look at Christian Faith, Rip Chord, Sam Strong, Tommy Cornell…. Me….

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/professornero.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/MaskedRebel.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/MaskedPatriot_jhd.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/markkrogan.jpg

American Made Masks: Professor Nero teams with the Masked Rebel to take on Mark Krogan and the Masked Patriot, TWL, 1974

(TWL promotional image)

 

The danger is that when you play a character for so long, you can become that character. Or that character becomes part of you. I really don't know it works and I don't care. What I do know is that "Sam Keith" and "Sam Gauge" have never been the same person, yet they have become much closer over time. The key elements that have defined "Sam Keith" the character - arrogant, painfully honest, sarcastic, prickly, and confrontational…. those have always been pieces of "Sam Gauge" too. But what people don't see is the rest of what makes up "Sam Gauge". They don't see me being the loving husband and father, they don't see the patience I have with my kids or with some green wrestler, and they don't see all the other pieces that make up me, Sam Gauge, as a diverse and dynamic human being. They aren't supposed to.

 

Developing that character is no easy thing. Some guys (and gals, I guess) just get it. Others don't. Faith always got it. McFly, for all his talent, not so much. Tommy got it from the day he walked into Supreme as a arrogant sod from London. Since Tommy gets it - and Horatio does too - it seems they are making a real effort to ensure the young guys understand how important character is. Key to that is letting guys talk. Cutting a promo in TCW means you get a few key points. Bullet points, basically. Get in front of the camera and let your character do the work. There ain't no better way to develop your character than that. In Supreme, I'm told that scripted promos are becoming more and more common for the younger guys. When you are giving exactly what to say, pretty much word for word, how are you going to develop your own character? To find the elements of your own personality and emphasize them to create a character that works naturally for you?

 

My point? I need to have a point here? Alright, I guess my point is that certain elements of the character "Sam Keith" have become more prominent over time in me. Is that just me getting older and cantankerous? Is it the character asserting itself after I've played it for so hard for so long? Maybe it’s the mental toll of playing a "bad guy" for the last twenty-five years. One guy who I see who is almost certainly going to experience the same thing in time is Tommy. He's been a heel pretty his entire career since he walked into Hollyweird in mid 1997. The basic characters of Sam Keith and Tommy Cornell have some similarities, and like me, Tommy is so much more than his character. Fans don't see the dutiful husband, the proud father, the fiercely loyal friend, the generous benefactor… Over time, the negative aspects that make up Tommy Cornell that character may slowly seep into Tommy Cornell the man bit by bit.

 

For good or ill... in twenty years, Tommy Cornell will be me.

[Phantom Stranger]

As I'm pretty sure I've mentioned before, the Sam Keith pieces are not written by me but by someone else on this board who's asked not to be identified.

 

In this instance, however, I lay claim to the photo inserts and the captions beneath.

[Phantom Stranger]

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

 

Hot on the heels of a shocking win on Tuesday, the British Lions are looking to follow up, challenging the Young Guns to a match this Badge of Honor. Can they really stake a case for their tag credentials with a second win this week?

 

By Tommy Cornell's edict of Tuesday, two members of the Syndicate will face off this week. It's Edd Stone and Jack Marlowe, and the winner goes on to join Cornell's Cage Wars team at The War To Settle The Score. With the faction's survival on the line, relationships seem to be fraying fast...

 

Six-man action follows, with Team VIPER once again tagging up with Suzanne Brazzle. This time, the unlikely trio are opposed by Floyd Goldworthy's Fly Boys and Raku Makuda, who interrupted Brazzle's last six-man match with a chairshot.

 

It seems, in fact, like this might be the week of the six-man match; the Keith Brothers align with Rocky Golden this week, taking on the School of Tradition duo of Eric Tyler and Freddy Huggins, who'll be backed by Champagne Lover. Rumour has it that before Mr Cornell gave the order for Stone/Marlowe, this was to be two matches.

 

Finally, the School of Tradition are involved again, as Rick Law has issued the resurgent JD Morgan a challenge to meet him in the main event.

 

Prediction Key:

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. Young Guns

 

Edd Stone vs. Jack Marlowe - Winner represents the Syndicate during Cage Wars

 

Fly Boys & Raku Makuda w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Team VIPER & Suzanne Brazzle w/ Baroness Emily

 

Keith Brothers & Rocky Golden w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Tyler & Huggins & Champagne Lover w/ Laura Huggins

 

JD Morgan w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rick Law

[Dragonmack]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. Young Guns

 

Edd Stone vs. Jack Marlowe - Winner represents the Syndicate during Cage Wars

 

Fly Boys & Raku Makuda w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Team VIPER & Suzanne Brazzle w/ Baroness Emily

 

Keith Brothers & Rocky Golden w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Tyler & Huggins & Champagne Lover w/ Laura Huggins

 

JD Morgan w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rick Law

[Regis]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. Young Guns

Were this the indie scene, the Young Guns would be in the main event and doing well. This is not the indie scene, and the British Lions are getting a push.

 

Edd Stone vs. Jack Marlowe - Winner represents the Syndicate during Cage Wars

The time may have come for Marlowe to break out.

 

Fly Boys & Raku Makuda w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Team VIPER & Suzanne Brazzle w/ Baroness Emily

Team VIPER can't lose to the Fly Boys, Raku or no Raku.

 

Keith Brothers & Rocky Golden w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Tyler & Huggins & Champagne Lover w/ Laura Huggins

The Keith Brothers can always slow down their push a bit, Rocky Golden isn't a big thing right now, while Tyler's on the up, Huggins can do with a bit of cred and Champagne Lover needs to be elevated.

 

JD Morgan w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rick Law

JOBBER TO THE STARS!

[Bigpapa42]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. Young Guns

 

Edd Stone vs. Jack Marlowe - Winner represents the Syndicate during Cage Wars

 

Fly Boys & Raku Makuda w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Team VIPER & Suzanne Brazzle w/ Baroness Emily

 

Keith Brothers & Rocky Golden w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Tyler & Huggins & Champagne Lover w/ Laura Huggins

 

JD Morgan w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rick Law

[Zergon]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. Young Guns

After a huge tag win there is little reason to think that Lion´s wouldn´t win this one

 

Edd Stone vs. Jack Marlowe - Winner represents the Syndicate during Cage Wars

Uummm actually I´m not enteirly sure about this one but since Marlowe haven´t really won at all i guess I go with Edd

Fly Boys & Raku Makuda w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Team VIPER & Suzanne Brazzle w/ Baroness Emily

Another one where I´m really not sure, VIPER seems a little bit better choice but for some reason I want to go with Fly Boys so I do.

 

Keith Brothers & Rocky Golden w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Tyler & Huggins & Champagne Lover w/ Laura Huggins

I think Tyler needs the win most here with being champ and all, not that Rocky couldn´t use a win too but I guess everyone cannot be winners

 

JD Morgan w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rick Law

No question here, there just isn´t any reason why Law should lose this one

[Tigerkinney]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. Young Guns

 

The Lions just got a breakthrough win on the A-Show, going over RDJ no less...losing in their next outing to a semi jobber team like the Young Guns would make that look like a fluke.

 

Edd Stone vs. Jack Marlowe - Winner represents the Syndicate during Cage Wars

 

Personal preference here, as I want to see some Edd-Fu in the Cage.

 

Fly Boys & Raku Makuda w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Team VIPER & Suzanne Brazzle w/ Baroness Emily

 

I would have though the Japanese Woman would have gone with the Japanese team ?!! Anyway Team VIPER are way more interesting right now than the Fly Boys, so they should go over.

 

Keith Brothers & Rocky Golden w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Tyler & Huggins & Champagne Lover w/ Laura Huggins

 

Could go either way, but I'm in the camp of Tyler is a champ right now (even if it's not a move I would have made) and so it's best to keep him looking strong.

 

JD Morgan w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rick Law

 

Rick Law owns the B-show main events !

[Beeker]

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. Young Guns

- Young Guns are spinning their pistols, Lions seem to be in a mini-program of sorts.

 

Edd Stone vs. Jack Marlowe - Winner represents the Syndicate during Cage Wars

- Edd brings more chaotic creativity than the Jungle Lord.

 

Fly Boys & Raku Makuda w/ Floyd Goldworthy vs. Team VIPER & Suzanne Brazzle w/ Baroness Emily

- Because I don't want to see Brazzle take a bamboo kendo shot.

 

Keith Brothers & Rocky Golden w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Tyler & Huggins & Champagne Lover w/ Laura Huggins

- Overness gap? Fluidity gap? Golden Ball shot bonus? I'm going with the School of Non-Tradition.

 

JD Morgan w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rick Law

- Law of BoH says, Ricky wins.

[Phantom Stranger]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/tcwbadge2.jpg</span><p>

 

</p><div class="ipsEmbeddedVideo"><div><iframe width="200" height="150" src="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/kRa3BU5bl-s?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Combichrist"></iframe></div></div><p> </p><p>

<strong>TCW Presents Badge of Honor</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Friday Week 2 February 2009</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Live on GNN Total Sports (Rating 1.18)</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Held at the Ricardo Montenez Ballroom (Puerto Rico)</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>

Attendance: 2000 (Sold Out)</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/JasmineSaunders.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/KyleRhodes_alt1.jpg</span></p><p><strong>

Jason Azaria – Jasmine Saunders – Kyle Rhodes</strong></p><p> </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/MerleOCurle_alt.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/WalterMorgan.jpg</span> w/ <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/LauraCatherineHuggins.jpg</span> vs. <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/HarryAllen_Grunge3.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SteveGumble_Grunge2.jpg</span></p><p>

British Lions w/ Laura Huggins vs. Young Guns</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

This is a great outing in terms of Lions performance, but it's also one of the best matches the Guns have had in quite some time. Working against wrestlers of near their own size who also favour a quick, precise style seems to bring out the best in them, and they fly as high as they can while the Lions try to ground them.</p><p> </p><p>

As they have done over the past three or four weeks, the Lions are displaying counters to more and more of the Guns' stock moves, and that may explain the moment which people are talking about after the match; with all four men in the ring, Harry Allen, hammerlocked by Merle O'Curle, places both feet on the second rope and kicks backward, driving O'Curle into the canvas and forcing him to release the hold.</p><p> </p><p>

Allen scrambles for the top rope, and Steve Gumble spots an opportunity; punting Walter Morgan in the gut, he whips him to the ropes.</p><p> </p><p>

And Harry Allen launches himself from the top turnbuckle, arms out, describing a huge Swanton arc above Morgan and toward Merle O'Curle. He passes over Morgan as he goes, and as he completes the flip, one arm almost lazily loops back. As he goes to Swanton O'Curle, Walter Morgan is caught with a flying Gunslinger's Revenge – but O'Curle has sat up out of the Swanton Bomb's path!</p><p> </p><p>

Allen and Morgan both crash and burn. Steve Gumble goes for the Savate Kick on O'Curle, who catches the foot and drops into a screw legwhip. With Gumble dazed, Merle puts the Celtic Wreath on Harry Allen, who taps shortly afterward.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">The British Lions defeated the Young Guns</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/EddStone_alt13.jpg</span> vs. <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JungleJack_FIN4.jpg</span></p><p>

Edd Stone vs. Jack Marlowe</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Brawler against airborne expert. This match is predictably fast-paced, and it's full of pretty good stuff. Marlowe suffers a setback early on when he discovers that YOU ALSO CAN'T JACKHAMMER EDD STONE, with the innovative Stone turning it into a headscissors/pin combination, though Jack manages to kick out.</p><p> </p><p>

A superkick swiftly follows, which Marlowe jumps backward to avoid before coming in with a flying tackle that Edd actually <em>backflips over</em>.</p><p> </p><p>

Unfortunately, the crowd react strongly to that backflip, and Edd stops to pander to them with an impromptu dance sequence, busting a move pretty flamboyantly, and Marlowe hits the ropes, taking his head off with a big boot. A slam follows, then a whip to the corner, a superplex attempt – blocked with a huracanrana – Edd nearly gets the pin again, but Jack kicks out and decks him with a spinning backfist. That gets two. </p><p> </p><p>

Edd slides through Marlowe's legs off another charge, bouncing up to meet the return with a textbook dropkick. He jumps onto the top rope to play to the crowd again before dropping down into a split-legged moonsault, but Marlowe's already rolled clear, picking him up for a belly-to-belly overhead suplex. Edd lands sprawled, but springs up in time to avoid a running punt kick, sweeping Marlowe's legs out from under him. He dives into a pin, but Marlowe rolls through at two, rising to his feet while holding on to the youngest Stone, and delivers - </p><p> </p><p>

JACK MARLOWE POWERBOMBED EDD STONE!</p><p> </p><p>

And that gets the three count, as much out of Edd's surprise as anything else.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Jack Marlowe defeated Edd Stone</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><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/WolfHawkins_alt3.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JungleJack_FIN4.jpg</span></p><p>

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

A video package airs next, one of two pre-prepared, showing the sides as they're beginning to form, with Cornell, Hawkins and Marlowe confirmed as three of the Syndicate's five and Sam Keith and the Rising Stars three of the five on the other side. </p><p>

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

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

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/DonnieJ.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JamesPrudence.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/RakuMakuda.jpg</span> w/ <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/FloydGoldworthy.jpg</span></p><p>

Fly Boys & Raku Makuda w/ Floyd Goldworthy </p><p>

vs. </p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/FumihiroOta_PS.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ShingenMiyazaki_alt2.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SuzanneBrazzle_alt1.jpg</span> w/ <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/QueenEmily_FS2.jpg</span></p><p>

Team VIPER & Suzanne Brazzle w/ Baroness Emily</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Some great performances here, but all six wrestlers need more exposure before TCW fans will truly react to them. They do their best, but it's a little hectic, building eventually to a controversial finish; after Raku Makuda successfully hits her Swanton finisher on Suzanne Brazzle, not having noticed Miyazaki's blind tag, Miyazaki opts to break her pin by the simple expedient of applying the ankle lock, forcing the tap out.</p><p> </p><p>

The camera stays on Miyazaki's face after he secures the win, as he simply nods to himself, expressionless, then nods again toward Baroness Emily as she produces the bokken.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Team VIPER & Suzanne Brazzle defeated the Fly Boys & Raku Makuda</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/FumihiroOta_PS.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ShingenMiyazaki_alt2.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SuzanneBrazzle_alt1.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/QueenEmily_FS2.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/KoshiroIno.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/Hidekazu_jtlant.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Koshiro Ino, Baroness Emily, and Hidekazu join Team VIPER in the ring. Raku Makuda lies there, still checking her ankle, and Ino kneels, his hair hiding his face as he speaks softly to her – and she paintbrushes him with a slap.</p><p> </p><p>

Ino stands up; Emily is offering him the bokken, but he shakes his head. The Kobra, the Baroness and Hidekazu surround Team VIPER and bow their respect to them; Team VIPER bow backward, and then the group leave.</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/GregGauge.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/MatthewGauge.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/RockyGolden_PS2.jpg</span> w/ <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BlondeBombshell.jpg</span></p><p>

Keith Brothers & Rocky Golden w/ Blonde Bombshell</p><p>

vs.</p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/EricTyler.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/FreddyHuggins.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ChampagneLover.jpg</span> w/ <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/LauraCatherineHuggins.jpg</span></p><p>

Tyler & Huggins & Champagne Lover w/ Laura Huggins</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

With the crowd now fully awake, six men tear the house down. There's heavy hitting, big slams, the best in airborne action, controlled tactical grappling, clever reversals, and double-team expertise galore – it's very clear that this match has everything the crowd were hoping for. </p><p> </p><p>

It's hard to pick out one moment from this match. The Photon Breaker the Keiths deliver to Freddy Huggins? Eric Tyler countering the Rack into an unusual backbreaker? Champagne Lover getting the Lover Stunner on Rocky Golden before delivering a charging cross-body that sends them both to the outside? A full minute of pinfalls into counters into pinfalls between Matthew Keith and Eric Tyler?</p><p> </p><p>

Any one of these might count, and the result is that none of them do – it's just a sequence of brilliance that wraps up with another desperation Rocky Road from Rocky Golden, harrassed and harried by the Champagne Lover. Lover collapses with a foot on the ropes, and Golden as a result doesn't get the first pin attempt. Knocking the leg off the rope he covers again – and Lover rolls through, getting his own pin attempt. One – two - </p><p> </p><p>

The bell rings for a time limit draw.</p><p>

<span style="text-decoration:underline;">Keith Brothers & Rocky Golden drew with Tyler & Huggins & Champagne Lover</span></p><p>

Rating: <strong>A</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/ChampagneLover.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BlondeBombshell.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/RockyGolden_PS2.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/GregGauge.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/MatthewGauge.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Champagne Lover promptly rolls out of the ring and heads for the Blonde Bombshell. He backs her into a corner, turning on the charm. She slaps him – he falls back a step – and Rocky Golden is behind him, slapping on a full nelson to restrain him. The Keiths escort their manager backstage as Lover escapes the hold, going for a Lover Stunner on Golden – blocked – Rocky Road – blocked – Lover hits the Rocky Road on Rocky Golden!</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/BlondeBombshell.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/GregGauge.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/MatthewGauge.jpg</span><span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ArtReed.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

As the Keiths get back to their locker room our camera joins them, Johnny Bloodstone pacing up and down impatiently, Art Reed in the background watching a DVD full of clips of Frankie Perez' matches intently. Studying.</p><p> </p><p>

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

Sam Keith is also there.</p><p> </p><p>

“There you are,” he says, looking relieved. “Finally. First of all, boys, good work tonight. You earned that result, and it looks like you were up against some serious talent.”</p><p> </p><p>

The twins say nothing, but how much their father's praise means to them is incredibly obvious.</p><p> </p><p>

“Alright,” he continues. “Listen – this goes for all of you.</p><p> </p><p>

“Don't be around next Tuesday.”</p><p> </p><p>

The group stare at him. Eventually, Johnny Bloodstone breaks the silence. “I guess I'll bite,” he says. “Why not?”</p><p> </p><p>

“Tyson Baine,” Keith says. “He's not been having a good time of it lately. Hell, I used him as a test to decide more of our team. But there's no way he's not part of Tommy's crew at Cage Wars – he just has too good a record in that match to pass up. Last year was the first time he'd ever lost, and he turns out to have been playing double agent for the Syndicate. </p><p> </p><p>

“And I know Tommy. He's going to want to make sure Baine's in the right mood.</p><p> </p><p>

“This Tuesday, he's going to get Tyson furious. He's going to check he still has it.</p><p> </p><p>

“People are going to spend time in hospital.” Keith's expression is deadly serious. “Tyson Baine may not be unbeatable inside the rules of a wrestling match any more, but take the rules away, stir up his temper, and he'll cripple people. I don't want 'people' to include you guys.” He looks around, obviously serious. “I've got to be there – I have to tell Eddie and Rick what I've decided. But there's no reason for you to be there.”</p><p> </p><p>

“How do you know,” Johnny asks, “that it's going to happen this Tuesday?”</p><p> </p><p>

“Because we're up against Tommy Cornell,” Keith says, and the trademark smirk is back in place. “The man everyone calls a true player of mind games... but he's a man everyone compares to me, and I've had a lot more practice.</p><p> </p><p>

“Tommy is where I was two decades ago. It's like looking back at my old playbook. I can feel the panic starting to set in... when he set Edd up against Jack, it was clear it was starting. A month ago he'd have felt sure enough not to worry about that, but... Aaron and Joey getting the win has him rattled. He's not sure anymore. He needs to check things. And I know what he needs to check, and how urgently it feels like he has to check it.</p><p> </p><p>

“I know all the feints he's putting into play. Take it from me, Edd Stone will be in that cage at The War to Settle The Score, but he'll be a sixth man.</p><p> </p><p>

“Johnny... boys... in twenty years, you'd have a much harder problem to solve. For good or for ill, in twenty years, Tommy Cornell will be me.”</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/JDMorgan.jpg</span> w/ <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/LauraCatherineHuggins.jpg</span> vs. <span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/RickLaw.jpg</span></p><p>

JD Morgan w/ Laura Huggins vs. Rick Law</p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

Law continues to put on excellent matches, but JD Morgan is no slouch, either, and his efforts here actually give Rick Law a tough match to win. But this is, after all, Badge of Honor, and Rick is able to rally the crowd, power out of the Cross-Atlantic Stretch, and begin to build up his return fire. </p><p> </p><p>

The Squad Car Slam gets two, but as Morgan kicks out he also secures Law's arm, twisting and turning, ending up with a kimura lock applied. </p><p> </p><p>

Law struggles to his feet, somehow, and forces his way free of the hold. He calls for the Long Arm Of The Law - </p><p> </p><p>

Morgan gets a forearm up, driving it into Law's shoulder as he comes in! He applies an armlock, clamping down, working the arm over!</p><p> </p><p>

Law slowly but surely shifts his weight and Morgan's, slowly positioning himself better, forcing Morgan's shoulders to the mat. Sam Sparrow counts three before Law has to submit, and the Total Lawman makes it through the match.</p><p>

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

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

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

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

[Phantom Stranger]

<p>Not So Much Show Notes:</p><p> </p><p>

- Walter Morgan's popularity following this show:</p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/morganpop.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

- Merle O'Curle's popularity following this show:</p><p>

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/One-Offs/ocurlepop.jpg</span></p><p> </p><p>

Walter is fairly explicable (he'd hit B- in the South East before the RDJ & Fonzie match) due to the pair's nine months in CZCW development.</p><p> </p><p>

Why Merle is so over somewhere he's had little work, I'm not sure. But I can't complain...</p>

[Phantom Stranger]

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

<span>http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/book_open-2.jpg</span></p></div><p></p><p></p><p>

<strong>Sunday 14th February 2009</strong></p><p>

It occurs to me that the original idea here was to write something that would be more about how you book a company like TCW, and a lot of the time I get sidetracked by what's going on.</p><p> </p><p>

It's all important – it's a major part of the job, the way Tommy runs the company – but it's not what this was supposed to be about.</p><p> </p><p>

So... we're coming up on eleven months since my first show. The roster should now, the theory goes, resemble something close to my ideal vision for the company.</p><p> </p><p>

Of course, it doesn't work like that. Let's take the Syndicate as an example.</p><p> </p><p>

When I came in, the Syndicate had been going in a full-fledged, definitely-active kind of a way for about nine months, eleven months if you count the slow build of hints to their naming and 'official' debut. It was Joel's biggest brainchild of the last three years and it was really the start of the success TCW is enjoying today. </p><p> </p><p>

It was also a product of what TCW was when he put the idea into practice. The lineup rapidly became, as I've noted before, TCW's better 'wrestlers' to range against their better 'brawlers'. This is something I've been trying to balance ever since, partly through acquisitions, partly through turns, partly through elevations. </p><p> </p><p>

But when I came in, the Syndicate had been going for nine months at the top. The first question I had to ask myself, then, was how I wanted to finish it, either by ending it or evolving it into something different – oh, not immediately, it was doing great business, but there's only so long a stable can stay at the top before you need to overhaul it or put it out to stud. And you need, ideally, to have the next big moneyspinner rolling by that stage – or ready to roll, which is what I ended up choosing.</p><p> </p><p>

The Syndicate's life as the beast everyone knows is coming toward an end, but the storylines from the last twenty-two months – nearly the last two years – are going to inform the next couple years at least.</p><p> </p><p>

You never quite have a company the exact way you want it. Even if you start the company yourself, if the roster is entirely hand picked, sooner or later things will change.</p><p> </p><p>

Imagine, for example, how the Syndicate might have been altered if Wolf or Tommy had had an injury sometime in early 2008 – one serious enough to make them miss even two or three months. Or even one of the Machines, back when our tag division really couldn't have coped with losing one of its best teams. </p><p> </p><p>

Sooner or later, something gets in the way. I haven't had Sam or Tommy refuse to do a job when they've been asked, but both of them have the right to do that. Sam Strong retiring changed things for the SWF before his Japanese renaissance; it would change things for HGC when he retired again. Jack Bruce changed plans when he left TCW; he changed them again when it became clear we could bring him back.</p><p> </p><p>

This isn't what I envisioned – the team going up against the Syndicate isn't the one I planned – but that hardly matters. This is pro wrestling, and at any point a bad fall can change your next six month plans. Aaron Andrews doing unusually well against Tommy Cornell can change things too; given the choice, which would you rather have?</p>

[Oregano Jensen]

Merle has been involved in quite a few good matches against famous opponents -- televised nationally, no less. The fact that he's lost most of them is a secondary concern.

 

(Still, you'd think a guy as uncharismatic as Merle would have more trouble getting over.)

 

I love the interplay between Sam Keith's book excerpt and his speech to his sons/Bloodstone/Reed. (I have the horrible suspicion that if Tyson Baine does end up destroying someone in a run-in, Reed is the likely target.)

 

Meanwhile, I've just spent a few minutes speculating about the last 4 Cage Wars participants... ironically, it really looks like the face team needs a brawler. (And does Johnny Bloodstone even make the team? He's the World Champion, but this is not his match, is it?)

[James Casey]

Eddie and Law, Baine and Bruce. Why not?

 

PS, I know you've run the diary across two games now, but what's Law's record on BoH like? I know he's dropped a few matches, but this is 'his' show and I wonder whether that's obviously reflected in his W:L ratio?

[Phantom Stranger]

Merle has been involved in quite a few good matches against famous opponents -- televised nationally, no less. The fact that he's lost most of them is a secondary concern.

 

(Still, you'd think a guy as uncharismatic as Merle would have more trouble getting over.)

 

I love the interplay between Sam Keith's book excerpt and his speech to his sons/Bloodstone/Reed. (I have the horrible suspicion that if Tyson Baine does end up destroying someone in a run-in, Reed is the likely target.)

 

Meanwhile, I've just spent a few minutes speculating about the last 4 Cage Wars participants... ironically, it really looks like the face team needs a brawler. (And does Johnny Bloodstone even make the team? He's the World Champion, but this is not his match, is it?)

 

No, Bloodstone's got a title defence lined up against Phil Vibert's new candidate on the first Canadian TCW PPV, so he won't be involved in Cage Wars as well.

 

The Keith excerpt/speech was a deliberate thing, and I'm glad to see you spotted it. And I absolutely agree that the face team needs a brawler...

 

I can confirm that two will be revealed on Total Wrestling this week, with the final two members being unveiled on Badge of Honor. So with a week to go, the full teams will be known. And then I'm gonna have to sit down and rewatch a whole heap o' War Games matches... The things I do for you guys.

 

Eddie and Law, Baine and Bruce. Why not?

 

PS, I know you've run the diary across two games now, but what's Law's record on BoH like? I know he's dropped a few matches, but this is 'his' show and I wonder whether that's obviously reflected in his W:L ratio?

 

In 2008, Rick had 18 wins, 1 draw (with Eric Tyler), and 2 losses (Khoklov's debut and a tag loss against Wolf Hawkins and Tyson Baine, teamed with John Anderson).

 

In 2009, he's added 3 more wins, 1 draw (with Rockwell against Remo and Baine), and 1 loss (with the New Wave, against Remo, Perez and Acid).

 

So that's a 21-3-2 record in 26 shows he's wrestled on, setting aside the shows where he made main events that didn't feature him. I believe he's eaten the pinfall only once, on Marat Khoklov's debut.

 

As for your list for the final four into the Cage... only 25% accurate, I'm afraid.