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Dragonmack

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http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThomasMorgan_alt1.jpg

 

My name is "Trademark" Thomas Morgan. Unless you are a fan of the Independent wrestling scene in Canada, you probably haven't heard of me. And that's the problem.

 

I have been in this business for 20 years now, ever since I was 18 years old,and I got my first taste of the canvas at the hands of Dan Stone Sr and his son Jeremy at the famous House of Stone dojo. That was in 1992. I left there to go out and get experience around Canada and the US at various small shows and start up promotions while I honed my craft. I was young, I had solid skills on the mat, and I had the ability to get the crowds, as small as they usually were, involved in my matches. I was sure that soon I would get the opportunity to step up, first to one of the smaller promotions, then maybe to a few of the regional territories that dominated the scene back then.

 

In the mid and late 90's the wrestling landscape began to change. The regional territories went defunct, or were absorbed by bigger promotions. SWF became a juggernaut. HGC ( later known as TCW) was formed to challenge them. The East Coast Wars killed off most of the promotions in the Tri-State area, leaving DAVE, under Phil Vibert as the survivor to try and challenge the big two at that time, and NYCW, who were too small to bother with for the big players. There were still a few regional promotions that survived and adapted to a specialized audience for wrestling that wasn't being featured in the big leagues. High flying and fast paced action in CZCW and older nostalgia family oriented wrestling of USPW. In Canada, the regional promotions merged to become two main promotions, centered around CGC and the DeColt family, and NOTBPW, formed around the folks who trained me, Dan Stone and his talented offspring. But one thing didn't change. I was still boucing around independent shows, mostly in Canada, occasionally in the US, still eeking out a living following my dream, and still waiting for my opportunity to show that I was good, really good at wrestling.

 

Then came the first decade of the 21st Century and even more changes in the wrestling scene. At the top were SWF still, challenged hotly by TCW. DAVE tried hard to crack that ceiling, but ultimately failed and closed in 2007. Its top stars scattering to the big two and the lesser lights to smaller promotions around North America. USPW rose to take the mantle of third place contender. A role that was solidified when Sam Strong took over the promotion. Smaller, feeder companies, like Rip CHord's MAW and Professor Nero's RIPW opened. PSW rose from the ashes of DAVE, albeit as a lesser promotion both in size and talent. Canada even had 4C and ACPW, offering variety from the big canadian two of CGC and NOTBPW, open. But again one thing hasn't changed. I am still working independent shows, still honing my skills, which I know are better than tons of guys I see in these promotions, and still waiting for my opportunity to show I belong up there among them.

 

Now, its 2013. The wrestling industry has changed a lot in the last 20 years. An older generation that I grew up watching and wanting to compete with has retired or began to fade, like Sam Keith and Jeremy Stone. A younger generation has emerged to challenge the old guard. New promotions have opened,new opportunities for others that I have wrestled against but still I have waited for my opportunity. An opportunity which hasn't come. I am tired of waiting, tired of seeing people I know I am a lot better than getting the spots in name promotions while I get overlooked time and time again. So now I am going to change. I am done waiting. I am going to take my future in my hands while I still have time left. I am going to show them all that it was a mistake to overlook me all these years. I am going to create my own legacy in this industry!

 

If you can't join them, BEAT THEM!

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Dragonmack Newbie

Dragonmack

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Jan 2nd 2013, Ontario Canada

 

 

I exited the doors of the law firm, papers in hand, not really believing I had finally done this. But there it was, in black and white, the licenses and permits all stamped with the business name TRADEMARK PRO WRESTLING! Although it may seem crazy to others, I had decided after twenty years on the road, bouncing from independent show and short run startup promotions that lasted for a handful of dates before folding, without ever getting work from an established promotion, that if they weren't going to have me work for them, then I would start my own promotion! I had learned a lot about the business from all these years and I had a good idea of what was needed to get something like this off the ground, but it was going to be tough going. But finally, I wouldn't be waiting anymore, I would be making my own destiny!

 

 

A few days later, after coming down from the euphoria of actually opening my own promotion, it was time to get down to the actual business ends of things. Through the various contacts I had built up over the years from the various independent show promoters, I was able to secure a few sponsors who pledge a little bit of money in exchange for being able to set up booths or advertising signs at our shows but it was only a couple thousand dollars or so a month coming in. And it wasn't like i was rolling in dough. I had barely eeked out a living with the independent shows, and occasional temp jobs. I had a whopping $2500 in the bank to add to the money from the sponsors to meet the operating costs, and to pay the workers which I still needed to hire. I figured I needed around a dozen wrestlers, including myself, a couple of eye candy managers, preferably ones with some decent skills on the mic, and a referee. Fortunately I had years worth of contacts who worked relatively cheap to draw from that I had met from the various independent shows, so it was time to make some calls.

 

 

While I waited to hear back from some of the guys ( and in a couple cases, gals) I had left messages for, I took some time to really decide what I wanted to do with my new promotion, and how to avoid most of the pitfalls I had seen other start up feds go through, ( most of which had led to their demise and my unemployment.) I knew there was no way to really compete with the established feds at this time, not even the really small ones like ACPW and MAW. But MAW did provide a good blueprint to follow for starting out. While I obviously didn't carry the clout of a Rip Chord, 20 years doing hundreds of shows had gotten me some recognition among die hard wrestling fans across Canada. So I decided to base operations out of Ontario. That put me square in the middle of Canada, in a decently populated area that 4C was based in, but as I intended to stick to a more mat based, traditional wrestling style product,like what I grew up on, but modernized, we would provide a contrast to frenzied, fast paced action that they offered.

 

 

I didn't kid myself. My limited reputation would only bring in a handful of fans to begin with. It would take time to prove that we would be a viable promotion and it would be months, if not years of counting pennies to make ends meet. But if I could pull this off, then my legacy in the industry would be cemented and I would have finally proven to all those other company owners and bookers that I had what it took and that they dropped the ball when they passed me over time and time again.

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Dragonmack

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Jan 10th 2013

 

I had spent the last week or so on the phone and backstage at a couple of local independent shows putting together an initial roster for my new company. Given the limited resources I had, I really couldn't afford anybody who was even reasonably well known as their appearance fees would be too high. The best I could do would be a handful of veterans of the independents who, like me, hadn't really gotten much of a shot in established promotions and several wrestlers with only a couple of years experience who were still learning the ropes. Fortunately, as I had worked with these people, I knew at least a couple that had strong skills, despite their inexperience. So after all the back and forth and negotiations ( fortunately, years of trying to wheedle out decent appearance fees from shady promoters had given me strong negotiationg skills) I was able to get these people under 3 year ppa contracts for TPW.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/JoshJones_zps33bc926b.jpg

 

Josh Jones

 

Josh had been working the independents in Canada for the last two years since he started in wrestling after college. I had crossed paths with him several times during that period, and the 24 yr old had the chops in the ring. But what holds him back is his bland style and average guy look. Still, I needed guys who could perform in the ring now. As for the rest, thats what managers are for.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThimblebyLangton_zps2d5e4bcd.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/WootonFitzpaine_zpsb15ddcd0.jpg

 

Thimbly Langton and Wooton Fitzpaine aka The Good Ol Boys

 

Langton and Fitzpaine were tough redneck brawlers, sort of an American version of one of Canada's well known teams, the McWades. Or at least that is what PSW thought when they brought them into the fold in 2007 and gave them a run with their tag titles. However, the two weren't quite up to that level, and finished weakly, leaving PSW in 2010 and bouncing around independent shows since then. They aren't much better now, but they do offer some benefits. In addition to having some brawling skills and able to fight in an entertaining fashion, they also have some name recognition,and also the years of experience together as a tag team. While tag teams aren't a focus right now, as we hopefully expand, they will be, and the Good Ol Boys can provide a team to be the backbone to build from.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/BenWilliams_zpsb777d81b.jpg

 

Ben Williams

 

Despite being only 26, Ben has been competing on the independent circuits for 8 years. His chief claim to fame being that he sells the offense of others very convincingly. If they have wrestled on the independent circuit in that time, chances are that Ben " Mr 1001 Gimmicks" Williams has bumped for them or put them over in a match. And thats a skill our promotion needs too.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/BuzzReid_zps1137def3.jpg

 

Buzz Reid

 

Reid is an average brawler, but has large size and a menacing appearance, making him perfect for an enforcer type, which is almost always a staple of any promotion.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/BradleyBlaze_zps7e158621.jpg

 

Bradley Blaze

 

An honest to goodness Cowboy, from Dallas Texas even, so his act is less a gimmick and more a portrayal of himself. Although he's a straight ahead brawler, at only 19 he shows some good basics and offers two valuable things for a new promotion. He's cheap, and likely to improve alot.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ErnestYoungman-1_zps91e00a51.jpg

 

Ernest Youngman

 

 

At 20 yrs old Ernest Youngman is relatively new in wrestling, having made his debut in the last year. But if anyone screams can't miss prospect, with his modern style and excellent mat wrestling, he does. I am surprised one of the regional promotions haven't scooped him up yet, but that works to my benefit. While I honestly can't see no one else picking up this guy in the next three years, I thought the same thing about myself at his age, and look where that got me.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/StormSpillane_zps20c25296.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/MarvelMalloy_zps2b80e726.jpg

 

Storm Spillane and Marvel Malloy

 

A couple of young, athletic guys from Florida. Spillane is more of a technical wrestler, and Malloy is a cruiserweight, but together, they have formed a decent tag team called American Cobras and have worked together for a year.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/OutlawWesRevell_zps496d38cd.jpg

 

Outlaw Wes Revell

 

Outlaw Wes Revell is another big brawler from Texas, who does an effective heel. Plus he and Bradley Blaze is practically a ready made feud.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/JoffyLaine_zpsc0d5c80b.jpg

 

Joffy Laine

 

A graduate of one of the better known independent training dojos, The Piledriver School of Wrestling in 2011. Laine is another one who should have a bright future as he has solid brawling skills, can chain wrestle, and has some ability on the mic and to work the crowd. While I fully expect him to go on to bigger and better things in time, for now he provides another solid young prospect that should help build interest in my promotion.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/QuentinQueen_zps48bc7227.jpg

 

Quentin Queen

 

Queen graduated this year from the TCW School of Pro Wrestling. Although TCW didn't bring him on the roster, that pedigree should be worth something, and he's cheap enough for me to afford to find out.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ChloeDean_zpsd67be895.jpg

 

Chloe Dean

 

Chloe is one of those people I have met numerous times over the years at the independent shows, where she is usually managing or valeting for someone. Although she has never gotten the big break, I know she has the charisma to help cover a clients weakness and can do a decent promo. At least for now, I feel she is a perfect fit for Josh Jones.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/DharmaGregg_zps3f559269.jpg

 

Dharma Gregg

 

Dharma is best known for her time as one of the top stars in the now defunct BSC. When they folded, she decided to become a manager on the independent circuit. Considering she was the top draw of BSC, her charisma and entertainment ability is top notch, not to mention she is still gorgeous, which makes her another cheap but valuable asset for my promotion.

 

 

While there wasn't really anyone who was known outside of the region where some of them worked in the past, I felt the mix of a few veterans, and several young guys with solid potential, along with my own skills, provided the promotion a strong base to grow from. A belief that would take its first test in a week or so as I began putting together the inaugural show of Trademark Pro Wrestling.

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Dragonmack Newbie

Dragonmack

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Saturday Week 2 Jan 2013

 

Here I was at the Windsor Arena Hall in Ontario, Canada. I had been here hundreds of times before for independent shows, but tonight was different. Tonight it wasn't just any promotion wrestling here, it was my promotion! The first real test that what I was doing wasn't just some crazy pipe dream doomed to fail. That it was the first step to finally creating my legacy in the business. While I have always had some butterflies in the stomach before a show, tonight they had grown into a giant mutated storm. I was afraid to even look at any of the food on the catering table for fear that they would try to escape the hard way. But I believed in what I was trying to create here. I believed that tonight would start to make the twenty years I had spent on the road worthwhile. Tonight, starting with very small ripples, waves would be made that would one day affect the industry as a whole because tonight was TPW The Legacy Begins!

 

 

 

TPW The Legacy Begins!

 

Windsor Arena Hall, Ontario Canada

Att: 71

 

 

Pre Show

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThimblebyLangton_zps2d5e4bcd.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/WootonFitzpaine_zpsb15ddcd0.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/QuentinQueen_zps48bc7227.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/JoffyLaine_zpsc0d5c80b.jpg

 

The Good Ol Boys VS Quentin Queen and Joffy Laine

 

 

In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, Good Ole Boys defeated Joffy Laine and Quentin Queen in 9:51 when Wooton Fitzpaine defeated Joffy Laine by pinfall with a Running Big Foot

 

Match Rating: E

 

I had two set tag teams with The Good Ole Boys and the American Cobras, but I couldn't just match them up every show, so before the official show begins, I was going to test some combinations together to see if there was any that looked like they might have the spark of a good tag team. The crowd was still filing in and its really hard to get much excitement from an arena thats only 20% full, but given everyone was basically unknown here, it was a good match all around.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/JoshJones_zps33bc926b.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/OutlawWesRevell_zps496d38cd.jpg

 

Josh Jones vs Outlaw Wes Revell

 

 

In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, Josh Jones defeated Outlaw Wes Revell in 10:14 by pinfall with a Canadian Backdrop.

 

 

Match Rating E+

 

Although Josh would have a presence on the main show, he didn't have a match for it tonight, so he gets some work here, not only to test the skills of some of the newer ( at least newer than Josh) less experienced talent, and for the audience that is here to get a taste of his skills.

 

 

 

MAIN SHOW

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThimblebyLangton_zps2d5e4bcd.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/WootonFitzpaine_zpsb15ddcd0.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/StormSpillane_zps20c25296.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/MarvelMalloy_zps2b80e726.jpg w\ http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/DharmaGregg_zps3f559269.jpg

 

 

The Good Ol Boys VS The American Cobras w\ Dharma Gregg

 

In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, Good Ole Boys defeated American Cobras in 12:03 when Thimbleby Langton defeated Storm Spillane by pinfall with a Gutwrench Flapjack

 

Match Rating E-

 

Starting things off with our two tag teams competing to see who is best. Not surprisingly, the experience edge of the former PSW champions is the difference as the Good Ol Boys pull out the victory. Although not a classic match by any means, it was good enough for what we were right now, a first time, barely known promotion with a cast of pretty much nobodies. Of interest, at least to me, was some really good interplay between Malloy and Dharma at ringside, showing they could be a good pairing.

 

 

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/BuzzReid_zps1137def3.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/JoffyLaine_zpsc0d5c80b.jpg

 

Buzz Reid VS Joffy Laine

 

In an absolutely wretched bout that was devoid of action or heat, Buzz Reid defeated Joffy Laine in 12:19 by pinfall with a Termination Slam

 

Match Rating F+

 

Well, that match wasn't very good. Reid may have a good look for a bodyguard\enforcer, and gets the win here to start building that role, but he doesn't have the tank to go this long. Laine also wasn't as sharp in the match, probably having a hard time working off the limited offense of Reid. Good thing I really wasn't expecting alot here other than to build the wrestlers characters.

 

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThomasMorgan_alt1.jpg

 

"Trademark" Thomas Morgan is in the middle of the ring.

 

" Welcome one and all to the future of wrestling, Trademark Pro Wrestling! And now that you have all gathered here today to see my vision in action, let me make one thing perfectly clear. I am better than you. That is not a boast, or pure hubris. It is a statement of fact. I am better than you. Thats why I am here in the middle of the ring in a promotion I own, while you are there, sitting in those seats, paying money to see me. And not only am I better than you, I am better than all those who are in the back, which is why I am going to crown myself the TPW Champ..."

 

Right then some dance music plays, and out on the ramp comes the slinky, seductive former BSC Queen of the Ring, Dharma Gregg.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/DharmaGregg_zps3f559269.jpg

 

Dharma has a mic in her hands and states

 

" Now hold on there TM. While you may be the owner here, even you still answer to the board of directors. And there are certain rules even you have to abide by. And the biggest rule is that titles can only be won in the ring. Which means, if you want to be the initial Trademark Pro Wrestling champion, you will have to wrestle for it and earn it in that squared circle. And I happen to have just the perfect opponent. A man whose technical prowess is unmatched in this company, a man, who, because he was smart enough to sign on with me, is destined for greatness. My client, Josh Jones!"

 

Morgan looks flustered for a second, but quickly recovers.

 

" You're right Dharma. The title does have to be won in the ring and that's exactly what I intend to do. But it won't be against Jones. I make the matches in this promotion, not you, and Jones is not worthy of competing for the belt. But don't worry, I will find a suitable opponent for myself tonight and when, not if, I defeat them, I, Thomas Morgan, will take my rightful place as the Trademark Champion!"

 

Rating E+

 

Not exactly blowing the doors off, but decent enough to set up what I plan as the main storyline of the promotion early on, and also displaying the persona I was going to use.

 

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/BradleyBlaze_zps7e158621.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ErnestYoungman-1_zps91e00a51.jpg w\http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/DharmaGregg_zps3f559269.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/OutlawWesRevell_zps496d38cd.jpg

 

Bradley Blaze VS Ernest Youngman w\ Dharma Gregg VS Outlaw Wes Revell

 

In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Ernest Youngman defeated Bradley Blaze and Outlaw Wes Revell in 11:39 when Ernest Youngman defeated Bradley Blaze by pinfall.

 

Match Rating D

 

Throughout the match,Blaze and Revell kept getting in each other's way, and blocking the other's pin attempts, while the cool and collected Youngman bided his time and waited for his opportunity to put things away. That chance came when Blaze and Revell began arguing in the ring and Revell pushed Blaze. Blaze punched back, knocking Revell through the ropes. Meantime, Youngman had gotten behind Blaze and swiftly rolled him up for the 3 count and the victory. On a side note, Dharma and Youngman looked like an awesome pairing as the crowd seemed to respond to their interactions. And while the undercurrent of the match was sowing the seeds for a Blaze -Revell cowboy feud, it wasn't lost on me or the crowd that Youngman really has the chops in the ring.

 

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThomasMorgan_alt1.jpg

 

"Trademark" Thomas Morgan comes out again. He holds a championship belt, which he gives to the timekeeper before climbing into the ring with a microphone.

 

" As promised, I will compete with a worthy opponent with the winner being the new Trademark Champion. I'll reveal the challenger in a few minutes, however I can guarantee you that it is not Josh Jones. And no, I am not afraid of Josh Jones. I am better than him, just like I am better than all of you. But Jones is not worthy of facing me for a title. He's unproven, inexperienced, and totally without the wrestling pedigree that the challenger I will face tonight has. In short Jones, you just aren't championship material. But maybe after I have beaten all the worthy contenders, I will deign to face you, somewhere far down the road. When I feel like slumming. But enough talking about that nobody. Lets talk about the championship that will soon be around my waist, and the worthy opponent that I will face tonight, the dangerous veteran Ben Williams!"

 

 

Ben Williams then walks down to the ring and the match begins.

 

Rating E+

 

Continuing setting up my persona as well as furthering the main storyline and announcing the main event for the night.

 

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThomasMorgan_alt1.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/BenWilliams_zpsb777d81b.jpg

 

Thomas Morgan VS Ben Williams for the Trademark Championship

 

 

In an extremely poor match, Thomas Morgan defeated Ben Williams in 20:17 by submission with a STF. Thomas Morgan wins the Trademark Championship title.

 

Match Rating E+

 

While Williams does his usual good job of selling, this match was really too long for him and it was obvious that he was exhausted by the end of it.

 

 

Overall Show E+

 

The crowd was less than I hoped, but larger than I expected. Hell, I have seen some initial shows from startup promotions that had more wrestlers than fans in the seats, and most of those were girlfriends or family members. So from that standpoint, I would have to say tonight was a success. There were some good points, like Youngman being a standout performer, and not so good points, like letting Williams try to pull a 20 minute match when he doesn't have the stamina for it, but overall it was a good show, and the couple of independent show reviewers gave it good marks in the papers the next day.

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Tigerkinney Newbie

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Liking the concept of this so far, but even you will have to admit you made some booking errors with that first show.

 

How long did you set the show for ?, with a roster this thin right now- I'd only go for one hour shows (remember you have some lee-way to go over that) until you get more/better talent.....I'm saying this because not only was your main event over-long, I'd say all the matches went too long- who wants to see Buzz Reid huffing and puffing for 13 minutes- sure the match still would have sucked if it ran for half the time, but it may have just sucked a little less :p

 

I'm guessing that in your product that the main event should run for at-least 20 minutes, and you might well take a little bit of a penalty by not meeting that expectation but in the end the fans don't want to see Ben Williams wrestling for twenty minutes!

 

Also just out of interest what is the product that you are using- my guess is that it's something not too dissimilar to something like MAW or NYCW.

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Dragonmack Newbie

Dragonmack

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Liking the concept of this so far, but even you will have to admit you made some booking errors with that first show.

 

How long did you set the show for ?, with a roster this thin right now- I'd only go for one hour shows (remember you have some lee-way to go over that) until you get more/better talent.....I'm saying this because not only was your main event over-long, I'd say all the matches went too long- who wants to see Buzz Reid huffing and puffing for 13 minutes- sure the match still would have sucked if it ran for half the time, but it may have just sucked a little less :p

 

I'm guessing that in your product that the main event should run for at-least 20 minutes, and you might well take a little bit of a penalty by not meeting that expectation but in the end the fans don't want to see Ben Williams wrestling for twenty minutes!

 

Also just out of interest what is the product that you are using- my guess is that it's something not too dissimilar to something like MAW or NYCW.

 

 

I have mostly a default 'Respect for Wrestling" product, although I have tweaked it to be Traditional rather than Modern as primary focus. But yeah, in flavor it is very close to MAW. Mostly ring action, mainly clean results, only a little time for angles, and standard non subtle gimmicks. Its focusing mainly on mat wrestling, with a smattering of other styles as I did go for mostly regular wrestler types. But given that Morgan is mainly a mat technician, I felt that would make sense for him. Its a style he can shine in, and given this is about him making his place in wrestling, it fits the story.

 

match lengths are 8 min, 12 min and 20 min and currently I have the shows set to about 90 minutes meaning I can go from just over an hour to just under 2 hours for the regular show. Once I know I can bring the shows in under sponsor budget each month, I will probably be expanding the roster anyways, and thus will eventually be filling in more of that time.

 

I have fog of war on, thus I don't have detailed stats on a lot of the guys, so yeah, I am going to run into some issues like Williams wrestling too long and Reid being in the ring at all. But, then there were storyline purposes for both of the decisions. Reid is being groomed as an enforcer type, so he needs to get some victories in ring early to legitimize his toughness, while Williams was never supposed to be a really credible challenge, as shown by Morgan picking him and ducking Josh Jones.

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cappyboy Newbie

cappyboy

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Liking the concept of this so far, but even you will have to admit you made some booking errors with that first show.

 

How long did you set the show for ?, with a roster this thin right now- I'd only go for one hour shows (remember you have some lee-way to go over that) until you get more/better talent.....I'm saying this because not only was your main event over-long, I'd say all the matches went too long- who wants to see Buzz Reid huffing and puffing for 13 minutes- sure the match still would have sucked if it ran for half the time, but it may have just sucked a little less :p.

 

Very much agreed. When I'm playing one of my training games, I start with one hour shows. Only when I hit Small and can expand enough to feel comfortable booking tag matches on the main show do I up show length to an hour and a half.

 

 

I'm guessing that in your product that the main event should run for at-least 20 minutes, and you might well take a little bit of a penalty by not meeting that expectation but in the end the fans don't want to see Ben Williams wrestling for twenty minutes!

 

Also tend to agree here. This may be the longest match I've seen Ben involved in. Be it in game or in a diary. Even if develops enough stamina to go 20, I've never had him high enough up the card to make that reasonable. I think I've seen him hit Upper Midcard once or twice based on sheer scarcity of credible people. But even in my promotions, he's tended to be more of a midcard guy. Trying to pull a 20 minute event out of him was insane. Especially given the storyline. Morgan calling his shot to take the title by default called for a walkover. Which would have suited Ben's typical work pattern far better.

 

On the upside, I do like the talent mix here and look forward to seeing more of this promotion.

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Very much agreed. When I'm playing one of my training games, I start with one hour shows. Only when I hit Small and can expand enough to feel comfortable booking tag matches on the main show do I up show length to an hour and a half.

 

 

 

 

Also tend to agree here. This may be the longest match I've seen Ben involved in. Be it in game or in a diary. Even if develops enough stamina to go 20, I've never had him high enough up the card to make that reasonable. I think I've seen him hit Upper Midcard once or twice based on sheer scarcity of credible people. But even in my promotions, he's tended to be more of a midcard guy. Trying to pull a 20 minute event out of him was insane. Especially given the storyline. Morgan calling his shot to take the title by default called for a walkover. Which would have suited Ben's typical work pattern far better.

 

On the upside, I do like the talent mix here and look forward to seeing more of this promotion.

 

Well, at local size, which is what I am at the start, he auto pushes to upper mid. the main eventers are the good ol boys, Josh Jones and my user character Morgan. The Boys are working as a tag act, and are heels, and currently the storyline is Morgan ducking Jones. I could have gone with Youngman if I just wanted ratings ( and probably would have if I was just playing a normal game) but I am building him up as a blue chipper who will probably be the next serious contender after Jones.

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Although I haven't really detailed it here, those who have seen certain things I have posted might have realized that this is a rock hard challenge game. Not a true 0/0/0/0 as Morgan does minor levels of popularity across Canada, so he would draw a little bit of interest in a new promotion. Hence starting at F in Ontario for promotion Importance, and having 2500 in the bank to start off with in cash.

 

Mainly the selling point is Morgan, one of those decent wrestlers that is always unemployed at the start of every TEW, finally deciding after 20 years in the business that if he isn't going to get a break from someone else, he'd better make his own. It's a story I could have done with almost anyone, but Morgan is fairly well known to the community, especially those doing 0/0/0/0 games as he's probably part of your initial roster! :p

 

And given his backstory, I feel it makes for a much more believable foundation for the diary.

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February 1st 2013 Ontario

 

As the checks from the sponsors rolled in and were deposited, I tallied up the expenses from the wrestler paychecks, show costs, and advertising along with sales receipts for merchandise, and dvd sales ( we actually sold a few!) and as I added it all up, to my very pleasant surprise, we were over $1500 in the black for the month! I felt a sense of vindication that not only had I been able to put on a successful show, and generate some buzz, but that I had managed to make money doing it too! But after the show, one thing was clear to me going forward, and that was I was going to need someone to handle scripting the matches and working with all these young guys. I tried handling it for the first show, but it was somewhat overwhelming, and with dealing with the business side of things as well as my own preparations, I just didn't have the time. Also, being the owner, and employer of the other wrestlers, created a social barrier between me and the others. I needed someone outside that dynamic, yet with the skills to layout matches for the inexperienced people, and who also had enough experience and respect to command some authority backstage. Now that I knew I had some extra money to play with each month, I could bring someone in to fit that road agent position.

 

I spent the next couple days making some calls. I was looking for someone who had the skills I needed, but wasn't working for another promotion right now and also would be willing to work for what I could spare to pay them each month and yet still give me room to stay in the black. That let out a lot of the more well known people like Ed Monton, Archie Judge or Curt O Malley, but I was finally able to get hold of someone who had a solid career in Canada, was known for toughness,had the required skills and could command respect. That person was Alysian Scotsfield.

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/AlysianScottsfield_zps3c70655d.jpg

 

 

We worked out a deal that made him the highest paid person in the company at this point, yet was still cheap enough to where I had a safe margin to maintain profitability. Of course, to get him down another fifty or so a month, I promised him creative control of his character. Although we both knew this was something that was mostly fluff, seeing as how neither of us expected him to ever work in front of the camera, it gave him some peace of mind that even if his role changed somehow, he would be able to maintain dignity and not be embarrassed.

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Week 2 Saturday Feb 2013

 

 

It's a couple hours before the show and I am in the back in my little office going over some final adjustments for the program tonight. I have to do some retconning as an unfortunate mistake happened at the last show during the segment where I was being challenged by Josh Jones manager. In short, the temp staffer backstage sent the wrong woman out. Dharma managed to go with it, as did I. But as Chloe is assigned as Josh's manager, not Dharma, we need to resolve it tonight. Also, we have a new wrestler debuting tonight as well. Given that I had a larger profit than expected after the first month, and I got Alysian for a reasonable price, I hired on another young guy who had just broken into the business, but also had a strong technical wrestling background.

 

As I was going over the last minute changes, I heard a commotion coming from the wrestlers lockeroom area. I barge in just in time to see Marv Malloy getting into a heated argument with the new guy, and I'm thinking, "damn, he hasn't even started working here yet and he's already causing problems!" Which, after things were sorted out and it turned out the new guy was insulting Malloy's skills, saying his flying around wasn't 'true wrestling'. I took him aside into a private room and let him know that he hadn't even started here and was already causing a fuss backstage and that I wasn't going to tolerate it. I gave him a stern warning that his opportunity was at my sufference and not to make me regret bringing him in. That seemed to get through to him somewhat as he lowered his eyes and quietly said he would try not to let it happen again. We'll see how long that lasts.

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TPW THE MAKING OF LEGENDS

 

Week 2 Saturday Feb 2013

Windsor Arena Hall , Ontario Canada

Att: 50

 

 

PRE SHOW

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/BradleyBlaze_zps7e158621.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/StormSpillane_zps20c25296.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/MarvelMalloy_zps2b80e726.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThomasMorgan_alt1.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/OutlawWesRevell_zps496d38cd.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/IrwinGutmann_zpsf44983fc.jpg

 

Bradley Blaze and The American Cobras VS 'Trademark' Thomas Morgan, Outlaw Wes Revell and Irwin Gutmann

 

In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Outlaw Wes Revell, Irwin Gutmann and Thomas Morgan defeated Bradley Blaze and American Cobras in 10:17 when Thomas Morgan defeated Marvel Malloy by submission with a STF

 

Match Rating D-

 

Basically a training match, which is why I was out there, but with some undercurrents both storyline and personal. Blaze and Revell was the storyline as they are building towards a feud,and had a bit of Revell avoiding Blaze,who kept motioning for Revell to tag in when he was there. And Irwin Gutmann was the new guy getting his first ring work, ironically with the guy he got into an argument backstage on the other side. Fortunately all the bodies out there kept things professional and even with no heat, it was a solid match.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThomasMorgan_alt1.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/DharmaGregg_zps3f559269.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ChloeDean_zpsd67be895.jpg

 

After the match is over, 'Trademark' Thomas Morgan grabs a microphone and states.

 

" That was yet another example of why I am better than you. And, being that its valentine's day, I am going to demonstrate yet one more reason why I am better than you, because, as the owner of Trademark Pro Wrestling, I get to do this. Ladies, come on down!!!!!"

 

The spotlights go to the entrance curtain, and out come Dharma Gregg doing a little dance to the ring, and Chloe Dean, a little more stately, walks behind. Both are clad in red bikini's with heart shaped tops. They strut around the ring, Dharma far more relaxed than Chloe, but both girls doing their best to wave to the crowd as they get some appreciative cheers from the 40+ males in attendance.

 

Rating D

 

One of the things I learned from the promoters over the years is that skin sells, and even a more serious promotion like mine can benefit from the occasional 'sexy girls' segment. Judging by the loud reaction generated by the small crowd, obviously it worked.

 

 

 

MAIN SHOW

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThimblebyLangton_zps2d5e4bcd.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/WootonFitzpaine_zpsb15ddcd0.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/BenWilliams_zpsb777d81b.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/JoffyLaine_zpsc0d5c80b.jpg

 

Good Ol Boys VS Ben Williams and Joffy Laine

 

In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, Good Ole Boys defeated Ben Williams and Joffy Laine in 11:42 when Wooton Fitzpaine defeated Ben Williams by pinfall with a Running Big Foot.

 

Match Rating E

 

Continuing to test out midcard combinations while having the Good Ol Boys rack up some wins.

 

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/BuzzReid_zps1137def3.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/MarvelMalloy_zps2b80e726.jpg

 

 

Buzz Reid vs Marvel Malloy

 

In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, Buzz Reid defeated Marvel Malloy in 7:35 by pinfall with a Termination Slam

 

Match Rating F+

 

Another barely standard level match, but necessary in order to get Reid over as a bad ass for down the road. Malloy is hte smallest guy on the roster so he gets the bump duty.

Learning from last month, the match itself was several minutes shorter so Reid didn't gas out at the end.

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/DharmaGregg_zps3f559269.jpghttp://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ChloeDean_zpsd67be895.jpg

 

A camera sends an image up on the big screen monitor in the arena, showing a door that has a sign stating 'Josh Jones' on it. Dharma Gregg comes up to the door, but just as she goes to grab the handle, the door opens up and Chloe Dean walks out. She pushes Dharma back and shuts the door behind her.

 

" Where do you think you're going missy?"

 

Dharma, momentarily nonplussed, replies

 

" I'm going to see my client, not that it's any of your business."

 

Chloe responds

 

" It is my business, because he's not your client anymore, he's mine."

 

Dharma gets angry and says

 

" Have you been smoking too much again hippy girl? Jones is my client and part of my stable!"

 

She tries to push past Chloe Dean, but Chloe gives her another little shove and states

 

" That's the problem. Josh thought you had too much on your plate to attend to his needs, and he wanted a manager that will give him personal attention, not one that 'services' several, if you get my drift. Not to mention, you never had a written contract with him. But I do."

 

Dean brandishes a rolled up paper in Dharma's face. Dharma snatches it out of Chloe's hand and quickly scans it. She tosses it back in the other girls face and walks away

 

" You're not going to get away with this Chloe!"

 

Chloe responds,

 

" I just did, honey."

 

and then turns back and re-enters the locker room.

 

Rating E-

 

The girls were fully dressed this time, thus less of a natural male reaction from the crowd. This segment was necessary for a few reasons. Primarily it served to provide a natural transition for the audience as to why Dean is managing Jones now and also, being that they are the only two managers on my roster right now, it sets the stage for a one upmanship competiton between them that can be used in the future as well.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ErnestYoungman-1_zps91e00a51.jpg w\http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/DharmaGregg_zps3f559269.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/IrwinGutmann_zpsf44983fc.jpg

 

Ernest Youngman w\ Dharma Gregg VS Irwin Gutmann

 

 

In a bout that had solid in-ring action but non-existent crowd heat, Ernest Youngman defeated Irwin Gutmann in 11:46 by pinfall

 

Match Rating D

 

Two of the better mat technicians on the indy scene strut their stuff for several minutes in a very good match that had a lot of submission holds and counters before Youngman reversed a suplex attempt into a sunset flip for the three count. Gutmann may have attitude issues, but he has the stuff in the ring, and he and Youngman looked like they had wrestled together a hundred times before given how fluid and crisp their exchanges were. Here is another pairing that can be built into a solid feud for the future.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/JoshJones_zps33bc926b.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/OutlawWesRevell_zps496d38cd.jpg

 

Josh Jones VS Outlaw Wes Revell

 

 

In an awful match that was completely devoid of heat, Josh Jones defeated Outlaw Wes Revell in 0:49 by pinfall with a Canadian Backdrop.

 

Match Rating E+

 

Ok, someone screwed up a call somewhere, as this was supposed to be a full match. But apparently the ref thought he got the 'go home signal' and motioned for the guys to go to the finish. While to the fans it looked like Jones got an impressively quick win, it wasn't what I originally intended as I wanted to showcase JOnes a little more. But being a new promotion, with a bunch of guys who haven't worked in organizations before, these things happen from time to time, and you make the best of it as the show still goes on.

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThomasMorgan_alt1.jpg

 

'Trademark' Thomas Morgan, sporting the Trademark Championship belt, comes down to the ring and grabs a microphone

 

" Well, that was an impressive victory Josh, but still not good enough to put you in line for a shot at this title. You see, I only let the best challenge for this title. Not that it will do any of them any good, because quite simply, I am better than they are, just like I am better than all of you. Again, that is not arrogance, just basic facts."

 

Rating D-

 

Building some heat with the crowd for my character, as well as providing some more to the budding feud between Jones and I.

 

 

 

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/QuentinQueen_zps48bc7227.jpg VS http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/ThomasMorgan_alt1.jpg

http://i336.photobucket.com/albums/n329/Dragonmack/TPWChampionship_zps1d866098.jpg

 

Quentin Queen VS 'Trademark' Thomas Morgan © for the TPW Championship

 

In a bout that had solid in-ring action but not much in the way of heat, Thomas Morgan defeated Quentin Queen in 19:51 by submission with a STF. Thomas Morgan makes defence number 1 of his Trademark Championship title.

 

Match Rating E+

 

A decent match, but still continuing the storyline of where I am ducking the top competition. Queen gets in some good offense, but it was obvious that my title was never in any real danger as I drew the match out before finally ending it with the STF submission.

 

 

OVERALL RATING E+

 

It was another good show overall,which should continue to raise our visibility. There were a few small issues, like Jones short match. Youngman continues to be a rising star, while it becomes more obvious that Reid really doesn't belong in the ring yet. At least not on the regular show. Gutmann, despite a bad start with the locker room, delivered in the ring and although the crowd was smaller than the first show, that was to be expected as the first of anything tends to get more people to check it out. The fact we retained over 70% of them to the next show is very encouraging.

 

 

ooc: thanks to Reaper for his usual excellent work on the title belt.

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March 1st 2013

 

This was an incredible day! While I expected to reach this point sometime in the near future, I really didn't expect it to happen this fast! Based on the strength of our first two shows,and the buzz from the wrestling websites in this part of Canada, the sponsors decided to increase the amount they were providing us, and I got calls from a couple more sponsors. The upshot of it is that I have about twice as much coming in from the sponsorship as I did before, giving me room to expand our roster, and increase our advertising to attract more people to the show. We still have a long way to go, but Trademark Pro Wrestling has taken the first step to becoming a promotion to be reckoned with and cementing my legacy in wrestling!

 

 

ooc: TPW has risen to Small size from Local.

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