The Burning Hammer of the Wrestling Gods (BHOTWG) Thread

[Bigpapa42]

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Bigpapa42_2006/Wrestling/Logos/Promotions/BHOTWG3.jpg

 

Burning Hammer of the Wrestling Gods is the CornellVerse's biggest wrestling promotion in Japan. It is one of the richest promotions in the world and most prestigious, with a great history befitting the third oldest promotion in the game world.

 

I gradually fell in love with Burning Hammer while reading TigerKinney's amazing BHOTWG diary on the 2008 version, which happened to coincide with me falling in love with puroresu. Now I don't think its necessary to know "real" puroresu to enjoy Burning Hammer - or any of the Japanese C-V promotions, for that matter - but it helps.

 

The Basics

 

Owner: Tetsuzen Kaneko

Default Booker: Tasuku Ieseda

Size: National

Money: $25million

Product: Performance Much More Than Popularity

 

The Basics of Burning Hammer

 

• The History - from Master Kitozon and the war with Golden Canvas to the influence of MMA and the INSPIRE revolution to the return of those rebels and the takeover by Kaneko... there is some fantastic backstory to Burning Hammer. I'm not going to detail it all here but learning it all definitely helps flesh out the promotion.
  
• The Product - its traditional wrestling with a heavy dose of Realism. That does not mean pure old school mat battles - that's Golden Canvas. I have long connected The Burning Path product that Burning Hammer uses to the New Japan product of the 90s, with realistic striking and realistic submissions being a key part. For various reasons, I have always connected the more intense product of Pride Glory Honor Wrestling to the All Japan (and subsequently, NOAH) product of the 90s.
  
• The Schedule - being a traditional Japanese promotion, BHOTWG runs a touring schedule 8 months of the year. For those new to touring promotions, you simply need to create the shows as weekly events on the given days. So, for example, you could create BHOTWG Light the Beacons Tour (Monday) and BHOTWG Light the Beacons Tour (Wednesday) each as 2.5 hour Huge events. Once you reach the touring period, you will start running those shows. You can adjust as necessary and have as many shows per week as your roster can handle. Given the intensity of the Burning Path, doing three or more seems heavy and could result in injuries. Your television show is simply highlights from the tour events.
  
• The Imagery - The Burning Path. Fire Dream of the Immortals. Quest of Heart. The imagery attached to Burning Hammer is awesome, though I guess its a subjective judgement. Have fun with it, whether its naming the tour shows or new tag teams.
  
• The Super Juniors - Japanese Super Juniors are often compared to cruiserweights and there are similarities, in that Super J's are flashy and use aerial attacks but there is a strong technical basis and often strong striking. As CV lore tells us that Burning Hammer was responsible for evolving the Super Junior style (thanks Elemental), its no surprise that it remains a big part of the product and there are some great ones on the roster. The division is traditionally kept rather separate from the heavyweights. Its probably possible to develop the Super Junior division to the point where it can regularly highlight shows but not really something you can do off the start.
  
• The Young Lions - if a worker in Japan is under 32 and has under D- respect, they are considered a Young Lion. I believe those are the requirements, at least. Fans in Japan won't accept Young Lions beating an established (non Young Lion) opponent. Young Lions can beat other Young Lions without fans hating it. You can also team up a Young Lions with a veteran, so long as you don't have the Young Lion getting the wins.
  
• Loyalty - an aspect that separates wrestling in Japan from anywhere else. When the Loyalty system is in place, hiring a Japanese worker who is under 25 and unemployed will result in them becoming Loyal to your promotion. Which means that they will not willingly leave your promotion for another. That is huge. And occasionally frustrating when you are the alpha dog in the land but workers will stay with a smaller promotion out of loyalty. Unless the mechanic has changed completely, popularity won't override it like it can with family loyalty. The mechanic has changed in that loyalty is no longer absolute - you can't sign a loyal worker away from the promotion they are loyal to, but they will work for you. I signed Magnum Kobe to a tour contract, though he would not accept a Written deal due to his loyalty to WLW.
  
• The Gaijin - the foreigners. The term applies to any non-native talent. Burning Hammer was built on the dynamic of their megastar (Master Kitozon) tackling a series of foreign monsters. Its a dynamic that still applies in more recent times, as seen by the likes of Sam Strong and Bruce the Giant. Burning Hammer start the game with a number of non-Japan workers but they are mostly Super Juniors. There are none who will be taking on Kikkawa for the Burning World title, or even Ieseda for the King of Fighters. There are a few options but most don't have the combination of skill and popularity in Japan to make it likely without major build. The best option might be trying to steal Raymond Diaz from PGHW.
  

 

 

Big Papa's Approach

 

Just a few "tips" related to things I try to do. Not "right", just a few ideas you can try if you find yourself lacking for ways to go forward.

 

• Storylines - I've heard complaints about real puro, saying "it doesn't have any stories". That's entirely incorrect. The feuds in Japan are simply done differently from what NA fans are used to. You can use storylines, but you won't be using regular promos and interviews to advance them. You can use angles in Burning Hammer but given the product, you have to do so only with top talent.
  
• Stables - I have to offer thanks to TigerKinney, as his faction-heavy 2010 BH project lead to me to this approach, as well as a tip for running PGHW that I think dates back to 2008. Its quite realistic, as real puro promotions have often used stables and some (such as DragonGate) rely on them heavily. The stable wars provide easy storylines and feuds, as well as future feuds by having people get turned on. They make the use of 3v3 and 4v4 matches (which are common in puro) very logical. I usually go for 4 to 6 stables of about 4-6 people apiece. Even without the INSPIRE group, I likely have a loyalist sekigun (army) lead by Hiroaki Nakasawa and Kinnoji Horri, plus a few obvious ones like Elemental III. One based around the Black Magic duo. Maybe Ieseda or Okazaki leading a few younger guys. Inspiration can be found anywhere - real puro, TK's projects, etc. Have fun with the names and dynamics. The use of these factions has made Burning Hammer infinitely more fun for me personally.
  
• Second Dojo - full disclosure - I put some plans together for a BH diary project back on 2010 and this was an idea from that. But I am still running with it my 2013 game. Burning Hammer has Hinote Dojo as a child promotion, which now has several titles (sweet) and a touring schedule. It also has history behind it due to the connection to Master Kitozon. Since Japan has a ton of young talent than can be developed, I tend to oversign. That leaves Hinote with a bloated roster. So I open a second dojo (currently using the Dragon Pro logo from the Thunderverse) with the idea that Burning Hammer management wants to look at developing some young non-native talent but the traditionalists don't want to see that at Hinote. It even sets up future faction wars between those trained at Hinote and those at the second dojo.
  
• Developmental Part II - have some young guys on the roster who aren't quite at the level you would like them to be yet but whom you want on the roster? Use the non-touring months to stick them in development. There is risk to this - the non-touring months give workers a chance to rest and recover, which is vital given the intense product in Japan. Putting guys in development means they don't get that rest and recovery. For young workers, it can affect their physical condition long-term, and at the very least, you might have to rest them more on the next tour. Its something that should be done carefully and with consideration... but it is an option.
  
• The Kitozon Summit Grand Prix - blatantly stealing here, this time from the ThunderVerse. Burning Hammer has a Super Junior tournament. Why not a full tournament for the heavyweights? Or a league? The name idea comes from UPJ in the ThunderVerse, so full credit to jhd1 or whoever came up with that. Honors the history of Burning Hammer and helps build the new stars... What's not like?
  
• Talent - the Burning Hammer roster is solid but not perfect. What fun would it be if it was perfect? The upper tier of talent is all over 30 and while some of them are still relatively young (Masuno, Taira, Horrii, and Nakasawa), they are already at the top. The upper midcard is very veteran-heavy and some will have to be replaced before too long. You don't have a lot of guys on the roster who are going to do that, so you can look to your developmental talent and/or bring in new developmental workers. The Super Junior division is in better shape, as several of your top ones are under 30... but they still need some work in terms of development as well. You can look at younger talent Haranobu Kobayashi, Lion Genji, Omezo Shiketi, and Tanyu Toshusai as future stars and they will become loyal. You can raid the likes of BCG or look at some of the former INSPIRE talent. I like to do all of the above.
  
• Masks - not all Super Juniors are masked, but many are. I've always seen this as a real opportunity for some creative fun and collected random masked CV workers for that reason (with the masked CVFP images that came plus the ones I already, I have about 400). Have fun and be creative. You can bring in CV versions of real world Super Juniors like Ultimo Dragon, Tiger Mask, and Jushin Lyger. Or better yet, build on the existing C-verse lore. How about Dark Elemental, Dragon Optimus, or Masuko's younger brother? I don't necessarly just mean direct legacies but more variations of existing legacies. Not to mention coming up with interesting new characters. Sadly, one of my favorites to develop into such a legacy - Musashi - is now loyal to EX2010, but there are endless other options. I'll put it this way - the only way the Burning Hammer Super Junior division should be boring is if you make it such.
  
• Biographies - this is something I try to do in any game, not just Burning Hammer... but evolve the biographies. Add to them. Change them entirely if need be. I realize this won't mean a thing to some people, who all but ignore the bios. But I love seeing a workers recent accomplishments noted in there in addition to what Ryland wanted to tell us.
  

 

Other Tips

 

• User Talents - since gimmicks are not necessary in Burning Hammer, spending user talent points on the Creative aspect is a waste. Put zero points in there and put them all into Motivating, which will see results in regard to match grades.
  

 

 

Links

• Burning Desire, Raise the Hammer: TigerKinney's brilliant 2008 diary
  
• Stepping Into the Inferno: TigerKinney's excellent 2010 Burning Hammer project
  
• FINisher's BGC My Way to Play Project: a project that focuses on the details of booking a puro promotion, so even though its not Burning Hammer, it looks to be really helpful for those just getting into Japan.
  

[Derek B]

I'm liking this thread already. As someone with limited knowledge of real life Japanese wrestling any help I can find for my game will be awesome. BHOTWG has an awesome history in the Cornellverse that I know pretty well, but I don't know the real life side of things to balance it out so any tips and pointers you can provide will be awesome.

[Jaded]

Very nice thread - and love the useful links section!

[Bigpapa42]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Derek B" data-cite="Derek B" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="35123" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I'm liking this thread already. As someone with limited knowledge of real life Japanese wrestling any help I can find for my game will be awesome. BHOTWG has an awesome history in the Cornellverse that I know pretty well, but I don't know the real life side of things to balance it out so any tips and pointers you can provide will be awesome. <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Glad someone is going to find it helpful. I edited in a few of the things I do into the first post, which might help. Anything specific you wanted myself and others to help out with? </p><p> </p><p> Getting to know real puroresu helped immensely, at least for me. TK's 2008 BH project gave me a love for BH but it was watching real puroresu - especially a lot of New Japan stuff from the 80s and 90s - that really made me feel like I "got it". </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Jaded" data-cite="Jaded" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="35123" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Very nice thread - and love the useful links section!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Thanks. Should add your influences thread in as well, as it would be helpful here as well.</p>

[Tigerkinney]

Storylines - I've heard complaints about real puro, saying "it doesn't have any stories". That's entirely incorrect. The feuds in Japan are simply done differently from what NA fans are used to. You can use storylines, but you won't be using regular promos and interviews to advance them. You can use angles in Burning Hammer but given the product, you have to do so only with top talent.

 

There is a bit of ignorance, when it comes to Puroresu not having any real feuds/storylines. As you said they're simply done (feuds based on being the best/trying to overcome an opponent they can't seem to beat).

 

There's none of that love interest nonsense (e.g any WWE storyline involving A.J Lee this year) you get with North American sports entertainment promotions or convoluted invasion storylines with a disappointing pay off the kind of which TNA churn out on a yearly basis.

 

One of my favourite feuds in real life Puroresu, is Shingo vs BxB Hulk in Dragon Gate- which has lasted since 2008 from when Shingo turned on his then stable mate Hulk. Both have played the heel and face role throughout the feud's duration to keep things fresh and it's been logically booked throughout.

[Tigerkinney]

Loyalty - The mechanic has changed in that loyalty is no longer absolute - you can't sign a loyal worker away from the promotion they are loyal to, but they will work for you. I signed Magnum Kobe to a tour contract, though he would not accept a Written deal due to his loyalty to WLW.

 

Glad the loyalty mechanic has been tweaked to be more 'realistic' in 2013. The Magnum Kobe example you gave is comparable in real life to someone like Kota Ibushi, who compete's for NJPW on a non regular basis and remains loyal to DDT.

[Derek B]

Glad someone is going to find it helpful. I edited in a few of the things I do into the first post, which might help. Anything specific you wanted myself and others to help out with?

 

Getting to know real puroresu helped immensely, at least for me. TK's 2008 BH project gave me a love for BH but it was watching real puroresu - especially a lot of New Japan stuff from the 80s and 90s - that really made me feel like I "got it".

 

 

 

Thanks. Should add your influences thread in as well, as it would be helpful here as well.

 

I've been trying to watch some puro lately but haven't had much time to do so yet. Unregistered gave me a link to a Youtube channel so I've watched a handful of matches from there but if there are any rivalries I should be following in order or anything, that would be awesome.

 

I know a little about the top guys in NOAH from back when I watched some ROH and branched off to NOAH thanks to the awesomeness of Kobashi, but I don't know a lot. And I'm aware that they're more PGHW style too, so the more stuff that I could pay homage to with Burning Hammer, the better.

[Self]

There are whole shows online if you know where to look. I'm more of a Dragon Gate guy (I think WLW is the nearest equivalent) but I watch the odd bit of NJPW and NOAH. I definitely leant heavily on Dragon Gate's stable wars format when my TEW2010 Road to Glory game took me to BHOTWG. Spent a few minutes making up Japanglish team names, then literally used a random number generator to separate the roster into different groups. Kinda helped me find some personality in the guys. I also ran a lot of leagues.

[Bigpapa42]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Tigerkinney" data-cite="Tigerkinney" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="35123" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>There is a bit of ignorance, when it comes to Puroresu not having any real feuds/storylines. As you said they're simply done (feuds based on being the best/trying to overcome an opponent they can't seem to beat). <p> </p><p> There's none of that love interest nonsense (e.g any WWE storyline involving A.J Lee this year) you get with North American sports entertainment promotions or convoluted invasion storylines with a disappointing pay off the kind of which TNA churn out on a yearly basis. <img alt=":rolleyes:" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/rolleyes.png.4b097f4fbbe99ce5bcd5efbc1b773ed6.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> One of my favourite feuds in real life Puroresu, is Shingo vs BxB Hulk in Dragon Gate- which has lasted since 2008 from when Shingo turned on his then stable mate Hulk. Both have played the heel and face role throughout the feud's duration to keep things fresh and it's been logically booked throughout.[/left]</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Its definitely ignorance but its something I've seen more than a few times on a few sites, wrestling based and otherwise. </p><p> </p><p> The relative simplicity to the booking is one of the key aspects of puro that appeals to me. I don't need a feud to be about anything more than proving ones-self and chasing a title. The booking in All Japan in the 90s is kind the peak for me - simple and long-term. The feuds with Misawa and Kawada and Kobashi... so simple yet so perfect. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Tigerkinney" data-cite="Tigerkinney" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="35123" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Glad the loyalty mechanic has been tweaked to be more 'realistic' in 2013. The Magnum Kobe example you gave is comparable in real life to someone like Kota Ibushi, who compete's for NJPW on a non regular basis and remains loyal to DDT.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Yup, I was definitely happy to read that Ryland tweaked it and I'm digging it so far. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Derek B" data-cite="Derek B" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="35123" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I've been trying to watch some puro lately but haven't had much time to do so yet. Unregistered gave me a link to a Youtube channel so I've watched a handful of matches from there but if there are any rivalries I should be following in order or anything, that would be awesome.<p> </p><p> I know a little about the top guys in NOAH from back when I watched some ROH and branched off to NOAH thanks to the awesomeness of Kobashi, but I don't know a lot. And I'm aware that they're more PGHW style too, so the more stuff that I could pay homage to with Burning Hammer, the better. <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'll send you some links via PM. </p><p> </p><p> I enjoy DragonGate, which both TK and Self have mentioned. I love 90s All Japan stuff, but a lot of those feuds (which include pre-Noah Misawa and Kobashi) are ideally watched in order. For current stuff, I'm really digging New Japan this year. The rise of Kazuchika Okada and his feud with Hiroshi Tanashi has been fantastic. </p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Self" data-cite="Self" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="35123" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>There are whole shows online if you know where to look. I'm more of a Dragon Gate guy (I think WLW is the nearest equivalent) but I watch the odd bit of NJPW and NOAH. I definitely leant heavily on Dragon Gate's stable wars format when my TEW2010 Road to Glory game took me to BHOTWG. Spent a few minutes making up Japanglish team names, then literally used a random number generator to separate the roster into different groups. Kinda helped me find some personality in the guys. I also ran a lot of leagues.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> DragonGate is good stuff. Its pretty unique. I don't know that WLW is that close, but its the closest the C-verse has. One of the things I love about DG is how simple it is to follow - I can check out an Infinity and even if I don't really know where everything is in story terms, I can follow. </p><p> </p><p> The Japanglish team names is one of the most fun aspects, I find. Love doing that.</p>

[smurphy1014]

<p>I love watching NJPW. I have found a good amount of their full events on youtube. Only issue I have is understanding what the announcers are saying during the matches. Although the videos that are shown before the matches do a good job of conveying what is going on. </p><p> </p><p>

If you like Junior Heavyweight action on the January 4th show NJPW has a pretty nice 3 way for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship: Prince Devitt © vs. Kota Ibushi vs. Low Ki</p>

[Infernalmiko]

<p><span style="color:#4B0082;">I keep meaning to sit down and write up a Puroresu Guide for TEW. I'll have to finally do that.</span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;">

I'd say you are spot on for feuds. Takashi Iizuka against Tenzan was really just about iizuka turning on his tag partner and Tenzan wanting revenge. Toyota-Yamada was all about Toyota being jealous about Yamada being more successful. My favorite was Akira Hokuto against Shinobu Kandori, which was partially about Kandori being a national class judoka and Hokuto not believing Kandori had the soul of a pro wrestler. AJPW feuds were classic in their simplicity.</span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;">

New Japan have their </span><a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/njpw" rel="external nofollow"><span style="color:#4B0082;">own channel</span></a><span style="color:#4B0082;"> on Youtube, it's worth a look.</span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;"> </span></p><p><span style="color:#4B0082;">

Nice work, Papa. It really covers BHOTWG well.</span></p>

[bookerman]

<p>One of my favorite reads on booking just happens to be about AJPW in the late 90s. Check it out here:</p><p> </p><p>

<a href="http://quebrada.net/columns/old/quebrada37carnybooking.html" rel="external nofollow">http://quebrada.net/columns/old/quebrada37carnybooking.html</a></p><p> </p><p>

Granted it's fantasy booking, but it outlines a lot of important points in Puro booking.</p><p> </p><p>

I'd love to be able to create a North America Puro type fed with either TCW or NOTBPW, but so far I haven't been able to do it real well.</p>

[Luchador Canadiense]

<p>I'm still making my way through the New Japan Pro Wrestling King of Pro-Wrestling PPV from earlier this year, but I have fallen in love with NJPW this fall.</p><p> </p><p>

I got hooked after I read about the great Tanahashi-Okada match from The New Beginning, which I loved. So of course I had to see the rematch, and from there I watched G-1 Climax... and that was it. </p><p> </p><p>

Outside of CMLL, I don't even watch any North American promotions anymore, and NJPW has become my first choice, even over CMLL. Thank goodness for YouTube, though, because I'm not sure where I would be without it!</p>

[Bigpapa42]

I've been really enjoying New Japan this year as well. They've had a few fantastic shows, with great quality top to bottom.

 

 

I actually have read that somewhere before, bookerman. I am wondering if someone (maybe you?) linked to it on here previously. Its an interesting take and shows the depth of thought that "pure wrestling" still involves.

 

 

My main reason for posting this is a great little piece of advice that I saw Apupunchau@optonline mention in FINisher's BCG thread... Putting any user points into Creative is a waste. Completely unnecessary. Burning Hammer doesn't use gimmicks and if you do use one that bombs, you can change it to no gimmick without penalty or needed delay. Use those points for Motivating and you'll see results in terms of grades. Something I had never even though of.

[Sigilistic]

Big Papa, I'd love to see something in the vein of your first post on this thread over in the SWF thread. I particularly enjoy your take on SWF and a summary would be really helpful.

[Bigpapa42]

Big Papa, I'd love to see something in the vein of your first post on this thread over in the SWF thread. I particularly enjoy your take on SWF and a summary would be really helpful.

 

The SWF thread or the TCW thread? The only thing I added to the SWF thread was an idea for how to use Marat Khoklov as a special attraction...?

[bookerman]

Big Papa, I'd love to see something in the vein of your first post on this thread over in the SWF thread. I particularly enjoy your take on SWF and a summary would be really helpful.

 

I think he wants a Big Papa sized overview of SWF much like you did for BHOTWG. I wouldn't turn down one for TCW for that matter.

[Bigpapa42]

I think he wants a Big Papa sized overview of SWF much like you did for BHOTWG. I wouldn't turn down one for TCW for that matter.

 

Now that I re-read, you are absolutely correct. Guess I shouldn't try to read anything much first thing in the morning. I'll see what I can for both of those...

[Sigilistic]

I think he wants a Big Papa sized overview of SWF much like you did for BHOTWG. I wouldn't turn down one for TCW for that matter.

 

Now that I re-read, you are absolutely correct. Guess I shouldn't try to read anything much first thing in the morning. I'll see what I can for both of those...

 

Yes, ones for TCW and SWF would be much appreciated.

[Bigpapa42]

Yes, ones for TCW and SWF would be much appreciated.

 

Anything specific you would like addressed? Particular workers or anything like that?

[Sigilistic]

Anything specific you would like addressed? Particular workers or anything like that?

 

It'd be great if you broke down the SWF roster a bit, analyzing the important workers and how to use them.

 

I'd also love to see a primer on how best to run the SWF product, i.e. heavily risque sports entertainment attitude but with more wrestling than is typically shown on WWE TV.

 

I also struggled a bit with directions to go with starting storylines. While I've finally figured out my path, I'd love to see what your thoughts are on both the existing starting storylines and some possible and likely feuds people could set up to start with.

 

For me, the big challenge of SWF is just getting started. Crafting storylines, figuring out who's who and how best to book, those're the challenges. Once you get going, SWF seems to thrive through sheer inertia if nothing else.

 

Oh, and any advice you have on low-grade pitfalls would be good.

 

I'm sorry about the threadjack.

 

On-topic, it seems like BHOTWG is a great company with which to utilize the auto-booker. Especially for tour dates, where the cards tend to blend together and little of import typically happens. I wish I would've had the assistant booker in my TEW2010 Burning Hammer game. After I get burned out on my SWF game, I think another Burning Hammer game is in order.

[Lo-Drew]

Has anyone created any cool stables in your BHOTWG games?

[Lo-Drew]

So who are "the usual suspects" for you guys when it comes to signing guys?

[Luchador Canadiense]

Haranobu Kobayashi, Lion Genji, Omezo Shiketi, and Tanyu Toshusai are at the top of my list for young workers.

I also have a tendency to bring in Funakoshi on a PPA, just because he is so awesome. Finally, my big steal is Mr. Lucha III, just because I love luchadors.

[Teh_Showtime]

Jin Miyamoto from Hinote is pretty much a necessity for me. In my 2014 game he's become amazing one year in. He teams with Pretty Okakura (my #1 NBT) in a stable that also includes Magnum Kobe.

 

He's at 86 basics, 83 psychology, 85 consistency, 71 selling, and 95 safety. Him and Kobe regularly tagging with Okakura will pretty much turn him into a fantastic worker on his own right by the time he's ready to break off into singles. Kobe is the junior champion with 90 overness across Japan and he's actually my #1 franchise player over max popularity Nakasawa.