Official "Booking Committee" Thread

[SauceManFresh]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="MightyDavidson" data-cite="MightyDavidson" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>In the SWF I was planning to form a Nexus-like group of people who have issues with the management. The Crippler and Spencer Spade seem perfect for this idea due to Crippler being pissed off about his former gimmick and Spade being stuck so long in developmental. I'm not certain who else would be good for it though, since obviously it's going to need more then two guys.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I don't know if you figured out who to use yet, but I have a few ideas. If you have already split or are planning to split either the Bumfholes or the Awesomeness, you can use who one of the them as being upset with being stuck in the tag ranks for forever. You could bring up Primus Allen from developmental to be the muscle, he has high menace, which will help in angles. You could also turn Robbie Retro or Captain Atomic and give them a new name and gimmick, citing their old gimmicks were holding them back.</p>

[TheRyanLee]

Strategy for WWE with 3 brands

 

Hello guys. I currently have TEW2016, but I've been playing the game since TEW2007. I am using T-Zone's 2016 Real Life mod. I decided to take on the challenge of running WWE with 3 separate brands (RAW, SmackDown!, and Legends), along with NXT as the developmental territory. I started on August 1, 2016.

 

I am having trouble finding a good flow and balance to my shows, especially the 3-hour RAWs. I keep placing some matches and angles in the wrong spots. What formulas or strategies do you recommend as a good launching point for me? I am playing as Shane McMahon, in owner mode. Also, I changed Main Event and Superstars to HEAT and Velocity. For the life of me, I cannot put on a good HEAT or Velocity show. They end up atrocious every single time.

 

On average, I am losing popularity in 37 - 45 regions with each show. That is pretty bad, isn't it? It's also quite the challenge running the Legends brand, considering it's primarily based on legends.

 

One of my few successes was a successful heel turn for Roman Reigns with heel Eva Marie as his evil valet. The two of them are doing great heel work together as Roman feuds with Cesaro. This storyline is doing very well.

 

Alright, those were some of my thoughts. Any recommendations or assistance with booking 3 'A' Shows and 2 'B' Shows per week will be gladly accepted. Thanks!

[jeronullet]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Valkyria" data-cite="Valkyria" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Do you mind telling me which mod you are using?</div></blockquote><p> I believe it's Risky Business 3.0</p>

[James Casey]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="TheRyanLee" data-cite="TheRyanLee" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Any recommendations or assistance with booking 3 'A' Shows and 2 'B' Shows per week will be gladly accepted. Thanks!</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> You're mad.</p><p> </p><p> But hey, it's your game!</p><p> </p><p> As the WWE, your angles are king. Milk your 2-3 most over workers for all they're worth. Book them like Hogan in 1997, because they need to be iron-clad guarantees of high ratings. If they have to share the limelight with lesser Superstars, make sure they're still the focus, that they score many more successes than defeats, and that they win their matches.</p><p> </p><p> Your most popular workers are the tentpoles around which your company (and its brands) are built. The success of any show depends on making the most of any given worker, using them to elevate everyone else by association. If you have Rollins and Reigns as heels on Raw, find them a buddy who can leech off their overness - someone like Baron Corbin who can look menacing in the background while the fans adore/loathe Rollins and Reigns.</p><p> </p><p> Building workers is slow business, but the good news is that on a three hour Raw you need a hot opener (Rollins chats smack, Rollins beats Darren Young), a decent semi-final (elevated Corbin faces Sami Zayn) and hot main event (Reigns against Cesaro). That's <em>maybe</em> an hour, depending on match length. That gives you two hours to build up your undercard by association - midcards against openers, UMC vs. LMC, ME vs. midcard and so on. I'd recommend doing this sparingly, though. Pick one or two 'projects' at a time to elevate, rather than trying to get everyone over at once. It's a lot easier to control that way.</p><p> </p><p> Whatever you're doing on Legends, chances are it's going to suffer because whoever you have (DDP, Vader, Goldust?) isn't likely to be able to deliver in the ring anymore, and they may have hit the point where their relevancy is tailing off. That's a problem, as can be seen anytime Ric Flair's been allowed the microphone in the last decade - respect for a legend is very different from them still being <em>respectable</em>. Even in WWE, you still need to have some decent matches - B minimum for your best, I'd think. Honestly, I'd ditch Legends as an A show and rebrand it to a B show and make it the halfway house for NXT graduates - put someone like TM61 alongside DDP to build their mic skills, say.</p><p> </p><p> I cannot stress enough, however, that in TEW <em>you cannot overuse your biggest names</em>. Reigns, Ambrose, Rollins... If you want to run a 60 minute promo with them, the fans will probably go for it, and their momentum should be kept in the A range so that the fans will keep wanting to see them. Look at how much of a 1999 Raw was built around Rock and/or Austin to see how TEW expects Rollins etc. to be used <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p>

[TheRyanLee]

<p>Great ideas!</p><p> </p><p> </p><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="James Casey" data-cite="James Casey" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>You're mad.<p> </p><p> But hey, it's your game!</p><p> </p><p> As the WWE, your angles are king. Milk your 2-3 most over workers for all they're worth. Book them like Hogan in 1997, because they need to be iron-clad guarantees of high ratings. If they have to share the limelight with lesser Superstars, make sure they're still the focus, that they score many more successes than defeats, and that they win their matches.</p><p> </p><p> Your most popular workers are the tentpoles around which your company (and its brands) are built. The success of any show depends on making the most of any given worker, using them to elevate everyone else by association. If you have Rollins and Reigns as heels on Raw, find them a buddy who can leech off their overness - someone like Baron Corbin who can look menacing in the background while the fans adore/loathe Rollins and Reigns.</p><p> </p><p> Building workers is slow business, but the good news is that on a three hour Raw you need a hot opener (Rollins chats smack, Rollins beats Darren Young), a decent semi-final (elevated Corbin faces Sami Zayn) and hot main event (Reigns against Cesaro). That's <em>maybe</em> an hour, depending on match length. That gives you two hours to build up your undercard by association - midcards against openers, UMC vs. LMC, ME vs. midcard and so on. I'd recommend doing this sparingly, though. Pick one or two 'projects' at a time to elevate, rather than trying to get everyone over at once. It's a lot easier to control that way.</p><p> </p><p> Whatever you're doing on Legends, chances are it's going to suffer because whoever you have (DDP, Vader, Goldust?) isn't likely to be able to deliver in the ring anymore, and they may have hit the point where their relevancy is tailing off. That's a problem, as can be seen anytime Ric Flair's been allowed the microphone in the last decade - respect for a legend is very different from them still being <em>respectable</em>. Even in WWE, you still need to have some decent matches - B minimum for your best, I'd think. Honestly, I'd ditch Legends as an A show and rebrand it to a B show and make it the halfway house for NXT graduates - put someone like TM61 alongside DDP to build their mic skills, say.</p><p> </p><p> I cannot stress enough, however, that in TEW <em>you cannot overuse your biggest names</em>. Reigns, Ambrose, Rollins... If you want to run a 60 minute promo with them, the fans will probably go for it, and their momentum should be kept in the A range so that the fans will keep wanting to see them. Look at how much of a 1999 Raw was built around Rock and/or Austin to see how TEW expects Rollins etc. to be used <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> Thanks James! This is all very helpful stuff. I think I am going to change Legends from an 'A' show to a 'B' show. I have never run a 60 minute promo before.. that sounds like a risky idea. Have you done that successfully before? I will continue my experiments lol.</p>

[James Casey]

I believe the longest I've done was about 25 minutes in SWF on 2010, just to see if it worked. It did. I can't see any reason why an hour segment wouldn't work, in theory. Everyone in it would have to be white hot though.

[jjohns44]

<p>I have an idea for a heel stable that parodies the Black Lives Matter movement, except they take their movement to the extremes that a wrestling stable would take it. Although I don't want it to be BLM(and neither am I looking include strictly black wrestlers either) but a few underused workers(midcarders or below but with a charismatic midcarder or Upper Midcarder to be the voice of the stable) tired of being treated unfairly in the company(or being used to make popular wrestlers look better, jobbing, not getting fair title opportunities, the kinds of things that would frustrate them to the point of making a stable out of it.</p><p>

I dunno, I feel like I have something swimming, just trying to think of a name. Hopefully incorporate words in their name that would be closely identified as a BLM parody.</p>

[pWney]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="jjohns44" data-cite="jjohns44" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I have an idea for a heel stable that parodies the Black Lives Matter movement, except they take their movement to the extremes that a wrestling stable would take it. Although I don't want it to be BLM(and neither am I looking include strictly black wrestlers either) but a few underused workers(midcarders or below but with a charismatic midcarder or Upper Midcarder to be the voice of the stable) tired of being treated unfairly in the company(or being used to make popular wrestlers look better, jobbing, not getting fair title opportunities, the kinds of things that would frustrate them to the point of making a stable out of it.<p> I dunno, I feel like I have something swimming, just trying to think of a name. Hopefully incorporate words in their name that would be closely identified as a BLM parody.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Maybe you could use something like Jobber Lives Matter?</p>

[KnowYourEnemy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="jjohns44" data-cite="jjohns44" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I have an idea for a heel stable that parodies the Black Lives Matter movement, except they take their movement to the extremes that a wrestling stable would take it. Although I don't want it to be BLM(and neither am I looking include strictly black wrestlers either) but a few underused workers(midcarders or below but with a charismatic midcarder or Upper Midcarder to be the voice of the stable) tired of being treated unfairly in the company(or being used to make popular wrestlers look better, jobbing, not getting fair title opportunities, the kinds of things that would frustrate them to the point of making a stable out of it.<p> I dunno, I feel like I have something swimming, just trying to think of a name. Hopefully incorporate words in their name that would be closely identified as a BLM parody.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> How about the "Chocolate Coalition"? It's derived from the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rainbow/PUSH" rel="external nofollow">Rainbow Coalition </a>know widely from Rev. Jesse Jackson's 1988 presidential run. If it's modern WWE, have D-Von use his reverend gimmick to make sure the audience gets it.</p>

[MightyDavidson]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="SauceManFresh" data-cite="SauceManFresh" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I don't know if you figured out who to use yet, but I have a few ideas. If you have already split or are planning to split either the Bumfholes or the Awesomeness, you can use who one of the them as being upset with being stuck in the tag ranks for forever. You could bring up Primus Allen from developmental to be the muscle, he has high menace, which will help in angles. You could also turn Robbie Retro or Captain Atomic and give them a new name and gimmick, citing their old gimmicks were holding them back.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Well The Crippler and Spencer Spade are definitely on the roster for the team, I like your suggestion of Primus Allen too. Captain Atomic however, is going to be involved in another storyline involving Jack Greed, Skull DeBones and Aldous Blackfriar. Eventually they're going to be a heel stable in my SWF and Captain Atomic, being a superhero, will be there to try and thwart them.</p><p> </p><p> Jack Marlowe is a possibility though.</p>

[phoxy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="jjohns44" data-cite="jjohns44" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I have an idea for a heel stable that parodies the Black Lives Matter movement, except they take their movement to the extremes that a wrestling stable would take it. Although I don't want it to be BLM(and neither am I looking include strictly black wrestlers either) but a few underused workers(midcarders or below but with a charismatic midcarder or Upper Midcarder to be the voice of the stable) tired of being treated unfairly in the company(or being used to make popular wrestlers look better, jobbing, not getting fair title opportunities, the kinds of things that would frustrate them to the point of making a stable out of it.<p> I dunno, I feel like I have something swimming, just trying to think of a name. Hopefully incorporate words in their name that would be closely identified as a BLM parody.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Wasn't that the J.O.B. Squad, back in 1998?</p>

[jjohns44]

They were a joke, never really considered a threat to anyone in the main event. In a way one would also them to be considered like the Social Outcasts which seems to be at a stand still in WWE

[DarEatWorld]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="jjohns44" data-cite="jjohns44" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>I have an idea for a heel stable that parodies the Black Lives Matter movement, except they take their movement to the extremes that a wrestling stable would take it. Although I don't want it to be BLM(and neither am I looking include strictly black wrestlers either) but a few underused workers(midcarders or below but with a charismatic midcarder or Upper Midcarder to be the voice of the stable) tired of being treated unfairly in the company(or being used to make popular wrestlers look better, jobbing, not getting fair title opportunities, the kinds of things that would frustrate them to the point of making a stable out of it.<p> I dunno, I feel like I have something swimming, just trying to think of a name. Hopefully incorporate words in their name that would be closely identified as a BLM parody.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> In a real life promotion I think a gimmick like that would go down like a lead balloon. There'd be absolute CARNAGE on the internet. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I mean, you'd trend but I think that the hashtags would be pretty unflattering! <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> I'd consider myself fairly open-minded (but doesn't everybody?) and I'd genuinely be a bit uneasy dropping money into a group that was lampooning BLM, I just don't view it as something at all humorous that lends itself well to satire. I'm not suggesting you do either but I think the easily outraged who lurk throughout social media and message boards would have a field day burning effigies and waving metaphorical pitchforks and torches. <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Be that as it may, you've asked a reasonable question and I would like to throw a suggestion out there:</p><p> </p><p> Our Pushes Matter (or O.P.M. which is probably close enough to opium that you could work in a druggy angle too if you wanted to toss some more petrol on the bonfire).</p>

[FankuKaibutsu]

<p>It's been about a year since someone was kicked out of the Four Horsmen and replaced by a new member, so it's about time someone was kicked out of the Four Horsemen and replaced with a new member. the question is: Who?</p><p> </p><p>

Lex Luger - Lex Luger joined the Horsemen in early 1987, cementing his membership by winning the US title off of Nikita Koloff in may. He lost the title in September, due to injury, and was kicked out of the Horsemen for being unable to win the title back. Since then, he's been tearing through the Horsemen, 1 by 1, and winning the US title back on the side, culminating with an unsuccessful World Title shot against Ric Flair. The reasoning behind having him re-join the Horsemen is that after beating the rest, and almost beating Flair, he's proved he has what it takes to be a Horesman. This could also lead to a lengthy feud with His Friend Sting, leading to Sting vs Flair at next year's Starrcade.</p><p> </p><p>

Curt Hennig - After the collapse of the AWA Hennig was brought in as The Perfect Competitor, defeating Bruiser Brody in his first match, and going on a win streak for the rest of the year, including a lengthy feud against Ted DeBiase and his Million Dollar Mercenaries. Hennig has both the skills, and personality, to make a good Horseman. The drawback, and the same drawback as Luger, is that there's a lack main event and upper-midcard faces in the company, and turning him, or Luger, would make things even more imbalanced.</p><p> </p><p>

Jerry Lalwer - He currently works for CWA, but was brought in during the fall of 1988 to feud with Flair. While his run was intended to fill time between The Great American Bash and the buildup to Starrcade, Flair and Lawler ended up putting on the best match so far at Halloween Havoc. I could bring him in full time as a surprise new member.</p><p> </p><p>

Eaton - Despite their skill and popularity, both The Midnight Express and The Rock And Roll Express have kind of gotten lost in the shuffle. Bobby Eaton has put on stand-out performances every time he gets in the ring, and it may be time to break him away from Stan Lane in a singles run.</p><p> </p><p>

Johnny Ace - Johnny Ace has spent most of the past 2 years in a moderately successful tag team with The Barbarian. Ric Flair took him on as a protege and Ace has grown by leaps and bounds as a performer. He's currently slated for a singles push, and joining the Horsemen would be a strong move in making him a star.</p><p> </p><p>

Shane Douglas - Another of Flair's proteges. He's currently working with Terry Taylor inn the totally radical tag team Dudes With Attitudes. He's actually a slightly better worker than Ace.</p><p> </p><p>

Kendall - The third of Flair's proteges. He's not as skilled in the ring as Ace and Douglas, or as charismatic, and he doesn't have the star power... Y'know what? scratch this idea. Moving on.</p><p> </p><p>

Dean Malenko - He may not be charismatic, but he's exceptionally skilled in the ring, which is the most important part of being a Horseman. He recently won a tournament to crown a new Junior Heavyweight champion. Malenko joining the Horsmen would not just do wonders for his popularity, but would help bring importance to the Junior Heavyweight division.</p><p> </p><p>

Shawn Michaels - Initially brought in for the above mentioned Junior Heavyweight tournament, his exceptional performance has earned him a full-time contract. He's the opposite of Malenko, in what he lacks in the ring he makes up for in charisma and presence.</p><p> </p><p>

Scott Hall - Scott has been queitly putting on great matches in the undercard and pre-show since early 1987, in between tours of Japan. Earlier in 1988 he was brought in full-time to be a part of The Million Dollar Mercenaries, though this has mostly amounted to being the 4th man in eight-man tag matches, and jobbing to other tag teams with fellow mercenary Ron Bass. He has everything it takes to be a Horseman, but he'd have to do something about the mustache, though.</p>

[Slim Jim]

<p>Hennig is, excuse the pun, perfect for the Horsemen but if you don't want to turn him then I would say one of Flair's protégés would be the most realistic (in that Flair would use his stroke to give one of his guys a good spot), so whichever of Ace/Douglas fits better for your roster. Douglas as the better worker probably doesn't need it and Ace has a good name for the Horsemen already (I can hear him labelling off the members as Ace of different suits with Flair as Ace of Diamonds, naturally. Hearts for the biggest playboy, Clubs for the wildest partier, not sure about Spades... I think it's supposed to symbolise death so the biggest/most destructive?).</p><p> </p><p>

If not any of them, then Scott Hall from the rest. I can't see Michaels as a Horseman but maybe he could have a run trying to prove himself to them and by the time he does, he doesn't accept it (and in the process beats Flair for his title and/or valet).</p>

[jeronullet]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="FankuKaibutsu" data-cite="FankuKaibutsu" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>It's been about a year since someone was kicked out of the Four Horsmen and replaced by a new member, so it's about time someone was kicked out of the Four Horsemen and replaced with a new member. the question is: Who?<p> </p><p> Lex Luger - Lex Luger joined the Horsemen in early 1987, cementing his membership by winning the US title off of Nikita Koloff in may. He lost the title in September, due to injury, and was kicked out of the Horsemen for being unable to win the title back. Since then, he's been tearing through the Horsemen, 1 by 1, and winning the US title back on the side, culminating with an unsuccessful World Title shot against Ric Flair. The reasoning behind having him re-join the Horsemen is that after beating the rest, and almost beating Flair, he's proved he has what it takes to be a Horesman. This could also lead to a lengthy feud with His Friend Sting, leading to Sting vs Flair at next year's Starrcade.</p><p> </p><p> Curt Hennig - After the collapse of the AWA Hennig was brought in as The Perfect Competitor, defeating Bruiser Brody in his first match, and going on a win streak for the rest of the year, including a lengthy feud against Ted DeBiase and his Million Dollar Mercenaries. Hennig has both the skills, and personality, to make a good Horseman. The drawback, and the same drawback as Luger, is that there's a lack main event and upper-midcard faces in the company, and turning him, or Luger, would make things even more imbalanced.</p><p> </p><p> Jerry Lalwer - He currently works for CWA, but was brought in during the fall of 1988 to feud with Flair. While his run was intended to fill time between The Great American Bash and the buildup to Starrcade, Flair and Lawler ended up putting on the best match so far at Halloween Havoc. I could bring him in full time as a surprise new member.</p><p> </p><p> Eaton - Despite their skill and popularity, both The Midnight Express and The Rock And Roll Express have kind of gotten lost in the shuffle. Bobby Eaton has put on stand-out performances every time he gets in the ring, and it may be time to break him away from Stan Lane in a singles run.</p><p> </p><p> Johnny Ace - Johnny Ace has spent most of the past 2 years in a moderately successful tag team with The Barbarian. Ric Flair took him on as a protege and Ace has grown by leaps and bounds as a performer. He's currently slated for a singles push, and joining the Horsemen would be a strong move in making him a star.</p><p> </p><p> Shane Douglas - Another of Flair's proteges. He's currently working with Terry Taylor inn the totally radical tag team Dudes With Attitudes. He's actually a slightly better worker than Ace.</p><p> </p><p> Kendall - The third of Flair's proteges. He's not as skilled in the ring as Ace and Douglas, or as charismatic, and he doesn't have the star power... Y'know what? scratch this idea. Moving on.</p><p> </p><p> Dean Malenko - He may not be charismatic, but he's exceptionally skilled in the ring, which is the most important part of being a Horseman. He recently won a tournament to crown a new Junior Heavyweight champion. Malenko joining the Horsmen would not just do wonders for his popularity, but would help bring importance to the Junior Heavyweight division.</p><p> </p><p> Shawn Michaels - Initially brought in for the above mentioned Junior Heavyweight tournament, his exceptional performance has earned him a full-time contract. He's the opposite of Malenko, in what he lacks in the ring he makes up for in charisma and presence.</p><p> </p><p> Scott Hall - Scott has been queitly putting on great matches in the undercard and pre-show since early 1987, in between tours of Japan. Earlier in 1988 he was brought in full-time to be a part of The Million Dollar Mercenaries, though this has mostly amounted to being the 4th man in eight-man tag matches, and jobbing to other tag teams with fellow mercenary Ron Bass. He has everything it takes to be a Horseman, but he'd have to do something about the mustache, though.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I'd go with Hennig. He could be billed as "the future leader" of the Horsemen and he fits style-wise with the Horsemen mold.</p>

[FankuKaibutsu]

<p>Hennig may be the best fit, but looking back over my roster I really need him more as a face. He's one of the three major, up-and-coming faces(along with Luger and Sting) battling the two heel stables of the Horsemen and the Million Dollar Mercenaries. There really isn't anyone lower on the card skilled enough to take his place, and flipping Hennig and Barry Windham(the Horseman he'd replace) would still be a net-negative for the face side of the company. I still got time to figure it out, I'm at the beginning of November, and I'm not planning this until the new year. </p><p> </p><p>

After thinking about it, I really am leaning towards Ace. It's both realistic, and massively diverts from reality. But who knows what'll happen between now and January.</p>

[Rayelek]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="FankuKaibutsu" data-cite="FankuKaibutsu" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>It's been about a year since someone was kicked out of the Four Horsmen and replaced by a new member, so it's about time someone was kicked out of the Four Horsemen and replaced with a new member. the question is: Who?<p> </p><p> Lex Luger - Lex Luger joined the Horsemen in early 1987, cementing his membership by winning the US title off of Nikita Koloff in may. He lost the title in September, due to injury, and was kicked out of the Horsemen for being unable to win the title back. Since then, he's been tearing through the Horsemen, 1 by 1, and winning the US title back on the side, culminating with an unsuccessful World Title shot against Ric Flair. The reasoning behind having him re-join the Horsemen is that after beating the rest, and almost beating Flair, he's proved he has what it takes to be a Horesman. This could also lead to a lengthy feud with His Friend Sting, leading to Sting vs Flair at next year's Starrcade.</p><p> </p><p> Curt Hennig - After the collapse of the AWA Hennig was brought in as The Perfect Competitor, defeating Bruiser Brody in his first match, and going on a win streak for the rest of the year, including a lengthy feud against Ted DeBiase and his Million Dollar Mercenaries. Hennig has both the skills, and personality, to make a good Horseman. The drawback, and the same drawback as Luger, is that there's a lack main event and upper-midcard faces in the company, and turning him, or Luger, would make things even more imbalanced.</p><p> </p><p> Jerry Lalwer - He currently works for CWA, but was brought in during the fall of 1988 to feud with Flair. While his run was intended to fill time between The Great American Bash and the buildup to Starrcade, Flair and Lawler ended up putting on the best match so far at Halloween Havoc. I could bring him in full time as a surprise new member.</p><p> </p><p> Eaton - Despite their skill and popularity, both The Midnight Express and The Rock And Roll Express have kind of gotten lost in the shuffle. Bobby Eaton has put on stand-out performances every time he gets in the ring, and it may be time to break him away from Stan Lane in a singles run.</p><p> </p><p> Johnny Ace - Johnny Ace has spent most of the past 2 years in a moderately successful tag team with The Barbarian. Ric Flair took him on as a protege and Ace has grown by leaps and bounds as a performer. He's currently slated for a singles push, and joining the Horsemen would be a strong move in making him a star.</p><p> </p><p> Shane Douglas - Another of Flair's proteges. He's currently working with Terry Taylor inn the totally radical tag team Dudes With Attitudes. He's actually a slightly better worker than Ace.</p><p> </p><p> Kendall - The third of Flair's proteges. He's not as skilled in the ring as Ace and Douglas, or as charismatic, and he doesn't have the star power... Y'know what? scratch this idea. Moving on.</p><p> </p><p> Dean Malenko - He may not be charismatic, but he's exceptionally skilled in the ring, which is the most important part of being a Horseman. He recently won a tournament to crown a new Junior Heavyweight champion. Malenko joining the Horsmen would not just do wonders for his popularity, but would help bring importance to the Junior Heavyweight division.</p><p> </p><p> Shawn Michaels - Initially brought in for the above mentioned Junior Heavyweight tournament, his exceptional performance has earned him a full-time contract. He's the opposite of Malenko, in what he lacks in the ring he makes up for in charisma and presence.</p><p> </p><p> Scott Hall - Scott has been queitly putting on great matches in the undercard and pre-show since early 1987, in between tours of Japan. Earlier in 1988 he was brought in full-time to be a part of The Million Dollar Mercenaries, though this has mostly amounted to being the 4th man in eight-man tag matches, and jobbing to other tag teams with fellow mercenary Ron Bass. He has everything it takes to be a Horseman, but he'd have to do something about the mustache, though.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Are all of those guys faces? I'd say leave the 4th spot vacant for a bit and build up a few guys with them all trying to get into that coveted 4th spot. Hopefully you'd elevate a few guys that whoever doesn't get the spot could turn face?</p>

[ttj0001]

Who is getting kicked out?

[KnowYourEnemy]

It's been about a year since someone was kicked out of the Four Horsmen and replaced by a new member, so it's about time someone was kicked out of the Four Horsemen and replaced with a new member. the question is: Who?

 

Lex Luger - Lex Luger joined the Horsemen in early 1987, cementing his membership by winning the US title off of Nikita Koloff in may. He lost the title in September, due to injury, and was kicked out of the Horsemen for being unable to win the title back. Since then, he's been tearing through the Horsemen, 1 by 1, and winning the US title back on the side, culminating with an unsuccessful World Title shot against Ric Flair. The reasoning behind having him re-join the Horsemen is that after beating the rest, and almost beating Flair, he's proved he has what it takes to be a Horesman. This could also lead to a lengthy feud with His Friend Sting, leading to Sting vs Flair at next year's Starrcade.

 

Curt Hennig - After the collapse of the AWA Hennig was brought in as The Perfect Competitor, defeating Bruiser Brody in his first match, and going on a win streak for the rest of the year, including a lengthy feud against Ted DeBiase and his Million Dollar Mercenaries. Hennig has both the skills, and personality, to make a good Horseman. The drawback, and the same drawback as Luger, is that there's a lack main event and upper-midcard faces in the company, and turning him, or Luger, would make things even more imbalanced.

 

Jerry Lalwer - He currently works for CWA, but was brought in during the fall of 1988 to feud with Flair. While his run was intended to fill time between The Great American Bash and the buildup to Starrcade, Flair and Lawler ended up putting on the best match so far at Halloween Havoc. I could bring him in full time as a surprise new member.

 

Eaton - Despite their skill and popularity, both The Midnight Express and The Rock And Roll Express have kind of gotten lost in the shuffle. Bobby Eaton has put on stand-out performances every time he gets in the ring, and it may be time to break him away from Stan Lane in a singles run.

 

Johnny Ace - Johnny Ace has spent most of the past 2 years in a moderately successful tag team with The Barbarian. Ric Flair took him on as a protege and Ace has grown by leaps and bounds as a performer. He's currently slated for a singles push, and joining the Horsemen would be a strong move in making him a star.

 

Shane Douglas - Another of Flair's proteges. He's currently working with Terry Taylor inn the totally radical tag team Dudes With Attitudes. He's actually a slightly better worker than Ace.

 

Kendall - The third of Flair's proteges. He's not as skilled in the ring as Ace and Douglas, or as charismatic, and he doesn't have the star power... Y'know what? scratch this idea. Moving on.

 

Dean Malenko - He may not be charismatic, but he's exceptionally skilled in the ring, which is the most important part of being a Horseman. He recently won a tournament to crown a new Junior Heavyweight champion. Malenko joining the Horsmen would not just do wonders for his popularity, but would help bring importance to the Junior Heavyweight division.

 

Shawn Michaels - Initially brought in for the above mentioned Junior Heavyweight tournament, his exceptional performance has earned him a full-time contract. He's the opposite of Malenko, in what he lacks in the ring he makes up for in charisma and presence.

 

Scott Hall - Scott has been queitly putting on great matches in the undercard and pre-show since early 1987, in between tours of Japan. Earlier in 1988 he was brought in full-time to be a part of The Million Dollar Mercenaries, though this has mostly amounted to being the 4th man in eight-man tag matches, and jobbing to other tag teams with fellow mercenary Ron Bass. He has everything it takes to be a Horseman, but he'd have to do something about the mustache, though.

 

Bobby Eaton. He's a natural heel, fairly established at this point, and great in the ring. You can always bring in Stan Lane when Ole (or someone else) gets too old to run -- and re-brand the Midnight Express as "the enforcers" of the group.

 

But for now, Eaton can begin his ready-made feud with his former, more charismatic partner. I'm not sure what to do with Cornette -- maybe he can find a new team to lead to the top? I'd probably do that before turning James E. Cornette face.

[KnowYourEnemy]

Hennig may be the best fit, but looking back over my roster I really need him more as a face. He's one of the three major, up-and-coming faces(along with Luger and Sting) battling the two heel stables of the Horsemen and the Million Dollar Mercenaries. There really isn't anyone lower on the card skilled enough to take his place, and flipping Hennig and Barry Windham(the Horseman he'd replace) would still be a net-negative for the face side of the company. I still got time to figure it out, I'm at the beginning of November, and I'm not planning this until the new year.

 

After thinking about it, I really am leaning towards Ace. It's both realistic, and massively diverts from reality. But who knows what'll happen between now and January.

 

I'm actually going to caution against bringing in Johnny Ace, Kendall Windham or Shane Douglas into the stable. This is 1987 in the NWA -- Kayfabe is very much alive and well, and "Flair's proteges" wouldn't be recognized on-screen yet. Maybe in '96 or '97 this would happen... but not in "The Golden Era".

 

They'd be more natural upper-midcard to main event faces -- with the added caveat that Flair will be more willing to put them over due to the relationship. Point being, Ace and Douglas make more sense as faces right now -- maybe they can join down the road at some point as Flair's rivals often do.

[FankuKaibutsu]

Barry Windham is getting kicked out, if I didn't mention that before. He replaced Luger after Luger got kicked out. The Horsemen aren't The Horsemen without Flair and Arn, and Tully Blanchard out performs Windham in every way, plus he has great tag team chemistry with Arn.

 

KnowYourEnemy raises some good points, about Kayfabe and whatnot. Ace is currently Heel and has a better Heel rating, for what it's worth. Sure I could turn him down the line, but that's getting ahead of myself. And now that you mention Eaton, that could actually solve two different problems. I could have Eaton join The Horsemen and turn both Windham(for getting kicked out of the Horsemen) and Lane(for being Eaton turning on him) Face. This would help out the heel/face balance greatly, and break up a tag team I keep struggling to find something to do with.

[Pe_Mar]

Undecided on whether I should start a 2012 mod save and build CM Punk and Bryan as elite champions or start a current WWE save. Any opinions? And any rules for the save?

[cappyboy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="DarEatWorld" data-cite="DarEatWorld" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>In a real life promotion I think a gimmick like that would go down like a lead balloon. There'd be absolute CARNAGE on the internet. <img alt=":D" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /> I mean, you'd trend but I think that the hashtags would be pretty unflattering! <img alt=":p" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/tongue.png.ceb643b2956793497cef30b0e944be28.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> I'd consider myself fairly open-minded (but doesn't everybody?) and I'd genuinely be a bit uneasy dropping money into a group that was lampooning BLM, I just don't view it as something at all humorous that lends itself well to satire. I'm not suggesting you do either but I think the easily outraged who lurk throughout social media and message boards would have a field day burning effigies and waving metaphorical pitchforks and torches. <img alt=":)" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/smile.png.142cfa0a1cd2925c0463c1d00f499df2.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></p><p> </p><p> Be that as it may, you've asked a reasonable question and I would like to throw a suggestion out there:</p><p> </p><p> Our Pushes Matter (or O.P.M. which is probably close enough to opium that you could work in a druggy angle too if you wanted to toss some more petrol on the bonfire).</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> But that's the beauty of a game like this. You can do something crazy like trying to satirize Black Lives Matter and have it get over. I had a game going a few years ago and I want to say I was using the Queens of Chaos mod at the time. I had my fed in the Northwest and as a result the lowball venue I had to start with was a gay nightclub. So to try and get the regulars on my side, I promoted Ben Williams as a lovable gay goofball face. And it got crazy over. Ben had A* gimmick rating for his homosexual shtick and he climbed further up the ranks in that game than any other I've ever had him in.</p><p> </p><p> Now think about that in real world terms. That could never possibly work. The gay club's regulars and the typical wrestling crowd getting along well enough to mix in the same crowd? When hardcore wrestling fans have no problem flashing signs questioning the sexuality of the characters they hate? I can't imagine it ever happening. But because all fans matter so to speak in the game, those kinds of societial divisions that could wreck you in the real world can be overlooked and gimmicks like JJohns is suggesting can be played out to the player's content.</p><p> </p><p> The tricky part in my mind is getting the best name. I wouldn't go with the BLM acronym at all with this group. But then that's a personal taste thing. Growing up in Maine, WBLM was the radio station all the hard rockers and metalheads loved. So when I see those letters together, I always have to stop and remind myself they are shorthand for the racial political movement. For folks in the other 49, that acronym's probably okay.</p><p> </p><p> Were this my gimmick, I'd probably call them either Preliminary Lives Matter or The Shadow Squad. The first name lets you dodge the inside lingo. I may be smark enough to play a game like this but I always try to respect the illusion for my fictional fans. Just I would hope real promoters would do when I'm the fan watching their show. And it also lets you play with the real acronym a bit sort of like the Blue World Order did with the NWO. </p><p> </p><p> While the second one lends itself to a good misunderstanding storyline. The name Shadow Squad would speak to how they've been toiling in the shadows of others and are sick of it. But your big dark monster heel could see it as a sign they are like-minded souls and try to lure them into being his lackies. Much fun that could be had as they fight him for their independence.</p>

[KnowYourEnemy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="cappyboy" data-cite="cappyboy" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="41193" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>But that's the beauty of a game like this. You can do something crazy like trying to satirize Black Lives Matter and have it get over. I had a game going a few years ago and I want to say I was using the Queens of Chaos mod at the time. I had my fed in the Northwest and as a result the lowball venue I had to start with was a gay nightclub. So to try and get the regulars on my side, I promoted Ben Williams as a lovable gay goofball face. And it got crazy over. Ben had A* gimmick rating for his homosexual shtick and he climbed further up the ranks in that game than any other I've ever had him in.<p> </p><p> Now think about that in real world terms. That could never possibly work. The gay club's regulars and the typical wrestling crowd getting along well enough to mix in the same crowd? When hardcore wrestling fans have no problem flashing signs questioning the sexuality of the characters they hate? I can't imagine it ever happening. But because all fans matter so to speak in the game, those kinds of societial divisions that could wreck you in the real world can be overlooked and gimmicks like JJohns is suggesting can be played out to the player's content.</p><p> </p><p> The tricky part in my mind is getting the best name. I wouldn't go with the BLM acronym at all with this group. But then that's a personal taste thing. Growing up in Maine, WBLM was the radio station all the hard rockers and metalheads loved. So when I see those letters together, I always have to stop and remind myself they are shorthand for the racial political movement. For folks in the other 49, that acronym's probably okay.</p><p> </p><p> Were this my gimmick, I'd probably call them either Preliminary Lives Matter or The Shadow Squad. The first name lets you dodge the inside lingo. I may be smark enough to play a game like this but I always try to respect the illusion for my fictional fans. Just I would hope real promoters would do when I'm the fan watching their show. And it also lets you play with the real acronym a bit sort of like the Blue World Order did with the NWO. </p><p> </p><p> While the second one lends itself to a good misunderstanding storyline. The name Shadow Squad would speak to how they've been toiling in the shadows of others and are sick of it. But your big dark monster heel could see it as a sign they are like-minded souls and try to lure them into being his lackies. Much fun that could be had as they fight him for their independence.</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> One thing here: There's a big difference between what a small independent promotion and a nationally traded company can get away with in the real world. </p><p> </p><p> Vince has run similarly offensive acts recently [the mexicools and the New Day being two examples] and in the past [Akeem the African Dream and Sama Simba]. I'm not saying it should happen, but the outcry usually isn't enough to cause Vince to drop the angle. </p><p> </p><p> I agree nomenclature is important here -- I don't think you can use a name derivative of "lives matter" here and get away with it -- insinuating that "lives" don't "matter". I think the "chocolate coalition" would work here -- again, using either Reverend D-Von Dudley or "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero act as manager to further tie the group to real world events.</p>