Card building guides

[Drebin]

I appreciate its hard to build a card without any criteria as such (ie company, stories etc), but on a basic premise, id like to ask the following questions:

 

Opening

If I go with a match to start the show, what sort of time should I be aiming for? I always end up with say a 2hr show, that has like 7 matches, but is still way short of time required... so should I go with something long lasting to set things up?

 

After that, this is where things go stale for me... I struggle to fill cards with things that make sense. Of course there are a couple of stories and I try to end each show with one or 2 major storylines advancing... but the middle of my card I fill up almost for the sake of it...

 

ie a tag matchup, sometimes a mid ranked title match.. .but again, timings, I think these are not important matches so maybe 8-10 mins, but should I be going longer for them?

 

Also is it fine to do back to back matches? If I have a show that expects say 50/50 angles/matches... should I go match, angle, match, angle etc

 

Add in to that, if I want an angle for a match that night, how many segments ahead should it be? If its a main event angle, do I want that in the early part of the show? Is it wise to have angle then match of the same wrestlers?

 

I just need some basic booking tips to make the most of my shows, I sort of have the odd good angle, maybe get lucky with a matchup in the middle, but in the main rely on the main event to flourish to make things OK for the night.

[CQI13]

From an older thread (I will test the format out tonight, but it should still provide a starting point):

 

http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1491718&postcount=4

[Drebin]

From an older thread (I will test the format out tonight, but it should still provide a starting point):

 

http://www.greydogsoftware.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1491718&postcount=4

 

Thats brilliant, cheers

[DevilofNG]

I think it depends a lot on what type of company and the size you're running. I run WWE so I usually end up with 12 or so segments per show. I like a strong balance of angles and matches. I never run matches back to back, which is something that goes all the way back to EWR for me. My basic template is as follows:

 

1. Strong opening angle involving main eventers/upper midcarders. This is usually my top guys, whether it be heels or faces.

2. Strong opening match involving upper midcarders or main eventers.

3. Angle

4. Match, probably a tag teamer

5. Angle

6. Match, midcarders

7. Angle

8. Match, divas most likely

9. Angle

10. Match, upper midcarders/midcarders

11. Angle

12. Match, main eventers, upper midcarders

13. Angle, usually something dealing with the main event

[Drebin]

Cheers Devil,

 

in terms of angles, how many of them relate to matches you have that night? And do you 'repeat' angles, by that i mean... do you say have an angle using the same wrestlers/storyline more than once in a show?

 

I think thats where I struggle sometimes.. I might have an arrival, then the same wrestler(s) in a angle to build up a match... then the match and maybe a beatdown angle... so its almost as if everything is over saturated.

 

But at the same time, I struggle to get angles to work if they have no relevance to that show.

[LloydCross]

I'm new to the game for 2016, but I've been playing a lot and finding this setup works for me.

 

1. (Optional) Opening angle - Should be strong enough to get a rating on its own since there's no crowd bonus

2. Match - Decent workers, Work the Crowd or Regular depending on if there was an angle before it

3. Angle

4. (Optional) Match - Regular, if there's time

4. Angle - This will get a hot crowd bonus

5. Match - Steal the Show

6. (Optional) Angle

7. Match - Comedy/Eye Candy to cool the crown

8. (Optional) Angle

9. Match - Storytelling with good workers

10. Angle

11. (Optional) Match - Regular, if there's time

12. Angle

13. Match - Steal the Show

14. (Optional) Angle - Related to ME to get hype going into next show

 

Of the optional slots, I use 1 and 14 a lot and the rest not as much since I started getting high enough ratings that the matches needed to be longer not to suffer penalties.

 

I still need to experiment on using some other match types. I feel like I should be able to work Spectacle in somewhere but haven't had much luck. I'd also like to play with Technical Masterclass. I don't really have the personnel for the more hardcore focused ones.

[nebradska]

In general, when I run a non-PPV show, I revolve it primarily around one storyline, like a TV sitcom. If the show is long, I'll also incorporate a B story. Every other major storyline will get at least one segment to keep the heat high and sometimes that will be a crossover with my A or B storyline.

[DevilofNG]

Drebin,

 

Most of my angles do in fact relate to the matches. I may have a promo lead into a match. Or I may have someone run in and beat someone down after a match. I do sometimes do the "repeat" angle thing but it's really not a repeat, but just a reusing of the same characters. I may open my show with a 10 minute promo from Triple H, Batista and Ric Flair and later have them in a backstage segment where they are plotting. The only time I use angles that are not about a match are probably divas angles on Smackdown where I don't have divas wrestle a lot or when I want to pop out a guaranteed 100 rated angle such as the Rock doing a promo or something.

[WxRobbie]

<p>Granted that I've edited things around a bit (very good, young workers on written deals with a LOT of money in the bank) for a scenario to see how long I could rise to National or higher, this is the booking formula I've used in my longest running game. At regional size, I've been pulling shows in the 75 to 85 range. I'm running a 90% match ratio.</p><p> </p><p>

Pre-Show Rest of the roster match or matches using talent that hasn't already been booked.</p><p>

1. Strong angle featuring one or more of my MEs to get the show off to a strong start</p><p>

2. Strong match (ME vs. UM or UM vs. MC) Steal The Show (15m)</p><p>

3. Slightly weaker match (MC vs. MC) Regular (8 to 10m)</p><p>

4. Slightly weaker match (MC vs. LM) Regular (6 to 8m)</p><p>

5. Filler match, much weaker (LM vs. LM/Opener/ET) Calm The Crowd (3 to 5m)</p><p>

6. Slightly stronger match (MC vs. LM) Regular (6 to 8m)</p><p>

7. Stronger Angle</p><p>

8. Slightly stronger match (MC vs. LM/MC/UM) Lift or Work Crowd (8 to 10m)</p><p>

9. Slightly Stronger Match (MC vs. MC/UM) Regular (10 to 14m)</p><p>

10. Same Strength Match (MC vs. MC/UM) Regular (10 to 14m)</p><p>

11. Worst Match (Opener/LM vs. Opener/LM/ET) Calm Crowd (3 to 5m)</p><p>

12. Semi-Main (UM/ME vs. UM/ME) Lift or Work Crowd (15 to 20m)</p><p>

13. Main Event (ME vs. ME/UM) Story Telling (20 to 30m)</p>

[mrwhippy]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="nebradska" data-cite="nebradska" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42028" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>In general, when I run a non-PPV show, I revolve it primarily around one storyline, like a TV sitcom. If the show is long, I'll also incorporate a B story. Every other major storyline will get at least one segment to keep the heat high and sometimes that will be a crossover with my A or B storyline.</div></blockquote><p> </p><p> If you're booking angle-heavy then do this. Absolutely foolproof way to keep your momentum high and get everyone (that you want to be) hot. Plus it's so much fun developing the theme of the show this way; if you're unsure then just look to your favourite TV show, you're guaranteed to get inspiration from it.</p><p> </p><p> I pretty much save all my meaningful matches (and certainly the ones with decisive finishes) for PPV. TV is to build intrigue in my opinion, I don't want anyone above midcard taking any sort of clean pin in a build up.</p>

[redhilleagle]

<p>Running a British Cult fed, I usually.....</p><p> </p><p>

1. Opening Match, Main Event or Upper vs Mid or Lower Midd</p><p>

2. Midcard Match</p><p>

3. Angle</p><p>

4. Match involving Upper and / or Midcard and / or Lower Midcard</p><p>

5. Angle</p><p>

6. Tag Team Match</p><p>

7. Angle</p><p>

8. Angle</p><p>

9. Main Event vs Upper or Midcard</p><p>

10. Angle</p><p>

11. Upper vs Midcard</p><p>

12. Angle</p><p>

13. Main Event vs Main Event or Upper OR good, skillful Midcard.</p><p> </p><p>

Sometimes I only have 12 segments, sometimes 14, but I don't mind having 1 or 2 back to back matches and 1 or 2 back to back angles.</p>

[mrwhippy]

I think I'm different to most, I use about 25 segments for a 2 hour show with only around 4 matches. <img alt="" data-src="//content.invisioncic.com/g322608/emoticons/biggrin.png.929299b4c121f473b0026f3d6e74d189.png" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" />

[mvargus]

All of these suggestions are very good. I don't have any kind of template, but thought I could add some thoughts.

 

1) match/angle ratio will change this considerably. If you have 40% matches, you'll end up having more or longer angles, while a 90% match ratio might mean you only have 1 angle the whole night.

 

2)With the way shows are graded the wrestling portion is mostly decided by the main event. You can have bad earlier matches and still score a solid show with a main event that has people out of their seats. If you have the crowd effects on that can mean just manipulating the crowd so its very hot when you have the main event match.

 

3)There is no rule about alternating matches and angles. Most people do that to some extent, but its not required. In theory you could have the first half of your show be all angles and then the rest be matches. If you used calm and lift the crowd properly you could get the audience primed for a great main event.

 

4)a good first match helps a lot in getting the crowd going. I usually try to avoid putting a "throwaway" match here. (for me throwaway matches are midcard v midcard or lower. Basically anything I expect to grade several levels below the main event.)

 

5) experiment. Each product is slightly different so that will affect what works. A pattern that works great for SWF might prove to be horrible if used for BHOTWG. Also, once you learn how you want to picture the booking you'll change things. You can just make it a mathematical exercise to pit the best v the best for the best ratings, or you could try to have storylines that you book like real storylines, complete with mental pictures of the promos, fights and antics that surround the matches. I can say that I have a lot more fun once I get a few storylines developed and can picture the wrestlers cutting promos and such.

 

Hope you have fun.

[Drebin]

Cheers all, fantastic replies and tips to help me get to grasp with it all.

 

A quick question on angles, do you 'max' out the time that they take, I mean say I have a 10 minute angle, would or could the length of that be a detriment?

 

Does the game calculate that say an angle that could have run its course in 3 mins, but ive put it down as 10 mins, realise that this would drag on and as such score it poorly? Or does it just rate the content ie Face, Heel turn whether its 1 minute or 10?

 

Hope that makes sense.

[mvargus]

A quick question on angles, do you 'max' out the time that they take, I mean say I have a 10 minute angle, would or could the length of that be a detriment?

 

It depends. If I remember correctly we were told that any angle had to be at least 4 minutes to have any effect on worker development, so I almost never have one shorter than that. Most people also try to have main eventers in angles of at least six minutes for maximum impact. Other than that I don't know of any general rules for length of angle.

 

Does the game calculate that say an angle that could have run its course in 3 mins, but ive put it down as 10 mins, realise that this would drag on and as such score it poorly? Or does it just rate the content ie Face, Heel turn whether its 1 minute or 10?

 

I don't use the dirt sheet, but I've never seen any road agent notes regarding the length of an angle. I guess a very bad wrestler might be punished for being in an angle too long, but in general that comes as a warning when you are seeing the grade for the whole show. You'll be told that certain wrestlers were "overexposed". It usually means you had an opener or enhancement talent in for too many minutes.

[Drebin]

Thats brilliant mvargas, thanks for the tips.

[Drebin]

<p>This is sort of a spin off question, but I feel its better placed here rather than create a new thread.</p><p> </p><p>

It relates to card/show building, but when you plan your cards/stories, do you work backwards?</p><p> </p><p>

By that I mean, do you prepare your PPV either on paper or in your head and then work back... so for example, you want a certain main event in your next PPV... so do you pre-book that and then build that up week by week, knowing what there is ahead?</p><p> </p><p>

Or is it best to go weekly and live on the run as such, book your shows 1 by 1 and then fill in the PPV based on how things have gone in the month before it?</p>

[redhilleagle]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Drebin" data-cite="Drebin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42028" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This is sort of a spin off question, but I feel its better placed here rather than create a new thread.<p> </p><p> It relates to card/show building, but when you plan your cards/stories, do you work backwards?</p><p> </p><p> By that I mean, do you prepare your PPV either on paper or in your head and then work back... so for example, you want a certain main event in your next PPV... so do you pre-book that and then build that up week by week, knowing what there is ahead?</p><p> </p><p> Or is it best to go weekly and live on the run as such, book your shows 1 by 1 and then fill in the PPV based on how things have gone in the month before it?</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> I tend to do a bit of both. I usually do the latter, but that's just me being creatively lazy. However, if I have a decent story in my head and I know how it will finish, I'll plan the PPV I want it to end and then work my way to it.</p>

[DevilofNG]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Drebin" data-cite="Drebin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42028" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>This is sort of a spin off question, but I feel its better placed here rather than create a new thread.<p> </p><p> It relates to card/show building, but when you plan your cards/stories, do you work backwards?</p><p> </p><p> By that I mean, do you prepare your PPV either on paper or in your head and then work back... so for example, you want a certain main event in your next PPV... so do you pre-book that and then build that up week by week, knowing what there is ahead?</p><p> </p><p> Or is it best to go weekly and live on the run as such, book your shows 1 by 1 and then fill in the PPV based on how things have gone in the month before it?</p></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> Honestly, I book backwards. I usually have an idea of what I want my big matches at PPVs to be and I'll probably write them down in the Notepad and then work towards them. I haven't done it much during my current game because it's still kind of my TEW test run. I like to plan out my big three guys and see who I want them to face at the PPV. Sometimes it changes on the fly. </p><p> </p><p> Just for reference, I plan out what I want for big events months or years in advance. Example: in a recent EWR game before this version of TEW came out I already had Wrestlemania main events planned years beforehand. During this current TEW game, I'm in December 2004 and I've already got Mania main events for 2007, 08, 09 planned.</p>

[Joseph_D]

If you can't think of any good angles to put in, throw in a "Hype 1 vs 1 Video" or something like that. If I don't have anything between matches, I'll use those, sort of UFC style as a quick introduction to the match.

[BrokenCycle]

Here's my go-to card template for C popularity MAW. There's a few variations on this, but this is a typical card...

 

1. Opener with charismatic midcarders. Work the Crowd

2. Main Event Angle

3. Storytelling match to bring the crowd down a little.

4. Calm the Crowd match.

5. Good match to bring crowd up.

6. Calm.

7. Good angle to bring it up.

8. Good match.

9. Calm.

10. Main event. I used to do Steal the Show but my main eventers aren't as good as they once were.

 

The only match aims I really use are Work the Crowd, Calm the Crowd, and Storytelling.

[scorpion]

This is sort of a spin off question, but I feel its better placed here rather than create a new thread.

 

It relates to card/show building, but when you plan your cards/stories, do you work backwards?

 

By that I mean, do you prepare your PPV either on paper or in your head and then work back... so for example, you want a certain main event in your next PPV... so do you pre-book that and then build that up week by week, knowing what there is ahead?

 

Or is it best to go weekly and live on the run as such, book your shows 1 by 1 and then fill in the PPV based on how things have gone in the month before it?

 

Booking backwards is always preferable. In previous versions with strict storylines, where you had to complete certain angles/matches to advance, i would book very carefully every tv show leading up to the PPV deciding whether I wanted a build match at the PPV (Delaying the blowoff to the next month) or the blowoff at the upcoming PPV. It's more loose now so i generally just plan out how long I want the feud to go, and then book angles/matches as i go

[mrwhippy]

You've got to have an end goal in mind, either short or long term. Kicking off a story with a huge angle then winging it from then on is very difficult.

[tambourin81]

<blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-username="Drebin" data-cite="Drebin" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="42028" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div>Cheers all, fantastic replies and tips to help me get to grasp with it all.<p> </p><p> A quick question on angles, do you 'max' out the time that they take, I mean say I have a 10 minute angle, would or could the length of that be a detriment?</p><p> </p><p> Does the game calculate that say an angle that could have run its course in 3 mins, but ive put it down as 10 mins, realise that this would drag on and as such score it poorly?</p><p> </p></div></blockquote><p> I've never had that happen. In TEW2013 I'd actually encountered the reverse a few times, where the dirt sheet would tell me that the angles were too short (usually with extremely over entertainers like Sam Strong in the '97 Cornellverse).</p><p> </p><p> But as others have already said, any angle <em>below </em>a certain length (I think it's 4 or 5 minutes but never tested it) has no impact on a show's rating.</p>

[Koholos]

Honestly, I book backwards. I usually have an idea of what I want my big matches at PPVs to be and I'll probably write them down in the Notepad and then work towards them. I haven't done it much during my current game because it's still kind of my TEW test run. I like to plan out my big three guys and see who I want them to face at the PPV. Sometimes it changes on the fly.

 

Just for reference, I plan out what I want for big events months or years in advance. Example: in a recent EWR game before this version of TEW came out I already had Wrestlemania main events planned years beforehand. During this current TEW game, I'm in December 2004 and I've already got Mania main events for 2007, 08, 09 planned.

 

 

I'm curious how you plan that far ahead. I usually have a rough idea for current show, a vague idea for the next show, and for the bigger storylines, who will be involved at the next PPV (though I've swerved myself a few times.). The idea of thinking 100 shows in advance seem crazy to me.